l. To
windward the sky-soon became clear, but we took care not to get far
away from the dense fog to leeward of us. We did not see a cruiser,
while we lay for many hours anxiously waiting for night. As the sun set,
the order was given to go at full speed, and before midnight we had
passed safely through the blockading fleet, and had come to anchor off
Smithville. Out of the six steamers which sailed from St. George's, the
Whisper alone succeeded in getting in. Most of them were run ashore, and
their cargoes partially saved; but some fell, intact, into the hands of
the vigilant cruisers.

After a few weeks' service on board the ill-fated ironclad, built in
Wilmington, I was summoned by telegram to Richmond. The Confederate
authorities were then projecting an attempt to release the Point Lookout
prisoners. There appeared to be no insuperable obstacle in the way; and
it was believed that the prisoners, if released, and furnished with
arms, would be able to join the forces under the command of General
Early, then in the vicinity. Two steamers of light draft were to be
loaded with arms, etc., and were to carry, in addition to their crews,
an infantry force under the command of General Custis Lee. In the event
of success, the steamers were to be burned.

On my way to Richmond, my life was saved by the presence of mind of my
faithful servant (Essex,) who accompanied me on a visit to his home in
Virginia. General Wilson had just made a very destructive raid along the
line of the Richmond and Danville Railroad, striking the road at
Burkeville, and effectually damaging it as far as Meherrin Bridge, a
distance of thirty miles or more, where his progress was stopped. He did
not return within General Grant's lines without heavy loss; and when I
arrived at Ream's Station, on the Petersburg and Weldon road, I found
there a strong force of Confederate cavalry, under General Chambliss,
waiting to intercept the retreat. As I was bearer of dispatches from
General Whiting to General Lee, a hand car, with two men to work it, was
detailed for me, and with my servant on board we started to run the
gauntlet between the lines. The distance to be accomplished was about
seven miles, and we had passed over more than half of it, when one of
our "videttes" suddenly made his appearance, and we halted to inquire
about the state of affairs ahead. His report was satisfactory, and we
started again, but had only gone a short distance when we saw a squad