yards,
and lined with the enemy's pickets.

"A mile below the town was the wreck of the Southfield, surrounded
by some schooners, and it was understood that a gun was mounted
there to command the bend. I therefore took one of the Shamrock's
cutters in tow, with orders to cast off and board at that point in
case we were hailed.

"Our boat succeeded in passing the pickets, and even the Southfield
within twenty yards, without discovery, and we were not hailed
until by the lookouts on the ram.

"The cutter was then cut off and ordered below, while we made for
our enemy under a full head of steam. The rebels sprang their
rattle, rang the bell and commenced firing, at the same time
repeating their hail, and seeming much confused.

"The light of the fire ashore showed me the iron-clad made fast to
the wharf, with logs around her, about thirty feet from her side.
Passing her closely, we made a complete circle, so as to strike her
fairly, and went into her bows on.

"By this time the enemy's fire was very severe, but a dose of
canister at short range seemed to moderate their zeal and disturb
their aim.

"Paymaster Swann, of the Otsego, was wounded near me, but how many
more I know not. Three bullets struck my clothing, and the air
seemed full of them.

"In a moment we had struck the logs just abreast of the quarter
post, breaking them in some feet, our bows resting on them. The
torpedo boom was then lowered, and by a vigorous pull I succeeded
in diving the torpedo under the over-hang and exploding it.

"At the same time the Albemarle's guns were fired. A shot seemed to
go crashing through my boat, and a dense mass of water rolled in
from the torpedo, filling the launch, and completely disabling her.

"The enemy then continued their fire at fifteen feet range, and
demanded our surrender, which I twice refused, ordering the men to
save themselves, and removing my overcoat and shoes. Springing into
the river, I swam with others into the middle of the stream, the
rebels failing to hit us.

"The most of our party were captured; some were drowned, and only
one escaped besides myself, and he in another direction.

"Acting Master's mate, Woodman, of the Commodore Hull, met me in
the water half a mile below the town, and I assisted him as best I
could, but failed to