ly
the surf was getting worse and it was very difficult for the boats to
get clear of the beach. Those "niggers" would rush for every boat and
overload it, with the result that it would be swamped. If ever "niggers"
got a cursing, they certainly got it that night. About midnight my boat
was swamped three times in succession. I was thoroughly disgusted. The
crew and I were well tired out. We had had nothing to eat since morning,
our clothing was soaking wet from constantly being in the surf, and the
cold wind was chilling our bodies. The boat was lifted up sideways and
the water dumped out. Everything was made ready for a new start, but
this time I held my revolver in hand:

"Now, the first nigger who attempts to get in my boat will be shot!" and
I meant what I said. It was hard work for us to get through the surf,
and I felt certain that no more troops could be taken off that night. It
was very dark and cloudy. I steered for the lights which were on the
Nereus. We had gone about half the distance when the boat suddenly
capsized and dumped all hands into the water. What caused that mishap I
could never find out; it has always been a puzzle to me. It was lucky
that none of us was hurt. Our clothing was very heavy, and made it
difficult for us to keep from sinking, especially in such a rough sea.
My sword and revolver made additional weight for me. We managed to hold
on to the boat occasionally. In a few minutes we heard the splashing of
oars in the water, and, by yelling, we attracted the attention of the
boat's crew. They carefully approached and pulled us out of the sea. The
boat was one of the launches belonging to the frigate Wabash. They took
our boat in tow and rowed us to the Nereus. I was the only officer on
our vessel who got back with his boat not damaged. The others were all
badly disabled, and were left on the beach. About seven hundred of the
soldiers were left on shore, and there they had to remain for three
days. All night long the division to which the Nereus belonged fired
shells into the woods to prevent Confederate troops from Wilmington
making any attempt to capture our men. When the gale abated they were
embarked. The first attack on Fort Fisher had ended in a grand fizzle,
simply because Butler and Porter were at loggerheads. The army
transports went back to City Point. The men-of-war weighed anchor and
started for Beaufort, S. C. The few guns that still remained mounted at
Fort Fisher fired a partin