the
stanchion, upon which the torpedo line was brought aft. The torpedo was
submerged about six feet. Lieutenant W. T. Glassel, of the Confederate
Navy of Virginia, one of the bravest of the brave, volunteered to take
charge of her. He says Assistant Engineer J. H. Toombs volunteered his
services, Major Frank Lee gave me his zealous service in fitting a
torpedo. James Stuart, or Sullivan, volunteered to go as fireman, and
the services of J. W. Cannon as pilot were secured. I had an armament on
deck of four double-barrel shotguns, and as many navy revolvers; also
four cork life preservers had been thrown on board to make us feel safe.
On the fifth of October, 1863, they left Charleston a little after dark,
bound for the federal fleet outside, and especially for the "New
Ironsides," the most powerful ship afloat. He thus graphically describes
what occurred: "We passed Fort Sumter and beyond the line of picket
boats without being discovered. Silently steaming along just inside the
bar, I had a good opportunity to reconnoiter the whole fleet at anchor
between me and the camp fires on Morris Island.

"The admiral's ship, 'New Ironsides,' lay in the midst of the fleet, her
starboard side presented to my view, I determined to pay her the highest
compliment. I had been informed through prisoners lately captured from
the fleet, that they were expecting an attack from torpedo boats and
were prepared for it. I could hardly, therefore, expect to accomplish my
object without encountering some danger from riflemen, and, perhaps, a
discharge of grape or canister from the howitzers. My guns were loaded
with buckshots. I knew that if the officer of the deck could be disabled
to begin with, it would cause them some confusion, and increase our
chance of escape, so I determined that if the occasion offered I would
commence by firing the first shot. Accordingly, having on a full head of
steam, I took charge of the helm, it being so arranged that I could sit
on the deck, and work the wheel with my feet. Then directing the
engineer and fireman to keep below, and give me all the speed possible,
I gave a double-barrel gun to the pilot, with instructions not to fire
until I should do so, and steered directly for the monitor. I intended
to strike her just under the gangway, but the tide still running out
carried us to a point nearer the quarter. Thus we rapidly approached the
enemy. When within 300 yards of her a sentinel hailed us. Boat ahoy!
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