But even when so greatly lightened, the ship would not float, and
Cushing saw that all was lost. As a final expedient he sent a boat's
crew back after the cannon that the enemy had abandoned the day
before, intending to construct a land-battery with them, and so keep
his ship. But the Confederates had already removed the guns, so this
forlorn hope failed. Orders were then given for the crew to take the
schooner, and drop down the river for a mile or two. The young captain
expressed his intention of remaining aboard his craft, and asked for
six volunteers to help him fight the pivot-gun. They were quickly
found; and, while the remainder of the crew dropped down the river in
the schooner, the devoted little band calmly awaited the beginning of
the attack. They did not have long to wait. Soon a cannon boomed from
the bank, and a heavy shell whizzed over their heads. Then another,
from another direction, and a third, and a fourth, each from a
distinct battery. They were hopeless odds, yet Cushing and his command
fought on until the gunners, getting the range, dropped shot after
shot into the doomed vessel. Then fire broke out in three or four
places. This was too much; and the seven daring men took to a small
boat, and rowed to the schooner. First, however, they loaded the long
gun, and turned it on the enemy, in order, as Cushing said, "that she
might fight for herself when we could do so no longer." Once in the
schooner, they sailed rapidly down the river; and just as they reached
the sound a deep boom announced that the fire had reached the
magazine, and the "Ellis" was blown into a million pieces. Daring as
this adventure was, Cushing was much distressed at its termination;
and in his official report he asks for a general court of inquiry, to
determine whether he had properly upheld the honor of the nation's
flag.

Another daring expedition was undertaken by Cushing when in command of
the "Monticello." This was in February, 1864. He was cruising off Cape
Fear River. At Smithville, a small town some distance up the river,
was a Confederate army-post. Cushing's plan was to proceed up the
river in row-boats, burn any vessels that might be at the dock,
capture the commanding officers, and escape before the enemy could
recover from the surprise. It was a rash and rather useless
expedition, but Cushing successfully carried it out. With two boats
and twenty men, he went quietly past the guns of the fort, concealed
by the