snowy canvas
appeared where before were but ropes and spars, and in a moment the
whole squadron was under way. The steamers led off briskly, with much
churning of the water by their paddle-wheels and "brazen-fins;" after
them followed the magnificent sailing frigates, with sail set,--lofty
masses of canvas towering toward the skies, and moving with stately
grace. At the very head of all went the flagship, the grand old
"Wabash," with the flag of Admiral DuPont floating from the fore. None
of the commanders knew whither they were bound. All were to follow the
flagship, and in event of separation to refer to sealed orders with
which each was provided. For the first day all went well. The promise
of fair weather given by the beautiful day of starting seemed about to
be fulfilled. But on the second night, as they came near the terrible
region of Cape Hatteras, the wind began to freshen, and continued
increasing in fierceness until it fairly blew a gale. The night was
pitchy dark, and the crews on the vessels could hardly see the craft
by which they were surrounded. Great as was the danger of being cast
on the treacherous shoals of Hatteras, the peril of instant
destruction by collision was even more imminent. Fifty vessels,
heavily freighted with human lives, were pitching and tossing within a
few rods of each other, and within a few miles of a lee shore. It
seemed that the destruction of a large number of the vessels was
unavoidable; and the sailors may be pardoned, if, remembering the
mishaps of the Burnside expedition, they conceived Hatteras to be
tenanted by an evil spirit, determined to prevent the invasion of
Confederate territory. To add to the danger, the Confederates had
extinguished the warning light at the Cape, and the navigators of the
fleet had nothing to guide them in their course. When morning came,
the fleet was pretty well scattered, although still many vessels were
near enough together to be in no small danger. The transport "Winfield
Scott," which carried four hundred and fifty soldiers, besides a large
crew, was observed to be rolling heavily, and flying signals of
distress. From the decks of the "Bienville," the nearest steamer, the
officers with their glasses could see the crew of the distressed
vessel working like beavers, throwing overboard every thing of weight
to lighten the ship. Notwithstanding all their efforts, she was
clearly water-logged, and sunk so low in the water that wave after
wave b