The Daring feat of the C. S. Steamer Florida--Graphic account of her running the blockade.
The successful running into Mobile of the C, S steamer Florida, (formerly the Orleto) Captain Maffit commanding, was one of it most brilliant achievements of the war. The narrowly escaped condemnation at Havarn but at last got off. A letter from on board gives the following account of her cruise afterwards:Arming at sea, when a crowd of the enemy's cruisers were scouring the waters finding no our helpless little craft — thank heaven of their finest (the Adirondack) was lose in the effort — the pilot knowledge of Captain M, and his confidence in himself, enabled us to chide all their exertions. A block cloud came upon us. Yellow fever, that ‘"pestilential tyrant of the tropical,"’ appeared on board, We are without a physician, and that duty devolved upon our skipper. The armament being incomplete and discuss prevalent, it became necessary to seek a pare Curdenas was selected, and two days afterwards the sun rose upon that harbor, showing to the wondering citizens a beautiful armed vessel, from whose peak proudly floated the Stars and Birth Some three men were on duty and one fireman.
The fever rioted, and the quarries dark was turned into a hospital. Soon death stained on board, and the wild cry of frenzied victims ceased in sternal sleep. On the 20th. Our captain who had exposed himself a great deal in attending to our sick — up a all times of day and night — was as alter by this terrible disease, and great anxiety was felt for his safely; for who could manage the open of the ship as well as he? "I was a several night and for several days doubts existed in the of the physicians as to his ultimate recovery and on the 30th, thanks to a merciful God and strong constitution, he rallied, and we were pleased to hear that, hope of his restoration in health existed.
That night young of Charleston, the Captain's step-son, passed into eternity.--His unexpected death cast a deep gloom over the years, for we all loved Laurens for his admirable qualities and respected him for his virtues. Shortly afterwards our 3d Assistant Engineer, Mr Seely slept in death, and three more of our men. Certain public reasons caused the Captain to order the vessel under way, and, with some laborer, we started for Havana, where we arrived on the following morning, avoiding the Federal cruisers that Brig Gen Scheldt (Yankee Consul) had sent to keep us from leaving Cardenas. Probably our safe passage may be attributed to the circumstance of the Spanish passenger boat, bound to Havana, having passed out two hours before us, and, believing her to be the Florida, she was chased and cannonaded for some time. ‘"Nobody hurt,"’ but Spanish dignity greatly offended.
Our advent into Havana caused much excitement. Throngs assembled on the quays and there was an evident manifestation of good will and satisfaction.
There is no use in attempting to conceal the fact that the stringency of the neutrality proclamation of the Queens of England and Spain check mated the anticipations of our enthusiastic little skipper. Our full equipment had not been sent from England--vital implements for the gads were wanting Men were waiting. Neither men or equipment could be obtained. The authorities of Nassau and Cuba were ably assisted in sustaining the law by Consular spies, Yankee impudence, and gold. There was no alternative; a Confederate port had to be entered, and on due consideration our commander made his decision. At 7:30 P. M., on the 1st inst., we sailed. We had obtained some thirty ‘"laborers. "’who all entered the Confederate service, and acted well their part.
At 3:50 P. M., on the 4th instant, we made. Fort Morgan, and at the same time three blockaders. -- Lieut Stribbling, our Executive, went to the Captain, who, though still confined to his bed, directed all things, and asked if he was determined to push thought. He replied, decidedly, ‘"Yes;"’ and we stood on. They approached us under full. steam, and in a short time grouped around us — within very short range. The large one tried to cross our bow Capt Maffitt, who had taken charge, but was better fitted for the sick room than the deck, ordered that our course should not be changed; on the contrary. he gave a little starboard Heim, which caused the enemy to sheer from us slightly. At this juncture a feat little midshipman from the fore topmast head squalled out; ‘"She has no men on deck, sir;"’ We could hear all their conversation. A shot was fired across our bow. which, of course, we did not heed, and then the entire party opened one of the most furious cannonades every witnessed. As they rounded to to get their broadsides 10 hear, the Captain edged to the windward to cover us from the fire of one. by lining the other. Shells of all kinds burst over and around us — hammocks were knocked overboard — a shell passed through into the cabin — our boats were pierced. The wind having increased, Captain ordered the men aloft to set the forest on sall and top gallant sall. With a cheer up went our gallant ‘"Laborers."’ The satis were set, and as they descended from aloft, Parrot shells and shrapnel scattered among them, cutting away nearly all the port rigging. One man was struck on the heel of his shoe with a Parrot shell. It ripped off the sole and split the leather. He sang on, ‘"My foot is gone;"’ and the men brought him out of the rigging. The foot turned black and has proved most painful.
As soon as the men were down the Captain ordered them below. We gained upon them, but their firing seemed to improve, I forgot to mention that we approached under the English flag, and as we were running up the ‘"Stars and Bars"’ the halyards were shot away, but soon re-rove, and the Dixie flag floated in their faces. At this moment an 11-inch shell entered at the water line on our port side grazed the boiler, planned forward to the berth deck, and took off the head of Jas. Duncan, and wounded several others, Had it exploded the loss would have been terrible.
Standing by the after pivot gun I could hear the two men at the wheel, Billeps and Sharky, conversing. As the shells burst over us Sharky would exclaim "And sure years a parcel of cowards, thray (three) upon one poor sick man is hathenish ‘ "Bedad, somebody has got a dose. And Mr.--can't you or, that barker to give them one pill?"’--Alas none of our guns were in serviceable condition, and we had to grin and stand it, though it is dun to truth for me to say, that at one time I felt like swallowing my hesitant, for I thought the poor little Florida was gone, not that she would be surrendered, but that she would be brown out of the water, Lar case seemed most desserts.
The bar was gained, and soon we were safe under the gone of Fort Morgan, after standing this assault for over two hours, which seemed like two hundred.
We were warmly received by all the officers of the fort, their Surgeons attended to our wounded and Col. Powell stated that I was the most brilliant dash on record. That night we anchored nine miles from Mobile — were quarantined for was attended by the epidemic, and on the 18th it became our duty to commit him to the grave.
