Along the dock to which the Albemarle it by one effort, and the next second he was tied were a large number of soldiers, pulled the lanyard of the torpedo and exevidently stationed there to guard against ploded it fairly under the vessel on her the landing of any Federal force after a port side, just below the porthole of the surprise. And in front of their lines blazed two hundred pounder Brooke's rifle, which cheerily up a number of camp-fires, which at that moment was discharged at the threw a strong light upon the Albemarle boat. An immense volume of water was and the bosom of the river. By the aid thrown out by the explosion of the torpeof this glare, Lieutenant Cushing discov- do, almost drowning all in the boat, and, ered the pier of floating timbers which to add to the peril of the moment, the surrounded the ram on the accessible sides, heavy shell from the enemy's gun had to guard against the approach of rams and gone crashing through the bottom of the torpedoes. By the aid of the same light boat, knocking the splinters about in a terhe plainly saw a large body of soldiers rible style. thronging to the wharf and blazing away She at once began to sink in the most at his boat. To quiet these fellows he rapid manner, and Lieutenant Cushing brought the bow of his boat around a lit-ordered all hands to save themselves as tle, and discharged a heavy stand of can- best they might. ister into them from his twelve-pounder howitzer mounted at the bow, and sent them flying. Making a complete circle, under a scorching musketry fire at less than thirty yards, he came around, bow on, at full steam, and struck the floating guard of timbers, pressing them in towards the ram. His boat soon lost headway, and came to a stand-still, refusing to back off or move ahead.

Cushing divested himself of his coat and shoes, and plunged into the river, followed by those of his men who were able to do so. All struck for the middle of the river, under a hot fire of musketry, the balls penetrating their clothing and striking all about them. The rebels took to boats and pushed after the survivors, demanding their surrender. Many gave up. Lieutenant Cushing swam down the river

The moment for decisive action had now half a mile, until, exhausted and chilled arrived.

The enemy fired muskets and pistols almost in Cushing's face from the ports of the ram, and from the hundred small arms on shore.

by the cold water, he was compelled to struggle to the shore, which he reached about daylight. After lying in the weeds along the river bank for some time, he recovered his strength sufficiently to crawl into the swamp further, till daylight found him lying in the swamp grass, between two paths and in speaking distance of the enemy's fort. While thus only partially screened by the low sedge, he saw some rebel officers and men walk by, and heard their conversation, which was entirely devoted to the affairs of the morning. From their remarks he learned that the torpedo had done its work effectively and thoroughly, and that his great object was accomplished. A short time after, he luckily discovered a skiff, and in this succeeded in reaching the squadron which lay twelve

Several of his men were injured, and Paymaster Swan had fallen severely wounded. The officers and crew of the Albemarle cried out, "Now we've got him; surrender, surrender, or we will blow you to pieces." The case looked desperate indeed; but Lieutenant Cushing was as cool and determined at the moment as one could be under the most agreeable circumstances. He knew that the moment of all moments had come, and he did not allow it to glide from his hands. Seizing the lanyard to the torpedo and the line of the spar, and crowding the spar until he had brought the torpedo under the overhang of the Albemarle, he detached miles distant.

"Ship ahoy!"

"Hallo!" was promptly answered. "This is the Confederate States steamer Sumter-what vessel is that?"

After waiting about half a minute, which seemed an age, the 'enemy' replied

Lucky Moment on Board the Sumter. One of the officers of the privateer Sumter gives the following account, in his private journal, of an hour of trepidation on board that craft, with a little 'brag' to boot. Under date of August 18, 1861, he writes:-After leaving Cayenne the vessel's course was shaped for Paramaribo, "The French steamer Abbeville!" Dutch Guiana, off which port she signal- Here was a disappointment-after all ed for a pilot until sundown; none having this preparation for mortal combat, to find arrived at that hour she came to anchor. at last that the supposed enemy was a About twilight a sail was seen in the dis- friend! There was not a single man who tance approaching the Sumter. It was would not freely have relinquished all the soon apparent that she was a steam war- prize-money then due to him could he vessel. Steam was raised, the anchor have transformed the Frenchman into a hove up, all hands beat to quarters, the Yankee. She was nearer the equal of guns manned, the old charges drawn and the Sumter than they ever expected to fresh ones put in their places. By the time all these preliminaries had been arranged it was ascertained by the aid of the night telescope, that the strange vessel had anchored. The Sumter followed suit, but a vigilant look-out was kept upon the movements of the supposed enemy.

meet again, and the Sumter had captured so many merchantmen that it might be said she did not care to meet any other class of vessels."

The advantage to the Sumter of meeting one so nearly her equal' may be judged of by the good luck which befel the Alabama in her encounter with the Kearsarge, where the 'equality' was nearer still!

Presentation to a Brave Woman.

Early on the morning of the 19th, the look-outs had reported that the steamer outside was under way. Slowly she steamed toward the Sumter, seeming to have made every preparation for attack. She had not yet hoisted her flag, neither On the evening of the fifth February, had the Sumter each commander being 1862, at Cape Girardeau, Captain Ben apparently desirous of learning the nation- Sousley, in behalf of the Alton Packet ality of the other first, and of letting him Company, presented to the loyal and heknow, by a death-dealing broadside, that roic Mrs. Eversol, the sum of two hunan enemy was at hand. The stranger dred dollars, in acknowledgment of her looked like an American-built vessel, hav- courage, humanity and patriotism, in having long mast-heads and a sharp overhang-ing saved the passengers of the steamboat ing bow. Yes, there was no mistaking City of Alton from being captured by her she must be one of the gunboats Jeff. Thompson's marauding band of Consent in search of the Sumter. When she federates. As that boat was approaching was near enough for the number of her the shore where the secessionists waited guns to be determined, we were glad to to seize her, Mrs. Eversol ran to the lefind that she carried but one gun more vee, and by her shoutings and gesticulathan the Sumter, and that the disparity tions warned those on board of the danwas no greater. Slowly and cautiously ger, and enabled them to escape. The the vessels neared each other. When not handsome testimonial to her merit was more than a cable's length off, our first richly deserved, but a richer one is asurLieutenant hailed her in a loud voice- ed to her in the memories of her country

men and countrywomen, for such an un- following interesting incident is given, as usual, brave, hazardous, and fortunate act. we find it in the papers:-Almost the Captain Sousley subsequently received first men struck down were the gallant from Mrs. Eversol the following appropri- Captain Wainwright and Lieutenant Lee, who both fought with a desperation and valor no mortal could surpass. Though bleeding and prostrate upon the deck, they

ate note:

COMMERCE, Mo., February 5th. J. J. Mitchell, President Alton Packet Company: DEAR SIR; Permit me, through you, to tender to the members of your Company my thanks for the unmerited token of respect which they were pleased to convey to me through the hands of Captain Sousley, and received by me to-day. In reply to their earnest solicitations to visit St. Louis and Alton, allow me to say that I would be most happy to do so when the weather and traveling are pleasant; although I would again assure them, that, in any part I may have taken on the twenty-ninth day of December, in the preservation of the lives of my fellowbeings and their property, I only obeyed the impulse of a loyal heart.

With my kindest wishes for the prosperity and happiness of the members of your Company and yourself, I remain yours, respectfully,

SARAH L. EVERSOL.

were seen to still continue to deal death among their enemies. One young son of

-stood at the cabin door, a revolver in each hand, and never ceased firing until he had expended every shot. One of his Laconic Hint to a Pilot by General Butler. poor little hands became disabled by a General Butler one day sent a man of ball, shattering his four fingers, and then the name of Curtis, who had been a pilot his infantile soul gave way: he burst into on the James river, and who professed to tears, and cried-"Do you want to kill know the position of the torpedoes, to Ad- me?" Blessed young hero-may his miral Lee, with the characteristic sugges- country never forget him! And where tion: "If he faithfully and truly performs is the Hemans to wed his name to immorhis duty, and answers all queries, return tal verse, like another Cassabianca, or the him to me at Bermuda Landing; if not, artist to portray the scene on historic canhang him at the yard-arm." This was vas? dictated in the presence of Curtis, to whom the General then remarked: "Now, my good man, go; you have your life in your own hands." The individual certainly seemed to realize the fact as thus laconically stated.

Another Cassabianca.

In an account, by a Confederate prisoner who participated in the affair, of the capture of the U. S. ship Harriet Lane, the

Devotion of Farragut's Men to their Ad

miral.

After the flagship Hartford, with the brave Farragut, had hauled off from her first fierce assault upon the rebel flagship Tennessee, in Mobile Bay, and as she was again pointed fair for her, and thunderingly coming down upon her to dash into her a second time-suddenly, to the surprise of all, she was herself tremendously struck

by one of our own heavy vessels, also heavily coming down upon the rebel Admiral, and it was thought for a brief moment, so fearful was the blow, she must go down. Immediately, and high above the din of battle, hoarse, anxious voices were heard crying,

"The Admiral! the Admiral! save the Admiral! Get the Admiral out of the ship!"

The brave men utterly forgot themselves thought not a moment of their own safety, but only of their glorious old Admiral, who was all in all to them! Nothing could better illustrate the love and devotion of the whole squadron for their Admiral than this. When they themselves were in imminent peril of death, they only cared for him! Finding the vessel would float, notwithstanding the possible ultimate serious results, the brave old Admiral turned to his gallant fleet Captain with the order

"Go on with speed! Ram her again!" Onward the Hartford sped, determined to 'do and die,' if need be; but just before she reached her the white flag of surrender was hoisted above the discomfited Tennessee, and soon all the victory was with Farragut and his noble men.

Pictorial Humors of the War.

Seeking a Naval Appointment.

Mr. was an applicant for an official berth in the navy, and, as usual, permission was granted by the Secretary of the Navy to him to be examined for the position to which he aspired. He presented himself in due form before the Examining Board, and was duly "put through" by the venerable members. At last the final

The benefit of having one's picture in Harper is thus illustrated in an amusing account given by a naval officer: A few days ago I was standing on the steps of one of the hotels of this city, (New York,) when several boys applied to black my boots, with the well-known cry of "Black yer question was put: boots, Sir? Shine them up!" etc. One "Now, Sir, your vessel being anchored little fellow had a very dirty face, and I in New York harbor, how would you told him if he would wash it he should proceed if ordered to take her to Key black my boots. "What will you give me West?" to do it?" was the prompt reply. " "Five The aspirant proceeded, by aid of chart, cents," I said. He hesitated for a mo- rule, and compass, to show to the attentive ment, and then asked, "Who will stand Board the courses he would steer, etc., your security?" I applied to each boy, and, at the end of a long (imaginary) and all refused with the exception of one voyage, brought his charge safely into Key

West harbor. The member who had asked they were in imminent danger. Colonel the question astonished the would-be En- Bailey, believing that their capture or design by requesting him to recommence his struction would involve the destruction of voyage, as he would never get to Key the Union army, the blockade of the MisWest in the manner he had just tried. sissippi, and even greater disaster, proThe long description was again gone posed to Major-General Franklin, on the through with, the same as before, and at 9th of April, 1864, previous to the battle of Pleasant Hill, to increase the depth of the water by means of a dam, and submitted to him a plan of the same, which was approved.

General Banks placed at the disposal of Colonel Bailey all the force he required, consisting of some three thousand men and two or three hundred wagons. All the neighboring steam-mills were torn down for material-two or three regiments of Maine men were set at work felling trees, teams were moving in all directions bringing in brick and stone, quarries were opened, flat-boats were built to bring stone down from above, and every man seemed to be working with unequaled vigor, probably not one in fifty believed in the success of the undertaking, the falls being

rocks, and over which at the existing stage of water it seemed impossible to make a channel.

the retreat commenced, Colonel Bailey, about a mile in length, filled with ragged engineer of the Nineteenth Corps, learned that the Red River was rapidly falling, and became assured that by the time Admiral Porter's fleet could reach Alexan- The work was commenced by running dria, there would not be sufficient water out from the left bank of the river a tree to float the gunboats over the Alexandria dam, made of the bodies of very large Falls. It was evident, therefore, that trees, brush, brick, and stone, cross-tied