My share in the schooner reduced to one-eighth--Appointed master of
her--The Brownsville route intercepted--Captains of blockade-running
vessels to be furnished with commissions--A schooner on the bar--My
old friend Captain Downs again turns up--Amusing story of his
capture--I am entrusted with important despatches.
As soon as the holidays were over I lost no time in seeing about
getting the cargo of cotton ready for the vessel. I was determined
to get her loaded, and take my chance of getting a pass to go to sea.
When Messrs. R. and D. G. M. came to make up all the accounts against
the vessel, and I counted up what would be required in the way of
stores and outfit, I found we were so deeply in debt to them, that I
would have to transfer to them three-fourths of the vessel as their
share of her. This left only one-fourth to be owned by myself and
partner.
They also made an arrangement fixing the freight of cotton to any
neutral port at the rate of 14 cents per lb. They also agreed with
me to be master of the vessel, paying me an advance of 100 dollars in
specie for my services in port, and to allow me 7 dollars per bale
for all cotton carried out by the vessel, when landed in a neutral
port.
I now found myself owner of only one-eighth of the vessel, which six
months before had been, with her full cargo, my own undivided
property. However, if I could only succeed in making the trip, I
would retrieve a good deal. And I was now master of the vessel
myself, and had everything under my own control.
Of the deck-load which had been taken off the vessel when she sunk,
sixty bales belonged to the former consignees, and twenty-one bales
to the owners of the vessel. Messrs. M. purchased the sixty bales
from the former consignees, so we might begin and take them on board,
and the balance of the cargo would be sent shortly afterwards.
Messrs. M. also stipulated to send a person with the vessel to act as
supercargo, and dispose of the cargo when landed in a neutral port,
and settle accounts with me.
I employed a stevedore to stow the cotton in the vessel, cautioning
him against committing the same error and doing damage as Captain J.
and his mate had done.
He was cautious, but erred on the other side. He did not get into
the hold as much cotton by ten bales as had been before. However, I
had warned him to be cautious.
A very large deck-load--exceeding what was in the hold--was put on.
The bales on deck stood on their ends, and were dunnaged high up from
the deck to allow the water free run under them. This made the
deck-load about six feet high, and on the top of this all work had to
be done. The vessel, thus loaded, only drew four and a half feet of
water with centre-board up. One would have thought this rather a
ticklish trim to go to sea in; but as other vessels had done it, even
to excess of this proportion, I thought I might do the same.
Being once more ready for sea, all that was wanted now was a pass to
go to sea, and as this had to be presented at the Forts at the river
mouth, it was indispensable. To obtain this, however, it was thought
there would be no difficulty, as startling news had just come to hand.
The threatened attack by the Federal forces at the Brazos River and
Matagorda Bay had turned out to have been only a feint, and while a
part of their fleet hovered off these parts, the main expedition had
gone westward, and landed a large force at Point Isabel, near the
mouth of the Rio Grande, which was marching upon Brownsville.
Communication by that route would therefore be cut off, and as the
Mississippi River was now in full possession of the Federals, Texas
would not only be cut off from communication with the Confederate
States east of the Mississippi River, but her most important
communication through Mexico with the outer world would also be cut
off.
The only seaport of any note in Texas was Galveston, and that was so
closely blockaded by the Federal fleet that entrance or egress was
deemed impossible, and no vessel had yet attempted it.
The only other ports or entrances, such as the Brazos River, could
only be entered by vessels of very light draught, such as
centre-board schooners; and now that the Brownsville route was
stopped or threatened, the only communication with the outer world
would be by such of those vessels as might successfully run the
blockade.
One steamer, and sometimes two, were stationed off the mouth of the
Brazos River; but as these vessels had to lay from three to four
miles off, on account of the depth of water, it was possible for a
light-draught vessel to creep along the shore in a dark night and
pass in or out, if they knew the bar, or got the assistance of the
pilot.
It was now supposed that the Government would try to favour and
encourage blockade running. And I went to Houston to get the vessel
cleared and a permission to pass the Forts out to sea. I got the
vessel cleared, but there was still some difficulty about getting the
pass to go to sea; but I was told it would be all right in a day or
two. Two other vessels which lay alongside of mine had got their
passports to go to sea without any difficulty.
On the outward passage from Texas at that time it was uncertain what
neutral port the vessel might make easiest. It was, therefore, the
usual way to clear for the most distant port, and if wind and weather
were unfavourable, or danger appeared in the way, to put into a
nearer port.
In this case I cleared for Belize, Honduras, intending to go there if
the north wind continued; if not, or if chased, to run into Tampico
or Vera Cruz.
In the meantime I was informed that it had been suggested by General
Magruder, and Chief of the Marine Department, that, having regard to
the case of Captain McLusky, and his recovery of his vessel after it
had been captured, that captains of blockade runners might be
provided with commissions, or certificates, as officers in the
Confederate Naval Service, which, in event of their vessels being
captured, would serve them as a warrant in any attempt they might
make to recapture her should an opportunity present itself, and such
certificates should be granted to such men as the General commanding
might approve of. I did not well see how any power under this
certificate could be acted upon, or carried out under a neutral flag.
However, it might be acted upon after the vessel was captured, and
the enemy had placed their flag upon her; but as obtaining it
required no oath or other obligation on the part of the applicant, I
applied for it, and obtained it.
It was simply a certificate that ---- was an "acting master" in the
Confederate States Navy, and was to be recognized, obeyed, and
respected as such.
I had picked up another man, being a seaman, named Hagan, who had
come in upon a blockade runner, but had got his leg badly hurt, and
was left behind when his vessel sailed; also a boy, a Chilian, who
had acted as steward or cabin-boy of some vessel; and a Mr. Taylor, a
rather gentlemanly person, who had come in as mate upon a vessel, and
left her to join the Confederate Naval Service; but having a falling
out with Commodore Smith, the Chief of the Naval Department, he had
left that Service, and agreed to go with me as mate. I observed he
signed his name as Brotherton on the articles, but I had formerly
known him by the name of Taylor.
I had now a mate, cook, two men, and a boy, and though much
underhanded I determined to put to sea, agreeing to divide the amount
of the wages and bonuses which would have been paid to the hands we
lacked among the other men if we made the trip safe.
I again proceeded to Houston, and pressed at headquarters for a pass
to go to sea. I was told it would be all right, and I might be
getting my vessel down to the mouth of the river, and the passport
would be sent on to me.
I was not quite satisfied with this reply, which I took for a
put-off, as I did not think they would be so very obliging as to put
themselves to the trouble of sending the passport to me; but I was
informed that the General commanding had some very important
dispatches to send out, and it was being considered which way they
should be sent. As the Brownsville route, if not entirely stopped,
was not considered quite safe, and they might be entrusted to my
care, and sent to me with the passport.
Satisfied with this, I soon returned to Columbia, quite impatient to
have the vessel taken towards the sea. Somehow or other all the way
I could not help thinking of the time two months before, when I had
come down full of hopes of getting to sea, only to find the vessel
sunk in the river, and the sight still haunted my imagination, and I
did not breathe freely until I got to the vessel and found her all
right.
On the following day we got everything ready, and began to work down
the river. We had got about half-way down, and had made fast to the
bank to await the turn of the tide, when a party of soldiers were
seen coming through the woods towards the vessel. As they came up I
heard the mate say to himself, "Damn that fellow! He has sent to
arrest me."
They came up to the vessel, and the sergeant in command asked if this
was the _Rob Roy_, I said it was. He then asked if there was one
George Taylor on board, as he had an order to arrest and detain him.
I said, not to my knowledge; but they must satisfy themselves. I
would produce the crew list and call over the names; the men would
answer to their names, and if they did not find their man they might
search the vessel.
The sergeant then took the roll, and called out--
"A. Brotherton, mate?"--"Here."
"Frederick Jansen, cook?"--"Here."
"George Thomson, A.B.?"--"Here."
"James Hagan, A.B.?"--"Here."
"Appolonaria Barrois, ordinary?"--"Here."
"Have you found your man?" said I.
"No," he answered; "none seem to be of that name, at least."
"Well," said I, "that is all that is to go out on the vessel, with
the exception of two supercargoes, who are not yet come down; but
they are both well known," and I gave their names.
He said he was certain it was not any of them that was wanted; but he
still looked dissatisfied, and seemed to think it but a small number
of men he had seen, and not the whole crew of the schooner.
I said it was not a full crew, but it was all I had, for I was two
hands short; but he would see that they tallied with the crew list,
and I told him to take his time and search the vessel, and show me
the order, and I would give him any information I could.
The sergeant handed me the order, which I read as follows--
"You are ordered to arrest and bring to these headquarters one,
George Taylor, supposed to be on board of the schooner _Rob Roy_, as
he is suspected of being a dangerous and suspicious character."
"Does this order come from Commodore Smith?" I said.
"Yes," replied the sergeant.
I then said that two of my men had come in with me on the inward
trip--them I was certain about, the other three I had engaged here,
and these were the names they had given. "But," said I, "if you will
go ashore a little while, I will call them down separately to the
cabin and question them."
They went ashore, and I called the mate down to the cabin.
"Mr. Brotherton," said I, "there is no doubt but it is you that is
wanted. You know that you are known by the name of Taylor, although
you have signed Brotherton on the articles. And I think I can
understand very well why this order has been given to detain you,
although it is, no doubt, a very trifling affair."
"Of course," said he, "it is me they are after; but is not he a
vindictive devil--that Commodore Smith?"
"I know he is," said I, "and that you will find out."
"It is just spite," said he; "he wants to annoy me."
"No doubt of that; but you must mind while you are in the Confederate
States, you are in the lion's mouth. It is no place to talk of
either law or justice; you must submit to the powers that be. He has
the power, and he likes to display it. It would do you no good, but
rather harm, to think of practising any deception. He knows you are
on board here, and he will send a person to identify you, and the
vessel will be stopped until he is satisfied. Therefore your best
way is to go boldly at once to headquarters, and make a clean breast
of it, and tell Commodore Smith that you intend to appeal to General
Magruder, and demand an inquiry or court-martial; but that you are
willing first to offer any explanation to him. And I have no doubt,
if you take the right way, and pay due court to his dignity, all will
be right, and you will get back to join the vessel within a week."
"I believe you are right," said he, "and I will go at once," and he
packed up and went off with the men.
When we got down past the woods and in sight of the sea, we observed
that two gunboats were lying off the mouth of the river at a distance
of between three or four miles from the Forts, one of which generally
took a cruise along the coast during the day, and returned in the
evening to her anchorage.
I had been getting every information I could of the plans and
movements of the blockading vessels, and I knew that the burning of
coal was an item to be considered by them, as at this time it was not
easy to keep all the steamers employed on the blockade supplied with
coal.
Up to this time there had been no attempts made by steamers to run
into the Texas ports. There was no place except Galveston where they
could enter, and that was supposed to be hermetically closed. It
was, therefore, only sailing schooners they had to contend with.
The plan of the blockade, then, seemed to have been for the steamers
to lie at anchor with banked fires, or make short cruises in the
vicinity of the ports, and the cruising over the Gulf to be done by
sailing vessels of the swiftest class.
The other two schooners, which had got their clearance papers and
passports, remained within the woods at some distance from the mouth
of the river, but, as we were awaiting orders, we went down to near
the Forts, where we could be communicated with.
Sometimes one of the cruisers would come in close and fire a few
shots, not at the Forts, but generally to the west of them, and more
in our direction. These shots would go a considerable distance
inland, and fall in the wood or prairies. What they were firing at I
never could make out, but it made it rather unpleasant for us.
A few days after we got down there appeared one morning at daybreak a
large schooner aground on the bar. She was within two hundred yards
of the Forts. She showed British colours, and the pilot was making
his way off to her.
I expected that very soon the gunboats would come close in and fire
upon her, and, if she got wrecked in the channel, it would be an
obstruction, and it would be difficult for us to get out past the
wreck.
I immediately got into the boat with the longest and best cordage I
had, and taking my three men, which was all I had, leaving the cook
on board, we pulled out through the surf to see if we could render
any assistance.
When we reached the stranded vessel I was astonished and delighted,
when who should I see looking over the bow but my old friend, Captain
Downs. He was astonished to see me, but there was no time to lose in
talking.
"Here," cried he, "give me the end of that line of yours, and I will
make fast a stout hawser to it, and you take it to one of yon piles
which the _Rob Roy_ drove in--it will be at least one useful purpose
they have been put to--and we will try and heave her over."
There was a heavy surf, and it was dangerous work, but we got to the
pile after being nearly swamped, and succeeded in making fast the
hawser. We then made fast the boat's painter to the pile, and hung
on to be ready to cast off the hawser if the schooner got off.
We saw that the gunboats were getting up steam to come closer in and
open fire on the schooner, and it was a trying moment, but we heard
the old pilot shouting, "All right, boys, the tide is making. Heave
away heartily, and the British lion will soon take you over."
All sail was set on the schooner, and I could see that she was
working over.
One of the gunboats had got under weigh, and was standing in, but
seemingly with great caution, and keeping the lead going, while on
the Forts the artillerymen were at their guns preparing for action,
and I began to fear that we were going to be in an awkward position
between two fires; still, I did not like to abandon the post.
Our minds were soon relieved, however, by a loud cheer from the
schooner, and a call to us to cast off the hawser. The schooner was
afloat and coming over the bar at a rapid rate. We cast off the
hawser, and as she passed they threw us a line and took us in tow,
and we were soon past the Forts and proceeding up the river. The
gunboat returned to her anchorage, and no powder was wasted that
morning.
I drew the boat up alongside, and jumped on board of the schooner.
The old pilot was in his glory, and shouting, "You see what the
British lion can do!"
The schooner was taken up the river to where the _Rob Roy_ lay, where
she was made fast until she was reported at the Forts, and carefully
examined to see if she made water from the thumping she had got on
the bar, I remembering my experience at the same place four months'
previous, and was ready to direct Captain Downs to the same bank
where I had beached the _Rob Roy_; but, on examination, she was found
to be all right, and making no water, Captain Downs remarking that
she had only lost a few of the barnacles off her bottom, which he
could very well dispense with.
By the time the schooner was reported at the Forts, the flood tide
was about spent, and Captain Downs said he would not proceed up the
river that day, but give the men a rest, and we would have a yarn
about his adventures since he had left the Brazos River two months
previous.
He told me the story of his capture, and, as I afterwards heard it
related in almost the same words by one of the officers of the vessel
that captured him, I am satisfied of its truth, and it may be worth
relating just as it happened.
On the day following the night on which he sailed out from the Brazos
River, and when about sixty or seventy miles out to sea, he saw in
the distance a steam cruiser bearing down upon him. It was useless
to think of escaping, so he shaped his course to the eastward, and
hastened to array himself and two of his men in old suits of United
States navy clothes which he had with him, himself in that of a
warrant officer. Having placed one of the men so dressed at the
helm, he stood up himself to answer the hail. The steamer was soon
up along-side, and Downs saw to what class she belonged.
"Schooner ahoy!" shouted a voice from the cruiser. "What vessel is
that? and where are you from?"
"It is the schooner _Iniquity_," answered Downs, "two days out from
the Brazos River with a cargo of cotton, and she is now a prize to
the United States steamer _Ponobscot_, and we are bound for the fleet
at Galveston."
There was a pause for a few moments, and then the question, "Where is
the _Ponobscot_?"
"She will be about thirty miles to the westward," replied Downs.
"There were two larger schooners left the Brazos River the same night
as this one, and she is away to look after them."
This was too tempting a prize. They waited not for any further
explanation, but started off in the direction which they supposed the
schooners would be likely to take, while Downs chuckled to himself
and thought he had succeeded in giving them a bone to pick; but the
scheme, well laid as it was, went aglee.
When the officers began to think over the matter and their chances of
capturing one or both of the schooners mentioned by Downs, there
seemed to be some discrepancies, and the statement of the _Ponobscot_
being in that place at that time did not tally well with the accounts
they had of the position and movements of the cruisers in the Gulf,
and it dawned upon them that blockade runners were up to a good many
tricks, and they should have made a closer examination of the
schooner.
This was acted upon, and Downs had the mortification of seeing the
cruiser putting about and bearing down upon him again.
There was now but little hope; the steamer was soon alongside, and
ordered the schooner to heave to, as they wished to examine her
papers.
It was now all up with poor Downs, and he only thought of how he
could back out of the difficulty.
When they came on board, he said to the officer that what he had
before told them was not true; that the truth was he was from
Matamoras bound for Havana, but, as his cargo was cotton, he was
afraid they might suspect him and put him to some trouble, and
therefore told them that story so that they would not detain him or
examine him.
Downs knew that this statement would not hold good one moment, but he
wanted to come about as easily as possible, and he handed the officer
some papers made out in that way.
The officer looked at the papers, and, turning to Downs with an
ironical smile, said--
"Well, Captain, you may be bound from Matamoras to Havana, but, if
so, I fear you have got most mightily out of your way."
"And I fear you have got most mightily into my way," said Downs, who
could never lose the chance of making a joke.
The officer laughed, and said his first statement would now be
confirmed, for he would now be a prize in certainty, though not to
the _Ponobscot_.
The schooner and crew were sent to New Orleans and condemned as a
prize, but Downs's comical humour always gained him friendship, and
he was not long detained, and he went to Havana, where he got command
of the vessel he was now in.
"And now," said he, when he had finished his story, "tell me how you
have got on since I saw you last. I see you have got your vessel up
all right again."
I said my story was not so pleasant to relate, and I gave him an
account of how we got the vessel raised, and all that had happened.
"Well," said he, "did I not tell you that the ways of Providence are
wonderful, and how it might all turn out for the best? And it has
done so."
I reminded him that we now owned only one-fourth of the vessel, and
only twenty-one bales of the cargo.
"Had it not been for that sinking accident," said he, "I am certain
that you would not now have owned any part of either vessel or cargo;
for, had you gone to sea at that time, you would have been captured
as sure as there are breakers on that bar. Every vessel that went
out was captured, for the cruisers were then as thick on the coast as
weevils in a sea-biscuit. There are none now, and the coast is clear
with the exception of those two lying off the bar, and you can easily
dodge them in a dark night. And another thing, let me tell you,
quietly: it is a mighty good thing for you that you have got rid of
that fellow J. and have the command of the vessel yourself. You
would never have done any good with him in charge. So I think you
will find, as I have said, that it has all happened for the best, and
that Providence sometimes brings you into a better position through
an unpleasant passage."
When I then and afterwards reflected seriously over the matter and
came to see it in that way, it did seem clear enough that the sinking
of the vessel at that time was, on the whole, rather a fortunate
thing for me.
On the following day Downs proceeded up the river with his vessel,
and my two supercargoes arrived to join the vessel. They brought
word from the mate that he could not join the vessel. They said he
was staying at one of the hotels. There was no charge against him,
but he was detained and ordered to report at the Marine Department
every day until further orders.
This was another disappointment to me, but I had become so disgusted
with delays that I determined not to let even this be a hindrance,
and I resolved to go to sea with the hands I had, telling the
supercargoes that they would be required to give a hand at any heavy
pull, such as hoisting the mainsail or raising the anchor. They
agreed to do so, but feared they would not be of much use.
All I wanted now was the passport to get out past the Forts, and I
was thinking of going off to Houston again to see about it, when an
officer came to the vessel desiring to see me on particular business.
I sent one of the men to hold his horse, and he came on board and
asked for a private interview, and we went down to the cabin.
He said that, there being now no longer safe means of conveyance
between Texas and the rest of the world by the Brownsville route,
General Magruder, having confidence in my integrity, had decided to
intrust to my care some despatches of great importance. They were to
go to the Confederate States Consul at Havana.
I said I feared Havana was a port too much to windward for me to
attempt to make in my present overloaded and short-handed condition,
and I would most probably run into Tampico or Vera Cruz.
"Better and safer still," said he, "and as there is a British mail
from either of those places, you can send them on by that, but you
may use your own judgment; but take care, above all things, that they
do not fall into the hands of the enemy."
I said he might depend upon me, but he must bear in mind that there
were many dangers in the way.
"All that," said he, "has been fully considered, and here are written
instructions to you in regard to that."
He then handed to me instructions in writing, which I read over and
assured him that I would follow them out. He then handed me a large
sealed packet and an order to the commander at the Forts to allow the
_Rob Roy_ to proceed to sea.
These written instructions I have preserved till this day, not so
much as a relic of these times, but as a memento of a time when my
integrity was put to the test, as will be shown hereafter; and I have
sometimes pleasure in looking at them with perhaps a slight feeling
of self-approbation. They are now lying before me, discoloured with
age, and I copy from them the exact words:--
HEADQUARTERS, DISTRICT OF TEXAS, &c.,
IN THE FIELD, _January_ 13, 1864.
"SIR,--I am instructed by Major-General Magruder to enclose to you a
communication of great importance, addressed by him to Charles J.
Helm, C.S. Consul at Havana.
"It is highly important that this communication should be placed
safely in the hands of Mr. Helm at Havana, but equally disastrous to
our cause should it fall into the hands of the enemy, containing, as
it does, papers of a very peculiar nature.
"You have been selected as the most suitable person to whom these
papers can be entrusted.
"Relying upon your good judgment, zeal, and patriotism, the
Major-General commanding desires you to take especial care of them,
and deliver them to Mr. Helm if possible.
"Should, however, you find that your vessel will fall a prey to the
enemies' cruisers, you are directed to destroy them, taking care,
above all things, that they do not fall into the enemy's hands.
"The General wishes you a prosperous journey, and hopes you will meet
with success in the matter entrusted to your care.
"I am, sir, very respectfully,
"Your obedient servant,
"EDMOND P. TURNER,
"_A.A. General_.
"P.S.--If you do not go to Havana, you will be kind enough to send
the enclosed papers to Mr. Helm by safe and certain hands. Since
writing the above, I learn you will only go to Belize, Honduras.
"I am, &c.,
"EDMOND P. TURNER,
"A.A.G.
"To Captain W., of the _Rob Roy_,
"Velasco."
_Additional to the Letter to the Captain of the "Rob Roy."_
"I am informed that there is a semi-monthly mail from that place to
Havana.
"It is best that these papers should be transmitted by reliable hands
directly to Mr. Helm; but should you be unable to find any person on
whom you can rely for the safe delivery, you are requested to mail
them in Belize for Havana, addressed to Mr. Charles J. Helm, C.S.
Consul at Havana.
"I am, yours very respectfully,
"EDMOND P. TURNER,
"A.A.G.
"Captain of the _Rob Roy_,
"Velasco."
I took the packet, and having wrapped it securely in a piece of
canvas and attached firmly to it a piece of chain sufficient to sink
it to the bottom of the sea, if need be, I placed it safely in a
locker in the cabin. All we wanted now was a dark night and a
favourable wind, and as the moon was near the change and it was the
season for northers, it was supposed we would not have long to wait.
If there are any of my readers whose powers of endurance have allowed
them to toil through this and the preceding chapters devoted to my
mishaps, disappointments, and detentions in Texas, their patience
must be sorely tried, and they can well imagine how it must have been
with me, and my impatience to get to sea and have a change of scene.