he
detached it by one effort, and the next second he pulled the
lanyard of the torpedo, and exploded it under the vessel on her
port side, just below the port-hole of the two-hundred-pounder
Brooke's rifle, which at that moment was discharged at the boat. An
immense volume of water was thrown out by the explosion of the
torpedo, almost drowning all in the steam-launch; and to add to the
peril of the moment, the heavy shell from the enemy's gun had gone
through the bottom of the boat, knocking the splinters about in a
terrible style. She at once began to sink in the most rapid manner,
and Lieutenant Cushing ordered all hands to save themselves as best
they might. He 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 perforating their clothing and striking all
about them, and in two or three instances, it is feared, so badly
wounding the swimmers that they sunk before boats from shore could
reach them. Lieutenant Cushing heard the rebels take to boats and
push after the survivors, demanding their surrender. Many gave up,
but two of his seamen were drowned near by him--whether from wounds
received or exhaustion, he could not state. Paymaster Swann was
wounded and is a prisoner; but how many others fell into the rebel
hands has not as yet been ascertained. Lieutenant Cushing swam down
the river half a mile, until, exhausted and chilled by the cold
water, he was compelled to struggle to the shore, which he reached
about daybreak. 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 lying there but partially screened by the low sedge, he saw
rebel officers and men walk by, and heard their conversation, which
was entirely devoted to the affair 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. He did
not learn any of the details of the sinking, but heard it stated
that the ram had gone down by her dock, and was a complete loss. He
also learne