Running Down the Blockade Runner Young Republic on May 6, 1864-- Part 1

Two posts ago, I wrote about the capture of the blockade runner Young Republic on May 6, 1864.

From the Monday, May 14, 1864, New York Times.  "UNITED STATES STEAMSHIP GRAND GULF, OFF WILMINGTON, N.C."

Capture of blockade runner Young Republic, of Nassau, formerly the Conqueror of New York.

It ran out of Old Inlet on the 5th and almost got into the middle of the blockading fleet there, but managed to elude it.  She was spotted from the Grand Gulf's masthead by  Acting Ensign CHAS. H. CADIEN. Couldn't really make her out until  the fog burned off about 7 o'clock.

The fact that it was a steamer, and not one of the blockaders roused suspicions of the Grand Gulf's commander GEO. M. RANSOM.  Speed was got up immediately for the chase.

By 8 o'clock, several  miles had been gained on her  and suspicions were confirmed when they saw her throwing bales of cotton overboard.

At 9 o'clock, the Grand Republic opened fire with her 100-pdr cannon.  The stranger did not heed the shots and continued on her way.  By 11, some  thirty or forty shots had been fired, some of which struck and she was brought to.

--Old B-Runner