No bolder or more impudent act has been committed by the Rebels since the commencement of the war than that of the seizure of the revenue cutter Caleb Cushing, at Portland, Maine, on Friday night. Lieutenant Davenport states that between twelve and one o’clock at night some suspicious looking characters, dressed as fishermen, came on board. Hearing the noise he went on deck, and was seized by five men, who, with pistols cocked, demanded his surrender, and placed him in irons. The cutter then went down the harbor, destined to remain but a short time in the hands of her new masters. Swift pursuit was made by a couple of armed steamers, under command of Lieut. Merriman, and the pirates were brought to an engagement resulting in their betaking themselves to boats after firing the cutter which in a brief period, blew up. The Rebels were all captured and placed in Fort Preble. From these men we learn that the Tacony was burned by her commander after transferring her howitzer to the Archer, one of her captures. The pirate discovered that the Tacony was becoming too well known, and hoped to deceive our cruisers by assuming another guise.
Delaware State Journal and Statesman, Wilmington, DE
