The Ericsson Devil

sources we learn that the defenderá of Charleston have seen the devil, and finally one came on shore and become a dweller among them. But this evil thing ie not of a fleshy king, but is eomposed of wood and iron, and was constructed for the purpose cf removing obftructions Q the ehannel ways, and to blow up the infernal machines of the rebels. The devil spoken of in the rebel report is a large raft of timbjr, securely bolted together; in width about the same asoné of tlie Monitor batteries, and extendintr 8ome thirty feet forward of the battery's tow, wkich fits into it, and is then secured to tha ringbolts on deck. At the extreme furward part of this raft ar,d under water strong iron stauohiom point downwaids to a few inches oelowrthe bottom of the battery. These tanchions are seeured by iron braces whioh run back at an angle to the after ü'irl,.T side of the raft. At the bottom f tliis network of braces and stanchions are placed two rods, on which rest several 'orpedueg, togothor eoiitaiuing neai-ly a thoasand pounds of gunpowder. In connection with this are hammers, which, Wlien actod upon, strike percussion oaps, exploding the several torpedoes instantly, "nd, of eourse, uausing a rupture of auytliinj; they may cotne in contact with. The exporimonts with theso devila at e North wöre very satisfactory and reöectod great credit upon tlieir inventor, Uptain Ericsson ; but the government I torced Captain Lowber, of the steamer ' Ericsson, to take in tow four of them, mm three were lost in a heavy gale of ff."iJ. SubsequcDtly one of them wa3 Pjoked up at sea and towed into Fortress Alonroe and theuce to Port ííoyal