Then he crawled into a swamp, where he remained hidden until a friendly negro appeared, who extended every possible kindness to him.

From him Cushing learned that the _Albemarle_ had been destroyed and was at the bottom of the river.

It was thrilling news, and the following night, after he had thoroughly rested and been fed by his dusky friend, he moved down the river, found a skiff and in it made his way to the fleet, bringing the first news of the success of an exploit which it is safe to say has never been surpassed in the history of our navy.

Even the captain of the _Albemarle_ declared that "a more gallant thing was not done during the war." While conceding to Lieutenant Hobson the full credit for his daring achievement in sinking the _Merrimac_ in the channel of Santiago harbor, on June 3, 1898, it was by no means the equal of that of Lieutenant Cushing, thirty-four years before.
For his superb work Cushing received a vote of thanks from Congress and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander.

He led a division of sailors in the second and what proved to be the successful attack upon Fort Fisher, in January, 1865.