The Sun.
London, England, 1861-11-22 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDOri, FBIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 22, 1801.

THE DESTRUCTIOIV 01 AN AMERICAN
SHIP BY A CONFEDERATE SHIP OF WAR.

--
SOUTHAMPTON, Nov. 21.

The greatest excitement prevailed here this morn-
ing by the arrival in the river of a large steamer of
war with the Confederate flag of America flying at
the peak, and a pennant at the main. She proved
to be the Confederate steamer Nashville, which ran
the blockade at Charleston a short time since—viz.,
26th Oat. She brings the crew (29 in number) of
the late American ship Harvey Birch, and landed
them in the docks at 10 o'clock this morning, with
all their personal effects. The latter was a full-
rigged vessel of 1,500 tons burden, cost 150,000
dols., and was bound from Havre to New York in
ballast.

The following is the statement of Captain W. H.
Nelson :—The American ship Harvey Birch, Capt.
W. H. Nelson, of New York, left Havre on Saturday,
the 17th inst., bound to New York, in ballast ;
when in let. 49.6 N., long. 9 52 W., was brought to
by the Confederate steamer Nashville, Commander
Peagrim, late of the United States navy. The
Harvey Birch was immediately boarded by the offi-
cers and crew of the Nashville, who were at once
ordered on board the Confederate steamer, allowing
Capt. Nelson and crew to take a few of their effects
and some fresh provisions. The Harvey Birch was
then ordered to be fired by Commander Peagrim,
who remained alongside until she was burnt to the
water's edge. Capt. Nelson states that Commander
Peagrim informed him that he held no commission
from the Confederate Government of America as a
war steamer, or letter of marque; further, that
himself and two mates :were treated exceedingly
well whilst on board the steamer, but that his crew
were all placed in irons immediately. Capt. Nelson
stated that the Nashville shipped her crew in
Charleston, which is composed chiefly of English
and Irish lads; that they were shipped under false
pretences, and forced to sign other articles when on
board, and that Commander Peagrim endeavoured
to compel himself and crew to take the oath of alle-
giance, and not to take up arms against the Southern
States.
The captain of the Harvey Birch immediately on
his landing in the docks placed himself under the
protection of Capt. Britton, the American consul at
this port.
At half-past 12 o'clock the Confederate steamer
Nashville arrived off the entrance of the docks, and
at 1 p.m. was moored alongside the north jetty,
which was literally besieged with spectators. I im-
mediately went on board and obtained an introduc-
tion to Commander Peagrim and Col. Peyton, a pas-
senger from-Charleston, who arrives here as the re-
presentative ofliorth Carolina on special business.
The following-is the report of Commander Pea.
grim :—On the morning of the 19th inst., at 8 a.m.,
sighted the packet ship Harvey Birch, of New
York; immediately bore down upon her; when
near enough hailed her, having unlumbered guns
and cleared decks for action. Then spoke the vessel
and ordered the captain to haul down his colours
and bring his papers on board. The stars and stripes
immediately went down slowly, and Captain
Nelson and his crew came on board the Nashville.
Capt. Peagrim then informed him he demanded an
unconditional surrender, but all private effects
would be respected. The crew were then brought
on board,.and with the exception of Capt. Nelson,
his two mates,. and a passenger, were placed in
irons. The captain and mates were allowed to re-
tain their revolvers, but put upon parole. A few
provisions were then brought on board, and the
Harvey Birch committed to flames. Before the
Nashville left her the three masts were seen to fall,
and the entire vessel enveloped in a burning mass.
Capt. Peagrim states that the burning of the ship
and hauling down of her flag was the most painful
act of his life, having for a period of 32 years
fought and served under the United States flag.
The Nashville brought as passengers under orders
of the Hon. the Secretary of the Navy, Col. Peyton
and lady. Cal. Peyton is on special duty for the
State of North Carolina, and notwithstanding the
length of the voyage and the heavy weather expe-
rienced throughout her passage, which carried
away portions of her paddle-boxes, &c., they are in
good health. The colonel and Capt. Peagrim will
proceed to London by express train to-morrow
morning. Col. Peyton says that there are 750,000
bales of cotton of the old crop, and over 4,000,000
bales of the new crop, and 50,000,000 dols.' worth
of tobacco and naval stores ready for shipment.
Col. Peyton says that Messrs. Mason and Slidell
the Southern commissioners, left Charleston on the
12th of October in the steamer Theodore, passing
through the blockading squadron at night. Their
safe arrival was reported at Cardenas, Cuba, before
the Nashville left Charleston on the 26th ultimo,
and they are expected to arrive here by the West
India steamer La Plata, due on the 29th inst.

Capt. Peagrim is an old officer of the United
States navy, and bore a conspicuous part in the
Mexican war, in the Paraguay and Japan expedi-
tions, and during the war waged by the English
and French in China. For his distinguished ser-
vices his native State of Virginia voted him, by the
unanimous voice of the General Assembly of the
Legislature, a splendid sword.
The numerous statements which have been received
in this country through the papers of the United
States of the scarcity of provisions at the South,
want of clothing in the army, &c., I learn are ut-
terly without foundation in fact. The country is
prosperous, and the people satisfied of their ability
to achieve their independence. The esprit de corps
of the army is admirable. President Davis, instead
of being dead, is intwenjoyment of fine health and
spirits, as are 'also _the ' generals, Beauregard and
Johnston, who have been reported killed.
Captain Peagrim indignantly denies the absurd
statement of Captain Nelson that ho holds no com-
mission from the Confederate States of America,
and has furnished me with the following, which is
a copy of tho commission under the Confederate
seal :

(Copy.)

" The President of the Confederate States of ,'

America.

"To all who shall see these presents greeting

" Know yet that, reposing special trust and con-
fidence in the patriotism, in the valour, fidelity, and
abilities of Robert B. Peagrim, I do appoint him a
lieutenant in the navy of the Confederate States, to
rank as such from the 10th day of June, A.D. 1861.
He is therefore carefully and diligently to dis-
charge the duty of lieutenant by doing and perform-
ing all manner of things thereunto belonging, and
I do strictly charge all officers and others under his
command to be obedient to his orders as lieutenant.
And he is to observe and follow such orders and
directions as from time to time ho shall receive from
me or the future President of the Confederate States
of America, or the superior officers set over him ac-
cording to the rules and discipline of war.
" Given under my hand at the City of Richmond
this 20th day of September, in the year of our
Lord, 1861.
(Signed) " JEFFERSON DAVIS.
" By the President,
S. R. MALLARY, Secretary to the Navy."

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
SOUTHAMP TON, THURSDAY EVENING.

The Nashville is lying alongside of the
quay wall of the eastern side of the docks,
and is an object of great curiosity. She
did not let her steam off until four or five
o'clock. The Confederate flag, of one white and
two red horizontal stripes, with the stars on a blue
ground in the upper corner, is flying at the peak; a
broad pennant from the main. The vessel appears
to have met with foul weather since she has been at
sea, and will go into one of the graving docks to-
morrow to be overhauled. It is reported that her
crew consists of 70 officers and men, and that each
is armed with a revolver and cutlass. She is about
1,600
tons burden, and formerly ran as a trader be-

tween New York and Charleston. The Harvey
Birch is said to-have been a remarkably fine full-
rigged ship of the same tonnage, quite new.
Everything appears very quiet on board the Con-
federate. The crew do not show at all, but now and
then an officer or two may be seen pacing the deck.
They do not appear to be at ease, anti are very
reserved, particularly upon this affair, should they
be questioned. The vessel is armed with two rifled
cannon, but they are not visible to persons on shore.
The crew of the Harvey Birch are domiciled at the
Sailors' Home, opposite the docks. They are in a
highly excited state, and vow vengeance against the
officers and crew of the Nashville. Fearing that a
collision might take place and mischief result, the
mayor, Frederick Perkins, Esq., has ordered a
batch of the borough police to patrol the docks dur-
ing the night, in connection with the usual dock
policemen. The crew of the burnt ship describe the
officers of the Nashville as young and inexperienced
and their disgust is beyond expression at being
taken by such a set of " brats of boys," as they de-
scribe them. To use the expression of one of them,
he said " By --, if only half a dozen of us had been
loose, we would have cow hided the whole of the lot
over the stern, clean." A good joke is told of the
captain of the Nashville, who, it appears, belologed
to the American navy for 30 years before he joined
the secessionists. In relating the capture of the ship
to a gentleman at Southampton he observed that he
felt bound to treat the captain and officers with every
attention and kindness—that he invited them daily
to his own table, and behaved with true hospitality
and courtesy ; " but," said he, "my morti-
fication was great when I sent them on shore to
find that they did not acknowledge my kindness by
even expressing their thanks."
One circumstance, forcibly illustrating the per-
fectly suicidal nature of the present unhappy out-
break, is this, that the owner of the burnt ship,
resident at New York, is said to be a man of strong
Southern tendencies.

The following statement was taken by the quar-
antine officer at Southampton from the second mate
of the Harvey Birch :-
4, STATEMENT OF JAMES STEWART, SECOND MATE OF
THE HARVEY BIRCH.

" On Tuesday morning, at 9 a.m., about 40 miles
off Cape Clear. the steamer Nashville came along-
side the Harvey Birch, Captain Nelson, from Havre
in ballast, bound to New York ; he ordered us fo
haul our flag down, the United States colour, and
the captain to come on board. The captain went on
board, and remained about rb- minutes ; he then re-
turned to his ship and gave James Stewart, second
officer of the ship, orders to tell the crew to pack
their things up and bring them to the gangway
(bags only) with the exception of the officers who
were allowed to bring their chests.
" 11 A m.—The crew left their ship and went on
board the Nashville. The lieutenant of the Nash-
ville, with his crew, went on board the Harvey
Birch, and set her on fire.
" 6.30 P.m.—l saw the masts go over the side.
The Nashville then proceeded to Southampton. to
land the crew of the Mr vey Birch.
(Signed)
' "JAMES STEWART, Second Officer."

THE SOLDIERS' INSTITUTE AT
CHATHAM.

Fortunately for the British soldier, the popular
estimate of the military profession has been very
much changed since the time when Alderman
Smuggler proposed to celebrate the disbanding of
a regiment by " a bonfire as high as the Monu-
ment." Standing armies have long since ceased to
be a theme for patriotic declaimers, and the soldier
is no longer regarded as a necessary nuisance to be
retained with as little cost as possible, and to be
thrown aside without mercy when the emergency
has passed. Of late years, particularly since the
Crimean war, the public have shown a keen inte-
rest in all military subjects, and no War Minister
has had to complain of opposition or lukewarmness
when he has had a project to submit to further the
efficiency of theservice or the well-being of the sol-
dier. Army reform has taken a first place among
the questions of the day, and under the judicious
guidance of men like the late Lard Herbert im •
provements have been effected in the condition of
the soldier which the prejudices of a past genera-
tion would have made impossible, and at which, it
is said, officers of the old school of stocks and pipe-
clay still shake their heads incredulously. But,
though much has been done, very much more still
remains to be done, not only to make the army
popular and to bring into it a better class of re-
cruits, but also by increasing the comforts and ad-
vantages of the soldier's life to raise its morale and
to make its government easier. The establishment
of schools and libraries was undoubtedly a step in
the right direction, but they have not been com-
pletely successful in dealing with the evils which
they were meant to meet. The great vice of the
British armv—that which is the fruitful parent of
all other shortcomings and offences—is undoubtedly
drunkenness. The canteen and the public-house
lead to the vast majority of breaches of discipline,
and consequent punishments, and how many men
are ruined by them morally and physically com-
manding officers and medical ofl•'icers alone could
tell. Yet those who have 'put their heads into a
barrack-room will hardly be so surprised at the
prevalence of the vice. A long, low, whitewashed,
bare-looking barn, with a scanty fire at ono end,
lighted by one solitary gas burner, the sides lined
with turned-up bedsteads and a table running
down the middle, on which is huddled together a
confused heap of blacking brushes, bread, pipeclay,
tobacco, tea, potatoes, salt, &c., is not the pleasant-
est place to spend a leisure hour in. It is about the
last spot where anything like comfort is to be
found, and it is scarcely to be wondered at if the
soldier yields at times to the superior attractions of
the well-lighted, well-warmed taproom which the
neighbouring publican is very careful to provide
for him. As in other walks of life, a cheerless
home is the publican's best friend, Again, when
he has got well through his drills, the soldier has
much spare time on his hands, and the want of
suitable mental or physical employment naturally
brings on a sort of ennui which he has no means of
dissipating but at the same place. It is scarcely
possible to increase his monotonous military duties
without wearying and disgusting him, and, though
some army reformers propose to set him to work at
various industrial occupations, there does not seem
much prospect of that project being seriously taken
up at present. Everything combines to lead him
or drive him to dissipation, and the real wonder is,
not that so many yield to it, but that so many resist
the temptation. The necessity of providing the
soldier with some means of amusing or employing
himself when off duty has long been urged by those
who take an interest in his welfara, and who best
know his habits. The Barrack Committee of 1854
strongly recommended some reform in this respect,
and, though Lord Herbert's Sanitary Commission
did not formally consider the subject, the witnesses
examined before it were pretty nearly unanimous
as to the evils of the present state of things. After
standing the usual ten years' siege, the War-office
is beginning to apprehend that there m ty be some-
thing in the idea, after all. Facilities have been
given for opening reading rooms in various barracks,
which, though na great things, are still au improve-
ment on the ordinary barrack-room ; hero and
there skittle-alleys and fives-courts have been
built, and the departmental mind, though it still
hesitates to commit itself to anything like a general
change, clearly perceives that it is not altogether
creditable to the various parties concerned that the
British soldier should be cared for something worse
than a convict, and a great deal worse than a pauper.
The energy and liberality, however, of a few private
persons is just about to be put into practice at Chat-
ham an experiment which it is hoped will prove a
stronger rival to the taverns and other Inundation-

able temptations to debauchery in which a garrison
town abounds than any influence which has yet
been tried. In the north-west corner of the Chat-
ham barracks fronting to the road leading from the
Engineer barracks, and overlooking the dockyard,
there is rapidly approaching completion a hand-
some building which, under the name of the Soldiers'
Institute, is intended to afford the soldier the means
of harmless recreation, which at present are almost
entirely wanting in the station. It is, in fact, to be
the Soldiers' Clubhouse where he will meet his
comrades, smoke his pipe, drink his cup of coffee,
and take his ease generally, without restraint or
interference, just as his offieers do at the United
Service or the Army and Navy. It consists of two
stories, and will afford accommodation for pretty
nearly 1,000 men. The ground floor is divided into
two spacious coffee-rooms, divided by a bar, at which
tea, coffee, cold meats, bread and butter, and eggs,
may be obtained at cost price. They will be well
furnished with comfortable chairs and settees, and
a plentiful supply of little marble-topped tables,
such as we see in French cafes or estaminets. In
one room there will be a supply of newspapers and
popular periodicals, and in the other there will be
chess, backgammon, and solitaire boards, bagatelle ;
and German billiard tables, with other games ; and
the men will be well warmed, ventilated, and
lighted. A portion of the upper floor will be occu-
pied
by the barrack library, consisting of 4,000
volumes, which is to be moved into it from its present
quarters ; and on the other side is the lecture theatre
—a very handsome room, some 26 feet high, and
brilliantly lighted with star pendants, after the
fashion of St. James's-hall. Some 600 men may be
accommodated in it. This is to be used principally for
evening classes, for instruction in singing, draw-
ing, Hindustani, &c., but occasionally lectures will
be delivered by the officers and men, or by lecturers
specially engaged if the funds are forthcoming; and
by an ingenious arrangement the tables are so con-
trived that they back together, and form a conve-
nient platform for the lecturer, or a stage for private
theatricals when there may be a sufficient supply
of dramatic talent in the garrison. The room is not
yet finished, but it is to be very handsomely deco-
rated. On panels round the walls will be inscribed
the names of the principal victories in the Penin-
sular, Indian, and Crimean Wars, and under each in
their proper order will be ranged the busts of the
victorious generals. Quarters for the librarian are
provided on the ground floor. Some objection has
been taken to the building as being too highly
ornamented ; but here we think the Building Com-
mittee hove shown their knowledge of the soldiers'
ways of thinking. It is always the most splendid
and the best fitted gin palace which attracts him the
readiest, and he will take all the more pride in his
club-house for its not being a mere long, low, cor-
rugated iron excrescence, little differing in outward
appearance from the shed in which the Armstrongs
are housed in the neighbouring barracks. Next to
the Convicts' Prison it is about the handsomest
building of which Chatham can boast. Close by, a
large American bowling alley is pretty nearly
finished; two fives•courts are already in use, and
there is room in the corner for a spacious skittle-
alley, which appears to be the game most affected
by the men. All these will be covered in and
lighted with gas, so as to be available for all times
and weathers. Plans have been made for a large
gymnasium, which it is hoped the War Depart-
ment will take in hand; and certainly everything
which tends to increase the muscular strength and
activity of their men is a matter of which the Go-
vernment alone ought to bear the cost. To this
building, with all its advantages, every man in the
garrison willbe, admitted on the payment of a sub-
scription of a penny per week, of which a penny per
month will be payable to Government for the use of
the library. There are about 8,000 men in garrison,
including the Marines, and it is hoped. that this small
subscription will be sufficient to make the institu-
tion self-supporting. It is placed in such a position
that no man can get from any of the barracks into
the town of Chatham without passing by its doors.
It will be open at 7 o'clock in the morning, so that
a man may get his cup of coffee the first thing on
turning out, instead of the dram of spirits with
which too many old soldiers have the habit of stay-
ing themselves till breakfast time. As to the time
of closing, that at present is not settled, but it is
hoped that permission will be obtained to keep it
open till half-past 10 o'clock. The men feel that
they are treated like children when they are sent
to bed at half-past 8 in winter and 9 o'clock in sum-
mer, and if they are spending their evenings at the
club, instead of at the public-house or low dancing
saloon, there is no reason why the present severe
rule should be retained. The government of the in-
stitute will be vested in a sub-committee of non-
commissioned officers and privates, controlled and
superintended by a committee of officers. It has
been wisely determined not to attempt anything in
the way of religious instruction. The first object is
to provide harmless recreation, and in all proba-
bility if the men felt that they were being entrapped
into anything beyond that, the doors would stand
open in vain. The less interference on the part of
the officers the better, for the experiment can hardly
hope to be successful unless the men feel themselves
perfectly at their ease and free from all surveillance.
This idea of soldiers' clubs was one in which the
late Lord Herbert took a great interest, and one of
almost his latest acts was to appoint a committee of
officers to inquire into the whole subject of the
means of recreation provided for the soldier. Their
report has just been made, and is highly favourable
to these institutions provided they be accompanied
with due precautions for the maintenance of dis-
cipline. The committee circulated queries to 144
commanding officers and others, and the proposal
appears to have met with very general approval
from those primarily responsible for the discipline
and good conduct of the men. At a few stations
they have already been tried on a small scale, and
the reports from them are most encouraging. Without
exception, they appear to have improved the sol-
dier's habits and diminished crime ; and in every
case the men have shown themselves eager to profit
by the comforts and advantages held out to them.
At Gibraltar the effect of opening three small homes
in different parts of the garrison is reported to have
been the closing of several of the largest and most
objectionable publichouses in the town, and at every
station where even the smallest attempt has been
made to keep the men out of mischief it has to a
great extent succeeded. It was but the other day
that the depot of the 83d Regiment, 100 strong,
marched into Chatham Barracks, and when they
were told that they could have a spare barrackroom
for a readingroom if they choose, every man of them,
except three, put down his 3d. a week, and they
have for it a little room, where a score of them at a
time may read their papers, smoke their pipes, play
at draughts, or write their letters at comparative
ease and freedom. The committee, with characte-
ristic caution, though the evidence is unani-
mously in their favour, decline to recommend to the
War Department anything like a general and official
sanction of this scheme for soldiers' clubs until they
have been fairly tried at Chatham and at Aldershot,
where they propose the Government shall establish
ono at once at their own cost. Certainly no better
place could be chosen for the experiment than
Chatham. The greater part of the garrison consists
of young recruits, who are sent there to learn their
drill before being draughted off to join regiments in
all parts of the world. They are peculiarly liable
to temptation, and they are just the class of men
whom it is of the most importance to save before
they become confirmed mauvais sujets. Not to be
more explicit, a walk through Chatham streets, and
a reference to the medical statistics of the garrison,
will indicate the magnitude of the evil to be dealt
with, and the crying necessity for some counter
attraction to these debasing influences. It is very
possible that the Soldiers' Institute may not be able
to cope with complete success against the panderers
• who dog his steps in every street; indeed the com-

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