The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-18

Inc Dan Jacnto mas Tor time been the station on
coast Of Africa but like many other vessels belonging
to Of the United States was ordered homo
when the present troubles commenced. She was then
further ordered to cruise after the Sumter and whc on
that cruise she put in at Havana The American Consul
conveyed to her commander tho information of tho sailing
OF the rebel Commissioners the British steamer Trent.
but did not presume to give any actual orders to him
ative TO the arrest OF the party. Captain Wilkes with
patriotic zeal, determined upon his authority TO
| take the men prisoners no matter at what risk
even that OF having his commission stripped from
him-teeling of thing, that his country would
appreciate his conduct Of true American daring
and national bravery. Suffice it to say that he
hauled the Trent within twenty hours sail from tho
port two boats sent, and Lieutenant Fairfax boarded
her, and Messrs. Sdel and Mason were made prisoners
They at FIRST objected to being removed without the en-
poymen Of force for that purpose. However, they
soon after removed without further trouble and conveyed
to tho San Jacnto Their respective secretaries Euss
and Mcfarland, were also brought board the San
Jacnto.
SKETCH OF THR SAN JACINTO.
The San Jacnto is first class steam soop-of war; and
carries thirteen guns. She built Brooklyn in 1850,
and is registered being thousand and
fortysix tons burhen Her last station abroad
the coast OF Africa, and at the OF the
present year she commanded by Captain Thomas A.
Washington, ordered out to take the command Of the
San Jacino and to bring her home, having done which,
the vessel ordered the Gulf to cruise after the
Sumter.
SKETCH OF CAPTAIN CHARLES WILKES.
Captain Charles Wilkes the Captain Of the San Jacnto
at tho time when she overhaulcd the Trent native
New York, OF which State no is a citizen and
from which State he appointed the navy
He was born about tho year 1905, and at the
early age of thirteen entered the naval service,
his original entry therein bearing date January 1918
Hc stands according to the last navy list, No 81 the
LIST Of captains his present commission bearing Sep
tember IA, 1855. Ills under his present com
mission has been OF short DURATION his service
being about ten years He has shore and other
duty about wentyscven years. and has been unemployed
about seven years. thus making his whole servce under
tho government or tho United States about fortyour
years. Previous TO his present service his last duty
was in June, 1912 His principal employment from
that time till ordered upon the San Jacinto was upon
special duty at Washington Captain Wilkes is also noted
as the great explorer and navigator. having in consc
quence Of his well tested scientific ability been appointed
by the government upon the command OF the naval
petition gotten up for the purpose Of exploring the coun
tries bordering on the Pacific and Southern oceans.
At this time his command consisted of brig, two
war sloops anu two smaller vessels tenders, Charles
Wilkes having charge Of the whole. Starting from New
York he pursued his route, via Cape Horn towards
trala and the neghboring islands. He visited Snga-
pore Borneo tie Sandwich Islands, and the upper part
of Oregon, &c, and returned to New York during the
year 1912. This expedition lasted four years, having
bcen commenced in 1888. For the interesting disco
veres made by the explorer the learned Geographical
Society Of London presented him with gold medal q
memento Of their appreciation Of his labors Captain
Wilkes has published several works geographical
bic volume for reference the statistics maps and
drawings being of the highest order. Captain Wilkes
has by his present action added another triumph his
list Of gories.
SKETCH OF LIEUTENANT FAIRFAX.
Lieutenant ~ Mem Fairfax, the officer who had charge
OF the removal Of tho prisoners from of the Trent
officer formerly connected with the Constellation which
cruising in the African waters He s native of
Virginia. bnt is citizen of North Carolina, from which
State he appointed Ho entered the service the
10Th day of August 1887, and his present commission
bears date February g. 1851 he standing No. "A
the list of promotion His service under his present
commission is years. his total service being
nearly sixteen years lie was for four shore and
other duty and about three years and half unemployed
making total service OF about twenty-four years He
appointed in February, 1858, to the Constellation
afor which Re was transferred TO the OF the
Mystic from thence the San .Jacnto from which
he conducted the boats which drew up along
side Of the Trent The rebel Commissioners were taken
from the Trent under his charge to the San Jacinto.
THE sToPPAGE OF THE TRENT.
As before stated the Captain Of the San Jacinto
authority pursued the Trent and stopped her in the
Bahama csnnel appears that the vessel brought
t. in Tho sqol manner, by the firing Of ball across her
bows signal 10 heave The captain Of the
caused his vessel to be stopped her course
allowed boats come nonrsjde and the
GERS ascend to the deck Of the steamer. demand
then made for the surrender of the principal
rebes and their secretaries bnt their families and friends
were to be allowed TO proceed on their way in peace
Some show Of resistance made by the prisoners who
rcfcsed to surrender unless force used This tho
officer charge said he would unless they yield.
ed quietly and the rebels deeming discretion the better
part Of vaor once without further trouble surrendered
themselves up, and taken board the San Jacno,
the Trent proceeding on her way to Europe with the
families and friends of the prisoners The whole cap
ture made without the firing Of shot more than tho
| one Used to bring the vessel to.
ARRIVAL AT FORTRESS MONROE.
The San Jacinto arrived at Fortress Monroe shortly
after noon Friday and Captain Wilkes landed and
ported to headquarters while the vessel took board
the coal she much needed Some conversation
place between General Wool and Captain Wilkes relative
the seizure, during which the latter remarked that he
took the whole responsibility upon himself, and that he
must now abide by the result II he had to su4Sr
| for tho act.
THE EXCITEMENT AT FORTRESS MONROE.
or course the news arrived at the fort the
excitement at became intense directly It was known
! tnat the rebel ministers, who had caused much
troupe and snxiety, board All sorts OF rumors
! we're at once aioa TO what would be done with
them, but all were in In the meantime Captain
4 IN wit tD the
| government.
| SKETCH OF CAPTAIN TAYLOR.
Captain Alfred Taylor, the bearer n dispatches from
the chief officer of tho Jacino TO the government
Washington, was not in actual command at the time Of
the engagement. but merely passenger By the San
Jacnto from the squadron the African coast where he
had been in command Of the soop Saratoga. He is a
native and citizen Of the State OF Virginia, from which
State he was appointed He originally entered the