Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-05-02
President Confederate States OF America.
From the Southern Argus. 29th ms

FROM tQe SOutneTn argus, ZStn IusC.
The Capture made by the Frigate Cumberland in
Hampton Roads.
AS this important matter has been misunderstood and
erroneous statements have been published 1--WE have
taken pains to enquire at perfectly reliable source aud
find the facts to be briefly these:
The steam-ug Young America, belonging to citizens
of Norfolk, was employed by one OF our merchants on
v ednesday last to 90 down to Hampton Roads to tow
up schooner called the Ann Colby just arrived from
the West Indies with cargo of Sugar and Molasses
on board, consigned to Norfolk The consent of COM
modore Forrest, of the Virginia Navy obtained to
the use of the steamtug.
On getting to the Roads, the tug could not find the
schooner Colby as she had been adv,sed bv Flag officer
Pendergrast, U. s. N. Commanding the Frigate Cum
berland, to proceed to New York, and bad according
ly lett Hampton Roads the advice of Commodore Pen
dergrast under the circumstances having all the force
and effect of an order,
After looking around for the Colby in vain the steam
tug discovered schooner at anchor having her flag
holsted with the Union down, signal of distress. he
tug proceeded towards her, render assistance about
the same time a boat from the Cumberland was dis
patched to the schooner The tug, however nearest
to the schooner and when about 800 yards of from the
schooner and about the distance from the boat
and about mile or nearer from the Cumberland, shot
was fired from gun in the boat at the tug, which
passed over her, The tug then stopped her engine i'm
mediatey afterwards shot fred at her by the Cum
berand herself which struck the tug near the forward
gangway and passed through her bulwarks both Sides
but fortunately killed none of her crew.
The boat then took possession of both the tug and the
schooner and ordered the tug alongside of the Frgae
their crew made prisoners and put under guard
on board the Cumberand-and still detained as
prisoners. At the time of the capture there were two
passengers on board the tug, of whom harbor
master OF the port of Norfolk, Mr. VIM. Tee of Ports
MOUTH Those two passengers detained as pris-
until the next day, when they set ashore
Old Point, with liberty to return home the best way
they could.
Upon the hearing of the capture of the tug, flag OF
truce was despatched by Gen. Gwynn to Col. Dimick
Commanding at Fortress Monroe, to demand expla-
nation. In his answer, which was received late We'd
nesday evening be replied that the capture was made by
Flag officer Pendergrast. The next morning another
flag OF truce was despatched to Flag officer Pendergras
to demand of him an explanation. In bis answer, he
ustlhes this agrant act OF war; upon the ground chiefly
that the schooner, (which proved to be the e. NJ Smith
OF Brook Haven, Connecticut,) was laden with NUM-
tons of war"
The manifest OF the schooner however shews no such
munitions OF war, except ten carriages " and although
the vessel has since been searched nothing has been
found that can be called munitions of war;, except
these " ten carriages" which Commodore Pendergras
insists were intended for light artillery guns but which
may well be used for other purposes.
NO guns or weapons of any sort were found aboard
OF her. The Geo. M. Smith regularly cleared from
| New York, April 2 1861, for Wilmington n c.. anC
she was detained her voyage by heavy weather Sht
had on board cargo of general merchandise chie1y
behring's and salt fish, poughs fa ming utensils &c. al
consigned to merchants in v ilmington, N. @.
The tmsy pretext upon which the Commodore seeks
to justify the seizure, is fully shewn by the act which
he admits to be true that at the time of the seizure
he had no knowledge and suspicion that the schoone
had munitions of war on board. 1t would seem tina
the real of the seizure was hostile and vndctv
feeling towards Virginians and sudden anger causee
by what our 1COd be masters considered an iperinenc
the part of the tug in Offering to render assistance
vessel in distress, in the presence of man of war
| the United States.
To this must be added, doubtless, the wish to pc
possession of the tug to be used as she has since beer
constantly used as guard boat in Hampton Road il
i the service of the Lincoln Government
The capture and detention of these vessels is an out
rageous act of not only against the State of Viz
gna, but against the State of North Carolina also, t.
which the vessel was bound with large amount of prop
| erty on board belonging to her citizens
| We trust that the "Old North State" will nromnt
and worthy resent this indgnity offered to her usute
| Sovereignty