Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-12-19
Statement from Capt. Briggs, whose Yes.
sci was Captured by the Pirate Sumter.


The following communication is from Cap
tain T. L. Briggs, of the brig Joseph Park,
recently captured by the privateer Sumter;
2. On the 18th of September I sailed in the
brig Joseph Park from Pernambuco for
Turks Island. September 25, when in lat.
60 north, long. 400, at A. NJ, saw a sail
steering the same course IN. N. W. with a
liRth breeze from the southwark. Att A.
NJ. saw she was a propeller displaying the
United States flag. Although suspicious of
her true character, could do nothing but
keep on my course until ordered to heave to
at o'clock. l set my colors, the steamer
being close by.
Never having seen true description of the
Sumter, and having heard she was the former
Star Of the West which vessel l had seen
and Known, my fears began to subside. As
she hailed, to know who and what we were,
and | thought it was one of the steamers
chartered by the United States Government,
| Immediately complied with the order to
heave to, and she did not show her true
colors until the officer who boarded me told
me was prize to the Confederate steamer
Sumter, and pointed to the flag just being
run up.
was told to get my papers and go on
board the Sumter. | was accompanied by
him to my cabin, and bad no opportunity 70
eigns), l had to buy cargo of salt with.
After carrying my papers on board the Sum
ter, was allowed to return to my vessel for
my clothes. Meanwhile she had been
thoroughly searched by the officer on board,
and all my instruments, charter party, &C.,
were taken and not returned to me. We
were allowed to keep nothing but our clothes.
On the 26th all the rigging, stores, &c, they
wanted were taken, and the brig SET on fire.
Low mn or
sail. speaking several foreign vessels, and re-
presenting the Sumter as United States
vessel. October 27, the schooner ID. 7row-
| bridge, Captain Lyon, was captured under
! similar circumstances to my own-(a full
account of which we have published) She
was the only American vessel seen while
| was on board .r...
November 9-Gaptain Lyon aud myself
were landed at Port Royal and went imme-
diately, by steamer, to the American Consul
at ST. Pierre, where we arrived after dark,
and were very kindly received by Captain
Jackson, of the brig CTocus. The men were
not allowed to land, by the Governor of the
island, until Monday, when the Consul had
agreed to receive and provide for them
Meanwhile they had induced three of my
men to join the Sumter crew. While on
board the Sumter we were generally well
treated. The crews had the liberty of the
ship from A. NJ. to P. H., when they were
sent to theberth,deck. Captain Lyon and
myself were allowed to retire at our pleas.
ure. We messed with the warrant-ofiieers
and were treated with every civility by them
Our crews were messed with theirs, anC
shared equally. In conclusion, wish t.
express my thanks to the following persons
Captain jackson of the brig CrOcus, Captain
Amesbury of the schooner b. J. Talbot Cap
tain Skaling OF the British brig julia, Gap
| g h. &C
line, and Captain Smith of the British
schooner Mary Elizabeth, for their kindnes
and assistance at st. Pierre. l am indebted
to Captain Skaling. for, his kind offer of
passage to New York. and which | accepted
THOMAS L. BRIGGS.