Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-06
CAPTURE OF PRIZE VESSELS.
Daring Exploit of Maryland ZOuaVeS
F-on he Richmena Dispatch, July ?.


lieutenant Geo. W. Alexander of the First Regi-
ment MARYLAND Zouaves, reached Richmond on yes
terday morning with forty odd Lincolnites prison
ers-of-war captured on the Potomac early Satur-
dav morning. 1t appears that the Zouave Regiment
has been for some time past in process OF fOrma-
tion INV Col r. Thomas of Richard, Lieut.. Alexan-
der (Adiutant) Lieut.. F. Gibson, and Others In Bal
A short time since, Col. Thomas went from Balti-
more to Philadelphia in disguise and procured sup
ply of arms. Himself and comrades then conceived
the project of capturing the St. Nicholas, large
steamer in the employ of the General Government,
running between Baltimore and Washington. The
boat started at four O'Clock Friday evening from
her wharf in Baltimore. Previous thereto Colonel
Thomas went aboard with twelve men-the latter as
passengers and their commander dressed as French
ady The vessel got under way and stopped at Point
Lookout where, according to the plan previously
agreed on Lieut. Alexander. with another detachment
of men came on board and secured passage for ash
in0ton Bv accident q Lieut.. Alexander went into
the cabin of the steamer and recognized the French
lady q as an old acquaintance from Paris thomas
and Alexander speaking the language huently, they
found no difficulty In maturing their plan OF opera
| tons During the conversation tn>t ensued De-
tween the French lady and her acquaintance, IN
struetions were given as to how the party should
proceed. The arms, which had previously been
| Carefully loaded and concealed, were made ready
for instant possession. AT one O'Clock on Saturday
morning the time for striking the blow having ar
4 H0.
ed in his uniform and ordering his men to do their
duty the steamer in five minutes was prize to the
| Confederate States The Captain and crew sur
rendered without striking blow, and were con-
| fined without trouble They appeared overwhem-
] ed with surprise.
| CAPTAIN Geo n. Hollins, late United States Navy
who had gone aboard at Point Lockout, then "a
| sumed command of the steamer and ran her into
Cone river, expecting to meet the Tennessee regi
| ment and Jointly commence further operations
| against the enemy. The Tennesseans, however, did
not arriye on the ground until late Saturday morn"
ing. 1t was then TOO late for any demonstration up
the river as was originally intended. and the stes m
| er was headed down the stream. On her passage
she CAPTURED two schOOners and one brig. Eacf
had a crew of about ten men, who were taken prs
| oners. go .
| One of the vessels was loaded with g. 800 bags
coffee, another with anthracite coal, and another
with ice The steamer ST. Nicholas Is first ELI
boat. 275 feet long, side wheel.
| All of the prizes were safely tOwed to the m9uu
of the Rappahannock, and thence TO fredericksburg
Their value is roughly estimated at THREE HrNDRE
| AID SEVENTY FIYE THOUSAND DOLLARS.
The captains of the respective vessels, with then
crew including several negroes, are now lodged Il
tie prison depot on Main street, in this city.
1920