The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-02
THE REBEL STEAMER NASHVILLE.
Her Arrival at southampton, Engiand-The
Burning Of the Ship Harvey Birch
Sketches Of the Nashville, Harvey
Birch and Captain Pcgram,
&c 90 r.

We have already published the news by the arrival OF
the steamship City Of Baltimore off Cape Race that the
rebel steamer Nashville had arrived at Southampton
England on the 2lst Of November, having board The
captain and crew Of the American ship Harvey Birch
which vessel the Nashville fell in with the 10th ult
while at sea- and burned to the waters edge, remaining
by to her cowardly work was properly exc
cnted. Captain Nelson, Of the Harvey Hrch
and the crew, we're taken board the steamer.
and all of them with the exception Of the captain
placed IN irons until they arrived in England when they
we're permitted to so at large The probable Of
the burning Of the Harvey Birch is she bal
last and consequently hardly worth running the risk Of
sending her with prize crew TO some Southern port
The Nashville will, it is stated remain at Southampton
to reft, when she will doubt again take to the ocean
in search Of merchantmen attempt the block
ade with assorted cargo As everything relating
the movements Of the rebel vessels Watched closely by
the public, append sketch OF the Nashville Harvey
Birch and Capt. Pegram-
THE STEAMER NASHVILLE.
The name Of the steamer Nashville has become as IA
mar 20 the public that Of the Sumter Of
the time when il stated she had the blockade at
Charleston, having board the rebel ministers Slideil
and Mason. Three of best steamers instantly
despatched in pursuit OF the Nashville but after
wards appeared she not tho vessel honored with
their presence Her next appearance her arrival
at Bermuda, West Indies, on the morning OF
October 80, she having the blockade nj Charleston
the 26h Of October. Upon her arrival at Bermuda
Captain Pegram applied TO the local authorities for
supply Of coal; but they declined to furnish and the
Nashville obliged go The narbor of ST. George T.
where she obtained supply from private sources and
sailed for England While the West Indies she kept her
future movements secret 1t was thoul that
she had on board one rebel agents commis-
hut hat tbo, Sba
Southampton the 2lst Of November having board
the officer and Of the ship Harvey Birch which she
burned on the 18th ut.
The Nashville was formerly used as a packet between
this city and Charleston and belonged spoord Tiles
ton Co = limo Of She seized by the
bes and converted into vesseofwar although Captain
PegrAm, according 10 the account OF Captain Nelson OF
the Harvey Birch, states that he holds commission
from the rebel government and insists that the
sci is not privateer She built in this city the
year 1862 is rated AZ, and is ,22o tons ourthen.
SKETCH OF CAPTAIN PEGRAM.
Captain Robert B. Pegram, commander OF the rebel
steamer Nashville formerly attached to the United
states Navy which he held the position Of lieutenant
He born in Virginia and appointed from that state.
His original entry INTO the navy in the month Of
February, 1929 His total service about
shore about eight years and the balance Of
his time was unemployed. He was in the navy nearly
thirty two years. He has been lately engaged the
coast survey. He too, like Hollns and others turned
his back to the flag under which he had served for
long period the breaking ont of the present rebellion
Before this Lieutenant Pegram had Tor himself the
respect Of the public large and of his fellow officers
by the good qualities he had always shown his
cool courage He had rendered himself popular by his
connection with the affair Of the Water Witch in the Para
quay waters, in connection with the Japan expedition,
OF the British Admiralty and handsome sword from his
native State.
Up TO the present time he has done nothing to bring
him prominently before the people with the exception Of
the affair Sewalls Point where he commanded the gun
that partly disabled the Harriet Lane Captain
Pegram not alone in the rebel service he has relatives
IN high position there. His nephew, John Pegram,
graduate Of West Point and for long time the service
OF the United States holds the position colonel
IN the rebel army and in the late engagement at Laurel
Hill, Western Virginia, taken prisoner by the Union
troops
THE SHIP HARVEY BIRCH.
The Harvey Birch ship OF nearly 500 tons bur
then. drawing twenty-five feet of water. She was built
in 1854 at Mystic, Conn, but was owned this city.
She hundred and nnetysix feet long, forty feet
wide and twenty feet deep. She fine vessel
rating and copper and iron fastened throughout She
was metaed in May $50, and surveyed in this city
in February, 1860. She sailed from New York on the
10th Of September for Havre and bound back. in
ballast when she burned Her value is estimated
by the Board Of Underwriters at $75 Oo although
she cost to build $1O2 600 She was owned by Messrs
H. Brewer Co., of this city, and was not insured. She
formerly engaged in the trade between this port and
San Francisco.
NEWS FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
FORTRESS MoSRor, Dec /, 1881
The dPoint boat has arrived. There ne news from
1he Soiith
The s. r. spaulding had arrived from Hattsras, She