Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-14
The G. $. steamship sumter.

The Confederate States purchased the steamship
Hsbsna, which at one time run between New Or
leans and Havana, and placed her in 4 commission.
She has been thoroughly Overhauled and placed on
z war footing, and from all the Information we can
gather, is bound on some enterprise that will if
successful, be astonishing to the Confederates
TO the Federsls She has been lying for some time
the mouth of the Mississippi river in sight the
U. S. steamship Brooklyn, waiting an opportunity
TO get cut. which opportunity it seemed would new
er offer, but an exercise Of patience accomplished
the desired result, and the 30th Of June, while
the Brooklyn as engaged in watching or ursuing
another craft. the Sumter boldly went to sea when
the former, f0rsaking her other business. made
chase. but the latter beng remarkably fleet out
stripped her pursuer. and il cleaVing her way
through the sea to her destination. --
so secret has been kept the OF Ject Of tins under
taking that the officers not advised OF it. or if
advised, exercise commeudable reticence in regard
10 making it known.
The Sumter is commanded BY Captain Semmes,
who has Lieut.. kel Of Georgia. as first lieutenant;
two brave and gallant officers who win not fail to
give good account of themselves no matter how
perilous the duty they undertake.
Lieut.. kell it will be remembered by our citi-
zens, was at one time in command Of the S. steam
eF Savannah. He was for son years in me q. s.
Navy and by devotion to his profession and unas-
Stunning disposition the est, of all with whom
he associated OfCapt Semmes we know but little
aside from private information which gives him the
character of bold and determined man, fit tor any
emergency, and sure TO carry his point if human
energy can do it. With such commanders, we shall
wait the accounts from this cruise Of the Sumter
with much soIcitUde.-SOUGRn1hR epslblicdR.
TEE War PREss.-The Administration must be
careful or the war viii lose its patriotic and become
q mere party character A shreWd letter writer
from the capital says "The Executive Government
viii press the war now with all the abili which
they possess, for they act under the menace Of tbs
Kelc HorL; War Press, and know that they must
pack up their trunks and be Off if they don't take
Richmond before the 10th Of July. They have as
much idea of getting Richmond by that time as they
have of grabbing the moon. They cannot move in
any direction without imminent peril-not from
Fortress Monroe, not from their Alexandra lines
and not even from the Maryland and Pennsylvania
line. But they will make demands upon Congress
for money, men &C., Of 90 pressing a nature as to
show that they intend TO propose ID strike some i'm
pOrtsnt blow. Thus they viii avoid the necessity
Of packing their trunks at least until the regular
session, BY which time they may b eaabled to re
port, as an excuse for non cOmplaDes with orders
their failure to obtain the necessary means" IhS
IS serious matter. Is it possible that the ardent,
ehiyarous North, eager 20 shed It's blood N rs So
v0cacy Of right, Is 70 Be left to tne guidance o.
few blatant Pes1y-a-liDeE5 II New York, VINO go"
their ignorance 80 loudly that th0so u power Ets
Influenced BY themy The country. VAL Gsll3o1 , 2
terFbs reckoning if party hacks are % as 1ne TO
powers of state snen We cannot bat t1inA ne cor
respondent in error IN bis stat5l0snss- Coz
ricr