The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-05
Arrival oil the Crew of the Captured
Privateer at New York.

The crew of the captured privateer Sa-
varnah, arrived at New York, in the
Harriet Lane, on the 26th. They were
Immediately committed to prison, to await
their trial for piracy. The following is an
account of the bold privateersmen":
The personnel of the privateer originally
consisted of thirty men all told, seventeen of
whom were brought here on the Savannah
last week, the remainder by the Harriet
Lane. The captain of the Savannah said
his name was 4. Harrison Baker, is a ma
tive OF Philadelphia, and about thirty-seven
years Of age. He has lived at Charleston
for number of years, and been a seaman
almost halt of his lifetime. If appearance
would indicate pirate, beholder would
scarcely consider the commander of the
captured privateer as such. He is a tall,
muscular looking man, of rather brOnzed
complexion, full beard and mustache. His
features are pleasant, and do not tend to
imply him as man to engage in so unpro.
ttaDle and hazardous an undertaking as the
onS IN which he was apprehended. His
dress consists of blue flannel suit of cloth.
ing. In his manners he is frank and out.
spoken, and considers bis capture as merely
the fortune of war, and looks forward to bis
discharge at no distant period. He seems
to be fatalist by nature. Everything that
has happened to him is based upon prece
dents. AS privateers usually do" is
favorite expression with him, and makes
any one conversiDg with him believe that
he has evidently been engaged in the nefa-
rlous business of privateerlng for long
time. He spoke of bis adventure thus -
l took out my letter for thirty days, after
the usual custom of privateers, the men
the proceeds of the prizes captured, the de.
cision to be made by the Confederate Prize
Commissioners, to whom all vessels taken
should be delivered from neutral ports"
The first officer of the Savannah gave his
name as John Harlessen, and does not ap-
pear, neither does he claim to be sailor.
His features are delicate and not uninterest.
ing. His age according to bis own state
ment is twenty eight years, and was born in
South Carolina.
Henry G. Rowland, the sailing master of
IuC PlttotCCI, 10 d ~ >OI III OoIOiluidu, duU
states bis age the same as the first officer.
His profession is mariner. G. s. PassaiIsi.
que, the Purser of the Savannah, is a native
Of the Palmetto State, "only nineteen years
old" and was formerly mail clerk, and as,
sistant book~keeper in the Office of the
Charleston Mercury. His appearance is
decidedly feminine, and rather interesting.
He has never before been to sea, and is not
likely to 60 again, at least as purser of
privateer.
The favorable impression which the off,.
GERS inspire is dispelled by the appearance of
the crew, all of whom are an ill looking,
determined set of desperadoes, ready to do
any deed of violence, and men who are not
apt to stick at trhes to accomplish anything
they purpose. The officers of the Harriet
Lane use the appellation that the crew of
the pirate are more despicable than des-
perate," and they looked as if they might be
easily "scared" with something less terrible
than the guns of the Perry. They are very
ordinary men, few of them being sailors,
and not one of them Southerners. Even
their late commander speaks OF them as
cowardIy set, and does not advance any
praise on their seamanship or courage.