Weekly Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-07-12
From tho Baltimore American CT Tuesday.
THE PIRACY OF THE ST. NICHOLAS
CAPTURE OF THE "FRENoH LADY, AND
COMPANIONS.
DELIVERED TO GENERAL B1NKS AT
FORT MeHENRY.

Dt9trlCt EONOet nuu MT. Junn ltOiuer, OF tnlh
city, captured yesterday afternoon no less an i'm
portant parsonage than Captain Thomas, of ST..
Mary's county, alias the "Fr0nch Lady" whose
exploit ia seizing the steamer st. Nicholas q
short time since, while in the Patuxent river,
was so boastingly proclaimed by the Secession
Journals Of this city as "briiant exploit. -
The particulars Of the affair, as narrated by a
passenger on board the steamer Mary Washing
ton, were as follows; Lieutenant Carmichael,
with Mr.. Horner, left this city on Sunday morn
ing in small sloop for Fair Haven, on Herring
Bay near the lower portion of Anna Arundel
county, for the purpose of arresting a certain
Neae Green, noted barber dcng business on
Pratt street, near Frederick, who is charged with
being participant in the assault on the Massa-
uhusetts regiment on the 18Th of April, and with
other offences. Owing TO head winds the slOOp
did not reach the place of destination until about
o'clock yesterday morning. On landing the
officers proceeded to house in the vicinity and
arrested Green, who had designed remaining
there for some time, but proposed sending his
wife to this city by the steamer Mary Washing
ton, which usually stops at Fair Haven.
Tho officers, with Green and his wife took
passage on the Mary Washington without any
knowledge of those on board. Shortly after
leaving the Lieutenant entered into conversation
with number Of passengers, and ascertained
that Capt Kirwan, with the engineer and an
Ulnef Oluctf OIL tnt o. NlCuOlhbt rs Mtll
as others who had been taken prisoners when
the steamer WAS seized by Thomas, the 'French
Lady" and his party, had been released by
them and were returning to this city on the Mary
Washington. The officers also ascertained that
among the passengers on board were seven or
eight of the captors, with Captain Thomas him
self, who, doubtless exhilarated by the success
attending their first achievement, were disposed
to make another venture, probably on the steam e
or Columbia or some other steamer plying on the
Maryland rivers.
AS soon as satisfactory information on this
this point was obtained and each one of the party
iecognized beyond doubt, Lieutenant Carmichael
directed Captain Mason L. Weens, the comman-
der Of the Mary Washington, TO proceed, ON
reaching this harbor, to land the passengers at
Fort McHenry. The direction was given while
the steamer was near Annapolis. Shortly after,
while Lieutenant Carmichael and Mr. Horuer
were in the ladies' cabin they were approached
hy Thomas who desired to know by what author.
iIy the order had been given for the steamer tc
touch at Foit MclIenry. The Lieutenant in
formed him that it was through authority vested
in him by Colonel Kenly, Provost Marshal o
baltimore On hearing this Thomas drew his
pistol, and calling his men aroand him, threat
| ened to seize and throw Carmichael and Hornel
overheard. The latter drew their revolYers aud
defed the other party to proceed TO execute
their threats. The utmost confusion prevailed
iu the cabin for short time, the female pas
sengers running out screaming, but the other
male passengers stood up with Carmichael and
| Horner, and compelled Thomas and his compan
ions to remain quiet Matters thus stood on
the boat until the steamer approached the Fort
wharf, when the Lieutenant went up aud inform
ed General Banks of his important capture.
The General instantly ordered out company
of infantry, who msrched to the steamboat
and secured all the accused excepting
Thomas, for whom search was made for an hour
and half. lie was then found concealed in the
drawer OF bureau in the ladies' cabin, in the
aft part Of the boat AT first it was apprehend-
ed that Thomas would make desperate resist
ance, but be disclaimed any such design, alleging
that he was too weak 10 resist. He and the
other prisoners were then marched to the fort
and placed in confinement.
The Witnesses some ten or twelve in number,
were also detained at the Fort during last night
OF the prisoners, Thomas was the only one who
had any baggage, he having small valise with
q bundle, in which was contained full uniform
of q Zouave, including cap, number of letters
and papers, among which was said to be com.
mission in the Confederate army. The names Of
those arrested with him could not be ascertained
last evening.
Neala Green was brought up by Lieutenant
Carmichael and taken to the Middle Police Sta.
tiOn, where he was locked up for examination
tie coniesses that he lett this city on account O
having committed an assault on q soldier
On the 4th of July certain suspected parties
were seen examining the steamer Columbia o.
the same lue as the 81. Nicholas, now lying idlt
at Fardy's shipyard, near Federal Hill. They
went aboard and inquired Of Captain Harper
what was her speed, how much coal was OH boart
Of her, and whether she could be chartered p
On being told that she was not for charter, ont
of them on leaving the boat was heard to say
that they "would have her anyhow" The fact
were Immediately laid before Provost Marsha
Kenly, who, suspecting il to be their intention Il
seize her qliety at night, get up steam an,
move out of the harbor, Immediately ordered ai
armed guard on board, whilst part of her ma
chinery was also removed by the officers. Th
return of Captain Thomas may have some con
, nection with the movements Of this party, o
+ perhaps the seizure of the Mary Washington OF
! her return trip.
Colonel Keny received information on saturda
Of the whereabouts of Neale Green. and immedi
! ately despatched Lieutenant Carmichael to ARE.
him. The expedition has proved most success.
full one, and reflects credit alike on Col Kenl
| and the efficiency aud determination of Lieuteu
ant Carmichael.
/ We learn from the passengers of the st. Nicho
as that the schooner load OF ice captured by III
pratical expedition, and taken to Frederick:
, burg sold for S4, 600