Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-12
Commodore StrIngham and the IIat.erar
PrISoneTR.

Commodore Stringham and the LHaGteras
Prisoners.
From the Norfolk Daybook, Nov! 5.
Some few facts in relation to Commodore String
ham of the Minnesota, and the Hatteras prisoners,
having recently come to our notice, we deem them
worthy of mention as highly creditable to that off
Ger. 1t appears that by the articles of agreement
between Commodore Stringham and Commodore
Barron the Hatteras prisoners surrendered "rris
Oners of war and on arriving at New York String
ham sent dispatch to that effect and intImat ting
that they were to be treated as prisoners of war,
and not rebels. This the administration objected
to; and in consequence of this objection, there
sprsng up considerable telegraph communication
between the Commodore and the administration, and
the prisoners were Eot landed for several days after
their arrival Stringham refusing to surrender them
unless clearly stipulated and greed upon on the
part of the Government that they were to carry
in good faith what had been agreed to at HIATT ras
1t is said that Stringham in the meantime frequent
ly approached Commodore Barron and Col Martin,
and assured those gentlemen, on his honor, that
they had cause to apprehend deceit; that sooner
than he would put them shore without the full
assurance of the Government that the compact
would be strictly kept, be would blow up the ship
with every soul on board, himself among the rest.
However, he persevered in his determination and
did not, or would not, surrender one Of them until
his terms were complied with fully.
The course pursued BY Com. stringham in this
CO Sc made him unpopular with the Dynasty, and
e4tlSF consequence OF CODle
of those in power, he resigned his commission and
retired to private life, and several of the officers
under him did the same thing az the same time,
while Hale, who had been his Secretary continued
on, VITA the determination to leave the Federal
service as soon as an opportunity offered to join
the Confederate service and be accordingly left
when he got to Hampton Roads, bringing away
with him certain articles, which, it is said caused
the detention of the Federal fleet from sailing on
their expedition some two or three days; as after
he left they had 70 send to Washington to get them
before they could sail, not being able TO do so
without them.
On the arrival of the Minnesota in the harbor of
New York, we understand, steamboat was char.
tered by some of those cowarday seoundrels, the
Zouaves, that ran away from Bull Bun so feetly.
These fellows were very eager to get at these IN
armed prisoners for the purpose of numbering
them. They were very impudent coming close
alongside of the ship, and insulting the prisoners.
Com. StriDgham seeing this, ordered the steamer
they were IN TO keep off certain distance or he
would sink her; and when the prisoners were get
dng ready to land on the Island, these bioodthirsy
braUeS made for that place, on which the Commo
dore sent word to the commander of the Island if
he did not clear the Island of these miserable cow
ards he would the prisoners for their own
defence against the execrable wretches, whereupon
they took to their steamer and went back to New
York city. .... --,# ~.
These facts we CLEAN from parties who were
among the prisoners. And 1t furthermore appears
to be confirmed, that the Federal authorities have
been for some time prior to their attack HATTIE
ras very anxious to attempt the capture of Norfolk
and have only been dissuaded from it by Commo>
dOre Stringham bitterly opposing any such fool
hardy attempt. He told them, it appears, Gen. But
Ter in particular who was most eager TO urge it on
that he StPingham, would have nothing to do with
any such folly, that they could lose twenty thou
sand men and all the ships in the Baboon's Navy,
and they would then be as far from it as they were
before they commenced.
1t is highly probable now, however, that they 70
longer have Stringham to oppose them. they may
undertake this business. This they will surely do,
if they meet with any degree of success in their
piratical expedition on the Southern Coast. And it
may be that the Almighty Ruler of events viii
give them just enough of success to inspire them
to this undertaking, for those "whom the Gods In
tend to distroy they first make mad"-or, render
red to suit the Yankee make tools Of