St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1861-06-06
Free Sailors Sold into Slavery.
THE CAPTURE OF THE CREW OF THE
STAR OF THE WEST. !"
From tie Chicago Journal, kay 8.

STAR OF THE WEST. y
From tie Chicago Journal, Nay 8. i;
Ten Of the crew of the unfortunate
Star of the West, Capt. MCGOWAN, which
after her mishap at Charlston harbor, was
captured by the rebels at Indianola, Texas
arrived in this city yesterday afternoon on
their way to their homes in: New York.
Our reporter had an interview with them
at the Michigan Southern depot last eve
ming, and found them, as might have been
expected, rough, hardy set of fellows,
bronzed by exposure and fatigued by trav-
el, but with the genuine characteristics of
the sailor, ready to sail again the same
cruise if called upon.
They report that the Star of tho West
manned by crew Of forty men all told,
with cargo Of provisions, arrived at Indi-
auola, on the Texas coast, on the after
noon Of the 18th of April, and anchored
off the town, awaiting, as per orders, the
arrival ola detachment Of Federal troops
from tho northern part of Texas. About
one o'clock on the morning Of the 18th,
the lookout discovered steamer approach
ing them, and called the Captain. The
stranger craft came alongside and hailed
them, informing them that they had three
hundred and fifty United States troops on
board, and wished to transfer them.
Captain MCGOWAN, suspecting nothing,
called up the crew and employed every
facility for transferring about one hundred
rebels into his steamer. He did not dis
cover his mistake nntil the Captain of the
rebel force established guards in every
part Of the vessel, hauled down the stars
and stri pes, and run up the lone star flag
Of Texas. -. ...~='u><''
The rebels were so elated with their
success in capturing an unarmed merchant
vessel that they fairly danced on the
decks for joy, but we're suddenly checked
in their cxtravagant demonstrations by
the gallant Captain of the steamer, who
intimatcd that he did not consider the
capture Of all unarmed steamer with a
defenseless crew, by detachment Of
troops twice their number, and armed to
the teeth, very courageous performance.
The rebels, although intensely enraged,
swallowed their feelings, and sneaked of
to their guard duties, which were kept up
closely during the night.
At dayoreak the leader of the rebels
summoned the crew Of the steamer and
gave them their option; to work the steam
er to New Orleans or to be thrown into
irons. They chose the former, and at sun
rise weighed anchor and set sail for New
Orleans. Every step of the crew was
followed by the bayonet. The, sailors
performed their duties, ate their meals,
took turns at the wheel, and slept in their
bcrths, with the point Of the bayonet in
close proximity to them.
At length the steamer reached New
Orleans, and was towed up to the levee as
. prize, in presence of thousands of the
rebels of that city, who INDUCED in the
same wild and jubilant extravaganccs
which had characterized the rebels on
board. They crowded around the craft,
demanding that the id Federal Yankee
troops should be led out. Their surprise
and modification may be imagined when
the hundred rebels marched out forty un-
armed sailors in their blue shirts and
tarpaulins. The crowd would not be sat
isfed, until they had carefully examined
the vessel, that there were not some Of the
id Yankey troops on board.
A consultation was held by the author
tiles, and not knowing what to do with
the forty, they sent them to the Gulf Of
Mobile, strongly guarded. The steamer
when they left, was rapidly being convert
ed into a war vessel.
Arrived at Mobile, the forty again
witnessed another carnival over their cap
ture. Another consultation wss held, and
the rebels at Mobile, not wanting them
and not knowing what to do with them
sent them, under strong guard, tc
Montgomery. At Montgomery another
consultation was had. The mob violently
clamored that they should hang them
The leaders, not feeling warranted in
hanging peaceful, merchant sailors, sum.
moned them to the State-house, and by
offers of high wages and other fatteriue
inducements, tried to persuade them t
enlist in the rebel navy. They urged, a!
inducements, that they had no sailors, ane
would pay them any. sum if they woule
serve in their navy. The entire crew
with the exception Of one coward, gallant
lily and firmly refused; and demanded that
as they were not in the " service of any
government; they should have their rights
The leaders, enraged at their ill-succes
then told them they must enlist or leav'
? in half an hour. They chose to leave il
half an hour, and long before that the.
were on their way back to Mobile.
Three of the coloted sailors, all fire.
men, were taken, by the leaders, put VI
at auction the same day. sold and hurried