Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-04-22

CAPT. STELLwAGEN AND HIS GUNBoArs AT
| APALACHICoLA.-A letter from Key West
dated April IL, gives some account of Capt.
Stellwagen's visit to Apalachcola. He went
there on the 2nd inst. He was met at the
shore by the whole population, and the follow
ing account is given of his speech to them -
My countrymen-for even you, who are en-
| gagged in this unholy and unnatural war
against our government, my fellow coun
| trymen-we come not to injure the defence
| less, or women and children. | am fond of
| the people OF the south, but hate secession
and rebellion, which have brought such ca
| lamties and misery upon all parts of our
| late happy land.
Loud shouts from the crowd-"We have
| had 10 part in it the innocent suffer with
| the guilty"
"This is true" Captain Stellwagen replied,
"here aul elsewhere II is the result of civil
| war always, and your leaders should have
taken that fact into consideration" Captain
Stellwagen then said that he had sent up some
| days before to demand the surrender OF the
| town, and to say that all persons who would
take the oath of allegiance, or bind themselves
| not to engage in any act OF hostility against
| the United States, could remain in security,
and that their property would be safe as long
| as they would keep faithfully their oath or
| promise. This kindness WAS met bv your
constituted authorities, Messrs Hancock Ben
ezet, Porter. aud Father Miller (the priest of
the Roman Catholic church, by saying The
| city is defencs less there no soldiers here,
or any arms, but there is no one having any
authority to surrender it; also, that there was
no one TO take the oath Of allegiance to the
United States, except il might be some few 1
| foreigners; and as TO property, if destroyed,
the southern conederacy would pay all loss.
Since then" said Captain Stelwagen, they
have allowed the sloop Octava to come in,
and aided her in evadng the blockade" He
then continued I'VE have come here 10
show you how easily We can retaiate, but
that we wish 10 be merciful. l know that
there is great distress here
Reply from some OF the women-"We are
almost starving"
Captain Strllwagen-WeH now listen to
what l say l will spare all the fishing and
oyster boats.
Shouts from the crowd-"Thanks thanks"
Captain StellwageT-You may fish and
oyster in the bay in safety, as long no hos
tile act is committed by the town but any
direct or indirect act, such firing at our
boats, helping vessel to run the blockade,
bringing soldiers to town, or any thing Ui the
sort, will be surely punished. Ii your boats
60 near the men ot-war they must go along.
side and report themselves, and meet any boat
Q sent to examine them.
Answer from the crowd-'Yes, sir, we will
Pointing 10 their abandoned batteries, COM
mander Stelwagen continued-See what pro-
81 tectors your soldiers are. Look at those forts,
built in the midst OF your houses, SO that a
.. them, even from BOAT guns, Would be sure &c
G burn your town.
p Laughter by the entire crowd, and univer.
\ sal shout-"They were not soldiers we never
at had any here"
Well, replied the speaker, l suppose YOU
have heard Pensacola is evacuated.
K Repy-Yes.
5 Car tain ellwagen-Fernandina taken.
- Reply-Yes.
Captain Stellwagen-you know Of our vic.
lie tories at Roanoke, Mill Spring, forts Henry
10 and DonelSon, and Columbus fallen without a
w blow.
:. Reply-Yes, yes
II Captain Stellwagen Manassas taken with
o out firing gun-(this appeared to surprise
s them)-NashTlile, and Florence, Alabama,
taken.
RepIy-Yes.
Captain Stellwagen-Well, l think secession
is nearly played out.
Great clapping OF hands by the crowd, and
from many voices, God send peace very
Soon"
Now, remember" continued the comman.
der, do not be led or forced into hostiIities
against us, unless you desire to be severely
; dealt with We don't require your helm if
1t will get you into trouble but do not act
against US we are strong enough YOU Keen
quiet"
Commander Stellwagen then gave them I'D
the old lighter Floyd and two others unfit for
use, and repeated his permission for them TO
catch fish, &c. AT this point person came
forward and said, Captain, some OF my boys
(slaves) have gone to your ship will they he
given up 2" To this question lie received the
reply, "No, they have been used to transport
soldiers and arms, i'll building Notifications
and a gunboat to act against the United States.
You will never get relief for their loss"
Another one asked, "WIIl the United States
government oblige Florida to redeem their
notes when peace comes z"
Answer-NO ; they are issued to carry on
the war, ana Florida will have no means.
why" replied the anxious inquirer,
there are the public lands. Can't we get
Florida lands for our notes 2"
Reply-NO the United States will take the
lands and government property
Information was gained by the commander
of the expedition that all the guns which were
removed from Apalachic0la up the river were
submerged at a certain point on account OF
the very high state OF the water, and could not
be recovered or used until the water falls The
rebel troops that had evacuated Apalachicola
were also at another point surrounded by wa
. ter, and could easily be captured, had we any
l force OF heht draugnt vessels capable Of pro-
q ceediug there. The entire number of peopIe
h left at Apalachicoa was 542, of a population of
a over $500 originally. This number includes
md OH