Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-10-21
THE PIRATE ALABAMA.
Interesting Incidents Connected with the
Seizure Of the brilliant.
From the New York Herald

From the New York Heraldl
We are indebted 70 Captain Hagar, late OF the
ship Brilliant, for additional particulars rela-
tive 10 the rebel privateer Alabama He SAYS
that the discipline on board the pirate is very
slack, more like that OF priysteer-where IL IL
every man for himself-than a rcgular man-of-
war. All the plunder taken from any vessel
they may capture has 20 be accounted for TO
the Confederate government hereafter, and
shared as prize money. Anything wanted by
the crew Is taken; but a value Is placed upon
il and the amount charged against their wsges.
In this manner the crew are IN q measure paid.
Nearly all the cabin furniture Of the Brilliant,
being new and handsome. was taken for the
decoration OF the cabin and wardroom Of the
pirate, and her midshipmen ransacked the
linen closet, taking sheets, pillow cases, towels
and anything else they fancied. stuffing them
into their clothing, SO that when they went over
the side they presented more the appearance
middles, than human beings. These were all
private steal1ngs, no notice being taken Of the
theft when they arrived on board their own
ship. Captain Hagar says that the only oficer
on board the pirate that treated them humanely
was Mr. karr, the first lieutenant. He ap-
peared 10 have some pity for their situation,
while the others behaved as thieves and brutps,
and appeared TO care only for themselves
and how much they could make from the cap
turp.
When Captain Hagxr was transferred to the
Alabama, and orderpd 20 bc put in rous, he re-
monstrated with Mr.. Armstrong, the officer
seeing the order enforced, in the following
lanEuage:-He said, at is a very singular
thing that you should con fine these men in irons
born and brought mp under the same flag Al
government II L Were 10 meet you in distres
on the high seas, or snywhereel else, would no
only not treat you IN this manner, but would
n you required IL, share the last crust OF. brea
with you, if found YOU TO be in want of IL"
To these kind remarks Armstrong replied
"We are nothing 20 each other countrymen.
The North and South are now distinct races,
With no feelings or Interests in common. The
people Of the South are the only true reprcsen-
tatiyes of the American race. You of the North
have tntermarried so much with the lower
classes Of Europeans that you have, I'm a great
measure if not altogether, lost your nationality,
and are not worthy 70 be considered Of the same
people as ourselves"
The Mr.. Armstrong above referred 10 is no
doubt, Aneas Armstrong, Of Georgia, formerly
of the United States Navy. He was appointed
an acting midshipman on the I'd OF Octobcr,
1850.
Captain Hagar reports the majority OF the
Alabama's crew TO br Englishmen. These fel-
lows will rpInain true 20 Scmrpes so long a.
they can steal, but no longer. When il comes %
a fight, and their rascally lives are endangered.
IL twould not be surprising il they should refuse
10 risk life or limb and lay down their arms
II - mines could dispose Of his captures to
advantage, ans the men who compose his crew
could benefit thereby, they would no doubi
fight a. hard and a. desperately as any one
but such il not the case-unless the government
that winks 81 the building and fitting out AZ
their own ports Of these piratical vessels will
also wink AT their prizes being sold i'm home or
colonial portS-they will remain true so lone
as the service is profitable. When IL is not
they will desert their rebel officers, and Semmes
VIII have 10 offer new inducements 10 obtain
another crew.
Capt. Hagar is under the impression that ar
ranetment have been perfected by Semmes 70
have cargoes Of coal AZ certain ports as he maV
want it. He will probably remain near his last
reported position until ne thinks IL risky: then
seek some new locality where our cruisers are
m nj M IN h. ~afts
and near the port " here his coal Is depositsd
He can then sink. burn and destroy millions OF
property before his change of position is kmowIi,
ana IN thls manner may visit all paris of the
globe without the slightest risk of eaptur.
His powder, shot and she'll will be sent 70 him
III the same manner. Once in three months bs
can run into any English port, recruit his rneh
and coal publicly, and find out the next best
cruising ground. He may soon he heard Of NJ
The Cape Of Good Hope, cutting on our Eat
lndlamen. or lee may turn up at Singapore or
Kong Kong. He can go where he plcases. and
WHEN he plcascs, knowing fun well that when
In am English port friends viii al ways Re found
The officers OF the Alabama eyidently Con
eider tlh msrlIrs on long cruise they know
he power Of their vessel, aud are also posted
rs 10 the vessels now comprising the t'uit.d
states navy, and being thorough seafnen. nm
ierstand how la avoid the dangers OF captuTe.
ihd now 10 do our commerce the greatest
mount OF damage. IL H. evidently not Their
Rl' nIlon TO HIGHT, unless driven 10 a. by being
aught IN a tight place. Their object is plum
W anu ufStTlchCn only ana III are
uccesstul i'm future ~ they have been, the To-
ord OF the cruise Of the Alabama, far as tba
ialue Of property destroyed is concerned, viii
~ one OF the most terrible an history
The Alabama il no doubt, from an the no.
'or1s We have, one Of the fastest screw sieaIn-
rs ever built in England-in ali prohabIifv
upprior 10 the Himalaya. We have nothinr
d our service that can compare with her. Tbs
Toquois steam sloop-of- war is considered tie
est We nave, ana yet her speed, under tie
iost iavorabie circumstances, never exceeds
iir'een Knots, ana under canvass alone much
So Inc Alabama under sail and on the
mo can go thirteen, under steam alone, nf-
'en, and with both possibly sixteen or seven
TN KNOBS per hour. These estimates Of speed
re based, Of course, upon the water being
smooth. IL thess reports or hsr
re true-and there is no reason 20 doubt them
she Is destined TO give us any amount OF frou-
Ie before being captured or destroyed.
S1n Cleveland, Ohio, a boy Of seventeen
as accepted as a substitute for q drafted nan,
Id received 500 bonus. He spent the nzoney,
Id then obtained his discharge on q writ q
.Aeds corpus, on the ground that he was under