The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-03-11
ARRIVAL OF THE CONFEDERATE
STEAMER NASHVILLE.

fully eluded the blockadine steamers at the
entrance of the harbor, one of which fred some
twenty or thirty shots at Ter but without effect.
She brings about s3,000,000 worth of stores,
chiefly for the use of the Treasury and Postof6ce
Departments, such as postage stamps. bank note
paper, &c. From an officer of the Nashville, we
| gather the following account of her trip.s
Leaving Southampton at p. NJ, on the Sd
of February, within full sight of the Tuscarora
which had ust returned from q six days cruise
outside the harbor, and was then engaged in
coaling up, the Nashville steered for Bermuda,
and after successfully weathering terrific gale of
six days duration, which disabled one of her
engines, reached her destination at p. NJ. on
the 10th, without having caught SO much as a
glimpse even, of the eight vessels of war which
had been expressly detailed by the Lincoln Gov
ernment to effect her capture, and whose vigilance
had been stimulated by the offer of $500, 900 as
prize money for the rebel" steamer
Supplying herself with coal the Nashville de-
parted from Bermuda at ii A. NJ, on the 24th,
under the pilotage of the master of Southern
schooner which had run the blockade few days
before with a cargo of turpentine and rosin, and
who expressed the fullest confidence in his ability
to conduct the ship safely into port. On the
10th she encountered on the margin of the Gulf
Stream, the Yankee schooner Robert Gilfllan,
Captain Smith, bound from Philadelphia to ST.
butter, cheese, and other provisions. Removing
from the schooner such of her cargo as was
deemed valuable, and transferring her crew to the
steamer as prisoners, the prize Was fired, and in
few minutes completely destroyed.
About dawn Friday morning, 2Sth, the
steamer reached the vicinity Of her destined
harbor, off which was espied Yankee war
steamer, apparently in close watch of the approach
ing vessel. 1t the crisis of the trip, and its
perllous nature may be understood when it is
known that the entire armament Of the Nashville
consisted of two rlhed six pounders while that of
her antagonist consisted of several formidable
guns of immense calibre and range.
Nothing daunted, however, but with every
energy wrought up to the highest pitch of deter
mination, the gallant commander OF the Nashville,
displaying the 'stars and sti pes" at his masthead
and with it signal flag, which, in the uncertain
hight of the morning, was we'll calculated to blind
the Yankee commander as to the real character Of
the stranger ordered his vessel to be stecred
boldly towards the blockadng steamer. The
maneuvre was promptly performed, and the
Nashville was almost within musket range of the
Yankee, but between her and the harbor, wheL
Capt. Pegram ordered the stars aud stripes to be
lowered, and in their stead the stars and. bars of
the Confederacy displayed at fore, main, and
peak. This defiant movement of the Nashville
was almost Immediately after responded to by the
Yankee, who, as if now recognizing the " rebel
steamer, fired a volley after her, and started in
rapid pursuit, firing rapidly the guns could
be loaded and discharged; but the eager agitation
Of the Yankee gunners marred their aim, and the
shots fell far wide of our noble steamer, which
was then dashing gaIantly forward under full!
head of steam, and in comparatively few
minutes was safely within range of the protecting
guns of Fort Macon, and beyond the lange Of
her chagrined pursuer.
From Beaufort, Captain Pegram and Paymaster
R. Taylor, of the Nashville, proceeded to Rich
mond. -. ..
My informant speaks in glowing terms of the
kindness Of the English people, who showered
upon the officers and of the Nashville all
manner of sympathetic attentions. AS an instance
of the good feeling of the English towards US.
and of their confidence in our cause, it is related
to me by an officer of the Nashville, that 9400.-
900 sterling-S2, 900 ,O00-was at one period ad-
yanced to the Nashville, BY single English
mercantile house. All classes are loud and earnest
in their expressions of sympathy for heyCon-
and of detestation of the Yankee
Nation"
The ladies' of England are especially prominent
in their manifestations of favor and regard for the
South, and are designated by my informant as the
"fercest Secessinnists' he ever saw. 1t was
rumored in England, and the rumor confidently
reported here by Capt. Pegram, that the indie
pendence of the Confederacy would be first recog
nized, and that right speedily, by Belgium.
The Nashville brings the intelligence that on
February 22d, an order was officially promul gated
at Bermuda prohibiting to the United States
Government the use of that port as coal depot.
Several schooners laden with coal reached Ber-
muda few days before the PRONUNCIATION of the
order. --= @.a .E
The Sumter was at Gibraltar at latest accounts
She had captured 21 Yankee vessels, nearly all Of
which were subsequently destroyed.
The arrival Of the Nashville created general re-
ioeing in Richmond. The news she brought re-
stored the cheerful spirits of the people aud in
spired them with renewed hopes
New FIREARa-Mr j. b. Rankin, of
Marion, Mcdowell county, showed Us, on Satur-
day last, an excellent caeh-foading Rife, for
which he has secured patent. 1t is exceedingly
,imnle in ifs couafrncfion liohf a single