The Portland daily press., 1863-12-10
Seizure OF Steamer Chesapeake.

Intelligence reached this city yesterday
morning, that the steamer Chesapeake, Of the
New York and Portland line, had been cap
tured by rebels who had taken passage on
board OF her on her passage from New York,
Saturday last.
The steamer sailed from New York for this
port at o'clock Saturday afternoon. She had
q large and valuable cargo, among which was
l3l bales of rags for Richard & Haskins, Gar
diner; 5 rolls leather for j. NJ. Seely, st. John;
10 hhds tobacco for Beluye e. Lawrette, Que
bee; 100 casks wine for Z. Mardarnd, Mon
treal; l13 hhds. sugar, J. Ross & Co., Montreal;
~ boxes tin, n. p. Richardson g. Co.; is cases
o. l.. Sanborn & Co.; 0 cases, Emery & Wa
terhouse; 80 ties. lard, Chas. Rogers & Co.;
bales cotton, Androscoggin Mills; SO bales do,
Bates Co.; Is bales do, Z. Wood, Winthrop;
l0S boxes starch, Lewiston; so bbls. apples, J:
Howe; 20 cases merchandise, &C. j. w. d Coz
besides other freight not enumerated. The
value of the freight is estimated at $4,000.
The only particulars we have received reat-
ing to the seizure of the steamer are contained
in the following dispatches received here yes
terday:
ST. JOHN, n. b., Dec. Q.
"The steamer Chesapeake was captured TWEEN
ty miles N. N. Z. OF Cape Cod at 100 A. NJ,
on Monday, by seventeen rebels, who left New
York as passengers in her. The second engi-
neer was killed and thrown overheard. The
chief engineer and mate were wounded
Capt. Willett and crew were landed here this
morning"
ST. JOHN, n. B., Dec. 0.
The steamer Chesapeake, Capt. Willett from
New York for Portland Me-, was taken pos
session of Sunday morning last, between one
and two o'clock, by sixteen Confederate pas
sengers. The second engineer Of the steamer
was shot dead. His body was thrown over
board. The first engineer was shot in the
chin, but was retained on board. The first
mate was badly wounded in the groin. Eleven
or twelve shots were fired at the Captain
After being overpowered the captain was put
in irons, and the passengers were notified that
they were prisoners of war 40 the Confederate
States of America The steamer came too of
Partridge Island about one O'Clock this MORN
ing. The crew and passengers, except the
first engineer, were put on board boat and
sent to this city. The steamer sailed in an
easterly direction alongside a vessel. 1t is
supposed to have ccaled from her. The attack
took place about twenty-nine miles west OF
Cape Cod. The Captain and passengers are
now AT Tue m3nsioH HOUSE, lue stetultT anu
cargo are valued at $4,000.
Upon the receipt of the news here, measures
were adopted for sending in pursuit of her.
The Secretary Of the Navy was telegraphed,
and permission was obtained for the immediate
dispatch of the gunboat Agawam, under COM
mand Of Capt Webster of the Revenue CATER
Dobbin, and the principal part of her crew.
The Agawam took on board an armament from
Fort Preble, also some thirty soldiers from that
fort. Gen. Rowley also sent some go soldiers
from Camp Berry. She was coaled up as
quick as possible, and sailed for the Eastward
about s o'clock last evening.
The Chesapeake is the same steamer that
captured the Tacony pirates who stole our
Revenue Cutter Caleb Gushing last summer.
1t is not unlikely that the two Tacony prison.
ers who escaped from Fort Warren, are among
the gang who have now seized the Chesapeake.
Two vessels have been dispatched from the
Navy Yard at Charlestown, and we trust the
villains will be oyerhauled and justice be done
To them