Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1863-12-18
Steamer Chesapeake.

1 IL ~ now sLAttu Elat UklSE htttHiHNs
been made to seize steamers running from
Boston cast. 1t is alleged that three times
during the past year have the police OF Bos
ton, acting upon secret information furnish
ed them, detailed several of their number to
guard the steamers between Boston and
| Eastern ports, and by their presence in the
vessels, probably prevented the occurrence
CT similar attempts to that which resulted
so successfully on board the Cheapeake.
The police officers went in citizens dress,
under instructions from the Chief.
The kcnncbec Journal is informed that
the Augusta Mills had 1000 worth Of
cotton on board the Chesapeake,
Mr. ST. Clair, one Of the passengers OF
the Chesapeake, pronounced tho following
account from The St. John Evening Globe,
to he corrected in every particular
TWAS the morning watch, and of course
the greater portion OF the crew were in their
borths. The first intimation the captai,
had of anything wrong was bis being fired
at two or three times from behind. as he
was going bclow. lie thinks he was fired
at nine times in succession, and wonders be
was not killed. lilo escaped unscratched -
lie was then colared. q pistol put 10 his
head, and his surrender demanded as pris
oner TO the Confederate States.
The second engineer had charge of the
engine at the timo, and the conspirators,
apparently afraid from movements that he
contem plated either breaking down the en-
CINE or bursting the boiler, shot him in cold
blood, ball passing through his neck and
head his body was afterwards thrown over
board. The first engineer who. hurried up
to see what the trouble was, was in the act
of stopping down to pick up his comraic,
when somebody, with an oath, ordered him
to desist, and Immediately afterwards he
was fred at, the ball carrying away part
of his lip and ndicting severe wound
The mate was hit by two balls, one in the
arm and one in the knee but is not dan
! gerousiy wounded,
All Of the tatements that we have heard
concur in that no dumend was made for the
surrender of the vessel, and no insimation OF
any kind given before tho firing OF the shot
The rutfans then spread themselves through
the vessel the officers aud crew. twelve or
fourteen in number, were handcuffed, and
the passengers, of whom there we're six or
eight. were given to understand that they
would be allowed their liberty, if they KEEP:
quiet.
The attacking party was composed OF six
teen persons, under command of Henry
Brane. This Braine has been, We are told,
in this city and it is also currently re-
ported that the party rendezvousei here
They went on the American boat to Port
land, thence overland to New York At
New York, Braine presented himself as an
agent of some England steamboat, company
and the courtesy of free pass was tender ed
him. lie rcquittod this kindness in the way
stated above. The second in comma d Is
named Parr, and he claims to be one of the
officers who escaped with Morgan.
When the boat was taken possession Of.
Braine said they intended to &, to ST. John
Among the passengers was man whose
name we did not hear, belonging in this
city. On asserting that he was acquainted
with the Bay of Fundy, Brainc compelled
him to act as pilot. Ga Tuesday morning
the Chesapeake stopped at Seal IIarbor, or
some othor named place in Grand Manan.
, Last night, about ten o'clock, she came up
near Partridge Island, and o passing pilot
was hailed, ordered to com, to, and the
crew, wounded mate and pa, scngers, put on
bo,rd and brought to this city, wher, they
arrived at 4 O'Clock thi. moraing.
+ When Captain Willett was ironcd, he ur
, gently requested to be permitted to speak to
the engineer. The request was not granted
at first, but yielding to his opportunities, an
interview was allowed him. His instruction
was to break down the engine, but her, one
, of the party interposed, and threatened
instant death to the engineer, should he
attempt anything of the kind. The engin-
Ger was not landed with the crew, bur car
ried off to work the steamer, none of the
party on board being acquainted with ma.
chinery. BrIine said he hal intended to
, have brought two engineers with him from
New York, but they got drunk and it wa.
impossible to get them on board.
Captain WIllett saws the parties were
= poorly clad, and looked to be in straight
; ened circumstances. lie nso SAYS he
: and his clew were robbed of nearly ey-
erything they possessed. The passage mon
ey collected on the voyage was taken FIR ,m
him. The Chesapeake had very little coal
and but email amount of provisions -
Braine said he would take the steamer to
Wilmington. There was . report tina, the
Chesapcakc had obtained coal from vessel
in the bay. but all the evidence, SO far q. we
can learn is against this. 1t is also said
that several parties here belonging to the
Confederate States went off in the steamer
this morning. The whole thing was un.
doubtedly premeditated, ns Southern Ameri-
cans here have boosted during the past two
or three days in our hearing. that something
would soon take place. and this affair is
thought to be the beginning Of s,me COM
prehensive plan, the object Of which is yc.
mystery.
PORTLAND, Dec. llth
The following telegram has just been re-.
ceived by the Collector
HALIFAX, Dec llth.
! There Is steamer in ShAlharna n. C.
answering the description Of the Chesapeake
She attempted to coal last night. Govern
ment here was applied to, but no encour-
agement given for want Of evidence of the
murder
A committee made affilavit Of the charge
to-day, and the Crown officer is del,berat,no
upon it.
(Signed) AMERICAN VICE CoSsuL."
PORTLAND, 18th.
The United States Vice Consul at Halifax
telegraphed to Collector Washbura. this
evening, that the Chesapeake is near Chester
in Malone Bay, and requested that the
Captain or Mate be sent forthwith to iden-
tefy the pirates. In the abserce of the
Captain, who is in New York, and the Mate
being badly wounded, the Steward aud one
Of the crew will be taken on board the gun
boat Acacia, and proceed there. leaving at
ten O'Clock tonight.