The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1863-12-25
THE STEAMER CHESAPEAKE.
Her Capture by Rebels.
From the New York Times, Dec. Il.

From the New York Times Dec. Il.
Capt Willett, of the Chesapeake. and num-
ber of his crew. arrived here Yesterday morn
ING, from BrOston, and the following are the
facts derived from them relative to the seizure
of the vessel:
The Chesapeake, which belongs to the Crom.
well line left Pier No. 9, North River, on the
after noon of Saturday. Dec. 6. Her cargo was
not large nor of very great value she took
twenty four passengers and was bound for Port
land, Maine.
For some time past q number Of strangers
had been noticed at a hotel in Jersey City, ''ar-
rivals from Nassau" They kept themselves
together, had communication with no one, but
appeared to be curious about and observant Of
all things. There was nothing that could cre-
ate enough suspicion in regard to them to JUS
tify investigation. 1t was known that their
baggage was unusually heavy. but that at the
time attracted save but passing attention.
On Saturday morning, some hours before the
sailing of the Chesapeake eight of these men
purchased at the Office of the line in West street
tickets for Portland, Maine. Their appearance
was that OF persons in very moderate circum-
stances. and they aided the impression by car
rylng their own trunks. each one of which, it
was observed, two could hardly get along with.
When the trunks were on board they were
watched with vigilance by a portion of the
gang. The result shows that they were filled
with firearms and ammunition.
After the first batch had secured their tickets
and taken on board their luggage, eight more
made their appearance and secured tickets
meantime the Chesapeake had left her dock,
and these last had to row into the stream to
take her. They had not shown themselves be-
FORE and it was arranged that they should de-
lay until all probabilities of suspicion or inter-
ference were at an end. When they reached
the vessel they neither recognized or were re-
cOgnized by their comrades.
The steamer soon after started ON her trip,
and now it is seen where suspicion could lust.
ly have been excited. Each of the sixteen de-
voted themselves singly TO most curious and
inquisitive examination of the vessel they
were cautious about it, it is true, but thorough
posting themselves as to her tonnage speed,
machinery, &C., &c, &c. They were espe-
cially curious as to the number of the crew and
in regard to the Chief Engineer, and were very
conversational with the fremen, of whom they
asked innumerable questions relative to the
vessel The first twenty four hours of the
voyage was pretty constantly occupied by them
iii cleaning all information and in perfecting
their plans for the seizure.
1t was on Sunday evening that the deed of
piracy and murder was ACCOMPLISHED For
some hours before the sixteen seemed to have
subslded in their curiosity, and to have no 9TH
er feeling than anxiety TO reach their destina-
ton. After the officers and crew, save those
on duty. had retired and all was quiet, and
every body unsuspecting, the night dark, and
the time prOpitious the pirates avowed their
true character. They had so disposed their
numbers that there was no hope of overpOwer-
ing them. They were posted. armed at the
doors OF each staterOOm of the officers and
rooms OF the crew. They all had six-barreed
revOlverS. The watchman ON the upper deck
had been previously silenced by blow on the
head, and secured SO that he could give no
| alarm The pirates now declared the Chesa-
peake their own. and threatened to shoot any
one who dared question their authority The
steamer was at this time about off Cape Cod.
They had acted simultaneously. and had most
OF the men on board, not OF their own party, at
the mercy Of their revolvers. They had mana
cles ready for those whom they overpowered,
which they used whenever there was occasion.
Opposition to them appeared entirely futile,
and but little was attempted.
The pira res exhibited their p-ie in their triumph
by prOfane allusiOns to the Yankees and b. insult
ins rem trks to the persons on board the vessel.
hey express their decided concurrence in the idea
of killing ali the northern men on board and at a
word ol command from their officer appeared ready
TO enter upon the work. Of a sudden the vessel
stopped its movement, and Immediately inquiry was
made by the pirates as to the reason. it was found
that tn: Second Engineer had refused to run the
steamer. Hewas met, coming from his post by one
OF the pirates and accOsted iercey to his refusal
to do his work as before lie refused t., have any,
thing to do with the working OF the vessel while the
pirates had command. Ihereupon he was attacked
and was pursued to the deck by several men who
fired at him with pistols repeatedly. Hewas entirely
defenceless, and finally being wounded in number
of places, he received fatal shot, and fell dead to
the deck, amid the shouts OF h s pursuers He was
shortly afterwards flung overheard
Capt. W1iet next appeared upon deck, and on be-
ing surrounded by the pirates and iuterrogated as to
his Willingness to help them work the steamer to
surrender the vessel to them quietly he refused to do
So They then fired several shots, all of which, how
ever, providentially failed to hit him Over half
dozen shO,s were fired him. after which they finally
Locked him in the wheel-house HeWas entirely un-
armed and the assault upon him, as upon the Sec
Ond Engineer, in even greater degree was cowaruly
bratsl and dastardly and done apparently rom mere
wanton love of cruelty A number of the crew were
slso attacked but all escaped without much injury
he chief Engineer, Joseph Johnson the Assista,t
Engineer, Joseph StarbucK, and three fremen were
kept b7 The rebels to work the vessel The names of
the frcnen kept are UConnor, John Murphy, and
Richard Tracy The pirae es asked some of he bona
tide passengers if they from Portland declaring
that they be - if they w udn't kill any Portland
man on board. -, -
After this assurance, they, of course were all verv
anxious TO make themselves known as ciizens of
some Oher place and most of them stated that thev
haliea from New York hichard racy the fireman
mentioned above as Of The three tremen retained
on board the Che apeake y the pirates kept off his
asai'as for some lime but was finally put in irons
wi he rest of the crew. The hief Engineer was
shot In The chin and the Second Mate was shottwice
in the leg.
The Captain, subordicate officers and most of the
t[e" Mth sXot the passengers, were set ash re in
the morning, being placed board an English lot
al fr hat purpose. hey were taken by this boat
TO Fartuck Island, from whence they reached Port
land. :, 4 - -
1t has been reported t,at OTHER plots are in CON
tempt tion by the rebels in his city to seize vessels
but is likely that another attempt of the same char
acter Will be met with much more forciole resist
ance.
LOnGstreetss Am IN II alton Train he.
strOycd.. LOnrstrcet Resunin~ ,,,o