The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-02-19
A Curious story About J. ID.


A correspondent of the New York ~7ri-
6une, writing from New Orleans, Jan. 29,
relates as follows -
[ have good story to tell you, with
only the slight drawback that not word
OF lt-may be true. 1t is credited, how
ever, by its narrators, and has cost me at
least two miles of bipedal locomotion, in
the attempt to trace it D some authentic
source, this very day. Considering this,
you will not be surprised at my relating
| 1t, especially as there is no intrinsic i'm
| probability involved in the business; only
let it be definitely understood that /, my
self, assume the position of the pragmatic
British ambassador, who, writing from
one of the petty German Courts in the
time of the first George, informed St
James that "some say the Pretendcr is
dead, some that he is not - adding sage
ly, 'for my part, believe neither of
them"
You know that the little steamer S. w.
Brown has recently made trip from this
city across Lax Ponchartrain to Confed-
crate Dixie: co !Teying thither cargo of
"registered enemies" to the United States,
principally IN crinoline. 1t also brought
back few-I will not say enemies-but
as good friends to American unity as may
be supposed to exist in the dominions ac-
knowledging the sway of Jefferson Davis.
From them the following story is derived.
| believe they told it originally to Col.
Clark, chief aid on Gen. Banks staff.
gentleman whose gallantry toward them
was rewarded, says The Delta, by three
cheers, subsequent to a similar manifesto
tlou IN honor of the arch Secessionist. 1t
relates to the latter, and is as follows
On the first of the 0onth and year, or
the ffth-for .he date is variously stated
JEFF. Davis was a. Mobile. 1t is known
that he has been visiting the southwest
ern portion of the $50 called Confederate
States very recently, involving look in
at Vicksburg and Port Hudson, presently
bringing up at the best known city in
Alabama, there to celebrate the inception
of 1868, and the third year of his reign.
While there he resolved on a voyage of.
inspection to Forts Morgan and Gaines
With him went his suite, Gen. Buckner
and staff, also Governor Brown, of Geor-
gia, and a goodly company of ladies and
gentlemen, all as ardent Secessionists as
the majority of the population of the town
in which L write-l cannot think of
stronger comparison. These embark ed on
board the steamer Florida, and steamed
gallantly outward, unmindful or defiant of
our blockading fotilla.
simultaneously would not add in
teutionally-the captain of her Britannia
Majesty's frigate Fesuvius obtained per-
mission of Commodore Hitchcock to allow
the English Consul to visit him, which
was accomplished by means OF a small
steamer, known as the Crescent, belong
ing to Mobile. During the interview,
the Florida-described as q big, black
looking vessel, mounting hale dozen
guns-neared the blockading feet. Her
machinery had got broken-became un-
manageable-and she was drifting help |
lessly outward, prey to any who might |
choose or dare to board her. She came,
indeed, close TO the flag ship of our squad
Susq quehanna-all unwitting Of
the prize within her reach.
Why was she not boarded-fred upon!
Well, the British Consuls steamer was In |
the way, and our sailors could not be un-
gallant enough TO avail themselves of a !
palpaple accident TO the detriment of I
harmless party of ladies and gentlemen
(and jeff Davis y SO the engineers of
the Florida contrive6 to reassert their
over the vessel, and to return in
safety to the city. Some say they dis
played flag of truce others that the
steamer was actually boarded and allowed
to retire scot free. of course in ignorance
of her contents. | spare you other con-
hicting rumors.
If this story be true, as may be the case
for anything know to the contrary, here
is historical mig ht- have-been worthy of
ton.