Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-07-06
OFFICIAL REPORT BY CAPT. WINS
aF LOW OF THE DESTR UCTlON
OF THE ALABAMA.

Semmes Challenges him to Fisht-The
Challenge AceePted-Gaiian Conduct of
The Carnage upon the Alabama Dread.
ful. -
! The Navy Department has received the fol-
! lowing official report from Capt. Winslow, Of
the Kearsage:
us. STEAMER KEARsAGR, Cherbourg, France,
June 10, 1sS4.-Sir: have the honor to inform
the Department that the day subsequent to the
arrival Of the Kearsage off this port, on the
14th inst, 1 received a note from Capt; Semmes,
begging that the Kearsage would not depart,
as he intended to fight her, and would not de-
lay her but day or two.
According to this notice the Alabama left the
port OF Cherbourg this morning at about go
o'clock AT 1920 q. m. we discovered her, steer.
ing towards u.s. Fearing the q ues ton Of 1uris-
diction might arise, we steamed to sea until
distance Of six or seven miles was attained
from the Cherbourg breakwater when we
rounded to and commenced steaming for the
Alabama As we approached her within about
1900 yards she opened fire, we recei wing two or
three broadsides before shot was returned.
The action continued. the respective steamers
making q circle round and round, at q distance
Of about nine hundred yards from each other.
struck, going down In about twenty minutes
afterwards, and carrying many persons with
her. -E- - .-..Ht ~
ItaTords me great satisfaction to announce
to the Department that every officer and man
did their duty, exhibiting degree of coolness
and fortitude which gave promise at the out.
set OF certain victory. ~
have the honor to be, most respectfully,
your obedient servant,
]. A. WINsLow, Captain.
Hon. GIDEON WRLLEs, Sec'ry Of the Navy.
u s. KRARsAeR, Cherbourq, France, June
20, 1s64-SE: enclose herewith the Surgeons
report Of the casualties on board this vessel in
the late action with the Alabama.
Although we received some % or 80 shots, 10
or 12 taking effect In the hull by the mercy of
God we have been spared the loss Of life,
whereas In the case OF the Alabama the car
mage, learn, was dreadful.
The ships were about equal in match, the
tonnage being the same. The Alabama carry
ing one hundred pound rifle, with one heavy
6S.pounder, and six broadside 32.pounders, and
the Kearsage carrying four broadside 3. pound
ers, two 11-inch, and one 2S. FOUNDER rifle, one
gun less than the Alabama.
The only shot which fear will give us any
trouble is one hundred pound rifle which en-
tered our stern post and remains at present I'M
exploded. -
It would seem almost invidious to particu.
larZe the conduct of any one man or officer in
which all bad done their duty with a fortltude
and GOODNESS which cannot be too highly
praised; but Ifeel It due to my executive officer
1t. Commander Thornton, who superintended
the working OF the battery, to particularly
mention him for an example of GOODNESS and
announcement OF the men while fighting,
which contributed much towards the success
'-A''' J. A. WINsLow, Captain.
Hon. GIDEON WRLLEs, Sec'y Of the Navy r.
U. S. S. KEARsAGR, Cherburg, France, June
10, 1s6f-Sir:-I report the following casual
ties from the engagement this morning with
the Alabama: John w. Dempsey, quarter gun
ner, compound fracture Of right arm; arm am
putated. s-v p. - '-3 t.s - $50 80, -
William GOWN, ordinary seaman, compound
fracture Of left thigh and leg; seriously
wounded. .aa- 1850
James Macbeth, ordinary seaman, compound
fracture of left leg; seriously wounded. go. z
Very respectfully your sb't oervt, az
? 'G'E fs-- JOHN W. BROWNE, Surgeon.
Captain Jno. A. Winslow, commanding U. S,
p steamer Kearsage.