Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-07-08
Holland, was Immediately sent for. By


Holland, was Immediately sent for. By
mediation he arrived in time.
By the protest of Mr.. Dayton the
French authorities were obliged to order
the Alabama out Of port.
Semmes put the best face on the mat
ter, though it is evident he did not like
to face a war ship. He sent word to
Commander Winslow that he intended
to drive him off, and Winslow replied,
"let him try it,.
The fight was so short and decisive
that one would have thought the Ala
bama had changed places with one of
her unarmed merchant victims.
1t is not true that the Alabama at any
time attempted to board the Kearsage.
When the Alabama was disabled in her
machinery the Kearsage was run up
close to her and poured in a destructive
broadside, which tore away whole Sec
ton of her side ut the water line, and
let the water through in cascades.
The Alabama then trimmed sail and
made for shore.
Commander Winslow hoisted his flag
Of victory and pursued. Finding that
the Alabama was sinking, he lowered
his boats to pick up her crew.
Mr.. Dayton informed Commander
Winslow that the prisoners could not
De nafo!Su, out IhlSHt NC transferred 10
the st. Louis when She arrived, and
be conveyed tc the United States.
Commander Winslow claims Captain
Semmes and others taken to Southamp-
h, ton AS his prisoners. He had ample
means to pick them up, but the English
yacht Acton stole them, as if by a pre-
arranged plan, thus constituting clear
case of intervention.
WASHINGTON, July 6.-The Navy De-
partment has received the following dis
patch:
Gated STATES Steamer Kearsoge, jan.
18Th, 1s64.-SIR: l have the honor to
inform the department that the day sub
sequent to the arrival of the Kearsage
OFT this port on the l4th inst, received
Il note from Capt. Semmes, begging that
the kearSage would not depart, as he
wanted to fight her and would not delay
her but Il day or two. According to his
notice the Alabama left the port of Cher
bourg this morning at about $3.50 o clock.
At 1920 a. m. we discovered her steer
ing toward us. Fearing the question of
jurisdiction might arise we steamed to
sea until a distance of six or seven miles
was obtained from the Cherbourg break
water, when We rounded to and COM
menced steering for the Alabama AS
We approached her within l, 200 yards
she opened fire and we received two or
three broadSideS before a shot was re-
turned. The action continued, the
steamers making a circle round and
round, at a distance of about 900 yards
from each other At the expiration of
an hour the Alabama was struck, going
down in about 20 minutes afterwards,
and carrying many persons with her
1t affords me great qualification to an
nounce that ali did their duty, exhibit
ing much bravery, which gave promise
at the outset of victory.
/ have the honor to be most respect
fully your obedient servant,
JOHN A. WINSLOW, Capt.
To Hon. GIDEON WELLEs, Secretary of
the Navy.
Additional per Steamer Asial
The officers and seamen of the Ala
bama, captured by the Kearsage, had
been liberated on parole at Cherbourg.
1t is stated in the Paris P1trie that
Capt. Semmes has announced that on
the 18th of August he will again en-
bark on a new Alabama which will on
that day be completed. The seamen of
the old Alabama will continue to receive
pay and form part of the crew of the
new cruiser.
A committee headed by Admiral An
son has been formed in London TO raise,
by Il guinea subscription, a sum sutfi-
cient to purchase a handsome sword, to
replace that which Semmes sunk with
his ship. 1t is stated that a considerable
sum has also been raised in Liverpool
for the same object.
The London Daily Neus published an
account of the Kearsage and Alabama
affair, correcting false statements in re-
TO bn ptp1PS or nv
err 1t is charged that the Deer Hound
acted as sort of tendertO the Alabama
that Capt. 'Winslow would have secur-
ed the whole of the officers and crew of
the Alabama had he not placed too
much confidence in the honor of the
owners of the yacht that he consider
ed Capt. Semmes and others who es-
capped as bound in honor to give them
selves up that he did not pursue and
fire upon the Deer Hound because he
did not believe that any one carrying
the flag of the Royal Yacht Squadron
would act so dishonorably.
The Daily Neans also publishes letter
from Mr.. Stoddard, Master of the Kear-
sage, complaining that the Deer Hound
was the c0nsort Of the Alabama.
BALTIMORE, July 6.-The Erening
AMericCta has the following view of the
situation
An intelligent agent arrived this morn
ing from the vicinity of Harper's Ferry,
and stated that it is now definitely as
certained that the whole force of the en-
envy does not exceed 5000, of whom less
than one-fOurth are cavalry, and the
balance infantry. They are concentrat-
ing in and around Harper's Ferry, and
are sending out parties to forage on the
DeODle rObbinr them of their watches
and money.
There was some skirmlshing going on
between our troops and the rebels across
the river, and occasionally shot and
shell We're being thrown at them from
the Maryland Heights.
The fight of Gen. Milligan with the
advance of the rebels at Leetown, is
spoken of as most gallant. He success
fully repulsed them several times.
". Gen. Sigel moved towards Shepards-
Down with his immense wagon train in
front, the protection of which was deem
ed of more Importance than risking
general engagement. Not wagon fell
into the enemy's hands, and nothing
was left behind at Martinsburg, except
some oats, which were set on fire before
he left.
The impression, when our informant
, left, was, that the rebel forces will re-
/ tire before tomorrow night, as Hunter
will be in their rear by that time with
an ample force to overwhelm them if
they remain longer.
The principal object of this raid has
proved unsuccessful, unless it be the
damage they have done to the railroad
and canal, the collection of plumber and
conscription of the inhabitants.
They have not attempted to leave the
line of the Potomac, except to rob stores
at Point of Rocks and destroying some
canal boats near Hancock.
What damage has been done to the