New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-07
Official Report of Captain Winslow
Of the Kearsarge.
sEMMEs CHALLENGES WINsLow.
THE FIGHT AND THE VICTORY.
SURGEONS REPORT OF CASUALTIES.
WASHINGTON, wednesday, July 6, 1864.

WASHINGTON, wednesday, jury ., leb7.
The Navy Department has received the fol-
lowing dispatches:
U. s. STEAMER KEAnsARGE, june 70, p. No. 1894.
SIR have the honor TO inform the Department that
he day subsequent 10 the arrival of the Kearsargo off
hs port the Nth inst, received note from Capt.
Semmes begging that the Kearsarge would not depart
ls be intended to fight her and would delay her but
day or two. According to this notice the Alabama
left the port Of Cherbourg this morning at about $50
p'elock. At 1920 a. IN. discovered her steering
toward Fearing the question Of jurisdiction might
arise steamed TO sea- until distance Of six or seven
miles was obtained from the Cherbourg break water
when we rounded to and commenced steering for the
Alabama. A we approached her within about 900
yards she opened Gre receiving two or three broad
edes before a shot returned.
The action continued the respective steamers making
a circle round and round at distance OF aoout nine
hundred yards from each other 1T tie expiration Of
an hour the Alabama struck, going down in about
twenty minutes aftcrward and carrying many persons
with her.
1t affords me great satisfaction 10 announce to the
Department that every officer and man did their
duty exhibiting degree Of GOODNESS and fortitude
which gave promise at the outset Of certain victory.
have the honor to be- most respectfully, your obedi
dent servant JOHN a. WINSL0W, Captain.
lion. GIDEON WILLIS Secretary OF the Navy
L. S STEAMER KrARsARGE, CuRRBorRG
France june 20. l-o4.
SIR: 7 nclose herewith the Surgeons report OF the
CASUALTIES on board this vessel in the late action with
the Alabama. Although We received some twenty-five
or thirty shots twelve thirteen taking effect IN the
hull by the mercy Of God have been spared the loss
Of any Of our lives where in the case Of he Ala
bama the carnage, ! learn. was dreadful.
The ships we're about equal in match the tunnage
being the same the Alabama carrying loO.pound rife
with one Leavy FOUNDER and six hroadsde 3@pound-
ers the Kearsarge carrying four broadside % pound
ers, two u.rch and one 2s.pound rifle. one gun less
ihon the Alabama.
The only shot which fear win give rs any trouble is
lOO-pouud I6eba which entered our stern port and
remains ii present uneIploded
II would seem almost inyidious TO particularize the
conduct OF any man or officer in which al had
done their duty with lo-tiude and GOODNESS which
oannot be too highly praised but feel it due to my TX
scutye Officer Lieut. Commander Thornton, who su-
perutended the working Of the battery to particularly
merton him for an example Of GOODNESS and encourage
uent Of the men while fighting which contributed much
toward the success OF the action
have the honor n DO. very respectfully,
Your 0SedieEt Sc! AIT,
JOHN A. WINSL0W, Captain.
Hon GIDEON WELLEs. Secretary OF the Navy.
Surgeon Brow ne reports John W. Dempsey. quarter
gunner, has had arm amputated, OWING 70 Hao'
lure and VIM Gwin aud james Macbeth, ordinary sea
men, severely wounded.