The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-07-27


under water, Captain Semmes gave or
ders for the men to save themselves as
best they could, and every one jumped
into the sea and swan to the beats which
had put off to their rescue. Those of
them who were wounded we're ordered by
Captain Semmes to be placed in the Ala
bamas boats and taken on board the
Kearsage, which was, as far as possible,
obeyed
Captain Semmes and those above men
toned were saved in the Deerhound' S
boats; and when it was ascertained that
the water was clear of every one that
had life left, and that no more help could
be rendered. the yacht steamed away for
Cowes, and thence to this port.
The Kearsage, it is known, has for some
time past been in hot pursuit of the Ala
bama, which vessel Captain Winslow was
determined to follow everywhere till he
overlook his enemy. Very recently she
chased and came up with one of the yes
sells Of the Chinese expeditionary force
returning to England, and ran alongside
with her guns pointed and crew at uar-
ters before she could be convinced of her
mistake. for the expeditionary vessel was
very muck like the Confederate cruiser.
The Kearsage was then described as ike
| ly to prove formidable overmatch for
the Alabama, having higher steam power
and rate of speed, a crew ''nearly double" !"
that under Captain Semmes, and unlike
her sister ship the Tuscarora, carrying ten,
instead of eight, very heavy eleven-inch
guns, the so called Columbiads of the
American navy. The Alabama, on the
contrary, is stated to have had only two
heavy rifed gunsand six broadsids thirty
two Founders.
The crew of the Alabama comprised
in all about one hundred and fifty men
when she left Cherbourg. Of these ten
or twelve were killed during the action,
and number ware known to be drowned,
the difference between these and the num-
Der brought home by the DeerhounG be-
ing, it is hoped, saved by the boats of
the Kearsage, or seme French pilot boats
which were in the vicinity. The French
war vessel Conronne did not come out be,
yond three miles. The surgeon Of the
Alabama was an Englishman. and, as
nothing has been heard of him since he
went below to dress the wounds o. some
sufferers, it is feared that he went down
with the ship.
The weuaded men on board tho Deer
hound were carefully. attended to until
her arrival here, when they were taken to
the Sailors Home, in the Canute road.
Several of the men are more or less scar.
red, but they are all about the town to-
day, and the only noticeable case is that
of man who was wounded in the groin,
and that but slightly.
Captain Semmes and his first Lieuten-
ant, Mr. j. NJ Kill, are staying at Kel-
ways Hotel, in Queens terrace, where
the gallant commander is under the care
of DIR. Ware, medical gentleman of this
town, his right hand being slightly splin-
tered by she'll
Throughout the action the Deerhound
kept about mile to wipdward of the
ombatants; and was enabled to witness
the whole of II. The Kearsage was burn
ing Newcastle Goals, and the Alabama
Welsh Goals, the difference in the smoke
(the north country coal yielding SO much
more) ena bling the movements of sach
ship to be distinctly traced.
The Daily News Southampton CORES
pondent says:
Captain Semmss is thin, wfry built
man with stern and determined air He
is about fifty years of age, with small
red pointed face, beard, and moustache
in the American style. He had on very
old naval officers cap, and an English
naval Lieutenant's jacket He declined
to see any strangers at his hotel His
first Lieutenant is fne-lookiug young
men. In answer to questions Captain
Semmes said that he left all the property
he possessed, ane upwards of sixty chro-
nometors, which he had taken from cap
tured Federal merchantmen, in Cherbourg
previous to going out to fight the Kear-
sage SO ias ola aa
Itappears that Semmes and number
of his officers and crew escaped from the
/ Alabama just as she was going down, and
4 that Mr. Lancaster, the owner of the
! steam yacht Deerhound, was desired by
the commander Of the Kearsage TO save
as many of the officers and crew of the
4 Confederate vessel as possible. Captain
i Semnes was in the water half an hour.
and was nearly exhausted when picked
lup. 1t appears he begged Mr. Lancaster
to get away as fast as possible to prevent
him and those who we're with him from
being taken prisoners, and tho Deerhound,
being a fast. yacht, was enabled to- get out
.Eof the reach Of tire Federal man of-war.
I Mr.. Lancaster describes the fight as a