Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-07-16
Official Report Of the Captain Of
sile Kcnrsnrgc.

WAsHINuToS, July 6.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE GREAT NAVAL
COMBAT.
The Navy Department has received the
following dispatches:
U. 8. STEAMER KEARsARGE, CHERBouRG.
June l9, 1864, r. M.-SIR: | have the honor
to inform the Department that the day sub
scquent to the arrival of the Kcarsarge off
this port, on tho 10Th inst, received a note
from Captain Semmes, begging that the
Kcarsarge would not depart, as he intended
to fight her, and would not delay her but q
day or two.
According to this notice the Alabama left
the port of Cherbourg this morning ut about
$50 O'Clock.
At 1920 A. NJ, we discovered her steering
towards us, and fearing the question of iuris-
diction might arise, we steamed to sea until
distance of six or seven miles was obtain
ed from the Cherbourg 5reakwater, when we
rounded to and commenced steering for the
Alabama.
AS we approached her within about 1900
yards she opened fire. we receiving two or
III. &C broadsides before shot was return
ed.
The action continued, the respective
at a distance OF about 900 yards from each
other.
AT the expiration of an hour the Alabama
struck, going down in about twenty min
utes afterwards, and carrying many persons
with her.
1t affords me great qualification to an
nounce to the Department that every officer
and man did their duty, exhibiting degree
of GOODNESS and tortitude, which gave pro-
mise at the outset of certain victory.
have the honor to be, most respectfully,
your obedient servant,
JOHN A. WINSLOW, Captain.
Hon. GIDEON WEILEs, Sec. of the Navy.
UNITED STATES STEAMER KEARsARGE
CHERBOURG, France, June 90, 1864 Sir:
| enclose 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 or thirteen taking
effect in the hull, by the mercy of God we
have been spared the loss of any one life,
whereas in the case of the Alabama the
carnage, | learn, was dreadful.
The ships were about equal in match, the
tonnage being the same.
The Alabama carried a 100-pound rifle,
with one heavy GS-pounder and six broad
side 52-pounuers.
The kearsarge carried four broadside 32-
Founders, two l1-inch, and 2S-pound rifle,
being one gun less than the Alabama.
The only shot which fear will give us
any trouble, is 100-pound rifle shell, which
entered our stern-post and remains at pre-
sent uncXplodcd.
1t would seem almost invidious to par tic
uarize the conduct of any one man or officer
in an affair IN which all have done their
duty with fortitude and GOODNESS which
cannot he too highly praised, but feel it
due tony executive officer, Lieutenant Com
mander Thornton, who superintended the
working of the battery, to particularly men
ton him for example of GOODNESS and en-
couragement of the men while fighting,
which contributed much towards the sue
cess of the action.
l have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obcdicnt servant,
JOHN A. WlNSLOW, Captain.
Hon. G.. WELLEs, Secretary of the Navy.
Surgeon Brown reports Jno. w. Dempsey,
quartermaster gunner, has an arm amputa-
ted, owing to fracture, and William Gorvin
and James Macbeth, ordinary seamen, Sc
yarnly u,unlpI