Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-08-16
Lozpou. July 7:iss4.

- Loznou, July y 1854.
You may think II strange have not written before
ths but have up to this time, been unable TO nod any
one who could give me information Of the blockade
runners. VIII commence this from the Alabamas arri'
val in ChsrhouIg which was on the 18th ulimo. re-
csived letters immediately from - and -,
also -, giving me news of your welfare to the 2Stq
Of May.
The Alabama was to have hauled into deck for re-
pairs but tho APPEARANCE Of the Ktafsage altered our
plans We were One week preparing the slip for nc
tion and need not tell you looked forward 70 des-
perate but successful, encounter with her, But iae,
togttler with her superior numbers, guns aud cham
eLdddRg, decided egsnst us and the World-renoWneo
Alabama Ia nov taking her final rest 10 the hish real
Qf not classicA wA'srs of the English channel How
Ike wounded deer chased By the hounds until, nature
giving out tuna 10 bay, and after gallant hght dies
near the forest that gave il BIRTH Tne papers WILL OF
course give yoa all the particulars OF the siir and
ali accounts taken from the Eogsh press you may rely
upor. / have read al OF them, and fRd them in
the >mAin correct
VII add litls, not much, for as you can imagine
have had 30 many qaet oos ssked about 1t that am
quite WON out Y0a cannot imagine the excitement in
"a rborg the morning We steamed out II was lovely
Sabbath cay aud the bay covered with yacht and men
of war about twelve miles eus lay the kearsage, in
our rear the city with lis ir0WuiDg Notifications. As
sJon as the ba.bor was cleared the officers and crew
we're assembledon che quarter deok and read
them by the Ospaia. pin might have been heard 10
drop until it's conclusion and then mbers actually
trembled with the shouts that went from cur gal ant
tars then quarters, and joke Of joke went oand
until the two opponents are now within gnnsho ; at
last the order Is given man the starboard blIttry
ready fire !" aod the Alabama opens the ball that Is
20 terminate in her utter desirrclon. For hour
round and round, within 800 yards, broadsd1 after
bruadside s Exchanged Abeu. minutes after the
mel sent Of the engage nent an entire broadaide iron
the KesTsage struck Us, toe men a but one from he
t cid. the after pivot gun we're sWep: away their
- haafp oRsn0 ma I'M m fnnfs ~
came ing happening at the other pivos The ansser
10 this was cheer from pa liant boys, VIII CD Acu
ally drowned the roar Of the guns. Again and sgaiD
tls Ii5Ots we're manned the other guns, I'D again
and gam swept aSay. Such scene OF carnage may
nsveI agRir. Al last tne cry is heard ine ship lie
/ sinking Tue command is pissed below, 'Al stesu,
keep her Tor the ian6" the answer is "hs fires are out
We anno 90 aheao y The K is nov under cur ster
pouring 70 Oroadsdss, and rskiDg from stem s
Ihe AlaGa ia now laying helpless wreck, rapidly
SINKING; tbs men, calm I'd cool, aTs The iab .
Ny O. pc Tas wonderful. | am covered aith IgbI
wounds IRON head to foot. Al IL Inch thell exppaed
under me- tearing up the dec another uHder ono Of my
Runs di mourning it, and fragment taxing OF ny cap,
Go. At las. the firing ceased, and fad nyseli ul
nuri; but another destruction stares LIE in the
iscS tho ship has settled entirely out Of sight at the
Ter mas past, IAN hands save yourselves"
Ia moment tue water IL covered with human teadE;
still CannoI make up my mind to leave the gallant cd
ship Al asG all have ef II stand alone my compal
ions 10 the water calling ou, Jump overheard, -,
the ship will sake ,ol down with her" They haG
scarcely spoken, When down she vent With her /; in
few mUmfnts Fcams TO The surface and struck cut foI
a spar near Alter swimming for about halt htu,,
was picked up by The Ksarssges boats but seeing Ine
English va H. DseIbou ID engsgsd in the same work,
watched my chance and jumping overheard, swan :
discovered 70 ne ,erhOuud, taken board Ia
ken to uIhampsOn, aad noH here, am ready again.
Oar reception is most gratifying. Last evening" ]
fpsnt at Lazy T. kIins WIDOW oil sir John, of Arctic
memory; met there large humber OF the nobility
To- night dine H,.h Lord -. Invitations come in
from morning iii nght. have had private be- =.
the opera presented 10 mel Indeed quite hon
and would vii ilgy part WITT all my honors 20 haze Jhe
Alabama sill ed AZ and alter the war to have steamed
her in o UharlesQG.