Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-07-27
The Alabama and Capt semmes.

The Liverpool JosrsaE has the following
in regard to the feeling in Liverpool al
ter the naval fight:
Although much sympathy was express
ed for Captain Ssmmes, Yerv few, even
among his friends, regretted the de
struction OF the Alabama. Her proceed
ings were an anomaly in warfare She
summed encounters with armed vessels.
but abe preyed upon defenceless mer-
chantmen, committing both ships and
cargoes to the flames. The mum Der OF
vessels destroyed approaches very closely
to forty. and the value is roughly estima-
at from one million to three million
pounds sterling. The property destroy
ed was private property.
The object, no doubt, was to cripple
the commerce of the United States; but
it so happened that in driving the mer-
chant navy from the sea. the Coufeder-
ate ~privsteer. to a great extent,
the seamen into the Federal navy. With
out intending it, therefore, the interests
of the Federal Government were promot-
ed by the destruction of the property OF
individuals. The Southern Government
gained nothing by the doings of Captain
Semmes. He sent them neither money.
provisions nor ornaments. The value OF
his proceedings amounted, SO far a. Pres
ident Davis was concerned, to nothing.
Indirectly it may have injured the Gov
eminent at Richmond, by increasing the
resources of the blockade sqadron. The
Alabama was a notoriety and a disgrace
to the civilization Of the age.
Captain Semmes is no doubt . very bold
and skilfull commander; he is also 8
lucky one; he had the good luck never
to encounter a foe Of equal size, strength
and equipment, and so far all was well;
but it was unluoky that the first time ne
met a prepared Wal vessel Of equal, or
nearly equal tonnage, he lost his invinci-
BILE character. This, however. Is OF the
fortune of war, and shows how much
more is due in modern warfare 10 l1-lnch
guns, armor plates, and strong and fast
ships. than to men. The Alabama con.
| ouered because she was better armed
with guns than her adversaries; she u
conquered when she meets a ship better
than herself; that is all. That is the en-
tire matter of heroism. And for tha mat
ter Of that, Capt. Winslow is as bold and
fearless, as elfcontained' n as resolved
as any sailor that sails the sea.
The Kearsage was lying of Dover a
Easter, and as visitors were freely allow
ed on board you correspondent inspect
ed her. She was az t2unt, trim, and well
founded as a-man-of war should be, anc
there was no secrecy as to her armament
none as to the intentions OF her com
mander. He was waiting for the Ala
bama; he had been waiting long; b
could still wait. He didn't intend to g
home without meeting her. He was sen
out to do it. and that was what he had I
do. The chains protected by anybody
spies or anybody. You could see then
By opening certain apertures in the frame
work; they were covered on the outsid
by thin planking, and you were free to s
!, or come as you might see fit. with ever
courtesy that one gentleman could ole
10 another
Like Nelson, Capt. WInslow had ios
an eve: he hadn't lost an arm, but b
seemed every inch a hero. In ever
sense he seemed q studious, resolved, ca
nest. thoughtful commander, without III
I. slightest dash of those Americanisms, {
T brag of accent, of E~rXsqVeris. that are s
/ frequently associated with he NAM
. There are as brave men out OF Mscedo
: as in it, and possibly Capt. Winslow Is
E much entitled 10 honor as Capt. Semme
whom some imbecile people wish to car
| onize, only because he wa3 q saint OF the
: doctrines and no other.