Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-07-09
THE FIGHT NEAR FREDERICK
THE REBELS RETREATING!
Further Details Of the Late Naval
Engagement.
CAPT. SEMMES STATEMENT T
A Day Of Humiliation and Prayer
Appointed.


Naval Engagement - Semmes'
Statement.
New YORK, July S.-La France states
that the Kearsage, on returning to the port
of Cherbourg, during the afternoon of Sun
day, landed sixty-three of the crew of the
Alabama. OF this number fifteen were
wounded. The French authorities have
charge of all the prisoners. The wounded
men were sent to the naval hospital, where
they receive every attention. .,
Semmes, in his official report of the en-
gagement with the Kearsage, says when
about mile distant he opened with solid
shot. The Kearsage replied in few min
utes and the engagement became active.
The two ships steamed around common
centre, preserving distance from each
other of from quarter to half mile.
When within good range he opened with
shell. In ten or fifteen minutes the Ala
bama's spanker gaff was shot away and her
ensign came down. This was Immediately
replaced by another at the mizzen mast
head.
The firing now became very hot, and the
enemy's shot and she'll began to tell upon
our hull, knocking down, killing and disa-
bling number of men in different parts of
the ship. Perceiving that our shell, though
hitting, did but little damage, resort was
had to solid shot alternately with shell.
After the lapse Of about an hour and ten
minutes our ship was ascertained to be in
a sinking condition. the enemy's shell hav-
ing exploded in our sides and between
decks, opening a large aperture, through
which the water rushed with great rapidty.
For some minutes | had hopes of being
able to reach the French coast, for which
purpose gave the ship all steam and set
such of the fore and aft sails as were avail
able. The ship filled so rapidly, however,
that before we had made much progress the
fires were eXtinguished in the furnaces
We were evidently on the point of sinking.
now hauled down my colors to prevent
the further destruction of life, and dis
patched boat to inform the enemy of our
condition. He further says that the Kear-
sage fired upon him five times after his coll
ors were struck.
The remainder of the report is devoted to
a statement of how he was picked up and
made his escape under neutral flag. Also
that his officers, when they went to the
Kearsage, found that she had been furnish
ed with chain armor concealed with
planking; that the planking was torn off
by his shells, thus exposing to view the
amor. He says the enemy was heavier
than myself, both in ship battery and crew,
but did not know until the action was
over that she was iron clad.
The armor consisted, it proves of a dou-
BILE row of chains strung along the sides of
OF the kearsage, temporary but not very
formidable protection to her machinery;
and from all accounts the Kearsage could
have withstood the wild firing of the Ala
bama a whole day, whereas the firing of
the Kearsagc, according to Semmes, was so
hot and accurate in ten or fifteen minutes
after the commencement of the action that
his flag was shot away, his hull torn, and
his men knocked down, killed and disabled
in all directions.
The Paris correspondent of the CONNER
cial says Capt. Winslow still claims Semmes
as his prisoner, and will write to him to de-
liver himself up, making ita personal ques-
tion between officer and officer. Winslow
will send the other officers home. The men
are released on parole never to fight against
the United States. Semmes was ordered
out by the French authorities by noon.
On consultation with Commodore Barrow,
his superior, whether to 90 out or escape
by night, or meet the Kearsage in daylight
and fight, that officer told him to go out
and fight if he thought he was sure of win
ming. He was sure, and went out to fight.
Captain Winslow did fire after the white
flag was hoisted, but 1T was owing to his
rot seeing it. The greater steam power of
the Kearsage and superior artillery enabled
her to do with her adversary as she pleased.
Semmes was astonished to find his ship used
up so soon, and cursed not little at the
worthlessness of English guns and English
ships.
Mr.. Stoddard, Master of the Kearsage,
makes statement in which he says when
he saw the Deerhound making off with part
Of the Alabama's crew, he reported the
fact to Capt. Winsow. The answer he re-
ceived was, it was impossble-the yacht |
was simply coming round. No commander
could be guilty of such dastardly conduct,
when he had been requested and permitted,
in the cause of humanity, to save the lives |
Of prisoners, to run off with them.