Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-08-11

she has been cruising around 10 all seas for much longer
period than her antagonist The Alabama, on the con
rary had lain for many DAYS in Cherboug and she only
steamed forth when her Captain supposed her TO be IN at
all events a good condition as the enemy
The Challenge
Finally the challenge to fight given by the Alabama
to the Kearsarge, the Kearsarge to the Alabama
The Career of the Alabama" above referred to, makes
the following romantic statement:
when he (Semmes) was challenged by the commander
Of the kearsarge every body in Cherhoug appears said
il would dsQracefu if refused the challenge and this
couned with his belief that the ksarsage not 80 strong
che really proved be- made him agree to fight p Az
On Tuesday after the battle and before leaving London
for Cherbourg was shown telegram by member OF
the House of Commons forwarded to him that mornng
The telegram addressed to of the genllemans con-
sttuents by his son. sailor board the Alabama and
dated &C. S. s. Alabama, Cherbourg, June a. the
sender stating that they about to engage the Kear
sarge on the morrow or next day have not copy OF
this telegram but the Career OF the Alabama" gives
letter TO like effect from the surgeon of the Prvatser
addressed to gentleman in this city The letter reads as
follows:
"CHERBoURo, JUNE a. 1864
"DEAR TRAvERs: Here sead this by gentle
man coming to London An enemy is outside II she only
long enough and fight her. IL 1--we expect
see in London shortly If die Civ my best love to
all who know If Monsieur de Cailet should call on
you please show him every attention.
I'D. ii. LLEwELLYN"
There were two brave gentlemen on board the Alabama,
poor Leweyn who nobly refused to his own life by
leaving his wounded and young Lieutenant Mr.. Joseph
Wilson, who honoraby delivered his sword on the deck
of the Keasarge when the other officers threw theirs into
the water.
The most unsnswerabe proof of Capt Semmes having
challenged the Commander of the Kearsage to be found
in the following letter addressed by him to the Confederate
consul agent Cherbourg After the publication of
this document it is To be hoped we shall hear no more OF
Capt -Wnsow's having committed such breach of dis
cpne and etiquette that Of challenging rebel against
his Government
Captain Semmss's Challenge to the Kearsarge
&C s. n ALABAMA,
Cherbourg, June Ia, 1864.
TO AID BoEFILs Esq, Cherbou &.
"SIR hear that you informed by the O. s Consul
that the Kearsage to to this port solely for the
tyfour hours desire You to the o. s. Consul that
my intention is to fight the Kearsarge make
the necessary ements hoe tn will not detain
than unit tomorrow evening, after the
morning at farthest beg she will not depart before am
ready to go out
have the honor to be- very respectfully your obedent
servant, H. SEMMEs, Captain
Numerous facts serve to prove that Captain Semmes
had made every to engage the Kearage and
that wide spread publicity had been given intention
As the arrival of the Federal vessel known at
Paris an American gentleman of high pos ton came down
to Cherbourg with instructions for Captain Winslow but
DESTROYS the French authorities to preserve
really honest neutrality that permission only granted
to bm to sail to her after mis- promising return to shore
Immediately on the delivery OF his message. Once back
IN Cherbourg and about to return to Paris, he advs
ed to remain night, hs alabama intended to fight
The KearSarge nezt day, Sunday On Sunday morning
train arrived from the capital and the vistes
received at the terminus of the railway by the
Of the port who offered them boats for the purpose
Of seeing genuine naoat battle phch take piece
during the day. Turning such memorable occurrence
to practical uses, Monsieur Rondin, celebrated photo
graphic artist the Place dArmes at Cherbourg pre-
pared the necessary chemicals, plates and camera, and
placed himself the summit of the old Church tower
which the whome denzens Of Cherbourg had very pro-
perry built in happy uxtapositon with his establishment
was only able to the negative, but that was quite
sufficient To show that the artist had obtained very fine
view indeed of the exciting contest Five days. however
had elapsed since Captain Semmes sent his challenge to
Captain Wnsow through the Confederate agent
paraons which he considered necessary Meanwhile the
Kesrage cruising to and fro at outside the break
water.
The Kesrsarge reached Cherbourg the 14h and her
captain only heard Of Captain Semmess intention to fight
him the following day Five days, however, elapsed
before the Alabama put in appearance, and her exit
from the harbor was heraded by the English Yacht Deer
hound The officer watch aboard the Kearsarge made
out three-masted vessel steaming from The harbor the
movements of which were somewhat mysterious after
remaining short time only this steamer, which subse
queny proved t. be the Deerhound went back into port
only returning to sea few minutes in advance of the Ala
bams and the French ironclad La Couronne. Mr.. Ian
caster her owner sends copy of bis log TO the Times
| the first two entries being as follows;
Sunday, June 49, A. Moot up steam and proceeded
"O3O- Observed the Aabams steaming out of the har
! Dor towards the Federal steamer. Kearsarge'"S
Mr.. Lancaster does not inform why English gen
eman should choose Sunday morning, Of all days the
week TO cruise about at an early hour with ladies
board nor does he supply the pubic with Information
to the movements Of the Deerhound during the hour and
half which elapsed between his exit from the ha Dor and
the of the Alabama The preceding paragraph
however, supplies the omission.
Tie Engagement.
At length the Alabama made her appearance in
pany with the Couronne the latter vessel conveying her
outside the limit of French waters. Here let me pay
tribute to the careful neutrality Of the French authorities
No sooner the limit Of Jurisdiction reached than the
Couronne put down her helm, and without any delay
steamed back into port, not lingering outside the
breskwater to witness the fight Curiosity, if not worse,
anchored the English vessel in handy vicinity to the
baants Her presence proved to be of much utility for
she picked up less than fourteen Of the AlabamRs Off
&c and among them the redoubtabe Semmes himself
SO saon as the Alabama made out the Kearsarge
mmed 4tey beaded seward and steamed OF the coast,
the object being 90 yet Sufficient distance from the land
40 AZ 10 obvate any possible infringement of French uris
dction and condy, that in Of the battle going
against te Alabama the latter could not retreat into port
When this accomplished the Kearsarge turned
shortly round aud steered immediately for the Alabama,
Capt Winslow desiring to get within close range - his
guns were snottea with veseconds she'll The interval
between the two vessels being reduced 10 mile there
about the Alabama sheered ana discharged broadside,
nearly raking FIRE, at the Kearsarge More speed was
gwen to the latter t. shorten the distance and slight
sheer TO prevent raking The Alabama fired second
broadsde and part Of third while her antagonist
closing and at TIE expiration Of ten twelve minutes
from the Alabama's opening shot the Kearsarge dis
charged her fret broadsde The actien henceforwsrd
cont a circle the distance between the two yes.
es being about hundred ysrds this a al events
il the opinion o the Federal commander and his officers,
for their guns sighted at that range aud their she'll
bnrstin aud the privassr The speed of the two
vessels du1g the engagement did not exceed eight knots
the hour