The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-07-14
The Alabama and KearSage.
New YORK, July s


Semmes, in his official report of the tight
with the Kearsarge, says: When ABOUT
mile distant he opened with SOLID shot. Inc
Kearsarge replied, and in few moments the
engagement became general. ne TWO
ships steamed round a common centre, pre-
serving distance from each other OF one
third to one-half mile When within good
range he opened with shell. In ten or if
teen Minutes the Alabarna's spanker-gaf
was shot away and her ensign came down.
This was Immediately replaced by another
at the mIzen mast.
1.-THE firing now become hot, and the en-
emys shot and shell soon began to tell on our
hull, knocking down, killing, or disabling
number of men in different parts Of the
ship.
Perceiving that our shell though hitting
did but little execution resort was had to
solid shot, alternated with shell.
After about an hour and forty minutes
our ship was ascertained to be IN SINKING
condition, the enemy,s shell having expo
ed in our sides and between decks, opening
large apertures, through which the water
rushed with great rapidity Tor some minutes
I 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 AIT
calls as were available. The ship filled SO
rapidly, however, that before we had
made much progress, the fires were eItIn-
guished in the furnaces, and we were EVIL
IDENTIFY on the point of sinking.
now hauled down my colors, to pre-
vent the further destruction ofllte, and DIS
patched boat to inform the enemy OF our
condition.
He says that the Kearsarge fired upon
him five times after his colors were STRUCK
The remainder OF nc report IS devoted 10
a statement of how he was picked up ana
made his escape under neutral nag his
officers, when they went to the hearsarge
found that she had been furnished with
chain arpor, concealed with planklng; tn at
the pIanking was torn off by bis shells thus
exposing to view the armor. lie also says:
The enemy was heavier than myself, both
in ship, battery, etc, but did not know I'LL
the action was over that she was iron clad
The arnor consisted it proves, Of a double
row of chains slung along the side OF the
Kearsarge; and from all accounts, the Kear-
sarge could have withstood the wild hrng
of the Alabama a whole day. whereas the
firing of the Kearsarge, according to
Semmes was so hot and accurate, that IN ten
or fifteen minutes after the commencement
of theaction his flag was shot away, his hull
and his men knocked down, killed and dis
abIed, in all directions.
New YORK, July 8.
La France states that the Kearsarge, on
returning to the port of Cherbourg during
the afternoon of Sunday, landed sixty-fiye
of the crew of the Alabama Of this mum
Der fifteen were wounded. The French
authorities have charge of all the prisoners.
The wounded were sent to the naval hos
pital where they receive every attention
New York, July 8.
The Paris Correspondent of the Com
merci1L SAYS Captain Winslow still clai ms
Senmes as his prisoner, and will write him
to deliver him himself up, making it peson-
al question between officer and officer
Winslow will send the other officers home.
The men are released On parole to never
fight against the United States.
Semmes was ordered out by the French
authorities. On consultation with Commo- |
dore Barron, his superior, whether to go out
and escape by night, or meet the Kearsarge
in daylight, to fight, that officer told him
to go and fight if he thought he was sure
of winning. He was sure, and went out to
fight.
Captain WiusIow did fire after the white
flag was hoisted, but it was owing to his not
seeing it.
1.-The great power OF the Kearsarge and
her 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
''E. NJ Stoddard, Master of the Kearsarge |
makes a statement in which he says that he
saw the Deerhound making off with part of
the Alapamas crew, and reported the fact to |
Captain Winslow The answer he received |
was that it was impossible; 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, as to run off with them"