The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-09-25
ARREST OF A CONFEDERATE OF
FIcER AT THE NORTH.

The arrest, In New OfK last "eSh, oiFCaptaln
John Braine, formerly of the Confederate
Navy, on the charge of murder, and that he bad
papers on his person showing that-he belonged
to recent organization 10 New Orleans hiss
been announced by telegraph. Captain Braine,
it will be recollected on the 9Th OF December,
1868. seized the United States passenger steamer
Cbesapeake, while she was on her passage from
New York to Portland, Maine. He was ar.
rested at the Wall House, Brooklyn, on Satur-
dav. on a reouisition from Washington, by the
United States Marshal at the instance of one
James johnson, first engineer of the Chesapeake,
who was on board when Grin Shaffer, the Sc
cond engineer, was killed by one of the Confed-
crates engaged in the capture. Captain Braine
is charged in the warrant with the murder of
Shafer johnson, when Captain Brane was
arrested, was very insolent IN his language to-
wards him, and tainted him bitterly. The re-
porter of the New York News visited Captain
Braine at the police station, and gives the fol-
lowing account of the interview !:
Passing from the prison yard 10 the corridor
in front of the grated cells, ths reporter found
in one of them tall, handsome, manifesty in
telligent man, apparently about thirty years of
age, with high forehead, large, dark blue eyes,
aquine nose, and well formed mouth and chin,
the general expression of his countenance being
pleasant rather than otherwise. He was fault
iessly attireG in dark garments, and had the air
and ease, even under the circumstances, OF
well-brsd gentleman. The door keeper intimated
that the individual was Captain Braine Our
reporter then approached the grating and made
known the Object Of his visit Though many
persons outside spoke very roughly of the pris-
oner, our reporter, adopting the good old Eng
i:sh law maxim, that every man is innocent until
lie is proved to be guilty was resolved to treat
Z ho cd ha
Braine, on being asked if he had any objection
to make brief statement Of his completely in
the affair which resulted in the death of Shaffer,
very readily replied that he had not, and there
upon gave, in reply to interrogatories, brief
account of the Chesapeake capture, the substance
of which is as follows:
In December, 1868, Braine came to Williams
burgh, but did not tarry long for about week
before the capture of the Chesapeake he sailed
on board that vessel with his wife for Portland
he had at this time commission as Lieutenant
in the. Confederate States Navy while on this
trip he conceived the design of capturing the
vessel. He next went to ST Johns, New Bruins
wick, where his rlmand were awaiting his ar
rival. They we're mostly Engshmen; there
were few Irishmen, in his own words, Gas good
fighting men as man wants." he then came
through Boston, Uia New London, to New York,
under orders from the Confederate States Navy
Department, with his men. Arriving at 4
O clock in the afternoon, he went with them the
same day on board the Chesapeake at Pier No.
IA North river. He says that the assertion
which has frequently been made that he enlisted
men from New York and Brooklyn is utterly
untrue On the same day that they went on
board they sailed. AT about two o'clock next
morning BraiHe and his confederates captured
the vessel off Cape Cod. His men had all been
instructed in their roles. Guards were placed
at various points.
| Their instructions were not to shoot any but
such refused to surrender. The second en-
gineer, Grin Shafer, it appears, when called upon
| to surrender, was below, oiiing the machinery.
On hearing the demand he responded by firing
| upon Braines second Lieutenant. Three shots
| were then discharged at him, and he was in
| stantly killed. Some OF the officers, according
to Braines account, showed less intrepidity.-
One officer, he says, hid behind an ice-box in
the galley. The first engineer was wounded in
the chin the first officer in the leg and arm
Braine says that he saved the Captains lite but
handcuffed him. The frenen were put in irons.
The vessel, now in possession Of Brane, steamed
under orders to Sea Cove, Grand Manan Island,
| British island off PASSPORT, Maine. Here he
remained three or four hours, and then steamed
up the Bay of Fundy. Braine put the passen-
gers on board pilot boat off Pugwash, on the
coast OF Nova Scotia, came to anchor, and had a
| communication with the agent Of the Confeder-
ate States of America; weighed anchor, and
steered for Sherbrook, St. Mary's, Halifax, and
vas by noon next day off Yarmouth Light On
the following day, the vessel having been caught
10 storm off Cape Sable, put into Shelburu
harbor, short of coal cleared for La Have,
Nova Scotia ley there week, and made ar
| engagements Fer coaling at Scarborough harbor
near Halifax sailed alongside the United States
| rlgate Niagara next morning. AS the rest of
his connection with the Chesapeake is already
we'll known, 1t is unnecessary to repeat it here.
| AT the termination of the war; Braine was in
command of the G. S A schooner St. Mary's
| Hearing that the war had terminated, he burned
her off Jamaica Island. He then vent to Eu-
rope, and arriving 10 Liverpool last July, paid
OH his men and returned to the United States,
believing himself safe under the amnesty pro-
clamatlon. lie took up his residence in Savan-
nah; and according TO his own statement, he has
been on Intimate terms with some of our Gov
eminent officials
lie next went to Washington, aud previously
to starting for Wilamsburgh tarred there ten
days He had been, when arrested 10 Williams
burgh, boarding at the Wall House about six
weeks. He mas visited by several of his friends
and acquaintances yesterday. He is cheerful,
and believes as he held commission from the
| q. S. A, which with the United States were
| recognized beligerents, amenable to the laws of
| war, the killing of Shaffer cannot be REGARDED
as murder Ee says that he never himself
discharged shot on board the vessel. In re-
ply to inquiries as to his place of birth, the Can
tain said that he was born at Holly SPRINGS, in
the State of Mississippi