The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-10
LETTER FROM WASHING7 ON.


Etc, Etc,
lEVBNING TELEGRAPH SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE
WASHINGTON, Aug 8, 1867.
Between waiting for the verdict" and specu.
lation as to the next phase Of the Johnson
stanton imbroglio Washington is in quite "a
stew"
The return of "the Nationals" and the
threatened removal of General Sheridan are
passed excitements and the departure of the
Stonewall has for time allayed the fifth, bu
as much interest will attach to the voyage out,
and general oongraJuation succeed her safe
arrival in Japan, we propose to give brief
sketch of the ship and her belongings, embrac-
ing points and details that the telegraph mas
omitted to mention.
Upon reaching Washington q few days ago
we found that the poetioal romance, so fascl-
mating and peculiar to ships of war; and which
the Stonewan possesses in great degree had
clothed her with an interest that every one
seemed TO share. Hundreds OF citizens and
strangers had focked to see her. numerous
kilograms had announced to the country her
progress towards departure, and the local re-
porters almost daily discovered new material
for an item. Seized with the epidemic, we
jumped into street car, and a six-cent ride
including an exchange ticket philadelphia
compan es, note this), carried us to the Navy
Yard gate. stern-looking sergeant of Marines
passed us into the marvellously neat precincts
of the public domain, and one of the officers
very politely offered to escort us to the wharf.
A short walk down q beautiful avenue
Shaded by tall trees, brought us to the Ana
costa river, or the eastern branch of the Poto-
mac as 1t is frequently called, where q beauti-
ful view of the United States Lunatic Asylum
situated on an immense hill, on the opposite
side of the river, is presented. Turning sharply
TO the left, we found an ornamental park OF
captured naval guns, and some enormous coal
piles, behind which, moored to the dock,
was the famous Franco-D Danish Rebel Fede-
ral'Japanese steam tron-clad ram Stonewall
In the winter of lS64-65, 1t will be remembered
that great threats were made by the Rebels, Of
the devastation in store for our seaboard cities
A certain invulnerable iron monster was in
process of construction, that would steam with
vast speed-enter any of our principal ports
lombard and place under contribution at plea
sure any given municipality, and safely escape
before organized pursuit could be attempted.
So frequently were these boasts made, that they
excited no little apprehension in those places
most liable to attack, and the improvement of
tude This terrible agent of impending destruc-
tian proved to be the Stonewall, and, when she
was finally brought from Havana to Washing
ton, in November, 1865, she soon convinced the
most confident believers in our naval power
that the hopes of the Rebels were not without
The Stonewall is essentially a French pro-
duetion, and, as she appeared in the Anacostia
ever seen. Combined with heavy armor and
casemate and turret batteries. are rifled guns
great speed most admirable manageability, a
complete sailing rig, and fightingidraft of less
Grew fearless and determined, she could
1nhict injury incomparably greater than
Ferda and The close Of hs
war, however, caused her surrender without
more % inimicai than i fiauntinS her % 'sym6oi syn % Of
treason" In the teeth of the Niagara and Sacra-
mento two & of our men, H. Of E war that were Watch
on the coast Of Spain. The sea was rough at
the time, and the two vessels declined to fight
her, for which action Commodore Craven, the
senior officer and commander of the Niagara,
was tried by court martial on his return to the
nd nfn orNh a In tnA
most distinguished officers. in the ser
ioetAd@iTsi dii FaTragut T "G as Pidt President TrSe The
retake and capture, or destroy vessel which it
was his duty to encounter" and the specifca-
ton fixed the 25th Of March, 1855, as the date.
The trial, which involved several principles,
and attracted unusual attention throughout
e the court, to obtain correct idea of the stone
wallis power, made trip on the Potomac In
tSat he was ans not fo1nS quitv of the nsrt pre
scribing ii to be "his duty to encounter" in
other words, the court was not satisfied that L
was imperative for two wooden vessels TO attack
an iron-clad under all circumstances The De.
partment did not approve of the finding, and
Commodore Craven was released from arrest by
later was promoted to the rank q
among the bravest naval men that had the
Niagara and Sacramento attacked her they
would have Joined the Hatteras and Housa
tonic Sunk by the Rebels) in very few min
utes When the Court adjourned she was dis
mantled, and remained sin ordinary" unmo
Tested except by curiosity-seekers, who carried
away everything portable that they could Sc
crete from the v1gilant eyes of the Marines anC
Watchmen, relics and souvenirs, until sht
was purchased by the Japanese Embassy at the
nominal price of S450,OOO, which low price, We
are informed, was partially to atone to the Gov
eminent of Japan for the swindllng done by
some of our citizens in the matter of contract
for war vessels Orders were issued from thi
Navy Department to put her In sea- going condi
tion, and q naval officer Of experience, Com
xuaq 1aaVa n
absence to take the ship to Yokohama, ant
deliver her to the Tycoon, when the final pay
ment of $l50,000 will be made the work o
repair has been thoroughly done, and the hull
machinery, SparB rigging, and officers qual
ters which are unusually large and comfort
able for an iron-clad, look very well. She 1
full brig-rigged, with top-gallant yards an
bOWsprit, measures about l2OO tons, and draw
about seventeen feet aft. She is well provide
with stores and boats, and among the latter ha
one of Frazer's fe-preserving rafts-a yer
complete affair, with everything ready for i'm
mediate launching in case OF disaster at sea.
The crew, numbering about sixty persons
were all shipped in the regular navy styl
being obliged to "pass the DOCTOR" ana sig
articles for the voyage. They are TO receiV
their wages in gold, with transportation an
time paid back to the United States at the raj
OF &35 per month for seaman and walters; S4O lC
coalpassers; and $50 for nremen. Large nun
bers of applications were received, and had 10 :
rejected because the list was complete. The da
we were aboard two men were imploring u
captain and chief engineer 10 make room IC
them, but 1t was impossible.
The ohcers were appointed by commando
BroWn and though they are generally OrttSqI
set OF men, are well qualified for the practices
part OF the duty. The first officer Is Theodol
b. Du Bois late acting volunteer commando
In the Navy; the second, A, r. Langthorne, lat