The New York herald., 1870-03-28
TIE MISSING IRON-CLAD.
Did the Atlanta Leave Unfit for q Sea Voy.
ags'-A Letter from One Of Her Ill
fatsd 0ffcers-A Premonition
Of Impending Danger.


ihc articles which have already appeared In the
bhhAD concerning the probability Of the loss OF tho
iron-cad lriunfo, or Atlanta, have occasioned con-
siderable comment and nave drawn rortn from the
Hends OF those on board the III fated vessel several
COMMUNICATIONS relating to her condition previous
70 Dstartlng. we append two OF these letters. The
writer OF the nrst one It will be noticed endeav0rs
to show that the Atlanta was In good condition In
every respect when she left the Delaware Break
water last December, and that instead OF being
scanty OF provision she was provided with rattons
for one month for 200 men.
The second letter. which Is referred to in the nrst
win naturally be read by many with more than ord-
nary interest 1t was written the evening the vessel
left the Delaware Breakwater and Is consequently
the last intelligence received from the ironcad since
her departure There is one thing III 1t that cannot
Ia 70 strike the reader forclby on perusing It.
and that the spirit Of resignation OF the writer 20
some fate which he half hints &C az impending.
Whether he felt that there was more than ordinary
risk trusting his life ut to such vessel N
question which every answer TO suit himself.
The following is the first letter.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
few days ago statement appeared In your
columns referring to the probability OF the ron
clad ram Trunfo having ioundered at sea and
OF the loss OF all on board knowing that any little
circumstance OF interest in the history OF this cita-
del OF ironr would DC anxiously read by, may say,
thousands who now mourn her sad late, and feeling
that many erroneous statements nave creptint0 the
newspapers which would tend to prejudice the
mind OF the public equally against the Judgment OF
her commander as against her sea-gong qualities,
beg now 70 make such corrections based on posi-
tive knowledge OF the facts, as VIII show
that the Triu0ro was fully equipped for sea-
aud was so considered by those vino had only their
own interest IA view,n as your correspondent 'R-"
has mentioned. The only one that mad any interest
IN the vessel or has now, II living was Mr.. Sidney
Oaksmlth, the sole owner thereof until sho
should be delivered TO the haytien government
(which delivery was formally made AT Philadelphia
TO receive the sum OF $3.50 0Oo Fifty thousand dol
lars only had been paid to MIN on account by the
Now, is L Within the bounds OF reason that. il she
| were not seaworthy, Mr.. sidney Oaksmith would
panying her on her voyage to Haytlf letter IS now
| before me from Mr.. sidney oa&smrth, written and
dated thus
suI2 pE.AwAsE YSn.AKw,ATsn} S.. ,s ,s.}
night IN Of Fearful storm The cabins were
remedy little things that Tie experience OF last night
gave
| Now, does this agree with the statement OF "R."
that not even hammer was on board 10 DRIVE In
\ nai In case OF emergency
| In answer TO The statement that she was .Iaden
with COAL" have 10 say she had but 200 tons OF
coal costing 81, $50. and Tor which nave seen the
| receipts. And as 70 her snip stores, she had on
| board provisions lor one month for 200 men.
In a few words, nothing left undone Dy Mr..
0aksmth TO prOviue against all dificuties and Mr..
| Oaksmths fidelity TO The trust imposed IN HIM by
| the Hayden government was ana u well known 10
the x-Mnlster OF Hayt, Gelerai Tate, VINO mas
borne WLncSS TO MS unSWcrvlnx loyalty 10 Tie hay
uen cause, ana to the integrity with which 1e lul-
flied the trust imposed Ia him. VlATOR.
The following is the letter referred to in the above
| letter.
| DELAWARE BRRAKwATERl
| SUNDAY Z. NJ. Dec. 10 1869.
NY DEAR AIMEE
| We anchored about twenty-five miles above this
place last night la consequence OF learlu storm.
The cabins were deluged with water and everything
had got wet through. Stu the snip behaved wen,
and we can remedy many little things that the expe.
| rlence OF last night gave US.
THIS afternoon Is clear and shall proceed 10 sea
| tonight 1--WE are now on our way).
wrote you from Chester, aud this t5 probably The
last you receive from before we meet, unless
should have an opportunity TO write after arriving
at Port Prince. Should you see anything about
Us In any Of the papers please preserve few copies
| for me.
AsI Just left the deck looking far ont TO sea, and
| knew that In few hours the last point or land
| would be visible, could not but think now much
| left behind, and now much that very thought had
spurred me ol TO acts that some men would SHRINK
| rom but 20 with an adding Iasn that He who
| has seen it TO watch over and guard me through
life amidst all my errors Will not now lorsake me,
but direct me on the right path.
You know all that desire IN my absence, ami
| Will not therefore remind you OF anything.
III leave behind me o human being that has ever
| been IN any way wronged Dy me, could he she
look into my heart al this moment | aIn sure the
| cause would be wiped away as freely as / forgive
| any that have wronged me.
| Goodby. God bless you always. SIDNEY.