Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-01-29

eht thc fioHCn uutHOIitich Wi5ucu "
favor her escape. At night false light
were used, and many cxpedients prac
ticed to mislead and deceive us. We
however, put to sea and cruised off tbt
port Of Brest for three months, but
finding the Florida would not come
ont, and being shattered and weather
beaten by our long cruise in the turbu
lent waters of Biscay, we shaped oul
course for flushing at the mouth of the
Rhine where the
GOOD DUTcHMEN
received us kindly and furnished ui
everything we needed. There we went
into dry-dock and made thorough re
pairs"
awe had Just put the Kearsarge in
jolly trim when Winslow received 0
telegram from our Minister at Paris
informing him that the Alabama was
and pursued no devious ways 10 oni
voyage thither. Running into port
we there found the adversary whom
we bad pursued so long and anxiously,
lying at anchor in the harbor. But we
were unwelcome visitors, and the
French authorities lost no time in warn
ing US out. We left, but lowered
around the entrance to the harbor, de-
termined that Semmes should not this
time escape. The utmost vigilance
was maintained on board the Kearsarge,
and our blockade was SO effectual, that
our willy enemy finally despaired avoid
ing battle. The French, however,
did all in their power to aid him. The
commandant OF the post sent an officer
to warn us of, protesting against the
blockade of his harbor. Winslow re-
piled that he was not blockading his
harbor, but was lying in wait for an
armed enemy, sheltered under the COW
er of French guns in violation of rules
enforced against the Kearsarge, and he
proposed TO cruise in that vicinity until
Semmes came out, and attack him the
moment he cleared neutral waters.
"Finding his escape impossible Sem
mes issued his famous
| tHALLENuE
to Winslow for pitched battle. This
was done to cover gracefully the skulk-
ing character Of his previous operations
and make it appear to the world that
the engagement we had so long coveted
and he so diligently avoided, was
brought about by bis own agency. He
never intended to fight if he could
avoid it, and notwithstanding his chal-
lenge, had any fortuitous circumstance
favored his fight he would have taken
wings.
"Pending the engagement every PIE
paration was made and the Alabama
put in the best possible trim for battle.
She was, as is well known, British
vessel, armed with British guns and
mostly manned by British seamen and
it is also an unquestionable fact that
she had at command the maritime re-
sources of England and France for any
thing she required in the way Of arma-
ment and supplies. She was not our
inferior in anything which can add to
the efficiency Of ship of war. As to
the crews they are supposed to have
been nearly equal, but / doubt If Sem.
mes ever Knew now many men ne nau,
as have reason TO know that many
OF them boarded her for the first time
the morning Of the
BATTLE.
at was on sunday morning. June 10,
1864, as we were cruising off Cherbourg
in q heavy fog and the officers and
crew were at church, that going for
ward | took the glass from the Quart
ermaster Of the watch, and looked in
toward the breakwater. | there dis
covered fancy yacht-which subse.
quently proved to be the Deerhound--
heading up the channel. was look
ing at her so intently that it attracted
the attention of Mr.. Thornton, who
came forward and said
"What have you got Saunders ?"
"a fancy craft-take q look at hsr."
He brought the glass to bear on her,
and saying, "Oh yes, she is going up
the channel y returned TO church.
Going along the port gangway to get
better view | observed the yacht al
ter her course and stand in toward
shore. Just at this moment the fog
closed and | could see the shipping in
side the breakwater, and among them
made out the Alabama. saw the
Deerhound signal the Alabama. She
replied and Immediately moved toward
the entrance Of the harbor. As soon
as she cleared the brcakwater, the
Deerhound ran under her stern, and
shortly after the Alabama and Deer
hound followed by French ironclad
stood out toward sea. When | saw
this movement | sang out,
"HEaE SHE CONES p
and services closed without the usual
ceremonies. Captain Winslow ran to
the port gangway where ! had taken
my station and said
"Where is she ?"
"rhcre," replied, pointing her out
'and an English yacht and French
ironclad with her"
ave Immediately furled all sail and
49, a., s',1a.';n,, uI, ' 30 Wh"n ,ho French
n'an noos ,Oo ,oaohod shroo VOC r;na lsaanss from
shnre [ hs bIowed otf steam and waited
n,,N q, nhsar,o orr novsmsn,s o
" sAs coon o as our ena;nesr ronortad n
s,u s hooJ sd',' "f "a s,oom o WInslow gavs ths
nrdors ND 80 10 mt tho helm anort and we
Sa.e Sa,o,P ~ P ,,,nn ,ho anarv A, ,wo
and ou1 a half half miles % the Alabsma onened
% sro w;,h a hoa ards,de of n;na auns bn,
d;S G W. w. daua~a Tho Kaarssroe said
,a un,h;u, nU '" hn, So,, s,oad;,u aayward s
oei a "a;n sho ' aromp nv hmrIsd storm n,
natal at ma which bartled ,brougb our