Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1880-09-30

Hc bkIppcE VI d CdptUliOu We
sci, upon reaching the Alabama
deck, told Semmes that he ha
been expecting to fall in wit
him at any time during the las
three years, and here he was a
Hast. Upon Semmes expressin;
This satisfaction at being found at
ter SO long a search, the skippe
answered: SEARCH, did you say
Yes, a search something like tn
devil after holy water;I have Rat
continual visions ofthe Alabama
by day and her keel has ridden
me as a nightmare at night; ane
now that it is over / feel quite
relieved"
To avoid the annoyance of
Consuls and the danger of being
blockaded in a neutral port, Sem
mes made arrangements for coal
ships to meet him in unfrequent-
ed places. While approaching
a rendezvous of this kind an A.
merican whaler was discovered
at trying out oil. The Ala
bama was flying Federal colors.
and the master of the whaler de-
sirous of doing a service to a
cruiser of his Government came
out and offered to pilot the YES
sci in. His services were ac-
cepted. He was lavish in his
praise of the ship, crew and dis
cipline, and hoped she would
soon meet the Alabama, when he
knew she'd be blown out of wa
ter and her pirate captain and
thieYing crew would meet their
deserts at the yard-arm. When
he brought the vessel to anchor
and refused remuneration, Sem
mes, who had quietly enjoyed
the conversation about himself
and ship, cordially thanked him
for ''the services he had render
ed the Confederate States steam
er Alabama" While the MAIN
sail was unfilrled as veil to
shield the poor fellows confus-
ion and terror, Semmes assured
him that neither he nor his YES
sci were in danger, but would
only be detained while the Ala
bama coaled.
A GLANCE INBOARD.
The northern press by its con-
slant denunciation of Semmes as
a pirate, and reiteration of the
statement that his crew were a
gang of ragged cut-throats held
together by a common bond of
plunder, prepared the people of
ports visited by the Alabama to
find a crew without discipline,
second edition of Captain Kidd's
bound in gray. Their astonish-I
ment may be imagined when
they found not a pirate or even
its twin brother, a privateer, but
D man-of-war whose symmetry
Of model, thorough equipment
and discipline were not excelled
by the vessels OF any other ma
ton.
At some places the inhabit-
ints knew only that "there was
l war going on about the mig
ger" and were credulous i'll re-
gard to the stories in circulation
hat the Alabama kept a corps
If negro giants chained in the
lold who were loOsened in the
moment of attack, when their
strength and terri
lie claws on hands and feet,
speedily overthrowing all oppo-
ition, they glutted their thirst
or blood amid horrible incanta-
ions. Not a few were those
Who tiptoed to the hatchways
md in awe-struck tones asked
o be shown the "black giants"
Invention was fatigued to sup
'ly the greedy nav of Northern
Indignation with outrages per-
Detrated by Semmes or under his
command. He was not even al
owed to be traditioned Gas mild
hammered man as ever scuttled
ship or cut a throat" but was
epresented as a staggering
,ulIy, who strobe the decks
f captive vessels, bullying
he masters, plundering with
ne hand while he applied
he torch with the other.
The truth is that he never set |
Oot upon but one ofhis captures, ,
nd that was because the mas
er claimed to be neutral, and re- :
used to come to the Alabama. ;
lie was a man of imperturbable |
oolness, who permitted nothing !
D ruffle his dignity or to inter- t
ere with the discipline of his :
hip, and he faithfully executed !
he orders of the Government un-
er which he served. I
GO TO QUARTERS. i
The attrition of constant mo-
on had worn the Alabama's
until her speed was '
affected, and officers f
nd men were exhausted by in {
essant. duty. A port for rest 6
nd repair was sought and found !
Cherbourg, France, in June, t
364. Here the Kearsarge, one |
? the neW slOODs Of war, chal- Il