The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1882-12-14

ing to the Confederacy. Laird was
= member of the English Parliment.
He knew very well that the building
of the Alabama was clear violation
of the neutrality act. Every one
knew the service she intended to per
form; and vet no embargo was laid
upon her until the very eve Of sailing.
Semmes then resorted to clever
trick to evade detention. He in
vited a number of ladies and gentle
men on board to witness the trial
trip. a steamtug accompanied her,
"to be in readiness in case of acci-
dent" as Senmes expressedit. But
her purpose was at last explained
when Semmes politely informed them
that the Alabama was war vessel
and that sac was already bound to
the Azores, where she would receive
her full complement of men and
guns. The party returned to Eng
land and the Alabama proceeded to
her destination. We cruised after her
in every water that washes the shores
81 Europe. At last we founs herln
Cherbourg, France. Under the law
when two vessels Of belligerent pow
ers meet in neutral port an inter
val of twenty-four hours must elapse
between the sailing Of one vessel and
the other. We lay just outside the
regulation limits and yet so close to
the barber that the Alabama could
not slip out unawares. ! don't know
what decided Semnes in his deter
minatiOn to fight US. Probably the
taunts of the French and English
men-of.warsmen had something to do
with it; but at any rate they sent us
challenge. We accepted, Of course,
and on the morning of July 10, 1864,
both vessels steamed out to sea and
prepared for the fray. 1t was con-
test between an English vessel, an
English crew and English guns on
one side and an American ship, an
American crew and American guns
on the other
The battle was spirited and well con
Quoted by each. At the end of an
hour and ten minutes Semmes hoist
ed the white flag. The Alabama
was then in a sinking condition. The
injury to tile Kearsargs, when the
terrific cannonading is remembered,
was comparatively trifing. Both
vessels sailed round and round firing
brOadside after broadside at each 9th
err. During the course of the fight
they described seven distinct circles.
When the firing ceased, the Deer
hound, an English yacht owned by
friends of Captain Semmes, steamed
alongside the Alabama and took en-
board Semmes, his executive officer
Mr.. Kells, and several others. Our
commander, Capt. Winslow, sup
posed they would be landed at
Cherbourg and held in confinement
until they were turned over to him
as prisoners of war. But the Deer
hound sailed straight for SOuthamp
ton, about thirty miles distant. |
called his attention to the fact that
English private citizens had dared to
step in between him and his prison
ers.
"Well, what shall I do?" asked
Winslow, pcevishly.
Fire a blank shot at her. said
|.
Suppose she disregards it,"
"Fire another across her bowa?"
What them"
IF she don't heave to, sink her
with every man on board" But
Winslow was afraid. His caution in
this matter has been generally ap-
plauded by those who believe any
other course would have involved
US in 8 war with England. That
matter however, is open to discus
sion. One thing | DO know: the
NAVY DEPARTMENT would have ND