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

Was the UIoL lCcA DeeeAS W. - 49,
of modern build, armed with guns of
modern construction. The two yes
sells were almost evenly matched
There was not difference of ten
tons between them. Both were well
manned and splendidly differed. Be
vOnd this all similarity ceased. The
entire crew of the Alabama, excepting
her officers, were Englishmen. She
was built in England and every gun
she carried was cast in an English
mold. The Kearsarge was American
from stem to stern. The stars and
stripes that foated from her mast
head no more represented the "land
of the free" than the ruddy-faced tara
who crowed her decks, every one OF
whom was born on American soil
Her guns were Dahlgren's II inch.
AS q matter of fact it was fight be-
tween English and American men-Ot
war, and every citizen Of the United
States, whether North or South,
should feel a thrill of pride in recall
ing our splendid victory.
Among the officers of the Kear-
sarge during this engagement was the
present paymaster general of the
navy, Mr.. Joseph A. Smith, to whom
your correspondent is indebted for
the following account of the battle
and the incidents preceding it. AT
the beginning of the hosti]ities Capt.
Raphael Semmes, an officer Of high
standing in the navy, seized United
States steamer lying at New Orleans.
She was manned by crew of South
ern men, and for time worked serl-
Gus destruction among the merchant
men and other vessels of the North.
Her name while sailing under the
Confederate flag was changed to the
Sumpter. She was very feet, and
while there were q number of vessels
in the United States navy that could
have easily vanquished her, there was
hardly one that could Overtake her.
1t was Capt. Semmes' policy to avoid
a fight if possible. His object was
the destruction of our commerce,
a blow more serious in its effects than
the sinking of dozen war vessels.
1t was then the building of the
Kearsarge was decided upon. With
in six months from the lying of her
keel, she was aaoat in search of the
cruiser. She possessed
every qualification known to the
naval science of that period. She
was fast, durable and armed with
guns of the best American manufac-
ture. From this point, Mr.. Smith
tells the story in his own words:
The Sumpter led US merry chase
fer many months. We would hear
of her at some pert and hurry there
only to find that she had sailed sew
eral days before. A dismantled bark
in mid ocean would tell the story Of
her ravsges, but no indication re-
NAMED of the direction in which she
had fed. Sine was veritable will-o'-
She led US on with delusive
smiles, only to mock US at last. One
day we accidentally stumbled upon
her lying at anchor in the harbor of
Under the neutrality law
We dared not attack her. We went
outside and waited for her, but she
would not come out. Finally we IN
derstood that Semmes had sold her
to an English merchant, after dis
charging bis crew. Our consul pro
tested vigorously, but all to no pur-
pose. Nearly all the foreign nations
sympathized with the Confederacy,
and it would surprise you to know
the extent they would go to thwart
our endeavors. Our consul commu-
nicated with the Navy Department
and stern old Gideon Wells sent us
an order to blow the Sumpter ont Of
water at the first opportunity, no