The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-07-16
PURE GRIT.
Some Experiences of the seamen OF the
Confederate Alabama.

/ was one of the first men who signed
papers with the much-vaunted confed-
crate cruiser, the Alabama, and my SER
vice in her did not end until she sailed
into an English port with the confede-
rate flag flying. You will thus realize
that l participated in the capture OF
several dozen federal merchantmen and
whalers. There was a sameness about
our manner of making captures which
we were glad to have broken now and
then. 1t was but rarely that vessel
was overhauled during the night. II
we were in chase of her we simply kept
her in sight, or tried to, until daylight
came. While we could not anticipate
any stubborn resistance, the right sort
of skipper might fire volley into q
boats crew or go 10 some other uncom-
Portable extreme. As rule we had only
to close in on our victims, fire solid
shot across his course, and he would
heave to and put the best face possible
on bad matter. The first lieutenant
would be sent off to him with boat and
half dozen marines, and in the course
of half an hour his fate would be de-
cided. If it was thought best to bond
him the papers were made out and sign
ed and he was permitted to go his way.
If his craft was to be destroyed the men
were allowed to bring up their clothing
and knick-knacks, the officers to pack
their personal effects, and inside of an
hour the craft would be ablaze, and we
would be sailing away in search of an
other victim.
When we ran around in search OF
whalers we came upon Yankee skip.
meant We were just well to the west
of the stormy cape, when, one morning
after breakfast, we raised whaler. He
was headed up the coast, and about
noon we overhauled him. He paid no
attention to the first shot, and it was
only when the second one hulled him
that he came into the wind. 1t was then
seen that he had fifteen or sixteen men
aboard, and that all were armed with
muskets and meant to defend the ship.
The lieutenant was sent off with his
boat, but no sooner was he within fair
musket range than the whaler opened
fire on him, killing one man and wound.
ing two at the first volley. The officer
pushed ahead, and demanded surren-
der. but he got another volley and the
reply that the whaler "would go to the
bottom before he would surrender to q
d rebel!'
The boat was recalled, and our gun.
ners were instructed to hull the whalel
with solid shot. We approached him
within rife-range and opened fire.
Every one of the balls pumped through
his side az and above the water-line,
and he answered with his muskets,
severely wounding two men. He was
repeatedly hailed to surrender, but in
reply he encouraged his men to main.
tain their fire. We soon had the sea
pouring into his starboard side through
q dozen holes, and when it was seen
that he would soon 90 down we ceased
firing and again demanded his surren.
der. l can remember just now how he
looked as he sprang upon the rail-tall,
gaunt hair flying and eyes blazing, and
shouted in reply:
1.-The Ben Scott don't surrender
Come and take us-if you cam"
Five minutes later his craft settled
down bow first. We lowered the boats
to save his crew, and strangely enough
not a man was lost. When we brought
them aboard the Yankee skipper walked
up to Semmes. bare-headed, bare-footed,
and coatless, and said:
IF I'd only have had one old cannon
aboard we'd have licked We out of your
butes! Here we are, and what are We
going to do with us?"
He was voted a jolly good fellow, and
the men were better treated than any
other ever forced aboard. In order tc
give them their liberty the very next
capture we made was bonded and they
were put aboard to sail for home
Detroit Free Press.