Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-08-01

there should afterward be any question
as TO jurisdiction; the fight must take
place in neutral waters We. had
probably gone eight or ten miles. when
the Kearsarge turned around and
headed straight for the Alabama. As
We neared the Alabama she opened
fire on US, but as her firing was so wild
we concluded she was firing at random.
The kearsarge did not fire a shot IN
til we were within one thousand yards
of the Alabama, when the order was
given to open fire. Up to this time We
had experienced no damage, except cut
ting away some of the rigging. One
big shell imbedded itself in the Kear-
sarges quarter, close by the propeller,
which, if it had exploded, would have
blown away the whole stern The next
shell that struck the vessel killed one
man and wounded a number of others.
The shells were falling all around US
| thick and fast 1t was at this iuncture
| the conflict was most exciting to me,
and an incident happened in which
was personally interested. We had
/ been fighting some over an hour and a
ha.f, and it was evident that we were
creating sad havoc on board the Ala
bama, and they were growing desper-
ate. The gun of which l had charge
had been loaded for another shot. and l
was just on the point OF sighting the
piece when a acknowledgement rife
shell from the Alabama struck the side
OF the gun. which broke the force OF the
shot, and fell on the deck. The fuse
was burning in it, and in another in
slant it would have exploded. Had it
done so, there is no doubt but that
would have been the end of the Kear-
sarge and all on board. l never could
understand why l did so, but l almost
mechanically rushed for the shell, and
picking it up in my arms, carried it
to the side OF the vessel and threw it in
to the sea- In doing so my whiskers
and mustache were burned TO the skin.
1t exploded just as it touched the water,
throwing the spray high in the air.
1T was all done in an instant, and /
did not realize the danger or what |
had done until it was all over. Captain
Winslow was standing on the bridge
not ten feet away and witnessed the
whole proceedings, as also did the most
OF the crew. As picked up the shell
l repeated a phrase, favorite one of
Of mine, which had always used when
exposed to any danger: Jesus. save
me now / did not know that | said it,
but l must have, for Captain Winslow
says he heard me above the roar and
noise of the cannonade. A solid silver |
badge, which l have worn since. was
given me by the Secretary of the Navy !
when landed in Washington.
Captain Winslow said that his heart !
was In his mouth, for he had no idea |
but what the shell would explode in
my arms before | could throw it over
board. He at once gave the orders to
man the rigging and give three cheers
for Quartermaster Rowley. l hope l
do not appear vain if l say that l was
proud Of the distinction which Captain
Winslow accorded me. although at the
time | did not realize that l had done
any thing great The cheers were
given with a will l went back
to my gun and put a shot into
the Alabama which made her shake
from stem to stern. The crew of the
Alabama heard the cheers, and as they
told us, they could not I'M
lerstand it. From that moment they
ost courage. The Alabama was fast
sinking, and they had run up a flag of
ruce. Afterward boat came along
'ide and said that Captain Semmes had
We only had two avail
lble boats to send to rescue the crew.
Before we could get them aboard the l
Alabama began to settle and the crew {
began to jump into the sea. In a short I
pace of time she threw her bow into j
he air and went beneath the waves, t
he rebel flag still flying. i
81 know there has been some contro- i
ersy as to whether she sunk with her
olors flying. maintain that she did i
remember it as well as if it were yes i
erday. We picked up what of the a
rev we could, but great many were b
rowned. Captain Semmes, of the a
labama, jumped into the sea and was t
licked up by the English yacht Grey V
Ound and escaped in her. The Kear- a
lrge then steamed into Cherbourg
arbor and began firing a salute with
er heaviest guns, which awoke the y
eople for miles around. augusta q