The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-01-19
Seaman Sibley Says the South Cardinals
Tars were First on Board.

TN your issue of Nov IL. 1892, Comrade
{ VIM. Simmons has an article on the cap
4 ture of the rebel steamer Magnolia, which
was in answer TO an article written by me
some time ago He says the U.SS. South Caro-
lima may have captured a sloop or schooner of
the same name, as the South Carolina was on
blockade duty off Mobile about that time.
] wish 10 inform Comrade Simmons that
did then know the difference between side
wheel steamer and sloop, and ] think do
now. As to the South Carolina being on block
ade duty off Mobile at that time, his journal
will tell him so if it is correct. He says he
does not know what the chronological records
of the war say on the subject, neither does he
care, but the facts copied from his journal,
which he kept at that time.
Now, think THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE had
better either get that journal or stop publish
ing the record. Comrade Simmons says we
want facts. Some months ago Comrade Sim
mons wrote an article entitled "The Cruise of
the Brooklyn" / was very much interested in
the article, until / found he was claiming that
which he was not entitled to; among other
things, the capture of the rebel blockade-run-
ner Magnolia In that article he did admit
that the U.S.S. South Carolina shared in the
prize-money, but failed TO tell why.
wrote an article disputing his claim. but
it never was published. | afterwards wrote
another, which called him out again. Nov IL
last. / claimed in my first article that the
South Carolina was entitled to as much credit
in that capture AS the Brooklyn; for if the
South Carolina had not been where she was, and
had not acted promptly, the Magnolia would
have escaped.
have not the time nor disposition to write
complete account of the capture again bui
this | do know, that three boats crews from
the South Carolina were Oh board of the Mag
nolia hard at work putting out the fire among
the cotton, which the crew started before they
/ left the steamer, before the Brooklyn came in
sight out of the fog, and at least half an hour
after the firing of the Brooklyn's guns, which
! Comrade Simmons refers to. i failed to see any
marks OF shot or shell on the Magnolia ] was
! the third man on board of her, and found the
| Engineer aud helped carry him into the cabin
/ where we made him as comfortable as possible
| He died that night and was buried at ShiI
/ Island, as Comrade Simmons says. He tolt
several of u.s. when we questioned him, why h'
/ did not leave the steamer when the rest OF thu
crew did. that he was in the engiue-room try
| ing to disable the engine. and in doing go brok
the connection between the engine and boiler
/ and the escaping steam scalded him.
The South Carolina conveyed the Magnoli
to Ship Island, and from there she was sen
North and sold. The records at Washington
say that l received a share OF the prize-money
| a brother has merschaum pipe, which none
would not buy, which j captured on board 0
the Magnolia, together with lot of silver
plated spoons, with which l supplied our mess
Now, don't call me Ben. also got an umbrell
aud an overcoat and plug hat, which some son
of-a-gun of the Brooklyn stole from me, aud
now believe his name was VIM. Simmons.
Now, dear old TRIBUNE, give Us facts. eve
if you have TO forage that journal.-EMoR
SIBLEY Ordinary Seaman, U. S. S. South Care
lima, Pioneer, o.