The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1894-03-30

Among the exploits performed on
the sea during the stormy days d
l861-66 was the recapture Of the brig
Cuba from the Confederate privateer
Raphael Semmes, on the morning oil
July 4. 1861.
The American brig Cuba, bound
from the Port Of Trinidad for Lon
don. with cargo Of sugar and mo.
lasses. was taken by the rebel cruiser
Sumter. commanded by Semmes, and
her officers and crew were made pris.
oners Of war.
They sailed from Trinidad on the
ed Of July. 1861, and were captured
after being out only two days
On the morning Of July 4 the cop.
ture OF the Cuba and her crew by
Semmes occurred. The rebels were
flying the American flag.
The prize crow were put on board
the Cuba. Captain Strout was
ordered to go on board the Sumter
with his papers. which ho did, and
was there introduced 20 Commander
Semmes.
HE examined my papers," said
Captain Stout, land when no came
to the bills of lading and saw the
seal Of the British consul attached
thereto he said: That was . do
Yankee trick Then he added, 1'u
sorry to inform you that you are Z
prisoner OF war.
"Well, was little sorry myself
for that was the first ! knew that
was In the hands OF enemies"
Captain Strout was ordered OF
dock and there he met Captain Shat
fy OF the brig Machias, also the cap
tain OF he ship Golden Rocket, the
latter vessel having been burned
that morning by the rebels.
81 then was ordered back on board
Of the Cuba" continued Captain
Strout, sand the Sumter took IL.
with the Machias in tow. That wa.
10 o'clock in the morning. The
rebels wanted to save our vessels
for both the Machias and Cuba had
valuable cargoes on board. The
Sumter towed us until 8 o'clock the
next morning. when all OF sudden
our hawser broke.
1.-The Sumter did not miss us until
about o'clock the same day. Their
Captain Semmes left tho Machias ant
came back after us. Three timo,
did he try to make fast to tho Cuba,
and as many times did he fall on &C
count OF the wind and seas. Tn,
captain Of the prize crew was there
fore ordered by Semmes to take the
Cuba to Cienfuegoa
At that time the Cuba was only
about sixty miles west OF Cienfuegos
and with everything ready. the prize
crew heavily armed to the teeth with
outlasses and revolvers, the Cubs
sailed for Cienfuegos.
The crew OF tho Cuba were un
armed, and, therefore. were allowed
the liberty Of the deck, and were re-
quired to assist in handling the yes
sci.
Captain Strout got chance u
privately advise with his two mates
and they were not long In forming 1
plan to recapture the brig. 1t was
bold enterprise. but tho captain ant
his men, nearly all from Maine
were nervy men.
Tho rest OF tho story is told II
Captain Strout's own words:
"On the sth Of July ] discovcre,
that the prize master was asleep OIL
the aftcr-house. and Immediately
with my mates and steward, pro
ceeded to secure tao arms. 20
possession OF all tho weapons A
this time there were two OF the priz,
crew. besides the master. asleep; on,
a marine. lying alongside the after
hatch. the other marine lying on thu
deck near tho boat. with his head OF
revolver wrapped up In JACKIE
for pillow. Ihad secured the othcl
arms without tho observation OF an,
OF the prize crew. and approaching
tho last-named marine / jorked tn,
pistol from under his head aud callc,
upon him TO surrender. which he di,
very graciously. but several OF tn,
prize crew at this moment got on I,
the racket They ran for their arms
and. finding them gone. two OF then
drew their sheath knives, one scizct
the axe. and all rushed aft, whittier
had gone with the pistol which
had taken from the marine.
'.The mainsail at that time wa,
down and lying over the boom. and
tho prize crew gathered on one sid'