The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-07-22

Sonnanded BY Capt. Semmes. This
80 still aloat In 1864 and already had
1e0e immense da-age to United States
dhlDDinE. She was seen only in Eu-
so0oan ana moro distant waters. Her
~ voyage was q prosperous one into
- south Atlantic and Indian oceans,
A0a1g which she had captured sixty
esvea vessels. Of which forty-flve were
DESTROYED. She returned to European
v1esrs early In the summer Of 1864 and
took refuge in the French harbor Of
'CAerbourg. At that time the United
atates steamer Kearsarge, commanded
~ Capt. John A. Winslow, was lying
In the Dutch port of Flushing. The
Atnerican consul at Cherbourg immedi-
atN Informed Winslow by telegraph
a the presence of the Alabama, when
10 left Flushing and proceeded with
The Kearsarge to look after the pirate
Ahin.
At Cherbourg on June "a appeared
tho Kearsarge and as soon as it ar
rived Semmes, understanding the
meaning of the visit, sent word to
W2nslow desiring him not to leave the
harbor, alone, as he wished to fight
him. Winslow did not need this in
'coEmation, as he had come thither
6elly Intending to fight him, II
b ever attempted to leave the harbor.
-0emmes then made many preparations
and secured valuable assistance. He
deposited his private property on the
-shore with his friends, property that
consisted chiefly Of chest Of coin and
-sixty-two chronometers, which he had
taken from the vessels he had cap
'tnred, and at his own chosen time,
which was Sunday, June 10, he went
out Of the harbor with the Alabama
He was followed by the yacht named
Deerhound, belonging to an English
man named Lancaster, as tender to
see that Semmes, If worsted in the
fight, should not fall into Winslow's
hands
Winslow steamed out to sea about
seven miles from Cherbourg, to make
sure Of being out of the jurisdiction of
France, and was followed by Semmes
It distance of about mile. Then the
kearsarge rounded to and made for the
Alabama. When within 1900 yards
Of her the latter opened fire. The
Kearsarge received two or three broad
sides without returning any, when she
suddenly retorted with great effect.
Winslow attempted to close and board
his antagonist, but Semmes sheered the
Alabama of and steamed ahead. Mean
while he fired rapidly and wildly, while
the Kearsarge delivered her fire slowly
and with deliberate aim. Now the ships
apparently moved in circle, still fight
Ing, and thus each kept its starboard
= side. from which it was firing, bearing
upon the starboard side of the other.
They described in the course of the
conflict seven circles and at the same
time drifted together with the tide
about four miles from the place Of the
beginning Of the fight before it was
ended.
When the combat had continued an
hour and when it was little past noon
the Alabama was at the mercy of her
adversary. She had been hit by several
eleven-inch shells, one Of which dis
explosion had taken place in her coal
bunker, which had SO blocked up the
engine-room as to compel a resort to
sails. Her sides we're pierced with
holes and otherwise shattered. The
Kearsarge was comparatively unin-
5ured and was in position to fire grape
shot effectually. Now the Alabama's
- H,,,t &C.,
doubt whether it had been shot or
hauled down. Next white flag was
displayed over her stern, which Wins
low respected and ceased his firing.
Semmes was treacherous and in a
Few minutes opened two guns upon the
Ksarsarge, at the same time attempt
ing to run into neutral waters, not far
distant. This drew the fire of the
Kearsarge again and then she steamed
ahead and got in front of the Alabama's
Bows, where she opened a raking fire.
Again the white flag was seen flying
and again Winslow ceased his firing.
Then the boats Of the Alabama were
seen to be lowering and in one of them
IN officer came alongside the Kearsarge
With the information that her antag-
onist had surrendered and she was in
Immediate danger of sinking. At that
moment the Deerhound, the English
mans yacht, came alongside and Wins
low invited him to assist in saving the
PEOPLE of the Alabama. He picked up
.8emmes and some of his officers and
men and took them away to England.
The Kearsarge rescued sixty-five of the
-Alabama's men from drowning. Thus
ended very remarkable naval battle,
which was witnessed from the shore by
thousands Of French men and women
sanA which brought great fame to Capt.
Vv1nslow.
The Casualties were slight, all things
Donsidered. The Alabama had nine men
tdllsd and twenty-one wounded. The
had three men badly wound
ID, one Of them MORALLY.
On June 3, 1898. at o'clock in the
'0erning, Lieut.. Richard P. Hobson.
With seven companions, started on the