Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-08-06

greatly the advantage at close range. She
also had slight advantage in her crew,
she carrying 1885, all told, while we car
ried 49, Considering we'll these ad-
through our agent to the United States
consul that if Capt. Winslow would wait
outside the harbor he would fight him
as soon as we could coal ship.
Accordingly, Sunday morning, June 10,
between 8 and 10 O'Clock. we weighed
anchor and stood out Of the western
entrance of the harbor, the French Iron
clad frigate Couronne following us. The
day was bright and beautiful with light
breeze blowing. Our men were neatly
dressed, and our officers in fun uniform
The report of our going out to fight the
Kearsarge had been circulated. and many
persons from Paris and the surrounding
country had come down to witness the
engagement With a large number OF
the inhabitants of Cherbourg they col
lected on every prominent point on the
shore that would afford A view seward.
AS We rounded the breakwater we dis
covered the kearsarge about seven miles
to the northward and eastward We i'm
mediately shaped our course for her. called
all hands to quarters and cast loose the
starboard battery. Upon reporting to the
captain that the ship was ready for &C
ton, he directed me to send all hands aft,
and mounting gun carriage he made the
following address:
Officers and seamen Of the Alabama:
You have at length another opportunity
of meeting the enemy-the first that has
been presented to you since you sank the
Hatteras! In the meantime you have
been all over the world and it is not too
much to say that you have destroyed,
and driven for protection under neutral
flags, one-half Of the enemy's commerce,
which at the beginning Of the war COW
cred every sea. This Is an achievement
of which you may we'll be proud. and q.
grateful country will not be unmindful of
it. The name Of your ship has become
a household word wherever civilization
extends! Shall that name be furnished
by defeat? The thing Is impossible! Re-
member that you are in the English
channel, the theater of 80 much of the
naval glory OF our race, and that the eyes
of all Europe are at this moment upon
you. The flag that floats over you is that
of a young republic, which bids defiance
to her enemies whenever and wherever
found, Show the world that you know
how to uphold 1t! Go to your quarters"
In about forty-five minutes we were
somewhat over a mile from the Kearsarge
when she headed for us, presenting her
starboard bow. At distance of a mile
we commenced the action with our 100
FOUNDER pivot gun from our starboard
bow. Both ships were now approaching
each other at high speed, and soon the
action became general with broadside
batteries at distance of about 500 yards
To prevent passing, each ship used a
strong port helm Thus the action was
fought around a common center, gradual
ly drawing in the circle.
At this range we used shell upon the
enemy. Capt. Semmes. standing on the
horseback abreast the mizzen mast with
his glass In hand observed the effect of
our shell. He called to me and said: "Mr
Kell. use solid shot: our shell strike the
enemy's side and fall into the water" We
were not at this time aware Of the chain
armor Of the enemy. and attributed the
failure of our shell to our defective am
munition. After using solid shot for some
time, We alternated she'll and shot.
The enemys eleven-inch shells we're