CRUISE AND COMBATS OF THE “ALABAMA.”

612

the casing from thechain armor of theKearsarge, indenting thechain in many places,which explained CaptainSemmes’s observation ofthe effect of our shellupon the enemy, “thatthey struck the sides andfell into the water.”

Captain Winslow, inhis report, states that hisship was struck twenty-five or thirty times, and Idoubt if the Alabama wasstruck a greater numberof times. I may not, therefore, be bold in asserting that had not the Kearsargebeen protected by her iron cables, the result of the fight would have beendifferent. Captain Semmes felt the more keenly the delusion to which he fella victim (not knowing that the Kearsarge was chain-clad) from the fact thathe was exceeding his instructions in seeking an action with the enemy; butto seek a fight with an iron-clad he conceived to be an unpardonable error.However, he had the satisfaction of knowing she was classed as a woodengun-boat by the Federal Gfovernment; also that he had inspected her withmost excellent glasses, and so far as outward appearances showed she dis-played no chain armor. At the same time it must be admitted that CaptainWinslow had the right unquestionably to protect his ship and crew. In jus-tice to Captain Semmes I will state that the battle would never have beenfought had he known that the Kearsarge wore an armor of chain beneath herouter covering.,) Thus was the Alabama lost by an error, if you please, but,it must be admitted, a most pardonable one, and not until “Father Neptune ,rclaimed her as his own did she lower her colors.

The 11-inch shells of the Kearsarge did fearful work, and her guns wereserved beautifully, being aimed with precision, and deliberate in fire. Shecame into action magnificently. Having the speed of us, she took her ownposition and fought gallantly. But she tarnished her glory when she firedupon a fallen foe. It was high noon of a bright, beautiful day, with a moder-ate breeze blowing to waft the smoke of battle clear, and nothing to obstructthe view at five hundred yards. The very fact of the Alabama ceasing tofire, shortening sail, and hauling down her colors simultaneously, must haveattracted the attention of the officer in command of the Kearsarge. Again,there is no reason given why the Kearsarge did not steam immediately intothe midst of the crew of the Alabama , after their ship had been sunk, and,like a brave and generous foe, save the lives of her enemies, who had fought

j Surgeon Browne points out [p. 624], that the advantage derived from the chain armor was imma-terial. It was a device that Captain Semmes also might have employed.— Editors.

RETURNING TOR TIIE WOUNDED.