Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part I
Lieutenant Governor Gordon to the Duke of Newcastle.
My Lord Duke: Considerable excitement was created a few days ago in the city of St. John by the appearance off that port of the steamer Chesapeake, lately captured by persons professing to be officers and sailors in the service of the Confederate States of America.
2. The crew and passengers on board the Chesapeake were landed at St. John: and though full details of this transaction will reach your grace from other quarters, I enclose two versions of the capture, as reported by the crew and passengers landed at St. John, and published, the one in a newspaper which is generally looked on as the organ of the federal party in St. John, and the other in one of the many journals published in that city which advocate the cause of the Confederate States.
I have, &c.,
[Enclosure 1 in No. 7.]
Extract from the St. John, New Brunswick, Morning Telegraph, (confederate organ.)
Capture of the Chesapeake.—Another of those thrilling incidents which have characterized the war between the federals and confederates has occurred to create a profound sensation throughout our city, which will extend as far through the northern and southern States as telegraph-wires and newspapers can carry the intelligence.
The federal passenger and freight steamer Chesapeake, one of a line that plies regularly between New York and Portland, Maine, left New York harbor at 4 o’clock in the afternoon of Saturday last, with about twenty passengers (exclusive of the crew) and a valuable cargo. Everything went well until the steamer had been some eleven hours at sea—say 3 o’clock on Sunday morning —when fifteen of the passengers, who were then discovered to be confederates, rose on the crew, overpowered the latter, and took possession of the boat in the name of the Confederate States. This occurred about twenty-five miles west of Cape Cod. These confederates were under the command of Lieutenant Braine, of the confederate service, who was in St. John several months last summer, and when here boarded at the Waverley House. It is said that a [Page 489] dozen shots were fired at Captain Willett, of the Chesapeake, none of which took effect. The first engineer was wounded; the second engineer, who was in charge of the engines at the time of the occurrence, was killed, and his body thrown overboard—one account says because it was suspected by the confederates that he was exhausting the steam in the boilers, and making other preparations to blow the vessel up. After the death of the second engineer, the first engineer was compelled to work the engines. The mate was wounded in the leg. The crew being secured, one of the passengers, Captain Osborne, of this port, who formerly sailed the Fellow Craft, was compelled to take the wheel and steer the vessel in the direction of the Bay of Fundy. The other passengers were kept below in the cabin, where they were at the time of the surprise. It is said that the vessel was seized during the weakest watch, and when there were only some five or six of the crew on duty. When the Chesapeake, under its new managers, had arrived up the bay, it hailed Mr. George Mulherrin’s pilot-boat Simonds, and transferred the remaining passengers, some five or six, to her, taking her in tow. Opposite Musquash, New Brunswick, the Chesapeake slowed her engines, and finally stopped; and the confederates allowed those of the steamer’s crew whom they had decided not to detain, just ten minutes to get into boats and go ashore, which they did with considerable agility. But while this was going on, a skiff put off from the shore, carrying on board the Chesapeake a confederate officer, who immediately took command of her. [Another account says he boarded her off Grand Manan.] The steamer then proceeded up to the mouth of our harbor and anchored below Partridge island yesterday (Wednesday) morning about 4 o’clock. Osborne, whose services were no longer required, was then sent ashore. The Simonds, with the passengers from the Chesapeake, arrived yesterday morning about 9 o’clock; Captain Willett also arrived in the Simonds. It is said on the streets that the Simonds took down a crew from this port to man the Chesapeake, under confederate colors; and that when the steamer arrived off Partridge island she was met by a vessel from which she received a supply of coal. It appears there was previously only coal enough on board the steamer to last twenty-four hours. It is also believed that several confederate gentlemen who had been in our city far a number of days back are missing, and the presumption is that they left in the Chesapeake yesterday morning. The officer who boarded the steamer at Musquash would probably convey information to Lieutenant Braine and his party of the exact state of matters off this harbor. It seems that the confederates carried off with them the first and third engineers and some of the firemen.
The above is the substance of statements made by Captain Osborne, who was obliged to play a part in the affair as well as the engineers, and by the American passengers on the steamer.
Since the above was in type, we have read the account of the affair as furnished by the Evening Globe, and have carefully compared the two narratives. They differ in some particulars; but as the greater portion of our information comes from a British subject, and an unprejudiced person, we consider it as correct as can be obtained under the circumstances. From the Globe’s statement we make some quotations:
“* * The second engineer had charge of the engine at the time [of the seizure;] and the conspirators, apparently afraid from his movements that he contemplated either breaking down the engine or bursting the boiler, shot him down in cold blood, a ball passing through his neck and head; his body was afterwards thrown overboard. The first engineer, who hurried up to see what the trouble was, was in the act of stooping down to pick up his comrade, when somebody, with an oath, ordered him to desist, and immediately after he was fired at, the ball carrying away a part of his lip, and inflicting a severe wound. * * The attacking party was composed of sixteen persons, under command of Henry Braine. This Braine has been, we are told, in this city; and it is [Page 490] also currently reported that the party rendezvoused here; they went on in the American boat to Portland, thence overland to New York. At New York Braine represented himself as an agent of some English steamboat company, and the courtesy of a free pass in the Chesapeake was extended to him. He requited this kindness in the way stated above. The second in command is named Parr, and he claims to be one of the officers who escaped with Morgan. * * Captain Willett says that the parties generally were poorly clad, and looked to be in straitened circumstances. He also says that he and his crew were robbed of nearly everything they possessed; the passage-money collected on the voyage was taken from him. The Chesapeake had very little coal, and a small amount of provisions. Braine said he would take the steamer to Wilmington.”
The vessel and cargo are valued at 180,000 dollars. The passengers and crew of the Chesapeake are reported as stating here that the parties who seized the steamer included St. John and Carleton men, but no explanation is offered as to how they were able to recognize men whom they had never seen before as belonging to this city. An opinion also seems to prevail among their friends here that Captain Osborne was mixed up in the plot; and in proof of this they say that when Lieutenant Braine awoke him in the cabin and ordered him on deck, Osborne kicked the lieutenant. We presume that some allowance must be made for lacerated feelings under these circumstances. Every one, whether northern or southern in sympathy, must regret the shedding of blood in the affair. It is to be hoped that no person in this community has had anything to do with the capture.
[Enclosure 2 in No. 7.]
Extract from the St. John, New Brunswick, Daily Evening Globe, (federal organ.)
Extraordinary Affair.—Capture of a federal steamer, and her arrival off St. John.—The steamer Chesapeake, Captain Willett, running between Portland and New York, as a passenger and freight boat, and somewhat famous as one of the steamers engaged with the Forest City in the capture of the men who stole the revenue cutter out of Portland harbor, left New York on Saturday last at 4 p. m., with a number of passengers. On Monday morning, at 1.30, when twenty miles north-northeast of Cape Cod, the officers and crew were overpowered by a portion of the passengers, and the vessel taken possession of in the name of the Confederate States.
It was in the morning watch, and of course the greater portion of the crew were in their berths. The first intimation the captain had of anything wrong was his being fired at two or three times from behind as he Was going below. He thinks he was fired at nine times in succession, and wonders he was not killed. He escaped unscathed. He was then collared, a pistol put to his head, and his surrender demanded as a prisoner to the Confederate States. The second engineer had charge of the engine at the time, and the conspirators, apparently afraid from his movements that he contemplated either breaking down the engine or bursting the boiler, shot him down in cold blood, a ball passing through his neck and head; his body was afterwards thrown overboard. The first engineer, who hurried up to see what the trouble was, was in the act of stooping down to pick up his comrade, when somebody, with an oath, ordered him to desist, and immediately after he was fired at, the ball carrying away a part of his lip and inflicting a severe wound. The mate was hit by two balls, one in the arm and one in the knee; but is not dangerously wounded. All of the statements that we have heard concur in that no demand was made for the surrender of the vessel; no intimation of any kind given before the firing of the shot. The ruffians then spread themselves through the [Page 491] vessel; the officers and crew, twelve or fourteen in number, were handcuffed; and the passengers, of whom there were six or eight, were given to understand that they would be allowed their liberty if they kept quiet.
The attacking party was composed of sixteen persons, under command of Henry Braine. This Braine has been, we are told, in this city, and it is also currently reported that the party rendezvoused here; they went on in the American boat to Portland, thence overland to New York. At New York Braine represented himself as an agent of some English steamboat company, and the courtesy of a free pass in the Chesapeake was extended to him. He requited this kindness in the way stated above. The second in command is named Parr, and he claims to be one of the officers who escaped with Morgan.
When the boat was taken possession of, Braine said they intended to go to St. John. Among the passengers was a man whose name we did not hear, belonging to this city. On ascertaining that he was acquainted with the Bay of Fundy, Braine compelled him to act as pilot. On Tuesday morning the Chesapeake stopped at Seal Harbor, or some other similarly named place in Grand Manan. Last night about 10 o’clock she came up near Partridge island, and a passing pilot-boat was hailed, ordered to come to, and the crew, wounded mate and passengers, put on board and brought to this city, where they arrived at 4 o’clock this morning. When Captain Willett was ironed, he urgently requested to be allowed to speak to the engineer; the request was not granted at first, but, yielding to his importunities, an interview was allowed him. His first instruction was to break down the engine, but here one of the party interposed, and threatened instant death to the engineer should he attempt anything of the kind. The engineer was not landed with the rest of the crew, but carried off to work the steamer, none of the party on board being acquainted with machinery. Braine said that he intended to have brought two engineers with him from New York, but they got drunk and it was impossible to get them on board. Captain Willett says that the parties were generally poorly clad, and looked to be in straitened circumstances. He also says that he and his crew were robbed of nearly everything they possessed; the passage money collected on the voyage was taken from him. The Chesapeake had very little coal, and a small amount of provisions. Braine said he would take the steamer to Wilmington. There was a report that the Chesapeake had obtained coal from a schooner in the bay, but all the evidence, so far as we could learn, is against this. It was also said that several parties here belonging to the Confederate States went off in the steamer this morning. The whole thing was undoubtedly premeditated, as southern Americans here have boasted, during the past two or three days in our hearing that something startling would soon take place, and this affair is thought to be but the beginning of some comprehensive scheme, the special object of which is as yet a mystery.
The killing of the second engineer was a cowardly act, and the whole thing, though evidencing some skill in the planning, lacks the higher qualities of courage or heroism to extenuate it.
The steamer and cargo are said to be worth $180,000. There was a small amount of ammunition on board, but no ball. Emery and Fox are the agents of the steamer at Portland. The Church Witness to-day says that an officer in the confederate service who has been staying at the Waverley Hotel lately left the city yesterday afternoon in a pilot-boat.
The names of the crew landed here are as follows:
Isaac Willett, Captain.; John P. Willett, Francis St. Clair, D. C. McAllister, David Hopkins, Albion Oslin, John Anderson, Peter Whalen, Thomas Hudkins, Richard Leisson, Joseph H. Curtis.
In the above are the names only of those at the Mansion House. We have not that of the wounded mate, nor those of two or three others of the crew.