Sunday, June 30.—Dies memorabilis. At about 2 a.m. the steamer Empire Parish came alongside and put on board of us about 100 barrels of coal. At 10:30 a.m. this steamer having returned from Pass à l’Outre, a boatman pulled under our stern and informed us that the Brooklyn was no where to be seen and that the pass was all clear. We immediately got underway and steamed down the pass. The pilot, becoming alarmed, expressed his unwillingness to take us out, as he had not been out of the pass for three months and “would not run us ashore for anything.” This was really provoking. However, I hoisted my jack for a pilot, and as good luck would have it, as I ran by the pilot station a bold fellow jumped on board of me and his wife waved him on to his duty as we passed, and we continued on our course rapidly for the bar. In the meantime we had some time before discovered the Brooklyn some 7 or 8 miles to the southward of the bar under steam and hurrying up to prevent our escape. We dashed by the Bremen ship on the bar which considerately slacked a bow warp to let us pass more conveniently , and hauling close round her head spars to the northward, we were in a few moments outside of the bar. The Brooklyn had by this time approached us within about 4 miles, and was making every effort to overhaul us. A deeply exciting chase commenced, and I was for some time doubtful of my success. The Brooklyn had the reputation of being very fast both under sail and steam, and I was very doubtful whether my gallant little ship had the heels of her. The Brooklyn having made sail,we did the same, steering first N.N.E., then N.E. by N., then N. E., then N. E.by E., and so hauling in a gradual curve seaward . The Brooklyn having emerged from a squall in which she had been hid loomed up very large with her heavy battery and tall spars, her flag being plainly distinguishable at her peak. At length it began to be perceptible that we were dropping her by slow degrees, and my excited nervous system experienced a partial relaxation from the tension to which it had been strained for the last three hours. At 3:30 the Brooklyn, seeing that we had the heels of her, gave up the chase and bore up to the northward. Called on hands, sent them into the rigging and gave three cheers for the Confederate flag, after which, by invitation, I met the officers in the wardroom and drank a glass of wine with them in honor of the event. It was a positive luxury as the evening set in to breathe the pure air and look over the vast expanse of blue waters, with the feeling of a liberated prisoner. What an eventful career we have before us! May the Almighty smile upon us and our cause, and may we show ourselves worthy servants of Him and it. Night beautiful and starlight, with a light in the north throwing a pencil of rays to the northeast as if lighting us on our way.
Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •