Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward
Sir: By a despatch sent you by the last steamer, I informed you that a fight was anticipated between the United States ship Kearsarge and the Alabama, and that I had, after a conference with M. Drouyn. de l’Huys, sent my son to [Page 107] Cherbourg with a communication for Captain Winslow. He arrived there at 9½ p. m. Our vice-consul, McLain, who has been at all times prompt and efficient, was at the depot watching for men supposed to be coming to the Alabama from the Rappahannock; none, however, came. The vice-consul applied to the maritime prefect to receive my son, who, when informed that he was the bearer of despatches from me for Captain Winslow, said he would give him a permit to go off to the Kearsarge next morning at 7½ o’clock. The next morning he did so, the ship then lying some six or seven miles off at sea. He found that the prefect had himself already communicated the wishes of this government as to the distance within which it wished a fight should not occur. The next information I received was at about half past 2 p. m. on Sunday, by telegram from my son, in these words: “Cherbourg, 19th June, 1864, 1 o’clock 22′.—The Kearsarge sunk the Alabama this morning, after a fight of one hour and a half. The Alabama sunk five miles from the shore.” This was confirmed by a second telegram, somewhat later in the day, with the additional information that he had been on board the Kearsarge since the fight; that but three of her seamen were wounded; no officers were injured; that there was no important damage to the Kearsarge; that they had taken sixty-five prisoners, but that Captain Semmes and his first lieutenant had made their escape on board an English yacht. For the nationality of this yacht he must have depended, I presume, upon the information derived from those around him. It is by him received, therefore, with proper caution. I subsequently received from him a hastily written letter, dated Sunday, ¼ before 2 p. m., in which he tells me that from an elevated position near Cherbourg he saw the entire fight—that it lasted an hour and a half, at the end of which the Alabama tried to run away, but could not escape. The Kearsarge pursued, apparently, he says. She then surrendered, for the firing ceased. A few minutes after two boats were seen to put off from the Kearsarge, but before they could reach the Alabama she went down in a second, apparently without anything on board.
In the morning of the same day I received from Captain Winslow a telegram in these words: “Alabama is sunk; had I not better parole prisoners, as they incumber us for want of accommodations? Immediate answer.” To this I replied: “By no means. To parole your prisoners would be to admit the Alabama a regular ship-of-war. Our government has always denied this. The St. Louis will be at Cherbourg in a short time and relieve you of your incumbrance, if you wish it.”
I received a subsequent telegram on the same subject, and then wrote to Captain Winslow a letter, of which I send you, herewith, a copy. I have just learned from an eye-witness that a few of the dead and wounded from the Alabama were on the Kearsarge after the fight. I do not, however, suppose there was great loss of life even on board the Alabama. It is reported ten were killed besides those drowned, but this comes from confederate authority, and I have no great confidence in the accuracy of the statement. The destruction of this vessel off the French coast has excited a great sensation here, and will help to redeem our naval prestige, much diminished abroad of late years. It is but just that I should say that Captain Winslow has been equally prompt and efficient since the arrival of the Alabama in European; waters. Immediately upon being informed by our consul at Cherbourg, on June 11, that the Alabama had arrived there, I telegraphed the fact to the Kearsarge, at Flushing. He answered on the 12th that he would be off Cherbourg about Wednesday—and he was there. He did not enter the port, (which would have subjected him to the application of the twenty-four hour rule,) but laid off beyond the three-miles limit—sometimes even out of sight. My son was informed that Semmes had instructed his agent in Cherbourg to inform Captain Winslow that the presence of the Kearsarge off Cherbourg was an insult! and he intended to come out and meet him. And it is just to say he did so, boldly, in broad daylight, accompanied by a [Page 108] French man-of-war to the distance of at least three miles, to see, doubtless, that the three-mile rule was respected, when she left him, and the battle soon commenced. The whole affair was clearly visible to all those well placed on the shore. Many boats went off towards its close, and helped to pick up the swimming and drowning men. Some were brought by our own boats to the Kearsarge, some were carried on shore, and some got off in an English vessel, and were landed, I am informed by telegram, at Southampton. I have written you a rambling despatch, because in this way only could I send to you the facts which I thought it might be of interest for you to know.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.