| From the Southern Federal Union
(Milledgeville, Ga.) |
| |
| July 16, 1861 |
| |
| [Correspondent of the Daily Morning News] |
| Tallahassee, July 8, 1861 |
| The telegraph has already
informed you of the brilliant adventure of the Florida boys in
capturing, on the 3d inst., off Cedar Keys, four prizes taken by the
Lincolnites in the vicinity of Pass L'Outre, with their prize crews,
consisting in all of one Lieutenant and nineteen sailors. The
prisoners were brought here on Saturday last, under charge of Lieut W.
D. Burtchaell, of the Columbus Rifles. The Lieutenant's name is
George L Selden. He was second in command of the Steamer Massachusetts,
and was on his way to Key West with five prizes, when the weather fell
calm, and he drifted off the harbor of Cedar Keys, where he was
captured. He is a native of Virginia, and is the nephew of Wm. Selden,
formerly Treasurer of the United States. A brother of his was a
Lieutenant on board the steamer Wyandotte, but being a
Southerner at hear, as well as by birth, he resigned his commission,
and is now, I believe, in the service of the Confederate States. Pity
the other brother had not followed his example. |
| The capture was made by
detachments from the Columbia Rifles and New River Rifles
under the command of Major M. Whit Smith. They went out in the steamer
Madison, with one six-pounder, and steamed at once towards the
vessels, only four of which were in sight; the fifth a Mexican brig,
with eight hundred barrels of flour, having two days before separated
from the rest and gone on to Key West. They first took possession of
two schooners and carried them inside the bar. The other two put off
as fast as possible, but the steamer went in pursuit and overhauled
them some twenty miles out, and brought them into port. Two shots were
fired at these before they would lower their sails, but without damage
-- one shot passing under the jib of the vessel fired at, and the
other between the sails. Fifteen prisoners, consisting of the crews,
were found on board of the prizes. Their rejoicing, at their
unexpected deliverance was abounded. They shook hands, amid
exclamations of delight, with everybody on board the Madison. |
| The vessels captured were the Olive
Branch, schooner, loaded with turpentine; the Fanny,
schooner, with railroad iron; the Three Brothers, brig, with
brick; and the Basilica schooner. The Fanny was taken
some time back in trying to enter Mobile. The iron on board of her
belongs to a Mobile railroad. One hundred and sixty bars had been
thrown overboard to keep her afloat. |
| The sailors were here lodged
in the city jail but Lieut. Selden is a liberty on his parole. They
will doubtless be sent to Richmond, and will serve for hanging
material in case the Northern vandals execute their threats on the Savannah's
crew. |
| The expedition which resulted
in these captures was well planned, and Maj. Smith, with the gallant
volunteers under his command, deserves the highest praise. I believe
Lieut. Selden has the honor to be the first regular naval officer who
has been obliged to surrender to the Confederate flag, and Florida has
the credit for the accomplishment. Selden is reported to have said
that when men from the plows will venture out in a crazy steamboat and
approach four vessels lying almost within hail of each other, without
knowing their armament and the number on board, the South can never be
subjugated. |
| Yours, D. |
|