Posted on 11/18/2021 4:46:05 AM PST by Homer_J_Simpson
We announced in the TIMES of yesterday morning the capture of the two rebel Commissioners, Messrs. MASON and SLIDELL. The following dispatches, from our Washington correspondent, give the particulars of the capture, with various interesting incidents attending it:
WASHINGTON, Saturday, Nov. 16.
The city was made joyful to-day by a rumor which gained currency about noon, to the effect that ex-Senators MASON and SLIDELL, the Envoys of JEFF. DAVIS to England and France, respectively, had been taken at sea, and were now prisoners on board a United States vessel of war. An hour later, Capt. ALFRED TAYLOR, of the navy, arrived by a special train from Baltimore, bearing dispatches to the Government, from Commodore WILKES. These official documents, numbering near a dozen, give full particulars of the capture, and are at present in the hands of the Government, to be fully examined before publication. The general facts connected with the arrest are as follows:
Commodore WILKES, while returning from the Coast of Africa, in the San Jacinto, stopped at Havana to take in coal, and while there, learned that Messrs. MASON and SLIDELL were to leave on the 7th, on the British Mail steamer Trent, for England. Capt. WILKES heard, about the same time, that the Sumter was off Laguayra, and he determined to capture her if possible.
While steaming through the Bahama Channel he encountered the Trent, and brought her to by firing two shots across her bow. Lieut. FAIRFAX, of the San Jacinto, was immediately sent on board with a boat's crew and marines, and asked of the master of the Trent to see his passenger list. This was denied, and Lieut. FAIRFAX then stated that his purpose was to take into custody Messrs. SLIDELL and MASON, whom he knew to be on board, and those who accompanied
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
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Link to previous New York Times thread
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The Great Rebellion: Further Particulars of the Capture of Slidell and Mason – 2-3
The News from Europe: Additional by the Niagara – 3
The Rebel Commissioners to Europe – 4
Will There Be an Anglo-American War? – 4
English Letters from America: The Latest Correspondence of Mr. Russell, of the London Times – 4-6
Editorial: The Seizure of Rebel Agents-Actions of Capt. Wilkes fully Sustained by English Decisions – 6-7
Editorial: Opening a Southern Port – 7
Editorial: The Campaign in Kentucky – 7-8
A Good Time to Moderate Their Tone – 8
The Laying of the Cable between Africa and Europe – 8
From the Enemy – 8
bkmk
It’s not often noted that Commodore Wilkes, was the commander of the US Exploring Expedition of 1838 - 1842 which first discovered Antarctica was a continent, mapped hundreds of islands in the So Pacific (some of the charts they made were still in use in WWII) and mapped large areas of the Puget Sound. They also collected thousands of specimens of flora and fauna which became the beginning of the Smithsonian Institutions collections.
I just finished reading an excellent account of this epic circumnavigation in “the Sea of Glory” by Nathaniel Philbrick. Very readable.
This is interesting news to me. I linked your reply to today’s NYT post on Twitter so my ACW buds there can see it.
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