a single shell exploding near it killed and wounded half the number of men by whom it was worked.  Each ship fought her starboard broadside, and steamed in a circle to keep that side to the enemy.  So, for an hour, this, to a distant spectator, monotonous manoeuvre continued, without perceptibly narrowing the range.  Captain Semmes was standing on the quarter-deck when the chief engineer sent word to say that the ship was endangered by leakage.  The first lieutenant, Mr. Kell, was sent below to inspect the damage.  He returned with word that the ship was sinking.  Captain Semmes at once ordered the ship to be put about and steered towards shore.  But the water was rising in her:  the fires were speedily extinguished.  The Alabama’s shot from slackening had now ceased.  It was evident to all on board that she was doomed.  To have continued firing would have been to indulge a stupid rancour, and to act in such a manner is not in the nature of a seaman like Captain Semmes.  On the contrary, his thoughts were directed towards saving the lives of his crew.  He gave command for the Confederate flag to be hauled down.

Many wild stories are being told of something like a mutiny of the crew at this desecration of the Southern banner; of how they implored the Captain to spare them the disgrace of it; and of a certain quartermaster drawing his cutlass, daring any hand on board to haul down the flag, and being dramatically threatened with a loaded pistol by Mr. Kell, the First Lieutenant, and so brought to his senses.  The fact is, that the flag came down quietly and decorously.  All on board perceived that there was no help for it, and that it would be a shocking breach of humanity to imperil the lives of the wounded men.

The general detestation of the Yankee was yet more strongly instanced when the men were struggling for life in the water.  The head of every man was pointed away, as if instinctively, from the vessel that stood nearest to rescue him.  One who was hailed from the Kearsarge with the offer of a rescue, declined it civilly, and made his way for the neutral flag.  The men swam as if they had still an enemy behind them, and not one that was ready to save.  Tardy as were the boats of the Kearsarge in descending to perform this office, they found many of the poor fellows still painfully supporting themselves above the surface.  Of these, both men and officers, when, after being hauled into the boats, they had dashed the blinding salt water from their eyes and discovered among whom they were, many sprang overboard again, preferring any risk to the shelter of the Federalists.  Hatred to the flag of the old Union and love of their Captain appear to have been their chief active passions.  When taken on board the Deerhound, the question as to the safety of Captain Semmes was foremost in every mouth.