[237] and crew of your yacht, the Deerhound, in rescuing him with thirteen of his officers and twenty-seven of his crew from their impending fate, after the loss of his ship. Captain Semmes reports that, finding the Alabama actually sinking, he had barely time to despatch his wounded in his own boats to the enemy's ship, when the Alabama went down, and that nothing was left to those who remained on board but to throw themselves into the sea. Their own boats absent, there seemed no prospect of relief, when your yacht arrived in their midst, and your boats were launched; and he impressively told me that to this timely and generous succor he, with most of his officers and a portion of his crew, were indebted for their safety. He further told me that on their arrival on board the yacht every care and kindness were extended to them which their exhausted condition required, even to supplying all with dry clothing. I am fully aware of the noble and disinterested spirit which prompted you to go to the rescue of the gallant crew of the Alabama, and that I can add nothing to the recompense already received by you and those acting under you in the consciousness of having done as you would be done by; yet you will permit me to thank you, and, through you, the captain, officers, and crew of the Deerhound, for this signal service, and to say that, in doing so, I but anticipate the grateful sentiment of my country, and of the government of the confederate States. I have the honor to be, dear sir, most respectfully and truly, your obedient servant,
Hindley Hall, near Wigan, June 24.
dear sir: I am in due receipt of your esteemed favor of the twenty-first instant, and am gratified to find that the timely aid we rendered with the yacht Deerhound to the gallant captain and officers and crew of the Alabama has met with your approval.
I shall always look back to that event with satisfaction, however much we may regret the result which necessitated my interference.
Yours, very respectfully, 