Trial of the Officers and Crew of the Privateer Savannah on the Charge of Piracy Part 9

_Q._ In what capacity were you acting just prior to the time you embarked on board the Savannah?

_A._ I was acting as master of a vessel sailing from Charleston on the Southern rivers, in the rice and cotton trade.

_Q._ What was the name of the vessel?

_A._ The James H. Ladson, a schooner of about seventy-five tons.

_Q._ Was the business in which you were engaged stopped?

_A._ Yes, sir.

_Q._ At what time?

_A._ In December, 1860.

_Q._ What was your employment after that?

_A._ I had no employment after that. The blockade prevented vessels from going out, although some did get out after the blockade was established.

_Q._ State the facts and circ.u.mstances which preceded your connection with the Savannah?

_A._ I joined the Savannah as a privateer, through the influence of acquaintances of mine, with whom I had sailed, and from the necessity of having something to do, and under the idea of legal rights from the Confederate Government.

_Q._ What did you first do in reference to s.h.i.+pping on the Savannah?

_A._ I was on the bay with an acquaintance of mine, named James Evans, who is now, I believe, at Charleston, and who spoke to me about it.

_Q._ Was Evans one of the crew of the Savannah?

_A._ Yes, he was one of the prize crew that went off with the Joseph.

He solicited me to join him, and said that he knew Captain Baker, and that he and others were going in the Savannah.

_Q._ Where did you see him?

_A._ I saw him on the bay at Charleston.

_Q._ Did you go anywhere with him in reference to enlisting?

_A._ Yes, we went to the house of Bancroft & Son, and I was there introduced to Captain Baker.

_Q._ Did you recognize Captain Baker on the cruise?

_A._ Yes, I recognized him then and since.

_Q._ State the conversation?

_A._ Mr. Evans recommended me to Captain Baker as a man who was acquainted with the coast, and who was likely to be just the man to answer his purpose. I partly made arrangements with Captain Baker to--that is, he was to send for me when he wanted me. He further proposed, as nothing was doing, that he would give me a job to go to work on board the Savannah and fit her out; but I had some little business to attend to at the time and declined.

_Q._ State the conversation at Bancroft & Son's when you and Evans and Captain Baker were there?

_A._ These were the items, as near as my memory serves me: that we were going on a cruise of privateering. I considered it was no secret. It was well known, and posted through the city. Previous to that I had met some of the party, who talked about going, and who asked me whether I had an idea of going, and I said I had talked about it. They said that Captain Baker was the officer. I then declined to go, and did not mean to go in her until Sat.u.r.day morning.

_Q._ Did you have a further interview with Captain Baker, or any others of these men?

_A._ I had no other interview with Captain Baker at that time. I had no acquaintance with Captain Baker, or any on board, except these men who came from sh.o.r.e with me.

_Q._ Did you see any one else in reference to s.h.i.+pping on this vessel, except those you mentioned?

_A._ I believe there was a man by the name of Mills who talked of it.

He did not proceed in the vessel. I believe he fitted her out, but did not go in her.

_Q._ Did you talk to any one else in regard to going?

_A._ No; he only told me he was going to get a crew.

_Q._ What articles did you see drawn up?

_A._ There were no articles whatever drawn up, and I do not know what arrangements were made. I understood since I have been here that arrangements were made, but they were not proposed to me. It was a mere short cruise to be undertaken.

_Q._ Was the purpose or object of the cruise stated?

_A._ It was the object of going out on a cruise of privateering.

_Q._ When did you embark on the vessel?

_A._ On Sat.u.r.day night, the 1st of June, 1861.

_Q._ Do you recollect who embarked with you that night?

_A._ Some five or six of us.

_Q._ Give their names?

_A._ Alexander Coid was one (witness identified him in Court), Charles Clarke was another, and Livingston or Knickerbocker was another. I do not recollect any more names. There was a soldier, whose name I do not know, who went on the prize vessel.

_Q._ How did you get from the dock at Charleston?

_A._ In a small boat to a pilot-boat, and in the pilot-boat to the Savannah in the stream. She was lying about three miles from the city, and about three-quarters of a mile from Fort Sumter.

_Q._ How did you get from the pilot-boat to the Savannah?

_A._ In a small boat.

_Q._ And from the dock at Charleston to the pilot-boat?

_A._ In a small boat.

_Q._ Did any one have any direction in the embarkation?