The Deerhound reached Cherbourg on the 17th of June, and between that time and the night of the 18th, boats were observed from the shore passing frequently between her and the Alabama. It is reported that English gunners come over from England purposely to assist the privateer in the fight; this I heard before leaving London, and the assertion was repeated to me again at Havre, Honfleur, Cherbourg, and Paris. If this be the fact, how did the men reach Cherbourg? On the 14th of June, Captain Semmes sends his challenge to the Kearsarge through Monsieur Bonfils, stating it to be his intention to fight her "as soon as I can make the necessary arrangements." Two full days elapse, during which he takes on board 150 tons additional of coal, and places for security in the Custom House the following valuables: 38 kilo. 700 gr. of Gold coin, 6 gr. of Jewelery and set Diamonds, 2 Gold Watches. What then became of the pillage of a hundred merchantmen, the chronometers, etc., which the _Times_ describes as the "_spolia opima_ of a whole mercantile fleet?" Those could not be landed on French soil, and were not: did they go to the bottom with the ship herself, or are they saved? Captain Semmes' preparations are apparently completed on the 16th, but still he lingers behind the famous breakwater, much to the surprise of his men. The Deerhound arrives at length, and the preparations are rapidly completed. How unfortunate that Mr. Lancaster did not favour the _Times_ with a copy of his log-book from the 12th to the 19th of June inclusive! The record of the Deerhound is suggestive on the morning of that memorable Sunday. She steams out from behind the Cherbourg breakwater at an early hour,--scouts hither and thither, apparently purposeless--runs back to her anchorage--precedes the Alabama to sea--is the solitary and close spectator of the fight whilst the Couronne has the delicacy to return to port, and finally--having picked up Semmes, thirteen of his officers and a few of his men--steams off at fullest speed to Southampton, leaving the "_apparently much-disabled_" _Kearsarge_ (Mr. Lancaster's own words) to save two-thirds of the Alabama's drowning crew struggling in the water. An English gentleman's yacht playing tender to a corsair! No one will ever believe that Deerhound to be thorough-bred. CONCLUSION. Such are the facts relating to the memorable action off Cherbourg on the 19th of June, 1864. The Alabama went down riddled through and through with shot; and, as she sank beneath the green waves of the Channel, not a single cheer arose from the victors. The order was given, "Silence, boys," and in perfect silence this terror of American commerce plunged to her last resting place.