(Tuesday) her appearance off
Cherbourg Breakwater. At anchor in the harbor was seen the celebrated
Alabama--a beautiful specimen of naval architecture, eliciting encomiums
for evident neatness, good order, and a well-disciplined crew,
indicative of efficiency in any duty required. The surgeon of the
Kearsarge proceeded on shore and obtained pratique for boats. Owing to
the enforcement of the neutral twenty-four hour regulation, to anchor,
became inexpedient; the result was the establishment of a vigilant
watch, alternately, at each of the harbor entrances, which continued to
the moment of the engagement.

On Wednesday, Captain Winslow paid an official visit to the Admiral
commanding the Maritime District and the U. S. Commercial Agent,
bringing on his return the unanticipated news that Captain Semmes
declared his intention to fight. At first, the assertion was hardly
credited, the policy of the Alabama being regarded as in opposition to a
conflict, but even the doubters were speedily half convinced when the
character of the so-called challenge was disclosed, viz.:

"C. S. S. ALABAMA, Cherbourg, June 14th, 1864.

"TO A. BONFILS, Esq.,
"Cherbourg--

"_Sir_: I hear that you were informed by the U. S. Consul, that the
Kearsarge was to come to this port solely for the prisoners landed
by me, and that she was to depart in twenty-four hours. I desire
you to say to the U. S. Consul that my intention is to fight the
Kearsarge, as soon as I can make the necessary arrangements. I hope
these will not detain me more than until to-morrow evening, or
after the morrow morning at farthest. I beg she will not depart
before I am ready to go out.

"I have the honor to be

"Very respectfully,
"Your obedient servant,
"R. SEMMES,
"Captain."

This communication was sent by Mr. Bonfils to the U. S. Commercial
Agent, Mr. Liais, with a request that the latter would furnish a copy to
Captain Winslow for his guidance. There was no other defiance to combat.
The letter that passed between the commercial agents, was the challenge
about which so much has been written. Captain Semmes indirectly informed
Captain Winslow of his desire for a combat. Captain Winslow made no
reply, but prepared his ship to meet the opponent, th