Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-04-07

Caledonia Purser M'Grath, ) do; schoon-
err Ariel. Lieutenant Packet, a do Scor-
pion. Sailing master Champlin, 2 do; So
mers, Sailing Master Almy, 2 do, and two
swivels Tigress, Lieut. Conklin, | do
Porcupine, Nldshipman G. Senst, do
Sloop Trppe, Lieut. Smith, do in all 81
guns.
At sunrise they discovered the enemy,
and Immediately got under way and stood for
him with light wind at southwest. The
British force consisted of the snip Detroit,
l9 guns, on pivot and 2 howitzers
Queen Charlotte, H. on pivot schoon-
er Lady Provost, Is, do brig Hunter, 10;
sloqp Little Belt, 8 schooner Chippeway,
] and swivels, in all 65 guns.
AT 10, A. NJ the wind hailed to the south
cas-. and brought our squadron to the wind
ward. Commodore Perry then hoisted his
Union Jack, having for a motto, the dy-
ing words the valiant Lawrence, Don't
give up the ship!" 1t was received with
repeated cheerings by the officers & crews.
And now having formed his line he bore
for the enemy who likewise cleared for
action and hailed up his courses. 1t is deep
ly interesting to picture to ourselves the ad-
vances of these gallant and we'll matched
sauadrons TO contest, where the strife
must be obstinate and sanguinary, and the
event decisive of the fate OF almost an EN-.
pire.
The lightncss of the wind occasioned
them to approach each other but slowly,
and prolonged the awful interval of sus-
pense and anxiety that precedes battle
This is the time when the stouiest heart
beats quick, "and the boldest holds his
breath - it is the still moment of dire
full OK pectation; of fearful looking out for
slaughter and destruction when even the
glow of pride and ambition is chilled for a
while. and nature shudders at the awful
jeopardy Of existence, The very order and
regularity of naval discipline heighten the
dreadful quiet of the moment No hustle
no noise prevails to distract the mind ex
cept at intervals the shrill piping of the
boatswan's whistle, or a murmuring whis-
per among the men, who, grouped around
their guns, earnestly regard the move
ments of the foe, now and then stealing a
wistful glance at the countenance of their
commanders. In this manner did the hos
tile squadrons approach each other, IN mute
watchfaness and terrible tranquility, when
suddenly bugle was sounded from On
board the enemy's ship Detroit, and loud
huzzas Immediately burst forth from all
their crews
No sooner did the Lawrence come within |
reach of the enemy's long guns, than they
opened heavy fire upon her, which, from
the shortness of her guns, she was unable
TO return. Commodore Perry without wait
ing for his schooners, kept on his course in |
such gallant and determined style that the |
enemy supposed it was his intention to !
board In few minutes, having gained
nearer position, he opened his fire. The |
length OF the enemy's guns, however, gave |
them vastly the advantage. and the Law |
renee was excessively cut up without being (
able to do any great damage in return |
Their shot pierced her sides in ali directions. |
killing our men on the birth deck and in !
the Storage, where they had been taken
down to be dressed One shot had nearly (
produced fatal explosion passing through |
the light room it knocked the snuff of the |
can lie into the magazine; fortunately the
gunner happened to see it, & had the pres
ence of mind to extinguish it Immediately
with bis hand.
Indeed it seemed to be the enemys plan
to destroy the commodore's ship and thus
throw the squadron into confusion For
this purpose their heaviest fire was directed
at the Lawrence, and blazed necessarily
upon it from the largest vessels. Finding
the hazard of his situation, Perry made
sail, and directed the other vessels 20 fol-
low for the purpose Of closing with the foe
The tremendous fire, however. to which
he was exposed, soon cut away every brace
and bowline, and the Lawrence became I'M
manageable.
Even in this disastrous plight she sus-
tanned the action for upwards Of two hours,
within canister distance, though for a
great part of the time he could not get
more than three of her guns to bear upon
her antagonist. 1t was admirable to be-
hold the perfect order and regularity that
prevailed among her gallant and devoted