Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-08-28
PERRT'S VICTORY.

in the New England Journal OF MeGl-
cine aud Surgery, Tor October, 1918, we
ind an Interesting surgical account Of
the celebrated naval battle ON Lake e.
RE, by Usher Parsons, NJ. ID. now Of this
town, but at that eventfui period sur
geon in the naval service Of the United
States. Seldom or never descending to
details of peril and disaster, the official
reports of military commanders convey
no adequate conceptions OF the horrors
OF battle scene. The account from
which the annexed exit acts are made, is,
however, of a different characteristics
cr,bing, as it does, with professional ac
curacy, the dreadful consequences of
even victorious strife. Every thing con-
nected with the fame of the gallant Per-
r. awakenS interest, and Ur. P's narra-
ratiye illustrates both his humanity and
his valor. iror. american.
a ous 10 O'clock, or d clear pleasant
day, Ae met the enemy The action
5000 became general, and was severe
~ Fit, especially on board the law
renee, the flag ship; two CT the enc
my's largcst yesscls engaged her. at q
snort distance, for nearly two hours:
part OF which time the men frll on board
OF her faster than they c,oold he taken
below. TOE vessel b. ing shallow
built, afforded no cockpit, or place of
shelter for the wounded; they were.
therefore, received on the Ward-roen
foes, which was about on a level with
the surface Of the water. Being only
nine or ten feet squire, this floor was
soon covered, which made it necessa-
rytopass the woundei out into another
apartment as fast as the bleeding could
be s.aanched either Ivy hgatures or
tournlquet Indeed this was all that
was attempted for their benefit curing
the engagement, except that, in some
instances, division was made Of a small
portion Of flesh, by which dangling
limb, that annoyed the pattent, " as
hanging to the BODY. Several, after
receiving this treatment, were again
wounded, among them was midship-
man L. NIB, who was moving from
me with I tOurIique, on the arm, " hen
he received a cannon ball in the chest.
and a seaman brought dow n W lth both
arms fractured, was afterwards struck
10y cannon ball in beth low er cxtfe-
mites.
An hour'S engagement had so FIR
swept the deck, that new appeals for
Surgical aid were less frcqu. III: there
YVES a remission at tins time verv de
sirable both to the wounded and my
,tii' Tor the repeated request of the
Commodore, TO spare him another
man, had taken from ne the last one
l had to assist in moving the wound
ed; ~ fact many Of the ounded The m
selves took TO deck ag in at this crni
.ral moment Cor prospects ne, elthe.
less Garkened, every new visitor from
The deck bringing tidings still more
dismal than the last, Hh finally it was
announced that we had struck. The
effect OF this on the " ounded was dis
hfssIng IN tie extreme; medical aid
was rejected; aud little else could he
heard from them than "sink the ship"
let Us all sIuk together" Bit his
't''e of despair was short The Com
no6ore, who was sill rrIult, had
zone on board tie Niagara, and with
-le small vessels bea;ng down UPON
e emery, soon brought down the
idgs OF their two heaviest ships, and
tus charged tlr horrors of defeat into
houts q victory But all tie wound
Were not penn I'D to mpelc in the
y. The gallant Brooks, and some
ihlrN y ere 10 nNIn 'tncN Nrrr 100