The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-02-04
ATE POTOMAC AROUND THE WORLD
DURING THE YEARS 1914


of expectation on board the Potomac when the at
tack on QualLah-bdttOO-wa resolved on.
Our ship now presented busy scene.-It was
determined to commence attack upon the town
the next morning, and every necessary preparation
was accordingly made. Muskets were cleaned,
cartridge boxes bucled on, cutlasses examined and
put in order, &c. During the evening the Com
modore sent for the officers commanding the several
divisions and gave them their instructions. They
were ordered to land, surround the town and forts,
and demand, indemnity for the outrage committed
upon the Friendship with the punishment of those
concerned in the barbarous massacre of her crew.
had some conversation with few of the Junior
officers, upon the subject of the perous enterprise
in which they were about to embark. They felt
that it would not be much matter Jest as they
had been disposed to think it might be. There was
some shrinking at the thought ofimpending danger.
They might however have remembered, that
''Ihe brave man Is not he who feels no fear
For that british and irrational;
But he whose noble soul its fears subdues
And bravely dares the danger nature shrinks from"
At eight bells twelve o'clock at night all hands
were called, Those assigned to take part in the
eypedition were mustered when Lieut.. Shrubrick
the commander of the detachment, gave them spe-
cial orders. No to utter word after he
had entered the boat no man to fire till the
command was given ana man was to desert
his ranks. Considerable time occupied in get
ting the men into the boats, and in making all things
ready Several of the officers felt impatient at the
delay, and fearful that they would be unable
to- effect landing in season to surprise the enemy.
At length the gallant band including officers left the
ship about two o'clock.
The last words were, g Let fall give way men,"
Here was a moment of interest.-All before in re-
gard to fighting the Malays had been mere talk !:
but now there a stern reality. The period had
arrived when the grand object of our VOYAGE hther
was to be accomplished. The death warrant of the
Malays had been pronounced and avenging spirits
had gone forth to demand satisfaction for the wrongs
of their CONFERENCE.-The blow was to be struck
and victory defeat was TO ensue. There was
something awful in the scene before me- The ex-
pedition proceeded slowly their midnight errand
in perfect silence, an occasional whisper from
the officer in command with mutfied oars. the soft
dipping of which could family hear, and moth
ING but the of heaven TO guide to their place
of ofdisembarkment.-My own reflections were any
thing but those of a cheerful character found it
impossible to dvest myself of the fit of melancholy
which had seized me. | retired to my couch, but
not to sleep it seemed as though spell had fallen
upon the ship. Not word was spoken.-The
steps of man had ceased to be heard, save those
of the officer on watch. A silence like that amid
the mournful repositories ofthe dead pervaded the
ship, which proclaimed the hour of the approaching
destiny of the Malays. The hours moved tedious.
ly on, as we anxiously awaited the dawn of day.
Each ones thoughts were busted in contemplation
of wha, might be the fate of his companion in arms
In this state of painful suspense; l for moment
lost myself in sleep, when was awakened by the
quarter master exclaimng, 1" Mr.. w. hot work going
on ashore. Sir" Ii was then broad daylight,
and dressed myself and hurried on deck. The
scene was one of fearful interest. The din of war
heard throughout the town, threatening destruc-
ton to every opposer, the reports of the cannon and
and musketry, as they came laundering across the
water Showed plainly that the work Of death CO.
ing on. Sheets of fire were arising from the town
wrapped M flames, and the launch, with Its coron-
ade and swivels, was doing full execution upon the
re,rcating foe.
Commodore Downs had stationed himself in The
larboard gangway of the ship. with his glass and not
to leave iill the engagement shall be over. He felt
anxious to know how the affair would terminate,
and at times thought it would be necessary to take
the ship in shore in order to procc, his men,
The remainder of us were posted in different parts
of the ship, some in the tops some in the shrouds.
and some on the Jacobs ladder all gazing with
breathless anxiety, of the sailors were in the
rigging, and among them our unfettered Mslay
prisoners, watching the movements with intense