Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1836-09-30
Constitution and Guerrierre.

constitution ana Osuerflefre.
An anecdote relating to the capture of tn,
Guerrierre has lately gone the rounds of tn,
papers which is stated to have been from ar
unquestionable source, and Characteristic o
the coolness prudence and superior skill o
the gallant American Commander. The
anecdote is doubtless correct in each impor
tont particular, although we have often heard
it related with some additions and slight va
riations, by person who was on board the
Constitution when the occurrence took place.
His version was as follows:
The Guerrero was lying to. The Con
stituion was leisurely bearing down upon
the enemy under three topsais-every man
was at his respective station, and all on
hoard were eager for the contest-when the
Guerrierre commenced the action at long
shot. Commodore Hull gave peremptory
order to his officers not to apply a single
match until he gave the word In few
minutes forty two FOUNDER from the Guer-
rerre took effect, and killed and wounded
some of our brave tars. Lieut. Morris i'm
mediately left his station on the gun deck to
report the same to the Commodore-and re-
quesed permission to return the fire, as the
men were very DESTROYS to engage the enc
my. MIR Morris" was the Commodore's
reply, ARE you ready for action on the gun
deck ~
"Yes sir"
swell, keep so but don't let a gun be
fired till give the word"
In few minutes Mr. Morris again ap-
peared, and stated that he could with diff
Guilty restrain the men from giving a broad
side, so anxious were they to commence the
engagement
"Mr Norris" reiterated the Commodore,
intently gazing on the English frigate, ARE
you ready for action on the gun deck ?"
Yes, strand it is impossible for me
any longer to restrain the men from firing
on the foe Their passions are wrought up
to the highest possible pitch of excitement
Several of our bravest seamen are already
killed or wounded"
Keep cool, Mr. Morris, keep cool. See
all prepared, and do not suffer gun to be
fired till give the word"
The gallant Lieutenant went below. In
few moments, the vessels having neared
each other, to within pistol shot distance,
Morris was sent for to appear on the quar-
ter deck
Are you all ready for action, Mr. Nor.
risP again demanded the Commodore
"We are all ready, strand the men NUT
tering horrid imprecations because they are
not suffered to return the fire of the enemy"
"F'ire, then, in Gods name |" shouted The
Commodore, in & voice of thunder. 1t is
added that he wore at the time a pair of
nankin tights-and he accompanied his soul
cheering order with such a tremendous
stamp on the deck with his right foot, that
the unfortunate pantaoons were completely
split open from the knee TO the waistband
The conduct of Dacres. before and during
the action, was such as might be expected
from a brave and generous enemy. MIR
Reed, young man belonging to Brewster,
Mass at present respectable ship master
out OF Boston, had been pressed on board
the Guerrierre a few weeks previous to the
engagement Several other American sea.
men were also on board When the Con
stitutlon was bearing down in such gallant
style, and 1t became evident that severe &C.
ton with an American frigate was inevita-
BILE, young Reed left his station and pro-
ceeded to the quarter deck, and respectfully.
but firmly represented to Capt Dacres that
he was an American citizen, who had been
unluslly detained on board the English fri
gate; that he had hitherto faithfully per-
formed the duties which were assigned him.
but that it could not reasonably be expected
that he would fight against his counlrymen
he therefore begged leave to decline the
honor of participating in the engagement.
The English Captain frankly told him
that he appreciated his patriotic feelings
that he did not wish the Americans on
board to use arms against their country.
men and he subsequently, ordered them all
into the cockpit 10 render assistance to the
surgeons if it should be necessary Reed
left the spar deck of the Guerrierre and the
action commenced. Several shots were
known to have taken effect but the Consti.
tuition had not yet fired gun much to the
amazement of the British tars who predic-
ted that the enemy would be taken without
any resistance, with the exception of vete-
ran man Of wars-man, who was in the battle
OF the Nile, and grufily observed, with a sig-
nlticant shake of his head--"The ID
Yankee knows what he's about
A lew moments passed away, and the
Constitution poured in her tremendous broad.
side; every gun was double shotted and
well pointed and the effect which !, had
on the enemy can hardly be conceived
M'stlmed Jesis and jeers at the imperturba.
bic but harmless Yankee, gave place to the