Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-06-06
From the N. Commercial Advertiser.
DEATH OF COMMODORE WOOLSEY.

From the N. Commercial Advertiser.
DEATH OF COMMODORE wOOLsEY.
We have the melancholy intelligence by
letter from Utica this morning, Of Tho death
Of Commodore MELANcTHoN L. WooLsEY,
Of the. United States Navy He had been
indisposed for several wceks--first from
erysipelas, and then dropsy. We know
not the exact age Of the commodore, but
he was probably not far from sixty.
In order to enforce the embargo and non-
intercourse laws, an armed brig was built
upon Lake Ontario, called the Oneida, the
command of which was assigned to Wool.
sey, then a lieutenant. He had seen much
previous service on the ocean, and was en-
gagged in the Tripoltan war, with Decatur
and others.
He remained in the latter service for sew
eral years, and was one Of the most active
and efficient officers during the war with
Grea, Britain, under Commodore Chaun-
cy. Several very gallant affairs were con.
Quoted by'him with signal success. When
the United States were building the large
ships at Sackett's Ilarbor. Woolsey was
sent to bring the anchors, cables, and rig.
gng from below.
The roads at that day were so bad from
Rome to Sackett's Harbor, as TO render
their transportation by land, all but imprac.
tcable. Ii was therefore determined, If
possible, TO take them in the Durham boats
through Wood Creek and Oneida Lake to
Oswego, and thence round, Keeping the
boats close in shore, to Sacyet's lIarbor.
Ascerfaining, however, thai his intentions
had been discovered by the enemy, through
the instrumental Of spies, and that the
British commander on Lake Ontario, wa ;
preparing 10 intercept his boats, Woolsey
resoried 10 a stratagem which SD far threw
Sir S;.mes Lucas Yeo from off his guard,
as well nigh 10 ensure his success. The
voyage from Oswego was commenced
prosperously Woolsey himself proceeded
along the shore by land, aid watching their
movements. When off the mouth Of Sal.
mon river. however, detachment Of the
enemy's fotla discovered the boats, which
we're compelled to put into that harbor for
shelter, and the naval stores were hurried
on shore, when the only armed protection
consisted Of a company of riemen, under
Major Appleton.
A detachment Of the enemy entered the
harbor in pursuit and landed. BY advice
Of Woosey, and under his own conduc;
the rhemen were placed IN ambush, with
direction not 10 fire until the near approach
Of the enemy. The enemy advanced un.
conscious of the ambuscade, until within
convenient distance, when they were re-
ceived with destructive fire. In lout
voice Woolsey ordered ga charge" where
upon the rifemen rushed impetuolisly for
ward, with loud cheers, and holding thei
weapons in the position of charged bayo
nets. The result was the surrender of til,
enemy al discretion. They were com
manded by Popham. Of the British navy
and an old acquaintance OF Woolsey's.
As Popham came forward to surrende
his sword, Woo'sey exclaimed. Why Pop
ham, what on earth are you doing up ihi
creek ~ After some Indifferent reply, all
a survey of WooIsey's force, Popham oh
served--" Well, Woolsey, this is the frs
time ever heard Of rhumen charging bay
\ oneis !"
\ The first attempt of the enemy upo
SackeIt's IIarbor was repealed by Woo!Sel
with the Oneida brig alo,e. This utf
happened early in the war, before the Uni
ted States were prepared 70 take the lax
with squadron. lie was also IN co;nman
at Oswego, where the attack Of the BIRTHS
was SO brilliantly repulsed, on which occu
sion he displayed great skill and bravery.
He remained in command of the mar n
at Sackett's Harbor after the close of IN
war, we believe, until it was determine
r,.'ually by England and the United State
10 dismantlc and abandon their ships upo
those waters. He was then trai sferred I
the ocean service, in which he has been ao
lively engaged the greater portion of III
time since, having been successfully
command of the Wesl India station, at Pei
sacola, and the Brazilian squadron.
Bv his decease, the country and the sc
vice. have alike reason to deplore the 10:
Of one Of its bravest and best men. n
was in all respects a true hearted sailor
bold, fearless, and full of stratagem as q
officcr--frank, free. and noble hearted ,
man--aLd like most sailors, generous
fault. He has left family consisting
the wife and seven chidren--one of who
is in the navy, and bears his own name.-
Few men can be called hence who will lea,
a wider circle Of mourning friends tina
MELANCTHON L. WOOLSEY.
---------
Western Rail Road.--Under the dire,
tion Of the efficient Agent and Enginee
this work is going forward with spirit