Lincoln telegraph., 1838-05-31


by letter from Utica this morning, of the
death of Commodore MEALANcTHoN T..
WooLsEy, of the United States Navy. He
had been indisposed for several weeks
first from erysipelas, and then dIopsy. We
know not the exact age of the Commodore,
but he was probably not far from sixty.
Our first knowledge of him as an officer,
was during the "restrctive energies of
Mr. Jefferson. In order to enforce the en-
barge and non-intercourse laws, an armed
brig was built upon Lake Ontario, called
the Oneida, the command of which was
assigned to Woolsey, then lieutenant
He had seen much previous service on
the ocean, and was engaged in the Tripoli-
tan war with Decatur and others.
He remained in the lake service for sew
eral years and was one of the most active
and efficient officers during the war with
Great Britain, under Commodore Chaun-
cey. Several very gallant affairs were
conducted by him with signal success.
When the U. S. were building the large
ships at Sacket's Harbor, Woolsey was
Sc mt to bring the anchors, cables and rig
ging from below.
The roads at that day were so bad from
Rome to Sactett's Harbor, as to render
their transportation by land all but imprac-
ticable 1t was therefore determined, if
possible, TO take them in Durham hosts,
through Wood Creek and Oneida Lake, to
Oswego, and thence round, keeping the
boats close in shore, to Sackett's Harbor.
Ascertaining, however, that his intentions
had been discovered by the enemy through
the instrumentality of spies, and the British
commander on Lake Ontario was prepar-
ing to intercept:his boats, Woolsey resort
ed to a stratagem which so far threw Sir
James Lucas Yeo from off his guard, as
we'll nigh to secure his success. The
voyage from Oswego was commenced
prosperously- Woolsey himself proceeded
along the shore by land ,and watching their
movements. When off the mouth of Sal.n-
on river, however, detachment of the en-
emy's Aotila discovered the boats. which
were compelled to put into that harbor for
shelter, and the naval stores were hurried
on shore, where the only armed protection
consisted Of company Of riflemen, under
Major Appleton.
A detachment OF the enemy entered the
harbor in pursuit, and landed. BY advice
of Woolsey, and under his own conduct,
the rllemen were placed in ambush, with
directions not to fire until the near ap-
proach of the enemy. The enemy advan-
ced unconscious of the ambuscade, until
within a convenient distance, when they
were received by destructive fire. In a
loud voice Woolsey ordered ga charge"
wherupon the rifemen rushed impetuously
forward, with loud cheers, and holding
their weapons in the position of charged
bayonets. The result was the surrender
Of the enemy at discretien. They were
commanded by an officer named Popham,
of the British navy, an old acquaintance of
Wooley's. AS Popham came forward to
surrender his sword, Woolsey exclaimed
"why, Popham, what on earth are you do
ing up this creek:" After some indiffer-
ent reply and survey of Woolsey's force,
Popham observed---"Well, Woosey, this
is the first time l ever heard Of riAemen
charging bayonets !''
The first attempt of the enemy upon
Sackett's harbor was repelled by Woolsey,
with the Oneida brig alone. This affair
early in the war, before the Uni
t6u OtdteS WeIc PIcpiiSu " tdhO tho iahO
with squadron. He was also in command
at Oswego. where the attack of the British
was so brilliantly repulsed, on which oc-
casion he displayed great skill and bravery.
He remained in command Of the marine
at Sackett's Harbor after the close of the
war, we believe, until it was determined
by England and the United
States, TO dsmantle and abandon their
ships upon those waters. He was then
transferred to the ocean service, in which
he has been actively engaged the greater
portion of the time since, having been sue
cessively in command of the West India
station, at Pensacola, and the Brazilian
squadron.
BY his decease the country, and the SER
vice, have alike reason to deplore the loss
Of one of its bravest aud best men. He was
in all respects true hearted sailor---bold,
fearless and full of stratagem as an officer;
frank, free, and noble hearted as a man
and like most sailors. generous to fault
He has left family consisting of the wild
ow and seven children-one of whom is in
The navy, and bears his own name Few
men can be called hence who will leave a
wider circle of mourning friends than
T. WOOLSEY.
N Y. Com. Adv.
"To drive bugs from vines.-The rayage
of the yellow striped bug on cucumbers
and melons NAV he effectuallv prevented