Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-10-31

not reasonably be expected that lie would
light against his conntrymen--he therefore
begged leave 10 decline the honor OF partici-
psiing in the engagement.
/ The Engl,ah Captain frankly told him tnat
he appreciated his patriotic feelings 'hal ne
lid not wish the Americans on board 10 use
arms against their countrymen; and he SUD-
scauenily ordered them oil into the cockPil
10 render assistance to the surgeons II u
shoud be necessary. Reed len the spnr
deck of the Gnerrierre and the acton com
lmcuce,. Several shots were known 10 have
taken eject. but the Constitution had mol
fred q pun-much 10 the amazement of the
British tars. who predicted that the enemy
would be taken without ANY resistance, with
the exception of veteran man OF f-wars-mon.
who was ~ the battle Of the Nile, and grufffy
observed, with q significant shake OF his head
-"Tbe d-d iankcc knows what he's aboJt."
| A few moments passed away, and the Con-
,tltulion poured IN her tremendous broadsidc;
rycry gun was double shotted aud well point
ed; aud the effect which it had Oh The enemy
can hardly be conceived. Misiiincd jests and
eers at the imperturbablc, but harmless Yam.
kee, gave place to the groans Of the wounded
and dying; and sixteen muiilaled wr"lches
were tumbling down into the cockpit from
The effects of liriirst broadsde
| Dacrcs fought as long AZ a spar was stan
,liug and gun could be brought TO bear
upon the enemy but his masts were com
pletcly swept away, his officers and men
mostly killed and wounded, cncumberlng The
decks while the scupp"rs were streaming
with gore when the Guerrerre, which q
lew hours before was considered one OF the
most splendid specimens ot naval orchItcc-
lure winch belonged Ia the British Navy, lay
on the water an unsigbtly, unmanngesble
mass when he had 10 longer the stump oi
mast lett from which TO display the proud
flng Of his country, the gallant Briton began
Ia think lhat he had got into an ugly scrape,
rom which he could not possibly oxtricate
himself. lie could no longer oppose even
feeble resistance TO his more fortunate foes.
Captain Huh sent an officer to take pos
session Of the Gucrrierrc. When he arrived
along side, he demanded of the commander
vi tue English Frignte, If he had struck.
| Dacrcs was extremely reluctant to make
this confession m PLAIN terms, but with IA
shrcwdncss which would have done honor to
Yankee, cndcayorcd to cvadc The question.
| IL do not know that it would be prudent
to continue The engag cement any longer"
| ~ Hhu'ISt"pu w" " "e"y '"'' ~" INV
struck 2" inquired the American Lieutenant.
mot precisely" returned Dacres; :" but
don't know that II would be worth while to
fight any longer"
"lf you think it advisable, ! will return
aboard" replied the Yankee, land we will
resume the engagement"
"Why, am pretty much hors du combat" I"
said Dacres-" l,uve hardly men enough
left to work gun, and my ship is in sink
ing condition"
~ wish To know, SIR" peremptorily de-
mandcd the American officer, whether am
TO consider you prisoner OF war or an enc
my? ] have no further time for parley."
IL believe there is no olternatlve-f |
could fight longer ! would with pleasure-
but ! ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS prisoner
nf war;