The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-11-06
A TERRIBLE STORY.


1t was Just before the siormiug of Callao, when
were cruzng of the coast Of Peru, clear afternoon
we saw Just IN with the land, beautiful Spanish soop
Of war lying TO, under cover Of small FORT but at
long distance from the rest Of the feet Our Commo
dore marked out az once for prize The boats were
manned and held in readiness but how they act
with effect, mystery ALL until about bells
OF the afternoon watch there came up so dense fog
that you coudn see the length OF the ship we knew
the bearings Of the enemy, and the fog
on, pulled quietly towards them with mufiicd |,
was fearful enterprise aud many mysterious and dire
ul forebodings passed through mind approach
ed the bark, which the theatre OF OF The bood
est butcheries witnessed IN the Peruvian waters
knew well what the valor Of their would do when
driven to desperation knsw tina, every inch Of deck
would be disputed hit to hlt by the despslring Span
ards, tiil there was not one left TO t cuass or
boarding pike And under such circumstances. would
have given very little for my life. thought OF all the
battles had been in, and yet alive but that
thought could not protect me now my heart began TO
fail me, and for the first time thought seriously Of
dying. or sudden there a slight murnurlng
among our men, and looking upwards, the masts and
yards Of the vessel could be distinctly looming
up through the fog. seemingly to enormous height
In an instant every msgving left me, the dreadful
excitement which carries away from his reason,
and makes him THIRST for the blood Of his brother
than ever did the most ieocous tiger OF the East, for
the prey which nature gives him And !, who but a
few moments before would have gwen worlds to be
any where else, eager rush upon the decks
OF strangers, and bahe my sword in the life blood Of
those men, who had never done me the least injury
AT this moment, not sound heard, except the
shortened breathings Of OR meo, who seen with
their lips compressed, inteny watching the foc ex-
aiming their weapons, Tightening their belts, and pre-
pairing for the desperate encounter which DO the
struggle Of so many brave Tho enemy had no,
yet perceived Us, and under Of the fog drop
ped quietly under the ships stern and upon her
quarters before the alarm given The surprise
compe,e-and such a scene Of uproar and confusion
followed upon her decks would defy all efforts des-
crption. Most Of the mon al that time unpts-
Vlded with arms, and in the rush from all quarters
get al them all order and discipline lost No one
heard the voice OF the commander in tue Of the
moment; our men were now fast leapng on the decks
and commencing the slaughter Oder, however, was
soon restored among then-thoy made a desperate
stand and fairly drove back the first boats crew but
they were continually crowding upon them from all
quarters. and The attempt to repe them was in vain
many OF the men who were unarmed now began 10 see
the hopelessness of their condition. and lcaped to the
sea by scores. 10 avoid falling into our hands
But voluntary death is trfing matter aud these
lfated men found toe late that drowning is not so
very pleasant, after all Il was heart rendng 10 hear
their shrleks and howngs they caught hold Of their
boats themselves, and had their hands cut off
IN the attempt Poor fellows. it was hard thing for
me, but were under the necessity Of doing It, or
else, from their numbers, had all been buried in the
ocean together
You may form some idea Of the number OF men who
persisted in this way, from the fact tia. after the en-
gagement was over from the single boat TO which be-
ionged took up my tarpauln hat 1--WE times full Of
human fingers, aud threw them into the sea Our boat
was prevented for while from coming alongside by
the others, which occupied every accessible point and
began TO fear should participate IN the honor Of
Capturing The puze. However, we soon crowded our.
selves up under the main chains, and hogan to climb
the SIDE; tho third lieutenant, who was IN our boat,
had nearly reached the top of the MEETINGS and was
standing on the forward thwar Of the boat when one
oil our men, who IL the act OF throwing hand.
grenade, was horribly mutated by its explosion he
gave leap into The AR and fell heavily into the boat
torn and mangled corpse. looked for monen, 4,
the Disgusting remains OF my comrade. I'll my blood
iroze IN my veins and crePt with icy codaess to the
extrem'iies oil my fingers, then eapng upwards caught
the lanyard OF backstay b. this time our hru,nsnt
raised himself proudly to his utmost hert, stood IN m
attitude that would have done honor TO any celebrated
actor OF tragedy, and fourshlng his sword over his
head, the point OF springng down on the foe,
shouting with all his might, Now my brave fellows.
now"-wheu half dozen boarding pixies were thrust
al him with swIll and a precision Of ain, thar mus,
have proved fatal had he avoided the bnsiy danger
spnngng backward ato the rigging; but instead OF
catering as ne intended, in the shruuds he came lun.
oerng down The ships side. bringing three or four men
win MN, and taxing me IN taeir course ali wen, nell
NEIL into the boat together Il was IN Tn, hre. n,cL
tumble that received tho wound IN NV h,,,., ,,b,oh
let this scar. Though did not perceive Il al Tho I'm.
Y uns, have been done ny back handed pl,,, go
III Io sCaaat's sSo53
roI the love OF mercy, get on my head cried I
as load aS | could ariiculate with my mouth ana
'nIod' hlcd with blood. :" Oh are ycu alive then