Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1841-09-14
u,N-oF-w\R SHAM FIGHT.

" \
J'isf 70 me De'ardre-Sea Gghi-Wc have
full graphic account Of the oica visit to the L.. :.
Il gun ship Delaware, on Saturday. IN Mondays
National INTEL cenccr. The several Heads of De-
partments. Mr. Ewing excepted. he being indlspos-
ed. with numerous members Of Congress, and some
ladies left the city AZ O'Clock. They were receiv
cd with The usual sau'es. bat we have only room for
the following thrilling description OF sham fight At
sca.-.2m. SeafiacL
After the men had refreshed themselves By good
dinner the drufls beat TO general quarters, which
signifies that men are - man -. tic guns and pre-
pare for action. No sooner was this order given
than a scene 81 action and hustle ensued which IT
would be difficult for lan1sman 10 conceive, and
which once seen can never be forgotten. The whole
crew seemed suddenly have been seized with uni
versal Madness they ran abou. IN ar q Fections,
rs 1T lighted fgu.o was attached behind each
man. from which ne vas va.niy trying 70 escape.
One had his arms and bosom fail 81 p stols; an
other vas carrying hatchcts and boardlng-pikes :;
another was trimming with load Of cutlasscs; an
other had a Fammcr ~ his hand another vas pull
Ing a round tow bag of the spuuge with which be
10 spungc out the piece some were taking of
the aprons or coverings from the touch-holcs 9TH
ers were clearing the touch-holes with small wires
others were handling the brccchlng, or heavy ropes
which receive tie Fecol Of the guns; others c.e.at
ing and pointing the guns the lights were cXtin-
guishcd the magazines opened cartridges hand
cd no. and more things done M minute than can
well be told halt hour tie men hnrrying
backward and forward the officers delivering or
dcrs through thClr speaking trumpets tIicshlpmcn
passing about everywhere, not a VOICE heard tut
the voice of command TIL, ~ length. after al these
multiplied and seemingly confused movements had
come 10 a pause. the word .'FiEE. ~ gwen; and
the mock engagement BEGAN lH earnest. TIE hct-
IS guns were discharged ITTcEularly, bat n very
rapid succession. sometimes several at once. lauine
the ship from stem % stern; ~ TIE meanwhile the
marines commenced discharges of fnueketry the
I.r..ftt if.tt Il ittr tho
sailors. each OF whom had short Gun ana pistol,
both of winch tuey reloaded, firing away with ali
their m vhl. The effect az these milaic founders
were truly astonishing TO the landsmcH, ara IA the
midst of 1t officer went to the g1ng~ay with a
large wooden rattle which he piled vigorously Tor
some moments, when presently up eatle The men in
troops trcadug anothers heels n ii ear haste,
with boardug-piaes, axes, and broad short swords,
with winch they climbed the 6Gi@aI-s a. Il expect
ing 10 meet an enemy cndcavoslng 10 scale tEcir
marine ramparts, and 10 take tho snip 5y boarding.
Those with the pixies STOOD on tine deck and thrust
over the hammocks u at tue heads Of assallants
while those with the swords rushed at thc top and
there stood upon the hammOcks, which arc closely
slowed above the bulwarks, brandishing their
brigh: broad blades and looking it 10 see
their foes climbing iie bulwarks from without.
Sometimes they all rushed IA crowd towards the
bowsp-lt, sometimes to one side OF the ship, some
times the other, tie orders of tie officers re-
sounded ~ the confusion mcanWhie the i0rty-two
Founders laundering away below. and thus
they continued ID dcmOlish theIr liag mary assaIl-
ants uatll, having sunk and destroyed them all,
they ordered to dcsst. and the drums beat u
triumphant sound If IN celebration OF tie victory
Daring this whole scenc--a scene which 10 words
can adequately icscrIbc-thc visitors stood As
constituent, some having climbed NJ on the boats
between the inasts, others being mounted on tie
round-house, aud among them, 20 the establishment
Of many stood the ladies', no what d.smayed or dis
posed To quail faint. bat seeming rather animated
and excited by the gifts and sounds around them,
although the atmosl here flied with smoke, j:
impossible to hear yourself speak, and the deck
tgcmbled beneath their feet.
We had often heard aad read Of engagements at
sea, but never did adequate conception enter cur
mind OF what must be the awful and sou-trauspOrt-
ing terrors and cNcitements Of such spectacle. 1t
seemed pretty formidable even here where there
were none OF those fearful adiuncts winch there en-
nance the horrors Of the sight. Here were shot
rom the enemy, driving IN the baiwagks and send
ing murderous sPlntcrs IN every direction 10 fall
ng Of masis and spars: 10 cory wounds and decks
ailoat with blood. ct from the excitement which
was every where manifested in til short mock fight,
as well by officers as men. by raw landsmcn, and
even by lrail and delicate women it might be well
imagined that where the fearful game S actually
playing in earnest, every thing like fear vauishes
a nlorneit, and all the real horrors OF the are
lost and overwhelmed IN the absorbing anxiety for
victory.