Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-07-20
vol. AO..-NuMUER %.


Such was tho terrible scene, amid which wa ksp,
shouting and firing. Our men Tough, like ii.
gers Some Of them pulled on their jackets, others
their iscke's anj vests while some still mote de-
iermined, had taken on theft shirts, and with ao,h.
ing but handkerchief tied around the Wristbands
OF their ,rowscrs, fought like heroes also obsorv-
I'd = boy named Cooper, stationed at a gun some
dist,nte from the magazine. lilo camo to and fro
on The full run, and appearing to he az merry
cricket The third lieutenant oheered him along,
occasionally, by saying We'll done, my boy, you
are worth your weigh, in gold
] have ofien been asked what were my feelings
during this hght, frls petty much A sappnse
axsfg aas does a snen line. 1,sxs s.sa ~ vim
out thccytt when tbey sand anid lie dslns and The
dead, is too absurd idea To be entertained mo-
men, We all appeared cheerful. bu, know that
many serious thought ran though my mind still
what could we do bit keep up sembsnce. at least.
OF animation ! To run from quarters would have
been certain death from the hand, Of our own Off
GERS TO give way 10 gloom, or to show fcar, would
do no good, and might brand us with the namo of
towards, and ensure certain de feat Our only truc
philosophy, therefore, was 10 make the best OF our
situation by fighting bravoly and chcerfully.
thought great deal, however OF the other world;
every groan, every falling man. told mo that the
next instant / might be before the Judge Of all tho
earth. For this, felt unprepared bu, being with.
out any particular knowledge Of religious truth,
satisfied myself by repeating again and again tho
Lords prayer, and promising that II spared would
be more attentive 10 religious duties than ever DO
fore. This promise bad no doubt, at the time OF
keeping but have learned since that II is easier
to make promises amidst tho roar OF the battles
thunder in the horrors Of shipwreck, than to keep
4. = -
our path.
! While these thoughts secretly agitaied my bosom,
the din Of battle continued. Grape and canister
shot pouring through our port holes like lead
en- rain, carrying death in their trail The largo
shot against the ships slde like iron hail,
shaking her to the very keel or passing through her
timbers and scattering terrific splinters, which did
q more appalling work than even their own death
giving blows The reader may form an idea OF tho
effect of grape and canister, when he is told that
grape shot is formed by seven or eight balls conhn
ed to iron and tied in a cloth TIE Q balls arc
scattered by the explosion OF the powder. Canister
shot is made by filling powder canister with balls.
each as large as two or three muskst balls these
also scatter with dreadful effect when discharged.
What then with spinlefs cannon balls, grape and
canister, poured unnecessarily upon US, the reader
may be assured that the work of death went on in
a which must have been satisfactory evon
to the King OF Terors himself
Suddenly the rafting of the iron hail ceased. We
were ordered to cease firing. A profound silence
ensued, broken only by the stifled proans OF the
brave sufferers below. 1t sscertained that
the enemy had shot ahead to repair damages for she
was not disabled but she could sail without diff
; Guilty while we were so cut up that we lay utterly
helpless. Our head braces were shot away the
hung over The stein, having carried several men
over in its fall were in the state Of a complete
wreck
A council was now held among the officers on tho
quarter deck Our condition was perilous in the
extreme victory escape alike hopeless -
Our ship was disabled m,ny Of our men were kill
ed, and many more wounded. The enemy would
without doubt boar down upon US in a few nts,
and, as she could choose her own position,
aid without doubt rake Us fore and AFT Any
further resistance was, therefore, folly So, in spite
Of the hoibrainel Lieutenant, Mr.. Hope, who adj
vsed them no, to strike, but to sink along side, 1t
, was determined to strike our bunting This
done by the hands OF brave fellow named Watson,
whose saddened brow told how severely It panied
his lion heart to do it. To mo it was a pleasing
, sight for had fighting enough for one Sab
bath than wished 10 again = week
day. His Brsanlc Msjesty's irigaie Macedonian
was the prize OF the American frigns United
! States.
J Before detailing the subsequent, occurrences In
my history, will present the curious reader with a
copy OF Captain Gardens letter to the government.
D describing this action. Il will serve TO show how
b he excused himself for his defeat, well throw
1 some light those parts Of the contest which
r Invisible 10 at my station. My mother presented
me with this document, on my return 10 Egsllnd-
b She had received it from Lord Churchill, and had
= carefully preserved it for twenty years.
. ADNiRALrr OyTcr, Dec 30, 1912.
: Copy o. letter from Captain John Sufman Car
den, late commander Of his Majesy's ship The Ma
e cedonan, to John Wilson Cocker, Esq dated on
: board the American ship United States, al sea the
: 2sth October, 1919.
2 'Sir-It is with the deepes, regre, have 10 sc.
j. quaint you, for the information Of my Lords Com
missioners Of he Admiralty, tina, Hi. Msjesy- ls,s
j. ship Macedonian captured on the 95,h inst, by
d the United States ship United States, Commodore
y Decatur commander. The detail 10 as folioss
p "A short time sher daylight, steering n. W. b'
1. W, with tbs wind from the southwark, 10 latvd,
d 10 ~ and longitude 20 80 W., In lie execution o
their Loflships orders, sail WAS seen the le'
d beam which nns ii4lsly stool for, and made he
n out - be large frgaie under Amshesn colors.-
20 At nine O'Clock | closed with her. and she corn
al. T.