The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-08-08

suspense. At last fred the guns from the lar
board side of the main deck this was followed by
the command Cease firing; you throwing away
your shot,
Then the order to swear Ship aud prepare
to attack the enemy with our starboard guns. Soon
after this heard firing from other quarter,
which at first supposed to BIO n discharge from our
quarter deck guns; though proved be the of
the enemy's cannon.
strange noise, such / had never heard before,
next arrested my attention; it sounded like the tear
ing of sails, just heads. This soon ascer-
tanned to DO the wind Of the enemy's shot. The firing
after few minutes cessation, recommended. The
roaring of the cannon could be heard from all
parts OF our trembling ship, and, mingng it did
with that of our foes, it made most hideous noise.
By-and-by heard the shot strike the sides of our
ship; the whole scene grew indescribably confused
and horrible; it was like nwfuly Tremendous
thunder storm, whose deafenng roar is attended by
incessant sreaks of lightning, carrying death in every
FASH and strewng the ground with the victims Of its
wrath; only, in our case, the rendered
more horrible than that by the presence Of torrents
of blood which dyed our decks.
Though the recital may be painful, as it will re-
veal the horrors of war, and show at what fearful
with things they my eye during the progress
of this dreadful fight was busily supplying my
gun with powder, when saw blood suddenly fly
from the arm Of stationed at our gun. / saw
nothing strike him; the effect alone was visible in an
instant, the third lieutenant tied his handkerchief
round the wounded arm, and sent the grooming man
below to the surgeon.
The cries oil the wounded now rang through all
parts of the ship. These were carried to tho cock
pit fast they fell, while those more fortunate
men. who were killed outright, Immediately
thrown overheard AS was stationed but a short
distance from the mid hatchway, l could catch a
glance at all who carried below. glance was
all could indulge in, for the boys belonging TO the
guns next TO mine were wounded in the enry part OF
the action, and had to spring with all my nigh, to
keep three Or four guns supplied with cartridges. l
saw two Of these lads fall nearly together. One of
them was struck in the leg by large shot, he had to
suffer anrputation above the wound. The other had
grape canister shot sent through his ancle
stout Yorkshireman lifted him in his arms and hurried
him to the cockpit He had his foot cut Off and was
thus made lame for life. Two Of the boys stationed
on the quarter deck were killed. They were both
Portuguese man, who of them killed
afterwards told me that his powder caught fire and
burnt the flesh almost off his face In this ptablc
situation, the agonized boy lifted up both hands, as If
mplorng relief when passing shot instantly cut him
in TWO.
/ was eyewitness to a sight equally revolving
man named Aldrich had one of his hands cut off
by a shot, and almost the same moment he receiv-
ed another shot, which open his bowels in ter
rble manner. As he fell, two or three men caught
him in their arms, and as he could live, threw
him overheard.
One of the officers in my division also fell in my
sight. He was noble hearted fellow, named Nan
Kivell. grape canister shot struck him near the
heart; exclaiming ooh! my God' he fell, and was
carried below, where he shortly after died.
Mr.. Hope, our first lieutenant, was also slightly
wounded by grummet, small iron ring, probably
torn from hammock clew by shot. He went be-
low, shouting to the men to fight on. Having had his
wound dressed, he came up again, shouting to at
the top of his voice, and bidding fight with all our
might There not in the ship but would
have reoiced had he been in the place of our mas
ter's mate, the unfortunate Nan Kivell.
The battle went Our men kept cheering with
all their might. l cheered with them, though con-
fess scarcely knew for what. Certainly there was
nothing very inspiring in the aspect of things where
/ was stationed. So terrible had boen the work Of
destruction round us, it termed the slaughter
house. Not only had we several boys and men killed
or wounded, but several Of the guns disabled.
The one belonged to had piece OF the muzze
knocked OUT and when the ship rolled, it struck a
beam ofthe upper deck with such force to become
jammed and fixed in that position. A twenty-four
pound shot had also passed through the of the
magazine, Immediately over the orifce through which
we passed our powder. The schoo-master received
death wound. The brave boatswain, who came
from the sick bay to the din of battle, fastening
stopper on a back stay which had been shot away,
when his head was smashed to pieces by
ball; another man, going to complete the unfinished
task, was aso struck down. Another four midshp-
men also received a wound. The unfortunate
ward-room steward, who the reader will recolec, at
tempted to cut his throat n former occasion, was
killed. fellow named John, who, for some petty
offence, had been sent on board punshment,wa
carried past me wounded l distinctly heard the
large blood drops fall pat, pat, pat, the deck; his