Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-08-25

FRIGArEs u. S. AND MACEDONIAN

crew on the spar deck, sometimes IN blue
Jackets and white trowsers, or blue jacks
cts and blue trowsers; at other times in
blue jackets, scarlet vests, and blue OF
white trowsers; with our bright ancho.
buttons glancing in the sun, and our black
glossy hats, Ornamental with black rib
bons. and with the name of our ship pain
ted on them. After muster, we frequent
~ had church service read by the captain;
the rest of the day was devoted to idleness.
But we were destined to spend the Sab
bath gust introduced 10 the reader, in a We
Try different manner. ,1 v
We had scarcely finished breakfast, be-
fore the man al the mast head shouted
:. sail no - as erea 81
The captain rushed upon deck, exclaim-
ing /" mast head there - 80
"Sir! !" ..s...ee.,,.. =. .e.s.- ae
I" Where away is the sail p -.
The precise answer to this question ]
do not recollect, but the captain proceeded
! 10 ask "what does she look like p sg !.
| "a square-rigged vessel, sir" was the
reply of the look out. .taQy Kali
After few minutes, the captain Shout
ed again Is mast head, lhere'' a..
"Sir!" al.N
"What does she look like!'' s
"a large ship, sir, standing toward U.s."
By this time most Of the crew were on
the deck, eagerly straining their eyes to
obtain glimpse Of the approaching ship.
and murmuring their opinions to each 9th
er on her probable character. Then came
the voice Of the captain, shouting " Keep
silence fore and aft!'' Silence being Sc
cured, he hailed the lookout, who TO his
question " what does she look like p re-
piled. "a large friga.e. bearing down to,
ward US, sir"
A whisper ran along the ships crew
that the stranger ship was Yankee frig-
ate: The thought was confirmed by the
! command Of call hands clear the ship for
action. alloy J" ..ets.
The drum and. fife beat to quarters;
bulk >heads were knocked away the guns
were released from their confinement the
whole dread parapbernalia Of battle was
produced; and after the lapse of few
minutes of hurry and confusion, every man
and boy was at his post ready TO do his
best service for his country. except the
band, who, claiming exemption from the
ahTray, safely slowed themselves away in
the cable tier. We had only one sick man
on the list, and he, at the cry of battle.
hurried from his cot, feeble as he was, 10
take his post of danger. A few of the ju.
Nor midshippmen were stationed below.
ON the berth-deck, with orders. given in
our hearing, to shoot every man who at
tempted TO run from his post.
Our men were all in good spirits tho
they did no. scruple to express the wish
that the coming foe was Frenchman ra,h
er than Yankee. We had been told by
the Americans on board, that4she friga.es
in the American service carried more and
heavier metal than ours. This, together
with our consciousness Of superiority over
the French at sea, led US to preference
Of a French antagonist.
The Americans among our number felt
quite disconnected, at the necessity which
compelled them to fight against their own
countrymen. One of them named John
Card, as brave seaman as ever trod a
plank, ventared 10 present himself TO The
captain, as prisoner, declaring his objec-
tons 10 fight. That officer, very uugen-
erously, ordered him to his quarters, threat
ening 10 shoot him if he made the request
again. Poor fellow! He obeyed the un-
lust command, and was killed by shot
from his own countrymen. This fact is
more disgraceful to the captain Of the Ma.
| cedonian, than even the loss of his ship.
1t was gross and palpable violation Of the
rights Of man.
As the approaching ship showed Amer
lean colors, all doubt of her character was
at an end. 1--WE must fight her. was the
conviction of every breast.-Every posi-
bic arrangement that could insure success,
was accordingly made. The guns were
shotted the matches lighted for although
our guns had fist rate locks, they were
also provided with matches attached by
linyards, in case the locks should miss
FIRE. A lieutenant then passed through
the ship, directing the marines and boar
ders, who were furnished with pixies, cut
lasses and pistols, how TO proceed if 1t
should be necessary 10. board the enemy
He was followed by the captain; who ex-
horted them to fidelity and courage, urging
upon their consideration the well known
motto Of brave Nelson, " England expects
every man to do his duty" In addition
to all these preparations on deck, men
/ ....:o.aJ >l,o So,>c .,,:,h I'll orvv. g