Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1843-06-20
GEORGETOWN, o, TUESDAY. JUNE 20, l84s.

holes could be plugged; while the Pea
cock was in this forIorn condition, the
Hornet did not 'forbear 10 pepper her an
tagonist in the most unwholsome man.
ner; and the consequence was, that in
less than fifteen minutes the Peacock
was sunk in five fathoms Of water.
This was rather taking the advantage
to be sure; butit was nothing in COM
parisOn to the trick played upon ComN
uIodors Porter, Of the frigate Essex, by
the British commander Hillyer, who q
vailed himself Of the aid OF a large ! slooP
of war to attack the Essex frigate, al
though biz. own frigate the Pheba, was
superior in force, and armed with long
guns while the Essex consisted mostly
Of carlonades--and finding that the Els
sex was crippled in her spars, this brave
commodore and his consort kept at long
shot distance. instead Of coming slong>
side, man fashion; and while he was
safe from the broaJslde of the Essex, he
could hull that frigate with every shot!
Theaction was thus most unequal one;
resembling a combat between lame man
with pistol, and two others, azing a.
way with rifles, and availing themselves
of their superior activity TO okeep at least
hundred yards distance from the poor
fellow, whom they we're thus leisurally
and psrseveringly boring with their bull
lets.
In the course Of another action during
the last war, an attempt TO play the same
game was unsuccessful, and the deceiv-
er became the the victim. Capt. Garden,
Of the British ship Macedonian, although
an officer Of undoubted bravery, had an
instinct aversion 10 comming to close
quarters with a Yankee frigate, when
long shots would answer the purpose e.
qually as we'll, and perhaps better. His
lower deck battery consisted of long eigh-
teens-and on falling in with the Ameri:
can friga:e United States, commanded
by the gallant Decatur, he, unfortunate
nv for himself, mistook her for the Essex,
whose armament he knew was composed
principally of caronades; and with de.
gree of pru dence aud calculation, which
he undoubtedly thought would entitle him
TO great praise, he adopted course
which ho would secure him,with but little
risk and some patience, an easy
victim. Having the weather'gage ne COM
menced the action at long shots,and kept
at distance from the enemy, while he
|. was able, hoping TO cripple his antago.
MIST without receiving any injury him
seIC9 But Garden soon found he had
CAUGHT a Tartar! for instead Of seeing the
balls from the carronade Of the Essex fall
ling short, and doing him no harm, ne
felt the iron missiles from the long guns
ofthe United States, which were direct
ed with such care and judgment, that
thew hulled their frigate every time, to
, the great astohIshment and annoyance
of the British Captain and his of6cers!--
The stratagem proved signally unsuc-
cessiul, and the Macedonian was soon
: compelled to haul down her colors!
A very neat stratagem was once play
f ed eff by John B. Nicholson, Of the ma,
w, now commander Of this naval sta
F, ton, In the last war he was first Lieu,
tenant ofthe Peacock when commanded
/ by Lawrence-and a(ter the capture Of
/ the Epervier, he was igiven charge Of the
: vessel. On tie coast of Georgia he
. was chased by an Englishfrigate, and ar
!. attempt was made to carry tho Eper'
' vier by boats. Lieutenant NichoDsOn had
thentonly sixteen officers and men, aDo
9 his vessel was for a time in very criti'
4 cal situation for IL the enemy hac
|. boarded him no effectual resistance could
have been made. In this awkward dill
: emma he resorted to strategic, and as the
4 boats approached within hailing distanct
q pulling in his woke, the Lieutenant, will
!. admirable presence Of mind, seized hii
o speaking trumpet. and with great flour
4. isb, aud in a stentorian voice proClaIme'
l THAT he was about TO give orders TO yaV
3. the vessel, that the guns might bear t
,s the boats; and bade them point ever!
1. Gun with care, and when he should Civ
q tbe word to fire 6roadside, to blow th'
le lrascals sky high This appearance 'ol
a. the part ofthe American, ofa readiness
q 10 engage, and deteTminalionto de
strog ne enemy, without much ceremo
rstny, ihtimidated the British commander
who thought it would be madness 10 aP
v, proach that vessel nearer, with the in
IN tention to board-and the attempt was q
q bandoned the very moment when il coul
.. have been executed with success. Th
n. Epervior arrived safely at Savannah. an
he the steadiness and ingenuity Of LieuteI
lie ant Nicholson were much applaudsd
nv the time. ..,,,s i !. I.
~ Butone ofthe pretEiesttrick psrforl
ed ed during the war, was BY commcdoi
II. Rodgers. 1t was in the early part Of n
n. war when he wSs in. command of Il
,oS President. The English ships on Il
VA coast knew that helwas on cruise, ar
IA would soon return, and all the comtnaI
~ ~, ~. ,,,ore cautioned 10 keep a look d