Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1843-07-19

So terrible had been the work oil destruction,
around Us, Il was termed the saughier-house
Not only had we had several boys and men
killed or wounded, but several of the guns
were disabled The one | belonged to had
piece of the muzze knocked out and when
she ship rolled, it struck a beam of the upper
deck with such force TO become jammed
and fixed in that position. A tweuty-iour
pound shot had also passed through the screen
of the magazine, Immediately over the orIhce
through which We passed cur powder. The
school master received death wound. The
brave boalswan, who came from the sick bed
TO the din of baule, was fastening stopper on
a back say which had been shot away, when
his head was smashed TO pieces by cannon
ball another man, going To complete the un-
finished task was also struck down. Another
of our mdshipmen also received severe
wound. The unfortunate ward-room steward
who attempted TO cut his throat on a former
occasion. was killed A fellow named John.
who for some petty offence had been sent on
board as a punishment, was carried past me
wounded. distinctly heard the large blood
drops fall pat, pat, pat, on the deck his wounds
were mortal. Even poor goat, KEEP, by the
officers for her milk, did not escape the general
carnage; her hind legs were shot off, and
poor Nan thrown overheard.
Such was The terrible scene, amid which We
kept on our shouting and firing. Our men
fought like tigers. Some of them pulled off
shelr jackets, Others their jackets and vests ;
while some, still more determined, had taken
off their shuts and. with nothing but hand
kerchiel tied around the Wristbands of their
arowserS, Tough; like heroes. | also observed
IA hoy named Cooper stationed at a gun some
distance from The magazine. He came 10 aQd
fro on the full ran, and appearing TO be as
merry as crck ct" the third Iieutenap,
cheered him along, occasionally, by saying,
a. Well done, my boy, you worth your
weigh, in gold"
have been often asked what were my feel.
ings during this fight. felt pretty much aS
suppose every one does at such a time. That
men are without thought when they stand
amid The dying and the dead, is TOO absurd an
idea to be entertained moment. We all .ap-
peared cheerful, but | know that MANY seri-
Uus thought ran through my mind sill, what
could we do but keep up semblance, at least,
of animation To run from our quarters
would have been certain death IRON the hands
Of our own officers; 10 give way TO gloom, or
10 show fear, would do no good, and might
brand US with the name Of cowards and en-
sure certain defeat. Our only true philoso-
ply, therefore, was TO make The best of our
situation, by fighting bravely land cheeffully.
| thought great deal, however. of The other
world every groan, every falling man, told
me thai Tue next instant | might be before
,he Judge Of all The earth. For this, i felt
unprepared; but being without any parlicu-
Jar knowledge of religious truth, | satisfied
myself by repeating again and again The
Lords prayer, and promising thai if spared |
would be more attentive 10 religious duties
than ever before This promise | had no
doubt, al The time, Of keeping but haye Learn
ed since that II is easier 10 make promises
amidst the roar of the battles thunder, or in
the horrDrS of sbipwreck. than TO Keep them
when danger IS absent, and safely smiles upon
our path.
While these thoughts secretly agiiaied my
bosom, he din of balre continued Grape and
canister shot were pouring through our port
lioies like leaden ram. carrying death in the
trail The large shot came against the ships
side hike iron hail, shaking her. to The very
keel, or passing through her ,imbers, and scat
ierng terrific spnlers, which did more ap-
palng work than even their own ath-giving
blows. The reader may form an idea of the
effect Of grape and canister, when he is told
that grape sho is formed sby seven or eight
bsll. confined 10 an iron and lied in cloth.
These balls scattered by the explosion OF
the powder Canister shot is made by filling
po~der canister with balls, each as large as
iso or three musket balls these also scatter
with direlul effect wlsen discharged. What
then wtlh sPliners, cannon balls, grape and
canlsler. poured necessarily upon US, the read
er may be as snfsG that The work of death
went oa in a manner which must have been
satisfactory even TO The King Of TerrOrs him
self
Suddenly lhe ratiing of the iron hail ceas-
ed. We were ordered TO cease firing A
profound silence ensued, broken only by the
slled groans Of the brave fellows below |;
was soon ascsrlained that the enemy had shot
ahead 10 repair damages, for she was not SO
disabled but she could sail without difficulty
while we were SO cut up that we lay utterly
hopeless. Our head braces were shot away