Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-07-28
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MISCELLANEOUS.
TIE l.. STATES AND MACEDONIAN.

THE U. STATES AND MACEDONIAN.
The following spirited account of the celebrated bat
tie between the U. 3. friga.e United States and the
British frigate Macedonian, in which the latter was
TAKEN is from a work entitled "Thiry years from
Home, voice from the main deck, by Samnei
Leech The author, at the time, was q lad on board
the captured gate and his mpressi ns o! so terrible
contest much vivid than one CLEANED from oil
fcia dispatches
"The Sabbath came, and It brought with 1t stun
breeze We usually msds sort Of holyday OF THIS sa
cred day. After breakfast, it common to muster the
entire the spar deck, sometimes IN blue jackets
and white ,rowsers blue jackets and blue rowsers;
at other times blue jackets, scarlet vests, and blue
white trowsers; with bright anchor buttons CLAN
cling in the sun, and black. glossy hats, ornamened
with black ribbons, and with the name OF our snip
painted upon them. After muster, frequently had
church read by the captain; the rest OF the day
devoted ldleness But destined to spend
the Sabbath Just introduced to the reader in very dbl
ferent manner.
We had scarcely finished breakfast before the at
the mast head shouted, SAL no.
The captain rushed upon deck, exclaimng mast head
there!
Sir
'Where away is the SAIL:
The precise answer TO This question | do not recol'
lect, but captain proceeded 10 ask 'What does she
look like
"A square rugged vessel, Sir, the reply of the
look out
After few minutes, the captain shouted again, Mast
head there
SIR
sWhat does she look like
"A large ship, Sir, standing towards us
By thus time, The most of the crew were on deck,
eagerly straning their eyes to obtain glimpse OF
the approaching ship, and murmurIng their opinions
to each other on her probable character Then came
the voice of the captain shouting, Keep silence, fore
and aft Silence being secured he hailed the lookout,
Who 10 his question of What does she look Ike re-
Piled "A large frigste bearing down upon US, Sir
whisper aion, The that the strange ship was
Yankee frgate The thought was confirmed by the
command of All hands clear the ship for action, ahoy
The drum and fife beat 10 quarters; bnlk-heads were
knocked away the guns released IRON their con-
fnemen the whole dreaded paraphernaIa o! battle was
Produced and after The lapse OF few minutes of hur
nv and confusion every and boy was al his post,
ready do his best service for his country except The
band, who, claiming exemption from the ARRAY, safely
slowed themselves away The cao!e tier we had on
y sick the list and he, at the cry OF battle,
hurried from his cot, feeble he 10 take his post
of danger. few of the JUNIOR mdshipmen were sta
toned below, The berth deck, with orders, gwen in
our hearing, to shoe, any man who attempted TO run
from his quarters.
Our men were all IN good spirits, though they did
not scrupe express the wish that the coming Toe was
a Frenchman rather than Yankee We had been told,
by the Americans board, that rigates IN the Amer-
service carried more and heavier metal than ours
This, together with consciousness OF superiority
French antagonist.
The Americans among numbers felt quite dis.
concerted at the necessity which compelled them 10
fight against their countrymen One OF them,
named John Card, as brave seaman as ever trod a
plank, venured 10 present himself 10 the captain as
q prisoner frankly declaring his objections TO hight
That officer very ungenercusly ordered hum 10 ms
quarters threatening 10 shoot HIM II he MADE Inc
request again Poor fellow he obeyed the unjust com
mund, and killed by shot from his own country
IN In he
Macedonian, than the loss of his ship. 1t was
gross and palpable violation oil the rights OF man.
As the approaching ship showed American colors,
all doubt OF her character was at an end we must
fgh her. was the conviction OF every breast Every
possible arrangement that could insure success was
accordingly made. The guns were shotled; the match
es Lighted; for although our guns were furnished win
first rate locks, they were also provided win maches
attached by huyards case the lock should mss hre
lieutenant lhen passed through the ship, directing
the marines and buarders, who were furnished with
pixies cutlasses and pistols how to proceed II shouo
be necessary to hoard the enemy. he was followed
BY the captain, who exho,ted them to hdeiiiy ano
courage urging upon .heIr consideration the we'll
known motto of The brave Nelson England expects
every man do his duty. In addition To all these
preparations on deck, some men were stationed IN The
tops with small arms, whose duty it was to attend 10
trimming the sails, and their muskeis, provided
we came to close action. There others also below
called sail rmmers assist working the ship, should
be necessary to change her position during battle
My station al the hfh gun on the main deck. II
wasmy duty tosuPply the gun with powder boy being
appointed each gun in the ship on the side we engag
ed for this purpose wool screen placed before
the entrance 10 the magazine with hole II, through
which the cartridges passed to the boys; we re
eeived them there and covering shem up with our jack
ets hurried to respective guns These p:ecan,
are observed prevent the powder taking hire before
reaches the gun
Thus We all stood, waiting orders, in motionles
suspense AT last, we fred three guns from The lar
board side Of the Deck This was followed by The
command, cease iriDg you are throwing away your
shot,.
Then came the orders to swear ship and prepare te
attack the enemy with our star6oard guns Soon ate
this heard firing from other quarter, which
at first supposed be discharge from our quarter decl
guns; though proved to be the roar OF The enemy
cannon
strange noise, such as never heard before, mex
arrested my attention; it sounded like the tearing o
sails Just over heads. Tins soon ascertained L
be The wind Of the enemy 8 shot. The tlTing, after
few minutes cessation, recommended The roaring o
cannon could be heard from all parts of our trem
bling ship and mingng IT did WITH that oil our foes
IL made most hdeous noise. By.and.by, heard the
shots strike the side of ship; the whole scene be
came ndescrbably confused and horrible; 1t was like
some awful tremendous thunder storm, whose dea'en
ing is attended by the lncessant sreaks Of light
ming, carrying death every fash, and strewing the
ground with the victims of its wrath only in our case
the rendered horrible than that, by the
presence Of torrents Of blood which dyed our decks
Though the recital may be painful yet as It will re
veal the horrors of war, and show at what fearsu
price victory is won lost, viii present the reader
with things as they my eye during the progress:
of that dreadful fight was bus,ly supplying my gun
with powder, when saw blood suddenly Hy from the
arm of man stationed at gun ! nothing
strike him, the effsc, alone VISIBLE; in instant
the third lieutenant tied his handkerchief round the
wounded arm and sent the grooming wretch below &c
the surgeon.
The cries Of the wounded rang through oil parts
Of the ship. These carried TO the cockpit fss
MS they fell, while those more fortunate men who
killed outright Immediately thrown overheard
AS stationed but short distance from The main
ba,chwav could catch glance at all who were Cur
ried below. glance all could indulge IN, foi
the boys belonging to the guns next 10 mine were