Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-08-25
BLooMINaToN iowa iNfD1E,s AUGUST IS, 1913.

I gA 9 - s7Hs ea-
whose duty II wac TO attend TO trimming tn
sails, and 70 use their muskets, provide.
we came to close action. There were 9th
ers also below, called sail-trimmers, to as
sis. in working the ship, should it be ne
cessary TO change her position during TIT
battle.
My station was at the fifth gun on thu
main deck 1t was my duty 10 supply
the gun with powder, boy being appoin.
ted to each gun in the ship on the side. W.
engaged, for this purpose. A wooler
screen was placed before the entrance o
the magazine. with hole in it, through
which the cartridges were passed 10 the
boys; we received them there, and cover
ing them with our jackets, hurried TO thei'
respective guns.-These precautions. are
observed to prevent the powder taking
fire before it reaches the gun.
Thus " all stood, waiting orders, in
mo tionless suspense. At last we fired
three guns from The larboard side of the
main deck this was followed by the COM
mand 8 cease firing; you are throwing a.
way your shotr'
Then came orders to wear ship" and
prepare to attack the enemy with our star.
board guns. Soon after this heard a f.
ring from som other quarter, which first
supposed from our quarterback guns |;
though il proved to be the roar Of the enc
lny's cannon.
A strange noise. such as / never heard
before. next arrested my attention; it
sounded like the tearing Of sails, just over
our heads. This l soon ascertained to be
the wind Of our enemy's shot. The firing,
after few minutes cessation, recommen-
ced. The roaring of cannon could now
be heard from all parts Of our trembling
ship, and mingling as it did with that Of
foes, it made hideous noise. By-and by,
heard the shots strike the sides of our
ship; the whole scene became indescribably
confused and horrible; it was like some
awful tremendous thunderstorm, whose
deafenirg roar is attended by incessant
streaks of lightning. carrying death in ev-
cry flash, and strewing the ground with
the victims of its wrath only, in our case
the scene was rendered more horrible than
thai, by the presence of torrents Of blood
which dyed our decks.
Though the recital may be painful. yet
as it will reveal the horrors Of war, and
show at what fearful price victory is
won or lost. will present the reader
with things as they met my eye, during
the progress Of that dreadful battle. ! was
busily supplying my gun with powder,
when saw blood suddenly fly from the
arm Of man stationed at our gen. saw
nothing strike him; the effect alone was
visible; in an ins,an; the third lieutenant
tied his handkerchief round the wounded
arm, and sent the grooming wretch below
10 the surgeon.
The cries Of the wounded now rang
through all parts Of the ship These were
carried to the cockpit as fast as they fell,
while those more fortunate men who were
killed outright, we're Immediately thrown
overheard As was stationed but short
distance from the main HATCH way, | could
catch glance at all who were carried be-
low. glance was all that l could in
dulge in. for the boys belonging TO the
guns next to ours were wounded in the
early part of the action. and had to spring
with all my might to keep three or four
guns supplied with cartridges. saw two
Of those lads fall nearly together. One Of
them was struck by a large shot in the
leg; he had to suffer amputation above
the wound. The other had grape or can.
lister shot sent through his ANGLE. A stout
Yorkshireman lifted hin in his arms, and
hurried him to the cockpit.-He had his
foot cut off, and thus was made lame for
life. Two Of the boys stationed on the
quarterback were killed they were
both Portuguese. A man, who saw one
of them killed, aftelward told me that his
powder caugh, fire and burnt the flesh all
most off his face. In this pi,iable si.ua>
ton, the agonized boy lifted up both hands
as If imploring relief, when passing shot
Instantly cut him in two.
One of the officers of my division also
fell in my sight. lie was noble-hearted
fellow, named Dan Kivell. A grape or
canister shot struck him near the heart, ex
claiming, "Oh! my God ~ he fell and
was carried below, where he shortly after
wards did.
Mr.. Hope, our first Lieutenant, was all
SO slightly wounded by grummet, or
small iron ring, probably torn from ham,
mock-clew by shot. He went below,
shouting to the men 10 +" fight on" Hav-
ing had his wound dressed he came up a.
gain, shouting to US at the top Of his voice
and bidding us to fight on with all our
might. There was not man 10 the ship
but would have rejoiced had he been in