, 1843-03-25

come general; the hostile ships were
completely %env-loped in thick clouds
and smoke. from which almost inces-I
sanity a stream of lurid flame would
burst forth succeeded by the CT ,shing
ct the cannon balls against the pal
metto walls, beyond which they did
little injury, except such as entered
the embrasure., or being fired over
the sea-walI OF the fort, struck a.
gainst the inner side Of the wall.
wounding and killing our soldiers in
the re. bound.
The guns Of the fort answered we'll.
So long as the ammunition lasted, an in.
cessant sheet of flame flashing from
the %embrasures, AMI the heavy forty
two pound shot of tie Americans
tore through the British vessels, des-
troying every thing in its course, and
covering the decks with dead and DIV
ing. Sir Peter Parker's vessel, the
Bristol, was completely riddled by
shot, and the blood poured from the
scuppers in streams. During the hot
test of the fight o twenty four pound
shot from The Bristol carried awav
the American flag, SCATTERING the staff
to pieces. A shout was Sc, up hy the
British. hut as the colors fell, Ser
geant Jasper caught them in his arms
then fixing them on the point of
his bayonei, he leaped upon the
breastwork amid a volley of grape
shot and driving The point Of the bay
onet into the palmetto wood, pinned
the coIors to the fort. "A shout arose
from the Americ ans at this daring
feat, when Jasper, taking Off his hat.
waved il towards the enemy. exclaim-
ed Liberty and my country forever
Victory. nv brave shouted Ser
geant Mcdonald, waving his sword.
when at that mr-nent n thirty two
pound si"t entering on tho embra-
sures. dismounied ~ qua, and glancmg.
struch tir in the breast. leaving him
a mangled CORPSE, with the unfinished
word yet upon hi lips.
sNarinn.' said M"u'trir. the dav i
"u's; 4 our anuniIi III DULY lasts, we
shnli sink every ship before the fort.
'Yes,' replied the the latter. NC
shall d it. il our men only point then
guns properly.
Marion nov wen, through the tort
po'n,in. every gun himself that he
p,ss,b' could; not a shot was Ihrnwr
away. and the British. finding they
could made 40 impression al the fort
, terrified by the number oi thei
wounded and slain. and dreading thu
excellence nf tie American gunnerN
. aud the appalling effect of our heav.
: metal, just alter unset began 10 shiI
. their cahIes and move of IN Il cripple,
:. and disnrdpred srate.
i A shout If wet nv burst from ih
!, Amer!c n troops, Is the cheering N
= tr~Iiiaence was announce d--dnntl,
p cheering indeed, from the fact tina
our ammunition was now ailost eS
hausted. aud i, would have been IN
: pbsslble muc.. longer TO have held tn
d fort against the tremendous broad
sides which were Continually poure
d in.
Marion and MouItrie met. N
word was spoken, but the silent an
hearty pressure of the hand, and III
look of Joy which ilIumined tie
swarthy countenances. black vii
smoke and begrimed with powde
showed how responsible had bee
n their trust, and how thankful the
!. were for this happy result.
,e And now for the last gun-a pan
q ing kiss To Sir Peter shouted Marion
;. come, jasper, your gun is just und'
Is our hag, and opposite he Bristol. loa
carefully with ball, and let me haH
,e the honor OF giving him our la
l. weighty argument. | doubt not it ".
ID impress upon him, at any raie, a co
+. viction that our metal is heavy, AT
ID our gunnery quite satisfactory f
t. troops so inexperienced
ne Jasper now carefully loaded Il
il. huge iorty-two FOUNDER. which Ma
ne on as carefully pointed towards II
he Bristol; perceiving, however, that 81
IN was veering round, and that a fe
Of seconds would bring her stern
point blank range with the gun.
cd determined to wait till hat eve
nd took place. for the purpose OF effect
ally raking her.
in. At this moment two m~idshipn,
4. on board the Bristol, wearied wi
err. the fatigue of the engagement, Al
ire sickenedby the horrid scene OF slaug
no ter around them stood or the quar-
IN deck.
no Come Frank, the dance is ov,
no and the ball finished, so let's dece