Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1844-03-07

Secretary of War, ! don't like this firing,
md believe iha, l shall run" So saying
he rcireated, suiting the action to the
word, and was saved
Il The most heart .reDding scene, how
ever, was That which followed. The
two daug Of Mr.. Gardiner of New
i York were both on board, and lamented
he death Of their father, while Mrs.
Gilmer, from whom they in vain attempt
ed to keep the dreadful news Of the death
of her husband, presented truly specta-
Gle fit to be depicted by tragedian.
/ There she sat on deck, with her hair
disheveIled, pale ms death, struggling
with her feelings, and with the d gnily
of a woman-her lips quiverng, her eyes
fixed and nplurned, without a tear, only
the corners a little moist, soIiloquising,
"Oh certainly not - Alr. Gilmer cannot
be dead Who would dare to injure
him Yes, ah Lord, have mercy upon
me Oh Lord, have mercy on him :"
/ The Presidents youngest son was
provideniiahy saved by a MIR. Mass,
who play fully prevented him from going
to see The gun fired, and dragged him
back to take wine with him.
1 Correspondence Of The Sun.
Il Captain Stockton took the head Of the
table, and gave the health of the Presi-
| dent, which was drunk with enthusiasm
| Several other tOasis were given, and
heartily responded to the ladies qnahtd
their goblets Of champagne their brig ghl
/ l,I ,h.,,. .haa nd
wit flowed from every ruby lip.
/ AT last Capt. Stockton said, as they
were now within 20 minutes lun OF Alex
andria, he would fire parting salute
from the peacemaker, in honor Of the
memory of the great peaccmaker of his
country, George Washington. lie said
this privately to the President, and the
| Cabinet Immediately around him, and
told them he would fire the gun this time
for their especial bene fit and qualification
| Accordingly all The Cabinet started to
| 90 up the cabin stairs, and the President
was nearly on deck when he was called
to hear a toast proposed by Miss Wick
life it was this, "The flag of America !:
the only thing that is American that will
Il
great enthusiasm. The President then
gave The "Three great gnns-the Prince
ton--her commander and his peacrma-
ker" This was loudly applauded by the
ladies'. And then the members Of the
| Cabinet started to go up stairs.
\ At this moment Mr.. Upshur had his
hand on the Presidents arm, and said,
"comr, Mr.. Tyler, let's go up and see
the big gun fred" Just then Col.
Dade asked Mr.. Waller, (,hc President :
son in-law) to sing an old song about
l776. The President replied, NJ, by
George, Upshur, | must stay and hear
that song of Walters it's an old lavorite
Of mine you go up and l'Ir join you
directly" Accordingly away wen,
I Upshur and Gilmer, Wilkins and Mel
son, to see the gun fired NIessrs. Ben
ton, Phelps, lannegan. Jarnegan, Miss
Woodbury., Mr.. and Mrs. Wea,hered,
Charles Augustus Davis, MIR. David
Gardiner, Virgil Maxcy, Commod"ro
Kennon. and many others went on deck.
The President remained below listen
ing TO the song, and just az Mr.. Waller
came to the name of 'Washington," off
went the gun "There," said Mr.
Schomberg, (maser Of the ceremonies, }
'Ihat's in honor of his name ; now tor
three cheers" And just as they were
about 10 give them, boatswnins mate
rushed into the cabin covered with pow
der, and said that the big gun had ex
ploded, aud killed many Of those on
! deck
H On this announcement the shrirks and
| agonizng cries of the women were heart
rcndng all calling on and for their hus-
bands, fathers, brothers, and so on
And when found rushing wildly into their
arms, and iainting with excess Of feeling
| blown off, and piece weighing 900 or
300 pounds struck Alessrs Gllmer, Up
shur, Maxcy, Gardiner and Kennon, and
| knocked them all down the piece lay
across the legs Of Gllmer, Upshur, and
Gardiner, when they were found after
the smoke blew away. Gilmer and Up
shur were also struck by pieces Of iron
or rivets in The head and temples, and
Gilmrr behind the ear and in The side. -
| AIR. GARDENERS lower limbs were torn all
to pieces all their clothes were much
burnt and Upshur, Gardiner and Ken
non, all fell touching each other. Up
shur's lips moved for few seconds, and
then all was still Gilmer brealhed once
ar twice, and then all was over the
others never stirred.
II Capt. Stockton was blown back
az aainst the fore shroud (he was behind
the breech Of the gun when it was fired J
his whskers and eyebrows weie all
blown off, and as soon as he recovered
from the stunning effect OF the shock, and
the smoke cleared away, he sprang with
delirious effort on the gun, shattered as
i, was, and exclaimed in agony "wouid
10 God ] alone had been kiied :" His
!, friends then carried him down stairs, and
laid him on settee, where he nearly
tainted from exhaustion, and at las, burst
into an agony OF tears. lie was mrne-
diately put to bed.
The President appeared the most sor-
rov-stricken man Of the whole party he
rushed to the deck, and when he saw the
dead bodies of Upshur and Glmer he
wept bitte,ly. II was horrd scene.