The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-11-26

When | was about twelve years old, my father
and family were driven from this city, for being
one of those persons that dared REBEL" one of the
old Seventy Sixers After various moves and re-
moves, in those days that tried meu's souls" we
at last found temporary resting place IN Phiadel-
pha, in the fall Of l779. then turned my atten-
ton to seafarlDg lite, and embarked IN hand
some new ship, called the Aurora, of twenty guns,
Captain Sutton, bound to EstaiIa. We left the
capes CHenlopen,) about the be ginning Of May, say
the fourth, about meridian. la Blk hours after, we
were captured by the lrls, frigae, Captain Hawk
ms, OF 81 guns She was from Charleston, with de-
spatches, carrying news CT The capture OF that CITY,
We made but little resistance, being light IN metal,
only four FOUNDERS, and green hands. We could
not reach her. She hulld us every shot. Mr.. John
Laboyteaux, our captain OF marines, OF this city,
was killed by twelve pound shot; Mr. William
arm broken. We were brought into New York
and the crew disposed Of in the old Jersey prison
ship myself with two more lads were sent home
in a few days, al least to Elizabeth Town Point.
In the fall, my father procured me mldshiPman's
appointment TO the Trumbull frigate, James Nj
cholson, common der, preparing tor cruise She
was long time fitting Tor sea, being much ont OF
order. August the 10Th, l7sl, meridian, we lett
Cape May in company with the Royal Louis, a hand
some new ship Of twenty or twenty-five guns,
six FOUNDERS Captain Stephen Decatur, on cruise,
and two or three merchantmen Al soon as we
cleared the cape, we saw three sail to the east
ward: they imme dlately gave chase TO US. Our
captain hailed the Royal Louis, and it was deter
mined TO press on. We were assured that he would
The wind was westerly, and "ireshing up" few
minutes, after, our toretopmast went over the side,
snapped oil by the forecap, iore-topsai, and fore
topgallantsail with II; also our main topgaant-
sail, and all our head sails This was about II. M.
Capt. Decatur seeing our situation, hove about,
and made the best Of his way for the Capss, and
got in, we having control OF our ship, part OF
the wreck hanging on our lee; and to add to our
misfOrunes heavy fqua arose from the west
ward, with thunder and ram. The day being TAR
spent, dark night succeeded, as dark as Egypt,
and nj yyhn I'll nj he .
we knew were pursuing US, as they knew also we
could steer no other than before the wind, Qhough
there was not much OF It alter the squaD. Put In
our dead lights, and used every precauton our
commander could possibly invent Near midnight
we perceived the loom Of vessel OIL larboard
quarter. called 10 our captain, and pointed to
the vessel, he could not see her, and called 10 mo
to step below and get my night glass" BY the
time he had his glass the ship hailed-Csptain
Nicholson answerec-and Immediately poured into
US broad-sde. All hands were called 10 quarters,
and at it we went, with what guns we could ght, and
fought between two and three glasses, with one
ship under our stern and The other alongside. We
were compelled ITO give up the ship" Our cap
turers proved 10 be the Iris irlgate Of thriy-two
twelves, Captain Dawson, and the sloep OF war
General Monk, Captain John Rogers, Of eighteen
nine Founders. We had ten or twelve killed and
information I'VE could get;" how many the Iris
had never heard, nor could we find out correct
y-I heard at different times she lost her first lieu
tenant, and several Of her men killed and wound
ed 1t was their policy 10 say as little about II as
| possible we prisoners had not means OF infor-
nation. Our ship was "roughly handled" towed
into this port, New York, condemned as not sea
worthy, rotten, hauled into The dock at Rutgers
slip, and cut up for fire wood The history OF the
prison ships, if you have read them, tells the rest,
particularly the old Jersey; was well acquainted
| with her Both these ships were Eastern built yes
sells, the Iris was formerly the Governor Hancock,
| believe from Boston, commanded by Capt. John
! Marley, can old daring salt" The Gen. Monk
was formerly the Gen. Washington, think from
Salem, aprivateer; they were both sent to England,
coppered and sent back 10 this port, and captured
very many OF our merchantmen, particularly the
lris she captured me twice on the days we sailed.
The Monk IS the ship Captain Barney captured in
1 the Delaware, when he commanded the Hyderay |;
l Congress purchased her, and gave her the old
name, the "Gen. Washington" the last sailed In
under his command, and the last ship in commits
sion Of our Continental Navy. Captain Barney
commanded her from the time he captured her at
Cape May in 1871 until 4th April, 1884, than dis
mantled by order Of Robert Morris, our Navy
Agen, Financier, Secretary OF the Navy, &c. &c.
Officers ofthc 1rnmbull frisa,e James Nichol-
son, Captain /; Mr. Maltbe, Lieut. Richard Dale,
| Second Lieut.. -, Third Lieut. Capt Alex
ander Murray, Mr.. Manifold, Gentlemen Volun-
teers John Morrow, Doctor Samuel Morrow,
Assistant Capt Hardy, of Marines Mr.. -,
Master Mr.. Maltbie, son OF our Lieutenant; Mr..
Haight, Of New Jersey Mr.. Caldwell, killed
Mr.. Nicholson, Mr.. Jacob hamper, John Marley,
wounded slightly, Midshipmen Mr. Langdon,
Gunner Mr.. -, Boatswain.
MDsHrrMAN.
/ New YORK, Nov 23j, 1914.