Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-05-20

Mr.. Eatof, Dane or Swede, masters
mate of the main deck, and commander OF
the foremost division OF guns on the main
deck, was seen by the writer 10 dodge be-
hind the foremost, but in the official account
of the battle he was commended for his
brave and gallant conduct.land was promo
ted to the Leutenancy for his bravery.
-Four guns being about the number fired
by each Of the hostile ships at this time,
and Immediately after the repulse of Lieut..
Ludlow,an Irshman named Lawson jumped
down, and in loud voice said SO tina,
Capt. Broke heard him" Now's the time
to board, there's very few on her decksw
Capt, Broke placed his speaking trumpet
TO his mouth and ordered the boarders
away accompanied by his Fl ST lieutenant
and about twenty men in the first onset.
They boarded. Lawson being the first to
board, bat was killed before he reached the
deck, Capt. Broke being the third who
boarded, alter throwing a hand grenade
which exploded some loose amunition; sea-
men and marines afterwards boarded, in
all, first and last, not 10 exceed forty
The Shannon's boarders were cutting down
and putting TO death all that remained on
the deck OF the Chesapeake: Capt Broke,
in order TO stop the effusion Of blood. turned
round and ordered his men to desist and
while enforcing bis order and rescling his
enemies from destruction, two American
seamen, whose lives he had previously
rescued, attacked and dangerously wounded
him, leaving him for dead they were in
stantly put 10 death, and for while no
quarter was given. The marines reduced
10 a small number, and few seamen,
fought gallantly on the deck Of the Chesa-
peake, and until they were all killed except
four or five, who, after retreating 10 tie
bows, jumped overheard; some got into the
bow parts I'd others were drowned. The
decks were taken possession Of, number
of the Shannon's crew and first lieutenant
Watt sprang to the poop, Che vessels
having broken their lashtngs and separa
ted.) In hosting the British flag over the
American, he made a mistake, and hois,ed
the American flag over the British; every
flag was made fast with spun yarn, or in
nautical phrase nailed to the mast.} The
Shannon, now commanded by I'd lieutenant
Wallis, still continued fricg, even after
her captain, lst lieutenant and men, had
boarded, and when The mistake occurred in
hosting the flag, he ordered five or six
guns 10 be fred against The quarter deck Of
the Chesapeake, exclaiming - The Yam
KEGS have overpowere64aurm men and have
taken the ship again although he was
told to the contrary. He fired, and killed
the lst lieutenant and six or seven Of his
own crew-he was probably so scared from
the storm Of Yankee shot, that he lost his
selfpossession. 1t appears he remained
behind and did not board; he vas promoted
for his bravery, from I'd lieutenant TO a
master ana commandcr-a Nova Scotian
by birth-now his name is high on the list
of fame, greatly eulogized, and commenced
one Of the best ships Of Great Britain, the
Warspite ID; whereas, if he had his just
deserts, he would have been cashiered for
incompetence, cowardice and murder. 1t
may be said that it was an error Of iudg-
ment, mistake there are some mistakes
done in earnest, and the above squints tina,
way; although he may be innocent of the
felonious intent, yet im5ecility and coward
ice plainly appears.
Lieut.. Watt was as brave man and
equally humane as ever drew sword =
The lamentaton Of the surviving crew for
him was sincere and genuine, and the above
transaction, though hidden by embelished
official account, is we'll known 10 many Of
the surviving crew Of the Shannon. The
Rules and Articles Of War Of the British
Navy would forbid, upon pain Of death or
worse punishment, seamen from comment
ing upon or contradicling official accounts,
however glaring or false. The lions skin
is torn from the Jackass WALLIS. ! am
greatly mistaken but tha, he got complete
drubbing and was captured by an American
vessel Of war of inferior force. | have
done with Wallis.
Another error in the British official
account is, "'rhat the Two officers Of ma
rines headed their respective divisions, and
boarded the Chesapeake ir gallant style 5"
many Of the marines boarded, but their
officers did not, until after the whole affair
was over; they remained behind 10 keep
Wallis and Eatotf' in company. These
discrepancies and errors may be accounted
for in consequence OF Capt. Broke being SO
severely wounded in the head. as TO be in
sensible for some days, and Wallis and
these other skulkers made out the account
as they pleased. Midshipmon Smith board
ell from the main-top and was properly
promoted for his gallant conduct. The
whole of the engagement lasted only eleven
minutes, when the Chesapeake was taken
possession Of, at the same time the Shan
non had six or seven feet eli water in her
hold. From the manner and position in
which both vessels came into action, and
the destructive broadside Of the Shannon
in worse than raking posi;ion--unpreju-
diced persons must conclude, whether &c
quainted with nautical affairs and phrases
o, not, it vas decisive Of the fate of the
day. After all, the Chesapeake molly sus-
tanned her flag, and the gallant Lawrence,
were his life spared, Nigh, have told an
other tale. He was slightly wounded The
first broadside, and il is believed received
his mortal wound in about FIVE minutes
afterwards. The last words he spoke will
be rallying cry of the brave, as long as
war shall exist" Don't gre up the Shipm
and two of his crew, British seamen. who
fought with rope round their necks, tried
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