Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-02-07


indescnbaby confused and horrible it was like
some awlully Tremendous thunder storm, vhcsc
deaening roar is attended by incessant streaks of
Lightning, carrying death in every fash and slrew-
ing the ground with the victims OF his wrath /; on
y, IN our case, the scene was rendered more horr-
BILE than that 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 fear
I'LL prce victory is won or lost, | will present the
reader with things as they met my eye, during the
progress Of this dreadful fight. was busily SUD.
plying my gun with POWDER when saw blood sud-
denly fly from the arm of man stationed at our
gun. | saw nothing strike him; the effect alone
was vlsiblc in an instant the third lieutenant tied
his handkerchief round the wounded arm, and gent
the grooming wretch below to the surgeon.
The cries of the wounded now rang through all
parts Of the ship. These were carried to the cock.
pit ms fast as they fell, while those more fortunate
men who were killed outright, were Immediately
thrown overheard. AS was stationed but n short
distance from the main hatchway, could catch
glance at all who were carried below. A glance
was all could indulge in, for the boys belonging
TO the guns next TO mlne were wounded in the car
ly part of the action, and had 10 snring with ali
ny hghtto Keep three or four guns IN cartridges.
saw two of these lads fall nearly together. One
of them was struck in the leg by large shot sent
through his ankle stout YorbshirCman lifted
tie had his foot cut off and was thus made lame
for life. Two Of the boys stationed on the quarter
deck were killed. They were both Portuguese. A
man who one of them killed, afterwards told
me that his powder caught fire and burnt the flesh
almost off his face. In this ptiable situation the
agonzed boy lifted up both hands, as if imploring
relief, when passing shot instantly cut him in two
was an eye witness to sight equally revolving.
a man named Aldrich had one of his hands cut off
by shot, almost at the same moment he received
another shot, which tore open his bowels in the
most horrible manner. AS he fell two or three
men caught him in their arms, anl.as he could not
live threw him overheard.
One of the officers in my division also fell in my
sight He was noble hearted fellow, named Nan
kVel. grape or canister shot struck him near
the heart; eXcaiming 80 my God !" he fell, and
was carried below, where he shortly after died.
Mr., Hope, our first lieutenant, was also slightly
wounded by grummet, or a small iron ring, prob
ably torn from hammock clew by II shot lie
went below shouting to the men to fl ..ht on. Hav-
ing had his wound dressed he came up again,
shouting to us at the top of his voice, and bidding
us to fight with all our might. There was not
man IN the ship but would have rejuiced had he
been IN the place of our masters mate, the unior-
tunate Nan Kivel
The battle went on. Our men kept cheering
with all their might. | cheered with them, though
| confess scarcely knew for what. Certainly there
where was stationed. SO terrible had been the
work Of destruction round us, it was termed the
slaughter house. Not only had we had several
boys and men killed and wounded but several of
the guns were disabled. The one belonged TO-,
had piece of the muzzle knocked out and when
the ship rolled, it struck beam of the upper deck
with such force as to become .lanmed aud fixed in
that position. twenty-lour pound shot had also
passed through the screen of the magazine, nme-
dldtey over the orlhce through which passed
our powder. The schoolmaster received death
wound. The brave boatswain, who came from the
sick boy to the din Of battle, fastening stop.
per on hack-stay which had been shot array,
when his head was smashed to pieces by u cannon.
ball; another man going to complete the unfnsh-
cd task, was also struck down. Another of our
mldshipmen also received q severe wound. The
uhtortun3te ward room steward, who had attempt.
ed TO cut his throat former occasion, was Kill
led A fellow named John, who, for some petty Of
fence, had been sent on board punishment was
carried past me, wounded. | distinctly heard the
large blood drops fall pat on the deck ; his wounds
were mortal. Even poor goat, kept by the Off
GERS Tor her milk, did not escape the general car
mage; her hind legs were shot off, and poor Nan
was thrown overheard
Such was the terrible scene, amid which we
kept on shouting and firing Our men fought like
tigers. Some Of them pulled off their jackets, 9TH
ers their jackets and vests; while some, with
nothing but handkerchief tied round the waist
bands Of their trousers, fought like heroes A
man named Jack Saddler was one Of these. | also
observed boy named Cooper stationed at gun
some distance from the magazine. He came to and
fro on the full run, and appeared to I've "as merry as
a cricket."s The third lieutenant cheered him &C :
casionaly, by saying, We'll done, my boy, you
worth your weight in gold"
have been asked what were my feelings dur,
ing this fight. felt pretty much as suppose ev-
cry one does at such time. That men are with
out thought when they stand among the dying and
the Dead is too absurd an idea TO be entertained a
moment We all appeared cheerful, but know
that many serious thought ran through my mind
still, what could we do but keep up semblance,
at least of animation? 70 run from our quarters
would have been certain death from the hands of
our own officers: to give way to gloom or to show
fear, would do no good, and might brand us with
the name of towards, and ensure certain defeat
Our only true philosophy, therefore, was to make
the best Of our situation, by fighting bravely and
cheerfully. thought great deal, however, Of the
other world every groan, every falling man, told
me that the next instant | might be before the
Judge of all the earth. For | felt unprepared =
but being without patcular knowledge of reli-
gous truth, | satisfied myself by repeating again
and again the Lords prayer, and promising, that
if spared, ] would be more attentive to religious
duties than ever before. This promise, had no
doubt, at the time, of keeping; but have learned
since, That it is easier to make promises emid the
roar of the battles thunder or in the horrors OF
shipwreck, than to keep them when danger is alb
sent and safety smiles upon our path
While these thoughts secretly agitaed my DO
som the din of war continued. Grape and canister
shot were pouring through our port holes like
leaden rain, carrying death in their trail. The
large shot came against the ships side like iron
hail, shaking her 10 the very keel, or passing
through her timber, and scattering terrific spnels,
which did more appalling work than even their
own death giving blows. The reader may form
an idea of the effect of grape and canister, when
he is told that grape shot is formed by seven or
eight balls confined to an iron and tied in cloth.
These balls are scattered by the explosion of the
powder Canister shot is made by filling powder
canister with balls, each as large as two or three
musket balls; these also scatter with dreadful eff
feet when discharged. What then with spliners,
cannon balls, grape and canister, poured inces-
sanity upon us, the reader may be assured that the
work of death went OH in manner which must