Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-10-08

under circumstances the most appalling, was
communicated by the Right Rev. Bishop
DoAsE to the Burlington, n. j. Gazette Il
will be read with interest:
THE BURNING OF THE TRUXTON.
My Dear sir,-I am very cure you will not
refuse insertion for the following extracts from
my friend and parishioner, Commander EN-
GLE. 1t is well known that when the report OF
the disaster to the Truxton had reached the
Commodore, at Vera Cruz, he despatched the
Princeton 10 her relief The portions which
follow are of such lively interest, and reflect
such honor, on the service, that venture to
except them from the writer's general request,
not TO publish his letter. OF that true elo-
quence of nature-where feels, and therefore
makes feel have met with but few such
examples. NV extracts commence with his
arrival at the bar. Very truly, your friend,
Riverside, 10th Sept. 1916. G.. w. ID.
81 stood in, and anchored in FIVE fathoms
water, as close as could approach with safe
ty, and where could send a shot through and
through her, and throw my shells on shore, if
necessary. Immediately sent Lieut.. BocGs
on shore with flag Of truce. He crossed the
bar of Tuspan through surf that would cause
the stoutest heart 10 culver; at times his boat
was almost on end Still by his guidance,
she crossed it like duck.
81 directed BoGGs TO inform the command
ing officer on shore that ] would permit no
one to visit the brig until my boats had been
on board, and If he fred on them | would land
and attack him. BoGGs then pulled for the
brig. The surf was so high he could not get
on board, so he returned TO the ship. That
night the wind blew, IL stormed and rained-
Next morning took boat, went in and ex-
amined the bar, sounded round and about it,
and found the surf too high to send the boats
Towards midday it cleared up. The swell
went down, and the surf appeared less angry
At the desire Of the officers manned the boats,
with directions, If there was the least danger.
not TO cross Our boats are first rate, and my
officers are second 10 none. They pulled in
with the boats directed Lieut. BoGes to
lead. Lieut. Rowan to follow, and passed
Midshpman Stiles TO remain at the outer
edge of the surf to assist in case Of accident to
the crossing boats.
"The boats closed, and the officers consult
ed at the entrance of the surf Lieut.. BoGGs
said, 4 can crossr Lieut. Rowan said, a'll
follow' was in the mizzen top. My glass
was on Lieut.. BoGes. At times, his boat
could not be seen. Need tell YOU Of the anx-
iety that felt at that rnoment2 In an instant,
an officer, at my right, cried out, 'RowAs is
capsized' His boat was struck by sea on
the larboard quarter, and broached Another
sea and another knocked her over and over,
and over; and once looked on all as lost; for
few men escape capsiZe In turf. | knew
by examination. that the current in the river
was strong enough TO carry out boat. For
this reason, | had sent the third boat, to lie at
the edge OF the surf The men chung to the
81, IA.
der her Lieut. Rowan cheered his men and
one of them in particular assisted him. They
drifted out ! saw them receiving aid from
the third boat manned other boats and sent
them to their assistance.
.'Wel, now, the question, who were lostP
was in great distress. To lose men in fair
fight is expected; but to loose them by surf and
sharks is horrible. ! sent small boat, and d.
reeted the officer, in case Rowan was safe, 10
pull of bis hat and cheer; If all were safe, TO
throw up both hands. Could there be no.
bier sight, than gallant officer, with hat off,
and arms extended 10 Heaven, as signal of
safety, informing his shipmateS, at the dis
tonce Of mile and a half, that all Were safe
MY heart was not in my body. ltwas in my
neck and choking me- | lay down in the top,
ill recovered myself Our yards, rigging
and top, were full of men, silent as death, un-
Ill gave the word, all are safe God only
knows how, for some of them could not swim.
The surf was so high that the third cutter
could not 90 to them; but had to wait I'LL the
current drove the boat and crew through it,
seaward. There were sixteen on board each
boat.
"And where is Boocs all this time? He
got safely through; but before he could get his
boat seaward he was within pistol shot OF
about fifty men, with muskets ready TO receive
him. where is the white flag? sad he
Search was made, bu, none TO be found
who has a white shirt 2 Our sailors dress
in blue. 4 have,' said the boatswain, who
stands about six feet two inches, built 10
proportion, splendid looking fellow. In
moment fathom of il was streaming from
boat hook. BoGGs pulled up Boldly, aud jump
ed on shore, shook hands with the officer, and
told him he came by the orderoi the Captain,
TO thank him for his kindness 10 the crew of
the Trux,on and 10 say to him, that he would
not FIRE on shore unless he fired on US; if he
did, he would land and go to Tuspan, a town
six miles up the river. BoGGs then pulled for
the brig, but could not board her, so he return
ed TO the ship. The officer on shore told him
that he thought three boats Were rather ton
many 10 come on shore with FLAG OF truce
So 1 thought myself; particularly, as each
boat had 80 pistols. l6 bowie knives and 10
carbnes on board.
"1he next day, at meridian, | sent two
boats, under command of Lit. BoGGs, with di-
rec,ons TO board the brig and, if she was not
biged, to send down. and throw overheard her
yards. for us to pick up, as they iloated out,
and then TO set her on fire. He took 3 eight
inch shells with him. AT 3 p. M, on the 22d
of August, she was fred from stem TO stern.
A more beautiful sight | never saw, When
the shells burst which were below the deck,
the spliuters flew, and the flames increased.
After an hour or so, away goes the main
and mantopmast, headlong iuto the ioaming
surf. Then all eyes were on the foremost,
which hung on for upward Of an hour longer.
when II followed. Fine sparsi which had as
sisted in bringing the remains Of the gallant
PORTER from a Mahomedan TO Christian
country, to rest there, under the flag he had
fought for so nobly."
An article having appeared in the New Or
leans Delta, finding fault with Capt ENGLE,
OF the Princeton, for not hauling of and saving
the Truxton, Pensacola correspondent OF the
Mobile Tribune thus replies to 1t:
"When the Truxton was boarded she was
found bilged with feet water in her hold her
upper works moving, and water passing in
aud out freely. There was not possible
e 1, - "a St,nposp the ntlpft,t,t