The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-04-21

a discharge from our quarter deck guns,
though it proved to be the roar Of The
enemy's cannon.
A strange noise, such as never
heard before, next arrested my atten.
tion; il sounded like the tearing OF sails
Just over our heads. This ] soon as
certained to be the wind of the enemy's
shot. The firing, after few minutes
cessation, recommended. The roaring
Of cannon could now be heard from all
parts Of our trembling ship, and ming
ling as it did with that Of our foes, II
made most hideous noise. By.and-by
| heard the shots strike the side Of our
ship; the whole scene became indescri.
badly confused and horrible; j, was like
some awful, tremendous thunder storm,
whose deafening roar is attended by
incessant streaks Of Lightning, carrying
death in every fash, and strewing the
ground with the victims Of its wrath;
only, in our case, the scene was rem
dered more horrible than that, by the
presence Of torrents Of blood which
dyed our decks.
| Though the recital may be painful,
! vet as it will reveal the horrors Of war,
and show at what fearful price vic.
tory is won or lost, will present the
readers with things as they met my
eye, during the progress Of that dread.
| ful fight. was busily supplying my
gun with powder, when saw blood
suddenly fly from the arm Of a man
stationed at our gun. ! saw nothing
ls,rike him; the effect alone was visible;
lin an instant the third lieutenant tied
his handkerchief round the wounded
arm, and sent the groaning wretch be.
low to the surgeon.
The cries Of the wounded now rang
through all parts Of the ship. These
were carried to the cockpit as fast a:
they fell, while those more fortunate
men who were killed outright, were
Immediately thrown overheard. AS
was stationed but short distance from
the main hatchway, l could catch
glance at all who were carried below
A glance was all that could indulg,
, in, for the boys belonging to the gun
/, next 70 mine were wounded in the earl,
/. part of the action, and had TO sprln
. with all my might, to keep three o
four guns supplied with cartridges. .
| saw two Of these lads tall nearl.
: together. One of them was struck il
! the leg by large shot; he had to suite
. amputation above the wound. Tn
a other had grape or canister shot sen
through his ancle. A stou. Yorkshire
, man lifted him in his arms, and hurrIe
$ him to the cockpit. He had his foo
!. cut of, and was thus made lame 70
life. Two Of the boys stationed on tn
] quarterback were killed. They wer
:. both Portuguese. A man, who sa0
! one Of them killed, afterwards told m
;. that his powder caught fire, and burn
the flesh almost off his face. In thi
!. pitiable situation, the agonized boy l'f'
$ ed up both hands, as if imploring relic
e when passing shot instantly cut hin
in two.
!. was an eyewitness to a sight equa
Iy revolving. A man. named Aldrlcf
. had one OF his hands cut Oft by sho
e and almost at the same moment he re
!. ceived another shot, which tore ope
!, his bowels in terrible manner. A
7 he fell, two or three men caught him i
!. their arms, and, us he could not live
d threw him overheard.
g One of the officers in my division ais
n iell in my sight. He was noble
d hearted fellow, named Nan Kivell.
: grape or canister shot struck him nea
n the heart; exclaiming, ''Oh! my God!
9 he fell and was carried below, wher
i he shortly after died.
d Mr.. Hope, our first lieutenant, wa
e also slightly wounded by a grummet, Q
y small iron ring, probably torn from
n hammock clew by shot. He wer
!. below, shouting to the men to fgh. or
Q Having his wound dressed, he came u
again, shouting to US at the top OF h
n voice, and bidding US fight with all OF
p might. There was not a man IN tn
g ship but would have rejoiced had h
n been in the place Of our masters mat
:. the unfortunate Nan Kivell.
lie The battle went on. Our men kel
lie cheering with all their might. chee
re cd with them, though Iconfess scare
m " knew for what. Certainly there WI
" nothing very inspiring in the aspect
$, things where ] was stationed. SO te
@ ribIe' had been the destruction aro,lr
re rs, Il was termed the slaughter -hous
Not only had we had several boysaI
r men killed and wounded, but several
81 the guns were disabled. 4
rd The one 1 belonged to had a piece
ID The muzzle knocked out, and when q
re ship rolled, il struck Q beam of the y
-. - 4. A.