The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-04-21
WOODsFIELD OHIO, SATURDAY, APRIL 81, 1S4a

master received death wound. The
brave boatswain, who came from the
sick bed to the din Of battle, was fas.
tening stopper on back stay which
had been shot away, when his head
was smashed TO pieces by a cannon
ball; another man, going to complete
the unfinished task, was also struck
down. Another Of our midshipmen
also received severe wound. The
unfortunate ward.room steward, who
attempted to cut his throat on former
I occasion, was killed.
A fellow named John, who for some
petty offence had been sent on board
as punishment, was carried past me
wounded. | distinctly heard the large
blood.drops fall pat. pat, pat, on the
deck; his wounds were mortal, Even
. poor goat kept by the officers for her
milk, did not escape the general car
mage; her hind legs were shot of, and
poor Nan was thrown overheard.
/ Such was the terrible scene, amid
which we kept on our shouting and
firing. Our men fought like tigers.
Some of them pulled of their jackets,
others their jackets and vests; while
some still more determined, had taken
off their shirts, and, with nothing but a
handkerchief tied round the waist bands
Of their trowsers, fought like heroes
| also observed boy named Cooper,
stationed at a gun some distance from
the magazine. He came to and fro on
the full run, and appeared to be as
''merry as a cricket." The third lieu
tenant cheered him along, occasionally,
by saying, swell done, my boy, you
are worth your weight in gold" M
| have often been asked what were
, my feelings during this fight. l felt
: pretty much as ! suppose every one
does at such a time. That men are
E without thought when they stand amid
9 the dying and the dead, is too absurd
I an idea to be entertained moment.
n We all appeared cheerful, but know
a many q serious thought ran through
!. my mind still, what could we do but
e keep up semblaHce. at least, OF ami
IS nation? To run from our quarters
v would have been certain death from
o the hands of our own officers to give
'r way to gloom, or to show fear, would
do no good, and might brand us with
v the name of towards, and ensure GER
n tain defeat. 9 Aa ua .aItaa.@
n Our only true philosophy, therefore
e was to make the best of our situation
II BY fighting bravely and cheerfully.
>. thought great deal, however Of the
d other world; every falling man told
,t me that the next instant might be
" before the Judge of all the earth. For
e this felt unprepared; but being with.
Q out any particular knowledge of reli
" gious truth, satisfied myself by re.
e pea,ing again the Lords prayer, and
II promising that if spared, would be
is more attentive TO religious duties than
I. ever before. This promise had NO
(. doubt, at the time, Of keeping but
n have learned since that it is easier to
make promises amidst the roar Of bat
|. ties thunder, or in the horrors of ship
h. wreck, than TO keep them when dan
I. ger is absent, and safety smiles upon
3. our path. at ! G
N While these thoughts secretly agi
IS tated my bosom, the din Of battle con
m tinued. Grape and canister shot were
9. pouring through our port holes like
4 leaden rain, carrying death in its trail
10 The large shot came against the ships
.. side like iron hail, shaking her to the
A very keel, or passing through her tim
,r bers, and scattering terrific splinters
y which did o more appalling work than
70 even their own death.giving blows
The reader may form an idea of the eff
!, feet Of grape and canister, when he j!
,t told that grape shotis formedby sever
a or eight balls confined by an iron ane
N tied in cloth. These balls are scat
n. tered by the explosion of the powder
n Canister shot is made by filling pow
E der canister with balls, each as large
nr as two or three musket balls these
"a also scatter with direful effect wher
~ discharged. What, then, with splin
. ters, cannon balls, grape and cannister
- poured necessarily upon US, the read
nt er may be assured that the work o
i, death went on in manner whichmus
=. have been satisfactory even to th'
as King of Terrors himself. sao ba
Of Suddenly the erattIing Of the iron hal
-. ceased. We were ordered to ceas
nd firing. A profound silence ensued
d. brok an only by the stifled groans O
nd the brave sufferers below. ltwas sool
,ol asce rtained that the enemy had sho
n ahead 10 repair damages, for she WA
~ not SO disabled but she could sail withou
IA difficulty; while we were SO cut uF
N that we lay utterly hopeless Our hea
81 lh.a,,asf N, arai shot avnv the fore an