Litchfield enquirer., 1852-02-12
Capture OF the Guerrero by the Con-
Stituti0n.

can frigate Constitution, is communicated
to US by valued correspondent who was
a prisoner on board the Guerrero during
the combat. It is paper which deserves
place among the historical archieves ofthe
country:
To the Editors of the Evening Post:
Having been an American prisoner on
board the Guerrero, during the famous bat
tie between that frigate and the U. S frig-
ate Constitution, proposs giving you an
account OF that important action, which
took place in June, 1912.
About two weeks previous to the engage
ment, left Boston in an American shin,
which was captured by the Guerrero some
FIVE days before she lellin with the Con-
stitution.
1t was about 10 o'clock in the morning
when the Constitution was discovered
The Guerrero hove too to enable her to
come up. As the Constitution neared US,
Capt. Darcres handed me his glnss, and
and asked me what took her to be j? NV
reply was She looks like frigate."-
Very soon she came within reach of the
long guns OF the Gurrlere, which were
fired, but with no effect, rs the sea ran
high. The Constitution made no reply :,
but, as saw, was maneuvering for po-
sition--iuring which Capt. Dacres said to
me, e. Do you think size IL going to strike
without firing!' Ireplied, 81 think not,
SIR"
At this moment, seeing severe contes,
was about commencing, in which could
take no part, being only prisoner, raised
my hat to Capt. Darcres, and said to him
-" With your permission, sir, will go
below, as can take no part" 10, GER
tainly, said he, and you had better go into
the cock pit, and should any of our mon
get wounded, shall feel obliged If you will
assist the surgeons in dressing ihem.'-
Certainly, sir" said I, and then descen-
ded into the cockpit. There were the
surgeons. and surgeons mates, and atten-
dants, sitting around long table, covered
with instruments, and all the necessaries
for dressing the wounded. rs still as a flu.
Deral. Within a moment after my foot
left the lower rounG oft ladder. the Con
stitution gave that double broadside, which
threw all 10 the cockpit over in a heap on
the opposite side of the ship.
For moment it appeared as if heaven
and earth had struck together a more ter.
rife shock cannot be imagined. Before
those in the cockpit had adjusted them.
selves, the blood ran from the decks as
freely as if a wash>tub full had been turn
ed over, and instantly the dead, dying and
wounded were handed down as rapidly as
men could pass them, till the cockpit was
filed; with hardly room for the surgeons
to work. Midshipmen were handed down
with one leg, SONS with one arm, and 9th.
ers wounded in almost every shape and
condition. An officer who was on the tn
BILE having his arm amputated, would sing
out to a comrade coming down wounie!-
" Well, ship mate, how goes the battle =
and another would utter some Ike thu,
would make even the dying smile, aud SO
C instant and freely were the playful re-
marks from the manned and even dying
that almost doubted my own senses. In
deed alb this was crowded into space Of
not over ID or 20 minutes before the firing
ceased. then went upon deck. AMI what
u scene was presented, and how changed
in 30 short time.
The Constitution 10 ,ked p,rfectly fresl,
and even Mt this time. those on board the
Guerrero did not know what ship had
fought them, On the other hand the Ga.
erriere was mere rolling log-aImost en-.
tirely at the mercy of the sea. Her colors
shot away. her main mast and ,nizen-mast
both gone by the board, aud Dor fore mast
standing by the mere honey comb the
shot had made. Capt. Darcres stood, with
his officers, surveying the scene--alI, all in
the most perfect astonisliment. At this
moment boat was seen putting of from
the hostile ship for the Guerrero. AS soon
rs within speaking distance, a young gen.
lleman lMidshipman Reed, now Commo.
dore Reed) hailed and saitl-'. wisl. 10 see
the officer in command Of this ship.n Al
this, Capt, Dacres stepped forward and ar .
swered. Midshipman Reed then said
Commodore Ilull's compliments, and
wishes to know ii you hive struck your
flag !" Az this Capt. Dacres appeared
amazed. but recovering himself, and look.
ing up and down, he deliberately replied
-" Well don't know-our mizzen mast
is gone eur main mast is gone and upon
the whole. you may say we have struck
oar flag
" Commodore HulI's compliments, and
wishes to know if you need the assistance
Of a surgeon or surgeons mate.' Can't
Dacres replied" Well | should suppose
you had on board your own ship business
enough for all your medical officers Mid.
shipman Rec replied, 90, no, wo have
only seven wounded, and they were dres-
sed half an hour ago"
Capt. Dacres then turned 10 me, deeply
affected, and said-"ITow has our si,na-
lion been suddenly reversed = youare free
and ! a prisOne. -
who can imagine the joy experienced
in finding myself under American colors-
or the pride felt, ut fading, from Com.
modore Hull, down TO the most humble
man on board, an entire absence Of eyefv
thing like boastful, or even Triumphant,
look. at their wonderful victory. Cant.
Dacres kept bis state room until we arrived
in port. About two hundred of his men
were necessarily irOned, rs The ship was 20
crowded, Charles Morris, (now CommO>
dore) the FIRST officer Of the Constitution.
had ball through his body and for several
A.. AfasHhffsnl-ftfne saa