Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-10-27
miscellaneous.
CAPTURE on THE GURRIERE BY THE
~ C INSTITUTION.


e C INSTITUTION.
The following account of the capture of the
British frigate Guerrero by the American
frigate Constitution. is communicated to the
n. \. Evening Post by a correspondent who
was q prisoner on board the Guerrero during
the combat. It's paper which deserves a
place among the historical archives of the
country
Having been an American prisoner on board
the Guerrero, during the famous battle be-
tween that frigate and the United States fri.
gate Constitution, ! propose giving you 40 ac-
count Of that important action, which took
place in June, 1872. M 6se ssag
About two weeks previous to the engage
n,ent, left Boston in an American ship,
which was captured by the Gurriere some Eve
days before she fell in with the Constitution
1t was a but ten o'clock in the morning
when the Constitution was discovered. The
Guerrero hoye-too to enable her to come up.
As the Constitution neared as, Capt. Daseres
handed me his glass, and asked me what
took her to be I! My reply was--'she looks
like frigate!'' Very soon she came within
reach Of the long guns Of the Guerrero. which
were fred, but with no effect, as the sea ran
high. The Constitution made no reply, but
as saw. was rnaneuvering for position
during which Capt. Dacres said to me, do
you think she is going to strike without frlng?"
replied, Il think not, SIR"
At this moment, seeing a severe contest
was about commencing in which could take
no part. being only prisoner, l raised my
hat to Capt. Dacres, and said to him---'with
your permission, sir. will 20 below as can
take no part" ooh, certainly" said he, and
you had better 60 into the cockpit. and
should any of our men chance to get wound
cd, shall feel obliged if you will assist the
surgeons in dressing them" Certainly, sir, ="
said !, and then descended into the cock pit
There were the surgeons. and surgeon mates
and attendants, setting around long table,
covered with Instruments, and all necessaries
for dressing the wounded, as still as funeral
Within one moment after my foot left the
lower round Of the ladder, the Constitution
gave that double broadside which threw all
10 the cock pit over in heap on the oppo,
site side of the ship.
For moment it appeared as if Heaven and
earth had struck together, more terrific shock
cannot be imagined. Before those in the cock
pit had adjusted themselves, the blood run
down from the deck as freely as il a wash tub,
full had been turned over, and instantly the
dead, wounded and dying were handed down
as rapidly as men could pass them, till the
Cockpit was filed, with hardly room for the
surgeons to work. Nidsbipmen were handed
down with one leg some with one arm, and
Others wounded In almost every shape and
condition. An officer who was on the table
having his arm amputated, would sing out to
comrade coming down wounded well
sbipmate, how goes the battle ?" Another
would utter some joke, that would make even
the dying smile, and so constant and freely
were the playful remarks from the MANNED
and even dying, that almost doubted my
own senses. Indeed all this was crowded in.
to space of not over Is or 20 minutes. be.
fore the firing ceased. then went upon deck,
and what scene was here presented and how
changed in so short a time.
The Constitution looked perfectly fresh
and even at this time, those on board the
Guerrierc did not know what ship had fought
them. On the other hand the Guerrero was
mere rolling log--almost entirely at the
mercy of the sea- Her colors all shot away,
her main mast ard mizen, mast both gone by
the board, and her foremost standing by the
mere honey comb the shot had made Capt
Dacres stood, with his officers, surveying the
scene- all in the most perfect astonishment.
AT this moment boat was seen putting off
from the hostile ship for the Gurriere. AS
soon. as within speaking distance, young
gentleman (midshipman Reed, now Commo-
dore Reed } hailed and said-'I wish to see
the officer in command Of the ship" At this,
Capt. Dacres stepped forward, and answered.
Midshipman Reed then -"Commodore
Hulls compliments, and wishes to know if
yon have struck your fagg' At this Capt
Dacres appeared amazed, but recovering him
self and looking up and down, he deliberately
replied, well, don't know-our mizcn mast
is gone, our main mast is gone and upon
the whole, you may say We have struck our
flag" -
Commodore Iull's compliments. and wish
es to know if you need the assistance of
surgeon or SURGEONS mate Capt Dacres
replied, well, I should suppose you had on
board your own snip business enough for all
your medical officers" Midsh;pman Reed
replied, 20, no, we have only seven wounded,
and they were dressed half an hour ago"
Capt. Dacres then turned to me, deeply af-
fectcd, and said, GLOW have our situations
been suddenly reversed? you are now Free
and I a prisoncr!" n
All the boats Of both ships were now put
in requisition to remove the wounded On board
The Constitutions dreadful was the condi-
ton OF many Of them, that two days were