Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1852-11-18
NBa6@ce MQ.
Capture Of The Gnerriere.

An anecGote relating to the capture of the
Guerriere has lately gone the rounds of the
papers, which is stated TO have beenfr from an IN
questionable source, and characteristic of the
coelness, prudence, and superior skill OF the gal
liant American Commodore. The anecdote IS +
doubtless correct in each important particular.
A person who was on board the Constitution
when the occurrence took place, gives the
following version:
The Guerriere was lying to. The Consti-
tuition was leisurey bearing down upon the
enemy under three topsails-every man was
al his station, and all on board were eager for
the contest, when the Guerrero commenced
the action at long shot. Capt. Hull gave
peremptory order to his officers not to apply
single match until he gave the word. 10
few minutes for'y-two pound shot from the
Guerrero took effect and killed and wounded
some of our brave tars. Lieut.. Rorris imme-
diately left his station on the gun-deck TO re-
port the same TO the Captain and request per-
mission to return the fire, as the men were
very anxious to engage the enemy.
''Mr. Norris" was the Commodore's re-
ply, ''are you ready for action on the gun
deck"
"Yes, sir"
Well, keer So but don't let gun be
fired, until / give the word. .
In a few moments, Mr.. Morris again aP-
peared and stated that he could with difficult
ty restrain the men from giving the enemy
broadside = SO anxious were they to com
mence the engagement.
"Mr. Morris,'' reiterated the Commodore,
intently gazing on the English frigate, ARE
you ready for action on the gun-deck.'
''Yes, sir; and it is impossible for me any
longer to restrain the men from firing on the
foe. Their passions are wrought up to the
highest pitch of excitement. Several of our
bravest seamen are already killed and wound
ed"
keep cool, Mr.. Morris-keep cool. See
all prepared, and do not suffer a gun to be fred,
till | give the word
The gallant Lieutenant went below. In a
few moments, the vessels having neared each
other to within pistol shot distance, Morris
was sent for to appear on the quarterback.
Are you all ready for action, Mr.. Morris 90
again demanded the Commodore.
1--WE are all ready, sir-and the men are
muttering horrible imprecations because they
are not suffered to return the fire of the ene-
N.Y."
Fire, then, in Gods name J" shouted the
Commodore, in a voice of thunder.
Il is added that he wore at the time pair
of nankeen tights-and he accompanied this
soul-cheering order with such a stamp on the
deck with his right foot, that the unfortunate
pantaloons were completely split from the
knee to the waistband.
The conduct of Dacres, before and during
the action, was such as might bave beer, ,ex-
pected from brave and generous enemy
Mr.. Reed, a young man belonging to Brews-
ter, Mass, at present a respectable shIp-mas-
seE opss9f Boston, ad-beewpressed on board
the GuerrIere few weeks previous 10 the en-
gsgeslent. Several other American seamen
were also on board. ~ hen the Constitution
was bearing down. In such gallant style and
it became evident that severe action with
an American frigate was inevitable, Mr.. Reed
left his station aud proceeded to the quarter
deck, and respectfully but firmly represented
TO Capt. Dacres that he was an American
citizen, unjusty detained on board the Eng
iish frigate that he had hitherto faithfully
performed the duties assigned him but that
it could not reasonably be expected he would
fight against his countrymen. He therefore
begged leave to decline the honor of partci-
pating n.the engagement.
The EnghS captain frankly told him tha t
lie appreciated his patriotic feelings that he
did not wish the Americans on board to fight
against their countrymen and he subseqUent-
! ly ordered them into the cockpit to assist the
surgeons If necessary. Reed left the spar-deck
after the Guerrero had commenced the action.
Several shots were known to have taken
effect, hut the Constitution had not vet fired d
gun, much TO the amusement Of the British
tars, who predicted that the enemy would be
taken without any resistance, with the excep-
J ton of veteran man-of-war's man, who was
/ in the battle of the Nile, and gru1fly observed,
with significant shake of his head, "that
/ id Yankee knows what he's about
A few moments passed away, and the Con-
stitution poured In her tremendous broadslde
I every gun was double shotted and well
/ pointed and the effect which it had on the
enemy can hardly be conceived. Mis- simed
I iests and jeers at the imperturble, but harm-
/ less Yankees, gave place to the grOans of the
dying, and sixteen poor mutiated creatures
were tumbled down into the cockpit, from the
effects of the first broadside.
/ Dacres fought long spar was stand
ing, or q gun could be brought to bear upon
pletely shot away, his men mostly killed or
wounded, encumbering the deck :; while the
scuppers were streaming with gore when
the Guerrero, which few hours before was
considered one of the most splendid speci-
mems of naval architecture belonging 10 the
British navy, lay on the water an unsighty
and unmanageable mass, when he had no lon
ger the stump of mast left from which to
display the proud flag of his country, the gal
ldDt DTitOu Oegdn 70 buiuA lfidt he ldu gOt III
to an ugly scrape, from which he could no
longer oppose feeble resistance to his more
fortunate foe.
Capt. Hull sent an officer to take posses
sion of the Guerrero. When he had arrived
alongside, he demanded of the commander 0:
the English frigate if he had struck.
Dacres was extremely reluctant to make
this concession in plain terms, but with a
shrewdness which would have done honor to
Yankee, endeavored to evade the question.
II do not know that it would be prudent to
continue the engagement any longer" said
he.
"Do l understand you 70 say that you have
struck 30 inquired the American lieutenant.
Not precisely" replied Dacres, but
don't know that il will be worth while to fight
any longer"
''If you think it advisable, | will return
aboard" replied the Yankee, sand We will
resume the engagement"
"Why | am pretty nearly b0rs de copf5Ti