Washington telegraph., 1852-03-10

'' ~ 'nio was CIOWuou lnCO space OF
not over fifteen or twenty minutes, before
the firing ceased. then went upon deck,
and what scene was presented and how
changed in so short time.
The Constitution looked perfectly fresh
and, even at this time, those on board the
Guerriere did not know what ship had
fought them. On tie other hand the
Guerriere Was mere rolling log-almost
entirely at the mercy Of the sea- Her col
Ors all shot away, her main-mast and miz-
zen-mast both gone by the board, aud her
fore-mast standing by the mere honeycomb
the shot had made. Captain Dacres Stood
with his officers surveying the scene-all,
all In the most perfect establishment At
this moment boat was seen putting off from
the hostile ship for the Guerrere. AS soon
as within speaking distance, a young
gentleman (Midshipman Reed, now Com
modore Reed hailed and said,
81 wish to see the officer in command of
this ship
At this Captain Dacres stepped forward
and answered,
Midshipman Reed then said, "Commo-
dore Hull's compliments and wishes to know
if you have struck your flag %
At this Captain Dacres appeared amazed,
but recovering himself, and looking up and
down, he deliberately replied-"W We'll, [
don't know-our mizzen-mast is gone, our
main-mast is gone, and, upon the whole,
you may say we have struck our flag ~
Commodore Hull's compliments and
wishes to know if you need the assistance
of surgeon or surgeons mate %
Captain Dacres replied-"Wel [ should
suppose you had on board your own ship bust
ness enough for all your medical officers"
Midshipman Reed replied-''O, no; we
have only seven wounded, and they are
dressed half an hour ago -
Captain Dacres then turned to me, and
said-"How have our situations been revers-
ed you are now free, and prisoner ~
All the boats Of both ships were now put
in requisitlon to remove the wounded on
board the Constitution So dreadful was
the condition of many of them, that two
days were nearly consumed in the removal,
after which the Guerriere was burned, with
all her stores, armament, etc. The Consti-
tuition having recently come out of port, had
no room to take scarcely an article
Who can imagine the joy [ experienced in
finding myself again under American colors
OF the pride felt, at finding, from Commo-
dore Hull down to the most humble man on
board an entire absence Of everything ike
a bOastful, Or even a triumphant look, at
their wonderful victory. Capt. Dacres kept
his state-room till we arrived in port
About two hundred of his men were neces-
sarily ironed, as the ship was so crowded.
Charles Morris (now Commodore) the first
officer of the Constitution, had bali through
his body, and for several days his recovery
was doubtful, during which he sent for me
to come to his room, and | well remember
his perfect umconcern for himself, although
the surgeon had apprised him Of his danger
Every courtesy and kindnes was, by Capt
Hull and his officers extended to their pris-
oners.
On Sunday, about noon, the Constitution
arrived in Boston harbor [ was sent on
shore in the boat The harbor between the
ship and the wharves was now covered with
boats to learn the news. To the first boat
that we neared, we hailed, ''The Constitu-
tion has captured the Guerrero" Instantly
the two men in the boat took off their hats
and violently struck them on the side Of
the boat, and, rising, gave cheer upon cheer.
They hailed other boats and thus the air
was rent with cheers, and victory PASSED
along till it reached the wharf, and then
spread like wild fire all over the city and
country.
It is now nearly forty years since the
transaction of that day proved to the Amer
leans that British frigates were not invinci-
ble Who can remember that day without
feeling glow of pride, that so early in the
war, and in manner so unpretending, a
victory so perfect should have been achiev-
ed | write this statement without notes,
but believe it to be, in the main accurate.
In justice to Captain Dacres, | add, that
there was none of the boasting on his part,
before the action, which has to him been at
tributed, as he did not know the ship till
Midshipman Reed announced her name and
commander. y
O. W.