Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-01-29
oE rnE GIlERRIEnE.

The following sketch OF the celebrated action be-
tween the Constitution and the Guerrero is copied
from the New York Evening Post, TO which paper il
was furnished by "valued correspondent:
Having been an American prisoner on board the
GuerrIere, during the famous battle between that TIT
gate and the United States rgale Constitution, pro-
pose giving you account OF that important action,
which took place in June, 1872.
About two weeks previous to the engagement, left
Boston in American ship, which was captured by
the Guerrero some five days before she tell In with
the Constitution.
1t was about ten o'clock in the morning when the
Constitution was discovered. The Guerrero hove
to- to enable her to come up. AS the Constitution
neared us, Captain Dacres handed me his glass. and
asked me what took her TO be- My reply was, '.she
looks like frigate," Very she within
reach OF the long guns of the Guerrero which were
fired. but with effect, as the sea ran high. Tie
Constitution made no reply; but, as saw, was ma
nnuvrng for poston-durIng which Capt. Dacres
said to me, sDe you think she is going to strike with
out iring?" | replied, 81 think not sir"
AT this moment, seeing severe contest was about
commencing, in which | could take part, being
only prisoner, l raised my hat to Captain Dacrss
and said to him-'Wlth your permission, sir, will
go below, as can take no part" go, certainly" said
he, land you had better go into the cockpit. and
should any of our men chance to get wounded, shall
feel obliged if you will assist the surgeons in dressing
tkem' "Certainly, sir, said /, and then descended
into the cockpit There the surgeons, and
geons' mates, and attendants, sitting around long
liable covered with instruments and all necessares for
dressing tie wounded, as still as funeral Within
one moment alter my foot left the lower round of the
ladder the Constitution gave that double broadsde,
which threw all in the cock pit in heap the
opposite side of the ship.
For moment it appeared as il heaven and earth
had struck together; moro terrific shock cannot be
agned. Before those 10 the cockpit had adjusted
themselves, the blood ran down from the deck as
freely as if a wash tub iu had been turned ever
handed down as rapidly as men could pass them, till
the cockpit filed with hardly for the sur
geons to work. Mdshipmen were handed with one
leg, some with one arm, and others wounded ia al
haDp An fflcar on
table having his arm amputated, would sing out 10
cemrade coming down wounded, "Well ship
mate. how goes the baltle7" Another would utter
some Joke, that would make even the diving smile,
and SO constant and freely were the playful remarks
from the manned and even dying, that almost doubt
ed my own senses. Indeed, all this crowded into
space of not over fifteen or twenty minutes, before
the firing ceased then wen, upon deck, and what
scene was presented. and how changed in short
time
The Constitution looked perfectly re.h-and even
at this time, those board the Guerliere did not
know what ship had fought them. On the other hand,
the Guerrero was mere rolling log-amost entirely
at the mercy Of the sea- Her colors all shot away,
her maln-mast and mzen-mast both gone by the
board, and her foremast standing by the honey
comb the shot had made. Capt. Dacres stood with
his officers surveying the scene-al, all in the
perfect asto nlshment. At this moment a boat WAS
seen putting of from the hostile ship for the Guer.
riere. As soon as within speaking distance, young
gentleman (Midshpman Read, now Commodore
Read) hailed and said 81 wish to the officer in
command oil this ship"
At this, Capt Dacres stepped forward and an
swered. Midshipman Read then said Commodore
HuPs compliments, and wishes to know if you have
struck your flag
At this Captain Dacres appeared amazed, but re-
covering himself and looking up and down, he de-
liberately replied: Well i don't know-our mzzen-
mast is gone, our maln-mast is gone-and upon tho
whole, you may say we have struck our flag p
Commodore Hull's compliments, and wishes 10
know ii you need the assistance OF surgeon or sur
geons mateP
l;.I. 6 al T II
you had on board your own ship business enough tor
all your medical officers.
Midshipman Read replied: ooh, no; we have only
seven wounded, and they were dressed half an hour
ago.
Captain Dacrss then turned to me, deeply afiec-
ted, aad said; How have situations been sud<
denly reversed !! You now free, aud | a pri-
soner.
All the boats OF both ships were now put in re.
QUESTION to remove the wounded board the Cons-
tuition. So dreadful the condition OF many of
val alter which the Guerrero burned, with all her
stores, armament, &C. The Constitution having
Gently come out OF port had no room to take scarcely
article
Who can imagine the Joy experienced in finding
myself again under American colo E, the pride |
felt at fin 3ing, from Commodore Hull down to the
most humble man on board, entire ab OF
everything like boastful or even a triumphant look
at their wonderful victory. Captain Dacres kept his
state-room till we arrived in port. About hun
died OF his men were necessarily iroued as the ship
was SO crowded. ChareS MOTIFS, (now Commodore
the first officer of the Constitution had ball through
his body and for several days his recovery doubt
ful during which he sent for me to come to mis-
room and we'll remember his perfect uneoncern for
himself although the surgeon had apprsed him of his
danger. Every courtesy and kindness was by Captain
Hull and his officers extended to their prisoners
On Sunday, about aoon the Constitution arrived in
Boston haibor. was sent shore in the boat. The
harbor between the ship and wharves now coveted
with boats to learn the To the first boats that
we neared. hailed "The Constitution has captured
the Gurriere." Instantly the two men in the boat took
off their hats and violently struck them the side OF
the boat, and rising, gave cheer upon cheer They
hailed other boats, and thus the air rent with
cheers, and the victory passed along till reached the
wharf, and then spread like wd-tre all over the city
and country.
It'll now nearly forty wears since the transaction of
tina. day proved The Americans that British frigaes
were not invincble. Who can remember that day !,
without feeling glow OF pride, that early in the
war, and In a manner SO unpretendidg, victory so
perfect should have been achieved write this state
ment without notes. but believe it to be true, in the
main, accurate.
In justice to Captain Dacres, add, that there was
none of the Boosting his part, before the action,
which has to him been attributed, he did moi know
the ship, till Midshipman Read announced her name
and commander"