The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-07-29
WHOLE NUMBER 70

reply, care you ready for action on the
gun-deck 7"
eyes, sir"
"Well, keep so-but don't let gun
be fired till give the word"
In few moments, Mr.. Morris again
and stated that he could with
difficulty restrain the men from giving
the enemy broadside-so anxious were
they to commence the engagement.
"Mr. Morris, !" reiterated the commo-
dore, 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 fir
ing on the foe. Their passions are
wrough up to the highest possible pitch
of excitement. Several of our bravest
seamen are already killed and wounded"
"Keep cool, Mr.. Morris-keep cool.
See all prepared, and do not suffer q
gun to be fired till l give the word"
The gallant lieutenant went below. In
a few moments, the vessels having near
ed each other to within pistol-shot dis
tance, Mr.. Morris was sen tfor to appear
on the quarter deck. I
care you all ready for action, Mr..
Morris 2" again demanded the commo-
dore.
"We are all ready, sir-and the men
are muttering horrible imprecations be-
cause they are not suffered to return the
fire of the enemy"
"Fire, then, in Gods name % shout.
ed the commodore, in voice of thun-
der.
1t is added, that he wore at the time
pair of ma'skeen tights-and he accom-
panied 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
have been expected from brave and
generous enemy. Mr.. Reed, a young
man belonging to Brewster, Mass, at
present respectable ship-master out of
Boston, had been pressed on board Of
the Guerrero few weeks previously to
the engagement. Several other Ameri-
can seamen were also on board. When
the Constitution was bearing down in
such gallant style, it became evident
that severe action with an American
frigate was inevitable, Mr.. Reed left his
station and proceeded to the quarter
deck, and respectfully but firmly repre-
sented to Captain Dacres that he was an
American citizen, unjustly detained on
board of the English frigate that he
had hitherto faithfully performed the
duties assigned him; but that it could
not reasonably be expected that he would
fight against his countrymen. He,
therefore, begged leave to decline the
honor of participating in the engage
ment.
The English captain frankly told him
that he appreciated his patriotic feelings;
that he did not wish the Americans on
board to fight against their countrymen;
and he subsequently ordered them into
the cockpit to aid the surgeon If neces-
sary. Reed left the spar-deck after the
Guerrero had commenced the action.
several shots were known to have taken
effect, but the Constitution had not yet
fred a gun, much to the amusement of
the British tars, who predicted that the
enemy would be taken without any re-
sistence, with the exception of a veteran
man -of-war's man, who was in the bat
tie of the Nile, and grufly observed with
a significant shake of his head. )" that
Yankee knows what he's about"
A few moments passed away, and
the Constitution poured in her tremend-
Gus broadside-every gun was double
shotted and well pointed and the effect
which it had on the enemy can hardly
be conceived. Misstimed jests and Jeers
at the impurtabie, but harmless Yam
KEGS. gave place to the groans OF the
diving and sixteen poor mutilated crea-
tnres were tumbled down into the cock
nit. from the first broadside.
Dacres fought as long as spar was
standing, or gun could be brought to
bear upon the enemy; but when his
nasts were completely shot away, his
nen mostly killed and wounded, encum-
,ering the deck, while the scupPers were
streaming with gore; when the uuer-
iere, which few hours before was con-
,idered one of the most splendid speci-