Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-02-16
an THE stIRGEoN.

others from the northern division of our con-
tinent, engaged on the part Of the former.
Not only was there the hope Of laurels to
be won, our chiyalry excited, and our wild
oats to sow, but we had heard Of or person
ally witnessed. the gross conduct Of Pedro to-
wards the American Minister and Consul car
ried TO such an extent as obliged the former
to demand his passports aud return home
1t was therefore, war Of Amcricanism
against despotism. | was made surgeon Of
the brig of war Sampson, mounting eight
guns, though larger vessel under different
commander had been offered me. We were
| ordered to run down the coastand land spy
at Bahia. who was to create an Instruction
of the tlacks, and thus absige the enemy to
call in her feet from the blockade OF the river
Of Plata, together With injanctians to do as
much mischief as possible, goiug and return.
ing to anything uader the green flag If Bra
gil. We had proceeded thus far upon our
crrand and bad so well executed and obevcd
our commands, that thirteen remnants from
vessels Of war, and countless number Of
merchant flags, were displayed as proofs Of
our success, beside the prizes manned and
sent in. Theconsequence Of the latter trophy,
however, was annoying The manning Of 20
mary prize vessels from our own crew left us
4 ,.cI,o,J etr o.1 IN
compel us to dismiss, with prisoners, valua-
| bic vessel, the St John, for absolute want Of
all officer to take charge Of her The lieu
tenants had taken command, one after anotl
er. Of the captured vessels of war and the
master purser. midshipmcn aud masters mates
has been sent in with the merchant prizes. -
Our commander now stood alone, without a
single sea officer; the crew, too. had neces
sarily become much resiuced thirty eigh.
men ard three boys were all that remained
of the gallant hundred who bad left pert but
few months before.
On board Of one Of the lately capturcd yes
sells an Euglisbman. acting as supcfcargo
gave the intelligence Of an cnemy's brig Of
war lying 10 port, ready to SAID at moment $
warning. She wasststioned here to protect
the commerce "a vessel mounting eighteen
guns twcnfy- foss fonaaefs-- and ! hundred
and thirty two men. Despite Of this great
disparity Of force, our commander concluded
that she might be taken hy surprise and
that very hour--nay, that very momert. bis
design was put into execution.
The evening before that battle remember
as yesterday. Our commodore came on deck
with the gunner, saying to him: .Yeu will
lie to until daylight, with your head off shore
uhes. ] will join You with the other brig =
Quartermastcr. where is the plize!
Under the lee bow, sir; she seems to have
filed away
Man the weather main brace; square away
main yard board main back aftsheet. were
the quick commands and in fcw minutes
the two vessels were within speaking dis
taEce.
Brig aboyv No answer. Brig ahoyr
Louder: no answer. Brig aboy!' sternly
Answer. or will sink you A pause. Still
no answer,
.Forecastle, there, clear away No. 2. and
send your shot iuto their cabin to drive them
up frcm their grog-'
'Ay, ay, sir
And in moment the loud report Of a gun
was heard. aud the grating crash of the shot
was followed by .he echo rcvcrberatiug along
the coast of Olinda aud pcrnambuco
There's work for you. Doctor. said our
Captain.
oh. pray don't kill US, cried weak voice
from the prize; the men are all drunk, and
what can do 2
This came from boy who had been eft
by mistake when the Draziiaus we're brought
away
Put the helm down. and. as II urged BY
one impulse, both vessels swung gracefully up
into the wisd The orig OF war kept under
steeragc way until the maintopsail Of the
prize caught aback, when she hauled up her
mainsail and hove to
The gunner went on board with bis prize
crew and sent back the fellow who had. as the
5oa.swaiu's mate said, subjected him to CO..
ira duty with his cat
1t appeared that the prize crew temporar-
lily left in charge had discovered case Of gin.
and placing it on the cabin table, had taken
out one or more Of its square TASKS and emp
tied them with such diligence as to render
themselves il common pariance, drunk as
FOOLS that the man from the helm had join
ed them, and the vessel. left at her own
sweet will fell off before the wind her main
braces having been earelessly delayed = her
maiotopsail had filled away and she was fair
" running into port Of her accord From