Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-07-14
Capture ofthe Guerriere.

prudence, aud superior skill of the gallant Amer
lean Commodore.
The aneedote is doubtless correct in each inn
portant particular. \ person who was ON board
the Constitution when the event took place, gives
the following version:
Tho Guerrero was lying to. The Constitu-
lion was leisurely bearing down upon the enemy
under top sails every at his station,
and all on board were eager for the contest, when
the Gnerriere commenced the action Mt Il long
shot.
Capt. Hull gave peremptory order 10 his Off
GERS not to apply single match until he gave
the word. In few minutes forty-two pound
shot from the Guerrero took effect and killed
aud wounded some of our brave tars.
Lieut. Morris Immediately left his station on the
gun deck to report the same to the Captain and
request permission 10 return the fire, the men
were very DESTROYS to engage the enemy.
Mr. Norris" was the Commodore's reply,
care YOU ready for action ON the gun deck!'
''Yes. sir.
"Wen keep so--but don't let a gun be fred
till give the word"
In "A few moments Mr. Morris again appeared,
and stated that with difficulty he could restrain
the men from giving the enemy broadsd'-sp
anxious were they to commence the engage
ment.
Mr. Norris" reiterated the Commodore in
tently gazing on the English frigate, "Arc you
ready for action on the gun deck"
'.Yes. sir; aud it will be impossible for me any
longer to restrain the men from firing on the foe.
Their passions wrought up TO the highest
possible pitch of excitement. Several of our
braycsi men are already killed and wounded.
Keep cool; Mr.. Morris-keep cool. See all
prepared, and do not suffer gun 10 be fired, till
| give the word
The gallnnt lieutenant went below. IN n few
moments, the vessels having neared each other,
to within pstol-shot distance, Morris was sent
for 10 appear on the quarterback.
Are you ready for action Mr.. Morris!" again
demanded the Commodore.
We are ready, sir. and the men are mutter-
ing horrid imprceatous because they are not suf-
fered 10 return the fire upon the enemy
Fire then in God name," shouted the Com
modore in Il voice oil thunder.
1t is added, that he wore at the time, pair OF
Nankeen ights-and lac accompanied this soul
cheering order with such stamp on the deck
with his right foot, that the unfortunate panta-
looms were completely split from the knees to
the wastband.
Tho conduct of Dacres, before and during the
action was such aa might have been expected
from brave and generous enemy Mr.. Reed,
young man belonging 10 Brewster, Mass. at
present respectable shpmastcr out of Boston,
had been pressed ON board the Guerrero few
weeks previous to the engagement. Several
other American seamcn were also on board
When the Constitution was bearing down in
such gallant style, and itbecame evident that
severe action With an American frignte was in
cvitable, Mr.. Reed left his sutton and proceed
cd 10 the quarter deck, and respectfully but irm.
" represented to Capt. Dacres, TINT he was an
American citizen, unusty detained on board the
English f1igate that he had hitherto faithfully
performed the dnties assigned him; but that it
could not be reasonably expected that he would
fight against his oountrymen. He therefore,
begged leave to decline the honor OF partcipa-
ton in The engagement.
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 aud he subsequently ordered
them into the cock pit to assist ,he surgeons if
necessary.
Reed left tho spar deck after the Guer14ere
had commenced action. Several shots were known
to have taken effect but the Constitution had not
VT fred n gun, much to the amusement of the
British tars. who predicted that the enemy would
be taken without any resistance, with the excep-
ton of n veteran man OF wars man, who was in
the battle of the Nile, and grully obs, rved with
n single shake of his head, That id Yankee
| knows what he's about
\ few moments passed away, and the Consti-
! tuition poured in her tremendous broadside--ev-
! cry gun was double shotted and well pointed
aud the effect it had on the enemy can hardly he
/
perturhablc but harmless Yankees gave place
To the gronns of the dying aud sixteen poor
mutiated creatures were tumbled down into the
cockpit from the effects of the first broadside.
Dacrcs fought ms long rs spar was standing
or n gun could be brought to bear upon the enc
my but when his masts were completely shot II
way. his men, mostly killed and wounded, en-
numbering the deck while the scuppers were
streaming with gore when the Guerrero, which
n few hours befme was considered one of the
mos, splendid specimens # naval architecture
which belonged To the British navy lay on the
water an unsightly unmanagcable mass ; wher
he had no longer the stump of a mast left from
which to display the proud flag of his country
the gallant Briton began to think he had got into
AN ugly scrape, from which he could no longer
oppose IA feeble resistance TO his more fortunate
foe.
Capt. Hull sent nm officer to take possession 81
the Guerriere. When he had arrived along side
he demanded of the commander of the Englisl
frigate if he had struck.
Dacles was extremely reluctant to make thi,
concession in plain terms, but with shrewdnes.
which would have done honor TO n Yankee, en-
deavored % eyade the question.
Il do not known thai it would be prudent tC
continue the engagement any longer. said he.
DO under stand YOU to say that you hay,
struck 2 inquired the American lieutenant.
Not precisely, replied Dacrcs, but dom
know that it would be worth while TO fight any
longer.
If you think it adyisabe,l will return aboard,
replied the Yankee, and we will resume the en-
gagement
why, | am pretty near hors de combat al
ready said Dacres; have hardly men enough t.
work gun, and my ship is in sinking cond
ton
i wish to know promptly demanded the A
moriean officer, whether | am 10 consider you II,
prisoner of war, or an enemy | have no fur