Butte record., 1854-03-25

guns and strewing the decks with the
dead, until at length, with 'seyery brace
and bow-hne shot away" she lay an
unmansgable wreck on the water, But
still through the smoke, as it went be-
fore the heavy broadsides, her colors we're
seen flying and cleaned forth in that
that glorious motto :-'DoA't g5re up The
sAsps'
Calm and unmoved at the slaughter
around him, and his own desperate con-
dition. Perry gave his orders tranquil
ly, as though executing a man@vre.
Although in his FIRST battle, his face
gave no tokens of his emotions that mas
tered him. Advancing to assist sailor
whose gun had got ont Of order. he saw
the poor fellow struck from his side by
twenty-four pound SHOT, and expired
without a groan. His second iieuten-
ant fell at his feet.
Lieutenant Brooks, a gay da>hing
young officer of extraordinary personal
beauty, while speaking cheerlully to
him, was dashed TO the other side Of the
deck, and mangIed In the most horrid
manner. His shrieks, and implorinr
cries to Perry to xiii him, and end his
misery, were heard above the roar the
guns in every part of the ship.
The dying who strewed the deck,
would turn their eyes in mute inquiry
upon their youthful commander, as if to
be told they had done their duty.
Lieutenant Yarrel, with handker-
chief tied around his head, and another
around his neck to staunch the blood
flowing from his wounds, his nose swelled
to nostrous size, from a splinter hav-
ing passed through it, disfgured and
covered with gore, moved among this
terrified scene, the very genius of havoc
and carnage Approaching Perry, he
tod him every officer in his division
was killed. Others we're given him, but
he soon returned with the same dismal
tiding. Perry then told him he must
get along by himself, as he had no more
to furnish him, and the gallant man went
back to his guns. Only once more did
the shadow Of any emotion pass over the
countenance Of this intrepid commander.
He had brother on board who was only
twelve years old. The little fellow had
had two balls pass through his hat, and
had been struck with splinters, was still
standing by the side Of his brother.
stunned by the awful eanDonading and
carnage around him, when he suddenly
fell. For a moment Perry thought he
800 was gone. but he had only been
knocked down by a hammock, which
cannon ball had hurled against him.
AT lenght every gun was dismounted
but one still Perry fought with that I'LL
at last it was also knocked from the car
riages- Out OF the one hundred men
with whom few hours before he bad
gone TO battle, only eighteen stood ND
unwounded. Looking through the smoke
be saw the Niagara, apparently uncrip-
pied, drifting out of the battle.
Leaping out Of his boat with his Young
brother, he said, ''If victory is to be
gained, | will gain it," and standing
erect, told the sailors to give way with a
viii. The enemy observing the move
ment Immediately directed their fire up
on the boat. Oars were splintered in
the rowers' hands by musket balls. and
the men themselves covered with spray
from the round shot and grape that smote
the water on every side. Passing swift
" through the iron storm he reached the
Niagara in safety, and as the survivors
OF the Laurence saw him 90 up the YES
sells side, they gave hearty cheer
Finding her sound and whole. Perry
backed his maintop-saiI, and flung out
hls signal for close action. From each
vessel the answering signal went up in
the sunlight, and three cheers rung over
water. He then gave his sails to the
wind, and bore steadily down to the CEN
tre Of the enemy's line. Reserving his
fire as be advanced he passed along
through the hostile feet, within close
pistol range-wrapped in fire as he
swept on. Delivering his broadside right
and left, he spread horror and death
through the decks Of the Detroit and
Lady P erost. Rounding-to as he pass
ed the line he laid his vessel close to
two Of the enemy's ships and poured in
his rapid fire. The shrieks that rung
out Of the Detroit were heard even above
the deatening canoDade, while the crew
of the Lady Prerost unable to stand the
FIRE ran below leaving thar rro,,,,l. !