The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-03-28

isteuce of great merit. In the employ
of the owners of the vessel, Jones sailed
two years, at the end of which time the
firm dissolved. From this date, up to
his departure for America, ne followed
the sea in various capacities, going twice
to the coast of Africa, on sla7ing expe-
ditions.
In 1878 his brother William died in
Virginia, leaving him heir to his estate.
In order to attend to his property he
came to America, and it was shortly af-
ter his arrival that he assumed the name
of Jones. The reasons for the adoption
of this name have never been definitely
given.
Jones' connection with the American,
navy commenced sometime in December,
IT'S. He was ordered to the Alfred,
twenty-four guns, as first lieutenant On
board this vessel, at Philadelphia, on
the 10Th of December, 1776, he hoisted
for the first time, the adopted flag of the
Unite Colonies. This flag bore the
representation of pine tree and rattle
make with thrs mott Don't Tread
on Me-"
While attached to the Alfred he came
first under fire in an engagement with
the Glasgow, twenty-four guns, of New
port. The ALfred was badly cut up in
this affair, which resulted in the escape
of the GLaSgaa0 into Newport. In a
variety of commands which Jones under
took about this time, he particularly dis
tinguished himself by his promptness of
action, and the ability which he display
ed in seizing at oncc on the best modes
of extricating himself from impending
danger.
It was under command of John Paul
Jones that the American vessel Bon
Honlnae Richard, fought the English
battleship Scraps, on Marlborough
Head. This action particularly noted
for the fury with which it was conduct
ed on both sides. Before noting any
of the incidents of this engagement, it
will be we'll to mention the strength of
the two vessels engaged.
The Bon H0n1nze Richard was for
merly an Indiaman belonging to the
French, and was called the Due de Du-
raS. She was fourteen years old, and
although bought for fast sailer and a
sound hull, proved to be dull under sall
and rotten in timber. She was was a
long, single-decked ship. Her arma-
ment, all told, was forty-two guns. The
Scraps was new ship, carrying forty
four guns, and about three hundred and
fifty men.
The engagement took place on the 22d
of September, I779. At an early hour
the ships became entangled with each 9TH
er and continued lashed side by side dur
ing the whole action. They were SO
close together that the gunners were OBJ
liged to pass the rammers into the mouths
of the hostile ports to get into their guns.
Of course the execution done at this
short range was terrific. Everywhere
resounded with intermingled cheers and
groaDs The dead were strewn about
in every direction, and the most awful
confusion prevailed. The Richard was
frequently on fire, and at the close of the
action was in a sinking condition. Her
side was almost destroyed by the guns of
the Scraps, and nothing prevented the
quarter and main deck from literally
falling down upon the lower deck but
few top timbers that fortunately remain.
ed standing. This left Jones and his
companions fighting on sort Of stage,
upheld by stanchions that were liable at
any moment to give way.
The loss on both sides was fearfully
great. Full one hundred and fifty of the
Richards men were killed, and the Ser
apis lost one hundred and seventeen.
The Scraps finally struck her colors,
and the bloody carnage ceased, and upon
the heaving wave foated the two shat
tered hulls, freighted with the manned,
the dying and the dead. Great efforts
were made to keep the Bon Honsnsc
Richard afoat, but after toiIing whole
day aEd night, it became evident that
shc had" fought her last battle" Her
men. and such articles as it was desira-
Bile to save, were tra2sferled to the Ser
apis, and at ten o'clock the cd Datc de
Daeras settled majesticqlly into the bo-
som of the sea.
Paul Jones arrived at the Texel, Hol-
land, with his prize. Here he was
blockaded by British feet from the
Downs This feet consisted of twenty
one line of battle ships. which were dis
posed in such manner as to threaten
destructi to Jones should lie
to leave his anchorage. A
reward of ten THOUSAND guineas was Of
fered for the head of the famous John
Paul Jones. This much sought-after
individual determined to run the gaunt-
let and escape if possible Having full
ly instructed his men, he availed of a
day when the wind was blowing gale
off shore, and weighing anchor, came
down under easy gail toward the center
Of the British feet.
He directed his course SO as to come
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