The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-04-09
From the Charleston Courcrl
British Attack on the CheSapcake Frlgate

of agreeable and imposing appearance,
prominent features, upright bearing, gray
hair and beard, advanced to speak To me,
frankly introducing himself by name, from
North Carolina.
Amidst the clatter Of the cars, in course
oil desuItory conversation about the Navy.
lie remarked 'that probably lie was the
only remaining officer living who was pres.
ent on the quarterback Of tie Chesopeoke.
when she was assaulted 10y the Leonard.
My boyish recolleclions imn edia,ely
brought up a freak ot some sailors and snp
carpenters, who carried off the rudder OF AN
English vessel, and dragged it through the
streets of Philadelphia, to independence
Square, as an impulsive retaliation, when
the news first reached that city, where al
tended the classes of ,le University.
therefore eagerly inquired for the par.
tlcuIars, and being connected with several
IN The naval service, request your attention
to tie details
The British Consul, al Norfolk, had no.
lice that four seamen, said 10 be fuoitiyes
from English YES els of war, had entered
on board the irlgate Chesapeake, fitting out
ior The Mediterranean station, having com.
modore Barron on board rs a passenger. TO
command the squadron in that sea.
Upon requisition. by the British Minister
IN Washington, a careful inquiry was made.
and 1t was proven that three of the men
were American citizens, and the fourth was
born in a British Island, Antigua, but that
all had been impressed into the English
service, according TO their own statement.
lhe affair was considered adjusted i'm
Washington, although communication
upon the subject had already been made
10 the Admiral at Halifax, who issued n
general order TO all British vessels on the
American station, "to require 10 search the
Chesapeake for the deseIters, unless they
were given up.
The Leopard, n heavier vessel than the
chesapeake, was despatched expressly 10
meet her, when she should attempt TO sail
and TO demand the deserters of her-and
without the limits Of the United States.
Several English vessels of war were
lying in Lynnhaven Bay, waiting for some
French frgates, which had entered the
Capes and were then at Annapolis.
The Leopard, upon her arrival, anchored
outside the British squadron, probably a
day or two before the Chesapeake was de-
c!ared ready for sea" by the executive off
! for war, of ,y;nJ T., ,Ia ~ - " ~!
wos 90, md, va;c,L al ,I,a s"1
seen TO initiate her example, and make all
sail in advance of the well known route.
Thus the two ships sailed on -eaward ill
or o'clock in the afternoon, when they
had obtained good offing. The Leopard
| then bore down bail.d .nJ so;I - fI',G
dispatches TO send on boa,J RI. a
! 10 tbjs usuaI roores, FROM, r,;anIl,' -
of war was 70 sand yonr boa, - .y;n 'h'p
Ia for you."
| The expec,a,;on wos 20 renairo ou -.
letters for the Mediterranean. 4 Bri,isb
/ officer came on board and heinz slow ha
/ low. at once made demand for The four
/ seainen aS British subjects anl shovel -.
g.ueial orders of the Admiral which nd;
Gated n design to take them by force il re-.
| fused.
A brief order quietly 10 oct tho sL;,
ready for action, without beat Of drum. was
hastily given, and as much DELAY made as
/ possible, to give time for prepa7a,ion-no,
nore'ihan hall an hour. The Chesapeake's
/ decks were much Numbered, and lie shin
/ by no means in condition for resistance.
The Enrlish officers orders wo,e r,eror,n
tory and Iee,,,ye-on beiur ,.f,ss.i H. =,
nand TO search the Shin he wns cnnr,o
/ ou,ly shown 10 his boat which f.II as,arn
! nf ria Cbs.,ra.L. A. -.
was fairly out Of The way. rs if bat had
/ been the preconcer,ed signal. ,he LeonarJ
poured in her broal,ide1and continued ~
/ fire for Quarter of an hour np,;I III. A.,
rcan flag was necessarily lowered as a ,ip.
nal of surrender, for defence was found inn.
practicable.
The crew on board the Cbesaneala ~ as
mustered, and the four men claimed nc H..
>erters were carried oil ty the BRUSH off
Gers and boats. The Captain Of tie Leon.
ard offered any assistance in his power. and
urged the character OF hie orders.
The Che,apeake someNli,, c,;rnlel :,