Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-12-15
Paul Jones.

The Virginia (EdsZ is publishing a series Of
interesting sketches, by Mr. Thomas Chase Of
Chesterfield, of The Life and Character of Paul
jones" They throw much light on the char.
acter of Paul Jones, and give, we doubt not
q most faithful account Of the famous battle
of his ship, the Bon Homme Richard, with
the Scraps. After atating that the ships
were locked together, which was effected bv
JOKES, because he saw that to keep off at fair
gunshot with a new and strong frigate like
the Scraps, would never do for such a crazy
old hulk as the Bon Homme Richard, Mr..
Chase proceeds
" The working Of the big guns had been
suspended during the time Of lasbing the ships
together, bat was now resumed Of course
neither ship could use but her guns on one
side, and these were nearly muzzle to muzzle
so near that those who handled the ranrods
sometimes hit each other Fair play Won
damned Yankee p an Englishnan would ex-
claim. mind your eye, John Bull, or III &c"
" The firing was not rapid particularly on
Johns part for it cOud do the ships no hurt
except to knock the guns about little, and
kuock of the guuwales, and occasionally
raise cloud Of spIinters, from each others
deck. Jones and his men kept q sharp look
out that Pearson and his men did not cut the
lashlugs and sever the ships Neither of
these ships was damaged between wind and
water" nor could they now be by any use Of
the big guns. Both hal men in the rigging
doing all the mischief they could 10 this
kind of play, Jones had the best of it /; for his
men were more terrible, and his spars and
yards were logger, still Pearson would not
surrender insisting that Jones ought TO.
Capt. Lands, with the Alliance, came M
to help Jones, aad fred broadsde but of
necessity it hurt Jones as much as it did Pear
son. Jones Immediately cried out Capt.
Lands, let Us alone I can handle him.
Both ships were often on fire and as often was
the fire extinguished Had it not been for
the men N the rigging this was one Of the
safest sea-ightS, so far as those on deck was
concerned. that almost ever happeued-I
mean after the ships were Ia5hed together
The fash Of the guns wond 20 clear across
each deck, and the men, by keeping q good
lookout, could avoid being hurt, only bv step
ping little aside Had the Bon Homme
Richard been new strong ship as was the
Scraps, ho.h might have lain there and burn.
ed powder aud thrown shot until thew rotted
as to sinking either with the guns Of the 9th
er. But the Bon Homme Richard was old
Jones made her fast to the Serapis and thus
fast, the strain npon her against the other
ship and from the explosion Of the guns made
her leak worse, and it was evident that she
must ere long 70 down
Some Of Jones men and one Of his Off
GERS told him she must 20 down. and suggest
ed surrender. " You never mind that YOU
shall have a better ship to 90 home in. said
! m
Pearson and bis crew. very well knew that if
the Bon Homme Richard was about to sink.
she would caps 4 the Serspis. and both must
20 down together 1t was therefore, likely to
be test between Jones and Pcarson-which
for tie sake OF saving his men from watery
grave, would strike first
But Jones had recourse to a stratagem.
which vas completely successful. He secret
" sent his men below, one by one, with the
S;Tctest possible orders TO be fully prepared
for boarding, and at given signal to rush on
deck, and he would lead them on 10 the deck
OF the Scraps, ard clear il. So Jones men
seemed to diminish, though uoc very fast. until
only about ,h.rty we're ie.t on deck. Pearson
sapPos.og they were killed or badly wounded
aud that Jones must soon strike. was complete
~ of his guard. This was Jones time Giving
the signal LIS men were ready 10 an instant,
and with Jones ahead, with bis deadly sword,
rushed Ike hell hound, upon the deck Of
the Scraps. killing everything they could
reach and iu q short time would have killed
everything 90 board but Capt Pearson, see
ing his time had come, cried with loud voice.
" Capt. Jones, | surrender."-at the same
time taking his sword by the blade. and pre-
sentinc the handle 10 Jones and with the next
breath ordered the colors to be taken down.
This was in the night. The next evening
the Bon Homme Richard went down head
foremost. Thus terminated the strongest
naya. fght o. record, Paul Jones took the
Scraps, hc: Capt Pearson sunk the Bon
H0mue Richard"
LAM I.rFrgFS -Tha island oF Cav'or l. -