The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-02-24
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[FoR THE pREss.l
Nicholas Biddle.
BY W. D.
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After several questions asked and answered,
as she was ranging along side the Randolph, and
had got on her weather quarter, lieutenant
Barnes of that ship called out, "ths is the Ran
dolph," and she Immediately hoisted her colors
and gave the enemy broadside Shortly after
the action commenced, Capt Biddle received a
wound in the thigh, and fell This occasioned
some compression, as it was at first thought that
he was killed. He soon, however, ordered a
chair to be brought, said that he was only slight
ly wounded, and being carried forward, encour-
aged the crew The stern of the enemy's ship
being clear of the Randolph the Capt of the
Moultrie gave orders to fire. but the enemy ha-
wing shot ahead, so as to bring the Randolph be-
tween them, the last broadside of the Moultrie
went into the Randolph, and it was thought by
one of the men saved who was stationed on the
quarter deck near Capt. Biddle, that he was
wounded by shot from the Moultrie. The fire
from the Randolph was constant and well direct
ed. She fired nearly three broadsides to the
enemy's one, and she appeared while the battle
lasted, to be in continual blaze. In about
twenty minutes after the action commenced and
while the surgeon was examining Capt. Biddles
wound on the quarterback the Randolph blew
up.
The enemy's vessel was the British ship Var
mouth, of sixty four guns, commanded by Capt
Vincent. So closely were they engaged that
Capt Morgan ofthe Fair American and all his
crew thought that it was the enemy's ship that
had blown up. He stood for the Yarmouth
and had trumpet in his hand to hailSand en-
quire how Capt Biddle was when he discover
ed his mistake. Owing to the disabled condi-
ton of the Yarmouth the other vessels made
their escape
The cause of the explosion was never ascertain
ed, but It'll remarkable fact that Just before
he sailed, after the clerk had copied the signals
and orders for the armed vessels that accompanied
him, he wrote at the foot of them, &C. In case of
coming to action in the night, be Extremely
careful Of your magazines"
The number of persons on board the Randolph,
was three hundred and fifteen, who all persisted,
except four men, who were tossed about for four
days on piece Of the wreck, before they were
discovered and taken up.
Capt Bidde, who persisted, was universally
lamented, He was just in the prime of life, and
had excited high expectations of future useful
ness to his country, as bold and skilful naval
officer. Thus prematurely fell at the age of
twenty seven, as gallant an officer as any coun-
try ever boosted Of In the short career which
Providence allowed him, he displayed all those
qualities which constitute a great soldier.-I
Brave to excess, and consumately skilled in his
profession, no danger nor unexpected event
could shake his frmness An exact and rigid
disciplinariaL, he tempered his authority with so
much humanity and affability, that his orders
were always executed with cheerfulness and |
alacrity. Perhaps no officer ever understood
better the art of commanding the affections as
well as the respect of those who served under
him; if that can be called an art which was
rather the natural effect of the benevolence and
magnanimity ofhs character. This Mr. Editor
is faithful portraiture of great and good Off
Ger, he lived virtuously and died honored and |
respected by all who knew him.