, 1859-12-02
Paul Jones.

abide the event Of the suit.
| -SrDAe-
Paul Jones.
The Virginia IadeE is publishing a series
of interesting sketches, by Thomas Chase
of Chesterfield, of "The Life, Character,
and Times of Paul Jones'" They throw
much light on the character of Paul Jones,
and give, we doubt not, q most faithful ac-
connt Of the famous battle of his ship, the
Bon Hommc Richard with the Serapis.-
After stating that the ships were locked
together, which was effected by Jones, be-
cause he saw that to keep of at fair gun
shot, with q 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 lashing the
ships together, but was now resumed. OF
course neither ship could use but one of
her guns on one side, and these were nearly
muzzle to muzzle-so near that those who
handled the ramrods sometimes bit each
other Fair play, you damned Yankeel"
an Englishman would exclaim. mind
your eye, john Bull, or Ill.," etc.
'"The firing was not rapid, particularly
on Jones' part, for it couldrdo the slips no
burt, except to knock the guns about lit
tie, and knock of the gunwales, and occa-
sionally raise a cloud Of splnters from each
others decks. Jones and his men kept a
sharp look out that Pearson and bis men
did not cut the lushings and sever the ships
Neither of these ships we're damaged "be-
tween wind and water, nor could they now
be by any use of the big guns. Both had
men in the rigging doing all the mischief
they could. In this kind Of play, Jones
had the best Of it, for his men were more
tterrlble, and lis spars and yards were long
er; still Pearson would not Surrender, in
sisting that Jones ought to.
Capt Landais, with the Alliance, came
up to help Jones, and fred a broadside;
bat Of necessity it hurt Jones as much as IL
did Pearson. Jones Immediately cried ont
"Capt. Landais, let US alone; can handle
him" Both ships we're often on Gre, and
as often was the Gre extinguished Had it
not been for the men in the rigging, this
was one Of the safest sea-fghts, so far as
those on deck we're concerned, that almost
ever happened-I mean after the ships
were lashed together The fash of the
guns would 60 clear across each deck, and
the men, by keeping a good lookout. could
avoid being hurt, only by stepping little
aside.
Had the Bon Homme Richard been
new strong ship, as was the Scraps, both
might have lain there and burned powder
and thrown shot until they rOtted, as to
sinking either with the guns Of the other
But the Bon Homme Richard was old and
rotten, and was leaking badly before Jones
made her fast . the Scraps; and thus fast
the strain upon her against the other ship
and from the explosion Of the guns made
her leak worse, and it was evident that ere
long she must gOdoWn.
Some Of Jones' men and one Of his Off
GERS told him she must soon 20 down, and
suggested q surrender "You never mind
that; you shall have a better ship to go
home 1n," said Jones, pleasantly. Jones
and all bis men, and Pearson aud his crew,
very well knew that IL the Ben Homms
Richard was about to sink, she would cap
size the Scraps, and both must &c down
together. 1t was therefore likely to be a
test between Jones and Pearson-wbich,
for the sake Of saving himself and men from
watery grave, would strike 6rst
But Jones bad recourse to a stratagem
which was completely successful. lie Sc
eretIy sent bis men below, one by one, with
the strictest possible orders to be fully pre-
pared for boarding, and ut a given signal
to rush on deck, and he would lead them
on TO the deck Of the Scraps, and clear it.
So Jones men seemed to disappear, though
not very fast, until only about thirty were
left on bis deck. Pearson, supposing they
were killed or badly wounded, and that
Jones must soon strike, was thrown com
pletely Of his guard. Thiswas Jones time
Giving bis signal, his men we're ready in ar
instant, and with jones ahead with biz
deadly sword, rushed like "hell hounds
upon the deck Of the Scraps, killing every
! thing they could reach, and in a very short
time would have killed everything on board
but Capt. Pearson, seeing bis time haC
come, cried with a loud voice, Captain
Jones, surrender" at the same time tax
r ing his sword by the blade and presenting
the handle to Jones, and with the mex
breath, ordered the colors to be takel
down.
This was in the night. The next even
ing the Bon Homme Richard went dow
, head foremast. Thus terminated tn
strangest naval fight on record. Pau
e Jones took the Scraps, but Capt. Pearso
: sunk the Bon HomBle Richard"
= ~ The best Purfyer Of the Blood-Hars sars
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