The Lambertville press., 1859-10-20
gMistel1a1lenmg. D
g. e y y UMa DONH gs5s g. S.

The Virginia iIndec is publishing series of
interesting sketches, by Mr.. Thomas Chase, of
Chesterfield of g The Life, Character, and Times
of Paul Jones. ~ They throw much light on
the character of Paul Jones, and give, we doubt
not, most faithful account of the famous bat
tie of the Bon Homme Richard, with the Sera-
pis. After stating that the ships were locked
together, which was effected by Jones, because
he saw that to keep off at fair gun shot, with a
new and strong frigate like the Serapis would
never do for such crazy old hulk as the Bon
Homme Richard. Mr. Chase proceeds
"The working of the guns had been suspended
during the time of lashing the ships together
but was now resumed Of course neither ship
could use her guns but on one side, and these
were nearly muzzle to muzzle-so near that those
who handled the ramrods sometimes hit each
other. Fair play, you - Yankeel an En-
glishman would exclaim. Mind your eye John
Bull, or I'll,' &c.
The firing was not rapid, particularly on jones'
part, for it could do the ships no hurt, except
to knock the guns about little, and knock off
splinters from each others decks. Jones and
his men kept sharp look out that Pearson and
his men did not cut the lashings and sever the
ships. Neither of these ships were damaged
between 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 terrible, and his spars and
yards were longer; still Pearson would not sur
render, insisting that Jones ought to.
Captain Landais, with the Alliance, came up
to help Jones, and fired broadside but of ne
cessity it hurt Jones as much as it did Pearson
Jones Immediately cried out, Captain Landais,
let US alone; I can handle him. Both ships
were often on fire, and as often was the fire ex
tinguished Had it not been for the men in the
rigging, this was one of the safest sea fights, SO
far as those on deck were concerned, that al
most ever happened--I mean after the ships
were lashed together. The flash of the guns
would go clear across each deck and the men,
by keeping 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 Hommc Rich
ard was old and rotten, and was leaking badly
before Jones made her fast to the Scraps; and
thus fast, the strain upon her against the other
ship, and from the explosion Of the guns, made
herle worse, and it was evident that she must
ere long go down..
Some of jones' men, and one of his officers,
told him she must soon GO down, and suggested
a asurrender. You never mind that; you shall
have better ship to go home in, said Jones,
pleasantly. Jones and allhis men, and Pearson
and his crew, very well knew that if the Bon
Homme Richard was about to sink, she would
gether. Itfwas, therefore, likely to be a test
between j ones and Pearson = which, forthe sake
of saving himself and men from a watery grave,
would strike first.
But Jones had recourse to stratagem, which
was completely successful He secretly sent his
men below, one by one, with the strictest posi-
Bile orders to be fully prepared for boarding, and
at 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 diminish,
though not very fast, until about only thirty
were left on his deck Pearson, ssupposing they
were killed. or badly wounded, and that Jones
must soon strike, was thrown completely off his
guard. This was jones' time. Giving his sig
nal, his men were ready in an instant, and with
Jones ahead, with his deadly sword, rushed like
hel-hounds upon the deck of the Serapis kill
ing everything they could reach. and in very
short time would have killed everything on
board; but Capt. Pearson, seeing his time had
come, cried with a loud voice, Capt. Jones, /
surrender at the same moment taking his
sword by the blade, and presenting the handle
to Jones, and with the next breath ordered his
colors to be taken down,