The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-05-27
NaxalE nRagemsnt.

The most brilliant naval action which has
occurred since the last war with England,
is one which has been lately fought in the
neighborhood of New York. The hero is
Captain-not Commodore Chauncey, as the
papers have it-probably no relation of
that renowned old mariner. Commodore
Chauncey gained his reputation merely by
whipping men-a squadron or so of beef
eating and grog-drinking Euglishmen-and
such thing never having been heard of
before the late war, il of course made a
great man of Commodore ChaHncey. But
Chauncey, Commander in the Navy, has
performed an achievement which the old
Blowhard of the Lakes was incapable of,
and which not half dozen officers in any
naval service upon earth are competent to
perform. He has whipped his wife, said to
be "a young and pretty woman" ina fair
fight; peppered her in the side with round
shot. in the shape of an inkstand; broke a
chair over her shoulders; pulled her hair
theoretically, and dragged and showed her
round the room, till she was perfectly un-
able 90 resist, and retreated in the most in
glorious manner from the apartment, leav-
ing the gallant Chauncey complete master
of the situation. 1t is true, that after this
shameful defeat, and when, by all the laws
of civilized and honorable warfare, she was
a conquered enemy, she treacherously pro-
cured pistol. and coming back, vain-glori-
ously defed Capt. Chauncey to renew his
attacks upon her person. But that gallant
and chivalric commander, with magnani-
nifty even more respondent than his hero
ism, instantly exclaimed II will not strike
a defenceless woman" We are sorry to be
obliged to add that, still sore under the re-
cent fiagellation, Mrs. Cbauncey did not
appreciate thi. noble and elevated declara-
ton, but tauntingly rejoined that Captain
Chauncey made war on women and chill
dren, winding up by calling him coward.
Such is the history, as sworn to in a New
York court of justice, of the late naval en-
gagement in New York. Those cynical
persons, who are always finding fault with
the times, and declaring that American
tars will not fight as they did in 1912, will
now perceive their mistake. We should
like to know if the government intends to
take any public notice Of this victory or
not. The late Naval Board, we believe, re-
tired Capt. Chauncey, at a period when,
if report does not do him injustice, he was
vanquishing the same enemy in hand-to-
hand action every week of his life. He was
afterwards restored to his rank, and sent in
command of the U. S. ship Niagara to the
coast of Africa, to return the negroes cap
tured by Lieut.. Maffit. While on board
the Niagara, he wrote letters to his wife
and brother-in-law, which the latter has
produced in the libel suit now going on in
New York, breathing the utmost tender.
ness and affection towards his wife, and
showing clearly that he had chastised hel
in love and compassion, and freely forgave
her ingratitude for bis kindness. 1t is to
be hoped that, US soon as this trial is over,
the government will promote Capt. Chaun-
cey and put him command of a squad
ron. The nationa. flag must be safe and
illustrious under such auspices; the stars
will shine with new glory and the stripes
wave with unheard-of energy.