Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-06-08
Trick of War

A correspondent of the New York Dis
patch saws that during the war of 1872, he
accidentally got possession of some of the
signals of the British Navy, which he put
in the hands of Com. Rodgers; and he
thus concludes his article:-
Soon after the conclusion of peace, din
ing with Com. Rodgers at his house in
Washington, he related to me the follow
ing circumstances, which give nearly in
his own words:
81 acknowledged the receipt Of your
letter." he observed, land was determin-
ed to have the signals made on board. and
to try the experiment, none of my officers
understanding for what purpose theywere
intended. l cruised some time without
meeting an enemy, until one afternoon
we fell in with a schooner. some six or
eight miles to windward of US. We hoist
ed the British ensign, which was answer.
ed by displaying another, and at the sane
time signal at her maintop gallant mast
head. which | Immediately discovered
was like one of those you had given me.
From the list of English frigates. selected
the number of the Sea horse, one of their
largest class, and known to be on our
coast, and hoisted it, She bore down at
OnCc dklu phE
ed her to heave TO, and l would send
boat on board of her.
This order was obeyed, and despatch
ed Lieutenant to bring her signal book,
enjoining on him and the crew, the strict
est secrecy respecting our character. He
was politely received by the Captain,
whose schooner proved to be the Highly
er. Our Lieutenant's coat attracted his
attention. not being OF the latest London
fashion, although the crown and anchor
was on the button; but casting his eyes
on the frigate, seeing the British ensign,
and now and then the red coat of ma
rine appearing above the hammock net
| ting, his mind was apparently set at ease.
1.-The Lieutenant informed him that he
was requested to bring his signal book on
board the Sea Horse, in order 10 have
some alterations made, as there was ru-
NOR that the Yankees had possession of
something like the signals, and it was
therefore necessary to change the num-
ber! This ruse had the desired effect,
and our Lieutenant returned with the
book, which placed me in command OF
the lchole correspondence of the British Navy.
l sent the gig for the Captain, requesting
him to come on board, and bring any dis
patches he might have in charge.
"On reaching our deck he seemed sur
prised at the size Of the vessel, praised her
cleanliness, and the order in which ev-
erything appeared: admired the red coats
of the marines, and on being invited into
the cabin handed me a bundle of dispatch.
es for Admiral Warren, whom conserved
must be within forty miles to leeward.-
| ordered refreshments, and, in company
with several of my officers, we entered in
to general conversation.
81 asked him what object Admiral War
rem had in that neighbOrhood He said
to intercept American privateers and mer
chantmen, but particularly to catch Com
modore Rodgers, who, he understood, hao
command of one of the largest and fast
est sailing frigates in the American Navy
/ inquired of him what kind of a mar
this Rodgers was, and if he had ever seer
him? He said no; but he had understood
that he was an old character, and rathel
hard to catch. After conversing on sever
al other subjects, abruptly put the ques
ton to him:
"'Sir, do you know what vessel yoI
are on board of?
"'Why, yes, SIR he replied, 'on board
His Majesty's ship Sea Horsev
"'Then, sir, you labor under a very
great mistake. You are on board the Uni
ted States Frigate President, and I CommO
dore Rodgers, at yo;u service
1.-The dying dolphin never assumed |
greater variety of colors than did thi
poor fellows face Sir, said he, you are
disposed to be humorous, and must b.
Joking. ! assured him that it was no joke
and to satisfy him on that head, handed