Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-07-01
A Trick of War.

A correspondent of the New York Dis
patch says that during the war Of 1872
he accidentally got possession of some o
the signals of the British Navy, which hi
put into the hands of Com. Rodgers
and he thus concludes his article -
Soon after the conclusion OF peace
dining with Com. Rodgers, at his hous'
in Washington, he related to me the fol
lowig circumstances which | give nearly
in his own words -
II acknowledged the receipt Of your
letter." he observed, land determined tt
have the signals made on board ,and to try
the experiment, none Of my officers under
standing for what purpose they were in
tended l crused some time without
meeting an enemy, until one afternoon VIZ
fell in with schooner, some six or eigh
miles to windward of US. We hoisted
the British ensign, which was answered by
displaying another, at the same time a
signal at her maintop gallant masthead
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 thell
largest class, and known to be on our
coast, and hoisted it. She bore down al
onco and came under our stern; | order.
ed her to hcave to, and l would send a
boat on board of her.
This order was obeyed, and l dis
patched lieutenant to bring her signal
book, cnjoining on him and the crew, the
strictest secrecy respecting our character.
He was politely received by the captain
whose schooner proved to be the High.
flyer. Our licutenants coat attracted
his attention, not being of the latest Lon.
don fashion, although the crown and an
Choir was OH the button but casting his
eye on the frigate, seeing the British en-.
sign, ami now and then the red coat of a
marine appearing above the hammock
netting, his mind WAS apparently set al
rest.
The leutenrnt Informed him that he
was rcques cd to bring his signal book on
board the Sea Horse, in order to have
some alterations made, as there was a
rumor that the Yankees had possession OF
something like the signals and it was
therefore necessary to change the number
Thi, rusc had the desired effect, aul our
lieutenant returned with the book, which
placed me in command of the Uho'e
correspondence Of the British Nary 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
prsed at the size Of the vessel, praised
her cleanliness, snd the order in which
everything appeared; admired the red
coats of the marines aud being invited
into the cabin, handed me bundle OIL
dispatches for Admiral Warren, who, he
observed, must be within forty miles O,
Reward. | ordered refreshments, and
in company with several of my officers
we entered into general conversation.
IL asked him what object Admiral
Warren had in cruising in that neighbor'
hood? He said to intercept American
priyateers and merchantmen, but par.
tieularly to catch Commodore Rodgers
who, he understood, had command of one
Of the largest and fastest sailing frigates
in tho Americac Navy. | inquired oi
him what kind Of man this Rodgers was
and if he had ever seen him? He said
no but he understood that he was an odd
character, and rather hard to CATCH
After conyersing Oh several other subjects,
| abruptly put the question to him
"'Sir, do you know what vessel you
are on board Of 2
why, yes sir, he replied, 'ou board
His Majesty's ship Sea Horse
Then. sir you labor under a very
great mistake. You are on board th'
United States tyigate President, and
am Comss0aore Rodgers at your serrice.
The dying dolphin never assumed a
greater variety of colors than did this
poor fellows face. Sir said he, you
are disposed to be humorous, and must be
Joking | assured him that it was ne
joke and to satisfy him on that head
handed him my commission. At the
same moment the band struck up Yankee
Doodle, or our quarterback; oa reaching
which, he saw the American ensign flying
the red coats turning blue, and the crown
and anchor button metamorphosed into
the eagle.
This affair" observed the Commodore
twas of immense Importance TO Oul
country. We obtained in full the British
signals the operations Of Admiral War.
rem, by the non-receipt of his dispatches
were destroyed Tor the season; and i
probably saved the frigatc, for the course
/ was running at the time of my falling
in with the Highhyer, would have broush
me into the midst Of his fleet during the
night.
,,,., No.,, Mnu,,ontb Mama