The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-07-06

A world OF strife shut out
A world of love shut in.
| M-=--=------
The Constitution and the Guer-
riere.
The Guerrero was lying to. The Con-
stitution was bearing down the enemy
under her topsails-eyery man was at his
respective station and all on board were
eager for the c0ntest-when the Guer-
riere commenced at long shot. Commo-
dore Hull gave peremptory order to his
officers NOT to apply slngle match until
he gave the word. La D few minutes ii
forty-two FOUNDER from the Guerriere
took effect, and killed and wounded some
Of our brave tars. Lieutenant Morris im.
mediately left his station on the gun deck
to report the same TO the commodore, and
request permission to return fire, as the
men were very anxious to engage the
euemy.
MIR. Morris" was the commodore S
reply, ':are you ready for action on the
gun deck p
"Yes, sir"
"Well, keep SO, but don't let gun be
fired till give the word"
In a few minutes, Mr. Morris again
appcared, and stated that he could with
difficulty restrain the men from giving the
enemy broad side, so anxious were they
to commence the engagement.
"Mr. Norris" reiterated the Commo-
dore, still gazing intently on the British
frigate, "are you ready for action gu the
gun deck p
yes, sir; and it is impossible for me
any longer to restrain the men from firing
on the foe. Their passions are wrought
uD to the highest possible pitch of ex-
citement Some of our bravest seamen
are already killed and wounded"
Keep cool, Mr. Morris, keep cool
See all prepared, and DO not suffer gun
to be fred till | give the word"
The gallant Lieutenant went below.
In a few inmates the vessels neared each
other to within pistol,shot distance, and
Mr.. Morris was sent for on the quarter
| deck.
''Are you ready for action, Mr.. Nor
ris % again demanded the Commodore.
1--WE are all ready, sir; and the men
are altering horrid precatious, becauee
they are not suffered to return the FIRE of
the enemy"
"Eire, then, in Gods name!' shouted
the Commodore in a voice of thunder. 1t
is added that he wore at the time pair
of naukeen tights and he accompanied
this soul cheering order with SO tremen
duous stamp OH the deck with his right
foot, that the unfortunate pantaiounS
were split open from the knee ~ the
walls band
The conduct Of Dacres, before and after
the action, was such as might have been
expected from a brave and generous enc
my Mr.. Reed, young man belonging
to Brewster, Massachusetts, at present
respectable shipmaster out OF Boston. had
been pressed on board the Guerrero a
few weeks previous to the engagement
Several other American sea.nen were also
on board. When the Constitution was
bearing down in such gallant style, and
1t became evident that a severe action
with the American frigate was inevitable,
young Reed left his station and proceeded
TO the quarter deck, and respectfully but
firmly represented to Captain Dacres that
be was an American born citizen who
had been unjustly detained ou board
British frigate that he had hitherto
faithfully performed the duties assigned
him and that it could not reasonably be !
expected he would fight against his coun-
trymen he therefore begged leave to de-
cline the honor of participating in the
engagement.
The English Captain frankly told him
that be appreciated his patriotic feelings
that he did not wish Americans on
board to use arms against their country
men and be subsequently ordered them
all into the cockpit to render assistance
if necessary, 70 the surgeoS. Reed left
the spar deck eff;.er the Guerrero had
completed preparation. Several shots
were known to have taken effect, but the
Constitution had not yet fred gun
much to the amusement of the British
taEs, who predicted the surrender of the
enemy without resistance, with the excep.
ceptlon of veteran man n-of wars man,
who was in the battle of the Nile, ard
gruttiy observed with a significant shake
OF the head-''that Yankee knows what
he's about"