The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1864-05-04
504
A Trick of War.


says that during the war of 1912 he accidentally
got possession of some of the signals of the
British Navy, which he put into the hands of
Commodore Rodgers; and he thus concludes the
article -
Soon after the conclusion of peace, while dim
ing with Commodore Rodgers, at his house
in Washington, he related to me the following
circumstances, which give nearly in his own
words
's acknowledged the receipt of your letter."
he observed, "and determined to have the
signal made on board, and to try the experiment,
none of my officers understanding for what pur-
pose they were intended. cruised some time
without meeting an enemy, until one afternoon
we fell in with schooner, some six eight
miles to windward of us. We hoisted the Brit
ish ensign, which was answered by displaying
another, and at the same time 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 their largest
class, and known to be on coast, and hoisted
it. She bore down at once and came under our
stern I ordered her to heave to, and I would
send a boat on board of her.
"This order was obeyed, and dispatched
lieutenant to bring her signal book, enjoining
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 leutenants coat attracted his atten-
ton, not being of the latest London fashion, al
though the crown and anchor were the but
ton but casting his eye on the frgate, seeing
the British ensign, and now and then the
red coat of marine appearing above the ham
mock netting, his mind apparently set at
rest.
"The lieutenant informed him that he was re-
quested to bring his signal book on board the
Sea Horse, in order to have some alterations
made, as there was a runor that the Yankees
had possession of something like the signals and
it was therefore necessary to change the number!
This ruse had the desired effect, and lieuten-
ant returned with the book, which placed me in
command Of the whoze correspondence of the
British Navy. sent the gig for the captain,
questing him to come on board, and bring any
dispatches he might have in charge.
con reaching our deck he seemed surprised at
the size of the vessel, praised her cleanliness,
and the order in which everything appeared, adj
mired the red coats Of the marines, and on being
invited into the cabin, handed me bundle of
dispatches for Admiral Warren, who he observ-
ed, must be within forty miles to leeward. or
dered refreshments and, in company with sew
eral of my officers, we entered into a general
conversation.
ct asked him what object Admiral Warren
had in cruising in that neighborhood. He said
to intercept American privateers and merchant
men, but particularly to catch Commodore Rod
gers, who, he understood, had command of one
of the largest and fastest sailing frigates in the
American Navy. Inquired of him what kind
of man this Rodgers was and if he had ever
seen him. He said no. but he had understood
that he was old character, and rather hard