The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-07


To the Editors of ". y. Eceninq Post.--When,
in June 1872, the United States declared war
against England, Commodore Hull was placed
III command OF the trigate Constitution, and
ordered to sea, for the purpose OF placing him
self alongside Of the enemy wherever he could
be found.
July q, 1912, Hull found himself off Egg
HarbOr covered with thick fog, when, as soon
as it broke he discovered himself almost
within reach OF an English fleet, composed OF
one line of battle ship, two frigste5, brig and
a schooner, all making chase for him. Hull
was considered one OF the best practical sea-
men OF the service, and his wonderful escape
proves it. From July 18 to July 20, from
morning to night and night to morning, Hull
watched every breath OF wind, and as he re-
ported his officers and men stood to their quar-
ters without murmur. Daring these event.
ful hours the British Admiral put out all his
boats for the purpose of towing up his two
frigates to the Constitution, and thus it ap-
peaTed certain that Hull must be captured.
Under this excitement, the two frigates
being almost within shot Of the Constitution,
Mr. Morris, the first officer (late Commodore
Morris), suggested putting out sweeps in order
to gain every moment in keeping out of gun
shot, under the hope that some breeze might
strike them, all sail being set and constantly
wet aid thus enable the ship to escape. AS
Hull said in his official report "the suggestion
OF that valuable officer, Lieutenant Norris"
was accepted; all the boats were instantly put
in requisition, and they moved the ship mile
an hour out OF reach of the frigates. The
British officers saw that they had a sailor to
contend with; and for some time were puzzled
to find what power Hull was using to take
his ship out OF their grasp-there not being a
breath of wind upon either ship. At length,
with the aid OF their glasses, they discovered
| Hull's secret, upon which all the boats of the
| Tn lfala
| two frigates within gun-shot of the Constitu-
ton. Hull continued improving every mo-
ment until slight bre 70 struck his top
| sails which he instantly availed Of-and thus
made his escape, and run into Marbehead on
Sunday, under the Chase of the squadron.
The Rev. DR.. Bentley, the great Oriental
| scholar, was in the midst of his sermon at the
South Church, in Salem, when some one
under his pulpit window called out, "The
| British fleet is chasing the Constitution into
| Marbehead." Instantly the doctor closed his
| book, and remarked to his hearers, "We can
serve God no way better than by defending
our county," and sezing his hat ran down
the pulpit stairs, and followed the cannon
towards Marblehead. He being short, thick
set man, with the thermometer at eighty five,
soon gave signs of fatigue, when two of his
congregation lifted him upon one OF the can
noD ON which he rode to the beach where
the defense was to be made. This illustrates
the feeling of the people at that time. The
fleet seeing the defense making, hauled of,
and the Constitution seized the moment to
run into Boston, where the whole city turned
out to do honor to Hull and his officers and
| crew.
Amid all this excitement the merchants
congregated at the Exchange, and as Hull
came up State street, they gave him cheer
upon cheer. At the rooms of the Exchange
book was kept, in which were recorded all
| Of oh
etc. Towards this book Hull gradually made
his way through the crowd; took pen, and,
in his own hand, wrote the following words: -
whatever merit may be due for the escape
| ofthe Constitution from the British fleet be-
longs 10 my first officer, Charles Morris, Esq.
"IsAAC HULL"
This noble liberaity towards his officers
caused all who heard it to cheer him again
and again, and Hull, thus armed with the
confidence of his officers and crew, again put
TO sea, and on the 10Th of August, 1913, Cap
tuIed the Guerriere, under the following Cir
cumstances, to which | was an eyewitness,
being then prisoner on board the Guerriere,
which had captured me, when in command of
a merchant ship, about ten days before the
battle.
1t was about 2 P. NJ. when the Constitution
was discovered. The Guerriere at once hove
to to enable her to come up. In the mean
time there was great excitement and specula-
tion on the quarter deck among Captain Da-
cres and his officers as to who the strange sail
could be. AS the Constitution neared US Cap
tain Dacres handed me his glass and asked
what l thought of her. My answer was:-"I
think, sir she is a frigate." Very soon she
came within reach of the long guns of the
Guerriere, which gave broadside but with
no effect, as the sea was high. The Constitu-
tion made no reply, but continued manmu-
wiring for a position-during which Captain
DacTes said to me, "Do you think she will
strike without fring?" My reply was, 81
think not, SIR"
At this moment, seeing severe contest was
about to commence, raised my hat to Captain
Daores, and said to him, "With your permis-
sion, sir, will go below, as /, being only a
prisoner, can take no part in the contest"
"Oh, certainly" said he, "and you had better
go into the cock pit-and should any of our
officers or men chance to get wounded, shall
feel obliged by any assistance you can render
the surgeons or surgeons mates" Certainly,
sir" said l, and then descended into the
COCKPIT There were the surgeons and sur
geons' mates and attendants, sitting around a
long table, covered with instruments and all
necessaries for dressing the wounded all as
still as funeral.
Within one moment after my foot left the
lower rOund of the ladder, the Constitution
gave that double. shotted broadside which
threw all in the cock. pit over in heap OF
the opposite side OF the ship. For a moment
it appeared as if heaven and earth had struck
together; a more terrific shock cannot be
imagined. Before those in the Cockpit had
adjusted Themselves, the blood ran down from
the deck as freely as if a washtub full had
been turned over, and instantly the dead