Middletown transcript., 1869-03-06

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placed over the mast head" 81 The Sara
toga, had fifty-fve round shots in her hull
| the Con6ance one hundred and FIVE. Tht
enemy's shot passed principally just ovel
our heads, as there were not twenty whole
hammocks in the nettings, at the close O
the action, which lasted without intermis.
sion two hours and twenty minutes"
The absence and sickness of Lieutenan,
Raymond Perry left me without the assis-
tance of that excellent officer. Much oughl
fairly to be attributed to him for his care
and attention in disciplining the ships
crew, as her first lieutenant. His place
was filed by gallant young officer, Lieu.
tenant Peter Gamble, who regret to in
form you was killed early in the action. y
The Saratoga was twice set on fire du-
ring the action by hot shot from the Con-
fance, but the flames were promptly ex
tinguished. At the same time the land
forces were engaged; both armies looking
on the sea-fght as in measure the turn
ing point with them. The loss Of the
Americans was fifty-two killed, and fifty
eight wounded; that Of the British eighty
four killed, and one hundred and ten
wounded. The prisoners taken exceeded
the whole number Of Americans in action.
Sir George and his army were the next
day ON the retreat. The victory was
hailed by the whole nation with joy.
The State of New York, in justice, and
gratitude, gave the gallant Commodore q
thousand acres of land, of no small value
and the State Of Vermont made him d
grant of two hundred acres, within short
distance of the battle ground this is de-
lightful spot, aud may be seen from the
distant hills very distinctly, and from the
manor, you have fine view Of the Lake,
particularly that part Of II where the
American feet was anchored. While
rambling over these grounds, one cannot
help thinking of the lines of the bard Of
Newstead Abbey:
"The mountain looks on Marathon,
And Marathon looks on the ssa."
Both scenes awaken scenes Of national
glory but our view affords as yet, no
painful contrasts, except when we ask,
where is he who fought and conquered
here? The city of New York gave Mac
Donough valuable lot of land, and the
city of Albany followed the example.
Festive honors were offered him in all
places where he CHANGED to pass through
but they were not often accepted. He
loved fame but not her obstreperous notes.
For this victory he was promoted to the
rank of Post-Captain.
From the close of the war to the time Of
his decease, he shaved the honors of the
home and foreign service with his COM
peers. He was an excellent member Of
courts-martial, for he brought to these trials
candid mind, ever ready to find matters
that made in favor of the accused as well
as against him. We have an opportunity
Of speaking from an intimate acquaintance
with the fact, that on several courts-mar-
tial, the accused have congratulated them
selves that all that was brought against
them was to be considered by such mind
as MacDonough's; at the same time they
we're not wanting in justice to other hon
orable members.
For several years before his death, he
made his home in Middletown, Connecti-
cut, where he had married Miss Shaler, q
lady of highly respectable family in that
place. He died of consumption, on the
tenth of November, 1925. His wife had
paid the debt of nature few months be-
fore him.
In person, MacDonough was tall, dig
nifed, and commanding. His features
were pleasing his complexion, hair, and
eyes were light; but there was such a
firmness and steadfastness in his look, as
to take away all appearance of the want Of
masculine energy, which is often attached
to the idea of delicate complexion. The
great charm of his character was, the re-
finement of his taste, the purity of his
principles, and the sincerity Of his religion.
These gave perfume to his name, which
the partial age of history can seldom retain
for departed warriors, however brilliant
their deeds.