The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-07-27

BY SAILOR nor ON BOARD THE MACEDONIAN.
Sunday, Dec. 25, 1872, came, aud it
brought with il a stiff breeze. We
usually made sort Of holiday of this
sacred day. After breakfast it was
common to muster the entire crew on
the spar.deck, dressed as the fancy of
the captain might dictate; sometimes in
blue jackets and white trousers, or blue
jackets and blue trousers; at other times
in blue jackets, scarlet vests, and blue
or white trousers, with our bright anchor
buttons glaucing in the sun aud our
black, glossy hats ornamen,ed with black
ribbons, aud with the name of our ship
painted on them. After muster We
frequently had church service read by
the captain; the rest of the day was de.
voted to idleness. But we were dcstin.
ed to spend the Sabbath just introduced
to the reader in very different manner.
We had scarcely finished break fast
when the man at the mast head shouted
"Sail, ho ]" The captain rushed upon
deck, exclaiming, "Slast head there !"
"Sir !" Where away is the sail z"
The precise answer to this question do
not recollect, but the captain proceeded
to ask "What does she look like 7" "a
square rugged vessel, SIR" was the au.
swer Of the lookout. After few miu.
utes, the captain shouted again, "Mast.
head there !" "Sir 7" "What does she
look like 2" "a large ship, sir, standing
toward us !'
BY this time most Of the crew were
on deck, eagerly straiuiug their eyes to
obtain glimpse Of the approaching
ship, and murmuring their opinions to
each other on her probable character.
Then came the voices of the captain,
shouting, keep silence fore aud aft !"
Silence being secured, he hailed the
lookout, who, to his question of "What
does she look like 7" replied, "a large
frigate, bearing down upon US, sir~ A
whisper ran along the crew that the
stranger ship was Yankee frigate.
The thought was confirmed by the com.
mand Of "All hands clear the ship for
action, ahoy p The drum and fife beat
TO quarters, bulk heads we're knock d
away, the guns were released from their
confinement, the whole dread parapher-
malta Of battle was produced, and after
the lapse Of few minutes of hurry and
confusion, every man aud boy was at
his post, ready to do his best service for
his country, except the band, who claim
ing exemption from the affray, safely
stoSed themselves away in the cable
tier. We had only one sick man on the
list, aud he, at the cry of battle, hurried
from his cot, feeble as he was, to take
his post Of danger. A few Of the junior
midshipmen were stationed below on
the berth deck, with orders given in
our hearing to shoot any man who at.
tempted to run from his quarters.
As the approaching ship showed
American colors, all doubt Of her char.
acter was ut an end. ave must fight
her." was the conviction of every breast
Every possible arrangement that could
insure success was accordingly made
The guns were shotted, the matches
lighted; for although our guns were all
furnished with first rate locks, they were
provided with matches, attached by
ianyards, in case the locks should miss
hre. A lieutenant then passed through
the ship, directing the marines and
boarders, who were furnished with pixies
cutlasses, and pistols, how to proceed
IT it should be necessary to board the
enemy. He was followed by the cap
tain, who exhorted the men to fidelity
and courage, urging upon their consid
Grafton the well known motto of the
brave Nelson, "Engand expects ever,
man to do his duty |" In addition te
allthese preparations on deck, some mer
were stationed in the tops with small
arms, whose duty it wis to attend tc
trimming the sails, and to u.c tbci,
muskets, provided we came to close ac
tion. There were others also below
called sail trimmers, to assist in wofkinc
the ship, should it be necessary to shift
her position during the battle. NJ,
station was at the fifth gun on the maiS
deck 1t was my duty to supply m,
gun with powder, boy being appointed
to each gun in the ship on the side We
engaged, for this purpose. A woolcu
screen was placed before the entranc,
TO the magazine, with hole 10 Il thro
which the cartridges were passed to N,
boys; we received them there, and Gov.
erlng them with our jackets, hurried /,
ltr