Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-08-27

Passing down Cambridge street a few days
ago the attention of an attache of this paper was
attracted by the somewhat antiquated appear
ance of the drug store on the corner of Cham
Der street. Stepping inside the reporter called
for glass of soda, which was furnished by
good looking young clerk, and while quaf11ng
the cooling beverage an opportunity was afforded
to view the interior OF the establishment, which
bore far more antiquated look than the ex-
terror. Seated in an old-fashined chair behind
one of the counters was fine looking, white
haired old gentleman who, the ESculapian dis.
ciple said, was the proprietor, Mr.. Daniel
Henchman, who has been in business in the
same place for nearly three score years. Stand
ing in one of the doorways was another old gen.
tleman, almost a counterpart of the sitter and
who proved to be his brother, Captain Lewis
Henchman, now in his fourth score year. Sub
Sequently our reporter entered into conversa-
ton with him, during which il TRANSFERRED that
| Captain Henchman was formerly in the United
States naval service and is now the only sur
viyOr OF the crew of the frigate United States
| when she fought aud captured the Macedonian.
The details of the fight have oft been given but
| as told at this late day by one who took part
| therein may prove interesting to hundreds of
| our readers, and so herewith we give the cap
| tan's story.
"War having been declared in1Sl2, on return
| ing from my first voyage to sea, entered as a
volunteer midShipman on board the frigate
United States, Capt. Stephen Decatur, on the
LIST day of October. On the Sth OF the same
month we set sail, in company with the Presi-
dent and Congress frigates, and the brig Argus,
| on a cruise. Five days ont the United States
| and Argus parted company with the Others in
| a gale of wind. The next day we lost sight of
| the Argus On the 25th inst we saw a strange
| sail to windward, running before the wind at
| once we boarded main tack, set top gallant sails
and hauled on the wind, on the port tack The
strange vessel shortened sail and hauled on the
showing ia do
of double banked frigate with the English en-
sign at her peak, the union jack forward and a
long string of signals set, evidently endeavoring
TO learn who we were.
We beat to quarters, set the stars and stripes
and cleared ship for action; hauled up our
courses and waited for the enemy to close. He,
being to windward, had the advantage being
able to choose his distance, which for about two
hours he kept; installing the United States for
the Essex, which carried nothing but cannon
AIDES. Meantime he was gradually drawing into
the trap which Decatur had laid for him. round
ing TO occasionally, pouring in a broadside, and
again keeping away On board the United
States not a gun had been fired her crew
patiently awaiting the proper moment TO return
her compliments. The enemy having approached
SO near that her crew could be plainly discerned
loading and firing, Decatur gave the order to
"Firel" and simultaneously every gun of our
battery was discharged with a report which
shook the ship from keeSOn TO truck and
caused her to reel like a drunken man. The
WIND was light, consequently it was some little
time before the smoke cleared away sufficiently
to ascertain what damage had been DONE
The first opening, however, disclosed the fact
that her sails and rigging were flying in all
directions. Decatur then gave the orders
through his trumpet, load aud f1reP "Watch
the weather roll' and "Dont waste a shotp
His orders for the next thirty minutes were well
attended to, at the end of which time the smoke
a moment VyaQ
pletely dismantled and lying at our mercy. Her
fore and main topmasts and mzzen mast had
gone by the board; her main yard was hanging
IN the sings, and her battery was silenced We
Immediately filled away to repair damages. Our
mizzen mast was shot away we had one round
shotin our fore mast and two in our main mast
Standing and running rigging much cut up, and
sails flying 10 rags. As soon as possible sail
was made on the ship, and hauling to the wind,
a stretch was made until we weathered our
antagonist, when squarng away we ran under
her stern, with our broadside pointed to rake
her.
Coming within distance Decatur hailed,
what ship is that" and "Haye Won surren-
deredp Her ensign, which was dashed to the
main rigging was at once taken in, aud the
answer came, ellis Britannia Majesty's ship
Macedonian, bound to America on a cruise"
This brought an huzza from the United States
that made the welkin ring. The ship was then
hove to and the boats, which had been more or
less damaged, repaired. The first one ready
was the second cutter to which was attached.
She was despatched, in charge Of one of the
lieutenants, to bring the captain of the prize on
board. We found her a complete wreck, leak
ing badly, having many shots between wind
and water. The crew having broken into the
spirit-rOom were making perfect pandemonium
OF the ship, their yels, with tue shreks and
groans Of the wounded, reminding one Of chaos
itself Thirty-six of her crew were dead and
siXty-eight wounded.
Taking Captain Garden on board we returned
TO the United States, and were met at the gang
way by Captain Decatur. Captain Garden, on
reaching the deck, presented Decatur with his
sword, but the latter pushing it aside, took him
BY the arm and led him aft, where the CONVEX.
saion was strictly private, the stories TO the
contrary Notwithstanding The boats having
been repaired and the prisoners transferred
Lieut. Allen afterwards killed while in com,
mand OF the Argus in her engagement with the
Pelican), the second lieutenant, four midsbip.
men and 100 men were sent on board as a prize
crew, and ordered 10 keep company. The two
ships then made sail for home. A few days sub
sequent a licensed American vessel was spoken
who reported that two English frigates had
passed him short time previously, bound west
The two ships by this time having been toler.
ably well reiitted, Decatur DESTROYS Of more
glory, Kept away in the expectation Of oycrtak-
ing them.
In this, however he was unsuccessful, and
having ran of his course fOr twelve hours, he
bore up for New London. The night before his
arrival the Macedonian was lost sight of, and
fears were entertained that she had been recap
tured Decatur at once landed his prisoners,
ana commenced 70 water ship, preparatory to
s1archlng for her, when news came that Lieut..
A ., nad carried her safely into Newport. The
| W. s9ips lad az anchor several weeks, waiting
| loi a lalr wind, and eventually, having feve-
hus cutter ior pilot, passed through Hell Gate
ana anchored in East river, January I, 1913
Here lhey were greeted with salntes from the
na'y Balu, vessels lying IN the harbor and from
tne Whsryes. Tue citizens Wed with each other
in their offers Of hospitality to those who had
so gioriously upheld the honor of the GAG
1 The United States was subsequently block
( ded 10 the harbor Of New London, aud was