Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-06-22

The eldest son. Jeremiah. was unani-
/ mousy elected commander OF the ex.
pedtion. They Immediately set 10 work
and armed themselves with whatever
, weapons they could conveniently lay hold
of, such as axes. pitchlorks. and few
firearms which happened st The time to
be in their possession. They also mount.
ed an old wall piece which lay in the
village, and having laid in some provis.
ions, prepared to sail away on their dar-
ing and chivalrous enterprise. As the
little vessel put out from the wharf, her
heroic crew, standing upon deck, gave
three cheers for
LIBERTY AND AMERICAN FREEDOM,
which was answered by the elder O'Brien
and the crowd collected on the shore.
The English captain had been watching
these proceedings through his glass, and
not wishing to come in collision with the
people. weighed and crowded sail as he
saw the sloop approaching. An accident
occurred TO the schooner which carried
away her main boom, while jibbing, but
continued her course until she put into
Holmes Bay, harbor in the vicinity oi
Machias. While repairing their vessel
here. O,Brien's sloop appeared in sight.
and the Mdygareta put out to sea, in the
hope OF avoiding her. On taking COM
mand O'Brien's lirs, exercise OF authority
was to give permission TO all who were
afraid TO follow him at all lengths TO go
on shore. Three men. who had clustered
the most when on the land, availed
themselves OF this offer, and amid the
contempt of the rest oil the crew, took the
boat alongside and left the vessel.
Nov, my brave fellows said Captain
O'Brion. having got rid OF those white.
livered towards, our first business will
be 10 get alongside that schooner yonder,
and the first man who boards her shall
be entitled 10 The palm OF honor" The
wind now began to freshen. AMI fill the
sails OF the sloop, and rs the latter proved
the better sailer with the wind on her
quarter soon overhauled the flying enc
nv. So anxious was the Englishman TO
avoid an engagement, that he cut away
his boals. but finding this Intellectual. he
run up the red flag Of his country 10 the
mast. aad opened lire on the s'oop.
One of O'Bren's men was killed by the
first shot from the enemy. The old wall
piece now opened lire, and the first dis
charge killed the man at the helm OF the
schooner, and cleared her quarter deck.
The English vessel was armed with tour
light guns and fourteen swiyels, and her
crew far outnumbered O'Brlen's. Her
guns were we'll manned, and at dis
tance could easily overcome and sink the
sloop. The liishman knew this and
was determined TO bring the battle tSa
hand 10 hand fight a. speedily as posi-.
BILE. After few discharges from the
schooner she broached TO. and at that
moment O'Brien. who had crowded on
all sail and was rapidly bearing down,
gave her a discharge, and in another
instant the two vessels ran along side OF
each other, but having no graphing
irons, they almost Immediately separated
vet no: before John O'Brien. who stood
iu The bow of the sloop ready for
spring, had leaped. upon the schooner's
deck. On looking around, he found the
sloop had driited off some twenty or
thirty yards, leaving him alone standing
on the quai ter. deck of the enemy. Be.
fore he had time to reflect on his situa-
ton, seven OF the English discharged
their guns At him. almost at the same
moment, but not ball touched him.
They then charged upon him with their
bayouets, when. to save his lie, he
Jumped overheard. and swan towards
the sloop, and soon stood. to the wonder
| of himself as well as his companions.
unhalmed on deck. brother John, you
have won the paint" said Jeremiah,
shaking him affectiona,ely by the hand.
"But, man the sweeps. my hearties. ana
lay US alongside once more, and stand
ready to lasten onto HIM when you
reach him." Twenty men. armed with
pitchforks. were now selected to board
the schooner. and when the vessels were
again brought in contact. the Americans
gave cheer and poured in volley from
their muskets. The English replied
promptly, and vigorous fire was kept up
by both sides. the vessels lying yard arm
and yard arm. Hand grenades were
now flung on the deck OF The sloop. the
English captain throwing them himself
in person. These did considerable
damage. thinning O'Brien's crew. and
were in danger OF setting The sloop on
fire. A ball from rebel musket entered
the English Captains brain, and he fell
back dead upon deck.
o'BRIEN, WHO, WITH HIS FIVE BROTHERS.
had been fighting in front since the be.
ginning of the engagement. saw him
fall, and, turning to the few men who
, were still unwounded beside him, he
shouted :" Board him, boys! board him!
, and we'll whip him on his own deck y
and springing over the bulwarks he
} landed with shout and blow in the
, midst OF his enemies. He was quickly