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


hundred feet of them. the command WAS
given. 4 sheet Of lame ran along the
breastwork. and as the leaden shower
fell among the assailants, terrible gap
was made in their number. Immediate
ly, as the report OF the first volley rang
in tho air. the stern voice of Col. Foster
was heard above the din: "Rear rank
advance! Present fire." and another
death dealing discharge poured from inc
breastwolk.
In spite of The efforts oil their oihcefs
the English broke and retreatcd toward
the bank OF the river Here after awhile
tiey succeeded in forming them, ana
again they advanced toward the hand
fnl Of men. But this time no triumphant
cheer accompanied their onset. On this
occasion the assalants rushed on at
charge. with the evident intention oil
carrying the breastwork at the point OF
he bayoret Not shot was fired until
lhey arrived within point blank distance.
when again the fiery storm was hurled
upon them aud again they broke, while
another well directed volley threw them
into pcrlec. disorder. A general rush
for the boats Immediately ensued. and
while crowding into them the Americans
left their cover and poured discharge al
ter discharge into their dsordered ranks.
Daring the action the British brig had
caught aground within musket shot OF
the shore, and when the retroatlng ioe
had gained her decks they were exposed
10 and experienced severe loss from the
Americans, who continued 10 pour their
fire into her until she iloated and was re-
moved down the river la this battle
three Americans only were killed and
small number wounded. while the killed
and wounded Of the British amounted as
near as could be ascertained. 10 100. Al
ter this rcpulse The British did not
make second attempt, but, Fastening
TO get their wounded on board, weighed
anchor. aud returned TO Halifax.
On all sides, OBrien's bravery, patrl-
otism aud gallant conduct were uniVers'
ally admitted. and he was appointed
captain ia the Marine OF the colony. He
was sent on The coast with his two
prizes, with orders to intercept vessels
bringing supplies to the kings iorces.hls
brother William serving as his first lieu
tenant. John O'Bren. another OF these
heroic brothers. served under captain
Lambat as lirst.lieutenani ofthe Diligence
For two years the O'Br;ens did good
service on the northern coast,
CAPTURING MANY ENGLISH VESSELS,
and preventing supplies coming to the
enemy, after which they remained idle
tor awhile. Jeremiah O'Brien could not
rest idle long. however. while the enc
mics OF his race were at war with bis
adopted country. Gathering around him
some congenial spirits as brave and re-
bellious as himself. he fitted out letter
oil marque called the Hannibal. and
manned by one hundred and thirty men.
With her he cruised around the coast cap
turing many prizes. and defeating the
Britons on the element which they vain
gloriously boasled they ruled. But be
was captured at last Falling in with
two English irigates, he kept up run
ming fight for forty-eight hours. but 1t
was impossible to win under such fearful
cdds, and SO the Hannibal was captured.
o 'Brien was imprisoned for six months
In that floating hell, the jersey guard
ship, and was afterwards assigned to
Mill prison in England, from which
place he managed to escape after
years Imprisonment. Alter the war he
was appointed Collector OF the port OF
Machias, where he died in the year 1918,
aged 7S years. He deserves promi'
nent place in American history. and his
statue, and also Commodore Barry's
should stand side by side in the Capitol
OF the Republic. for one was the hrst
who. in the name of America, lowered
the British flag upon the sea. and the
other was the first that ever ioated the
stars and stripes at the masthead OF an
American vessel. One was the Pioneer,
the other the Father of the American
Navy. and both were thorough lrishmen.
Some of O'Brien's relations are at the
present time among the most wealthy
and respected inhabitants OF the town on
which his darling patriotism conferred
such honor. His brother. Capt. John
O'Brien, was engaged in many enter
prises and battles. but was never taken.
In Coffins History of Newburyport, v
in which town Captain O'Brien died
about 1920, we lind the following record
of this gallant Irish sailors services in
one months cruise: In June 9th, l779,
he sailed in the armed
SCHOONER .HIBERNIA."
on June 2lst took an English brig and
sent her in. On June 25th had s0 en-.
gagemeut with ship of l6 guns from 8
To 5 o'clock. P NJ. when irigate APP
pearing in sight. the Hibernia, having
three men killed and several wounded,
| left her antagonist and was chased By
the frigate ill II O'Clock. On June 9TH,
took a schooner and sent her 10 New
buryport. July 10Th. in company with
Capt. Leitch. OF Salem. took ship car
rying 13 four-pounders, and in the same