Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-12-24

Ia their graves overlooking tue tranquil bay,
Where shey IN battle died.
1t is known 10 many OF our citizens
that Capt. William Barnes, OF Woolwich.
now more than eighty.three years OF age,
was one ot the crew OF ,ho Enterprise,
duriug that memorable engagement. and
that another Of our old citizens, Mr..
Nelson, who ont few years since passed
away, was one OF the sailors belonging
to the English brig Boxer. Mr.. Nelron
was wounded BY having his wrist broken
in the sction.
Al roceut interview with Capt.
Barnes. whose memory OF that bloody
naval encounter il still vivid and clear,
We have gathered some fresh circam-
stsuces OF the battle tor tie benefit OF
the Ssgshahoc Historical Society.
The American brig-oi-wsr Enterprise
bad seen service in the wars with France
and AlgoTs. Soc had been built 10 1911.
Her crew ss the lime OF her igh, with the
Boxer were not shipped n Boston, as Dir.
Hoar, Of Ma'sachUselis. has lately al
frmed The brig, In ipct had not seen
Boston ot tbe Bay State for year or
more. They wete gathered up a. differ
on. ,imes end places, IS is customary
with all naval vessels. Young Barnes,
then but seventeen years Of age, joined
her in May 1918. q. Portsmouth, together
with number of other new men. From
Portsmouth they sailed to Portland.
where more sailors were shipped.
In times past the Enterprise had been
commanded By such men as Sterrett,
Hull, Decs,ur and Blakely. Lieut.. Will
liam Burrows, who bad been first officer
of mercbaut ship and prisoner to the
enemy, soon as exchanged was given
the command Of the Enterprise. He was
8 good sesman, fond OF his profession,
and fsyorite with the men he command.
ed.
The brig sailed from Portland on Sat
urday afternoon, Sept, 4, her cruising
ground being along the coast OF Maine,
where a sharp lookout was TO be kept for
priysteers comiog out of the enemy.s
ports.
The British brig Boxer, commanded
by Capt. Samuel Blythe, had been fitted
out at St. John, n. b., with view OF
meeting and fighting the Enterprise
She was a new and strong vessel and
every care had been bestowed upon her
eouipment. She sailed from St. John
but few days before her capture, and
entered the hsrbor OF Eastport, hauled
back her sails. opened hor portfolios, ran
ont her guns, and lay minute or two
threatening the town with broadside.
After indulgiug n this braggadooio, she
closed her ports. filled her sails, and
again stood out to sea, heading westward.
After worrying the fishermen and keep
ing the seacoast villages in continued
alarm during her cruise, she came to an
chor in Johu's Bay TO the westward OF
Johns Island. near Pemaquid. Saturday,
Sept. 4th. The inhabitants OF PemAquid,
fearing an attack, quickly withdrew into
the woods, and at evening heard the
music playing on board The enemy's
cruiser.
Early Sunday morning, the 5Ih, the
Enterprise found herself nearly becalmed
of Pemsquii Point, and discovered the
strange vessel at anchor in shore. The
lookout on the Boxer having also made
out the Enterprise, she Immediately
made sail aud ood out of the bay with
light land breeze, having four colors
set and every rag of canvass spread
Giving parting shot over Johns Island
to the village Of Pemaqnid ny way of
farewell. and three guns to the windward
of tho Enterprisa as a defiance and chal-