The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-08-04
INCIDENTS OF THE WAR
Boston Globe.

Boston Globe.
 Thomas Thompson is the oldest in- habitant of the small sea-girt village of Rockport, Mass. The first events of note in his history are connected with the war of 1912, which are given in his own language. "When the war of 1912 broke out Stockport, then Sandy Bay, was part of Gloucester at that time), enlisted in a company called the Sea Fencibles. One day large English frigate was seen in the offiing, headed directly for Sandy Bay. It soon became evident that she intended to sack and pillage the vil- lage. Bells were rung, and the little company of Fencibles hastily mus tered, determined to do their best and defend their homes. Couriers were hastily despatched to Gloucester and adjoining towns for help. The frigate sailed by Folly Cove and anchored near Halibut Point.
 "A boats crew made an attempt to land but were repulsed by the Pencil bles, who were reinforced by compa- nies from Gloucester, Salem, New buryport and elsewhere, who were on the spot within twelve hours of the first alarm. The ship then sent an- other fleet of boats and tried to ef- feet landing, but were again beaten back. General Appleton, of Glouces- ter, marched 1,500 men down on Hal ibut Point, which had the effect of overawing the commander of the frigate, and he soon after got under way and sailed off, firing some part ing shots which struck perilously near some of the men.
 "Shortly after this took place shipped aboard the privateer Or lando,' of Gloucester, to prey on the enemy's commerce. We went out in her and somewhere near the Grand Banks we captured topsail schooner from Jamaica and put prize crew aboard. We hadn't been aboard of her twelve hours when it set in thick fog. During the time we thought we heard the rustling ot vessels sails, and soon voices could be distin- grished. The fog lifted up bit and disclosed an English frigate close alongside. They soon had their boats out and our prize was retaken. We were carried aboard and put down in the lower hold and the gratipgs fas- tened down over the hatchway. There was also another frigate accompany ing her.
 "This was on Friday and the two ships were cruising on the American shore. The captured prize was sent to Halifax. On the following Satur- day the ship struck on the Brazil rocks of Cape Sable and began to Au rapidly with water. The hatchways were knocked of and the prisoners clambered to the decks, and victors and vanquished with common zeal did every thing to save themselves.
 The ship could not sink below the deck, however, because the rock on which she lay prevented her founder. ing.
 "It was thick fog at the time, and the companion ship had come to an- chor near by. We cut away her rig giDg and let the masts go over the side, and hove her guns overheard. We fired minute guns as signals of distress, and the boats of both ships were soon engaged carry ing the crew of the wrecked ship to her companion Each vessel had hundred men for crew, with hundred prisoners. We were carried into Halifax, not into the harbor, but up river which runs to the westward of the city, and up at the head of the river is great basin of water; in the center of the basin was an island on which c prison was built. We were marched up there by the soldiers, taken into a counting room and every name taken down. There were one thousand American prisoners there then and about five hundred Frenchmen. They were parted of, the Frenchmen living in one end and the Americans in the other. The officers lived in the attic. We were there about sixty days. When we were cast away we lost everything we had but what we stood in, and that was very slim costume I assure you. The water around the island flowed into the prison, and we used to go down and take our shirts of, wash and hang them up, and stripped to the skin, watch them until they were dry and put them on again
 "We were there sixty days, and they were pretty lively days, too The officers organized band of mu. sic and they would go upon a. plat. form and deliver patriotic orations Once in . while the music would strike up sYankee Doodle,' to tn. great amusement of the soldiery. You know the Constitution sank thu 'Guerriere,' and the crew of the latter were taken to Boston. "A ahip from the latter port exchanged 507 pris- oncrs, among whom were the sGuer. riere'S crew, and we came to Boston