The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-05-13

not anOrd more Drllnant example 81
patriotic devotion than that now to bt
recorded The world is dazzled by dis
plays OF the heroic on grauder scales, and
the laudstions Of the multitude generally
rise to height commensurate with the
hero's theatre OF action. Hence the
glories OF La Hogue, OF Cape St Vincent
OF Abousir. and OF Trafalgar. But Lord
Nelson himself when fired by the in
spiratiOn Of that terrible expectation,
which on a memorable day streamed out
from the mas, heads Of his feet, or even
when soon after he sank into the arms
Of Fame on board the Victory, was no
more hero than was he who now trod
the deck of this unpretending little Vir-
ginia cruiser. The patriotism of the lat
ter was none the less devoted, the quality
OF his courage none the less elyatcd, be
cause he did not on this occasion com
mand a Vanguard or Victory.
Having gotten out OF the mouth OF
NansemOnd, Captain Cowper now
shaped the course OF his brig directly
across Hampton Roads, out into the
Chesapeake Bay. II was late in the day.
MANY Of his friends who knew his pur-
pose, and the neighboring inhabitants
who were familiar with lis desperate
temper, could not but feel interest
in his departure, and now earnestly be.
held from along the shores the gallant
little vessel as she sped on her perilOus
way They saw her pass the sandy
beach where once stood old Fort George,
aud where now frown the batteries OF
Fortress Monroe They continued to
gaze upon the diminishing outlines until
she had fairly passed between the Capes
Even there she was not entirely lost TO
view, for almost at the moment she was
about 10 disappear below the horizon the
behOlders interest was revived by the
sudden appearance Of two more sail in
the Oi'ing The friends Of the Dolphin
were now anxious as TO the character OF
the strangers. Were they traders or we're
they men-0f-war:
Cowper had always insisted he would
never wait 10 be attacked, but should as
sumo the offensive, no matter what were
/ the odds against him The Dolphin was
at last seen 10 change her course and bear
| towards the two vessels, who at once
shaped their course 10 meet her. Ii was
/ therefore evident that they were tenders
to the enemy's fleet, probably not very
far distant, The two stranger, must have
been aslouishcd at the folly or temerity
Of an adversary who, single handed, and
in sight Of home and a place Of refuge
should be thus boldly inviting them To so
unequal contest. They may have mis-
taken her for atory ally or a friend in dis.
guise But they were not long left in
doubt. The Dolphin opened fire as soon
as they were in range, and the action then
began. Ii is stated by those who looked
on from distance that the fight lasted
until some time after the sun had
set, that flashes OF their guns could be
seen through the mists Of The eastern sky,
and their distant multerings heard long
after nightfall All Of sudden an omi.
nous silence brOoded over the sea.
Two lights were seen to disappear to the
eastward but no sign Of "a third vessel
was to be discovered. The gallant
Dolphin and her devoted band
have never been heard Of from
that day to this. Had they been
taken from their sinking vessel by the
Of them at least would have returned
with iidings of their comrades and their
gallant brig. 1t cannot, therefore, be
doubted that the desperate resolve of the
commander was carried out, and that he
and his crew sacrificed themselves and
their vessel TO an Over-Zeal0us devotion 10
their country's cause. Although we can
not bat lament the rashncSs and incXpc-
dlcnCy OF such an act yet we cannot re-
fuse The tribute of our hearts TO so unset
fish display of true manliness. That
flag was indeed never struck its wasted
filters even now, may. for aught We know,
be floating from that same mast head
down amid the wonders Of the deep No
other memorial can ever mark the spot
where persisted the patriot band. The
surging billow must forever be their
monument their requim, What the wild
waves are ever saying
The exact date of this affair is not
known, but from circumstances just pre-
ccding this last cruise Of the Dolphin ii
must have been either late in the year
1910 or early in 1850 Early in this latter
year the wants of the country had re-
quired tac expectation OF tobacco t. tnc
West Indies Tor supplies. Capt. William
Lewis, in the Renown, found himself IA
command Of ii fleet lying near Flourdew
hundred, in JAMES river, ju,t below llar-
rison's bar, awaiting orders Having re
Ceivcd them, with instructions TO proceed
TO 81 EuStalia, he put TO sea. His little
squadron had scarcely passed the capcs
Of Virginia, when a large force of British
ships and tenders caused him % beat back
into Hampton Roads Being closely
pursued as far as Lynnhayen bay hy y
large brig, Captain Lewis, fearing the
capture Of some Of his smaller vessels,
which we're ilying for safety, determined
20 nay TO ard dctain The enemy by giving
battle His order 10 this eject was met
10y three cheers from his galan; crew
The Renown soon found herself over
hauled hy the brig but before the latter had
time To begin the attack lie had received =
telling brOadside from the Nirglnian vino
al once wore, to avoid "a threatened blow
from her adverSaiyS heavier metal, ~
the same time delivering a raking are
across her stern. The damage done 10
the enemy could not be made out. 1t
proved sufficient. however, to enable the
RenOwn TO shake of her disagreeable
neighbOr and to secure he- own safety
from the rest of the enemys fleet who
in the meantime had been rapidly APP
4 4. "A