Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-04-17

| turned and came for us. We got our arms
| ready. and the men took their places.
cautioned them not to fire until gave the
signal.
| As the barge approached they unshipped
all their oars but two. A swivel was
mounted on the bows of the boat and one
man had struck the match and was swing
ing 1t around to be ready to fire when or
| dered
When the barge came within hailing dis
tance, l inquired the name of the boat.
The captain replied:
His Majesty's. we belong to the brig
Bruin."
What Is your business, sir?' asked.
I'VE want your schooner"
"fou can't have her. order You not
to advance any further upon your peril"
The barge moved slowly along. Again
| shouted -
Stand of or will fire."
There WAS not a man to be seen on our
schooner except myself. could see that
they were getting their guns ready and the
man forward was swinging his match. 1t
was quite evident that they intended to
give us battle.
My gun stood against the quarter rail
near me. | sounded the signal TO fire 4;
seven guns vomited out fire and smoke, a
shower of leaden hail entered the boat;
the man who swung the match fell back,
also one other man. In less than a min
ute another shower of bullets fell on the
boat. The captain of the boat cried for
quarters and said I'VE will go away" mo
you dom, come along side" said |. They
seemed to hesitate.
Come along or we will give you
another voley."
They cams. along.
Three men were shot dead, and two
wounded. All the live and wounded were
taken on board OF the schooner One OF
the men was mortally wounded. the ball
having entered his left breast. As we de-
taincd this barge We expected that the brig
would send In another to see what had
happened.
We got the schooner under weigh. ran
up TO the main land, hauled her into "a
small cove and tied her TO some trees. The
water was shoal and the vessel would be
aground most of the time.
There were two houses on the point
near where we lay. l wrote dispatch to
the captain of the militia asking him to
come TO my assistance and to arrive BY
sunrise, hired a man TO deliver my note
To the captain and explain how we were
situated. next sent a boat ashore with
the dead men and had them buried on the
point
Here it will he proper for the writer to
state that he knows of the affair person
ally.
News of this battle spread rapidly; the
militia were all alive aud ready 10 beat of
the enemy. About I o'clock In the morn
ing the militia began passing our house.
had one brother who was liable TO mill
tsry duty he was armed equipped and
ready for duty. Upon seeing him thus
fitted out at once became very patriotic
and decided that must go too MY moth
er objected but father said. let the boy
go"
But | want gun" said T.
I'VE cant get one for you now. You
90 over with the men. take the gun OF the
first one who is shot down and do your
duty. You are good shot; you killed
three ducks out of five, yesterday; that
shows what you can do"
Although mother objected to my going
she slipped two biscuits and slice OF
cheese into my pocket. then was hap
py boy.
We arrived at the point near the vessel
shout sunrise. The militia came in from all
directions, the most prominent person be-
ing Capt. Moore, who was nv uncle We
all went on board the schooner. By the
time the sun was an hour high boat was
seen coming IN by Pond Island. The
weather being somewhat hazy those on the
schooner could scarcely make out hat she
was. 4 white sail or flag was visible and
there was no doubt but that she was from
the "Brun." BY the aid OF the glass the
captain saw that the white object was a
sail and said that we had better get ready
To give them a shower of lead.
Now all was commotion. Every one
wished to get good chance TO fire. Cap
tain Moore told the men 10 see that their
guns were IN good order; but they must
not fire until he gave the word. One of
the men said lie was sick, and he was per-
mitted to go below. Now, said the cap
tain 10 NE. take this sick mans gun and
stand by me"
! took particular notice of the men
they seemed to be IN good spirits and anx-
ious 10 have a light. When the barge got
within two gunshots the sail was lowered
and white flag was raised. Our militia
was much disappointed; still ii proclaimed
peace and good will,
The boat. which was an eight-oared
barge, rounded to under the sci ooner's
stern. The captain of the boat wished to
know il they had seen boat here. Capt.
Allen replied:
There was six-oared barge came in
here yesterday and made an attempt TO
board my vessel. | said all that could to
keep them OFF; but they seemed determined
TO board ME. They had lit a match and
were getting their small arms ready for ac
tion, and thought it time to protect our
selves. We fired two broadsides when they
surrendered and were taken on board The
living men are below. the barge is along
side"
IF you please" said the English cap
tain '.send Patrick O'Neil aft" As Pa
trick came aft the two greeted each other
gladly, and the captain said:
well, Patrick, fear that you have not
acted very wisely in this case"
Captain, will you let me explain bit?
When we got within gunshot of the vessel
we could only see one man with an old rusty
gun by bis side; We supposed that the
crew were ashore and that it would be
very easy thing to take the vessel out.
The next moment the side of the vessel
looked as If it was a blaze, and a shower
of bullets came among us; before we had
time to think the second volley followed.
| then made the captain understand that
we would surrender"
One of my uncles was leaning over the
rail and he said, Captain, you might az
well have put an old hen In master of your
barge as that bog trotter.' This raised
laugh among the Americans, and slight
smile stole over the handsome face of the
English officer
Now" said he, addressing Captain Al
len, Il would like to settle this affair in an
honorable and gentlemanly way"
II am ready and willing to meet you on
those assurances" replied our captain.
II have few questions that would
like to ask Patrick, if you please"
"You shall have the privilege, sir. Call
Patrick aft, Mr.. Wilson"
Patrick came aft and the following dia-
logue took place:
Where is John O'Brien?"
Below, sir"
Where is Fred Gallagher?"
'He is ashore on the point"
"What is he doing there?"
'He is dead and buried, SIR"
"Where is Rufus Merritt?"
ale is with Fred Gallagher"
Where is John French?"
"He is below sir. wounded"
"Where is Michael Moore?"
.'He is dead and buried on the point.
SIR"
Where are Juber Norton and Frank
Dugan?"
"They are below, SIR"
'sThat is all, you may co.
The officer next addressed Capt. Allen {:
"This is an unfortunate affair and we
must make the best of it. Now, captain,
Won don't want the two wounded men and