Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-01-01

parties from out OF town continued to
arrive in the village, some with muskets,
some armed with pitchforks, and some
with scythcs fastened on poles-formida-
BILE weapons and used with much effect, as
we are Informed by Polish officer, during
the Polish revolution. On Monday mora
ing Machias was scene of great excite
ment. Men paraded the village with their
various weapons, while the women search
ed every nook and corner for powder aud
lead As proof Of the spirit which ami
mated the latter, an incident is related.
which, as the writer declares. is worthy uf
being recorded.
1t seems that the men who came from
Pleasant River settlement were greatly in
want of powder, having but two or three
charges each. The wife OF one of IT,,
party, having found horn of powder
after they were gone followed them twenty
miles through the woods fthcrc being at
that time no roads to bring it to her hu>-
band, and arrived with II next day after
the party had reached MaChias. Early IN
the forenoon il was decided to take POS
session of a lumber sloop in the river aud
90 in pursuit Of the schooner. About
sixty volunteers mustered on board among
whom werr six brothers by the name of
O'Bgieu, Jeremiah, Gideon, John, Will
lam Dennis, and Joseph. The father IF
this heroic family also insisted upon
accompanying them, but lie reluctantly
Welded Io the wishes Of his sons and re
manned on shore The sloop which was
afterwards called the Liberty. started in
pursuit, aui overlook the schooner, which
was bccalmed and about two leagues dis
tant from the head of Machias Bay. When
they came in Sight Of the Margaretta, the
pursuing party were without any organic
ed head. But before coming up with the
enemy, jeremiah q Bricn WAS unanimously
chosen captain. ON taking command his
first exercise of authority was To give per
mission to all who were afraid to follow
him at all lengths TO ~ on shore Three
men who had clustered the most when on
the land avaied themselves of this Offer,
aud, amid the contempt of the rest OF the
crew. took boat along side, and left the
vessel.
Now, ms brave fellows" said Captain
O'Brien, having got rid Of those white
livcred towards our first business will he
10 get along side of the schooner yondcr.
and the first man who boards her shall be
entitled to the palm of honor"
BY the aid of boats towing ahead and
the Use Of sweeps, the sloop was soon
brought along side of the schooner, but,
having no graphing irons, they almost
Immediately separated, yet not before
John O'Brtn, who stood in the bows of
the slOop ready for a spring, had leaped
upon the schoouers deck On looking
around he found the sloop had drifted off
some twenty or thirty yards, leaving him
alone standing on the quarter deck of the
enemy Before he had much time to
reflect on his situation, seven of the English
discharged their guns at him, almost at the
same moment. but not a ball touched him.
They then charged upon him with their
bayonet>, when, to save his life, he jumped
overheard. and swan towards the s.oop.
and soon stood, to the wonder of himself
a. well as his companions, unharmcd on
deck
Brother John, you have won the palm -
said Jeremiah, shaking him atitctionately
by the hand
But man the sweeps, my hcarties. and
lay us along side once more, and stand
ready to fasten on to him when you reach
him"
Twenty mcn. armed with pitchforks.
were now selected to board the schooner,
and W hen the vessels were again brought
in contact, amidst fierce discharge from
the enemy they rushed over the schooner 5
sharp contest ensued. The English bravely
stood their ground, but they could not
withstand the impetuous onset Of the
Americans, and, after a spirited struggle,
they were forced to submit, having lost
about ten Killed anl the same number
wounded. Among the latter was Captain
Moore. who in the early part of the action
was shot through with brace of balls,
from the effect of which he died next day,
much lamented. The loss to the Ameri-
cans was four killed and eight or nine
wounded.
When the >loop appeared in the river,
with the Margaretta as prize, those on
shore We're perfectly wild with excitement.
Men, women, and children gathered on
the banks, shouting, exhibiting every
| demonstration of JOY. The Liberty Pole
throughout the day and long into the
night might be heard the sounds of revelry
and rejoicing. As mark of diStinc-
tion for the bravery he had displayed, the
Committee of Safety appointed John
OBrien as bearer of dispatches to the
| Provincial Congress of Massachusetts,, al
Watertown, to report what had been done
and to receive directions for the future
The news was received with the mos,
lively interest, and Congress gave theiI
| appreciation to the conduct of the people
of Machas in the highest terms and passet
| a vote Of thanks to the individuals con
| cerned in the battle.