The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-08-02
ITO BE Continued
A BRIEF BATTLE.
The Constitutions Famous Fight
with the Guerriere.

The Constitutions Famous Fight
with the Guerriere.
Hull ran down before the wind to
take look at the stranger, and found
him with his main topsail aback, wait
ing for the Constitution to come up.
Both ships cleared for action, and when
the Constitution was still far astern the
Guerrero began firing at long range.
Only two or three shots were fired in
return, and then the American bore
down upon the Englishman in silence.
Nothing shows more fOrcibly the per-
feet discipline of the ship than this hour
of waiting, with men standing at quar-
tiers and their comrades falling around
them. Even Mr.. Morris, the first lieu
tenant, found it hard to restrain his
Impotence, and he asked to be allowed
to fire. Not till the ships were fairly
abreast and within pistol-shot of each
other was the word finally giver. The
effect was almost instantaneous as
whole broadside struck the Guerrero
followed quickly by second stagger-
ing blow. Her miZzenmast went over.
board, and the Constitution was able
to pass around the Guerriere's bow
where she delivered a raking fire, which
cut away the foremost and much of the
rigging. In wearing to return across
her bow, the Guerriere'S starboard bow
fouled the port quarter of the Consti-
tuition. IT was while in this position
that both sides tried to board, anc
Lieut.. Bush, of the Marine corps, wa.
killed, and Lieut.. Morris was danger.
ously wounded. Two guns in the bow
of the Guerrero were fired point-blanl
into the cabin of the Constitution anc
set fire to the ship. The danger wa.
grave, out the wind and sea swept then
clear, and Lieut.. Hoffman put out thu
fire. AS the ships separated, the Guer
riere's foremost and mainmast went BY
the board, leaving her helpless hull
in the trough of the sea. Capt. Dacres
| much desired interview" was over
having lasted, from the first broadsid,
of the Constitution. just 80 minutes
He was wounded, 70 of his men out of
crew of 272 were killed and wounded
and not stick was left standing on hi:
NNNN' hS'l Z w ciS uO u6eu 10 maui QOWr
the flag; it was gone with the rigging
and Capt. Dacres surrendered perforce
The Constitution had lost IA men anG
sustained comparatively small injury
Within a few hours she was ready for
another fight. The Guerrero was so
cut to pieces that she could not be taken
into port, and Hull burned her. The
last act, after removing the prisoners
and wounded, gives one a glimpse of
the Christianity and chivalry of these
two captains who spoke the same
tongue and in whose veins flowed the
same blood. Capt. Hull asked Capt.
Dacres if there was anything he would
like to save from his ship. He said.
yes, his mothers Bible, which he had
carried with him for years. An officer
was sent to get it. Thus began friend
ship between these enemies which
lasted till Hull's death in 1S43. Tradi-
ton has it that in this fight the Consti-
tuition obtained her sobriquet "Old
Ironsides." When struck by a shot from
the Guerrero, the outside plankine
did not yield, and the shot fell into the
sea. One of the seamen shouted: "Huz-
"a! her sides are made of iron!"-1ra
n. Hollis, in Atlantic.