The times., 1899-12-26

The Christmas Day of 1912 is notable
/ in American annals for the frigate United
States, Commander Decatur, gained sig
nal victory over the British frigate Mace
douian on that date
The United States had been out OF
New York several days and heading south
east when on Sunday morning. December
%. the Macedonian hove in view. The
antagonists at once made for each other.
and the decks were cleared The British
frigate was rated as having thirty-eight
guns but at this time carried forty-nine
while the United States contained a
battery of ffty-four guns. In most re-
spects. however, the naval duelists were
equally matched.
AS the ships came within range of each
other. slow, long-distanee canuouade was
begun, but little damage was done on either
side as long grOund-swell was on, which
disconnected the gunners' aim. But after
about half hours play of this sort. the
mlzzen topmast of the Britisher was shot
away and the rigging suffered consider
ably
The American gunners were finding the
range. and Captain Garden of the Mace
! Dat. The move was fatal, for the broad
sides of the United States at once went
crashing into the hull and riggir q of its ad-
Versary with fearful havoc. So constant
was the sheet of fame from the American
Irlsate's broadsides that the men aboard
the Macedonian thought she was on fire
! and gave vent to prolonged cheers.
Their eXultation, however, was soon
changed to sorrow. for well directed shot
mad carried away their mlzzen mast and
| made brig OF her" The battle ragged
enyeloped the combatants and the belcb-
ing flames gave the scene an aspect OF
liyid rage.
The United States was directing her
shots at the hull of the Macedonian
and they crashed through the wooden sides
Killing at times five and six men at a sin
gle shot. The Macedonian bore down
upon the American slr0p with the mani
fest intention Of boarding, but so well was
tho United States maneuvred that she
at no time came near accomplishing this
end.
The aim of the English gunners dur
ing the engagement was at nearly all
times too high, and the United States
was suffering but slightly from their shots
Commander Decatur decided to bring the
other half OF his battery into play and be-
gan to draw OFF. The English mistook the
motive, and again cheered. AS the Unit
ed States came around. however. and
presented long row of cleaning muzzles
to the already disabled Macedonian, the
better part Of valor prevailed with Cap
tain Garden, and ne discreetIy hauled
down his flag
The slaughter on the British frigate was
appalling. The official account OF the loss
In men gives forty-three dead and sixty
Cne injured The loss on the United
States was seven killed and five wounded.
An English sailor who was in the en-
gagement describes, in part, the havoc and
destruction on the Macedonian as fol-
lows:
THE roaring OF the cannon could now
be heard from all parts of our trembling
ship, and, mingling as 1t did with that OF
ours foes, it made a most hideous noise
By and by heard the shot strike the sides
OF our ship. The whole scene grew inde-
scribably confused and horrible. 1t was
Ike some awfully tremendous thunder
storm whose deafening roar is attended by
incessant streaks of lightning, carrying
death in every fash, aud strewing the
ground with the victims OF its wrath; only
in our case the scene was rendered more
horrible than that by the presence of tor
rents OF blood which dyed our decks.
The cries of the wounded now rang
through every part of the ship These were
carried TO the cockpit as fast as they fell
while those more fortunate men who were
killed outright were Immediately thrown
into the sea.
Another veteran OF this engagement said
later. while standing amidships on a Brit
ish man -ofwar: This part of the ship we
called the slaughter house aboard the
Macedonian. Here the men fell five and six
at a time
Decatur sent boat, with Lieutenant Al
len, to take possession of the prize AS
he was examining the muster rolls of the
Macedonian sailor pushed his way to-
ward the quarterback and cried out that
he was an impressed American. and that
he had had seven mates aboard, all pressed
into the British service. Three had been
killed and the other five begged to be
taken into the American Navy. which was
Immediately done.
The British officers were removed to the
American ship, and some Of them were in
clined to be surly over their defeat They
were all treated with the utmost courtesy
by the Americans, which is subStantiated
by the scene OF surrender in Decatur's
cabin. Captain Garden took OFF his sword
on entering and mutely held it out for De-
caturs acceptance Sir. l cannot take the
sword of man who has defended his ship !
so bravely." said Decatur, but l viii take
your hand"
In Washington. on the night of December |
Is, a great ball was held in honor of the |
officers of the Navy. Many Of the high Off |
GERS of the Government were present. |
When the brilliant scene was at It's height, |
in the midst of the stately minuet. a mur- |
mur arose near the doorway, which soon |
spread throughout the room that a great /
victory had been won.
Amid cheers and clapping of hands, Lieu |
tenant Hamilton entered and delivered de- |
spatches to his father, the Secretary OF the |
Navy. Tn colors Of the captured ship he /
brought with him, and soon they were laid |
at the feet of Mrs. Madison-Dolly Madi- |
son. the most popular Of the ladies OF the |
White House" Commander Decatur and |
his crew were feted, two weeks later, in a /
banquet by the citizens of New
York The table was marvel of decora-
ton. For several days the sailors were
royalty entertained in banquet and theatre.
and then they returned 20 the active dut es
of again establishing American independ-
ence.
Natural.
(From the Memphis Scimetar)