The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-08-10

'N'0 ~ ANONS III 10 oAO tAAdl VIC
should be knocked to pieces and
sunk unless we could close.
1.-The Richard, having forged
ahead d little, the Commodore
tried to lay her across the enemy's
forefoOt, but he having put up his
helm, we ran him aboard his port
quarter. Before the ship could
be dashed he drew away and we
lay in line ahead, and, no guns
bearing, the combat quieted for
little space, until the Richard,
forging ahead and the enemy
backing, we got alongside once
more, only closer, and the battle
recommended we giving and re-
ceiving terrible punishment. FL
nally, about of the clock, we
were within pistol shot of her,
when the wind hauled ahead, en-
abling the Richard to blanket the
enemy. At this point the Alliance
ranged along our unengaged side
and opened fire on us, to our great
establishment and horror. We
cried our name and signaled to
her, but to no avail 1t was i'm
possible she mistook us for the
enemy, for the Richard was a
black ship, the other a white one.
After killing twelve men by her
fire, including Mr.. Caswell, she
left us, thanking God for her de-
parture.
"The enemy having lost way,
the Richard drew ahead and the
Commodore promptly laid her
athwart the others hawse. The
enemy now backed his after sail,
but only succeeded in swinging in
to us as we ranged along his star
board side His bower anchor
caught in our mizzen chains, Crap
nels were also thrown, and in a
minute she was fast to us, the
Commodore with his own hands
passing the lashing. The enemy
made desperate efforts to cut the
anchor fastenings, in the hope of
swinging clear, but man after man
who tried it was shot down, the
Commodore himself using the
musquets Of the marines with
great effect. The two ships re-
manned locked together and the
lighting recommended again.
Below the enemy had it all his
own way. Our gun deck was
swept by shot SO that the sides of
the Richard were literally broken
to pieces, and presently their shot
sped harmlessly out. to sea. Above,
however, we had things our own
way. Our French marines and
soldiers, Of which we had a great
number, led by the commodore in
person, poured terrific musquetry
fire upon the spar decks of the en-
envy, which soon drove the survi-
vors in her crew below.
''Now the Alliance again made
her appearance. We were in
hopes that she would fall upon the
other side of the enemy and thus
end the battle. But no she de-
l1berately sailed by her and raked
US again with her broadside into
our quarter, adding to the terrible
damage we had suffered below.
She then drew off again and ap-
preached us no more until after
the battle,
"The condition of the Richard
was deplorable. She was making
water fast and was on fire. Some
POO British prisoners in the hold
were now released by the MASTER
alarms under the apprehension
that we were sinking. They at
once rushed for the hatch-ways.
The gunner became panic-struck
and gained the deck crying Quar-
ter. The Commodore knocked
him senseless with the butt of his
pistol and when the enemy's cap
tain, hearing the gunner's cry,
asked if we had struck, the Com
modore answered him. L have
not yet begun to fight Where.
at those of US who heard, cheered
mi phti1v ot1d want Of - ooro;.,