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McVICKAR NEW YORK DODD, MEAD, AND COMPANY PUBLISHERS m^s^^sv^. -.^jjL.mm< cJ ^^ )^ -.' and was carried on board his Britannic Majesty's brig " Rhodian," in Montego Bay, commanded by Capt. Mowbary. He told me my protection was of no consequence, and he would have me whether or not. I was born in Baltimore, and served my time with Messrs. Smith & Buchanan. I hope my friends will do something for me to get my clearance ; for I do not like to serve any other country but my own, which I am willing to serve. I am now captain of the forecastle, and stationed captain of a gun in the waist. I am treated very ill, because I will not enter. They request of me to go on board my country's ships to list men, which I refused to do, and was threatened to be punished for it. I remain a true citizen of the United States EDWIN BOULDIN. Pathetic letters such as this appear often in the columns of the news- papers published in the early part of this century, and are usually accom- panied by petitions from the relatives and friends of the pressed man, begging that Congress take some action to secure American sailors from such outrages. But year after year the practice went on, and higher and higher grew the enmity between England and the United States. Among the sailors who suffered impressment at the hands of the British were many who afterward in the naval battles of the ensuing war won ample revenge from the nation that had so abused their liberties. Most prominent of all these men was David Porter, who, from the humble station of a cabin boy on his father's ship in 1796, rose in twenty years to be commodore in the United States navy. The name of Porter is one famous in the naval annals of the United States ; and probably there never existed a family in which the love for the life of a fighting jack-tar was so strong as among these representative American sailors. David Porter, sen., and Samuel Porter served the American Colonies dashingly upon the sea in the Revolution. Of David Porter, jun., we shall have much to say in this volume. Of his children, the eldest, William D., rose to the post of commodore. United States navy, and died of wounds received in the civil war ; Henry O. Porter was first lieutenant of the " Hattcras " when she sunk before the fire of the Confederate ship " Ala- bama ; " Thomas Porter served in the Mexican navy ; Hambleton Porter BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 15 died of yellow-fever while a midshipman in the United States navy ; Lieut. Theodoric Porter, U.S.A., was the first officer killed in the Mexi- can war; and Admiral David D. Porter, U.S.N. , by virtue of his exploits on blue water and in the ditches and bayous back of Vicksburg during the civil war, now stands at the head of living naval officers. But to return to David Porter. He was sixteen years old, when, in 1796, his father, having obtained command of a vessel in the West India trade, determined to take the lad to sea, that he might learn the profes- sion of his ancestors. It was hardly a favorable time to inspire an inde- pendent boy with admiration for the life of an American merchant sailor The United States had no navy to protect its merchant ships ; and the British cruisers that scoured the ocean felt little hesitation about boarding the ships of the infant nation, and kidnapping such sailors as they might desire. Of this young Porter soon had evidence. While his ship, the " Eliza," was lying in the port of Jeremie in San Domingo, a British frigate came into the harbor, and dropped anchor near by. One morning the lookout on the "Eliza" saw a boat, manned by armed men, put off from the frigate, and steer for the American merchantman. The move- ment was quickly reported to Capt. Porter, who was too old a seaman not to know what it portended, and too plucky an American to submit wilhngly to any indignity. His preparations were quickly made ; and by the time the frigate's boat came alongside, the crew of the "Eliza" were armed and ready to rush to the deck at the first alarm. Capt. Porter with his officers and son stood on the quarterdeck, and awaited with great dignity the arrival of the boat. Soon the British came alongside ; and an officer in the stern-sheets announced that he was about to board the " Eliza," and demanded to search the vessels for deserters from the British service. Capt. Porter replied that his \ as an American ship, and the British might board at their peril ; for he was armed, and would resist the boarders to the last extremity. A great laugh went up from the boat alongside. A Yankee merchantman to resist British sailors, indeed ! And the officer, without more ado, ordered his men to board. Hardly had the order passed i6 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. his lips, than Porter's clear voice rang out, "Repel boarders!" and the crew of the " Eliza," armed with pikes and muskets, rushed upon their assailants, and drove them into the sea. Young Porter was not behind- hand in the fight, but lent his boyish aid to the vindication of American sailors' rights. One man was shot down by his side ; and Porter received his first baptism of blood in this encounter, which thus early rooted in his mind a detestation for the arrogance of the British, and a determination to devote his life to the cause of his seafaring countrymen. On his second voyage, a year later, young Porter was destined tO' experience still further the hardships and ignominy which American sailors only too often encountered at the hands of the British. Once again the boy, now a first officer, was walking the deck of his vessel in a San Domingo port, when a boat's-crew from a British frigate came on board on the usual errand of impressment. This time the sturdy, inde- pendent spirit of the elder Porter was absent ; and the captain of the American vessel basely permitted a portion of his crew, among whom was Porter, to be carried aboard the frigate, where they were to be kept until they agreed to enlist. Loaded with irons, they were thrust into "the brig," or guard-room of the frigate ; but, though the case seemed hope- less, Porter gallantly refused to enter the king's service, and ceaselessly exhorted his comrades to stand firm against the commands of the British. Days passed, and still the frigate's crew was in no wise increased from among the obstinate Americans. The British captain lost patience, and commanded that all the prisoners be brought out on deck, triced up, and publicly flogged with the cat-of-nine tails, for "the bad example they set the crew of his Majesty's ship." The order was duly put into execution. The prisoners, still ironed, were brought up under a heavy guard, and taken to the gratings ; but when young Porter reached the deck, and saw the ignominious punishment in store for him, he fought desperately with his guards, and, finally breaking away, ran below, and hid in some corner of the hold, from which the most careful search failed to dislodge him. The captain finally gave orders to leave him alone, saying, " He'll come out fast enough when he gets hungry." But the lad did not wait for Mi BLUE-TACKETS OF 1812. •7 hunger to drive him from his hiding-place. That very night he came from the hold, crawled stealthily across the deck, and dropped into the water, regardless of the sharks that abound in those tropic seas. A short swim took him to a Danish vessel, by which he was carried across the Atlantic. Only after many months of voyaging as a common sailor did the lad succeed in working his way back to his home. Even this experience could not deter the young seaman from again seeking employment upon the billowy main, and for the third time he shipped upon an American merchantman. Again his course lay toward the West Indies, and again he was intercepted by the inevitable man-of- war. This time he was not so fortunate as to escape until after a month or more of captivity, during which time he was treated with the greatest cruelty on account of his persistent refusal to serve under any flag save that of his own country. At last he made his escape, and reached home. By this time he was naturally somewhat disgusted with the life of a sailor on an American merchant-vessel ; and he cast about for an appoint- ment to the navy, which he soon received. It is impossible to doubt that his three adventures with the British press-gang had much to do with the ardor and bravery with which in later days the young sailor, then elevated to the highest ranks, did battle with the enemies of his country. When, at the close of the War of 181 2, the veteran naval officer looked back upon his record during that conflict, he could point to one captured British man-of-war and scores of captured British mer- chantmen as the measure of his retaliation for the v.ioi.gs done him as a defenceless American sailor-boy. Oliver Hazard Perry, of whose famous victory over the British on Lake Erie we shall speak later, also was brought into conflict with the British in the days of the "right of search." His father, Christopher Raymond Perry, in command of the United States ship "Gen Greene," was escorting an American brig freighted with a valuable cargo. Near Gibraltar they were sighted by a British man-of-war, which bore down quickly upon the two ships. Perry was an old and cautious naval officer ; and, though peace reigned between his country and Great Britain, he no sooner sa\y an armed. i8 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. vessel approaching, than he put his vessel in trim for action, and sent the crew to the guns. Nearer and nearer came the great English man-o'-war ; and, as she came within range, a puff of smoke burst from her bow-port, and a ball skipped along the water before Perry's unarmed convoy, conveying a forcible invitation to heave to. Perry at once made signal to his convoy to pay no regard to the Englishman ; and, setting the American flag, the two ships continued on their way. But at this moment the breeze died away, and all three ships lay becalmed within easy range of each other. The British captain was not slow to take advantage of this ; and a boat soon put off from his ship, and made for the American brig. This move Perry promptly checked by a shot from the "Gen. Greene," which so narrowly missed the boat that the crew thought it well to run alongside the American man-o'-war, and arrange the matter peaceably. As the boat came alongside the "Gen. Greene," the gangway was manned, and the British officer escorted with the greatest formality to Perry's presence. He at once stated his purpose in attempting to board the merchant- man ; claiming that, by virtue of the right of search, he was entitled to visit the brig, and examine into the nationality of her crew. " I deny the existence of any right, on the part of British vessels, to search any American vessel, except with the consent of the American commander," responded Perry; "and my shot was intended to warn you that you had received no such permission." By this time the British vessel had come within hailing distance of the " Gen. Greene ; " and the captain demanded why his boat had been fired upon, and was now detained. Perry responded in the same words with which he had answered the boarding-officer. " It's a most surprising thing," shouted the Englishman, losing his temper, "if a British seventy-four-gun ship cannot search a pitiful little Yankee merchantman." "By Heaven ! " responded Perry. "If you were a ship of the first rate, you should not do it, to the dishonor of my flag." And in an instant the ports of the "Gen. Greene" were triced up, and the British captain saw that his adversary was prepared for battle. After a moment's thought, BLUE-JACKETS Ob 1812. 19 1 he abandoned all attempts at violence, and sent a courteous letter to Perry, begging leave to visit the brig in search of British deserters, which request Perry as courteously granted. To this list of American seamen who suffered indignities at the hands of the British, and afterwards won reparation from their enemies in the War of 181 2, may be added the name of Joshua Barney. Few Americans have given to their country a longer service or more efficient aid than he. In the little Colonial navy of the Revolution, he held higii rank, and won the plaudits of older sailors. At the close of the Revolution, he served for a time in the merchant-marine ; then entered the naval service of France, and, at the first news of war between England and America, returned to his country, to enlist under the stars and stripes. It was while he was in command of a merchantman that he was brought into collision with the British in a way that well might make the doughty old sea-dog doubt if the Revolutionary days, when he suffered in the noisome confines of Mill Prison, had not come again. It was in the summer of 1793, that the good ship "Sampson," two days out from Cape Francois, West Indies, was slowly making her way northward, over the tropic . seas, and under the glaring rays of the summer sun of the torrid zone. Capt. Barney and his crew were ever on the watch for danger ; for, in addition to the hurricanes and typhoons common to the equatorial latitudes, much was to be feared from the lawless British privateers that then swarmed in the West Indies and Bermudas. That the " Sampson " was under the flag of a neutral power, was but little protectio)! ; for the commanders of the semi-piratical craft cared little for international law or for justice. War was raging between F'rance and England ; and a mere suspicion of traffic with French colonies was enough, in the eyes of these worthies, to condemn a vessel of any nationality. Knowing his danger, Capt. Barney strove to avoid the localities fre- quented by the privateers, but to no avail One bright morning, the lookout reported three sail in sight from the masthead, and in a few hours Barney found himself hemmed in by privateers. Three officers boarded him, and began a rigid examination of the cargo and papers. Two finally 20 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. expressed themselves as satisfied of the neutral character of the vessel ; but the third exclaimed that he had discovered in the cabin an iron chest, full of money, which surely proved that the " Sampson " had something to do with the French, for " no blasted Yankee ever had iron chests or dollars on board his vessel ! " Such conclusive proof as this could not be overlooked by the sapient privateers ; and, after a little consultation, they informed Capt. Barney that they would let the ship go, if the money were given to them. As it amounted to eighteen thousand dollars, Capt. Barney looked upon this demand as nothing short of robbery, and indig- nantly refused to consider it ; whereupon his captors took from the " Sampson " all her crew except the carpenter, boatswain, and cook, sent a prize-crew aboard, and ordered that she be taken to New Providence, a British naval station. The privateers were soon hull down on the horizon ; and Barney found himself a prisoner on his own ship, exposed to ceaseless insolence from the British prize-master. Several days passed, as the " Sampson " lay becalmed in the tropics. Barney, though too old a sailor to be cast down by misfortune, never- theless chafed under his situation. From prize-master and prize-crew he received nothing but scurrilous epithets ; and the oft -repeated murmurs of "Rebel rascal!" "Yankee traitor!" "Blow out his brains!" and "Throw him overboard ! " made it hard for him to believe the Revolution over, and the United States and England at peace. Even while they thus abused the captain, the rogues were feasting upon his provisions and drinking his wines ; and only his firm refusal to give up his keys pre- vented their rifling his iron chest, and filling their pockets with his dollars. At last he began to feel that his life was no longer safe in the hands of his captors ; and, though he had by him but three men of his original crew, he determined to attempt to recapture the ship. One evening the captain managed to catch a few minutes' conversation with the carpenter and boatswain of his own crew, and broached to them the project for a recapture. No argument was needed to induce these bold men to embark in the perilous enterprise. Indeed, from the very moment of the capture, they must have cherished some such purpose ; t THE RIGHT OF SEARCH. BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 23 for each had hidden away in his bunk a gun and bayonet. Barney, on lis part, had secreted a small brass blunderbuss and a broad-sword ; and /ith this meagre armament the three determined to take the ship from |its captors. The success of the project then depended upon a favorable opportu- [nity, and the three conspirators watched eagerly for the decisive moment I to arrive. At last there came a day so squally that all the prize-crew were kept busy with the sails all the morning. Much exhausted, the sailors sat down to their dinner on the forecastle at noon, while the three British officers spread their mess amidships. Barney saw that th .; moment had arrived ; and, giving the signal to his men, the plotters went below for their weapons. Barney was the first to re-appear, — the blunderbuss, loaded and cocked, in his hand, and the naked cutlass under his arm. Hardly had he stepped on deck when one of the officers saw him, and, throwing down dishes and dinner, sprang at the American and grappled with him. Barney struggled violently, and soon managing to get the blunderbuss against his enemy's shoulder, fired it, .'illing the wretch's arm and side with buckshot. Freed from his adversary, the gallant captain cut down with a blow of his cutlass the second prize officer, who was advancing upon him ; and the third, seeing his two com- panions lying, drenched with blood, upon the deck, ran below. In the mean time the crew, startled from their dinner by the report of the blun- derbuss, had rushed below for their weapons ; but the last man had hardly dived down the hatchway when the wily carpenter and boatswain rushed forward, clapped on the hatches, and in a trice had the British sailors nicely cooped up in the forecastle. The two wounded officers were quickly cared for, and the unhurt fugitive secured ; and Barney found himself again in control of the ship. The victors then held a consultation as to their future action. They controlled the ship, it was true ; but what were three men to do with a full-rigged ship on the stormy Atlantic? Clearly they must get aid from their captives, or all might go to the bottom together. Accordingly the three, with loaded weapons, went forward, and standing at the hatchway, 24 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. proposed terms to the imprisoned sailors below. Capt. Barney acted as spokesman. "You shall be released from confinement," cried he to the captives. BARNEY REGAINS HIS SHIP. "and may now come on deck one at a time, each one bringing his weapons with him." The hatches were then thrown back, and the carpenter and boat- swain stood with cutlasses and muskets ready to cut down the first who BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 25 should make an offensive movement. The British saw the preparations for their reception, and came up one at a time as ordered. As each came up, his arms were seized and thrown overboard, and a grutf order given for him to go forward. Before long the crew, deprived of all means of resistance, were gathered on the forecastle. Barney then retired to the quarter-deck, and ordered that the crew be mustered before him. " You are now my prisoners," said he ; " and I have not only the power, but the right, to hang every man jack of you. You seized this vessel without any just cause, and simply because you were the stronger ; and you have further used that strength to abuse and ill-treat me and waste my property. I do not propose to execute you, but will give you the choice of two alternatives. You may either stay with me and work this ship to Baltimore, there to be discharged with wages ; or I will give you a small boat with provisions, and set you adrift to shift for your- selves. One condition I attach to the first alternative. If one of you is seen talking with his former officers, or if one man steps abaft the main- mast, he shall be instantly shot." The crew wasted no time in deliberation, but decided to stay with the ship, and at once went forward on duty. Then began a fortnight of ceaseless watchfulness and grave anxiety for Capt. Barney. At night he never closed his eyes, but took his sleep by day in an armchair on deck, his blunderbuss and cutlass by his side, and a sentinel ready to awaken him at the slightest alarm. At last, however, he brought his ship safely to Baltimore, and discharged his crew. But the memory of that month of violence remained with him ; and we shall hear of him again as a brave sailor in the service of the United States, and an uncom- promising foe to England. Among the most adventurous of American merchant seamen in the days following the Revolution was Capt. Thomas Macdonough. Like others of his class, his daring and ability as a navigator gained him a g commission in the very small American navy of that time. On one occasion the United States ship "Siren," of which he was first lieu- tenant, was lying at anchor in the harbor of Gibraltar, surrounded by a 26 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. number of merchantmen, from the peak of one of which floated che stars and stripes. While pacing the deck one bright afternoon, Macdonough observed a boat manned with armed men put off from a British man- of-war that rode at anchor a mile away. At once his suspicions were aroused, and with a strong glass he watched the movements of the Brit- ish. As he had expected, the boat steered straight for the American merchantman; and through his glass Macdonough could see the boarders scramble over the bulwarks of the vessel, and soon thereafter return to their boat, taking with them 1 man dressed in the garb of a merchant seaman, and tightly bound. The captain of the " Siren " was on shore ; and Macdonough, as the officer in command, determined that so audacious an impressment should not succeed under the guns of an American war-vessel, small though she might be. "Clear away the long-boat," he shouted; and the boat quickly was lowered to the water, and a dozen jackies grasped the oars. Macdonough sprung into the stern-sheets, and grasped the tiller. " Let fall ! Give way ! Pull hard, men ! " He gave the orders in quick succession, and laid his course straight for the British boat, which was soon overtaken He laid his boat alongside the British cutter, and demanded that the captive be given up. The English officer began to protest, but Macdonough cut his protests short. "You have no right to that man. He is an American sailor, — Tumble in here, my man." The pressed man, delighted with the prospect of rescue, sprang into the American boat; and before the British officer had recovered from his amazement sufficiently to offer resistance, the blue-jackets were pulling away toward the " Siren," with the long, swinging, man-o'-war stroke. When he reached his vessel, Macdonough retired to his cabin to await further developments, which were not long in appearing. " Boat from the British frigate heading for the ship, sir," reported the officer of the deck, in a few minutes. "Very good, sir. Have the gangway manned," returned the lieutenant. BLUE-JACKP:TS of iSh. a; The boat was soon alongside ; and the British captain, white with rage, leaped to the gangway, and was shown to Lieut. Macdonough's cabin. "How dare you take a man from a boat of his Majesty's ship, sir.'" was his salutation. " • Dare ' is not a word to be spoken to an officer of the United States navy," responded Macdonough. "As for the man, he is a citizen oi the United States; and I propose to protect him, at all hazards." "I'll bring my frigate alongside, and sink your beggarly little craft," shoutM the visitor, with a volley of oaths. " That you may do," responded the American ; " but while she swims, the man you shall not have." "You are a hair-brained young fellow, and will repent this rashness," cried the irate Briton. " Do you mean to say, that, if I had been in that boat, you would have dared to commit such an act .' " " I should have made the attempt, sir, at all hazards." " What, sir ! " shouted the captain, greatly enraged, " would you venture to interfere, if I should now impress men from that brig.'" " You have but to try it, sir," was the pithy response. And the British captain ret'uned to his frigate, vowing all sorts of vengeance, but never- theless did not again annoy the American ship. While the popular clamor against the hateful right of search was still at its height in America, Great Britain unwisely added yet another out- rage to the already long list of grievances complained of by the Americans. Notwithstanding the danger of Barbary pirates and British impressment, the merchants of the United States were carrying on a thriving trade with France. England, then at war with the great Napoleon, looked upon this commerce at first with disfavor, and finally with such intense hatred that she determined to put an end to it altogether. Accordingly, she issued the celebrated "Orders in Council," forbidding all traffic with French ports. For such action the imperious nation had no authority by any principle of international law. Her blockade of the French ports was very imperfect, and easily evaded. Readers of the " Blue-Jackets of '6i " 28 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. will recollect the principle there stated, that a blockade, to be legal, must bi complete and effective; otherwise, it is known a& a "paper blockade," and neutral vessels are justified in attempting to evade it. Instead of posting blockading vessels at the entrances of French ports, to warn off all vessels, Great Britain contented herself with licensing .hordes of pri- vateers, that roamed the seas and snapped up vessels with little regard to law or justice. Hundreds of American vessels were thus captured ; for our trade with France and the French West Indian colonies at that time was of vast proportions. The ocean soon became so infested with privateers that every American merchantman carried cannon, and an array of small-arms that would have done credit to a sloop-of-war. The New England sailors became able naval fighters, as well as experienced seamen ; for a man shipping for a voyage knew well that, in addition to battling with the angry elements, he might be required to sight truly the great "long Tom," or beat back piratical boarders at the muzzle of the muskets. But even these heroic remedies could not save many a good ship. Occurrences such as these fanned into flaming fury the smouldering fires of the American hatred for Great Britain. The people saw their old oppressor and enemy engaged in war with their old ally France, and the popular cry went up for a union of France and the United States against England. Happily, the statesmen of the time — Washington, Hamilton, and Jay — were too firm of purpose, and too clear-sighted, to be led away by popular clamor ; and they wisely kept the United States Government in a position of neutrality between the two nations. Deep and loud were the murmurs of the people at this action. Could true- hearted Americans desert their friends in such a manner ? Never ! And so, whatever might be the policy of the rulers, the many-headed people welcomed French ambassadors, f^ted the officers of visiting men-of-war, ' and hung the tri-color and the stars and stripes side by side on all public holidays. It was in 1795, while the popular affection for France was at its height, that a merchant-vessel flying the British flag sailed into Boston Harbor, and made fast to the Long Wharf. Under her stern appeared BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 29 the legend, " The Betsy of St. Croix ; " her decks were littered with poultry and domestic animals, her cordage flapped loosely in the breeze, and every thing about her bespoke the merchant-vessel. Her captain, being hailed by the dock-loafers, and made the victim of the proverbial Yankee inquisitiveness, stated that he had just come from the West Indies with a load of lignum-vitae, pineapples, and hides, which he hoped to sell in Boston. The self-constituted investigating committee seemed satisfied, and the captain strolled on into the city. But the French consul at Boston was far from satisfied, and he took care to let his suspicions become generally known. " That innocent- looking merchantman is a British privateer," quoth he ; " and it's a shame to harbor her in the good port of Boston, amid French-loving people." The consul's Words spread like wildfire ; and his suspicions soon passed for facts, without any supporting proof. No one knows who was the writer, or who the printer ; but in a few hours the people upon the streets had thrust into their hands the following handbill : — THIS NIGHT Will be performed at the steps bottom of Long Wharf A COMEDY of stripping the BERMUDIAN PRIVATEER. CITIZENS. Remember th.re have been near three hundred of our American vessels take*^ by these Bermudians, and have received vhe most barbarous treatment fiom those DaiTin-d PIRATES 1 1 i Now, Americans, if you feel the spirit of resentment or revenge kindling in your hearts, let us be united in the cause. 1 30 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. This was enough to rouse the turbulent people of Boston to action. They well remembered the winter's night, twenty-two years before, when their harbor was the scene of the first protest against the oppression of Great Britain. Then they threw overboard the tea, and spared the ships ; this time ship and cargo alike should be destroyed. When night fell, small bodies of men could be seen marching down to the wharfs, through the narrow, crooked streets of the old town. Before eight o'clock Long Wharf was crowded with an angry mob. On the deck of the threatened vessel stood the captain, arguing and pleading with the crowd, and at times pointing to the scarlet flag above his head, and threatening his assailants with the wrath of mighty England. Argument, entreaty, and threats proved unavailing ; and the crowd, gaining courage with numbers, rushed upon the vessel, and ordered captain and crew ashore. Lea\'ing the scene, the captain rushed wildly into the city in search of the British consul ; and, in his absence, the mob began to search his ship. An active and careful search soon brought to light in an out-of-the-way corner of the hold two swivel-guns, two three-pounders, forty charges of shot, fifteen pounds of powder, and eight muskets. All was piled upon the deck, and pointed out to the captain on his return, amid frantic yells from the enraged populace. He solemnly protested that the f^rdnance was only intended for purposes of defence against the pirates that in- fested the Bermudas. But the case was already judged. The people laughed at the captain's declarations ; and in a few minutes the " Betsy," a mass of flame, was drifting across the harbor to the Charlestown beach. There she blazed away, while the crowd watched the bonfire from the dock, until the last timbers of the ship fell with a hiss into the black waters, and all was dark again. Popular sympathy is at best but an unstable sentiment, and so it proved with this unreasoning affection of the American people for France. Firmly the American authorities held to their policy of neutrality, refusing to be influenced in the slightest degree by the popular clamor of the people for an alliance with France. Then the French sympathizers made their fatal error. In the presidential chair of the United States sat Wash- -mw BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 33 \ in'i'ton, the hero of the Revolution. Rashly the French minister and his following began an onslaught upon this great and wise man, because of his firm determination to keep the United States neutral. They accused him of being an "aristocrat ;" of wishing to found an hereditary monarchy, with himself at the head. No epithet was too vile for them to apply to him: "liar" and "traitor" were terms freely applied to him whom we regard as the veritable founder of our free Republic. Such intemperate and unreasoning malice as this had a very different effect from what was intended by the French sympathizers, or Republicans as the party was tlii-n termed. The party supporting the President gained strength and influence, even while the actions of Napoleon and the French Chamber of Deputies were giving American seamen the same grounds of complaint as those which Great Britain had so long forced upon them. It was during the last year of the administration of Washington, that tlie French Directory issued secret orders to the commanders of all iMcnch men-of-war, directing them to treat neutral vessels in the same manner as they had suffered the English to treat them. The cunning intent of this order is apparent by its wording : "Treat American vessels as tlicy suffer themselves to be treated by the British." What course (Iocs that leave open to the Americans, save to resist the British, thereby become involved in a war, and so aid France ? But there was one other alternative ; and, much to the surprise and chagrin of the French, the Americans adopted it.. And the only effect of the diplomatic secret order was to embroil France in a naval war with the United States. The condition of American commerce, after the promulgation of the French decree, became deplorable indeed. A merchant-vessel flying the ' American flag was never safe unless under the guns of an American war-vessel ; and the reduction of the navy had made these few indeed. Should the brig " Nancy " or " Sarah Jane " put out from the little port of Salem or New London, she was certain to be overhauled by some B'itish frigate, whose boarding officer would pick from the brig's crew a few able sailors, and leave her to make her way short-handed as best she might. Next would come along some French frigate or privateer, — some J mmmmr 34 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. "Terreur," " Incroyable," or " Insurgente," — whose astute officers would quickly notice the gaps in the American crew, and, finding out that the brig had been boarded by the English, would declare her a prize for having given aid to the enemies of /a belle France. Should the little brig be so fortunate as to escape the civilized belligerents, there were still the pirates of Tripoli, the picaroons of the French Weft Indies, and the unauthorized and irresponsible pirates, who, with forged commissions and flying the Spanish or Portuguese colors, ravaged the seas in all directions. The career of an American merchantman at that time is admirably told by our great novelist Fenimore Cooper in his sea-tale of " Miles Walling- ford." The fate of the good brig "Dawn" was the fate of too many an American vessel in those turbulent times ; and the wondrous literary art with which the novelist has expanded the meagre records of the times into an historical novel of surpassing interest makes an acquaintance with the book essentia! to a ^jioper knowledge of American naval history. The first act of retaliation on the part of the United States was the embargo ordered by Congress, "'hich prohibited any vessel from leaving American ports. This action huvi two effects. It quickly brought about great distress in European countries, which even then relied much on the United States for food. This was the chief object of the embargo. The second effect was inevitable. The sudden check upon all foreign commerce plunged business in all parts of the United States into stag- nation. Sailors out of work thronged the streets of the seaport towns. Farmers trudged weary miles beside their ox-teams, only to find, when they had hauled their produce to town, that there was no market for it. Along the docks the ships lay idly tugging at their cables, or stranded on the flats as the tide went out. Merchants discharged their clerks, and great warehouses were locked up and deserted. For nearly a year the ports were closed, and commerce thus languished. Then Congress substituted for the embargo the Non-intercourse Act, which simply pro- hibited commerce with France and England ; and again the American flag appeared upon the ocean. But the two warring nations had learned neither wisdom nor justice, and began again their depredations upon the BLUE-JACKKTS OF 1812. 35 iinotfciuling Americans. Envoys were sent to France to protest against the outrageous action of that nation ; but they were told that no audience could be granted them, unless they paid into the French treasury two hundred and forty thousand dollars. This last insult was too great. The envoys returned home, told of their treatment, and the war party in the United States rallied to the defence of their nation's honor, shouting Pinckney's noble sentiment, "Millions for defence, but not one cent for tribute'' WAR WITH FRANCE. — THE BUILDING OF A NAVY. — FIRST .SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.— CUTTING OUT THE " SANDWICH." -THE "CONSTELLATION" AND " L'INSURGENTE." — THE "CONSTELLATION" AND "LA VENGEANCE." HILE France and England were waging a desperate and bloody ,y.||-^ war, the United States was like a shuttlecock, being struck iri^uiC repeatedly by the diplomatic battledores of each nation. Be- tween the British " Orders in Council " and the French " Milan Decree," American commerce was in a fair way of being obliterated. To declare war against both nations, would have been absurd in so young a people ; and for months, and even years, the fierce contests of political parties in the United States made a declaration of war against either aggressor impracticable. Now the Franco-maniacs were in the ascend- ency, and the country rang with praises of France, — the nation which had cast off aristocrats, and, like America, was devoted to republican principles ; the nation which had aided the Colonies in their war for freedom. What though a French privateer did occasionally seize an American ship.!* The Americans alone were to blame for that; for was. 36 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. •1 ^ not their attitude toward England, their natural foe, enough to inflame the French? And were not the British aggressions more oppressive than those of France ? War there must be, but let it be declared against the hated Ikitish. Such were the sentiments of the French sympathizers, or Democrats as they were then termed in political parlance. But the English sym- pathizers, or Federalists, held very different opinions. They made no attempt to excuse the offensive attitude assumed by England, but claimed that so soon as her war with P'rance was over she \ .'uld admit the injus- tice of her actions, and make due reparation for the injuries she had heaped upon American commerce. But they pointed out that for one vessel taken by Flngland, ten were seized by French privateers, or pirati- cal vessels of nondescript nationality, but bearing French papers. As for France loving republican principles, her republicanism was founded upon blood and the guillotine. She was no longer the nation that had aided the struggling Colonies. She was the nation that had foully mur- dered the kind king who had lent that aid two decades before. Besides these arguments, the Federalists did not scruple to hint, that, in a second war with England, the United States might lose the independence so recently won, while the navy of France was not so greatly to be dreaded. Indeed, the American people of that day might well be excused for lethargy in resenting the insults of any first-class naval power. It is not too strong a statement, to say that at this time, when the need was greatest, the United States had no navy. At the close of the Revolu- tion, the navy had been disbanded, the ships sold, and the officers dis- persed among the vessels of the merchant marine. This fact alone is enough to account for the depredations of F'rench, English, Portuguese, Tripolitans, and the hordes of pirates without a country. Is there no lesson in this } Does history teach no wisdom to a nation, that we, in the luxuriance of peace after our dreadful civil war, should again allow •nir navy to fall into decay, until a Yankee blue-jacket is to-day almost as rare a sight in a foreign port as it was in 1794.' But the depredations of the enemies of American commerce at last I! 38 BLUE-JACKETS OF 181 2. 'i I s 'i reached such a point that Congress could no longer overlook the neces- sity for an American navy. In March, 1794, Congress, after listening to a message from the President detailing the depredations of the Algerines, passed an Act authorizing the construction or purchase of six frigates, or an equivalent naval force. This was the beginning of the present United States navy ; for some of the frigates built under that law are still afloat, although no longer exposed to the rude shocks of battle or the still more violent onslaughts of the mighty ocean. In accordance with the law, the frames of six frigates were quickly laid upon the stocks at six different ship-yards ; and even while the ribs were yet uncovered, commanders were selected for the unbuilt ships. The names of ships and officers alike are famous in American annals, and may well be mentioned here. The " Constitution," " President," " United States," " Chesapeake," " Constellation," and " Congress" were the vessels begun at this time ; and the rolls of no navy of the world ever bore six more famous names. The captains chosen were John Barry, Samuel Nicholson, Silas Talbot, Joshua Barney, Richard Dale, and Thomas Truxton. Of these, all save Truxton had served the Colonies in the Rev- olution. Barney narrowly escaped being totally disowned by his country, because while holding a commission in the French navy he had once accidentally hoisted the American flag upside down. A cry went up from his enemies, that it was an intentional insult to the country ; but his friends, with justice, pleaded that the flag had been wet, and a sailor, running it up to dry, had thus carelessly inverted it. In the mean time the building of the ships went merrily on, until, when they were nearly finished, a disgraceful treaty was made with Algiers, and work on the new navy was neglected, and three of the unfinished ships sold. But in 1797 the French depredations became so unbearable that work was hastened ; and cities and towns, not satisfied with the three frigates provided for, began collecting subscriptions for the purchase of ships, to be presented to the Government. The first of the frigates building by the Government to reach the water was the "United States." As the first vessel built by the United States under II BLUE-JACKK'IS OF 1812. 39 the Constitution, her launch was an event to be celebrated. At noon on the bright May afternoon chosen, the streets of Philadelphia leading to the ship-yard, where the hull of the great frigate lay upon the stocks, were thronged with holiday-making people. The sun had hardly risen, when anxious spectators began to seize upon the best points of observa- tion about the ship-yard. The hour of the launch was set at one p.m. ; and for hours before the crowd of watchers sung patriotic songs, cheered for Congress and the new navy, and anxiously debated the chances of /-- f rlMf" TOASTING THE WOODEN WALLS OK COLUMBIA. a successful launch. The river was covered with pleasure-craft, decked witli flags, and bright with the gay dresses of ladies. The great frigate, too, was a mass of bunting from stem to stern. At one precisely, the blows of many hammers were heard knocking out the blocks ; and, after a moment's trembling pause, the first United States frijrnte glided swiftly into the water, and, after a graceful dip, rode buoyant i\ •r:\ the placid sur- face of the Delaware. While the ships were building, the war-feeling against France was steadily growing, and the enthusiasm of the people over the infant navy knew no bounds. Toasts to the "wooden walls of Columbia," and the 40 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. "rising navy of America," were drunk with cheers at stately public ban- quets, and by bands of jolly roisterers at tap-houses. The patriotic song writer invaded the columns of the newspapers ; and, as these could not afford space for all the poetic effusions, they were printed on broadsides, and hawked about the streets. At Harvard College the students nmde the chapel walls ring with the ode written by Joseph Story : — "Shall Gallia's clan our coast invade, With hellish outrage scourge the main, Insult our nation's neutral trade, And we not dare our rights maintain ? Rise, united Harvard's band, Rise, the bulwark of our land." Admirable as may be the patriotism of this ode, the poetry is not above criticism ; but it is classic in comparison with many others. The following stanza and chorus will show the character of one of the most popular street-songs of the day : — "Americans, tlien fly to arms, And learn the way to use 'em. If each man fights to 'fend his rights. The French can't long abuse 'em. Yankee Doodle (mind the tune), Yankee Doodle Dandy; For the French there's trouble brewin': We'll spank 'em, hand and handy." il^ From Maine to Georgia the mania for writing such doggerel spread with a rapidity only equalled by the avidity with which the people seized upon the songs, and sung them. A complete collection of these remark- able efforts of poetic art would form an amusing volume, and from it alone a history of political movements in the United States might be^ written. That even such wretched doggerel had its effect upon popular BLUE-JACKETS OF 1S12. 41 sentiment, cannot be doubted ; for has it not been said, " I care not who makes the laws of a nation, let mc but write its songs " ? Hut the manifestation of the growing ill-feeling towards France was not confined to poor but harmless poetizing. The first open rupture took place at Savannah. In the port of that city were lying two long, rakish .schooners flying the French tricolor. Their decks were crowded with men, whose rough actions and brutal countenances showed them to be no respecters of law or order. It did not need the rows of cannon pro- truding from the ports, nor the carefully covered "long Tom;; ' amid- ship.s, to indicate to the good people of Savannah that their harbtr sheltered two French privateers. Among the seafaring people of the city, the sight of these two vessels aroused the greatest anger. Were they not representatives of the nation whose ships were seizing and burning American vessels in the West Indies almost daily .' Perhaps these very vessels were then fresh from an action with some American ship. Who could tell that the holds of the privateers did not at that very minute contain the best part of the cargo of some captured American vessel.' Probably the last shot fired from that "long Tom" had crashed into the side of some little brig flying the stars and stripes, and perhaps ended the career of many an American sailor. P^om suspicions and conjectures, positive statements soon grew. It was whispered about that the two privateers had recently plundered and burned a Yankee ship returning from the West Indies with a goodly store of specie in exchange for her cargo. Those cut-throat-looking Frenchmen were even then stained with the blood of true Americans. The money they threw on the bars of water-side dram-shops, in exchange for the vile rum which was the worst enemy of too many a good jack-tar, was looked upon with suspicion. "What Yankee's pockets did Johnny Crapaud pick to get all that money.'" growled the American sailors. The Frenchmen were not slow in discovering the dislike manifested by the people of Savannah; and like true soldiers of fortune, as they were, they did nothing to make friends of their enemies. They came ashore in troops instead of singly. Cutlasses hung at their sides. Their -i h f !'■ 42 BLUE-JACKETS OF 181 2. tight leather belts held many a knife or clumsy pistol. Their walk on the street was a reckless swagger ; and a listener who could understand French could catch in their loud conversation many a scornful sneer or braggart defiance of the Americans. Such a state of affairs could not loiig continue. Each party was ready and waiting to fight, and it was not hard to find an excuse. How the fighting began, no one ever knew ; but one night the streets of the little city resounded with cries of rage and groans of agony Soon crowds began to gather ; and sailors rushed up and down the streets, crying that the French desperadoes had killed three Americans. The rage of the popu- lace, and particularly of the seaf'^ring community, had no bounds. " Arm ! arm ! and take bloody vengeance upon the murderers," was the cry in all quarters. The mob blocked all the roadways leading to the water-front. With cutlasses and guns they attacked the sailors on " L' Agile," which lay at a wharf, and drove them overboard. Once in possession of the ship, the enraged rioters vented their fury by cutting away the masts and rigging, tearing to pieces the woodwork of the cabin, and finally l)utting Uie torch to the battered bulk, and sending her drifting help- lessly down the river. This summary vengeance did not satisfy their anger. They looked about them for the other vessel, " La Vengeance," antl discovered that she had been towed away from the shore, and was being warped up stream to a place of safety. Boats were secured, and the irresistible mob set out in mad pursuit. A militia company, hastily sent to the scene of action by the authorities of the town, failed to check the riot; and, after a futile struggle on the part of her crew, "La Ven- geance " shared the fate of her consort. Sympathy for France was well rooted out of Savannah then, and the cry of the city was for war. Helore the news of the uprising at Savannah was known in New England, the navy had struck the first blow against French oppression, and the vic*^ory had rested with the sailors of the United States. Con- gress had at last been aroused to a sense of the situation, and had issued orders to captains of American war-vessels, directing them to capture French cruisers wherever found. A number of large merchant- lil BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 43 vessels and India-men had been armed hastily, and sent out ; and at last the country had a navy on the seas. One of the first vessels to get away was the " Delaware," a twenty-gun ship, commanded by Stephen Decatur the elder. Decatur had been out but a few days when a merchantman, the " Alexander Hamilton," was sighted, from the halliards of which a flag of distress was flying. The " Delaware " ran toward the vessel, and sent a boat aboard, which returned, bringing the captain of the distressed craft. To Decatur the captain related the old story of French aggression, which had become so hateful, Only the day before, he said, his ship had been boarded by boats'-crews from a French privateer of twenty guns. The assailants, once on board, had eaten his provisions, and plundered his cargo without scruple. He gave careful directions as to the course of the privateer after leaving the "Alexander Hamilton," and returned to his ship happy in the thought, that, though he could not regain his plundered property, the thieves at least would be punished. Decatur crowded on all sail, and set off in pursuit of the oppressor. Four hours later, the lookout forward reported four schooners in sight off the bow. For a moment the captain was puzzled, as he had no means of knowing 'vhich was the guilty privateer ; but, after brief deliberation, he determined to adopt strategy. The rigging of his vessel wa.-. slackened, the yards slewed round, and every attempt made to transform the trim man-o'-war into a shiftless merchantman. Then the helmsman was in- structed to carefully avoid running near the suspected schooners. The ruse succeeded admirably. The lookouts in the tops of the schooners reported an American merchantman in sight, but making attempts to escape. The cupidity of the Frenchmen was aroused. In the " Dela- ware" they saw only a defenceless ship, from which, by virtue of their strength, they could take whatever plunder they desired. From the decks of the " Delaware," the sailors could see the Frenchmen shaking out sail after sail ; and soon one schooner, a perfect cloud of canvas, took the lead, and left her consorts far in the rear. It was the privateer they were after. The jackies of the ' Delaware " clambered into the rigging, and set all sail, with the clumsiness of merchant-sailors ; but, though the ship i ! 44 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. (1 hi. spread a large expanse of canvas, she was making but little progress, for two long cables dragged in the water astern, holding her back. The Frenchman came up gallantly, but suddenly discovered the ports along the side of the " Delaware," and concluded he had caught a Tartar. It was too late to escape then ; for the " Delaware," coming about, had the schooner directly under her guns, and the Frenchman had no course left but to surrender. The privateer proved to be " Le Croyable," of four- teen guns and seventy men. Her captain was vastly astounded to hear that the United States had at last ""jent out cruisers against th" Ti"rench, who had come to look upon Americans as their legitimate prey. Keeping " Lc Croyable " alongside, Decatur ran for Philadelphia, where he was received with unbounded enthusiasm. The captured ship was taken into the United States navy, under the name of the " Retaliation," and sent, under command of Lieut. Bainbridge, to cruise in search of other privateers. But the career of the " Retaliation " under the American flag was neither long nor glorious. Ill luck seemed to attend the vessel in all her cruises, and Bainbridge wandered up and down the high seas without getting within range of a French cruiser or privateer. In November, 1 798, the " Retaliation " was cruising, with two other men-of-war, in the West Indies, not far from Guadaloupe. One day three sails were made out to the eastward, and two more to the westward. Bainbridge thought that at last his opportunity had arrived; and the "Retaliation" set off to reconnoitre the strangers on the eastward, while the two other American ships made after the three sails in the opposite direction. As Bainbridge gained upon his chase, he concluded from their appearance that they were two English ships, and accordingly threw aside all caution, and sailed boldly alongside. Unluckily, they proved to be hostile French cruisers ; and, when the discovery was made, the " Retaliation " was well within range. Every sail was set, and the ship put before the wind, to escape from the enemy, but too late. The leading ship of the enemy was a fine frigate ; and she rushed through the water after the fugitive, like a dolphin after a flying-fish. Soon a heavy shot from one of the frigate's 1>1S (1 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 45 bow-chasers came whizzing by the " Retaliation," unpleasantly reminding the Americans that they were still within range, and their adversaries carried heavy metal. The second frigate soon opened fire, and the posi- tion of the " Retaliation " became hopeless. Her flag was unwillingly hauled down, and the vessel became again the property of its original owners. It is a strange coincidence, that this ship should have thus been the first prize of both Americans and P'rcnch in the war. The Frenchmen were not content with their success in capturing the " Retaliation : " so, while one frigate stopped to secure the prize, the other passed on in hot chase after " The Retaliation's " two former consorts, the " Montezuma " and " Norfolk." Bainbridge was taken aboard the French frigate " Volontaire," which then continued her course in the wake of her consort, the " Insurgente." For the captured American captain on the deck of the "Volontaire," the chase was one of great excitement. He well knew that the two stately French frigates were much more than a match for the flying Americans ; and, should they overhaul the chase, the "Montezuma" and the "Norfolk" would join the "Retaliation" in French captivity. Racked with anxiety he paced the deck, trying in vain not to perceive that the pursuers were steadily gaining, and chafing under the position of helplessness in which he found himself. But an oppor- tunity to help did unexpectedly present itself. The French captain, after a long look through his marine-glasses at the flying craft, turned to Bainbridge, and inquired, — " What may be the force of your consorts, captain } " Without a moment's hesitation, Bainbridge responded, — "The ship carries twenty-eight twelve-pounders, and the brig twenty nines." The Frenchman was astounded, as well he might be ; for Bain- l)i"i(lge's answer was a most preposterous falsehood, nearly doubling the ;u tiial armament of the two vessels. An eager consultation was imme- diately held by the officers on the quarter-deck. Bainbridge looked on anxiously, and was delighted with the success of his ruse, when he heard oiijers for the hoisting of a signal which should call back the frigate 46 HLUl-:-JACKHrS OF 1812. leading in the chase. The signal was hoisted ; and the " Insurgente," obeying, abandoned the chase, and returned. Pier captain was indignant at his recall, and curious to know the cause of it. When told of Bain- bridge's statement, he was furious ; for his ship had been close enough to the chase to see that the Americans were small craft, utterly unable to cope with the two pursuing frigates. For his falsehood, Bainbridge was roundly abused, and many a French oath was hurled at his head. His action was indeed inexcusable by the rules of hone;' ; and the utmost that can be said of it by the most patriotic American is, that by his falsehood he .saved two good ships for the infant navy of the United States. From a military point of view, however, his conduct was com- mendable ; and in recognition thereof, on his release from captivity, he was made commander of the " Norfolk," one of the vessels he had saved. France and the United States were now actually at war, although no definite declaration of war had been made by either party. This fact made many French privateers assume an injured air, on being captured by United States ships, and complain that they had never heard of any declaration of war. With a Frenchman of this sort, Stephen Decatur the younger had an experience early in his naval career. This occurred in February, 1799. The frigate "United States" was cruising near Martinique in that year, and to her young Decatur was at- tached as a sub-lieutenant. One morning a French privateer was sighted, and the frigate set out in hot pursuit. The privateer took the alarm quickly, and crowtled on all sail, until her long, narrow hull slipped tiirough the waves like a fish. The breeze was fresh, and the chase an exciting one ; but gradually the immense spread of the frigate's canvas began to tell, and she rapidly overhauled the fugitive. The I-'rench captain was plucky, and even desperate, in his attempt to escape ; for, seeing that he was about to be overhauled, he resorted to the expedient of a fox chased by hounds, and doubled, turning short to windward, and running right under the guns of the frigate. The move was a bold one, and might well have succeeded, had it not been for the good mnrksman- ship of a gunner on the frigate, who promptly sent a twenty-four-pound kit lul ! i II ■li : i! '. PRIVATEERS. BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 49 shot (the only one fired in the affair) straight through the hull of the privateer, between wind and water. In an instant all was confusion on the French vessel. The water poured into her hold through the hole cut by the shot ; and the hasty lowering of her sails, and the frantic howls for succor from the crew, told the people of the " United States " that their chase was at an end. The boats of the frigate were quickly lowered, and Decatur went in one as officer in command. When he reached the sinking ship, he found a scene too ludicrous to be pathetic. Alon-r the rail of the vessel, from bow to stern, the Frenchmen were perched like birds. ]\Iany had stripped off all their clothes, in order to be prepared to swim ; and from all arose a medley of plaintive cries for help, and curses on that unlucky shot. By skilful management of the boats, all were saved ; and it happened that Decatur pulled into his own boat the captain of the sinking vessel. Brushing the salt water out of his eyes, this worthy expressed great surprise that he had been fired upon by a vessel bearing the United States flag. " Ees eet that that ees a sheep of les fitats-Unis .' " he inquired, in the broken English that four years of cruising against Americans had enabled him to pick up. " It is," responded Decatur. " I am indeed sairprised. I had not thought that les litats-Unis had the war with La Republiquc Fran^aise." "No, sir," responded Decatur, thoroughly provoked; "but you knew that the French Republic was at war with the United States, that you were taking our merchant-vessels every day, and crowding our country- men into prison at Basseterre to die like sheep." This was more than the Frenchman could deny, and he was con- strained to accept his capture with the best grace possible. An audacious, but clearly illegal, exploit of the blue-jackets in this war, was the cutting out and capture of the French letter-of-marque vessel " Sandwich," as she lay in Port Platte, a small harbor on the Spanish side of St. Domingo. Commodore Talbot, who won a reputation 50 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 1, for daring and recklessness in the Revolution, was cruising about on the San Domingo station, and had spent some weeks in monotonous voyaging, without an opportunity to capture a single prize. Word was brought to the squadron, that in the little harbor of Port Platte a vessel was taking in a cargo of coffee. P'rom the description of the vessel, Com- modore Talbot recognized her as a former British packet, the "Sand- wich," now sailing under French letters of marque. Her known speed and seaworthy qualities made her too valuable a prize to be left in the hands of the enemy ; and Talbot, without more ado, determined to cap- ture her. The first difficulty that lay in the way was the fact that the vessel was under the protection of Spain, a neutral power. Talbot was no man to notice so purely formal an obstacle. He growled out a decided negative to all hints about respecting a neutral flag. Spain neutral, indeed ! She might claim to be neutral, but her Picaroons were too often to be found among the French pirates to leave any respect for Spain's neutrality in the mind of a man of sense ; and the " Sandwich " he was going to take, and on his own responsibility. This silenced all opposition. ^ Having arrived at the determination to take the "Sandwich," the ne.xt problem to be solved was, how shall she be taken .' Obviously the first step was to make a careful reconnoissancc of the ship and her defences. To Lieut. Hull of the " Constitution," this duty was assigned. One dark and stormy night Mr. Hull took one of the frigate's cutters, and, pulling into the harbor, carefully examined the situation. On his return, he reported that the " Sandwich " was stripped of her rigging, and lay directly under the guns of a small battery, built on shore for her pro- tection. To sail in with the frigate, and capture the enemy by mere force of arms, would have been simple enough ; but the object of the Americans was to take the ship without injuring her, in order that she might at once join the United States squadron. Strategy was therefore necessary. It was accordingly determined to secure an American merchant-vessel, that could enter the port, and run alongside the " Sandwich," without BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 51 arousing suspicion. Luckily at that very moment a craft turned up that filled the need precisely. This was the American sloop " Sally," a battered, weather-beaten little craft, that had for some time been trading in the West Indies, and by her very insignificance had escaped capture by the French. She had often entered and cleared from Port Platte, and therefore her appearance there would create no suspicion. The " Sally " was accordingly chosen to bear the sailors on their audacious e.xpedition. A rendezvous hav- ng been appoint- ed, the sloop met HULL MAKES A RECONNOISSANCK. the "Constitution" far out at sea; and a large body of blue -jackets and marines left the frigate, and took quarters on the clumsy little i i' t I > t I ] BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. merchantman, which then laid her course for Port Platte. About mid- night the lookouts on the " Sally " saw a vessel's lights near at hand ; but, beyond reporting to the officer of the deck, they paid no heed to their neighbor. Suddenly, however, out of the darkness came a bright flash; and the hum of a heavy shot in the air above the "Sally" was followed by the dull report of a cannon. At the same time a blue light burned on the deck of the vessel from which the shot proceeded, showed her to be a powerful frigate. Then ensued a few moments of intense suspense for the little band on the "Sally." Should the stranger prove to be a French frigate, all was lost ; but in that latitude English vessels were common, and possibly this might be one. Soon the regular thump- ing of oars in the tholepins, and the splashing of the waves against an approaching boat, could be heard ; and in a few minutes a hail came from the black water alongside, and the dark figure of a man standing in the stern-sheets of a boat was seen. A rope was thrown him, by the aid of which he nimbly clambered aboard. An involuntary murmur of relief aro.se from the party on the " Sally," as by the dim light of the lanterns they saw that the oflficer wore a British uniform. The officer himself could not repress a start and exclamation of surprise as he saw a band of officers in naval uniform, and a large body of blue-jackets and marines, on the vessel which he expected to find manned by a half-dozen lanky Yankees, commanded by a down-east "skipper." " Why, what ship's this .' " he exclaimed in surprise, as he looked upon the armed men about him. Lieut. Hull, who was in command, explained to him the situation, and told him of the adventure that was being attempted. The officer seemed much disappointed, and told Mr. Hull that the British frigate was standing about outside the harbor, to capture the " Sandwich " as she came out ; but the idea of so boldly setting at naught the principles of neutrality had not occurred to them. After a few minutes' conversation, the visitor returned to his ship, and the " Sally " proceeded on her errand. She reached the entrance to the harbor of Port Platte in the morning, and sailed boldly in. Most of the crew and the marines were hidden beneath the bulwarks, or sent BLUF-JACKi:rs OK iSi2. 53 below ; so that the people on the " Sanchvich " gave but a glance to the approaching vessel, until she ran so close to their vessel's bows that they feared an accident. "Look out there, or you'll run foul of us!" shouted a mate from the deck of the " Sandwich ; and, as if his cry was a signal, the helm of the " Sally " was put down, the vessel ranged up alongside, and in an instant a torrent of armed men poured over the sides of the surprised Frenchman, and drove the crew below. There was no resistance. The ship was captured in five minutes. The marines of the expedition had been sent ashore to spike the guns of the battery, and their work was performed with equal promptitude. Then all hands set to work rigging the captured vessel, and getting her ready for sea. On the shore the people were in the greatest e.xcitcment, beating drums, parading the few militia, and threatening dire revenge in the name of outraged Spain. But the captors of the vessel paid but little attention to their enemies ; and by sunset the " Sandwich," with all sails set, left the harbor, and joined the United States squadron. The news of this achievement, lawless as it was, evoked great enthu- siasm in the United States. A nation's conscience is elastic ; and the people praised the heroes of the " Sandwich " episode, much as sixty-five years later they commended the commander of the " Wachusct " for running down and capturing the Confederate ship " Florida," which was relying upon the protection of a neutral port in Brazil. Yet in 1814, when two British frigates attacked and captured the " F^ssex " in the harbor of Rio Janeiro, the good people of the United States were loud in their denunciations of the treachery of a commander who would so abuse the protection of a neutral nation. Such inconsistencies are only too common in the history of nations. In the end, however, the affair of the "Sandwich" terminated disastrously for the bold adventurers; for the protests of Spain were too forcible to be disregarded, and the prize- money of all concerned in the exploit was confiscated to pay the damages awarded the injured party. Not all the successes of the United States navy in the war with 54 BLUK-JACKKTS OF 1812. I 'I I ( ! ( France were, like those we have related, dependent upon the speed rather than the fighting qualities of our ships. Not many months had passed, when two representative shijis of the warring nations met, and tried conclusions at the mouths of their cannon. It was on the 9th of February that the " Constellation," one of the new American frigates, was cruising on her station in the West Indies, when her lookout reported a large ship some miles to leeward. The frigate at once ran down upon the stranger, which hoisted American colors. Among ships of the same navy it is customary to have private signals of recognition ; and Commo- dore Tru.xton, who commanded the " Constellation," set his signal, and awaited the answer. But no answer came ; and the stranger, evidently considering further disguise impossible, boldly set French colors, and fired a gun to windward by way of a challenge. On the " Constellation " the challenge aroused universal enthusiasm. For the first time since the Revolution, the gallant defenders of the stars and stripes were to have an opportunity to try their strength with a hostile man-of-war. The enemy seemed no less ready for the conflict, and waited gallantly for the " Constellation " to come down to closer quarters. From both ships came the roll of the drums and the shrill pipings of the bo's'n's whistle, as the men were called to quarters. Then all became still, and the two frigates bore down upon each other. Neither antagonist was hasty about opening fire, and the report of the first gun came from the Yankee when she had come into point-blank range. Then began the thunderous broadsides, that soon enveloped the hulls of the two ships in dense gray smoke ; so that, to an observer at a little dis- tance, all that could be seen of the fight was the tapering masts and yard-arms, above the smoke, crowded with sailors repairing damages, and nimble young midshipmen shrilly ordering about the grizzled seamen and now and again taking a crack at the enemy with pistol or n ';k«i, by way of recreation. In the foretop of the " Constellation '' sta- tioned young David Porter, who in that trying moment shi ! the result of his hard schooling in the merchant-service, of which we hav spoken. By the rapid fire of the enemy, the foretopmast was badly cut,. ULUr-JACKKTS OF 1812. 55 -.4' and there was great danger that it might go by the board. Porter hailed the deck several times for instructions, but, finding that his voice could not be heard above the roar of battle, determined to act upon his own responsibility, and accordingly cut away the sails, lowered the yards, and, by relieving the injured spar of all strain, prevented its falling. In the mean time the battle raged fiercely below. The American frigate was more powerful in her armament, and better handled, than the I-'rench- man. Her guns were handled with deliberation, and the aim of the gun- ners was sure and deadly ; while the shot from the enemy went hurtling through the rigging of the "Constellation," doing but little damage. The decks of the Frenchman were covered with dead and wounded, and at last two raking broadsides from the American frigate ended the con- flict. When the vanquished ship was boarded, she proved to be the " Insurgente," the same frigate that had captured the " Retaliation " some months before. Her loss in this engagement amounted to tv. L-nty-nine killed and forty-one wounded, while the cock-pit of the " Constellation " was tenanted by but three wounded men ; and but one American had lost his life, he having been killed by an officer, for cowardice, lioth ships were badly cut up in the engagement. The news of this victory was received with great rejoicing in the United States, and was celebrated with cannon-firing and the ringing of bells. At Boston, the fourth Sunday in March was set for a day of gen- eral rejoicing ; and on that day huge crowds gathered in State Street, and after salutes had been fired, and the city's bells pealed, the people, at a given signal, joined in three mighty cheers, that fairly shook the surrounding houses, for Tru.xton, the "Constellation," the blue-jackets, and the success of the wooden walls of America. Even after the " Insurgente " had struck her flag, the tars of the "Constellation" found they had an elephant on their hands. The work of transferring the prisoners was begun, and actively prosecuted ; but, when night fell, there were still nearly two hundred Frenchmen on the prize. The wind was rising fast, and the long rollers of the Atlantic were being lashed into foaming breakers by the rising gale. It was hazardous for ItLUK-JACKKTS OF 1.S12. >t1 the two vessels to continue near each other ; and Lieutenant Rodders, with Midshipman I'orter and eleven men, was detailed to take charge of the prize, and bring her into port. When the officers boarded the prize, they found that they had indeed a desperate undertaking before them. It was difficult enough for thirteen men to handle the great ship, without having to keep in subjection one hundred and seventy-three cap- tives. To add to the danger, the gratings had been thrown overboard, and there was no way of confining the captives in the hold. A carefui search for handcuffs resulted only in failure. Hut Rodgcrs was a man of decision, anil i'ortei, though but a boy, was bold and detcrmiinii ; and between them they solveil the problem. The prisoners were ordered below ; and a sentinel was placed at each hatchway, with orders to shoot tile first man who should attempt to come on deck. Howitzers loaded with grape were trained upon the hntchway, for use in case of an organ- ized movement of tiie prisoners. For three days the officers sustained this fearful strain, witiiout a moment's sleep ; but their labors were finally crowned by successfully bringing the ship and prisoners into St. Kitts. In the second pitched battle of the war, the "Constellation" was again the .Viiierican combatant ; but this time, though the fight was a glorious one, it ilid not terminate so fortunately for the American ship. It was on the 1st of February, 1800, that the gallant frigate, under the same commander, was cruising about her old hunting-grounds, near Guadaloupe. A sail was sighted, which, after a careful examination through his marine- glass, Commodore Truxton pronounced to be an English merchantman. As an invitation to the stranger to ajjproach, linglish colors were hoisted on the "Constellation," but had only the effect of causing the stranger to sheer off ; for she was, intleed, a Freivh war-vessel. I'erple.\ed by the actions of the mysterious ship, the "Constellation" gave chase, and soon came near enough to see that she had caught a Tartar; for the vessel was the P'rench frigate " La Vengeance," mounting fifty-two guns. Although a more |)owerful vessel than the American, she continued her flight ; while the gallant Truxton, caring nothing for the odils against him, kept on in hot pursuit. All the remainder of that day, and until noon of the next, III A MIDNIGHT BATTLE. f:i ill -4#+ BLUE-JACKETS OF 1811. 59 the chase continued, with but little change in the p'^ .. the ships. "A stern chase is a long chase," thought the jad the "Constella- tion ; " but they were not discouraged, and only crowv. . d on the more sai On the afternoon of the second day, the American began to gain rapidl) , and by eight at night the two ships were within speaking distance of each other. Truxton mounted the rail, and shouted through a speaking- trumpet, " What ship is that ? " The only answer was a shot from the stern-port of the Frenchman, and the fight was opened. It was then growing dark, though the faint glow of the long tropic twilight still lingered on the western horizon. Above the towering masts of the two great frigates, the stars gleamed with a brilliancy .seldom seen in more northern latitudes. As the ships rushed through the water, the waves broke against the bows, and fell back in masses of phosjjhor- esccnt light ; while the wakes of the vessels could be traced far back into the darkness, — two parallel paths of light, that glowed and sparkled like the milky way that spannec' the starry sky above. Side by side the two frigates ploughed through the water. The creak- ing of their cordage, and the rushing of the wind through the rigging, mingled with the thunder of the cannonade, which, though slow, and made up of single reports, when the " Con.stellation " was confined to the use of her bow-chasers, soon rose to thunderous broadsides as the two ships came side to side. As the twilight died away, the two con- testants were enveloped in almost total darkness, save for the fitful flashes of the cannon, and the red glare of the battle-lanterns that hung from the shrouds. The gunners had for a target nothing but a black, shape- less mass, that could be seen rushing through the waves some hundreds of yards away. But this did not i)revent fearful execution being done on hotli sides. For five hours the two ships kept up the running fight. Thv; ponderous eighteen and forty-two poiuul shot of the enemy crashed into the "Constellation," or swept her decks, doing dreadful damage. The deck was strewn with dead and dying men, and the surgeons down in the cock-pit soon had their tables full of moaning sufferers. No one could tell what might be the condition of " La Vengeance ; " but her regular 6o BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. fire told that she was in no wise disahled. At one o'clock in the morn- ing, the sound of her guns seemed to be more distant ; and by the flash of the cannon it was seen that she was drawing out of the fight. The Americans cheered lustily, and Truxton ordered that his ship be braced up in chase. But the fire of the enemy had been rapid and well directed ; and now, at this critical moment, its results were to rob the " Constellation " of her victory. As the ships were brought about, to follow in the track of the flying "Vengeance," an officer came rushing to the quarter-deck, and reported that all the shrouds and braces of the foremast had been shot away, and the mast was in momentary danger of falling. The rigging had been so literally cut in pieces by the fire of the enemy, that splicing was out of the question ; but Tru.xton, in the hope of saving his mast, called all hands from the guns, and the fire of the "Constellation" stopped. Up in the foretop was stationed Midshipman Jarvis, with a dozen or more of jackies, whose duty it was to mend the cordage of the topmast, and to keep up a musketry firr 1 tne enemy. Long before the officer of the deck had reported the uun^.-* of the foremast, one of the topmen had told Jarvis, who Vvas but a ^.., that the mast was likely to fall. "Ay, ay, my lad," responded the plucky young officer; "but our place is here, and we must go with it." The sailors on the deck below worked manfully : but, notwithstanding all their efforts, the mast soon went by the board ; and Jarvis and his brave comrades were thrown far out into the black water, never to be seen again. The fall of the foremast ended the battle for the "Constellation." Helpless, and cumbered by the wreck, she tossed about on the water while her foe made good her escape. What might have been the out' m.- of the conflict, had it continued, it is impossible to tell. "La Vengea .e " carried heavier metal and a larger crew than the American frigate ; and Tru.xton, with all his dash, found no mean adversary It Capt. Pitot. Yet the condition of the French ship when she came into port at Curaqoa BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 61 showed that the fire of the Yankee gunners had been rapid and accurate. Fifty of the enemy were killed, and one hundred and ten wounded ; while, of the Americans, only thirty-nine appeared on the lists of killed and wounded. It was said at the time, that Capt. I'itot reported havin<; struck his flag three times ; hoisting it again, on finding that in the darkness the "Constellation" took no notice of the surrender. But this seems, on the face of it, improbable ; and the action can hardly be awarded to either ship, although the gallantry shown on cither side was enough to win a victory. It may well be imagined that this brilliant action, together with the capture of " L'Insurgente," made the "Constellation" the most popular ship of the navy ; a place which she held until the stirring events of the war with England pushed the " Constitution " so far to the front, that even now, when she lies dismantled and rotting at the Brooklyn navy- yard, Americans still think of " Old Ironsides " as the typical ship of our once glorious navy. The actions between the "Constellation" and the "Vengeance" and "Insurgente" were the chief contests between regularly commissioned shii)s of the two nations in the war with France. Hut the West Indies were filled with privateers and semi-piratical craft, with which the navy waged a ceaseless warfare, which well prepared the blue-jackets for the graver struggle which vvas yet to come with Great Britain. The half-savage population of the French islands was a fruitful source of trouble to the American seaman. These gentry, known as Picaroons, seemed to have a natural inclination for piracy ; and the unlucky merchanl-ca|)tain who shoulil come to anchor, or be becalmed, near one of the islands, was sure to see his vessel boarded, and his cargo plundered, by a lawless horde if Frenchmen and mulattoes, whose dialect was a.i unmusical combination of French and African tongues. The cust(y sweeps. With these they would often cut out a merchant-vessel from beneath the guns of a protect- ing man-of-war, and row her off to be |.lundered at leisure. Occasionally, however, their well-laiu plans failed in the e.xecution. Ifi 6t iii,ri:-iACKi:'i's oi* iSu. One of tlic niDsl noted of these occasions was the repulse of ten Picaroon barijes tiiat attacl>■ I ^s-^ ciiArTi:k HI. rR()l'<>SII> KIIHlTION OF Tin. N AW - Kl NKW \l INTKK IIF.TWEKN TJIK "CTIES- AI'KAKI. " ANI> " I.IOI'ARI)." t ; i! ! ( )T many months had elapsed after the close of the war between the I'nited States and l-'rance, w)ien the pride of the nation in the navy that had won such laurels in that conflict began to wane. In the jjlace of jjoems and editorials sinj^inj; the praises ami pointin}; out tiie value of the navy, the newspapers began to be filled with demands for its reduction. It was an unwarrantable expense, exclaimed the critics of the press, for a nation so young, and so far from the warring peoples of luirope, to maintain a navy at all. A few gunboats to guard the coast would be enough. All the consecpiences of the reduction of the navy at the close of the Revolution were for- gotten in an instant. A penny-wise and pound-foolish spirit came over all the political leaders ; and the Democratic party, then newly come into power, determined to endear itself to the hearts of the people by cutting down the expenses of the Ciovernment, and to this end they attacked first the appro])riations for the navy. A gallant fight was made against the total abolition of the navy; and finally it was decided to retain thir- teen of the ships-of-war on the list, while the others should be sold. -.c^ BLUK-J.UKi;rs OF iSi Witli these thirteen vessels, of which the most noted were the "Consti- tution," tlie "Constellation," and the "United States," the navy was placed upon a peace footinj;. I*)ven this moderate squadron, however, hrouj;ht out much opposition from economically minded statesmen ; but the a>;};ressions of the IJarhary pirates, and the war with Tripoli which openeil in i.Soi, };ave tlie sailor lads active employment, and for the time the outcry of the economists aj^ainst the navy ceased, ( )f the various wars with Tripoli and the other states of liarbary, nnthinLC will he said in this volume. The political bearing; of the Tripol- itan war upon the war which afterward- ..illoweii with (ireat Urit.iin was sli;.;ht ; but. as discipline for ihe sterner reality of naval warfare with the nation Ion;; rejiuted to be "mistress of the seas," the experience tif the \'aiikee tars with the lurbaned infidels was invaluable. Let us, then, return to the shameful recountal of the injuries com- mitted l)y the Hrilish upon the American (lat; on the hi;;b seas. I'"ven while the Uni»ed .States was at war with l''rance, and tlius aidin;; the British, the outrages never ceased. American .sailors were still impressed. American vessels were l)oarded, and often seized, on the slij;htest pre te.\ts. ICven the ships of the (lovermuent were not e.vempt, for the liritish resjjected no ri},dU save that of j;reater power. It was in .November, 179.S, that the United .States sloop-of-war " Hal- timore, ' of twenty guns, and under command of Capt. rhillips, was in charge of a convoy of merchantmen bound to Havana. On the morning of the i^ili of tha* Tionth, the sloop, witii her convoy, were in sight of tiieir destination, -^tnl could even see the solid, towering walls of the Moro, rising higr. above the low-lying shores about Havana. The bree/e was fresh and fair, and all hands expected to cast anchor before night in the beautiful bay, on the .shores of which stands the chief city of the island of fruits and spices, (^n tli.- "Baltimore" the jackies were busily at work holystoning the decks, until they glistened with the milky white- ness dear to the eye of the .sailor of the d.ays before tl ■ era of yelhiw pine or black, unsightly iron .ships. The shrouds and standing rigging had been jujlled taut with many u " Vo, heave ho ! " until the wind 72 HLUK-JACKKIS OV i8i2. hummed plaintively throutjh the taut conlaj^'e, as throufjjh the rcsoun(lin<; strinj;s of an .Molian harp. The brasswork and polished breeches of the guns were polished by the vigor- ous rubbing by muscular sailors, until they shone again. All told of a comiiig season in a friendly p(Ut. While the work of prepara- tion for port was thus going busily on, the lookout hailed the deck, and reported a scpiad- roii in sight. A moment's glance convinced Capt. i'hillips that the strangers were Hritish war- vessels ; and, as they were still accustomed to annoy American merchantmen, he hastily sig- nalled his ct)r.voy to carry sail hard, and make port before the 1 Britislicame up, while the " Haltimore " bore u|) to speak to the Hritish commodore. Ikfore the mer- chantmen muld es- cape, however, the Hritish cut off three of them, under some peculiar and mistaken iileas of the law of blockatles. More than this, when Capt. I'hillips paiil his visit to the l-.nglish commodore in the tatter's cabin, he was lalmly informed that it was intended to take from the " Haltimore" into the Hritish service every sailor who had not a regular American protection ; this under rni: iiurri^it m.ii \i>ih cruiser, but even imjieached the (Jovernment of the United States; de- clanu!; that an atlministration which suffered forei};n armed ships to "impress, wouml, and murder citi/ens was not entitled t<> the confidence of a brave and free people." The fact thai the ca|)tain of the offemlin.n cruiser, on beini; brought to trial in lui^land, was honorably acquitted, did i\ot tend to soothe the irrttation of the Americans. (X'currences such a* this kept alive the American dislike for the Vav^- lish, and a year late^ an event happened which even the most ardent peace-lover could not but condemn and resent with spirit. ! i i 76 IJlXK-JACKirrs OF 1.S12. In i.S(>7 ilif Initc'd States fri;,Mte "Chesapeake," then lyinj; at the navy-yard at Washington, was put in cdmmission, and ordered to the Medi- terranean, to relieve the "Constitution." Nearly a month was consumed in makin;^ neeessary rejjairs to hull and cordage, takinj; in stores, shipj)injf a crew, anil attendin;; to the thousand and one details of preparation for sea tliat a lon^ time out of commission makes necessary to a man-of-war. W'iiile the i»reparations for service were actively proceeding, the liritish minister informed the naval authorities that three deserters from I lis Ihilish Majesty's ship "Melampus" had joined the crew of the "Chesapeake;" and it was reipiested tii.it they should l)e j;iven up. The recpiest was made with due courtesy ; and, although there is no principle of inter- national l.iw which directs the surrender of deserters, yet the Cnited States, as a friendly nation, was inclined to '^r;\u{ the recpiest, and an in(|uiry was made into the case. The facts elicited put the surrender of the men oin of llu' (piestion ; for thouj^h they frankly confessed to have deserted from the " Melampus," yet they claimed to h.ive been impressed into the Hrilish service, and proved conclusively that they were free Americans. This was reported to the Hritish minister; ami, as he maile no further protests, it was assumed that he was satisfied. Some weeks I.iiei the vessel left the navy-yard, and dropped down the river to llamptun Roads. I'.vi-n with the Ion;; period occu|*ied in prepa- ration for se.i, t!u' armament of the ship was far from heiii;; in order; a fact first discovered as she passed Mount X'ernon, as she w.is unable to fire the salutr with which ;it that tin)e all passinj; war-vessels did honor to the lond) o| WashiiiLjton, After some davs' stay at Hampton Roads, (lurinLj which time addition, d ;;ims and t-tores were taken on, and the crew increaseil to three lumdrid anil seventy-five men, the ship ;;ot under wav, and started on her vo\ane- It was on a bn ivy nmrnin;; of June that the "Chesapeake" left the broad harbor of Hampton Roads, the scene of so many of our naval j;lories. l-iom tlie masthead of the fri;;ate floated the broad |)ennant of Commodori' U.uicin, who wi-nt out in command of the ship. The decks were littered with ropes, lumber, a/ul stores, which had arrived too late IILUK-JACKKTS Ol- 1S12. / / to l)t' properly stowcil away. Sonic confusion is l)ut natural on a ship starting; on a cruise which may continue for years, hut the condition of the " Chesapeake " was beyond all excuse; a fact for which the fittinji-oul officers, not her commander, ivere responsible. As the American ship passed out into the open ocean, there was a great stir on the decks of four ICn^dish cruisers that lay quietly at anchor in Lynn Haven Hay; ami almost immediately one of these vessels hoisted her anchor, set her sails, and started out in the track of the fri;;ate. A stiff head-wind blowini;, the American was forced to tack fre(|uently, in order to get ahead ; and her officers noticed that the British ship (the "Leopard," of fifty guns) tacked at the same time, and was evidently following doggedly in the wake of the " Chesajieake." No suspicion that the pursuer had other than peaceful motives in view entered the minds of ilie American officers; and the ship kept on her course, while the sailors set about putting the decks in order, and getting the vessel in tiiiii for her long voyage. W'lule all hands were thus busily engaged, ilie "Leopard" b.>r.- down rapidly, and soon hailed, saying that she hail a des])atch for Commodore Harron, The " Chesaiieake " accordingly hove to. and waited for a boat to be sent aboard. The two ships now lay broadside to broadside, and only about a half pistol-shot apart. .\o idea that the Lnglishman had any hostile designs seems to have occurreil to ComiiKnlore Harron ; but some of the younger olficers noticed that the ports of the "Leopard" were triced up, and the tnm|)ions taken out of the muz/les of the cannon. The latter fact was »il ilu' gravest import, and should have been reported at once to the cijininander ; but it appears that this was not done. Ill a few moments a boat put off from the "Leopard," and pulled to till- .\merican ship, where an officer stooil waiting at the gangway, and conducted the visitor to Harron's caoin. Here the luiglish lieutenant pro- iluceil an order, signed by the Hrilish Admiral Merkeley, commanding all Hritish ships to watch for the " Chesapeake," and search her for de.si.'rters. Coniniodore Harroii immediately responded, that the "Chesapeake" har- boroil no deserters, and he could not permit ids crew to be mustered by m 78 i!i,ri;-i\("Ki;rs or isi.-. llu- (iffuiT nf ;iny forci;;n power. lliiKlly li;ul this ii-sponsc been made, when a si;;nal frmii tlie " I.i'npard" leialled the hnardin;; nrfu'iT to his sliip. The iiHiids ol tlie " ( hrsapeake " wi'ie ixtw fully aroused to the danj;ers nf ilu- situaticiii, and hri^an the attempt to -;et the ship in n-adi- ness fof aetion. ('MninKidoie Harron. eomin;; out of his eal)in for the lii.st tinie, was tonihlv struck hv the air n( preparation for aetinn presented 1)\ tin- " I.i'opanl. " (apt. (inKJun, the seeond in eommand, was ordered tn hasten the work on the ;;iin-deik, and call tlie crew to (jiiarteis. I'he ilnuiuncrs i)e;.;an tu heat the eal! to (piarters, hut hastv orders soon Stopped ihein ; and the men went tn their plaees (piietly, hoping that the threatenin;^ attitude nf the "I.enpard" was n)ere bravado. Tile nin',t painful .suspense was frit bv all on board the Anieriean ship. The attitude of the "I,in|)ard" left little doubt of her hostile intentions, while a j;lanre about the decks of the " C'lusapeake " tnld how little fitted she was to enter into action. Iler crew was a new one. ne\er e.xercised at the ,L;uns, and had been mustered to cpiarters only three times. ( )n the j;un-deck lav j;real piles of eimibrous cables, from the eoilini; of which the men had been sunnnnned by the call to cpiarters. ( )n the after-deck were piles of furnituie, trunks, and some temporary jiantries, W'iiat little semblance of order there w.is, was due to the eltorts of one of tlie lieutenants, who, suspeetiiij; trouble when the " Leopard " lirst came up, had made ^;real exertions toward ^a-ttin;; the ship clear. While the captain stood loo' in;; ruefully at the confusion, still more .seiinus ijoubles were reported. Tin- K""'' \\*-'ii^" loaded; but no rammers, powdi-r-tlasks, matches, wa.ds, 01 mm-lotk.s coulil be found. While search was beiiif; nnde for these necessary articles, a liail came from the " Leo|)ard." Commodore Harron shouted back that he did not understand. "Commodore Ikirron must be aw.iri- that the orders of the \ice-admiral must be obe\ed," came the hail a^ain. n.irron a.i;a\n responded that he did not understand. Afier one or two repetitions, the Hritish determined to waste no more time in talkin;.; ; and a sin;;Ie shot tired from the bow of the "Leopard" was (piickly followed by a full broadside. The heavy shcjl crashed into the sides of « i I •f ' I j THE CHESAPEAKE AND THE LEOPAKD lU-UK-JACKKIS OF iSi; Hi the "Chesapeake," wmjiulin;; many of the men, and adding' to the ion- fusion on the t;un-deck. No answer came from the American fri^^ate ; for, thon}/;h the guns were loaded, there was no way of fuinj; them. Matches, h)cks, or loggeriieads were nowhere to he foiM'd. Mad witli rage at the helpless condition in whicli they foimd themselves, the ofTuers made every effort to lire at least one volley. Pokers were heated W(\- hot in the galley-fire, and carried hastily to the guns, but cooled too rapidly in the rush across the dock. In the mean tinu', the " Leopard." none too chivalric to take advantage of an unresisting foe, had chosen her position, and was pouring in a deliberate fire. I-'or nearly eighteen minutes the fire was continued, when the (lag of the "Chesapeake" was hauled down. Just as it came fluttering from the masthead, Lieut. Allen, crying, "I'll have one shot at those rascals, anyhow," ran to tiie galley, picked up ;i live coal in his fingers, and carried it, regardless of the |)ain. to the nearest gun, which was successfully discharged. This was the oidy shot that the " Chesapeake ' fired during the affair, — battle it cannot be calleil. A boat with two Hritish lieutenants and several midshipmen on board speedily boarded the " Chesapeake," and the demand for the deserters was renewed. I'\)ur seamen were seized, ami borne away in triumph ; but the British commander refused to receive the shij) as a prize, and even went so far as to express his regret at the loss of life, and proffer his aid in repairing the damages. Hoth sympathy and assistance were indignantly rejected ; and the disgraced shi|> went sullenly back to Norfolk, bearing a sorely mortified body of officers and seamen. Of the four kidnapped .sailors, it may be stated here, that one was hanged, and the other three forced to enter the HritisVi service, in which one died, lli^ comrades, five years later, were restored to the ileck of the ship from which they had been taken. The news of this event spread like wildfire over the country, and caused rage and resentment wherever it was known. Cities, towns, and villages called for revenge. The President issued a proclamation, complaining of the habitual insolence of British cruisers, .and ordering all IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I m 1^ ^ IIIIIM u m ^ m 2.2 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 -« 6" — ► VQ <^ /M' W 'C/M ■•> SI A ^.^? S^M ^^^- J" ^ /A "^ y Photographic Sciences Corporation \ ^ ^ :\ \ ^t^\MS ;\ 't^.^ ^^ % 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTEK, NY. 14580 (716) (73-4503 I ^ ."s ^ A- &« i i ■ : n i t 1 ? ' 'I \ f •Jigtri-.-.irfB nKi* I I ^ Ij i: I 82 BLUE-JACKETS OF 181 2. such vessels to leave American waters forthwith. As in the reduced state of the navy it was impossible to enforce this order, he forbade all citizens of the United States to give aid to, or have any intercourse LIEUT. ALLEN FIRES A SHOT. with, any such vessels or their crews. War measures were taken both by the Federal and State Governments. As usual, the popular wrath was vented upon the least culpable of the people responsible for the condition of the "Chesapeake." Commodore Barron was tried by court-martial, and sentenced to five years' suspension from the service, without pay. The cool judgment of later years perceives the unjustness of this sentence, \ BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 8- but its execution cast a deep shadow over the remainder of the unhappy officer's life. For some years after this episode, little occurred to change the rela- tions of the two nations. The war spirit grew slowly, and was kept alive by the occasional reports of impressments, or the seizure of Ameri- can ships by British privateers. The navy held its place amid the national defences, although a plan devised by President Jefferson came near putting an end to the old organization. This plan provided for the construction of great numbers of small gunboats, which should be stationed along the coast, to be called out only in case of attack by an armed enemy. A contemporary writer, describing the beauties of this system, wrote, " Whenever danger shall menace any harbor, or any foreign ship shall insult us, somebody is to inform the governor, and the governor is to desire the marshal to call upon the captains of militia to call upon the drummers to beat to arms, and call the militia men together, from whom are to be drafted (not impressed) a sufficient number to go on board the gunboats, and drive the hostile stranger away, unless during this long ceremonial he should have taken himself off." Fortunately the gunboat system did not work the total extinction of the old na\y. In 181 1 the British aggressions began again, and the situation became more and more warlike. So bold had the privateers become, that tlicy captured a richly laden vessel within thirty miles of New York. Shortly after, the British frigate " Guerriere " stopped an American brig eightcet. miles from New York, and took from her a young sailor. The sea was running very rough, anrl a stiff breeze blowing, when the " Spitfire " was halted by the frigate ; but the American captain went with the captured lad to the war-vessel, and assured the commander that he had known the young man as a native of Maine from his boyhood. The reply was, " All that may be .so ; but he has no protection, and that is enough for me." With these memories fresh, it is not surprising that Americans rejoiced when the news of an encounter terminating in favor of the United States ship was received. On May 7, 181 1, the United States frigate "President" was lying II !i 11 I N; '' s f 84 BLUE-JACKPrrS OF 181 2. quietly at anchor off Fort Severn, Annapolis. Every thing betokened a state of perfect peace. The muzzles of the great guns were stopped by tompions. The ports were down. In the rigging of the vessel hung garments drying in the sun. At the side floated half a dozen boats. Many of the crew were ashore on leave. The sailing-master was at Bal- timore, and the chaplain and purser were at Washington. From the masthead floated the broad pennant of Commodore Rodgers, but he was with his family at Havre de Grace ; and the executive officer, Capt. Lud- low, was dining on the sloop-of-war " Argus," lying near at hand. But the captain's dinner was destined to be interrupted that bright May afternoon ; for in the midst of the repast a midshipman entered, and reported that the commodore's gig was coming up rapidly, with Rodgers himself on board. The dinner party was hastily broken up, and the captain returned to his ship to receive his superior offlcer. On his arrival, Commodore Rodgers said that he had received orders to chase the frigate that had impressed the sailor from the " Spitfire," and insist upon the man's being liberated, if he could prove his citizenship. This was good news for every man on the frigate. At last, then, the United States was going to protect its sailors. Three days were spent in getting the crew together and preparing for sea ; then the stately frigate, with all sails set and colors flying, weighed anchor, and stood down the Chesapeake with the intention of cruising near New York. She had been out on the open ocean only a day, when the lookout, from his perch in the crosstrees, reported a strange sail on the horizon. The two vessels appoached each other rapidly ; and, as the stranger drew near, Rodgers saw, by the squareness of her yards and the general trim, symmetrical cut of her sails, that she was a war-vessel. Perhaps she may be the offender, thought he, and watched eagerly her approach. As the stranger came up, the "President" set her broad pennant and ensign ; on seeing which the stranger hoisted several signal flags, the significance of which was not understood by the Americans. Finding her signals unanswered, the stranger wore ship, and bore away to the south- BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 85 ward, hotly followed by the "President." During dl these manaHivres, Rodgers's suspicion of the strange vessel had increased ; and her apparent flight only convinced him the more of the hostile character of the stranger. It was a stern chase and a long one, for at the outset the stranger was hull dov.rn on the horizon. After an hour it became evident that the " President " was gaining, for the hull of the fugitive was plainly seen. The breeze then died away, so that night had fallen over the waters before the .ships were within hailing distance. A little after eight in the evening the " President " was within a hundred yards of the chase, which could be seen, a dark mass with bright lights shining through the rows of open ports, rushing through the water directly ahead. Rodgers sprang upon the taffrail, and put- ting a speaking-trumpet to his lips, shouted, " What ship is that ? " A dead silence followed. Those on the " President " listened intently for the answer ; but no sound was heard save the sigh of the wind through the cordage, the creaking of the spars, and the rush of the water alongside. Rodgers hailed again ; and, before the sound of his words had died away, a quick flash of fire leaped from the stern-ports of the chase, and a shot whizzed through the rigging of the "President," doing some slight damage. Rodgers sprang to the deck to order a shot in return ; but, before he could do sc.. a too eager gunner pulled the lanyard of his piece in the second division of the "President's" battery. The enemy promptly answered with three guns, and then let fly a whole broadside, with discharges of musketry from the deck and the tops. This exhausted Rodgers's patience. " Equally determined," said he after- wards, " not to be the aggressor, or to suffer the flag of my country to be insulted with impunity, I gave a general order to fire." This time there was no defect in the ordnance or the gunnery of the American ship. The thunderous broadsides rang out at regular intervals, and the aim of the gunners was deliberate and deadly. It was too dark to see what effect the fire was having on the enemy, but in five minutes her responses began to come slowly and feebly. Unwilling to continue his attack on a ship evidently much his inferior in size and armament, I ■ mi .. i 1 i \ 86 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. Rotlgers ordered the gunners to cease firing ; but this had hardly been done when the stranger opened again. A second time the guns of the COMMOUORE KODGERS HAILS. " President " were run out, and again they began their cannonade. The stranger was soon silenced again ; and Commodore Rodgers hailed, that BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 87 he might learn the name of his adversary. In answer came a voice from the other vessel, — "We are his Majesty's ship ." A gust of wind carried away the name, and Rodgers was still in doubt as to whom he had been fighting. Hoisting a number of bright lights in her rigging, that the stranger might know her whereabouts, the "President" stood off and on during the night, ready to give aid to the disabled ship in case of need. At early dawn every officer was on deck, anxious to learn the fate of their foe of the night before. Far in the distance they could sec a ship, whose broken cordage and evident disorder showed her to have been the other party to the fight. A boat from the " President " visited the stranger, to learn her name and to proffer aid in repairing the damages received in the action. The ship proved to be the British sloop-of-war " Little Belt ; " and her captain stated that she was much damaged in her masts, sails, rigging, and hull, and had been cut several times between wind and water. He declined the proffered aid, however, and sailed away to Halifax, the nearest British naval station. Commodore Rodgers took the "President" to the nearest American port. When the " President " reached home, and the news of her exploit became known, the exultation of the people was great, and their com- mendations o): Rodgers loud. ''At last," they cried, "we have taught I'>ngland a lesson. The insult to the 'Chesapeake' is now avenged." Rodgers protested that he had been forced unwillingly into the combat, but his admirers insisted that he had left port with the intention of humbling the pride of some British ship. Indeed, the letter of an officer on the "President," printed in "The New York Herald" at the time, rather supported this theory. "By the officers who came from Washington," wrote this gentleman, "we learn that we are sent in pursuit of a British frigate, who had impressed a passenger from a coaster. Yesterday, while beating down the bay, we spoke a brig coming up, who informed us that she saw the British frigate the day before off the very place where we now are ; but she is not now in sight. We have made the most com- plete preparations for battle. Every one wishes it. She is exactly our '■ li >l LU' (ill M ! I'M 88 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. force ; but we have the " Argus " with us, which none of us are pleased with, as we wish a fair trial of courage and skill. Should we see her, I have not the least doubt of an engagement. The commodore will demand the person impressed ; the demand will doubtless be refused, and the battle will instantly commence. . . . The commodore has called in the boatswain, gunner, and carpenter, informed them of all circumstances, and asked if they were ready for action. Ready, was the reply of each." No consequences beyond an intensifying of the war spirit in America followed this rencounter. Before dismissing the subject, however, it is but fair to state that the account as given here is in substance Commo- dore Rodgers's version of the matter. The British captain's report was quite different. He insisted that the "President" fired the first shot, that the action continued nearly an hour, that it was his hail to which no attention was paid, and finally he intimated that the "President" hud rather the worse of the encounter. The last statement is easily disproved, for the "President" was almost unscathed, and the only injury to her people was the slight wounding of a boy, in the hand. On the " Little Belt," thirty-one were killed or wounded. The other points led to a simple question of veracity between the two oflficers. Each government naturally accepted the report of its officer; and, so far as the governments were concerned, the matter soon passed into oblivion. Not long after this episode, a somewhat similar occurrence took place, but was happily attended with no such serious consequences. The frig- ate " United States," cruising under the broad pennant of Commodore Decatur, fell in with two British ships near New York. While the com- manders of the vessels were amicably hailing, a gun was suddenly fired from the battery of the " United States," owing to the carelessness of a gunner in handling the lanyard. It was a critical moment, for the British would have been justified in responding to the fire with broad- sides. Happily, they were cool and discreet, and Decatur made such explanations as showed that no attack or insult was intended. This little incident is interesting, as showing the distrust of the British which led !:^ BLUE-JACKIOTS OF 1812. 89 an American captain to keep his guns primed and cocked, while convers- ing with English men-of-war. Another incident showed that the hatred of the British service that prevailed among seamen was a matter of deep-seated conviction. While the United States ship "Esse.x" was lying in an English port, it became known that one of her crew was a deserter from the British navy, and his surrender was immediately demanded. Although the man stoutly protested that he was an American, yet no proof could he shown ; and, as the ship was in British waters, it was determined to surrender him. A British officer and squad of marines boarded the " Esse.x " and waited on the deck while the sailor went below to get his kit. Bitterly com- plaining of the hardness of his fate, the poor fellow went along the gun- decks until he passed the carpenter's bench. His eye fell upon an a.xe ; and after a minute's hesitation he stepped to the bench, seized the axe in his right hand, and with one blow cut off the left. Carrying the severed member in his hand, he again sought the deck and presented himself, maimed, bleeding, and forever useless as a sailor, to the British officer. Astonished and horrified, that worthy left the ship, and the wounded man was sent to the sick-bay. The incident was a forcible commentary on the state of the British service at that time, and left a deep impres- sion on the minds of all beholders. In the next contest over deserters, however, the Americans rather secured the best of the argument. The "Constitution" was lying at anchor in Portsmouth roads, when one of the crew slily slipped overboard and swam down with the tide to the British ship "Madagascar" that lay at anchor near by. When he had reached the Englishman, he was too exhausted to speak ; and the officers, supposing that he had fallen overboard accidentally, sent word to the " Constitution " that her man had been saved, and awaited the orders of his commander. The next morning a boat was sent down to the " Madagascar " to fetch the man back ; but, to the astonishment of the visiting officer, he was told that the sailor claimed to be a British subject and wished to escape from the American service. i w ■I* Si I ■ ^ f ' III: 1 (1 1' ;. 1- if t W [ 1 \ !, I li - 90 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. "Have you any evidence," asked the American officer of the British admiral, " beyond the man's own word, that he is an KngHshman ? " "None whatever, sir," was the response, "but we are obliged to take his declaration to that effect." The American officer returned to his ship, vowing vengeance on the harborers of the deserter. His opportunity came that very night. In the dead watches of the night, when all was still on deck save the monotonous tramp of the sentries, there suddenly rang out on the still air the sharp crack of a musket. The officer of the deck rushed to see what was the matter, and was shown a dark object floating near the ship, at which a sentry had fired. A boat was lowered and soon came back, bringing in it a sailor who had deserted from the " Madagascar," and reached the " Constitution " by swimming. Capt. Hull asked the fellow his nationality. " Sure, O'im a 'Merricun, your honor," he answered in a rich brogue that would have branded him as a Paddy in any part of the world. With a twinkle in his eye, Hull sent the Irishman below, and told the sailors to take good care of him. Early in the morning, a boat came from the " Madagascar ; " and a trim young lieutenant, clambering aboard the American frigate, politely requested that the deserter be given up. With great dignity, Capt. Hull responded that the man was a citizen of the United States, and should have protection. The visiting officer fairly gasped for breath. " An American ! " he exclaimed. " Why, the man has never been out of Ireland except on a British man-of-war." " Indeed ! " responded Hull blandly. " But we have his statement that he is an American, and we are obliged to take his declaration to that effect." And the man was never given up. During the day, two British frigates cast anchor so near the " Con- stitution " that Capt. Hull suspected them of hostile intentions, and moved his ship to a new anchorage. A frigate followed closely in her wake. At eight in the evening, Capt. Hull determined to meet the show of force with force. The drums beat, and the men were called to quar- HLUE-JACKETS OK 1812, 91 ters. The battle-lanterns were lighted fore and aft. The tops were crowded with sailors, armed with short carbines, to pick off the men on the enemy's decks. Along the gun-deck stood the men at the guns ; and an officer, describing the scene, says they took hold of the ropes as if they were about to jerk the guns through the shi[)'s sides. All were enthusiastic over the prospect of the coming action. "Now, then, my lads," said an officer to a group of sailors, "if a fight comes of this, it will be in the cause of you sailors ; and I e.vpect you to fight like men." "Ay, ay, sir," was the response. "Let the quarter-deck look out for the colors, and we'll keep the guns going." All the preparations for battle were made openly, and the attitude taken by the " Constitution " was an open challenge. No notice of it was taken by the British ship ; and, after maintaining her hostile atti- tude for some time, the " Constitution " hoisted her anchor, and left the harbor. The time of the formal declaration of war was now rapidly approach- ing. The long diplomatic correspondence between the two nations had failed to lead to any amicable solution of the difficulties that were fast urging them to war. Great Britain still adhered to her doctrine that a man once an Englishman was always an English subject. No action of his own could absolve him from allegiance to the flag under which he was born. Upon the trade of the United States with France, the Eng- lish looked with much the sentiments with which, during our civil war, we regarded the thriving trade driven with the Confederacy by the Brit- ish blockade-runners. Upon these two theories rested the hateful " right of search " and the custom of impressment. It is needless to say that the views of the United States on these questions were exactly contrary to those of the English. Such vital differences could, then, only be settled by war ; and war was accordingly declared in June, 18 12. It was a bold step for the young nation, but there was enough of plausibility in the English claims to make it evident that they could never be set aside by diplomacy ; and so, with hardly a !;' x> 92 15LUK-JACKF;1S of iSia. th()Uj;ht of the odds a<^ainst her, the United States dashed in to win justice at the muzzles of her cannon. That tlie odds were tremendous, is not to lie denied. Of the miuiary stren,L;th of the two nations, it is not the purpose of this book to treat. Indeed, a recountal of the land battles of the war of 1813 would hardly be i^leasant reading for Americans. It was on the sea that our laurels were chiefly won. Yet, at the time of the declaration of war, the navy of the United States consisted of twenty vessels, of which the larj;est carried forty-four guns, and the majority rated under thirty. For years this navy had been a butt of ridicule for all the luu-opean naval powers. The frigate "Constitution" was scornfully termed by an ICnglish news- l)aper " a bunch of pine boards sailing under a bit of striped bunting." Not long after the publication of this insolent jeer, the "Constitution" lailed into an American port with a captured British frigate in tow. Right merrily then did the Americans boast of their "bunch of pine boards." This miniature navy of the United States was about to be pitted against the greatest naval power of the world. The rolls of the navy of Great Britain bore at this time the names of over one thousand ships. Of these, no less than two hundred and fifty-four were ships-of-the-linc, mounting over seventy-four guns each. Behind this great navy were the memories of long years of conquests, of an almost undisputed supremacy upon the ocean. Small wonder was it, then, that the British laughed at the idea of the Americans giving battle to their hitherto unconquered ships. What, then, was the secret of the success which as we shall see, attended the American arms on the sea .■• The answer is, that men, not ships, carried the day. Yet Great Britain had the more sailors on her muster-rolls. True, but they were only too often unwilling slaves. Instead of enlisting, like free men, they were hunted down like brutes and forced to enter the service. No sailor was .safe from the press-gang, and even sober citizens were often kidnapped to serve the ' King ' on the ocean. From the ships of other nations, from their homes and from taverns, the unlucky sailors were dragged away. Even in the streets 01 populous ! i i i' THE PRESS GANG. Ill f' liill! k '■ml II* u f ■■ ;l ^ii ■■iiii iy|ii ■ii.uji I i>^li'iMi»iirmrii-. — iiiBi~— nyr F ^^ '■ If i ■ ; '!. •■« ISr;- hi k -^ (if. Tu ^ CHAPTER IV, THE WAR ON THE OCEAN. — COMMODORE RODGERS'S CRUISE. —THE LOSS OF THE " NAU- Tn.U.S." — FIRST SUCCESS FOR THE BRITISH. — THE ESCAPE OF THE "CONSTITUTION." — THE "ESSEX" TAKES THE "ALERT." — THE "CONSTITUTION AMD THE "GUERRIERE." T the time when the declaration of war was made public, a small squadron of United States vessels was lying in the port of New York, under the command of Commodore Rodgcrs. The warlike tendency of the popular mind had long been evident, and the captain of every war-vessel had been for some time making active preparations for service. Some apprehension was felt in naval circles, lest the small size of the navy should lead the authorities to lay up the vessels in port during the continuance of the war. This appre- hension was well founded ; for not only had such a course been debated in the cabinet, but orders had been prepared, directing Commodore Rodgers to hold his vessels in port. This decision was actively opposed 96 i, BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 97 by the officers of the navy, iVho felt that, though inconsiderable in num- bers, the United States navy could make a brave fight for the honor of the nation ; and with one accord all protested against the action con- templated. Two officers, Capt. Bainbridge and Capt. Stewart, went to Washington and sought an interview with the Secretary of the Navy, Paul Hamilton, who assured them that the plans of the Government were well matured and would not be changed. The United States could not afford, said the secretary, that its few frigates and men-of-war should be snapped up by the enormous fleets of the British, as would surely be the case, if they ventured upon the ocean. But it was not intended to materi- ally reduce the lists of naval officers. The frigates, with all their loose spars and top-hamper taken down, were to be anchored at the entrances of the principal harbors of the country, and operated as stationary batteries. This prospect was far from agreeable to the two officers. It was intol- erable for them to imagine the graceful frigates, with towering masts and snowy canvas, reduced to mere shapeless hulks, and left to guard the entrance of a placid harbor. Finding the secretary inexorable, they went to the President and put the case before him. They assured him, that, small though the list of American ships was, it bore the names of vessels able to cope with any thing of their class in the British navy. Both officers and seamen were proud of the service, and burned to strike a blow for its honor. President Madison seemed much impressed by their representations, and agreed to take the matter into consideration ; and, if it seemed wise, to change the plan. But, before any definite action was taken by him, war was declared. Within an hour after he had received news of the declaration of war, Commodore Rodgers had his squadron under way, and dropped down New York Bay to the ocean. Under his command were the flag-ship " Presi- dent " of forty-four guns, the " Essex " thirty-two, and the " Hornet " eighteen. In the lower bay these vessels were joined by the "United States " forty-four, the "Congress" thirty-eight, and the "Argus" sixteen. On June 21, 181 2, three days after the declaration of war, the whole squadron passed Sandy Hook, and stood out into the ocean. ' : ,'• i WiM iMC-*" ^m 98 BLUE-JACKETS OF 181 2. ,•; -i It is probable that the remarkable celeilty of Commodore Rodgers's departure was due, in part, to the fear that the authorities would revive the obnoxious order laying up the ships in port. His chief object, how- ever, was to overhaul a large fleet of British merchantmen that had recently left the West Indies, and, according to all calculations, should have been in the vicinity of New York at that time. All sail was accord- ingly crowded upon the ships, and the squadron set out in hot pursuit. For two days the monotony of the horizon was broken by no sail ; but on the third a ship was espied in the distance, which was made out to be an enemy's frigate, after which chase was made by the whole squadron. A fresh breeze was blowing, and both chase and pursuers were running free before the wind. As sail after sail was crowded upon the ships, the smaller vessels, with their lesser expanse of canvas, began to fall behind ; and in a few hours the frigate " President " had gradu- ally drawn away from the fleet, and was rapidly gaining on the enemy. The sail had been spied at six o'clock in the morning, and at four p.m. the flag-ship had come within gunshot of the ch vse. The wind then fell ; and the chase, being long out of port and light, began to gain on her heavier adversary. Both vessels now began to prepare for a little gunnery. On the English vessel, which proved to be the " Belvidera," thirty-six, the sailors were busily engaged in shifting long eighteens and carronades to the stern, making a battery of stern-chasers mounting four guns. The action was opened by a gun from the bow of the " President," sighted and fired by Commodore Rodgers himself ; so that this officer may be said to have fired the first gun of the war. His shot was a good one, hulling the enemy. A second shot from one of the guns of the first division broke off the muzzle of one of the " Belvidera's " stern-chasers ; and a third shot, fired by Commodore Rodgers, crashed into the stern of the chase, killing two men, and wounding several others. Certainly in their first action the Yankees showed no lack of skill in gunnery. The chase was slow in responding to the fire ; and although her com- mander, Capt. Byron, sighted the guns for the first few discharges himself. BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 99 his aim was by no means so good as that of the Americans. The British showed great energy, however, in defending their ship. Not content with the stern guns already mounted, they shifted to the stern ports two long eighteen-pounders on the main deck, and two thirty-two-pound carronadcs on the quarter-deck. With these they kept up a brisk fire, which soon became effective, many shots cutting the rigging of the " President," while one plunged down upon the deck, killing a midshipman and two or three men. But the superiority of the American gunnery was beginning to tell, when, at a critical moment, a main-deck gun, on the " President," burst with a stunning report ; and the flying fragments killed or wounded sixteen men. The force of the explosion shattered the forecastle deck. Com- modore Rodgers was thrown high into the air, and, falling heavily on the deck, suffered a painful fracture of the leg. The crew was at once thrown into confusion and almost panic. Every gun was looked upon with suspi- cion. Encouraged by this confusion, the enemy worked his stern guns with renewed vigor, and at the same time lightened his ship by cutting away boats and anchors, and starting fourteen tons of water. Thus lightened, she began to draw away from the " President ; " perceiving which, the latter ship yawed several times, and let fly full broadsides at the escaping chase. The shot rattled among the spars of the " Belvidcra," but the nimble topmen quickly repaired all damages ; and the British ship slowly but steadily forged ahead. Seeing no hope of overtaking her, Rodgers ordered the chase abandoned ; and the American squadron again took up its search for the fleet of British merchantmen. But this, the first cruise of the United States navy in the war was destined to be a disappointment to all concerned. The key-note set by the affair just related — in which the "President" lost twenty-two men, and permitted her adversary to escape — was continued throughout the voyage. Always finding traces of the enemy they were seeking, the Americans never succeeded in overhauling him. One day great quanti- ties of orange-peel, cocoanut-shells, and similar fragments of tropical fruits gave the jackies assurance of the proximity of the long-sought enemy, and urged them on to renewed energy and watchfulness. Then the master i'-'i 'k^ mmmmmm l« if lOO BLUK-J-\CKETS OF 1812. of an English lettcr-of-marquc, captured by Ihc " Hornet," reported that the day before he had passed a fleet of eighty-five sail, of which four EXPLOSION ON THE "PRESIDENT I : it were men-of-war. That night there was no room in the minds of the sailors for any thoughts other than those of big prize-money. But their golden dreams were never to be fulfilled ; for, although the chase was BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. lOI continued until within a clay's run of the English Channel, no sight of the Jamaica fleet was ever gained. Abandoning this chase, the squadron returned to Boston by a Southern route ; and, although constantly in the very highway of commerce, few sails were sighted. When port was reached, the results of a cruise that had occupied seventy days amounted only to the capture of one letter-of-marque, seven merchantmen, and the recapture of one American ship. But Rodgers heard, that, while he had been scouring the ocean with such meagre results, events of more importance had occurred nearer home. The British ship " Belvidera," after her lucky escape from the " Presi- dent," had made her way to Halifa.x, the chief naval station of Great Britain on the American coast. Her report was the first news of the declaration of war, for at that day ncvs travelled slowly. Once alarmed, the British were prompt to act ; and in a few days a squadron left Halifa.x in search of Commodore Rodgers. The force thus hurriedly gathered was quite formidable. The " Africa " of si.xtyfour guns, the " Shannon," thirty-eight, the "Guerriere," thirty-eight, the " Belvidera," thirty-si.x, and the "/Eolus," thirty-two, made up the fleet despatched to chastise the headstrong Americans for their attempt to dispute with Great Britain the mastery of the ocean. Early in July, this force made its appearance off New York, and quickly made captures enough to convince the American merchantmen that a season in port was preferable to the dangers of the high seas in war-times. To this same fleet belongs the honor of the first capture of a war-vessel during the war ; for the American brig " Nautilus," fourteen guns, was suddenly overhauled by the entire fleet, and captured after a plucky but unavailing attempt at flight. Fourteen-gun brigs, however, were rather small game for a squadron like that of the British ; and it is probable that His Britannic Majesty's officers were heartily glad, when, some days, later the United States frigate " Constitution " hove in sight, under circumstances which seemed certain to make her an easy prey to the five British ships. It was on the 17th of July, 1812, that the "Constitution," after receiving a new crew at Annapolis, was standing northward under easy I02 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. liB! sail on her way to New York. About noon four sails were sighted on the horizon, and an hour later the appearance of a fifth sail was duly reported. A careful scrutiny of the strangers convinced Capt. Hull that they were men-of-war, although their nationality could not be determined. Night fell before the ships could come within hailing distance ; and, though Hull set private signals, no answer was returned. When day broke, Hull found himself fairly surrounded by British frigates. In addition to the squadron which has been described as leaving Halifax, there was the captured " Nautilus " with her guns turned against her own nation, and a captured American schooner which had been likewise pressed into the service. Clearly the " Constitution " was outnumbered, and nothing was left for her but flight. The events of that three days' chase are told with great minuteness in the log-book of the " Constitution," to which many of those on board have, in later publications, added more interesting personal reminiscences. When the rising mists showed how completely the American frigate was hemmed in, hardly a breath of air was stirring. Although every sail was set on the ship, yet she had not steerage way ; and Hull ordered out the boats, to pull the ship's head around and tow her out of range of her enemies. At the same time, gangs of sailors with a.xes cut away the woodwork aoout the cabin windows, and mounted two stern guns in the cabin and one on the upper deck. The enemy, in the mean time, were keeping up a vigorous fire, but without effect. Their ships were rapidly gaining, as they were enabled to set the boats of the whole squadron to towing the two foremost vessels, Hull saw that some new means of getting ahead must be devised. Soundings were taken, and the ship found to be in twenty-six fathoms of water. All the available rope in the ship was then bent on to a kedge and carried far ahead, when the kedge was lowered to the bottom. The sailors then shipped their capstan-bars, and tramped about the capstan, until the ship was dragged up to the kedge, which was then hoisted and again carried ahead and let fall. This manoeuvre was repeated several times with marked success ; for the " Constitution " was BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 10: rapidly drawing away from her pursuers, who could not discover her means of propulsion. Out of sight of land as they were, the Ikitish did not for some time suspect the true cause of the sudden speed of the fugitive. When, after long scrutiny through their marine glasses, they finally did discover the stratagem, the " Constitution " was far ahead ; and though the pursuers adopted the same device, yet their awkwardness was so great, that even the superior force they were enabled to employ did not bring them up to their chase. While the ships were thus being urged on by towing, kcdging, and occasionally by sweeps, an intermittent fire was kept up by the British, and responded to by the " Constitution " from her stern ports. The guns which had been mounted by the Americans in the cabin, they were soon forced to abandon, as the explosions threatened to blow out the whole stern frame. With the stern-chasers on the gun-deck, however, a constant fire was maintained, in the hopes of crippling the enemy by a lucky shot. For more than forty-eight hours the chase maintained this aspect of monotony. A dead calm prevailed the greater part of the time. Occa- sionally, light breezes filled the sails, and wafted the ships ahead for a few minutes ; then, dying away, left the sea unruffled, and the sails flap- ping idly against the masts. British historians concur with those of our own country, in saying that the " Constitution," in seizing the advan- tages of the breeze, showed far better seamanship than did her enemies. While the British vessels lay to, to pick up their boats, the " Constitution " forged ahead, picking up her boats while under way. Later in the chase, the British totally abandoned their boats, and, when the American frigate had fairly escaped them, went about for some days picking up such boats as were found drifting on the broad ocean. The morning of the second day of the chase dawned with a light breeze ruffling the water, and filling out the sails of the ships. Before the breeze died away, which it did in a few hours, the " Constitution " had gained on her pursuers so that she led them by more than four miles. Then the calm again held the ships quiet ; and again the Ameri- cans saw their enemies closing in upon them by the aid of sweeps, and iJi ■!.■;: If 1 1 1 I ' : I I I04 BLUK-JACKKTS OF iSi2. towing with their lioats. There was little rest for the crew of the American frigate. On the gun-deck, about the carriages of the great cannon, lay such of the men as were not assigned to duty in the boats or at the capstan. Wearied with the constant strain, they fell asleep as soon as relieved from active duty; though they knew that from that sleep they might be awakened to plunge into the fierce excitement of desperate battle. K.vhaustcd as the men were, their officers were forced to endure a still more fearful strain. No sleep came to the eyelids of Capt. Hull, throughout the chase. Now encouraging the men, now planning a new ruse to deceive the enemy, ever watchful of the pursu- ing ships, and ready to take advantage of the slightest breath of air, Capt. Hull and his able first lieutenant Morris showed such seamanship as extorted admiration even from the British, who were being baffled by their nautical skill. By skilful manoeuvring, the Americans managed to keep to the wind- ward of their enemies throughout the chase ; and to this fact the success of Capt. Hull's most astute stratagem was due. Ever alert for any sign of a coming breeze, he saw on the water far to windward that rippling apjDcarance that betokens the coming of a puff. Hull determined to utilize it for himself, and, if possible, trick the British so that they would lose all benefit of the breeze. The clouds that were coming up to windward seemed to threaten a squall, and driving sheets of rain were rapidly advancing toward the ship. With great ostentation, the "Constitution" was made ready for a severe gale. The enemy could sec the nimble sailors taking in sail, and furling all the lighter canvas. Then the driv- ing rain swept over the ship, and she was shut out of sight. Immediately all was activity in the tops of the British frigates. Reefs wxre rapidly taken in the larger sails, while many were closely furled. All forsook their course, and steered in different directions in preparation for the coming squall, which, indeed, w^as far less violent than the action of the "Constitution" seemed to indicate. But the shrewd Yankees on that craft, protected from spying British eyes by the heavy rain, were now shaking out the reefs they had just set ; and under full sail the ship was soon flying away towards t I ■!!) i H ESCAPE OF THE CONSTITUTION. H(.^ I ! r I m f I I: i BLUF.-JACKKTS OF 1812. 10: home. After an hour of driving thundcr-i^hower, the clouds passed by ; and the wall-like edge of the shower could be seen moving rapidly away before the wind. The tars on the "Constitution" watched eagerly to see the British fleet appear. Farther and farther receded the gray curtain, and yet no ships could be seen. "Where arc they .'" was the thought of every eager watcher on the deck of the "Constitution." At last they appeared, so far in the distance as to be practically out of the chase. Two were even hull down ; while one was barely visible, a mere speck on the horizon. Though now hopeles.sly distanced, the British did not give up the pur- suit, but held valiantly on after the American frigate. She had so long been within their very grasp that it was a bitter disappointment for them to be 1' 'Iked of their prey. But, as the wind now held, the American gained on them so rapidly that at last they unwillingly abandoned the chase ; and, dis- banding the fleet, each ship set off on an individual cruise, in the hopes that the enemy which had shown such ability in flight when overpowered would not deign to fly if encountered by a single hostile ship. This expectation was fully realized some weeks later, when the " Constitution " fell in with the British frigate "Guerriere." Thus, after a chase of more than sixty-four hours, the " Constitution " evaded her pursuers, and made her way to Boston. Although they reape'd no glory by their labors, the British did not come out of the chase alto- gether empty-handed. As the course of the vessels was along the New England coast, they were in the direct path of American commerce ; and more than one wretched coaster fell into their clutches. At one time, a fine, full-rigged ship, flying the stars and stripes, came within sight ; and the British, to lure her to her destruction, hoisted the American flag over all their vessels. But Hull was a match for them at strategy; and he promptly set the British colors at his masthead, and began so vigor- ous a caraonade that the stranger concluded that a merchantman had no business in that quarter, even though the Americans did appear to be rather in the majority. By his able seamanship in this chase Capt. Hull gained for himself a national reputation. The newspapers of the day vied with each other in i:j 'S ■ >i ii]i m li U' 1 1 08 BLUE-JACKETS OF 181 2. pointing out the mananivres in which he had excelled his enemies, — how he had picked up his boats wliile under way, though the enemy were forced to cut theirs adrift ; how he had come out of the chase without injury, and after parting with only a few gallons of water, though a less cool-headed commander would have thrown overboard guns, ammunition, and every thing movable, in the face of so great a danger. A modest sailor, as well as a skilful one, Capt. Hull showed himself to be ; for, while the popular adulation was at its height, he inserted a card in the books of the Exchange Coffee-House at Boston, oegging his friends to " make a transfer of a great part of their good wishes to Lieut. Morris and the other brave officers and crew under his command, for their very jfreat exertions and prompt attention to orders while the enemy were in chase." Leaving the "Constitution" thus snugly in port at Boston, we will turn aside to follow the fortunes of a ship, which, though belated in getting out to sea, yet won the honor of capturing the first British war- vessel taken during the war. When Commodore Rodgers set sail from New York with his squadron, in the fruitless pursuit of the fleet of Jamaica men, he left in the harbor the small frigate " Essex," under the command of Capt. David Porter. The ship was thoroughly dismantled, — stripped of her rigging, her hold broken out, and provided neither with armament, ammunition, nor crew. Her captain, however, was a man of indomitable energy ; and by dint of much hard work, and constant appeals to the authorities at Washington, he managed to get his ship in order, and leave the harbor within a fort- night after the departure of the squadron under Rodgers's command. The " Essex " was a small frigate, lightly sparred, rating as a thirty- two-giui ship, but mounting twenty-six guns only, of which six were twelve-pounders, and the remainder carronades of thirty-two pounds. A carronade is a short cannon of large calibre, but of very short range. Capt. Porter protested vigorously against being furnished with a battery so useless except at close quarters : but his protests were unheeded ; and the " Essex " put to sea, trusting to her ability to get alongside the enemy, where her carronades would be of some use. BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 109 Among the midshipmen who bunked, messed, and skylarked together in the steerage of the " Essex," was one lad -whose name in later days was to be inscribed on the roll of the greatest naval heroes of history. David Glasgow Farragut was a child of seven years of age when he was adopted by Capt. Porter, and began his training for a naval career. In 1810 the boy secured his appointment of midshipman; and now, in i8i2, we find him enrolled among the "young gentlemen" who followed the fortunes of the "Essex." In those days the midshipmen were often mere boys. Farragut himself was then but eleven years old. liut, boys as they were, they ordered the hardy old tars about, and .strutted the streets when on shore-leave, with all the dignity of veterans. That the discipline of the " Essex " was of the strictest, and that the eflficiency of her crew was above criticism, we have the testimony of Farragut himself to prove. "Every day," he writes, "the crew were exercised at the great guns, small arms, and single stick ; and I may here mention the fact, that I have never been on a ship where the crew of the old "Essex" was represented, but that I found them to be the best swordsmen on board. They had been so thoroughly trained as boarders, that every man was prepared for such an emergency, with his cutlass as sharp as a razor, a dirk made by the ship's armorer out of a file, and a pistol." Hardly were the Highlands of Navesink lost to sight below the hori- zon, when Porter began to receive evidences that his cruise was to be a lucky one. Several brigs were captured, and sent into New York ; but the tars of the "Essex" were beginning to grow weary of small game, and hoped, each time a sail was sighted, that it might be a British man- of-war. At last a small squadron hove into sight, the appearance of which seemed to indicate that the jackies might smell gunpowder to their hearts' content before the next day. It was late at night when the strange fleet was sighted ; and the " Essex " was soon running down upon them, before a fresh breeze. Although the moon was out, its light was obscured by dense masses of cloud, that were driven rapidly across the sky ; while over the water hung mi h - ! i! , : '! I lO BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. a light haze, that made diflficult the discovery of objects at any distance. The " Essex " soon came near enough to the squadron to ascertain that it was a fleet of British merchantmen and transports convoyed by a frigate and bomb-vessel. The frigate was at the head of the line ; and the " Essex," carefully concealing her hostile character, clapped on all sail and pressed forward, in the hopes of bringing on an action. After passing the hindermost transport, however, the American ship was hailed by a second transport, which soon suspected her hostile character and threatened to give the alarm. Instantly the ports of the " Essex " were knocked out, the guns trained on the enemy, and the transport was ordered to haul out of the line at once, and silently, under penalty of being fired into. The defenceless ship complied, and was at once taken possession of, and the soldiers on board were transferred to the " Essex." This operation took so much time, that, by the time it was concluded, day dawned over the ocean; and the attack upon the British frigate was abandoned. Again the " Essex " continued her cruise in search of an cnemv worthy of her metal. For two or three days she beat about the ocean in the usual track of ships, without sighting a single sail. The ship had been so disguised, that the keenest-eyed lookout would never have taken her for a ship-of-war. The top-gallant masts were housed, the ports of the gun-deck closed in, and her usually trim cordage and nicely squared yards were now set in a way that only the most shiftless of merchant skippers would tolerate. Not many days passed before the enemy fell into the trap thus set for him. When on the 13th of August Capt. Porter learned that a sail to windward, apparently a British man-of-war, was bearing down upon the " Essex," he carried his little bit of acting still further. Instead of the great crowd of agile sailors that spring into the rigging of a man-of-war, at the order to make sail, only a handful, in obedience to Porter's orders, awkwardly set on the " Essex " all the sail she would carry. Two long, heavy cables dragging in the water astern so retarded the ship, that the stranger, coming down gallantly, thought he had fallen in with a lumber- BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. I I I ing old American merchantman, which was making frantic, but futile, efforts to escape. Had the British captain been able to look behind the closed ports of the " Essex," he would have formed a very different idea of the charac- ter of his chase. He would have seen a roomy gun-deck, glistening with that whiteness seen only on the decks of well-kept men-of-war. Down cither side of the deck stretched a row of heavy carronades, each with its crew of gunners grouped about the breech, and each shotted and primed ready for the opening volley. From the magazine amidships, to the gun-deck, reached a line of stewards, waiters, and cooks, ready to pass up cartridges ; for on a man-of-war, in action, no one is an idler. Active boys were skurrying about the deck, barefooted, and stripped to the waist. These were the "powder monkeys," whose duty it would be, when the action opened, to take the cartridges from the line of powder- passers and carry it to the guns. On the spar-deck, only a few sailors and officers were visible to the enemy ; but under the taffrail lay crouched scores of blue-uniformed jackies, with smooth-faced middies and veteran lieutenants, ready to spring into the rigging at the word of command, or to swarm over the side and board the enemy, should the gunwales of the vessels touch. All this preparation, however, was unknown to the " Englishman," who came boldly on, doubting nothing that the "Esse.x" would that day be added to his list of prizes. As he drew nearer, the American sailors could see that their foe was much their inferior in size and armament ; and the old tars who had seen service before growiod out their dissatis- faction, that the action should be nothing but a scrimmage after all. In a few minutes, the bold Britons gave three ringing cheers, and let fly a broadside at the "Essex." In an instant the ports of the sham mer- chantman were knocked out ; and, with a war-like thunder, the heavy carronades hurled their ponderous missiles against the side of the assailant. The astonished Englishmen replied feebly, but were quickly driven from their posts by the rapidity of the American fire ; and, in eight minutes after the action was opened, the British hauled down their 1 12 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. it 'I flag. The captured ship proved to be the sloop-of-war "Alert," mount- ing twenty eighteen-jDounder carronades. The boarding officer found her badly cut up, and seven feet of water in the hold. The officers were transferred to the "Essex," and the "Alert" taken in tow. Cir- cumstances, however, forced the Americans to part in a very few days. The chief cause which led to the separation of the two vessels was an incipient mutiny, which was discovered by Midshipman Farragut, and was only averted by the perfect discipline of the American crew. An exercise to which the greatest attention was given was the "fire-drill." When the cry of fire was raised on the ship, every man seized his cut- lass and blanket, and went to quarters as though the ship were about to go into action. Capt. Porter was accustomed, that his men might be well prepared for any emergency, to raise this cry of fire at all hours of the night ; and often he caused a slight smoke to be created in the hold, further to try the nerves of his men. Shortly after the "Alert" was captured, and while the " Essex " was crowded with prisoners, some of the captives conspired to seize the ship, and carry her to England. One night, as Farragut was sleeping in his hammock, a strange feeling of fear came over him ; and he opened his eyes to find the coxswain of the captain's gig of the " Alert " standing over him with a pistol in his hand. The boy knew him to be a prisoner, and, seeing him armed, was con- vinced that something was wrong. Expecting every moment to be killed, he lay still in his hammock, until the man turned on his heel and walked away. Then Farragut slipped out, and ran to the captain's cabin to report the incident. Porter rushed upon the berth-deck in an instant. " Fire ! fire ! " shouted he at the top of his voice ; and in an instant the crew were at their quarters, in perfect order. The mutineers thought that a bad time for their project, and it was abandoned. The next day the prisoners were sent on board the " Alert," and that vessel sent into St. Johns as a cartel. The capture of the " Alert " reflected no great glory upon the Ameri- cans, for the immense superiority of the " Essex " rendered her success certain. It is, however, of interest as being the first capture of a British BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. I I war-vessel. The action made the honors easy between the two nations ; for while the Americans had the "Alert," the British were captors of the brig "Nautilus." This equality was not of long duration, however; for an action soon followed which set all America wild with exultation. After her escape from the British fleet, the "Constitution" remained at Boston only a few days, and then set out on a cruise to the eastward along the New England coast. Bad luck seemed to follow her, and she had reached a point off Cape Sable before she made a prize. Here two or three prizes of little value were taken ; and an English sloop-of-war was forced to relinquish an American brig, which had been recently cap- tured. Shortly afterwards, a Salem privateer was overhauled, the captain of which reported an English frigate cruising in the neighborhood ; and Capt. Hull straightway set out to discover the enemy. The frigate which had been sighted by the Salem privateer, and for which Hull was so eagerly seeking, was the " Guerriere," a thirty-eight- gun ship commanded by Capt. Dacrcs. With both ship and captain, Capt. Hull had previously had some little experience. The " Guerriere " was one of the ships in the squadron from which the " Constitution " had so narrowly escaped a few weeks before, while Capt. Dacres was an old acquaintance. A story current at the time relates, that, before the war, the "Guerriere" and the "Constitution" were lying in the Dela- ware ; and the two captains, happening to meet at some entertainment on shore, fell into a discussion over the merits of their respective navies. Although even then the cloud of war was rising on the horizon, each was pleasant and good-natured ; and the discussion assumed no more serious form than lively banter. "Well," said Hull at last, "you may just take good care of that ship of yours, if ever I catch her in the ' Constitution.' " Capt. Dacres laughed good-humoredly, and offered to bet a sum of money, that in the event of a conflict his confident friend would find himself the loser. " No," said Hull, " I'll bet no money on it ; but I will stake you a hat, that the 'Constitution' comes out victorious." - ; n iM:| :,i ft; 114 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. i I i u = i ; '1 I " Done," responded Dacres ; and the bet was made. War was soon declared ; and, as it happened, the two friends were pitted against each other early in the hostilities. It was not long after the American frigate parted from the privateer when the long-drawn hail of " Sail ho-o-o ! " from the lookout aloft announced the discovery of another vessel. The course of the " Constitu- tion " was at once shaped toward the stranger. In half an hour she was made out to be a frigate, and from her actions was evidently anxious to come alongside the American ship. As more than an hour must elapse before the ships could come together, Capt. Hull made his preparations for action with the greatest deliberation. The top-gallant sails were furled, and the lighter spars lowered to the deck. Through their glasses, the officers could see the enemy making similar preparations, and waiting deliberately for the " Constitution " to come down. At five o'clock in the afternoon the two ships were rapidly nearing, and the drums on the American frigate beat to quarters. Then followed the rush of barefooted men along the deck, as they ran hastily, but in perfect order, to their stations. As the roll of the drums died away, the shrill voices of the boyish midshipmen arose, calling off the quarter-bills, and answered by the gruff responses of the men at their posts. Every man, from the cook to the captain, knew his place, and hurried to it. The surgeon, with his assistants, descended to the cock-pit. The carpenter and his mate.:, made ready their felt-covered plugs, for stopping holes made by the enemy's shot. The topmen clambered to their posts in the rigging, led by the midshipmen who were to command them. The line of powder- passers was formed ; and the powder-monkeys gave up skylarking, and began to look sober at the thought of the business in hand. The " Guerriere " was not behindhand in her preparations for action. Capt. Dacres had suspected the character of the American vessel, from the first moment she had been sighted. On board the English frigate was Capt. William B. Orne, a Marblehead sailor who had been captured I) '^e "Guerriere" some days before. "Capt. Dacres seemed anxious to ^iiain her character," wrote Capt. Orne, shortly after the battle, "and BLUP:-IACKErS OF 1812. "5 after looking at her for that purpose, handed me his spy-glass, requesting me to give him my opinion of the stranger. I soon saw, from the pecul- iarity of her sails and her general appearance, that she was without doubt an American frigate, and communicated the same to Capt. Dacres. He immediately replied, that he thought she came down too boldly for an American ; but soon after added, ' The better he behaves, the more credit we shall gain by taking him.' " The two ships were rapidly approaching each other, when the ' Guer- riere ' backed her main topsail, and waited for her opponent to come down and commence the action. He then set an English flag at each masthead, beat to quarters, and made ready for the fight. " When the strange frigate came down to within two or three miles distant, he hauled upon the wind, took in all his light sails, reefed his topsails, and deliberately prepared for action. It was now about five in the afternoon, when he filled away and ran down for the 'Guerriere.' At this moment Capt. Dacres said politely to me, ' Capt. Orne, as I suppose you do not wish to fight against your own countrymen, you are at liberty to retire below the water-line.' It was not long after this, before I retired from the quarter-deck to the cock-pit." It may be well here to supplement Capt. Orne's narrative by the statement that Capt. Dacres, with a chivalric sense of justice not common in the British navy of that day, allowed ten American sailors who had been impressed into his crew to leave their quarters and go below, that they might not fight against their country. Though an enemy, he was both gallant and generous. The action was opened by the " Guerriere " with her weather broad- side ; the shot of which all falling short, she wore around, and let fly her port broadside, sending most of the shot through her enemy's rigging, though two took effect in the hull. In response to this, the "Constitu- tion " yawed a little, and fired two or three of her bow-guns ; after which the "Guerriere" again opened with broadsides. In this way the battle continued for about an hour ; the American ship saving her fire, and responding to the heavy broadsides with an occasional shot. r-a r I i ii6 HLUK-JACKKTS OK 1812. During this ineffectual firinff, the two ships were continually drawing nearer together, and the gunners on the "Constitution" were becoming more and more restive under their inaction. Capt. Hull was pacing the quarter-deck with short, quick steps, trying to look cool, but inwardly on fire with excitement. As the shot of the enemy began to take effect, and the impatience of the gunners grew more intense, Lieut. Morris, the second in command, asked leave to respond with a broadside. " Not yet," responded Capt. Hull with cool decision. Some minutes later, the request was repeated, and met with the same response, while the captain never ceased his pacing of the deck. When within about half pistol-shot, another broadside came from the "Gucrriere." Then the smothered excitement in Hull's breast broke out. " Now, boys, pour it into them ! " he shouted at the top of his lungs, gesticulating with such violence that the tight breeches of his naval uniform split clear down the side. Lieut. Morris seconded the captain in cheering on the crew. "Hull her, boys! Hull her!" he shouted; and the crew, catching up the cry, made the decks ring with shouts of "Hull her!" as they rapidly loaded and let fly again. The effect of their first broadside was terrific. Deep down in the cock-pit of the " Guerriere," Capt. Orne, who had been listening to the muffled thunder of the cannonade at long range, suddenly "heard a tremendous explosion from the opposing frigate. The effect of her shot seemed to make the ' Guerriere ' reel and tremble, as though she had received the shock of an earthquake. Immediately after this, I heard a tremendous shock on deck, and was told that the mizzen-mast was shot away. In a few moments afterward, the cock-pit was filled with wounded men." Though in his retreat in the cock-pit the captive American could hear the roar of the cannon, and see the ghastly effects of the flying missiles, he could form but a small idea of the fury of the conflict which was raging over his head. Stripped to the waist, and covered with the stains of powder and of blood, the gunners on the two ships pulled fiercely at BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. i'7 the gun-tackle, and wieldccl the rammers with frantic energy ; then let fly the death-dealing bolt into the hull of an enemy only a few yards distant. The ships were broadside to broadside, when the Englishman's mizzen-mast was shot away, and fell, throwing the topmen far out into the sea. The force of the great spar falling upon the deck made a great ''J^'«il;ii!i;!lilll!f!:: , "HULL HER, BOYS!' breach in the quarter of the ship ; and, while the sailors were clearing away the wreck, the " Constitution " drew slowly ahead, pouring in several destructive broadsides, and then luffed slowly, until she lay right athwart the enemy's bow. While in this position, the long bowsprit of the " Guerriere " stretched far across the quarter-deck of the American ship, and was soon fouled in the mizzen-rigging of the latter vessel. Then the two ,ships swung helplessly around, so that the bow of the Englishman lay snugly against the port-quarter of the Yankee craft. Instantly, from \m ,ij;'f8f m H 'ShI '■'; wt Tiilj uml ^ u fil iiS BMIK-JACKKTS OF i,Si2. the deck of each ship ran}; out the short, sharp blare of the l)iii;le, calliiiij away the boarders, wlio sprang; from their {^iiiis, seized their heavy boarding; caps and cutlasses, and rushed to the side. Hut a heavy sea was rollini:; and tossing; the two frij^ates, so that boardin isj t: ; if] ^i. READV TO r.OAUD. (■ the prize-crew was working hard to clear from her decks the tangled mass of rigging, wreckage, and dead bodies, that made the tasks of navi- gation impossible. The ship was rolling like a log, in the trough of the ..ea, and was an easy prize for an enemy of even less strength than the man-of-war which was then bearing down upon her. tir BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 137 The vessel which came rapidly down before the wind was the " Poic- tiers," a British seventy-four-gun ship, which would have been more than a match for the little " Wasp," even though the latter had been fresh and ready for battle, instead of shattered by desperate fight. Seeing no chance for a successful resistance, Capt. Jones determined upon flight, and ordered all hands aloft, to make sail. But the sails when shaken out were found to have been cut tv^ pieces by the " I'Volic's " shot ; and the " Poictiers " soon came alongside, and changed the triumph of the Americans to defeat. Though Capt. Jones and his gallant crew were thus deprived of their hard-won conquest, they received their full meed of praise from their countrymen. They were soon exchanged, voted twenty-five thousand dollars prize-money by Congress, and lauded by every newspaper and legislative orator in the country. The song-writers of the day under- took to celebrate in verse the famous victory, and produced dozens of songs, of which the following stanza may be taken for a fair sample: — l.\ " Like the fierce bird of Jove the ' Wasp ' darted forth, And he the tale told, with amazement and wo r. She hurled on the foe from her flame-spreading arms, The fire-brands of death and the red bolts of thunder. And, oh ! it was glorious and strange to behold What torrents of fire from her red mouth she threw; And how from her broad wings and sul|)lnirous sides. Hot showers of grape-shot and riHe-balls tlew I " Let us now turn to Commodore John Rodgers, whose unlucky cruise at the opening of the war we have already noted. Having refitted his squadron in the port of New York, he set sail on a second cruise, leaving behind him the " Hornet." Again he seemed to have fallen upon unprofitable times, for his ships beat up and down in the highway of commerce without sighting a single sail. After several days of inac- tion, it was determined to scatter the squadron ; and to this end the frigate " United States," Commodore Decatur, and the si.\teen-gun brig 138 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. il " Argus," Capt. Sinclair, left the main body of ships and started off on a cruise in company. After the two ships left the main body. Commo- dore Rodgers met with better success, capturing a Jamaica packet with two hundred thousand dollars in her hold, and chasing a British frigate for two hours, but without overhauling her. In the mean time, the "Argus" had parted from her consort, and was cruising to the eastward on her own account, meeting with fair success. During her cruise she captured six merchantmen, and was herself chased by a liritish squarlron. This chase was almost as memorable as t'' *• of the " Constitution ; " for the little brig was hotly pursued for three .lays and nights, and, to escape her pursuers, v/as obliged to cut away her boats and anchors, and part with every thing movable save her guns. She escaped at last, however, and was for many months thereafter a source of continual annoyance to the commerce of the enemy. After parting with the "Argus," the "United States" had made her course toward the south-east, in the hopes of intercepting some of the British West-Indiamcn. But what the plucky sailors would consider better luck fell to the lot of the frigate. At dawn on a bright Sunday morning, the lookout of the " United States " descried a sail about twelve miles away, on the weather-beam. Sail was crowded on the American frigate, and, urged along by a rattling breeze, she made towards the stranger. As the distance between the ships lessened, and the rigging of the stranger showed her to be a frigate, the enthusiasm among the gallant tars of the " United States " grew apace. Visions of battle, of glory, and, above all, of resultant prize-money, arose in their minds ; and their shouts could be heard by the crew of the distant frigate before the two vessels came within range of each other. The vessel toward which the " United States " was advancing was the " Macedonian," a liritish frigate rating thirty-eight guns, but said to have been carrying forty-nine at this time. She had for some time been reckoned a crack ship of her clasr in the British navy, and her crew was in admirable training. From her quarter-deck and forecastle groups of officers and seamen were watching the on-commg of the American frigate. BLUr-HACKKTS OF 1812. 139 One of the powder-monkeys, named Samuel Leech, of the British ship, told graphically and simply the story of that day's doings on the " Macedonian." "Sunday (Dec. 25, I8^2) came, and it brought with it a stiff breeze," so runs the powder-monkey's tale. "We usually made a sort of holiday of this sacred day. After breakfast it was common to muster the entire crew on the spar-deck, dressed as the fancy of the captain might tlic- tatc, — sometimes in blue jackets and white trousers, or blue jackets antl blue trousers ; at other times in blue jackets, scarlet vests, and blue or white trousers ; with our bright anchor-buttons glancing in the sun, and our black, glossy hats ornamented with black ribbons, and the name of our ship [ tinted on them. After muster we frequently had church- service read by the captain ; the rest of the day was devoted to idleness. But we were destined to spend the rest of the sabbath just introduced to the reader in a very different manner. "We had scarcely finished breakfast before the man at the masthead shouted ' Sail, ho ! ' "The captain rushed upon deck, exclaiming, 'Masthead, there!' " ' Sir ? ' " ' Where away is the sail .-• ' " The precise answer to this question I do not recollect ; but the captain proceeded to ask, 'What does she look like.'*' "'A square-rigged vessel, sir,' was the reply of the lookout. " After a few minutes, the captain shouted again, ' Masthead, there ! ' " ' Sir > ' "'What does she look like.>' "'A large ship, sir, standing toward us.' " By this time, most of the crew were on deck, eagerly straining their eyes to obtain a glimpse of the approaching ship, and murmuring tlieir opinions to each other on her probable character. "Then came the voice of the captain, shouting, 'Keep silence, fore and aft!' " Silence being secured, he hailed the lookout, who to his question of i ^. ' ■I i !! 1 1 1 1' Ei [ ii i % 140 BLUE-JACKETS OF 181 2. ' What does she look like ? ' replied, " A large frigate bearing down upon us, sir.' "A whisper ran along the crew, that the stranger ship was a Yankee frigate. The thought was confirmed by the command of ' All hands clear the ship for action, ahoy ! ' The drum and fife beat to quarters, bulk- heads were knocked away, the guns were released from their confinement, the whole dread paraphernalia of battle was produced ; and, after the lapse of a few minutes of hurry and confusion, every man and boy was at his post ready to do his best service for his country, except the band, who, claiming exemption from the affray, safely stowed themselves away in the cable tier. We had only one sick man on the list ; and he, at the cry of battle, hurried from his cot, feeble as he was, to take his post of danger. A few of the junior midshipmen were stationed below on the berth-deck, with orders, given in our hearing, to shoot any man who attempted to move from his quarters. "As the approaching ship showed American colors, all doubt of her character was at an end. ' We must fight her,' was the conviction of every breast. Every possible arrangement that could insure success was accord- ingly made. The guns were shotted, the matches lighted ; for, although our guns were all furnished with first-class locks, they were also furnished with matches, attached by lanyards, in case the lock should miss fire. A lieutenant then passed through the ship, directing the marines and boarders — who were furnished with pikes, cutlasses, and pistols — how to proceed if it should be necessary to board the enemy. He was fol- lowed by the captain, who exhorted the men to fidelity and courage, urging upon their consideration the well-known motto of the brave Nelson, 'England expects every man to do his duty.' In addition to all these preparations on deck, some men were stationed in the tops with small- arms, whose duty it was to attend to trimming the sails, and to use their muskets, provided we came to close action. There were others, also, below, called sail-trimmers, to assist in working the ship, should it be necessary to shift her position during the battle." Thus, with her men at their quarters, her guns primed, and matches BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 141 lighted, the " Macedonian " bore down to open the action. On the " United States," very similar scenes were being enacted. In some respects, the American frigate was a more formidable ship than the adver- sary she was about to engage. Her battery consisted of fifty-four guns, and some were of heavier calibre than those of the " Macedonian." Her crew, too, was rather larger than that of her adversary. Hut, in most respects, the ships were well matched. Indeed, the commanders of the two ships had met before the opening of the war, and, in conversation, agreed that their vessels were well fitted to test the comparative valor of Yankee and English sailors. Capt. Garden of the "Macedonian " had asked Decatur what would be the probable result, if the two ships were to meet in battle. "Why, sir," responded the American captain, "if we meet with forces that might be fairly called equal, the conflict would be severe ; but the flag of my country on the ship I command shall never leave the staff on which it waves, as long as there is a hull to support it." Such sentiments as this were ever in the heart of the gallant Decatur, whose service in the war of 1812 was but the continuation of his dashing career during the war with Tripoli. A captain of such ardent bravery could not fail to inspire his crew with the same enthusiasm and confidence. In the crew of the "United States" were many young boys, of ages ranging from twelve to fourteen years. At that time many a lad received his warrant as midshipman while still in his tenth year; and youngsters who wished to join the navy as "ship's boys," were always received, although sometimes their extreme youth made it illegal for their names to be formally enrolled upon the roster of the crew. Such was the sta- tion of little Jack Creamer, a ten-year-old boy, who had been serving on the ship for some weeks, although under the age at which he could be legally enlisted. When Jack saw the ICnglish frigate looming up in the di-stance, a troubled look came over his face, and he seemed to be revolving some grave problem in his mind. His comrades noticed his look of care, and rallied him on what they supposed to be his fear f)f the coming conflict. Jack stoutly denied this charge, but said he was '•1 t ^.i :i \ ■ i i it 4j "If I El 142 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1S12. anxious :o speak to the captain before going into action. An old quartermaster marched him up to the quarter-deck, and stood waiting for Capt. Decatur's attention. In a moment the captain noticed the two, and said cheerily, — " Well, Jack, what's wanting now .' " Touching his hat, the lad replied, " Commodore, will you please to have my name put down on the muster-roll .' " "Why, what for, my lad.'" "So that I can draw my share of the prize-money, when we take that Britisher, sir." Amused and pleased with the lad's confidence in the success of the "United States" in the coming battle, Decatur gave the necessary order ; and Jack went back to his post with a jirouder step, for he was now regularly enrolled. The two ships were now coming within range of each other, and a slow, long-distance cannonade was begun, with but little effect ; for a long ground-swell was on, and the ships were rolling in a manner fatal to the aim of the gunners. After half an hour of this playing at long bowls, the Englishman's mizzen top-mast was shot away ; and the cannon-balls from the "States" whizzed through the rigging, and splashed into the water about the " Macedonian," in a way that proved the American gun- ners had the range, and were utilizing it. Capt. Carden soon saw that at long range the American gunners were more than a match for his men, and he resolved to throw prudence to the winds ; and, disdaining all manoeuvring, bore straight down on the American ship that lay almost stationary on the water, pouring in rapid and well-aimed broadsides. Though a gallant and dashing movement, this course led to the defeat of the English ship. The fire of the Americans was deadly in its aim, and marvellous in rapidity. So continuous was the flashing of the dis- charges from the broadside ports, that the sailors on the " Macedonian " thought their adversary was on fire, and cheered lustily. But the next instant their exultation was turned to sorrow ; for a well-directed shot cut away the mizzen-mast, which fell alongside, suspended by the cordage. BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812, 143 "Huzza, Jack!" cried the captain of a gun on the "United States." "We've made a bris of her." "Ay, ay, my lad," said Decatur, who .stood near by; " now aim well at the main-mast, and she'll be a sloop soon." A few minutes later, the captain shouted to the nearest gunner, "Aim at the yellow streak. Her spars and rigging are going fast enough. She must have a little more hulling." This order was immediately passed along the gun-deck, until every gunner was striving his utmost to plant his shot in the hull of the enemy. The effect was terrible. The great missiles crashed through the v/ooden sides of the English frigate, and swept the decks clear of men. She was coming down on the American bravely, and with mani- fest intention of boarding; but so skilfully was the "United States" manreuvred, and so accurate and rapid was her fire, that the " Macedo- nian " was unable to close, and was fairly cut to pieces, while still more than a pistol-shot distant. The " United States," in the mean time, was almost unscathed. The aim of the English gunners was usually too high, and such shots as took effect were mainly in the rigging. After pounding away at the "Macedonian" until the chocks of the forecastle guns on that ship were cut away, her boats cut to pieces, and her hull shattered with more than one hundred shot-holes, the American ship drew away slightly. The British thought she was in retreat, and cheered lustily, but were soon undeceived ; for, after a little manoeuvring, the " United States " ranged up under her adversary's lee, securing a raking position. Before a broadside could be fired, the British hauled down their flag; and the action was ended, after just an hour and a half of fighting. The slaughter on the British frigate had been appalling. From the official accounts, we glean the cold reports of the numbers of the killed and wounded ; but for any picture of the scene on the decks of the defeated man-of-war, we must turn to such descriptions as have been left by eye- witnesses. Sailors are not much given to the habit of jotting down the descriptions of the many stirring scenes in which they play parts in their adventurous careers; and much that is romantic, much that is pic- ; I'l ! ! ^: i\ I I i t 'I 144 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. turcsquc, and much that is of historic value, has thus been lost to history. But of the details of the action between the "Macedonian" and "United States," the sailor-lad already quoted has left an account, probably as trustworthy as should be expected of a witness in his situation. He was stationed at one of the guns on the main-deck ; and it was his duty, as powder-boy, to run to the magazine for powder for his gun. Before the entrance to the magazine was a heavy wooden screen, pierced with a hole through which the cartridges were passed out to the fleet-footed powder-monkeys, as they rushed up for more powder. Each boy, on getting his cartridge, wrapped it in his jacket, that no stray spark might touch it, and dashed off at full speed for his gun, quickly returning for further supplies. With the men all standing pale and silent at the guns, the " Macedo- nian " came on doggedly towards her foe. Three guns fired from the lar- board side of the gun-deck opened the action ; but the fire was quickly stopped by the gruff order from the quarter-deck, "Cease firing: you are throwing away your shot ! " Then came the roar of the opening volley from the American frigate. " A strange noise such as I had never heard before next arrested my attention," wrote the English sailor-lad. " It sounded like the tearing of sails just over our heads. This I soon ascertained to be the wind of the enemy's shot. The firing, after a few minutes' cessation, recommenced. The roaring of cannon could now be heard from all parts of our trem- bling ship ; and, mingling as it did with that of our foes, it made a most hideous noise. By and by I heard the shot strike the sides of our ship. The whole scene grew indescribably confused and horrible. It was like some awfully tremendous thunder-storm, whose deafening roar is attended by incessant streaks of lightning, carrying death in every flash, and strew- ing the ground with the victims of its wrath ; only in our case the scene was rendered more horrible than that by the presence of torrents of blood, which dyed our decks. Though the recital may be painful, yet, as it will reveal the horrors of war, and show at what a fearful price the victory is won or lost, I will present the reader with things as they met my eye during BLUK-JACKETS OF 1812. 145 the progress of this dreadful fight. I was busily supplying my gun with powder, when I saw blood suddenly fly from the arm of a man stationed at our gun. I saw nothing strike him : the effect alone was visible ; and in an instant the third lieutenant tied his handkerchief round the wounded arm, and sent the poor fellow below to the surgeon. " The cries of the wounded now rang through all parts of the ship. These were carried to the cock-pit as fast as they fell, while those more fortunate men who were killed outright were immediately thrown overboard. As I was stationed but a short distance from the main hatchwav, I could catch a glance at all who were carried below. A glance was all I could indulge in ; for the boys belonging to the guns ne.xt to mine were wounded in the early part of the action, and I had to spring with all my might to keep three or four guns supplied with cartridges. I saw two of these lads fall nearly together. One of them was struck in the leg by a large shot ; he had to suffer amputation above the wound. The other had a grape or canister sent through his ankle. A stout Yorkshire man lifted him in his arms, and hurried with him to the cock-pit. He had his foot cut off, and was thus made lame for life. Two of the boys stationed on the quarter-deck were killed. They were both Portuguese. A man who saw one killed afterwards told me that his powder caught fire, and burnt the flesh almost off his face. In this pitiable situation the agonized boy lifted up both hands, as if imploring relief, when a passing shot instantly cut him in two." But the narrative of this young .sailor, a boy in years, is almost too horrible for reproduction. He tells of men struck by three or four mis- siles at once, and hacked to pieces ; of mangled sailors, mortally wounded, but still living, thrown overboard to end their sufferings ; of the monoto- nous drip of the blood on the deck, as desperately wounded men were carried past. The brave seaman who left his bed of sickness for the post of duty had his head carried away by a cannon-ball. The schoolmaster who looked after the education of the midshipmen was killed. Even a poor goat, kept by the officers for her milk, was cut down by a cannon- ball, and, after hobbling piteously about the deck, was mercifully thrown overboard. And this was Sunday, Christmas Day ! ;i -i \'M i i « •i i V:i ii i- i»2 m if li 146 BLUE-JACK KTS OF 181 2. The spot amidships where our sailor-lad was stationed must have been the hottest station in the whole ship. Many years later, as Herman Melville, the author of several exciting sea-tales, was walking the deck of a man-of-war with an old negro, "Tawney," who had served on the "Macedonian," the veteran stopped at a point abreast the main-mast. " This part of the ship," said he, " we called the slaughter-house, on board the ' Macedonian.' Here the men fell, five and six at a time. An enemy always directs its shot here, in order to hurl over the mast, if possible. The beams and carlines overhead in the ' Macedonian ' slaughter-house were spattered with blood and brains. About the hatchways it looked like a butcher's stall. A shot entering at one of the port-holes dashed dead two-thirds of a gun's crew, I'he captain of the next gun, dropping his lock-string, which he had just pulled, turned over the heap of bodies, to see who they were ; when, perceiving an old messmate who had sailed with him in many cruises, he burst into tears, and taking the corpse up in his arms, and going to the side with it, held it over the water a moment, and eying it, cried, ' O God ! Tom ' — ' Hang your prayers over that thing ! Overboard with it, and down to your gun ! ' The order was obeyed, and the heart-stricken sailor returned to his post." Amid such scenes of terror, the British tars fought on doggedly, cheer- ing loudly as they worked their guns, but not knowing why they cheered ; for the officers, at least, could see how surely the battle was going against them. When the " United States " drew away to repair damages, the British officers held a consultation on the quarter-deck. They could not but see that their position was hopeless ; and, knowing all further resist- ance to be folly, the flag was hauled down. To the pride of the officers, the surrender was doubtless a severe blow. But Sam Leech remarks pithily, that to him " it was a pleasing sight ; for he had seen fighting enough for one Sabbath, — more, indeed, than he wished to see again on a week-day." Decatur at once hailed, to learn the name of his prize, and then sent off a boat with Lieut. Allen to take possession. He found the decks of the ship in a fearful state. Many of the crew had found liquor, and HLUK-JACKKTS OF 1S12. 147 wore clrinkinf( heavily. Others were throwin;^ the dead into the sea, carrying the wounded below, and sprinklinj; the deck with hot vinegar, to remove the stains and odor of blood. The dead numbered forty-three, and sixty-one were wounded. An eye-witness of the terrible spectacle writes of it : " Fragments of the dead were distributed in every direction, the decks covered with blood, — one continued, agonizing yell of the unhajjpy wounded. A scene so horrible of my fellow-creatures, I assure you, de- prived me very much of the pleasure of victory." Yet, with all this terrific destruction and loss of life on the "Macedonian," the "United States" was but little injured • and her loss amounted to but seven killed, and five wounded. Indeed, so slight was the damage done to the American ship, that an hour's active work by her sailors put her in trim for a second battle. While Lieut. Allen was examining the muster-rolls of the " Macedo- nian," a sailor pushed his way toward the quarter-deck, and cried out that he was an impressed American, and that he had seven mates aboard, all pressed into the British service. They had all been forced to serve against their country, and in the battle three had been killed. Just before the battle began, they had begged to be sent below, but were peremp- torily ordered to stand by their guns, or expect to be treated as muti- neers. Now that the battle was over, the five who were left alive begged to be taken into the crew of the " United States," which was accordingly done. After the " Macedonian " had been formally taken iwssession of by Lieut. Allen, the British ofificers were removed to the American ship. Some of them were inclined to be very surly over their defeat, and by words and actions showed their contempt for the Americans, whose pris- oners they were. In the first boat which went from the prize to the victor was the first lieutenant of the " Macedonian." As he clambered down the side of his vessel, he noticed that his baggage had not been put in the boat which was to bear him to the American frigate. Turning to Lieut. Allen, he said surlily, — " You do not intend to send me away without my baggage .' " "I hope," responded Allen courteously, "that you do not take us for privateersmen." 1 m ) 'i I I 4 m 148 lU.UIl-JACKKTS OF 1812. il " I am sure I don't know by whom I have been taken," was the rude reply, which so angered Allen that he peremptorily ordered the fellow to take his place in the boat, and be silent. Whatever may have been the demeanor of the British captives, they met with nothing but the most considerate treatment from the American officers. Capt. Garden, on his arrival upon the deck of the victorious frigate, was received with the consideration due his rank and the brave defence of his vessel. He was conducted at once to Decatur's cabin, on entering which he took off his sword, and mutely held it out for Decatur's acceptance. Decatur courteously refused to accept it, saying, " Sir, I cannot take the sword of a man who has defended his ship so bravely ; but I will take your hand." As long as Garden and his officers remained on the ship, they were treated with the greatest consideration, and were allowed to retain all their personal property. ICvery attempt was made to take away from them the bitter remembrance of their defeat. The innate nobility of Decatur's nature is well shown in a letter written to his wife a few days after the action. " One-half of the satisfaction," he says, " arising from this victory is destroyed in seeing the mortification of poor Garden, who deserved success as much as we did who had the good fortune to obtain it." When Garden left the ship, he thanked Decatur for his con- sideration, and expressed a desire to do likewise by the Americans, should he ever be able to turn the tables. Amid the heat of battle and the excitement of success, Decatur did not forget little Jack Greamer, the lately enrolled ship's boy. Shortly after the close of the conflict, he sent for Jack to come to his cabin. Soon a much abashed small boy stood before the captain. " Well, Jack," said the great man, " we did take her, after all." " Yes, your Honor," responded Jack. " I knew we would, before we gave her the first broadside." "And your share of the prize-money," continued Decatur, "may am to two hundred dollars, if we get her safe into port. Now, what are ^. >u going to do with so much money .' " Jack's eyes had lighted up at the thought of such great wealth. BLUE-J-^<-"'^l"l"^ (>!' '•'^'2- 149 " Please, sir," he cried, " I'll send half of it to my mother ; and the rest will get me a bit of schooling." "Well said, Jack," said Decatur warmly; and the interview closed for the time. But the captain's interest in the boy was aroused, and for years he showed an almost fatherly regard for the lad. Jack had his " bit of schooling," then received a midshipman's warrant, and for years served with Decatur, giving promise of becoming an able officer. At last, however, his career was ended by the accidental upsetting of a boat when on a pleasure excursion in the Mediterranean. After putting in for a short time at New London, the two ships, captor and captive, proceeded down the Sound to New York. Here they arrived on the 1st of January, 1813; and the news-writers of the day straightway hailed the "Macedonian" as "a New Year's gift, with the compliments of old Neptune." However, the news of the victory had spread throughout the land before the ships came jp to New York ; for Decatur had sent out a courier from New London to bear the tidings to Washington. A curious coincidence made the delivery of the despatch as impressive as a studied dramatic scene. It so happened that the people of Washington had chosen the night of Dec. 28 for a grand ball, to be tendered to the officers of the navy, and particularly to Capt. Stewart of the "Constellation." A brilliant company was gathered, in honor of the occasion. The Secretary of the Navy, and other cabinet officers, lent their presence to the festivities. Capt. Hull of the victorious " Constitution " was present ; and, to make the affair even more of a triumph, the captured colors of the " Alert " and the " Guerriere " were draped on the wall of the hall. Near midnight, the revelry was at its height. The brilliant toilets of the ladies ; the men, gorgeous in the uniforms of the army, navy, or diplomatic corps ; the light of a thousand wax-candles flashing from a myriad of sconces, — made the scene one of the utmost splendor. All at once, in the midst of the stately measures of the old-fashioned minuet, a murmur rose near the entrance to the hall, and spread until every one was whispering, that news had come of a great naval battle, a victory. Word was brought to ■ ' 1 j 1 !; : v ' 1 i ■ i nm li '4 H 150 BLUE-JACKETS OF 181 2. the Secretary of the Navy. He directed that the bearer of the despatches should be at once admitted ; and, amid cheers and clapping of hands, Lieut. Hamilton entered the hall, and delivered his despatches to hi.s father, the Secretary of the Navy. The tenor of the despatch was soon known to all ; and Lieut. Hamilton turned from the greetings of his mother and sisters, who were present, to receive the congratulations of his brother- officers. I le had brought the colors of the captured ship with him to the city; and Capts. .Stewart and Hull immediately went in seaixh of them, and .soon returned, bearing the flag between them. The two veteran sailors marched the length of the hall, amid the plaudits of the g^.y .om- pany, and laid the colors before Mrs. Madison, — the Dolly Madison who is still remembered as the most popular of the "ladies of the White House." Then the company proceeded to the banquet-hall, where, to the list of toasts already prepared, was added, "The health of Commodore Decatur and the officers and crew of the 'United States.'" Two weeks later, Capt. Decatur and his officers and the crew of the "United States" were sumptuously entertained by the citizens of New York. The officers were tendered a banquet in the great assembly-room of the City Hotel, which was decked with laurel and ship's spars and sails. The chief table at the head of the room, at which sat Mayor De Witt Clinton and Capts. Hull and Decatur, was a marvel of decoration. Its centre was taken up by a sheet of water with grassy banks, bearing on its placid surface a miniature frigate floating at her moorings. ICach of the smaller tables bore a small frigate on a pedestal in the centre of the board. On the wall at the end of the room hung a heavy sail, on which was printed the motto, — OUR CHILDREN ARE THE PROPERTY OF THEIR COUNTRY." After the dinner was ended and the toasts were begun, the health of th<; navy was proposed. At the word, the great sail began to ascend, and, being drawn to the ceiling, disclosed an illuminated transparent painting, showing vividly the scenes of the three great actions won by CLur:-jA(:KF;rs ok i.si^. isi the "Constitution," tlic "United States," and the "Wasp." The whole company rose and cheered, until the walls of the hall fairly run^^ Three days later, the jackies from the forecastle of the " United States " were entertained. They were landed at the Jiattery, and marched in procession to the hotel, headed by a brass band which had been captured with the " Macedonian." Four hundred of the fine fellows were in the line, clad in the dress uniform of the navy of that time. Glazed canvas hats with stiff rims, decked with streamers of ribbon ; blue jackets but- toned loosely over red waistcoats ; and blue trousers with bell-buttons, — made up the toj^^gery of the tar of 1812. As they marched, two by two, through the narrow streets that led to the City Hotel, the populace assembled on the sidewalks and in the windows along the route, greeting the jackies with cheers. The rear was brought up by the usual band of street-urchins, each of whom that day was firm in his determination to be a sailor. After the banquet at the hotel, the sailors were marched to the theatre, where the pit had been set aside for them. The orchestra opened with "Yankee Doodle;" but the first bar had hardly been played, when the cheers of the blue-jackc';s fairly drowned the music, and the musicians were fain to stop. The programme had been arrangeil with special regard to the seafaring audience. Little children bounded upon the stage, bearing huge letters in their hands, aiul, after lightly whirling through the mazes of the dance, grouped themselves so that the letters formed the words, — .' .'('■ HULL. JONES, DECATUR. Then came more cheers from the pit ; and more than one glazed hat soared over the heads of the audience, and fell on the stage, — a purely nautical substitute for a bouquet. Late at night, the sailors returned to their ship, elated with an ovation the like of which has never since been tendered to the humble heroes of the fj)recastle or the ranks. ! •': — *-rj?"5ic-sr3^a— i I J '- CHAITKR VI. OMMAXI) OK THE " O INS lITrTIoS." - Tlir. DI- A."- CLOSE OK THE VEAKS UUSTILITIES ON S Hull and Decatur sat in the K'ly'y docoratod banquet-hall at I'^^yr Now York, and, amid the plaudits ((f the brilliant assembly, drank bumpers to the success of the navy, they litttle thoui,dit that thousands of miles away the j^uns of an American frii^ate were thunderin>;, and the stout-hearted blue-jackets layinj; down their lives for the honor and Ljlory of the United States. Hut so it was. The openinjj; year of the war was not destined to close without yet a fourth naval victory for the Americans ; and, at the very moment when they were so joyfully celebratinji the f;lories already won, Capt. Bainbridj^e in the good ship "Constitution" was valiantly giving battle to a British frigate far south of the ecpiator. Before considering the details of this last action of the year 1812, let lis recount briefly the movements of some American vessels in coniniis- '5^ BLUE-J.\CKF/rs OF 1812. 153 sion at this time. After sending the "Guerrierc" to the hottoni of the sea, and bringing her officers and crew in triumph into lioston, Capt. Hull had voluntarily relinquished tlie command of the "Constitution," in order that some other officer might win laurels with the noble frigate. In his place was appointed Capt. Hainhridge, who had served in the wars with France and Tripoli. After a short time spent in refitting, liainbridge .sailed from Hoston, accompanied by the " Hornet," eighteen guns. The " Ivsse.v," thirty-two, Capt. Porter, was lying in the Delaware at the time Bainbridgc left lioston, and her captain was ordered to cruise in the track of liritish VVcst-Indiamen. After spending some lime in this service, he was to turn southward and visit several South American ports, with a view to joining Bainbridgc. Should he fail to find the " Constitution," he was free to act at his own discretion. This permis- sion gave Porter an opportunity to make a cruise seldom eciualled in naval annals, and which will form the subject of a subsequent chapter. The "Constitution" antl "Hornet" left Hoston on the 26th of Oitoijcr, and shaped their course at once for the south. They put in at two or three ports which had been named to Capt. Porter as meeting-places, but, finding no trace of the " l'2sse.\," continued their cruise. At Port Praya in the island of St. Jago, and at Fernando Noronha, tiie two ships assumed the character of British men-of-war. Officers from whose uniform every trace of the American eagle had been carefully removed went ashore, and, after paying formal visits to the governors of the two islands, requt. ♦^ed permission to leave letters for .Sir James Veo of His Majesty's .service. Though directed to this prominent British naval officer, the letters were intendeil for ("apt. Porter, and contained direitions for his cruise, written in sympathetic ink. After the letters were deposited, the two vessels left ; and we may be sure that the British colors came down from the masthead as soon as the ships were out of sight. The ne.xt point at which the American ships stopped was San Sal- vador, on the coast of Brazil. Here Bainbridgc lay-to outside the harbor, and sent in Capt. Lawrence with the "Hornet" to communicate with the American consul. Lawrence returned greatly e.xcited. In the harbor I I I r '1 - i? f- ! '■ 154 blue-j.\lki:ts of 181 2. he had found the British sloop-of-war " Hoiinc Citoyennc," of twenty fjuns, which was on the point of sailing for ICngland. A more evenly matched adversary for the "Hornet" could not have been found, and the Yankee sailors longed for an engagement. A formal challenge was sent, through the American consul, to the captain of the British ship, rec|uesting him to come out and try conclusions with the "Hornet." Every assurance was offered that the " Constitution " would remain in I'-.CrCV fill'' ' _- i^' ■ J';^;;^ ASSINUNt; ro |!K IlKlllSIl MK\ ii|-\V.\K. the nfTing, and take no part in the battle, which was to test the strength of the two eiju.dly matched ships only. Some days later, this challenge was reduced to writing, and sent to the l-jiglish captain. Hut that officer declined the challenge, giving as his reason the fact that he had in his ship over half a million pounds in specie, which it was his duty to con\ey to ICngland. l-'or him to give battle to the " Hornet," would therefore be unwise, as he would put in jeopardy this money which it was his duty to guard. This response was conclusive, and the ICnglish- man must be admitted to have acted wisely ; but the knowledge of the liLUK-JACKKTS OF 1812. 155 valuable carj;!) of the " Bonne Citoycnne " only increased the desire of the Americans to capture her. The "Hornet" accor(linj,dy remained outside the harbor, as a blockader, while the "Constitution" continued her cruise alone. She had not far to ^^o in order to meet an enemy well worthy of her metal. Three days after partinj,^ with the " Hornet," two sail were made, well in shore. One of the vessels so sighted seemed to make for the land, as thou;;h an.xious to avoid meetinj; the American ship; while the other came about, and made her course boldly toward the "Constitution." It was about nine o'clock on a bri{j;ht December morning that the "Constitution" encountered the strange vessel, which bore down upon her. A light breeze, of sufficient force to enable the vessels to man(Luvre, was blowing ; but the surface of the ocean was as placid as a lake in summer. The build of the stranger left no doubt of her warlike character, ami tlie bold manner in which she sought a meeting with the American ship con- vinced liainbridge that he had fallen in with an enemy. Tiie "Constitu- tion" did not for a time meet the enemy's advances in kind. Hack of the advancing frigate could be seen the low. dark coast-line of iira/il, into whose neutral waters the ICnglishman could retreat, and tiuis gain protection, if the conflict seemed to go against him. Hainbridge deter- mined that the coming battle should be fought beyond the possibilitv of escape for the vanquisheil, and therefore drew away gradually as tiie stranger came on. My noon the two ships were near enough together for flags to be visible, when Hainbridge set his colors, and displayed pri- vate signals. The enemy did the same ; and, though his signals were unintelligible, the Hag that fluttered at the masthead was clearly the Hag of (ireat liritain. Hainbridge continued his retreat for an hour longer, then, being far enough from land, took in his main-sail and royals, and tacked toward tl Englishman. Hy this time the strange sail w'lich had been sighted in company with the English ship had di.sappeared. The low-lying coast of Hrazil had sunk below the horiz(,n. From the deck of the "Constitution," nothing could be seen but the vast circle of placid cicean, and the ICnglish frigate about a mile i ^ . if; 1' li i A r*' : i t li 156 iiLUi:-jACKi:rs of 181 2. R n to the windward, bearing down to open the fight. The drums beat, and the crew went quietly and in perfect order to their quarters. They were no longer the raw, untrained crew that had joined the ship some months before. They were veterans, with the glorious victory over the " Guerriere " fresh in tiieir reniembrnnc;:, and now animated with a desire to add to their trophies the strange vessel then in sight. As the enemy, which proved to be the "Java," thirty-eight, Capt. Lam- bert, came nearer, she hauled down her colors, leaving only a jack Hying. A jack is a small flag hoisted at the bowsprit cap. The Union jack of the United States navy is a blue flag dotted with stars, but without the stripes of the nationrd flag ; the jack of Great Hritain has the scarlet cross of St. George on a blue field. The l-.nglishman's action in hauling down his ensigns puzzled Hainbridge, who sent a shot as an order that they be raised again. The response to this reminder came in the form of a heavy broad- siile, and the action opened. In the light wind that was blowing, the enemy proved the better sailer, and soon forged ahead. His object was to cross the bows of the Ameri- can ship, anil get in a raking broadside, — the end and aim of most of the naval mancLUivring in those days of wooden ships and heavy batteries. Hy skilful seamanship, Hainbridge warded off the danger ; and the fight continued broadside to broadside. The firing on both sides was rapid and well directed. After half an hour of fighting, the " Con.stitution " was seriously crippled by a round shot, which carried away her wheel, and wounded liain))ridge by driving a small copper bolt deep into his thigh. I''or a moment it seemed as though the American ship was lost. Having no control over the rudder, her head fell off, her sails flapped idly against the spars, and the enemy was fast coming into an advantageous position. Hut, though wounded, the indomitable Yankee captain was equal to the occasion. Tackle was rigged upon the rudder-post between decks, and a crew of jackies detailed to work the improvised helm. The helms- men were far out of earshot of the (piarter-deck : so a line of midshipmen was formed from the quarter-deck to the spot where the sailors tugged at tlu' steering-lines. ! > I blui:-j.u;kkts of 1812. O/ 1 lard-u-port ! " IJainbridgc would shout from his station on the quarter-deck. MAklNKS I'U KIM; 111 I Tin: I,N1.MV. " Mard-a-pnrt ! Hard-a-port ! " came the quick resi)onses, as the mid- shipmen passed the word alonj;. And so the ship was steered ; and, not- withstandinj; the loss of her wheel, fairly out-manteuvred her antaj^^jnist. ( , If I , '* ]-\i In, :l m m i5« r.LUr-JACKKTS OK 1812. TIk- first raking hnnulsitlc was delivered by tlie "Constitution," and did terrible execution alonj^ the j^un-deck of the ICnj;lish ship. The two shii)s then ran before the wind, e.\chanj;inj; broadsides at a distance of half pistol-shot. At this j;ame the American was clearly winning : so the J'jiglishnian determined to close and board, in the dashin<;, fearless way that had made the tars of (jreat Britain the terror of ail maritime peoples. The frit^ate bore down on the "Constitution," and struck her on the cjuarter ; the long jib-boom tearing its way through the rigging of the American ship. lUit, while this movement was being executed, the American gunners had not been idle ; and the results (tf their labors were very evident, in the rigging of the "Java." Her jib-boom and bow- sprit were so shattered by shot, that they were on the point of giving way; and, as the ships met, the mizzen-mast fell, crashing through forecastle and main-deck, crushing officer.', and sailors beneath it in the fall, and hurling the topmen into the ocean to drown. The "Constitution" shot ahead, but soon wore and lay yard-arm to yard-arm with her foe. I'or .some minutes the battle raged with desperation. A dense suli)hu- rous smoke hung about tlie hulls of the two ships, making any extended vi.sion impossible. Once in a while a fresher puff of wind, or a change in the position of the ships, would give the jackies a glimpse of their enemy, and show fierce faces glaring from the open ports, as the great guns were drawn in for loading. Then the gray pall of smoke fell, and nothing was to be seen but the carnage near at hand. The officers on the (|uarter-deck could better judge of the progress of the fray ; and, the marines stationed there took advantage of every clear moment to pick off some enemy with a shot from one of their muskets. High up ni the t ons o f thi Constitution" were two small howitzers, with which crews of tojimen, under the command of midshipmen, made lively play with grape and canister ui)on the crowded decks of the enemy. I"'rom the cavernous submarine depths of the cock-pit anring lustily, and not once thinking of surrender, though they saw their fore-mast gone, their mizzcn-mast shivered, even the last flag shot away, and the last gun silenced. When affairs had reached this stage, the "Constitution," seeing no Hag flying on the enemy, hauled away, and set about repairing her own damages. While thus engaged, the main-mast of the "Java" was seen to go by the board, and the ship lay a hopeless wreck upon the water. After making some slight repairs, Hainbridge returned to take possession of his prize, but, to his surjirise, found a jack still floating over the help- less hulk. It was merely a bit of bravado, however; for, as the "Consti- tution " ranged up alongside, the jack was hauled down. The "Java" proved to be a rich prize. She was one of the best of the ICnglish frigates, and had just been especially fitted up for the accommoflation of the governor-general of Bombay and his staff, all of whom were then on board. This added to the regular number of officers and crew more than one hundred prisoners, mostly of high rank in liritish military and social circles. The boarding officer founil the ship so badly cut up that to save her was impossible. Her loss in men, including her captain Henry Lambert, and five midshipmen, was forty-eight, together with one hundred and five wounded, among whom were many officers. The " Constitution " had suffered much less severely, having but twelve killed and twenty wounded. HLL'K-JACKKTS OF 1S12. 161 The ship herself was but little cl;miaj;ecl ; her chief injury beiiiij the loss of her wheel, which was immediately replaced by that of the "Java." Capt. Hainbriilf^e now found himself a ^reat distance from home, with a disabled ship filled with prisoners, many of whom were wounded. Even had the wreck of the "Java" been less complete, it would have been hazardous to attempt to take her back to the United States throu^'h the West India waters that swarmed with Hritish vessels. \o course was open save to take the prisoners aboard the "Constitution," and set the torch to the disabled hulk. To do this was a work of no little difficulty. The storm of lead anil iron that had swept across the decks of the British fri<;ate had left intact not one of the boats that hung from the davits. The "Constitu- tion " had fared better ; but, even with her. the case was desperate, for the Hritish cannonade had left her but two serviceable boats. To trans- fer from the sinkinj,^ ship to the victorious frigate nearly five hundred men, over a hundred of whom were wounded, was a serious task when the means of transfer were thus limited. Three days the "Constitution ' lay by her defeated enemy, and hour after hour the boats plied between the two ships. The first to be moved were the wounded. Tackle was riggeil ovi i the side of the "Java;" and the mangled suiferers, securely lashed ii\ their hammock.s, were gently lowered into the waiting boat, and soon found themselves in the sick-bay of the American shi]), where they received the gentlest treatment from those who a few hours before sought only to slay them. The transfer of the wounded once accomplished, the work proceeded with great ra])idity : and in the afternoon of the third day the "Constitution" was fdled with |)risoners ; and the "Java," a deserted, shattereil hulk, was ready for the last scene in the ilrama of her career. The last boat left the desolate wreck, and, reaching the "Constitu- tion," was hauled up to the davits. The side of the American frigate next to the abandoned ship was crowded with men, who looked eagerly across the water. Through the open jjort-holes of the "Java," a flick- ering gleam could be seen, playing fitfully upon the decks and gun- , 1 I i u i •!9 llil Iff \ I 'If s In H* 1 JHflA 1^ t62 iii,i i;-jA(Ki;is OK isij. caniaj^cs. 'I'hc li;;ht j^ivw hiij^htL-r, and sharp-tonj^ucd fiamus licked llie outside of the iiiill, and sol the taii<;led cordage in a l)lazc. With this the whole ship seemed to hurst into tire, and lay tossinj;, a huj^c ball of flame, on the risin;; sea. When the fire was ra^Mii^ most fiercely, there eaiiu' a terrific explosion, and the <;reat hull was lifted bodily from the water, fallin;; back shattered into countless bits, (iims, anchors, ;ind iron- work dra^^^ed the j^reater part of the wreckage to the bottom ; and when the "Constitution," with all sail set, left the spot, the captive I'Ji.i,dish- men, looking; sadly back, could see only a patch of charred wood-work and cordaj;e lloatin;^ upon the ocean to mark the burial-place of the sturdy fri,i;ale "Java." 'I'he "Constitution" made sail for San Salvador, where the prisoners were landed ; first ^ivini; their paroles not to serve against the " United States" until rei^ularly exchanged. Hainbridgc then took his ship to liostnii, where she arrived in I'ebruary, 1813. The substitution of the wheel of the "Java" for that of the "Con- stitution," shot away in battle, has been alluded to. In his bio^^raphy of (apt. Hainbrid|;e, I'enimore C"ooper relates a story o{ interest renardini; this trophy. It was a year or two after peace was made with l-n,i,dand, ill 1S15, that a Uritish naval officer visited the "Constitution," then Iviii^ at the Moston navy-yard. The frigate had been newly fitted out for a cruise to the Meiliterranean ; and an American officer, with some pride, showed the Ijinlishman over the ship, which was then undoubtedly the finest of American naval vessels. y\fter the tour of the ship had been made, the host said, as they stood chatting on the quarter-deck, — "Well, what do you think of her.'" "She is one of the finest frigates, if not the very finest, I ever put my fool aboard of," responded the I-lnglishman ; " but, as I must find some fault, I'll just say that your wheel is one of the clumsiest things I ever saw, and is unworthy of the vessel." The American officer laughed. "Well, you see," said he, "when the 'Constitution' took the 'Java,' the former's wheel was shot out of her. The 'Java's' wheel was fitted THE LAST OF THE JAVA. : , ! 1 ! J 5:' 511 i fii M ; i , I 11 i ', 1 fi^mM HLUF:-jACKi:'rs of 1S12. 165 on the victorious fri-j;atc, to steer by ; and, although we think it as ugly as you do, we keep it as a trophy." All criticisms on the wheel ended then and there. The defeat of the "Java" closed the warfare on the ocean during 1S12. The year ended with the honors largely in the possession of the United States navy. The British could boast of the capture of but two armed vessels, — the "Nautilus," whose capture by an jverw'elming force we have already noted; and the little brig " Vi.xen," twelve guns, which .Sir James Yeo, with the " S i.ithanipton," thirty-two, had overhauled and captured in the latter i)art of November. The capture of the "Wasp" by the " I'oictiers," when the American sloop-of-war was cut up by her actidii with the " Frolic," was an occurrence, which, however unfortunate for the Americans, reflected no particular honor upon the British arms. Ill opposition to this record, the Americans could bt)ast of victory in four hard-fougiit battles. In no c.ise had they won through any lack ( f valor on tlie part of their antagonists; for the ICnglishmen iiad not sought to avoid tin- battle, and liad fouglit with the dogged v.dor char- acteristic of their iiation. In one or two instances, it is true that the Americans were nioii' powerful than llie foe wiicn they engaged ; but, in sucli cases, the injury inflicted was out of all pioportion to the disparity in size of the combatants. Tiie foiii- great actions resulting in liie defeat of the " (lUerriere," the " I'"rolic, " the "Macedonian," and tiie "Ja\.i," showed conclusively tiial tiie American blue-jackets were e(pia! in courage to the'.. iJn.ish opponents, and far their superiors in coolness, skill, dis- cipI'iK, iiKi self-relianii an( 1 tlu'se ipi.dities may be said to li;i\i- wun thi IMI lis for tiie American na\ v that were conceiled to it |jy a! impartial ol)servers. Ik'sides the victories over the four British ships enumerated, the Americans had captured the " .Alert," and a British transport bcuing a considerable detachment of troops. These ach':vements, as involving no bloodshed, may be set off against the captures of tiie "Nautilus" and "Vixen" by the British. Of the number of British merchant-vessels captured, the records are .so incomplete tiiat no accurate estimate can be i ( f i . IP I ' ( 1^1 1 r 11 > ■ 1 IB . i H i 1 'Hi ' i \Wi \'^\ : 1 66 liMK-J.UKKTS OK i,Si2. niailc. To the naval vessel;-, are accredited forty-six captures among the enemy's merchant-marine, and this estimate is prohahly very nearly accu- rate. Hut with the declaration of war, Portsmouth, Salem, Ne . London, New N'ork, Hallimore, and, indeed, every American seaport, fitted out (ieet privateers to prey upon the enemy's commerce. Die sails of this private armed navy fairly whitened the sea, and few nights were not illuminated by the flames of some burning i)ri/.e. As their thief object was pluiuUr, the aim of the privateers was to get theit prize safely into port ; but, when this was impossible, they were not slow in applying the torch to the captured vessel. I'he injury they indicted upon the enemy was enormous, and the record of their exploits might well engage the indus- try of painstaking historians. As an adjunct to the rcgulai na\y, they were of great service in bringing the war to a happv coiiclusi((n. It is not to be supposed that the I'ritish men-of-war and jirivateers were idle while the Americans were thus sweeping the seas. More than one American vessel set sail boldly trom some little New Mngland port, freighted with the ventures of all classes of tradtsmeii, only to bi- snapped up by a rapacious cruiser. lUit the nurcanlile marine ol the I'niled States was but small, and offered no such rewards to enter|)rising priva- teers as did the goodly fleets of W'est-Indiamen that bore the Hag ot Great Hritain. And so, while the American privateers were thriving and reaping rich rewards of gold and glory, those of tlte British were gradu- ally abantloning privateering in disgust. The .Xnieritan prize-lists grew so large, that the newspapers connnenced tlu' practici' of publi-'-hing weekly a list of the enemy's ships taken during the week past. In lialtimore, Henry Xiles, in his paper "The Weekly Uegister," robbed "The London Xaval ("hionicle" of its vainglorious moitu, — " Tlic winds and seas arc Ilritain's hro.id domain. And not a sail Ixit Ky pcrniissit on sprcuds. This sentiment Nik> printed at the head of his weekly list ol British vessels captured by United States vessels, — a bit of satire not often cqualleil in the columns of Jiewspapers of tu-day. •"^,--^ ^_ -^1 t t>i\ ,.«■( ■S.:. ^-/ CMAITI-K VII. Till. WAK ii\ nil I.\Ki:>.-TIII. .VIT.VCK ON SACKl.TTS IIARIinR. - ))I.I\ I l< IIA/AKl' ri'.KUV tikM.KII) TO LAKE l.kll.- lilt l!A 11 I.I. Hi J'l; I-IN-IIAV. 1^1 I y in- ns iKiw ahM iidun (or ,1 tiiiir (uir considfrat""^ ( if tl U' |i|(»i;i'i'ss war on llu' ocimm, and t'.trn our attintum in of till' j^roat nav a Iniiiiblcr llivatn-, in wlurh llu- drania of l)a(tK' was inoiccdin;; with no loss tic'dit u) tlu' Anu-riian partiiipants, tlioiij^h with CSS ^rand and ins]iinn^ accessories. On tlir u'cat freshwater lakes which skirt the northern frontiii of the Cnited .Statis, the two warring |)ower> contended (ierccly for the mastery. Mnt there were no desiierate (hiels l)etween well-niati hid frigates; nor, indeed, did either the Hiitish or American s(|nadron of tlie lake station boast a craft of snTlicieiit armament to l)c lerme(l a frij^ate, until the war was nearly at an end. \\.\ >.(es, };;unh()ats, sloops, schooners, and hnj^s niadi' up tiie sipKuncus that fought for tlie possession of tiie fresh-w.iter seas ; and few lither of the jackies of the forecastle <»r the olficers of the tjiiarter-deck were bred to the regular service. With such forces il could j)nly happen that the ■67 i V%^ h I I I6S in,ri:-jA(Ki:rs ov isi-. L'luoiinlcrs of the foes should he little more than skirmishes, and that luither in immediali' loss ot lile nor in direct results sliould these skir- inislu's JH' ini|torlant. Such, in fait, was the "general charaeter of the hostilities on the lakes, with two noteworthy exee|)tions, — Perry's vietoi* at I'ut in M.iy. and Mel)onouj;h's successful resistance of the liritish on I.akc Champlain. That the war should invade the usually peaceful w;ilers of Ontario. I'aie, and I'haniplain. was iiu'\ital)le from the physical iharacteristiLs of the nortlu-rn fronlie ■ oi the I'nited States, (ireat Ihitain held Canada ; and an in\asion of her enemy's lerritoiv from that province was a militarv measure, the advisahility of which was evident to the most untaught soldiet. No o\erland (.'.vpedition could liopi' to maki- its wa\- tl»roui.',h the diii^e forests of .Maine, New llam|)shire, \'ermoiit. or the Adiroiulaik re-ion ol Niw N'ork, Hut tlie lakes oiferi'd a tem])lin;; openinj; for iina- sion. I'.n ticularU tlid the placid, na'.i^ahle waters of Lake ("hamplain, stretchiu'' from the tan.ida line far into the heart of Xew \'ork, in\ite tlu' mvaiU'r diile Lakes I'.ri e ,ind ( )ntario afforded an i>ppoitunit\ for atl.ickiui; tlu Americans on what was then, practically, their western front ii I, lie .\n ericans were not slow in perceiving tlu- dangers that threat- eiu'il tluir luMtli westem Irontier. aiul beL;.m to jirepare for its defence nui^t eiur;ietKa Ih a( the first tieclaration of wn It was a wori that t.iNed ti) tlu utnu>sl the rcsomies of the voum: muntrs ri le sluiri's ol tlu aKes as f; 11 wes t as Detroit were ojien to tlie attacks of the I'l u-mv, aiul. .dthou;;h part of the tiiiitory of the Lnited .States, were reallv more aicessihle to tlu in\.iikes, tri'op>, siamen, ordnance, and all munitions of war c(»ulil only he transported fn m the cities on tlu* seacoast hv the nu)st lahoi ious liauiiii}; over road' hardly worthy of the nanuv Noi w,is the transportation |)rohlem solved during; the continuaiu'e of the war When in .'^Liy, \H\.\, the new L'nitei States frigate ".Superior" lay at her doik al .Sackett's llarhor, her oidnance, HLUK-JACKKTS OV 1S12. 169 stores, and cordage had to he hrou^lit from ( )s\vo;^o l-'alls. some fifty miles away. A clear water-route by the Oswej^o River and the lake offered itself; but Sir James \'eo, with his si|uadroii, was blockadiii;^ the mouth of the harbor, and the ehaiue for blockade-runners was ,>mall indeed. To carry the hea\y ordnance and caiiles oviTJand, w;is out ni the question. l"he dilemma was most perplexin-, but N'ankec iMi;eiuiily finally enabled the "Superior" to j;et her outfit. 'I'he equipment was luailed upon a smal' fleet of barj^es and scows, which a veteran lake captain took to a point si.xteen miles from the blockr.ded harbor. \\y sailinj; by niL;lit, and skulking' up creeks and inland water-ways, the transports reached this point without attracting;- the attention of the blockadin;;- fleet. They hail, however, hardly arriveil when news of the enler]irise came to the ears of the liritish, and an expedition was sent to intercept the Americans, which expedition the N'ankees successfully resisted. The (juestion iIkii arose .is to how the stores were t'l be taken across the sixteen miles of m.ir>h and forest that l.iy between the bo. its and the n.ivy-\ard at .Sackitt's Harbor. 'Ihe lannon and lighter stores were trans|:.orted on he.i\\ caits with ^;reat dillicully, but there still remained the ;;reat cable. I low to move this was a serious (iuesti was made in lui}.';e sleds, drawn bv se\eral p.urs of horses, and carrym^ a score or more men e.icl ri le acki es e nliv ened the jouriiev with rollicking- son>.(s and stories as the sleds sped ovi-i the well-packeci roads throu;;h the sparsely settled coimtry. One of the larjjest parties was aceompanieil by a brass bami, with the aid of which the sailors made n t .ii !3 I , '7 1 iii.n: I \( Ki'.rs or isu. tlu'ii' (.'lit rami' ti» the \illai;c^ alnii:; tlu' mail in tiiilv inval ^tvlc. I'lu- .sk'i^liN ami lidiM's wi'ix' ;;ayly dfikt'd with tlu- national colors. Tlu- hand Ii-il in till' fii^t slri:;!!, iIom'Iv follnuril Kv thici' otluT slc(lj;cs, filled witli hliii- (oatnl nu'ii. lU'fniv' tlu' liltU' tawin nt tju' town tiu- rorfi'i^r ii>iiall\' caiiu' to a lialt ; and tln' taiN, di'stcndinu,, lollowcd np tluir rcLiulation clu'cTs with diiiiand.s for i^io;; and pnivcndi-r. AIIlt a halt ol' an hour oi two, thr |)art\ idntinncil its wav, lollowrd hv tlu' adniiialion ol iaimv villa.i^L'r, and iIk- cn\y ol cwry hoy large- i-nou-h to have se.ilarin-- ambitions. With all his cniTu'v and iniswor\in,L; lidilitv to Ihi- rausr ol his toimtry, ('hauni'i'\ |irohal)lv iliera- tions on Lake laie. I'he name of this \oun:; olTieer was ()livei lla/ard l'eir\-, anil a vear latei' no name m Ameriean history eaiiied with it mule l.inu'. Hostilities on Lake i'liie had lieen unimportant up to the time that ('hauneey M'lit loi JV i r) . The Ameiieaiis liad no na\al wssel to op])ose to the Meet ol ( anadian eraft thai held the laki'. ( )ne war-vi'ssel onl\- had shown the Ameriean 111; on the lake; ami she iiad heen lilted out liy tlu' arm\-, and had lalUii into the liamK of the I'Hemv at the sur rendei ol hetroit. Mul this prize was not destined to remain lon;^ in the hand-, of the ('anadiaus. j-^aiK- in the autun-.n of I S i _\ Clianneey had srnt Lieut. I'.lliott to Lake j-aie, with in^t i lut ions to henin at onee the iieation o| a iK-rl In huildiii:;' or punhasini; vessels. Llliott i hosj as the siti- III lii-> impro\isi-d na\ v-vanl IMaek Roek, a point two miles lielow lUillalo ; and iheie pushed ahead his work in a wav that soon eon- \ineed the i-nemw th.it, unless the voun^; olVieer's i-nern'V re(-eived a eheek, Hiitish siipremaev on I.aki- Lrie wouM smm hr at an i-nd. ;\t-eordin,L;lv, two armed hri-s, the "(aK-donia " and the " Detroit," reeeiUlv captured hv the British, eame down to put an vwd to tin- \'ankee ship-huildiiiL;. Like most of tlu- enemv's vessels on the lakes, these two l)riu,s were maimed by Canadians, and had not e\en the ad\antaj;e of a rcj.'ular naval conmiander. r ' 1 f'l m li : - IV il SAILORS BOUND FOR IHF. LAKES. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) V. 1.0 I.I - IB |||m ^ 2.0 la 1.8 ! 1.25 1.4 1 6 ;: 6" ► V] <^ /a 'cr^l ■c). "W/ > y ^ Ss >^ J % Photographic Sdences Corporation 23 yVKT MAIN ST"SET WEBSYER.N.Y. 14580 (7U>) 872-4503 ,\ iV -i"^ ^^ i\ \ '^^% % ^^ 6^ t/j 6^ i BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 177 On the morning of the 8th of October, the sentries on the river-side at Black Rock discovered the two British vessels lying at anchor under the guns of Fort Erie, a British work on the opposite side of the Niagara River, that there flows placidly along, a stream more than a mile wide. Zealous for distinction, and determined to checkmate the enemy in their design, Elliott resolved to undertake the task of cutting out the two vessels from beneath the guns of the British fort. Fortune favored his enter- prise. It happened that on that very day a detachment of sailors from the ocean had arrived at Black Rock. Though wearied by their long overland journey, the jackies were ready for the adventure, but had no weapons. In this dilemma Elliott was forced to turn for aid to the military authorities, from whom he obtained pistols, swords, and sabres enough to fit out his sailors for the fray. With the arms came a number of soldiers and a small party of adventurous citizens, all of whom enlisted under the leadership of the adventurous Elliott. In planning the expedi- tion, the great difficulty lay in getting rid of the too numerous volunteers. By nightfall, the preparations for the expedition were completed. In the underbrush that hung over the banks of the river, two large boats were concealed, ready for the embarkation. At midnight fifty men, armed to the teeth, silently took their places in each of the great barges, and pushed out upon the black surface of the river. All along the bank were crowds of eager watchers, who discussed the chances of success with bated breath, lest the merest whisper should alarm the British sentries on the farther shore. With steady strokes of the muffled oars, the two boats made their way toward the two brigs that could just be seen out- lined against the sky. Elliott, in the first boat, directed the movements of his men, and restrained the too enthusiastic. So stealthy was the approach, that the foremost boat was fairly alongside of the "Detroit" before the British took the alarm. Then the quick hail of the sentry brought an answering pistol-shot from Elliott ; and, amid volleys of mus- ketry, the assailants clambered up the sides of the brigs, and with pistol and cutlass drove the startled crew below. So complete was the surprise, that the British made but little resistance ; and the cables of the brigs i !ii* 'i ! i \\ I i r 11 178 blue-jacki-:ts of 1812. were cut, sails spread, and the vessels under way, before the thunder of a gun from Fort Erie told that the British on shore had taken the alarm. At the report of the first shot fired, the dark line of the American shore suddenly blazed bright with huge beacon fires, while lanterns and torches were waved from commanding points to guide the adventurous sailors in their navigation of the captured brigs. But the victors were not to escape unscathed with their booty. The noise of the conflict, and the shouts of the Americans on the distant bank of the river, roused the British officers in the fort, and the guns were soon trained on the reced- ing vessels. Some field-batteries galloped along the bank, and soon had their guns in a position whence they could pour a deadly fire upon the Americans. Nor did the spectators on the New York side of the river escape unharmed ; for the first shot fired by the field-battery missed the brigs, b it crossed the river and struck down an American officer. Almost unmanageable in the swift current and light wind, the two brigs seemed for a time in danger of recapture. The " Caledonia " was run ashore under the guns of an American battery ; but the " Detroit," after being relieved of the prisoners, and deserted by her captors, was beached at a point within range of the enemy's fire. The British made several deter- mined attempts to recapture her, but were beaten off ; and, after a day's fighting around the vessel, she was set on fire and burned to the water's edge. The "Caledonia," however, remained to the Americans, and some months later did good service against her former owners. It was shortly after this occurrence that Lieut. Perry offered his services for the lakes ; and four months later he received a letter from Chauncey, saying, " You are the very person that I want for a particular service, in which you may gain reputation for yourself, and honor for your country." This letter was quickly followed by orders from the Sec- retary of the Navy to report at once for duty to Chauncey at Sackett's Harbor. Per»-y was overjoyed. The dull monotony of his duties at Newport suited little his ardent nature. He longed for active service, and an opportunity to win distinction. His opportunity had at last come ; and twenty hours after the receipt of his orders, he and his thirteen- w 1}Lui:-tacki:ts of i.si-. 1/9 year-old brother were seated in a sleigh and fairly started on the long drive across the country. Travelling was a serious matter in those days, and the journey from Newport to Sackett's Harbor required twelve days. On his arrival, Perry found that the special service for which he was needed was the command of a naval force on Lake Erie. He stopped but a short time at Sackett's Harbor, and then pressed on to I^rie, the base of the naval operations on che lake of the same name. It was late in March when Perry arrived ; and the signs of spring already showed that soon the lake would be clear of ice, and the struggle for its control recommence. The young lieutenant was indefatigable in the labor of prejjaration. He urged on the building of vessels already begun. He arranged for the purchase of merchant schooners, and their conversion into gunboats. He went to Pittsburg for supplies, and made a flying trip to Buffalo to join Chauncey in an attack upon Fort George at the mouth of the Niagara River. All the time, he managed to keep up a constant fire of letters to the Secretary of the Navy and to Chauncey, begging for more sailors. By oummertime, he had five vessels ready for service, but no men to man them. The enemy blockaded him, and he dared not accept the challenge. In July he wrote to Chauncey: "The enemy's fleet of si.\ sail are now off the bar of this harbor. What a golden opportunity if we had men ! . . . Give me men, sir, and I will acquire both for you and myself honor and glory on this lake, or perish in the attempt." Again he wrote: "For God's sake, and yours and mine, send me men and officers ; and I will have them all [the British squad- ron] in a day or two." When the men finally did arrive, he was much disgusted with their appearance, pronouncing them to be " a motley set, — blacks, soldiers, and boys." Nevertheless, this same motley crew, headed by the critical young officer, won a victory that effectually crushed the pretensions of the enemy to the control of Lake Erie. His crews having arrived. Perry was anxious to get out upon the lake, and engage the enemy at once. But this course of action was for a long time impossible. The flotilla lay snugly anchored within the V ' \ \ I H In fii I! I i8o 15LUi:-JACKETS OF 1812. 1^ ' if harbor of Eric, the entrance to which was closed by a bar. lo cross this bar, the ships would have been obliged to send all heavy ordnance ashore ; and, as the enemy kept close watch outside the harbor, the y^^^ ... ;,. . . mi ^ 7 PERKY'S RECRUITS. Si- 1 American fleet was practically blockaded. For several weeks the Ameri- cans were thus kept prisoners, grumbling mightily at their enforced inaction, and longing for a chance to get at the enemy. One morning in August word was brought to Perry that the blockading fleet had dis- appeared. Instantly all was life and 'mstle in the harbor. The crews BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. iSl of all the vessels were ordered aboard ; and the flotilla dropped down to the bar, intending to cross early in the morning. At dawn the move- ment was begun. The schooners and other small craft were easily taken outside ; but, when it came to the turn of the two gun-brigs, " Lawrence " and " Niagara," it became evident that mechanical assist- ance was required. Accordingly, a powerful "camel" was hastily impro- vised, by the aid of which the two vessels were dragged across the bar. Hardly had the second brig made the passage in safety, when the liritish fleet appeared in the offlng. Tradition says that the opportune absence of the enemy's fleet was caused by a public banquet to which the citi- zens of Port Dover had invited Commodore Barclay and his officers. While the dinner was going merrily on, the Americans were hard at work, escaping from the trap in which the British had left them. In responding to a toast at the banquet, Barclay said, " I expect to find the Yankee brigs hard and fast on the bar at Erie when I return, in which predicament it will be but a small job to destroy them." His anticipa- tions were not realized ; for, on his arrival, he found the entire squadron safely floating in the deep water outside the bar. Had Barclay but known it, he would even then have found it "but a small job to destroy them ; " for the two brigs, having been stripped of their ordnance, would have been easy prey for the British squadron. But Perry's bold action in seiiding forward two schooners to engage the enemy seemed to alarm the too prudent commodore ; and the British bore away, and were soon out of sight. By night Perry's flotilla was in readiness for cruising, and set out immediately in pursuit of the foe. Barclay seemed to avoid the conflict ; and, after some weeks' cruising, the Americans cast anchor at Put-in-Bay, and awaited there the appearance of the enemy. The little flotilla that lay anchored on the placid waters of the pictur- esque bay consisted of nine vessels, ranging in size from the "Trippe," a puny sloop carrying one gun, to the " Lawrence " and " Niagara," brigs carrying each two long twelves and eighteen short thirty-twos. No very formidable armada was that of a handful of pygmy vessels, commanded by •> : 1 -i V f i\ ill . 1 ; !j ' ; :»! 'IJ- ( ; I M M I I ; I : 182 15LUE-JACKETS OF 1S12. a young officer who had never heard the thunderous cannonade of a naval battle, or seen the decks of his ships stained with the blood of friends and daily companions. Yet the work of the little squadron save:! the United States from invasion, won for the young commander a never-dying I; fame, and clothed the vine-clad hills, the pebbly beaches, and the DRILLING THE RAW RECRUITS. crystal waters of Put-in-Bay with a wealth of proud, historical associations. Day after day the vessels lay idly at their anchorage, and the sailors grew restless at the long inactivity. Perry alone was patient ; for to him had come the knowledge that the hostile fleet was getting short of sup- plies, and would soon be starved out of its retreat at Maiden. Knowing this, he spared no pains to get his men into training for the coming con- V BLUE-JACKETS OF 1S12. iSj^ flict. They were exercised daily at the great guns, and put through severe drills in the use of the cutlass, in boarding, and repelling boarders. Hy constant drill and severe discipline. Perry had made of the motley crew sent him a well-drilled body of seamen, every man of whom had become fired with the enthusiasm of his commander. As the time passed, and the day of battle drew nearer. Perry's confi- dence in his men increased ; and he looked upon the coming conflict as one certain to bring glory to his country. At early dawn the jackies on the ships could see the slender form of their commander perched upon the craggy heights of one of the islands, called to this day " Perry's Lookout," eagerly scanning the horizon in the direction of INIaldcn. On the night of Sept. 9, 1S13, the commodore felt convinced that on the next day the British would come out to battle. Accordingly, a confer- ence of captains was called in the cabin of the flag-ship, and each received directions as to his course of action during the fight. They were urged to force the fighting to close quarters. Said Perry, " Nelson has expressed my idea in the words, ' If you lay your enemy alongside, you cannot be out of your place.' " As the officers were about to depart, Perry drew from a locker a large, square blue flag, on which appeared, in white letters, the dying words of the gallant Lawrence, "Don't give up the ship!" "This," said Perry, "shall be the signal for action; and when it appears at the masthead, remember your instructions." The conference then ended ; and the captains returned to their ships across the bay, silvered by the light of the moon, to spend the greater part of the night in preparations for the great danger of the coming day. Morning dawned bright and clear, with a light breeze blowing, that broke into ripples the surface of the land-locked bay. The rosy light of the rising sun was just reddening the eastern horizon, when, from the lookout in the foretop of the " Lawrence," came the long-drawn hail of "SaiT, ho?" qufckly rqTcated from the other vessels. Perry was already on deck. " What does it look like ? " he shouted to the lookout. "A clump of square rigged, and fore and afters, sir," was the response. m ^u V' t1 ! I i!1 i '- iii «nr 9 ;« I II I 184 r.i,ri:-i.\(Ki:i's of isi.^ Ill ;i few niiniitcs the sii;nals " I'"ncmy in si;;ht," and "(ict under way," were flying from the masthead of the flag-sliip ; and th.e merry piping of the l)()atswain.s' wliistles, and the measinx'd tramp of the sailors around the capstans, told that signals were observed, and were being obeyed. The fleet was soon threading its way through the narrow channels, tilled with islands, at the entrance to the bay, and finally came into line on the open lake. Not a cloud was in the sky. The lake was calm, with enough wind blowing to admit of manoeuvring, yet gentle enough to be of advantage to the schooners that made up the greater part of each fleet. For some time the Americans held back, manoeuvring to get the weather-gauge ; but Perry's impatience for the fray got the better of his caution, and he determined to close at once. His first officer remon- strated, saying, "Then you'll have to engage the enemy to leeward." " I don't care," responded the commodore. " Leeward or windward, they shall fight to-day." Then, turning to the quartermaster, he called for the battle-flag, which being brought, he mustered the crew aft, and addressed them briefly, telling them of the task before them, and urging them to fight bravely for the victory. " I\Iy brave lads," he concluded, "this flag bears the last words of Capt. Lawrence. Shall I hoist it.?" "Ay, ay, sir! " cried the jackies, in unison ; and, as the flag was swiftly run to the masthead, the cheers of the sailors on the deck of the " Law- rence " were echoed from the neighboring vessels, as the white letters showed boldly against the blue flag, bearing to each commander the exhortation, " Don't give up the ship ! " The battle-signal being thus displayed, the vessels moved onward to the attack. As the crew of the "Lawrence" stood at their guns, the cooks passed along the decks, handing to each man a bit of food, that his strength might not leave him in the coming struggle. Then followed boys with boxes of sand, which they strewed upon the decks, to afford a firm foothold for the men at the guns. The hammocks were stowed along the nettings, to serve as some little protection against flying shot. The men stood silent and pale at their quarters, each occupied with his i' i BEFORE THE BATTLE. n t i! i,: .! !i! ft i : \ ?f? i!i,L'i:-IACKi;rs of 1812. iS: own grave thoughts, but all dctorminecl to fight like brave men and true for the honor of the flag. Hy Perry's side stood his brother, a boy thirteen years old, armed and ready to do his duty as well as the older men. The Ikitish came on gallantly, liarclay had lost all his diffidence, and brought up his vessels like a veteran. His ships were kept close together; the ship "Detroit" under short sail, that the pygmy sloop " Little Belt " might not be left in the rear. The Americans came ilown in single file, headed by the schooner " Scorpion." Suddenly through the still air rang out the sharp notes of a bugle-cull on the enemy's flag-ship. It was the signal for action ; and, as the last notes died away, the bands struck up " Rule, Britannia." The Americans answered with cheers; and in the midst of the cheering, a jet ■ : smoke and fire spurted from the side of the "Detroit," and a heavy shot splashed into the water near the "Lawrence," while a dull, hcavj- i iport came looming over the water. The battle was opened, bu^ five minutes r^ipstd before a second shot was fired. When it did come, it crashed thnuigh the bulwarks of the " Lawrence," and sped across her deck, doing no great damage. " Steady, lads, steady," cried Perry, from his post 011 the quarter-deck, a;., lie saw an uneasy stir among his men, who longed to return the fire. The com- modore was determined to fight at close quarters, and hung out signals for each ship to choose its antagonist, and fight the fight out for itself. It was then high noon, and the battle soon became general. The little schooners " Scorpion " and " Ariel " pluckily kept their place in the van of the American line, but the fire of the enemy fell most fiercely upon the flag-ship " Lawrence." No less than four vessels at one time were grouped about the " Lawrence," pouring in a destructive fire, and bent upon destoying the flag-ship and her brave commander ; then taking the smaller vessels in detail. The " Lawrence " fought bravely, but the odds were too great. The carronades with which she was armed were no match for the long guns of her adversaries. For two hours the unequal combat raged, and no American vessel came to the aid of the sorely smitten flag-ship. Amid the hail of cannon-balls and bullets, Perry 4 n ! I m^ i88 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. f 1.!'' f ■ seemed to bear a charmed life. He saw his officers and men falling all about him. John Brooks, the lieutenant of marines, fought by the com- modore's side. While speak- ing cheerfully to the commo- dore, a cannon-ball str"ck the young lieutenant on the hip, dashing him across the deck against the bulwark, and mutilating him so, that he plead piteously with Perry, imploring that he might be put out of his misery with a pistol-shot. From this awful spectacle Perry turned to speak to the captain of a gun, when the conversation was abruptly cut short by a shot which killed the seaman instantly. Perry i-eturned to the quarter-deck. The first lieutenant came rushing up, his face bloody, and his nose swelled to an enormous size, from a splinter which had per- forated it. " All the officers in my division are killed," he cried. " For God's sake, give me more ! " Perry sent some men to his aid ; but they soon fell, and the cry for more men arose again. One of the surgeons who served in the cock- pit on that dreadful day states, that, in the midst of the roar of battle. Perry's voice was heard calling down the hatchway, and asking any COMMODORE PERRY AT THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 189 surgeons' mates who could be spared, to come on deck and help work the guns. Several went up ; but the appeal was soon repeated, and more responded. When no more men could be obtained, the voice of the commodore took a pleading tone. " Can any of the wounded pull a rope.'" said he; and such was his ascendency over the men, that several poor mangled fellows dragged themselves on deck, and lent their feeble strength to the working of the guns. Amid all the carnage, the sailors were quick to notice the lighter incidents of the fray. Even the cock-pit, filled with the wounded, and reeking with blood that dripped through the cracks in the deck above, once resounded with laughter as hearty as ever greatcd a middy's after- dinner joke in the steerage. Lieut. Yarnall received a bad scalp-wound, which fairly drenched his face with blood. As he groped his way towards the cock-pit, he passed a lot of hammocks stuffed with "cat-tails" which had been stowed on the bulwarks. The feathery down of the " cat- tails " filled the air, and settled thick upon the head and face of the officer, robbing his countenance of all semblance to a human face. As he descended the ladder to the cock-pit, his owl-like air roused the wounded to great shouts of laughter. "The Devil has come among us," they cried. While talking to his little brother, Perry to his horror saw the lad fall at his feet, dashed to the deck by an unseen missile. The com- modore's agony may be imagined ; but it was soon assuaged, for the boy was only stunned, and was soon fighting again at his post. The second lieutenant was struck by a spent grape-shot, and fell stunned upon the deck. He lay there for a time, unnoticf^d. Perry raised him up, telling him he was not hurt, as no blood could be seen. The lieutenant put his hand to his clothing, at the point where the blow had fallen, and dis- covered the shot lodged in his coat. Coolly putting it in his pocket, he remarked, "You are right: I am not hurt. But this is my shot," and forthwith returned to his duty. It was a strange-looking body of men that fought at the guns of the "Lawrence." Lean, angular Yankee sailors from the seafaring commu- '. 9 ' ! n I ! 190 blue-jackp:ts of 1812. 'i nities of New ICngland stood by the side of swarthy negroes, who, with their half-naked black, bodies, in the dense powder-smoke, seemed like fiends in pandemonium. In the rigging were stationed a number of Ken- tucky riflemen, who had volunteered to serve during the battle. The buckskin shirts and leggings gave an air of incongruity to their presence on a man-of-war. Their unerring rifles, however, did brave service for the cause of the stars and stripes. At the opening of the action, two tall Indians, decked in all the savage finery of war-paint and feathers, strode the deck proudly. But water is not the Indian's element, and the battle had hardly begun when one fled below in terror ; the other remained on deck, and was killed early in the action. Courageous and self-confident though the American commander was, the moment came when he could no longer disguise the fact that his gallant flag-ship was doomed to destruction before the continuous and deadly fire of her adversaries. There was but one course of action open, and upon this he determined at once. He would transfer his flag to the "Niagara," and from the deck of that vessel direct the movements of his fleet. Accordingly, the only uninjured boat of the "Lawrence" was lowered ; and Perry sprang into the stern, followed by his little brother. Before the boat pushed off, the battle-flag was thrown into her ; and, wrapping it about him. Perry took a standing position in the stern, and ordered the oarsmen to give way. He steered straight for the " Niagara," through the very centre of the fight. The enemy quicky grasped the purpose of the movement, and great guns and muskets were trained on the little boat. Shot of all sizes splashed in the water about the boat, splintered the oars, and buried themselves in the gunwale. The crew begged their commander to sit down, and make himself a less conspicu- ous target for the fire of the enemy ; but Perry paid but little attention to their entreaties. Suddenly the men rested on the oars, and the boat stopped. Angrily the commodore demanded the cause of the stoppage, and was told that the men refused to row unless he sat down. With a smile he yielded, and soon the boat was alongside the "Niagara." Perry sprang to the deck, followed by his boat's crew and a plucky sailor who BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 191 had swum just behind the boat across the long stretch of water. Hardly a glance did the commodore cast at the ship which he had left, but bent all his faculties to taking the new flag-ship into the battle. 1L-r^^^ ■.^r'ii'iS /r "\ M M d i\ Mi^ *: m m W m MAKING READY TO LEAVE THE "LAWRENCE." The " Niagara " was practically a fresh ship ; for, up to this time, she had held strangely aloof from the battle. Now all was to be changed. The battle-flag went to her masthead ; and she plunged into the thick of the fight, striking thunderous blows at every ship she encountered. As *i , f I ' i ' M H li-il; ^ I 192 BLUE-JACKI'TS OF 181 2. she passed the Ameriean lines, the sailors greeted with cheers their gallant commander. The crippled " Lawrence," an almost helpless hulk, left far behind, was forced to strike her flag ; although her crew protested loudly, crying out, "Sink the ship, and let us go down with her." liut the conquered vessel was not destined to fall into the hands of her enemies. Already the sight of their commodore on a fresh vessel stimu- lated the American tars ; so that in half an hour the l^ritish line was broken, their ships cut to pieces, and the "Detroit," their flag-ship, a prize to the "Niagara." A white handkerchief was waved at the end of a pike by one of the crew of the "Princess Charlotte." The firing sto])ped, the flag was again run up to the masthead of the " Lawrence," while a few feeble cheers came faintly over the water from the remnant of her crew. The dense clouds of smoke blowing away. Perry saw, by the disposi- tion of his squadron, that the victory was secure. Hastily catching off his navy-cap, he laid upon it a sheet of paper torn from an old letter, and wrote to (ien. Harrison the famous despatch, " U'c have uict the riu-iiiy, ami they are ours, — ttco ships, tivo brigs, one scJiooncr, and one sloop. Then, with true chivalry, he determined that to his flag-ship "Law- rence," that had so stoutly borne the brunt of battle, should belong the honor of receiving the British captains, when they came to surrender their vessels. He returned to the " Lawrence ; " but the scene there was such that even the excitement of victory could raise no feelings of exultation in his breast. He saw on every side the bodies of officers with whom, but the night before, he had dined in perfect health. The decks were red with blood, and from the cock-pit arose the groans of the wounded. After the formal surrender, to make which the officers picked their way over the deck covered with slain to the quarter-deck, the work of burying the dead of both squadrons was begun. It was about sundown that the sad ceremonies were held ; and, as the deep tones of the chap- lains reading the burial-service arose upon the evening air, the dull, mournful splashing of heavy bodies in the water told that the last scene in the great victory was drawing to an end. ■ *•! '■ !' "".jw.' ' 'w> . ^ aaw.Hj ij'! ' ; ' ■>^- ''> * *• '' v.: ■.■ ""^W^ PERRY UNDER FIRE. i nii |: 1 t .It .. 'i \ ^ >" * '1 \ : . ,f.jl: r lii . ; ; ' ■ i' ii^ ^ i ■' 1' 8 !:.' !: ih IP ' ■ 6 CHAPTER VIII. ox THE OCEAN. — THE "HORNET" SINKS THE " PE.ACOCK." — THE BI.OCK.ADE. — .ADVEN- TURES OF TH E" SALLY." — HOSTILiriES ON CHESAPEAKE BAY. — THE CRUISE OF THE " PRESIDENT." HE year 1813, that brought to American sailors upon the lakes such well-earned laurels, opened auspiciously for the stars and stripes upon the ocean. It will be remembered that the "Con- stitution," while on the cruise in the South Atlantic that ended with the destruction of the "Java," had left the " Hornet " off San Salvador, blockading the British ship "Bonne Citoycnne." For eighteen days the " Hornet " remained at her post. Her captain continually urged the enemy to come out and give him battle, but to no avail. The remembrance of his valuable cargo deterred the Englishman, and he remained snug in his harbor. Months after, when the occurrence becanie known in the United States, an unreasoning outcry was raised against the commander of the "Bonne Citoyenne " for thus avoiding the conflict; but naval men have always agreed that his action was wise and commendable. After eighteen days' service on this blockade, the " Hornet " .saw a British seventy-four bearing down upon her, bent upon releasing the treasure-ship. Against such odds it would have been folly to contend ; I Hi ii !1 196 BLUK-JACKETS OF 1812. and the Americans, taking advantage of a dark night, slipped away, and were soon beyond pursuit. The vessel continued her cruise in the waters south of the equator, meeting with good fortune, and taking many valuable prizes, from one of which twenty-three thousand dollars in specie were taken. But her cruise was not destined to proceed without serious opposition. On the 24th of February, as the " Hornet " was giving close chase to a suspicious brig near the mouth of the Demarara River, a second stranger was sighted in the offing. Giving no heed to the newly sighted vessel, the " Hornet " continued her chase until the rapidly approaching vessel was clearly made out to be a brig, flying the British flag, and evidently a man-of-war. The " Hornet " was immediately cleared for action ; and the two hostile vessels began manoeuvring for the weather-gage, as two scientific pugilists spar cautiously for an opening. In this contest of sea- manship, Capt. Lawrence of the " Hornet " proved the victor ; and a little after five o'clock in the afternoon, the two enemies stood for each other upon the wind, the " Hornet " having the weather-gage. As they rapidly neared each other, no sound was licard save the creaking of the cordage, and the dashing of the waves against the vessels' hulls. Not a shot was fired until the enemies were dashing past each other, going in opposite directions. The first broadsides were exchanged at half pistol-shot, with very unequal effects. The shot of the " Hornet " penetrated the hull of her antagonist, doing terrible execution ; while the broadside let fly by the " Peacock " whistled through the rigging of the American ship, cut- ting away the pennant, and killing a topman, who was struck by a round shot, and dashed from his station in the mizzen-top, to fall mangled and lifeless into the sea. Hardly were the ships clear, when the British captain put his helm hard up, — a manoeuvre executed with the intention of securing a raking position. But the plan was balked by the cool seamanship of Capt. Lawrence, who quickly followed up the British vessel, and, getting a posi- tion on his quarter, poured in so rapid and accurate a fire that the enemy was fain to haul down his colors and confess defeat. The British ensign n f BLUE-JACKKTS OF 1812. I; 197 had hardly touched the deck, when it was run up again, with the union down, as a token of distress. At this sight, the Yankee tars, who had been cheering lustily over their quickly won victory, stopped their rejoi- cings, and set about giving assistance to the injured Britons with as hearty good-will as they had lately shown in their vigorous cannonade. With all possible despatch, a boat was lowered, and Lieut. Shubrick proceeded on board the prize. He found the " Peacock " a complete wreck. Shortly after the surrender her main-mast had gone by the board, and her hull was fairly honeycombed with shot-holes. Returning to his ship, Shubrick reported the condition of the prize. He was immediately ordered to return to the " Peacock," and make every effort to save her. Accompanied by three boats' crews of American sailors, he again boarded the sinking ship, and bent every energy to the attempt for her salvation. Bulwarks were cut away, and the heavy guns were rolled out of the gaps thus made, and cast into the sea. Deep down in the hold, and swinging like spiders over the sides of the vessels, sailors tried to stop up with felt-covered blocks of wood the great holes through which the water was pouring. All the time boats were plying between the sinking vessel and the " Hornet," transferring the wounded and the prisoners. Twilight fell before the work was ended, and it became evident to all that the " Pea- cock " must sink during the night. But the end came even quicker than had been expected. Some new rent must have opened in the brig's side ; for, with a sudden lurch, she commenced to sink rapidly, bow foremost. Several of the English crew were below, searching for liquor ; and, caught by the inpouring flood, they found a watery grave in the sinking hulk. Three Americans were also ingulfed ; and five narrowly escaped death by climbing up the rigging to the foretop, which remained above water when the hull rested upon the bottom. In the midst of the excitement and confusion, four British seamen slyly clambered out of the cabin-windows, and, dropping into a boat that was made fast to the stern, made off in the darkness. The Americans, eagerly watching the sinking ship, did not detect the fugitives until the boat was far beyond the possibility of recapture. > I \ I i I III I: i h I 198 BLUE-JACKETS OF 181 2. ! i { The vessel so quickly destroyed by the " Hornet " was the British man-of-war brig " Peacock," mounting ten guns, and carrying a crew of two hundred and ten men. In one respect, she was a model ship. Among naval men, she had long been known as " the yacht," on account of the appearance of exquisite neatness she always presented. Her decks were as white as lime-juice and constant holystoning could keep them. The brass-work about the cabins and the breeches of the guns was dazzling in its brilliancy. White canvas lined the breechings of the carronades. Her decks everywhere showed signs of constant toil in the cause of cleanliness. The result of the battle, however, seemed to indicate that Capt. Peakes had erred, in that, while his ship was perfect, his men were bad marksmen, and poorly disciplined. While their shot were harmlessly passing through the rigging of the " Hornet," the Americans were pouring in well-directed broadsides, that killed and wounded thirty-eight men, and ended the action in fifteen minutes. The Americans lost but one man in the fight, though three more went down in the sinking prize. Capt. Lawrence now found himself far from home, short of water, and crowded with prisoners. For a time, he feared that to these evils was to be added a second action, while his crew was still fatigued with the labors of the first. During the battle with the "Peacock," a second British man-of-war brig, the " Espi^gle," lay quietly at anchor only four miles away. Why she had not joined in the strife, has never been explained. She was clearly visible from the tops of the " Hornet " throughout the action, and Lawrence expected every moment to see her bear down to the assistance of her consort. But she made no move- ment ; and even after the fight ended, and the " Peacock " lay on the bottom of the ocean, the mysterious stranger awoke not from her leth- argy. Not wishing to engage a second adversary while his ship was crowded with prisoners, Lawrence immediately left the scene of action, and laid his course for home. The homeward voyage was rapid and uneventful. No pains were spared to secure the comfort of the prisoners who crowded the ship. The British officers were treated with the great- lUX'i:-JACKETS OF 1812. 199 est consideration; so that, as one said on quitting the ship, they "ceased to consider themselves as captives." The tars, who were consigned to the care of the blue-jackets in the forecastle, were met with less cour- tesy, but certainly with no less good feeling. They were not spared an occasional taunt or triumphant joke ; but when it was learned that by the sinking of their ship the Britons had lost all their "toggery," the " Hornet's " lads turned to, and soon collected clothing enough to fit out each prisoner with a respectable kit. It was the middle of March before the long, homeward voyage was ended, and the anchor was dropped in the snug harbor of Holmes's Hole in the island of Martha's Vineyard. The usual rejoicings followed the news of the victory. Lawrence was the hero of the hour ; and songs innumerable appeared in the newspapers, extolling the courage and devo- tion of the brave lads of the " Hornet." Indeed, the arrival of the " Hornet " with her glorious news came at an opportune moment, to cheer the spirits of the American people. The war had begun to assume a serious aspect. Continued reverses on the ocean had roused the British ministry to the fact that they were dealing with no contemptible enemy, and the word had gone forth that the Americans must be crushed into submission. Troops were hurriedly sent to Canada, and all the vessels that could be spared were ordered to the coast of the United States. The English had determined upon that most effective of all hostile measures, — a rigorous blockade of their enemy's coast. Up and down the coast from New Jersey to the Caro- linas, British frigates and sloops kept up a constant patrol. Chesapeake Bay was their chief rendezvous ; and the exploits of the blockading squad- ron stationed there, under Admiral Cockburn, led often to scenes more befitting savage warfare then the hostilities of two enlightened and civilized peoples. On the New England coast, the blockade was less severely enforced. The people of that section had been loud in their denunciations of the war; and the British hoped, by a display of modera- tion, to seduce the New Englanders from their allegiance to the United States, — a hope that failed utterly of fulfilment. Even had the British : ^ i i 1 1 I \i n 200 BLUE-JACKK'IS OK 1812. (U'siretl to enforce the l)lockacle along the New ICnj^dand shore, the char- acter of the coast, and the skill and shrewdness of the Yankee skippers, would have made the task of the blockaders a most difificult one. The annals of the little seafaring villages along the 'coast of Maine and Massachusetts abound in anecdotes of hardy skippers who outwitted the watchful British, and ran their little schooners or sloops into port under the very guns of a blockading man-of-war. Among the blockade-runners of the New England coast, Capt. Dan Fernald of Portsmouth stood foremost. When a shipload of Maine timber was needed at the Portsmouth navy-yard, to be converted into a new man-of-war, to Capt. Fcrnald was assigned the task of bringing it down from Portland past the British frigates, that were ever on the watch for just such caigoes. When the preparations for the building of the seventy- four-gun ship " Washington " were making at the navy-yard, Capt. Fernald was sent to Portsmouth for a load of ship's-timber. His cargo was to consist of forty-eight "knees" and the breast-hook of the seventy-four. Loaded down with this burden, the schooner "Sally" left Portland, and headed for her destination. Caution led her captain to keep his craft close to the shore, and for a day or two she crept along the coast with- out being discovered. But head-winds and calms delayed the " Sally," and on her fourth day out she was sighted by the British frigate " Tene- dos." The "Sally" was not an imposing craft, and under ordinary cir- cumstances she might have been allowed to proceed unmolested ; but on this occasion a number of the oaken knees for the new war-vessel were piled on the deck, and the British captain could clearly make out, through, his glasses, that the " Sally " was laden with contraband of war. Accord- ingly, he set out in hot pursuit, in the full expectation of overhauling the audacious coaster. Capt. Fernald, however, had no idea of letting his schooner fall into the hands of the British. He was a wily old sk'pper, and knew every nook and corner of the Maine and New Hampshire coasts better than he knew the streets of his native village. Apparently unmoved by the pursuit of the man-of-war, he stood at the tiller, and, beyond order- ing his crew to shake out the reefs in the sails, seemed to make no great BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. !01 attempt to elude the enemy. But soon the crew noticed that the skipiier was taking his schooner rather dangerously close to the shore ; and a cry came from a sailor on the bow, that the "Sal'y" was ploughing through the kelp, and would soon be on the rocks. "No matter," sung out the captain; "just heave over a few of them knees, and I guess she'll float clear." Overboard went a dozen heavy timbers, and the " Sally " sailed smoothly on over the rocks. Then the captain glanced back over his shoulder, and chuckled slyly as the majestic frigate, following closely in his track, brought up all of a sudden on the rocks, and was quickly left a fi.xturc by the receding tide. The exasperated Englishman sent two eighteen- pound shot skipping over the water after the " Sally," but without effect. One sh"f. buried itself in the sand of the beach ; and Capt. Fernald, after picking up the knees that had been thrown overboard, coolly went ashore, dug up the ball, and carried it away as a trophy. He reached his moor- ings at the navy-yard safely, and was warmly greeted by Commodore Hull, who asked if the "Sally" had been fired upon; and, on being presented with the eighteen-pound shot for a token, exclaimed, " You are a good fellow, and stand fire well." The " Tenedos " came not so luckily out of the adventure. By the time i. flood-tide lifted her clear of the reef, the jagged points of the rocks had pierced her hull, so that she leaked badly, and was forced to go to Halifax for repairs. One more adventure in which the " Sally " and her wily captain figured is worth recounting. Again the dingy schooner was edging her way along the rugged shore, bound for the Portsmouth navy-yard. No vessel could have seemed more harmless. Her patched and dirty canvas was held in place by oft-spliced ropes and rigging none too taut. Her bluff bows butted away the waves in clouds of spray, that dashed over the decks, which seldom received other washing. Her cargo seemed to be cordwood, neatly split, and piled high on deck. While off Casco, the wind dropped down, and the " Sally " was left floating idly upon the glassy ocean. Far in the distance lay an English man-o'-war, also becalmed ; r ! 'I ' a I ! :fii:; f ^ i) 202 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. but from which a long-boat, stoutly manned, soon put out, and made for the becalmed schooner. The boat was soon within hail, and a trim young officer in the stern-sheets sung out, — "What craft's that?" " Schooner ' Sally ' of Portsmouth," came the answer, in the drawling tones of a down-east skij^jper. "Where from?" "Portland." "Where bound?" "Portsmouth." " What's your cargo." " PMrewood," responded Capt. Fernald with a carelessness he was far from feeling ; for deep down in the hold, under the cord-wood, were two twcnty-four-pounder cannon, thirteen thousand pounds of powder, and about one hundred boarding pikes and cutlasses. The British officer hesitated a moment, as if the littK^ coaster was of too little importance for further examination. "Well, I think I'll come aboard," said he ca;relessly, and soon stood with three or four of his men on the deck of the "Sally." After glancing contemptuously about the ill-kept decks, he turned to his men with the sharp order: "Clear away some of that wood from the hatchways, and see what's in the hold." The men set to work, passing the cord-wood away from the hatch- ways, and piling it upon the after-deck. Soon they had worked their way into the hold, and were going deeper and deeper down toward the munitions of war. Capt. Fcrnald's blood seemed to stop coursing in his veins. He knew that but one layer of cord-wood then lay above the cannon, and he expected every instant to see the black iron uncovered. But the British officer grew impatient. "That's enough of that work," said he; "there's nothing but wood there. Captain, you can proceed on your course." A momentary murmur arose from the English sailors. The "Sally" was theirs by right of capture, and they saw no reason for her libera- '' BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 203 , tion. "Why, lads," said the officer, "it would cost just as much to get this poor fellow's wood-schooner condemned as it would a large ship. As for the prize-money, it would not make a penny apiece." So, tumbling into their boat, the jackies pulled away ; shouting to the captain of the " Sally " to stow his cargo again, or his old tub would capsize. Capt. Fernald took their jeers good-naturedly, for he was the victor in that encounter. The occurrence had been observed frcin the shore ; and, when the British sailors were seen swarming over the side of the " Sally," a horse- man set off for Portsmouth to notify Commodore Hull that the schooner was captured. It was a sore blow ; for the guns and powder were thought to be lost, and munitions of war were hard to be had at that time. But Hull soon threw aside the disappointment, and was busily engaged with plans for the vessels then building, when a sentry came in, and reported the " Sally " in sight. Hull rushed to the water-side. Sure enough, there came the battered old schooner, butting her way through the waves of the channel ; and, before long, the two cannon were safe in the storehouses, while Capt. Fernald. found himself vested with a reputation for almost superhuman sagacity and luck. Not all the encounters between the blockaders and the blockade- runners terminated so happily for the Americans. Many a coasting- vessel was sent to Halifax to swell the coffers of the British prize-courts, or, after being set on fire, was left to lie charred and ruined upon the rocky shore, as a warning to all who violated the blockade. The captuie of one United State.'- war-vessel graced the English naval nnnals of January, 1813; for the little brig "Viper," carrying twelve guns, feil in the way of the British, thirty-two, "Narcissus," and straightway surrendered to the overwhelming force of her enemy. Among the United States war-ves«els caught and held in port by the blockade was the frigate "Constellation." She was at the opening of the war the favorite ship of the American navy ; her exploits in the war with France having endeared her to the American people, and won for her amone: Frenchmen the name of "the Yankee race-horse." Notwith- ilil im ! : . (i k M 204 BLUE-JACKETS OF 181 2. standing her reputation for speed, she is said to have been very crank, and had an awkward way of getting on her beam-ends without much provocation. An almost incredible tale is told of her getting "knocked down " by a squall while chasing a French privateer, and, notwithstand- ing the delay, finally overhauling and capturing the chase. When war was declared with England, the " Constellation " was so thoroughly dismantled, that some months were occupied in refitting before she was ready to put to sea. In January, 181 3, she dropped anchor in Hampton Roads, expecting to set out on an extended cruise the next morning. Had she been a day earlier, her career in the War of 1812 might have added new lustre to her glorious record in the war with F" ranee ; but the lack of that day condemned her to inglorious inactivity throughout the war : for on that very night a British squadron of line- of-battle ships and frigates dropped anchor a few miles down the bay, and the " Constellation " was fairly trapped. When, by the gray light of early morning, the lookout on the " Con- stellation " saw the British fleet lying quietly at their anchorage down the bay, he reported to Capt. Stewart ; and the latter saw that, for a time, he must be content to remain in port. Stewart's reputation for bravery and devotion to his country leaves no doubt that the prospect of prolonged idleness was most distasteful to him. But he had little time to mourn over his disappointment. The position of the frigate was one of great danger. At any moment she might be exposed to attack by the hostile fleet. Accordingly, she dropped down abreast of Craney Island, where she was secure from attack by the British vessels, but still open to the assaults of their boats. To meet this danger, Capt. Stewart took the most elaborate precau- tions. His ship was anchored in the middle of the narrow channel ; and on either side were anchored seven gunboats, officered and manned by the men of the frigate. Around the gunboats and frigate extended a vast circle of floating logs, linked together by heavy chains, that no boarders might come alongside the vessels. The great frigate towered high above the surrounding gunboats, her black sides unbroken by an 1 , BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 205 open port ; for the gun-deck ports were lashed down, and the guns housed. Not a rope's end was permitted to hang over the side ; the stern ladders were removed, and the gangway cleats knocked off. An enemy might as well hope to scale the unbroken front of a massive wall of masonry, as that dark, forbidding hull. From the bulwarks rose on all sides, to the ends of the yards, a huge net made of ratlin stuff, boiled in pitch until it would turn the edge of a cutlass, and further strengthened by nail-rods and small chains. The upper part of the netting was weighted with kentledge, the pigs of iron used for ballast ; so that, should the hardy assailants succeed in coming alongside and scaling the side, a few blows of an a.\e would let fall the heavily weighted nettings, sweeping the boarders into the sea, and covering boats and men with an impenetrable mesh, under which they would be at the mercy of the sailors on the frigate's decks. The carronades and howitzers were loaded with grape ; and the officers and men felt that only bravery on their part was essential to the defeat of any force that Great Britain could send against the ship. Heedless of these formidable preparations for their reception, the enemy set under way two expeditions for the capture of the " Constella- tion." In neither case did the antagonists actually come to blows, for the approach of the British was discovered before they came within pistol-shot ; and, as their only chance lay in surprising the Americans, they retired without striking a blow. The coming of the first expedi- tion was known upon the " Constellation " the day before it actually set out. A Portuguese merchantman, trying to beat out of the bay, hatl been stopped by the British, and anchored a few miles dcIow the Ameri- can frigate. A guard and lookout from the English fleet were stationed on the Portuguese to watch the "Constellation." In an unguarded moment, these men let fall a hint of the movement under way ; and an American passenger on the Portuguese vessel quickly carried the news to Capt. Stewart, and volunteered to remain aivi aid in the defence. The next night was dark and drizzly ; and the British, to the number of two thousand, set out in boats for the " Constellation." Hardly were they within gun-shot, when two lanterns gleamed from the side of a Pi III IM ^'f; 11 'iJ •I tA I;' H 206 BLUE-JACKETS OF 181 2. watchful guard-boat ; and the roll of drums and sound of hurrying feet aboard the frigate told that the alarm was given. The assailants there- upon abandoned the adventure, and returned to their ship. The next night they returned, but again retreated discomfited. Several nights later, a third expedition ciime up. This time the guard-boat was far down the bay ; and, seeing the huge procession of boats, the Americans calmly edged in among them, and for some time rowed along, listening to the conversation of the British, who never dreamed that an enemy could be in their midst. Suddenly a sailor, more sharp- ..;yed than the rest, caught sight of the interlojjers ; and the cry was raised, "A stranger!" The Americans tugged at their oars, and were soon lost to sight ; but, not being pursued, returned, and accompanied their foes up the bay, and even anchored with the flotilla at a point above the "Constellation." The enemy, finding the Americans constantly on the watch, abandoned their designs on the ship, and vowed that Capt. Stewart must be a Scotch- man, as he could never be caught napping. Some days later, an ofificer, sent with a flag of truce to the British fleet, vastly chagrined the officers there by repeating their remarks overheard by the guard-boat officers who joined the British flotilla in the dark. These three escapes confirmed the reputation borne by the "Constellation," as a "lucky ship;" and although she remained pent up in port throughout the war, doing noth- ing for her country, her luck was unquestioned in the minds of the sailo'-s. With her they classed the "Constitution" and "Enterprise," while the "Chesapeake" and "President" were branded as unlucky. Certainly the career of these ships in the War of 1812 went far to con- firm the superstitious belief of the sailors. In the course of the next two months, Chesapeake Bay was the scene of two gallant adventures, in which American privateersmen were opposed to the British sailors. On Feb. 8, the privateer schooner " Lottery " was standing down the bay under easy sail, out-bound on a voyage to Bombay. The schooner was one of the clipper-built craft, for which Baltimore ship-builders were famous the world over. Her battery con- sisted of six twelve-pounder carronades, and her crew numbered twenty- ' BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 207 five men. Near the point at whieh the noble bay opens into the Atlantic ocean, a narrow sheet of water extends into the Virginia shore, winding in sinuous courses several miles inland. This is known a.s Lynnhaven Bay ; and on its placid surface there lay, on the morning of the " Lottery's " appearance, four powerful frigates flying the British flag. From their tops the approaching schooner could be seen across the low- lying neck of land that separated the smaller bay from the main body of water. The cry of " Sail, ho I " roused the fleet to sudden activity ; and an expedition of two hundred men was quickly organized to proceed against the privateer. Fortune seemed to favor the British ; for hardly had the boats left the fleet, when the fresh breeze died away, and the schooner was left at the mercy of the boats, which, propelled by the long, swinging strokes of man-o'-war oarsmen, bore down rapidly upon her. Capt. Southcomb of the " Lottery " was an American sailor, who had smelt powder before; and he had no idea of yielding up his siiip without a struggle. The formidable force sent against him merely moved him to more desperate resistance. When the boats came within range, the guns of the " Lottery " opened upon them with a hail of grape and round shot. StUl the assailants pressed on, and soon came beneath the schooner's lee. Dropping their oars, the plucky British tars sprang into the chains, swarmed up the bobstay and over the bow, and used each other's backs as ladders to aid them to reach the schooner's deck. The little crew of privateersmen fought viciously, guarding the side with cut- lasses and pistols, hurling the boarders back into the sea, or cutting them down as they reached the deck. Cold shot and kentledge were dashed upon the boats, in the hopes of sinking them ; while the carronades poured a destructive fire upon such boats as could be reached by their shot. But the conflict was too unequal to last long. The English sailors swarmed over the gunwale on all sides, and, cheering lustily, drove the small remnant of defenders below. Capt. Southcomb was cut down, and lay mortally wounded upon the deck when the enemy took possession of the ship. When the victors came to look about the captured vessel, they found such proofs of a desperate resistance, that their admiration was I liil f. ' 1 208 BLUE-JACKIiTS OF 181 2. open and pronounced. Five only of the schooner's crew were unhurt, while the British paid for their success with the loss of thirteen men. AWAITINU THE BOARDERS. Capt. Southcomb, in a dying condition, was taken aboard the frigate "Belvidem." where he received the tenderest treatment, and was shown marked i: x on account of his bravery. lii e.'.t encounter between the blockaders and a privateer, the • 'I blue-jackf:ts of 1812. 209 British bore away the palm for gallantry. This time the privateersmcn had every advantage, while the British carried the day by pure courage. The captured vessels were the privateer schooner " Dolphin," of twelve guns, and the letters-of-marque "Racer," "Arab," and " Lyn.x," of six guns each. The crews of the four vessels aggregated one hundred and sixty men. Against this force came five boats manned by one hundred and five British sailors, who pulled fifteen miles in order to attack their foes. Wearied though they were by the long pull, the sight of the privateers seemed to arouse new strength in the plucky tars ; and, with- out a thought of the odds against them, they dashed forward, cheering, and calling upon the Americans to surrender. Had the four schooners been manned by such brave men as those who defended the " Lottery," the assailants might have been beaten off. As it was, two vessels sur- rendered without firing a shot. The crew of the "Racer" fought pluckily for a time, but were soon overpowered, and the vessel's guns turned upon the " Dolphin." When fire was opened upon this last vessel, her crew, affrighted, leaped overboard from every side ; and the " Dolphin " was soon in the hands of her enemies, who had lost but thirteen men in the whole action. Many a gallant adventure, such as this, is to be laid to the credit of the British tars on the American station during the continuance of the blockade. Right dashing fellows were they, at cutting out a coasting- schooner as she lay under the guns of some American earthworks. The lads that have won for England her supremacy upon the seas have never been behindhand at swarming up the sides of an enemy, leaping his taffrail, and meeting him on his own deck with the cold steel. And as the year rolled on, and the blockade along the American coast was made more strict, the meetings between the enemies became more frequent. From every seaport town, Yankee privateers were waiting to escape to sea ; and they seldom won clear without a brush with the watchful enemy. The British, too, had begun to fit out privateers, though Ameri- can commerce offered but little enticement for these mercenary gentry. Between the ships of the two private armed navies, encounters were I I 1 1 i\ ii; I ' II ri I' > p^ . , i : il 1 r) i ■ ii.i^.ii 2IO HI-UK-JACKF/rS OF iSi: common ; and the battles were often fought with courage and seamanship worthy of the regular navy. Little glory was won by the navy of the United States during the opening months of the year. Many ships were laid up in port ; while some, like the "Constellation," were blockaded by the enemy. The "President" and the "Congress" managed to get to sea from Boston in April, and entered upon a protracted cruise, in which the bad luck of the former ship seemed to pursue her with malevolent persistence. The two ships parted after cruising in company for a month, and scoured the ocean until the following December, when they returned home, experiencing little but continual disappointments. The " Congress " could report only the capture of four British merchantmen, as the result of her eight months' cruise ; while the long service had so seriously injured her hull, that she was condemned as unseaworthy, and ended her career, a dismantled hulk reduced to the ignoble service of store-ship at a navy-yard. The " President " was little more fortunate in her search for prizes. After parting with her consort, she beat about in the vicinity of the Gulf Stream, in the hopes of getting a ship or two returning from the West Indies. But day after day passed, and no ship appeared. Changing his plan. Commodore Rodgers made for the North Sea, feeling sure that there he would find in plenty the marine game for which he was seeking. But, to his astonishment, not an English ship was to be found. It was then the middle of summer, and the frigate had been at sea for nearly three months. The jackies on the forecastle were weary of the long voyage, and fairly at the end of their occupations for "teasing time." The ofTicers, well knowing the effect of long idleness upon the sailors, were tireless in devising means of employment. The rigging was set up weekly, so that the shrouds and stays were like lines drawn with a ruler. Enough rope-yarn was pulled, and spun-yarn spun, to supply a navy-yard for months. Laggards were set to scrubbing the rust off the chain cables, and sharpening with files the flukes of the anchors. When such work failed, the men were drilled in the use of iSb' ' ^^^Hfe til ij» : * .— <. 1 /^*s... l! ^#? CUTTING OUT PRIZES. i| m 1 if ' ). ;.. TT BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 213 cutlasses and single sticks ; forming long lines clown the gun-deck, and slashing away with right good will at the word of the instructor. Ikit the monotony of a long cruise without a prize cannot long be beguiled by such makeshifts ; and it was with the heartiest pleasure that the sailors heard that the commodore had determined to put into port for a time, and take on board stores. It was North Bergen, Norway, that Rodgcrs chose for this purpose ; and an unfortunate choice it proved to be, for a famine prevailed in the country, and only water could be obtained for the ship. Leaving the inhospitable port, the " President " was soon again upon the ocean. She quickly took two British merchantmen, from which she replenished her stores. Shortly after, two hostile frigates hove in sight, and the " Presi- dent " fled for her life before them for more than eighty hours. At that season, in those high latitudes, no friendly darkness settled over the ocean to give the fugitive a chance to escape. Bright daylight persisted throughout the chase, and the sun never dipped below the horizon. Sheer good sailing saved the American frigate, and enabled her to leave her pursuers far in her wake. For some days thereafter, better luck seemed to attend the frigate that so pluckily kept up her operations in seas thousands of miles from a friendly port. With true Yankee audacity, she extended her cruise even into the Irish Channel, and there preyed upon British commerce until the enemy was moved to send a squadron to rout out the audacious intruder. Then Rodgers set sail for home. On the voyage to the United States, the "President" captured a British armed schooner by a stratagem which taught at least one British officer to respect "Yankee cuteness." It was near the last of September that the frigate was frying along before a fresh breeze. Her yards were spread with a cloud of snowy canvas, and the wind sung through the straining cordage a melody sweet to the ears of the sailor homeward bound. Towards evening, a small sail was made out in the distance ; and, as time wore on, it was seen that she was rapidly approaching the "President." Rodgers surmised 11 I r 214 DLUK-JACKETS OF 1812. .i that the stranger might be a British vessel, and determined to lure her within range by strategy. In somj way he had obtained knowledge of some of the private signals of the Ikitish navy ; and in a few minutes from the masthead of the American frigate, there fluttered a row of flags which announced her as the British frigate "Sea-Horse." The stranger promptly responded, and was made out to be the schooner "Highflyer," a little craft noted for her sailing qualities. Unsuspectingly the " High- flyer " came under the stern of the American frigate, and waited for a boat to be sent aboard. Soon the boat came ; and one of Rodgcrs's lieu- tenants, clad in British uniform, clambered up the side, and was received with due honor. He was the bearer of a message from Commodore Rodgers, requesting that the signal-books of the "Highflyer" be sent on board the fictitious "Sea-Horse" for comparison and revision. This the liritish captain hastened to do, and soon followed his books to the deck of the frigate, where a lieutenant met him, clothed in full British uniform. A file of marines, dressed in the scarlet coats of the British service, stood on the deck ; and the duped Englishman greatly admired the appearance of the frigate, remarking to the officer who escorted him to Rodgcrs's cabin, that so trim a craft could only be found in His Majesty's service. On entering the cabin, the English officer greeted Commodore Rodgers with deference, and proceeded at once to tell of naval matters. "I have here," said he, placing a bundle of papers in the commodore's hands, "a numbers of despatches for Admiral Warren, who is on this station. You may not know that one of the principal objects of our squadron cruising here is the capture of the Yankee friprate ' President,' which has been greatly annoying British commerce" Rodgers was naturally much interested in this staevnent, and asked the visitor if he knew much about the commander of the "President." " I hear he is an odd fish," was the response • " and certainly he is devilish hard to catch." Rodgers started. He had hardly expected so frank an expression of opinion. or R Mi,n;-r\('KK'is ok isu. 15 "Sir," said ho emphatically, "do you know what vessel you are on board of ? " "Why, certainly, — on board of Mis Majesty's ship 'Sea-Horse.'" "I AM COMMODOPE ROOGEKS." "No, sir, you are mistaken," was the startling response. "You are on board of the United States frigate ' President,' and I am Commodore Rodgers." • ill 'I !i I II ■^s^' K.U iWtfcjW'i. ■^' ^ 2l6 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. The astounded Englishman sprang to his feet, and rushed to the deck. The sight he saw there was still more startling. The quarter-deck was crowded with officers in United States uniform. The scarlet coats of the marines had vanished, and were replaced by Yankee blue. Even as he looked, the British flag came fluttering down, the American ensign went up, and the band struck up " Yankee Doodle." Nothing was left to the Englishman but to submit ; and, with the best grace possible, he surrendered his vessel and himself to the "odd fish," who had so cleverly trapped him. Three days later, the " President," with her prize, and crowded with prisoners, dropped anchor in the harbor of Newport, after a cruise of one hundred and forty-eight days. In actual results, the cruise was far from satisfactory, for but eleven vessels had been taken. But the service rendered the country by annoying the enemy's merchantmen, and draw- ing the British war-vessels away in chase, was vast. At one time more than twenty British men-of-war were searching for the roving American frigate ; and the seafaring people of the United States were thus greatly benefited by the " President's " prolonged cruise. i^ 1: JACK AT HOME, CHAPTER IX. DECATUR BI.OCKADF.n AT NEW YORK. — ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE THROUGH I.ONO ISLAND .SOUND.-THE FL.AO-SHIP STRUCK 1!Y LIGHTNING. — TORPEDOES. -FULTON'S .STEAM FKIO.ATE. — ACTION BETWEEN THE "CHESAPEAKE" AND "SHANNON." 'i: HILE the " President " was thus roaming the seas, almost within sight of the shores of the British Isles, events were occurrin<5 along the American coast which were little likely to raise the spirits of the people of the United States. From the "President," the "(Congress," the "Esse.x," and the smaller vessels that were upholding the honor of the flag upon the ocean, they could hear nothing. But worse than this was it i">r the good people of New York or Boston to go down to the water-side and see stanch United States frigates kept in port by the overwhelming forces of the enemy, that lay watchfully outside the harbor's mouth. For there was no doubt about it : the blockade was daily becoming closer ; and in the months of April and May a ship would have found it a hard task to run out of New York Harbor without falling into the hands of the British fleet stationed there. But, at that very time, three stout men-of-war floated on the waves of that noble bay under the com- 217 It I.i 1 " .„ i' i; Mi ... i i w 1 •l n 1 i L i 2l8 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. mand of an officer little used to staying quietly in port in time of war. The officer was Stephen Decatur : and the ships were the flag-ship " United States ; " the captured " Macedonian," repaired, and flying the stars and stripes, under the command of the gallant Capt. Jacob Jones ; and the sloop-of-war " Hornet," Capt. Biddle. With this force under his command, Decatur burned with the desire to get to sea. The watchfulness of the British at the Narrows made it useless to think of escaping that way : therefore, he determined to pass up the sound, and reach the ocean by way of the opening between Montauk Point and Block Island. At the very outset of this voyage, however, was a serious obstacle. Through the narrow channel of the liast River, between Ward's Island and the Long Island shore, the tides rushed with a mad speed and turbulence, that had won for the strait the significant name of Hell Gate. The United States Government had not then bent its energies to undermining and blowing into bits the jagged rocks that at low tide reared their crests above the swirling eddies. With its tides like mill races, and rocks hidden beneath the treacherous water. Hell Gate was a fearful place for any ship to make its way through with the uncertain aid of sails alone. Still greater were its dangers for the ponderous and deep-laden men-of-war, that required deep water and plenty of sea-room for their movements. Such consid- erations, however, had no weight with Decatur, who had seen his ships lying idly at their anchorage off Staten Island long enough. In the night of i\Iay 24, he accordingly got up anchors and started for the sound. Hell Gate was passed .safely, thanks to a skilful pilot, whom neither the darkness of the night, nor the perils of the narrow channel, could daunt. Once past this danger, the three vessels made their way up the sound, with the flag-ship leading. They had gone but a little way when black clouds to the westward told of a coming storm. The cloud-bank came rolling up rapidly; and soon, with a burst of rain, the three vessels were enveloped in the thunder-shower. The lightning flashed through the black clouds, the thundei crashed and roared, and the wind shrieked BLL'E-JACKETS OF 1812. 219 fiercely through the cordage. The " United States " held her place at the head of the squadron ; while behind, at the distance of half a ^able's- length, came the " Macedonian." Suddenly the men on the dock of the latter vessel were horrified to see a jagged flash of lightning cut its zigzag course through the clouds, then dart, straight as an arrow, at the main-mast of the "United States." Hoarse cries were heard from the deck of the stricken frigate ; and the captain of the " Macedonian," fearing lest the "States" should blow up, threw all aback on his ship, to escape the explosion. But happily the thunderbolt had done little serious injury. In its course it had cut away the pendant; shot into the doctor's cabin, extinguishing that worthy's candle, to his vast astonishment ; then, gliding away, broke through the ship's hull near the water-line, and plunged into the sea, after ripping off a few sheets of copper from the ship's bottom. No delay was caused by the accident ; though the super- stitious sailors pronounced it an evil omen, and dismally predicted all sorts of disasters. On the 29th of May the squadron reached the strait through which Decatur hoped to gain the ocean ; but, to the intense disappointment of all on board, a formidable British fleet barred all egress. Three days later the Americans made an attempt to slip out unseen ; but, failing in this, they returned to New London harbor, where the two frigates were kept rotting in the mud until the war was ended. The " Hornet " luckily mnnaged to run the blockade, and of her exploits we shall hear later. Upon the arrival of the three American ships at New London, the ' Demy guarded the coast with renewed vigilance. The inhabitants made 'v.crv attempt to drive away the blockadcrs ; and in the course of this prolonged struggle there appeared, for almost the first time in the history of warfare, that most terrible of offensive weapons, the submarine torpedo. During the Revolution, two attempts had been made to blow up British men-of-war by means of torpedoes, invented by a Saybrook mechanic named Bushnell, Though the attempts failed, yet the torpedoes demon- strated their tremendous jiower. Before the declaration of the second war with I'Jigland, Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat, h..l lU li. ■ f ■' I Ni If!" tit > 'in -If I m El I 220 BLUK-JACKETS OF 1812. made many improvements upon Bushnell's designs, and had so thoroughly spread the knowledge of torpedo warfare that it suggested itself to many New Englanders as a means of driving the enemy from their coast. The first attempt was well planned, but failed through an entirely accidental combination of circumstances. Certain private citizens (for in that day it was thought ignoble for a government to embark in torpedo warfare) fitted out in New York a schooner, the " Eagle," in the hold of which ten kegs of powder, together with sulphur and piles of heavy stones, were placed. In the head of one of the casks were two gun- locks, primed, and held in place by tv barrels of flour. Should either of the barrels be moved, the lock would ; ^j and the terrible mine would explode with tremendous force. With thi . eadful engine of destruction, carefully covered by a cargo of flour and naval stores, the " Eagle " left New York, and made her way up the bay, until, near New London, she was overhauled and captured by the British frigate " Ramillies." Boats were sent out by the English to take possession of the prize ; but the crew of the " Eagle," seeing the enemy coming, took to their small boats, and succeeded in safely reaching the shore. The captors, on boarding the vessel, were vastly pleased to find that its cargo consisted largely of flour, of which the " Ramillies " stood in great need. They at once attempted to get the frigate alongside the prize, that the captured cargo might be readily transferred. But a calm had fallen, and two hours' con- stant work with sweeps and towing was unavailing. Accordingly, this plan of action was abandoned, and the boats were ordered to lighter the cargo from the " Eagle " to the frigate. Hardly had the first barrel been moved, when, with a roar, and rush of flame and smoke as from a volcano, the schooner blew up. Huge timbers, stones, and barrels were sent flying high into the air. The lieutenant and ten men from the frigate, who were on the "Eagle" at the time, were blown to atoms; and the timbers and missiles, falling on all sides, seriously injured many men in the boats near by. Had the frigate been alongside, where her commander had endeavored to place her, she would have gone to the bottom, with all her crew. BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 221 An attempt so nearly successful as this could not be long in leading others to make similar ventures. Sir Thomas Hardy, the commander of the " Ramillies," was kept in a constant fever of apprehension, lest some night his ship should be suddenly sent to the bottom by one of the insidious torpedoes. Several times the ship was attacked ; and her escapes were so purely matters of accident, that she seemed almost to be under the protection of some sailors' deity. A Norwich mechanic, who had invented a submarine boat with a speed of three miles an hour, suc- ceeded in getting under the bottom of the blockader three times, but was each time foiled in his attempt to attach a torpedo to the ship's hull. Another American, a fisherman, succeeded in getting alongside in a whale-boat, unobserved, but was driven away before he could get his torpedo in position. Such constant attacks so alarmed Hardy, that at last he gave up bringing his ship to anchor, keeping her continually under way, and, as a further precaution, causing her bottom to be swept every two hours throughout the day and night. The use of torpedoes was not confined to the people of New England. New York Harbor was closed with a row of them. The British seventy- four " Plantagenet," lying off Cape Henry, Virginia, was nearly sunk by one in the charge of Mr. Mix, an American naval officer. The attack was made near ten o'clock, on an unusually dark night. Mi.\ and his asso- ciates pulled in a heavy boat to a point near the bow of the menaced vessel. The torpedo v/as then slipped into the water, with the clock- work which was to discharge it set in motion. The rushing tide carried the destructive engine down toward the frigate ; and the Americans pulled away into the darkness, to await the explosion. But the clockwork had been badly adjusted, and the torpedo exploded just before it reached the ship. A huge column of water, gleaming with a ghostly sulphurous light, was thrown high in the air, falling with terrific force on the deck of the frigate, which was almost capsized by the shock. A veritable storm of abuse and condemnation followed the introduc- tion of torpedo warfare. All countries and all peoples pronounced it treacherous and cowardly, and the English press was particularly loud i 1 5- i H •il l| II' 222 BLUE-JACKi;rS OF 1812. in its denunciations. Yet the torpedo had won its place in the arma- ments of nations ; and to-day we see all the nations of Europe vieing with each other in the invention and construction of powerful and accurate torpedoes and swift torpedo-boats. The germ of another feature of modern naval organization is to be found in the annals of the War of 18 12. The first war-vessel propelled by steam was launched by the Americans for service in this war. She was designed by Robert Fulton, and bore the name of " Fulton the First." In model she was a queer craft, with two hulls like a catamaran, with the single propelling-wheel mounted between them amidships. Her armament was to consist of thirty thirty-two-pounder guns, and two one- hundrcd-poundcr columbiads. A secondary engine was designed to throw floods of water upon the decks and through the port-holes of an enemy. While the vessel was building, reports concerning her reached England; and soon the most ludicrously exi g^crat d accounts of her power were current in that country. " She mounts fi)rty-four guns," said an English paper, "four of which are one-hundred-pounders, mounted in bomb-proofs, and defended by thousands of boarding-pikes and cutlasses wielded by steam ; while showers of boiling water arc poured over those boarders who might escape death from the rapidly whirling steel." Unfortunately for the American cause, this much dreaded vessel did not get into the water in time to take any active part in the war. :•: June, 1813, while the British blockaders in the Sound were exer- cising all their ingenuity to keep of the torpedoes, there was fought off the Massachusetts coast, near Boston, an engagement which must go down to history as one of the most brilliant naval duels of the age of sails. The United States frigate "Chesapeake" was refitting at Boston, after a cruise of four months, during which she had more than justified her reputation as an unlucky ship. Though she sailed the waters most frequented by British merchantmen, she returned to port having captured only four vessels. Three men-of-war were sighted, but could not be spoken. Strangely enough, the frigate sailed over the spot where lay the sunken "Peacock" the very day after the "Hornet" had fought her t I I, BLUE-JACKETS OF 1S12. 22 famous fight. Ill-luck pursued the hapless ship even to her home port ; for, as she was entering the port of Boston, a sudden squall carried away the topmast, with several men who were aloft at the time. When the "Hornet" reached port, after her victory over the "Pea- cock," her gallant captain, James Lawrence, was appointed to the com- mand of the "Chesapeake." On reaching his ship, he found affairs in a desperate condition. The sailors who had sailed on the long and unpro- ductive cruise were firmly convinced that the frigate's bad luck was beyond remedy. The term of efilistment of many had e.\pire«j, and they were daily leaving the ship. Those who remained were sullen, and smart- ing under fancied ill-treatment in the matter of the prize-money. To get fresh seamen was no easy task. Great fleets of privateers were being fitted out ; and sailors generally preferred to sail in these vessels, in which the discipline was light, and the gains usually great. Some sailors from the "Constitution" were induced to join the "Chesapeake;" and these, with the remnant of the frigate's old crew, formed the nucleus of a crew which was filled up with merchant-sailors and foreigners of all nations. Before the lists were fairly filled, the ship put to sea, to give battle to an adversary that proved to be her superior The events leading to the action were simple, and succeeded each other hurriedly. The port of Boston was blockaded by two British frigates, the " Tencdos " thirty-eight, and the " Shannon " thirty-eight. The latter vessel was under the command of Capt. Philip Bowes Vere Broke, a naval ofBcer of courage, skill, and judgment. His crew was thoroughly disciplined, and his ship a model of efficiency. No officer in the service understood better than he the difference between the dis- cipline of a martinet and the discipline of a prudent and sagacious com- mander. His ship might not, like the "Peacock," merit the title of "the yacht;" but for active service she was always prepared. James, an English naval historian, turns from his usual occupation of explaining the American naval victories by belittling the British ships, and enor- mously magnifying the power of the victors, to speak as follows of the "Shannon :" — *i' II I III '. 4| Ml Mil u i'i HI '• ' ill I !■;< I ; !■ K it: ■i' i;: 1^ 1 224 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. "From the day on which he [Capt. Broke] joined her, the 14th of September, 1806, the 'Shannon' began to feel the effect of her captain's proficiency as a gunner, and zeal for the service. The laying of the ship's ordnance so that it may be correctly fired in a horizontal direc- tion is justly deemed a most important operation, as upon it depends, in a great measure, the true aim and destructive effect of the shot ; this was attended to by Capt. Broke in person. By drafts from other ships, and the usual means to which a British man-of-war is obliged to resort, the ' Shannon ' got together a crew ; and in the course of a year or two, by the paternal care and excellent regulations of Capt. Broke, the ship's company became as pleasant to command as it was dangerous to meet." Moreover, the historian goes on to relate that the ship's guns were carefully sighted, and her ammunition frequently overhauled. Often a cask would be thrown overboard, and a gun's crew suddenly called to sink it as it bobbed about on the waves astern. Practice with the great guns was of daily occurrence. " Every day for about an hour and a half in the forenoon, when not prevented by chase or the state of the weather, the men were exercised at training the guns ; and for the same time in the afternoon in the use of the broad-sword, musket, pike, etc. Twice a week the crew fired at targets, both with great guns and mus- ketry ; and Capt. Broke, as an additional stimulus beyond the emulation excited, gave a pound of tobacco to every man that put a shot through the bull's-eye." Such was the vessel that in June appeared alone off the entrance to Boston Harbor, and by her actions seemed to challenge the "Chesapeake" to give her battle. Indeed, Broke's wish to test the strength of the two vessels was so great, that he sent in, by the hands of an American prisoner, a written challenge, the terms and spirit of which showed the writer to be a courageous and chivalric officer and gentleman. "As the ' Chesapeake ' now appears ready for sea," he wrote, " I request you will do me the honor to meet the ' Shannon ' with her, ship to ship, to try the fortunes of our respective flags. To an officer of your character, it requires some apology for proceeding to further particulars. Be assured, BLUE-JACKETS OF 1S12. 225 sir, it is not from any doubt I can entertain of your wishing to close with my proposal, but merely to provide an answer to any objection which might be made, and very reasonably, upon the chance of our receiving any unfair support." Capt. Broke then proceeds to assure Lawrence that the other British ships in the neighborhood would be sent away before the day of combat. To the challenge was appended a careful statement of the strength of the " Shannon," that Lawrence might understand that the ships were fairly matched. But before this challenge reached Boston, Lawre e had set out to seek the enemy. He had seen the " Shannon " lying off the entrance to the port ; and, finding out that she was alone, he knew that her pres- ence was in itself a challenge that he could not honorably ignore. Nor did he desire to avoid the battle thus offered. He had confidence in his crew, his frigate, and himself, and looked for nothing but victory. To the Secretary of the Navy, he wrote, " An English frigate is now in sight from my deck. I have sent a pilot-boat out to reconnoitre ; and, should she be alone, I am in hopes to give a good account of her before night. My crew appear to be in fine spirits, and I hope will do their duty." In truth, however, the condition of this same crew was such that the captain would have been justified in refusing the challenge. An unusual number of foreign sailors were enrolled, among whom was a Portuguese, who, in the ensuing battle, did incalculable injury to the cause of the "Chesapeake." The crew had never drilled together; many of the sailors came on board only a few hours before the ship sailed out to battle. All the old sailors were sullen over the delay in the payment of the prize-money of their last cruise. Lawrence attempted to allay their dis- content by giving them checks for the prize-money ; but the sense of injury still lingered in the minds of the men, and they were ill-fitted to do battle for the honor of the flag. Added to this evil was the fact that the first and second lieutenants and two acting lieutenants were away on sick-leave, and the ship was thus left short of officers on the eve of battle. ■ i I in ri ' I 226 HLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. • ; Regardless of the disadvantages under which he labored, Lawrence weighed anchor on the ist of June, and started down the harbor. As he approached the ocean, Lawrence mustered his crew aft, and eloquently urged them to fight bravely, and do their duty to the country, which had entered upon this war in defence of seamen and their rights. Three ensigns were run up ; and at the fore was unfurled a broad white flag, bearing the motto, " F"rek Trade a\u Sailors' Rights." When Law- rence closed his speech, and pointed out the flag floating at the fore, the men cheered and went forward, leaving the captain convinced that he could depend upon their loyalty. The morning was bright and cool, with a fresh breeze blowing, before which the " Chesapeake " rapidly bore down upon the foe that awaited her. Following cautiously in her track came a number of small craft, — pilot-boats, sloops, fishing-smacks, and pleasure-boats, — that had come down the bay to see the outcome of the battle. Hundreds of people of Boston rode along the coast, in hopes of gaining an outlook from which the progress of the fight might be viewed. At noon the ship rounded Boston Light, and made out into the open sea. The " Shannon " went ahead, under ea.sy sail, making up the coast toward Salem. Towards five o'clock the "Chesapeake" luffed up for a moment ; while the pilot clambered down the side, and put off in a small boat. A gun was then fired, as a signal that the Americans were ready for action. The " Shannon " evidently understood the purport of the signal ; for she quickly hove to, and troops of agile jackies clambered up her rigging, and began to take in sail. The "Chesapeake" followed suit, and was soon under only top-sails and jib. She then laid her course straight for the enemy. A ship preparing for action in that day was a scene of hurry and confusion that cannot be equalled in this era of machinery and few guns. At the short, broken, rolling beat of the drums, calling the men to quar- ters, the hurried rush of hundreds of feet began, as the men came pour- ing from all parts of the ship to their posts. Some clambered aloft to BLUK-JACKl'TS OF 1812. their stations in the tops ; others invaded the sanctity of the quarter-deck and captain's cabin, where several guns are always mounted, liut the niofit stirring scene is on the long gun- deck, where the men gradually fall into their places at the two long rows of great guns that peer through the open ports on either side. All are stripped to the waist ; and at many a gun the fair skin of the Ameri- can sailor gleams white by the side of some swarthy Spaniard, or still darker negro. All quiet down on reaching their stations ; and, five minutes after the drum- beats, no sound is heard, save perhaps the steps of the black boys, tak- ing rations of grog around, that the men may " splice the main brace " before going in- to the fight. Thus silently did the "Chesapeake" bear down upon her adver- sary. There was no long- range firing ; for the two commanders were vet- erans, whose chief desire was to settle the dispute yard-arm to yard-arm. Gradually the American ship ranged alongside the " Shannon," at a distance of half pistol-shot ; and, as her fore-mast came in a line with the " Shan. BEATING TO QV • ■.RS. Il ! ! i : ■' 'i. j ' jP I % ' 228 J3IA'K-|A(Ki;rs ()!•' 181 2. non's " mizzcn-mast, the latter opened fire with her cabin-guns. For a mo- ment the "Chesapeake" was silent, waiting for her guns to bear; then, with sulphuric flashes and a thunderous roar, she let fly her whole broadside. Then followed a duel with great guns. The two ships, lying sitle b\- side, dealt and received staggering blows. The spectators in small boats, who i\ept a safe distance, and the crowds of eager watchers on the far i)ff heights of Salem, saw through their spy-glasses the flash of the first broadsides, and the flying splinters that followed the course of the deadly shot. Then a heavy cloud of yellow smoke settled over the warring leviathans, and all further incidents of the battle were shut out from view. Only the top-masts of the ships, with the half-furled sails and the opposing ensigns flying, could be seen above the smoke. Under this vaporous pall, the fighting was sharp and desperate. The first broadside of the "Shannon" so swept the decks of the American frigate, that, of one hundred and fifty men quartered on the upper deck, not fifty were upon their legs when the terrible rush of the shot was over. The sailors in the tops of the British frigate, looking down upon the decks of their enemy, could sec nothing but a cloud of hammocks, splinters, anil wreckage of all kinds, driven fiercely across the deck. Both men at the wheel fell dead, but their places were scon filled ; while fresh gunners rushed down to work the guns that had been silenced by the enemy's fearful broadside. In a moment the "Chesapeake " responiled with spirit, and for some time broadsides were exchanged with incon- ceivable rapidity. The men encouraged each other with cheers and friendly cries. They had named the guns of the frigate, and with each telling shot they cheered the iron-throated monster which had hurled the bolt. "Wilful Alurder," "Spitfire," "Revenge," ''Bull Dog," "Mad Anthony," "Defiance," "Raging Eagle," and "Viper" were some of the titles born by the great guns ; and well the weapons bore out the names thus bestowed upon them. The gunnery of the Americans was good, their shot doing much damage to the enemy's rigging. But the effect of the " Shannon's " broadsides was such that no men, however brave, could stand before them. They swept the decks, mowing down brave fellows I;! Mi Ml I ,1 ! ! ;:' i; THE DEATH OF LAWRENCE. I !l ^1 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 231 by the score. Officers fell on every side. At a critical moment the two ships fouled, exposing the " Chesapeake " to a raking broadside, which beat in her stern-ports, and drove the gunners from the after-port. At this moment, Lawrence was wounded in the leg, but remained at his post and ordered that the boarders be called up. Unhappily a negro bugler had been detailed for the duty usually performed by drummers ; and, at this important moment, he could not be found. AJdshipmen and lieutenants ran about the ship, striving to call up the boarders by word of mouth. In the confusion, the bugler was found skulking under the stem of the launch, and so paralyzed by fear that he could only give a feeble blast upon his instrument. In the din and confusion of battle, the oral orders of the officers only perplexed the men ; and the moment for boarding was lost. At that very moment, the turning-point of the conflict, Capt. Lawrence was struck by a musket-ball, and fell mortally wounded to the deck. His officers rushed to his side, and, raising him gently, were carrying him below, when in a firm voice he cried, — "Tell the men to fire faster, and not give up the ship. Fight her till she sinks." With these words on his lips, he was carried to the ward-room. At this moment, the upper deck was left without an officer abo\ ^ the rank of midshipman. The men, seeing their captain carried below, fell into a panic, which was increased by the explosion of an arm-chest, into which a hand-grenade, hurled by a sailor lying out on the yard-arm of the "Shannon," had fallen. Seeing that the fire of the Americans had slackened, Capt. Hroke left his quarter-deck, and, running hastily forward, gained a position on the bow of his ship from which he could look down upon the decks of the "Chesapeake." His practised eye quickly perceived the confusion on the deck of the American frigate ; and he instantly ordered that the ships be lashed together, and the boarders called up. An old quartermaster, a veteran in the British navy, set about hashing the ships together, and accomplished his task, although his right arm was actually hacked off by the cutlas.i of an American sailor. The boarders were slow in coming up, and but twenty men fol- fi 11 F ! r I lie 232 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. lowed Broke as he climbed to the deck of the "Chesapeake." ]^roke led his men straight for the quarter-deck of the frigate. The Americans offered but little resistance. Not an oflficer was in sight to guide the I' M // 'l\ ! . ON BOARD THE "CHESAPEAKE." men, and the newly enlisted sailors and foreigners fled like sheep before the advance of the boarders. The British reached the quarter-deck vvith hardly the loss of a man. Here stood Mr. Liverniore, the chaplain of the " Chesapeake," who had cruised long with Lawrence, and bitterly mourned the captain's fate. BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. o -^ •! Determined to avenge the fallen captain, he fired a pistol at Broke's head, but missed him. Broke sprang forward, and dealt a mighty stroke of his keen cutlass at the chaplain's head, who saved himself by taking the blow on his arm. While the boarders were thus traversing the upper deck, the sailors in the tops of the "Chesapeake" were keeping up a well-directed fire, before which many of the Englishmen fell. But this resistance was not of long duration ; for one of the " Shannon's " long nines, loaded with grape, swept clean the "Chesapeake's" tops. With this, the British were in full control of the upper deck. Up to this time, the Americans on the gun-deck had known nothing of the events occurring on the deck above them. When the news of the British as.sau.t spread, Lieut. Budd called upon the men to follow him, and drive the boarders back to their own ship. A number of the marines (who behaved splendidly throughout the fight) and some twenty veteran sailors were all that responded to the call. Broke had in the mean time summoned the marines of the " Shannon " to his aid ; and the British, led by their dashing commander, were pouring in a dense column down the companion-ways to the gun-deck. Budd and his hand- ful of followers attacked them fiercely ; and, by the very desperation of the onset, the British were forced back a few paces. Broke threw him- self upon the Americans. With his cutlass he cut down the first man who attacked him, and bore down upon the others, dealing deadly blows right and left. His followers came close behind him. The Americans fell on every side, and began to retreat before the overwhelming force of their foes. Up from the wardroom came Lieut. Ludlow, already suffer- ing from two dangerous wounds, lie placed himself beside the younger officer, and the two strove in every way to encourage their men But Ludlow soon fell, with a gaping wound across his forehead. Budd was cut down, and fell through the hatchway to the deck beneath. The sailors, seeing both officers fall, gave way in confusion ; anil the ship was in the hands of the British. A fi w marines kept up a fire through the hatchway, but soon were silenced. An English officer, Lieut. Watts, ran to the halliards to haul down I ' ti \ 3 ■I i i I (I I! I i I J. 234 15LUE-JACKETS OF 1812. hi k f.;:i p; the American flag. But it would seem that the good genius which had watched over that starry banner throughout the war was loath to see it disgraced ; for the officer had hardly finished his work, when a grape-shot from his own ship struck him, and he fell dead. The noise of the battle had by this time died away, and the fresh breezes soon carried off the smoke that enveloped the combatants. It was an awful scene thus exposed to view. On the " Chesapeake " were sixty-one killed, and eighty-five wounded men. On the " Shannon " were thirty-three dead, and fifty wounded. On a cot in the wardroom lay Capt. Lawrence, his mortal wound having mercifully rendered him unconscious, so that he knew nothing of the loss of his ship. Broke had been made delirious by the fevered throbbing of the wound he had so long neglected. Everywhere were evidences of carnage and desolation. Little time was lost in getting the ships in order after the surrender. The noise of the hammer and saw was heard in every quarter. The wounded were taken to the sick-bay, and the bodies of the dead were committed to the ocean. Floods of water and the heavy holystones took from the decks the stains of blood. The galley cooks marched up and down the decks, sprinkling hot vinegar with a lavish hand. The British prize-crew took possession of the captured ship, and in a few hours the captor and ca.ptive were well on their way toward Halifax. They reached port on the 7th of June ; and the sight of the " Shan- non," followed by the " Chesapeake " with the British ensign flying proudly over the stars and stripes, stirred the little city to the utmost enthusiasm. As the two ships pursued their stately course up the harbor, the British men-of-war on all sides manned their yards, and fired salutes in honor of the victory. The thunders of the cannon brought the town's- peoplc to the water-side, and their cheers rang out lustily to welcome their conquering countrymen to port. Capt. Lawrence had died the day before ; and his body, wrapped in an American flag, lay on the quarter-deck of his frigate. Three days later, his body, with that of his gallant lieutenant Ludlow, was laid to rest with imposing naval honors, in the churchyard of Halifa.x. But his BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 235 country, honoring him even in the day of his defeat, was not content that his body should lie in the soil of an enemy's country. Two months after the battle, an American vessel, the " Henry " of Salem, entered the harbor of Halifax, under cover of a flag of truce, and took on board the bodies of Lawrence and Ludlow. They were conveyed first to Salem and later to New York, where they now lie under a massive monument of sandstone, in a corner of Trinity churchyard. A few feet away, the ceaseless tide of human life rolls on its course up and down IJroadway ; few of the busy men and women pausing to remember that in the ancient churchyard lies the body of the man whose dying words, "Don't give up the ship," were for years the watchword and motto of the United States navy. ii n CHAPTER X. CRUISE OF THE " ESSEX." - A RICH PRIZE. —THE MYSTERIOUS LETTER. — CAPE HORN ROUNDED. — CAPTURE OF A PERUVIAN PRIVATEER. — AMONG THE BRITISH WHALERS. - PORTER IN C().MMAND OF A SQUADRON.- A BOY COMMANDER. -THE SQUADRON LAVS UP AT NOOKAHEEVAH. IIILE the events related in the two preceding chapters were occurring along the American coast, a few gallant vessels were upholding the honor of the stars and stripes in far distant lands. To cruise in waters frequented by an enemy's merchant- men, and capture, burn, sink, and destroy, is always a legitimate occupa- tion for the navy of a belligerent nation. Yet the nation suffering at the hands of the cruisers invariably raises the cry of "wanton vandalism and cruelty," and brands the ofificers to whom falls so unplea.sant a duty with the name of pirates. Such was the outcry raised against Paul Jones in the Revolutionary war; so it was the British described the l)rilliaiit service of the little brig "Argus" in 1813 ; and so the people of the North regarded the career of the "Alabama" and other Con- federate cruisers in the great war for the Union. But perhaps no ship 236 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 237 i 7 had ever a more adventurous career, or wrought more damage to the enemy's commerce, than the United States frigate " Lssex," under the command of the able officer David Porter. Of the circumstances which led to the famous cruise of the " Essex," some account has already been given. With a full crew, and stores enough to enable her to keep the sea for some months, the ship set sail from the Delaware in the autumn of 18 12, and headed to the southward with the intention of joining the " Constitution " and " Hornet " at some point in the tropics. Her first point of call was at Porto Praya, a harbor in the Cape Verd Islands. To the captain's disappointment, he could learn nothing of Bainbridge at this place ; and he f oon departed, nfter scrupulously exchanging salutes with a rickety little fort, over which floated the flag of Portugal. Continuing her southward way, the "Essex" crossed the equator, on which occasion the jolly tars enjoyed the usual ceremonies attendant upon crossing the line. Father Neptune and his faithful spouse, with their attendant suite, came aboard and super- intended the operation of shaving and dowsing the green hands, whose voyages had never called them before into the Southern seas. Capt. Porter looked upon the frolic indulgently. He was well known as a captain who never unnecessarily repressed the light-heartedness of his crew. Two hours daily were set aside during which the crew were free to amuse themselves in any reasonable way. At four o'clock every after- noon, the shrill piping of the boatswains whistle rang through the ship, followed by the cry, " D'ye hear there, fore and aft .' All hands skylark ! " No order ever brought a quicker response, and in a minute the decks be- came a perfect pandemonium. The sailors rushed here and there, clad in all sorts of clothes ; boxed, fenced, wrestled ; ran short foot-races ; played at leap-frog, and generally comported themselves like children at play. Fights were of common occurrence ; and the two combatants soon became the centre of an interested ring of spectators, who cheered on their favorites with loud cries of "Go it. Bill. Now, Jack, lively with yer left." But a sailor has no better friend to-day than the man he fought yesterday ; and the fights, like the play, only kept the crew in good spirits and contentment. •I I J) i' ' V Ml I f! is' i it rl i- ■ !■■ J3S IJLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. The (lay after crossing the equator, the " Essex " sighted a sail and gave chase. Towards evening the frigate had gained greatly upon the stranger, and Porter displayed all the British signals which he had in his possession. The chase made no response, but set a British ensign. By nine o'clock, the " Essex " was within nuiskct-shot, and could easily have blown the fugitive out of water ; but this Porter was loath to do, as he desired to take the brig without doing her any injury. However, as she showed no signs of surrendering, he ordered the marines to give her a volley of musketry. One man on the chase was killed, and a number wounded, upon which her flag was immediately hauled down. She proved to be the British packet " Nocton " of ten guns. In her hold was found fifty-five thousand dollars in specie, which was at once taken on board the " Essex ; " and the " Nocton " was sent to the United States under the charge of a prize-crew. Before she could make a port, she fell in with a British man-of-war, and was captured after a few hours' chase. Two days after parting with the " Nocton," the " Essex " hove in sight of the Island of I'ernando Noronha, off the coast of Brazil. P'or a time the frigate abandoned her warlike character, battened down her ports, housed her guns, hid her large crew between decks, and sailed into the little harbor looking like a large but peaceable British merchant- man. An officer clad in plain clothes went ashore, and, meeting the governor, stated that the ship was the " Fanny " of London, bound for Rio Janeiro. During the conversation, the governor remarked that His liritish Majesty's ships, the "Acosta" forty-four, and the "Morgiana" twenty, had but recently sailed from the port, and had left a letter for Sir James Veo, requesting that it be forwarded to England as soon as possible. With this news, the lieutenant returned to the ship. On hear- ing his report, Porter at once surmised that the letter might have been left for him by Commodore Bainbridge ; and he at once sent the officer back, bearing the message that the " Fanny " was .soon going to London, and her captain would see the letter delivered to Sir James Yeo, in person. The unsuspecting governor accordingly delivered up the epistle, and it was soon in Porter's hands. The note read as follows: — BLUK-JACKpyrS OF 1812. 239 My Dear Mediterranean Friend, — Probably you may stop here. Don't attempt to water: it is attended with too many difficulties. I learned, before I left Eiig- lani/, that you were bound to Brazil coast. If so, perhaps we may meet at St. Salvador or at Rio Janeiro. I should be hajjpy to meet and converse on our old affairs of captivity. Recollect our secret in those times. Your friend of His Majesty's ship "Acosta," KERR. Sir James Veo of Ills British Majesty's ship " Southampton." Porter read and pondered over this perplexing letter. He felt .sure that the letter was from Bainbridge ; and in the allusion to St. Salvador and Rio Janeiro, he perceived the commodore's wish for a rendezvous at one of those places. But what could be the secret of the times of cap- tivity.' Suddenly a thought struck him. Might there not be something written in sympathetic ink.? Hurriedly calling for a candle, he held the letter above its flame, and saw, under the influence of the heat, words and sentences appearing where before all was blank paper. " I am bound off St. Salvador," it read ; " thence off Cape Frio, where I intend to cruise until the ist of January. Go off Cape Frio to the northward of Rio, and keep a lookout for me." That afternoon the governor of the island, looking out toward the harbor, was surprised to see the "Fanny" standing out under a full spread of canvas. Porter had gained all the information that he wished, and was off in search of his consorts. This search he continued until the 20th of January, cruising up and down off the Brazilian coast, and taking one or two small prizes. In this unprofitable service the ship's stores were being rapidly consumed. Among other things, the supply of rum began to run short ; and in connection with this occurred a curious incident, that well illustrates the character of sailors. The daily rations of bread were reduced one-half, and the rations of salt meat one- third, without a word of remonstrance from the patient crew. Ne.xt the discovery was made that the rum was giving out, and a proportional reduc- tion in the rations of grog was duly ordered. The jackies put in a vigor- \ It ij i' h 1 240 BLUK-JACKETS OF 181 2. I i I 1^^ : m; h ous and immediate protest. They were prepared, they said, to go without grog, should the supply of rum be unhappily exhausted ; but so long as any of the precious fluid remained, their rations of grog should not be curtailed. Hut to this Porter would not accede, fearing that, should the men be altogether deprived of their grog, the health of the crew might suffer. Accordingly, when the crew were piped to "splice the main brace" the ne.\t day, they were told that half rations only would be issued ; and, if the grog was not taken up in fifteen minutes, the tub would be over- turned, and the rum spilled into the sea. So dire a threat was too much for the rebellious seamen : they sprang into line, with their tin cups, and drew their curtailed rations without more ado. Some days after this occurrence, the "Esse.x" overhauled a Portuguese vessel, from the captain of which Porter learned that an American frigate had shortly before fought and sunk an English frigate off the coast of Brazil ; also, that it was rumored that an American corvette of twenty-two guns had been brought into Rio, a prize to a British seventy-four. This intelligence placed Capt. Porter in some perplexity. He felt convinced that the successful American frigate was the " Constitution ; " a con- jecture in which he was correct, for the news referred to the celebrated action of that ship with the "Java." The captured American corvette, he concluded, must be the "Hornet;" but herein the captain was wrong, for the "Hornet " was at that moment blockading the "Bonne Citoyenne." Porter now found it necessary to decide upon a course of action. The news which he had received made it appear most improbable that he would fall in with either of the United States vessels for which he was seeking. He was far from home, cruising in seas much frequented by British men-of-war. There were no naval stations or outposts belong- ing to the United States, into which he could put for protection or repairs ; for then, as now, the nation ignored the necessity of such supply- stations. To return home was peculiarly distasteful to the captain, who had set sail with the intention of undertaking a long cruise. In this dilemma, he wasted but little time in thought. By rounding Cape Horn, he would carry the " Essex " into the Pacific Ocean, where British mer- BLUE-JACKETS OK 1812. 241 chantmcn abounded and men-of-war were few. It was an adventurous and a perilous expedition to undertake ; but Porter, haviuj^ decided upon it, wasted no time in getting under way. That very night he took his ship out of the snug harbor of St. Catherine's, and started upon his long voyage around the Horn. A winter voyage around Cape Horn, even in the stoutest of ships, is an undertaking to be dreaded by the most courageous seamen. Tlie " Esse.x " seemed to meet with more than lier share of stormy weather. From the night when she set sail from St. Catherine's, until she dropped anchor in a harbor of the Island of IMocha, almost every day witnessed a struggle for supremacy between the raging ocean on the one side, and skilful seamanship and nautical science on the other. Capt. Porter, how- ever, proved himself ready for every emergency. No peril of the deep was unforeseen, no ounce of prevention unprovided. The safety of his ship, and the health of his men, were ever in his thoughts ; and accord- ingly, when the "Essex" rounded into the Pacific Ocean, both men and ship were in condition to give their best service to the enterprise in which they were embarked. After rounding Cape Horn, the " Essex " made her way northward along the desolate coast of Chili, until she reached the Island of Mocha. Here she anchored for a day, giving the crew a much needed run on shore, which they enjoyed with all the zest of schoolboys out for a day's holiday. The island afforded little in the way of fresh stores ; but some pigs and horses were shot, and devoured with gusto by men who for over two months had not tasted fresh meat. From this point the frigate made for Valparaiso, and, after reconnoitrmg the port, put in for water and stores. The officers were received with much hospitality by the townspeople, and, after a few days' stay, were tendered a complimentary ball, — an entertainment into which the young officers entered with great glee. Rut, unhappily for their evening's pleasure, the dancing had hardly begun, when a midshipman appeared at the door of the hall, and announced that a large frigate was standing into the harbor. Deserting their fair partners, the people of the " Essex " hastened to their ship, K ' 242 BLUK-JACKETS OK 1812. H U I and were soon in readiness for the action ; while the townspeople thronged the hills overlooking the sea, in the hopes of seeing a naval duel. Hut the frigate proved to be a Spaniard ; and, of course, no action oc- curred. The " Essex " remained several days at Valparaiso, and during her stay two or three American whalers put into the harbor. From the captains of these craft, Porter learned that the Peruvians were sending out privateers to prey upon American commerce, and that much damage had already been done by these marauders, who were no more than pirates, since no war existed between Peru and the United States. Porter determined to put an immediate stop to the operations of the Peruvian cruisers, and had not long to wait for an opportunity. A day or two alter leaving Valparaiso, a sail was sighted in the offing, which was soon near enough to be made out a vessel-of-war, disguised as a whaler. Porter hung out the English ensign, and caused an American whaler, with which he had that morning fallen in, to hoist a British flag over the stars and stripes. At this sight, the stranger hoisted the Spanish flag, and threw a shot across the bow of the "Essex." Porter responded by a few shot that whizzed through the rigging just above the Spaniard's deck. The latter thereupon sent a boat to the "Essex;" and the officer who came aboard, thinking that he was on a British man-of-war, boasted of his ship's exploits among the American whalers. His vessel was the Peruvian privateer " Nereyda " of fifteen guns, and she had captured two American whalers, whose crews were even then in the hold of the priva- teer. He admitted that Peru had no quarrel with the United States, and no reason for preying upon her commerce. The confession, so unsuspectingly made, gave Porter ample grounds for the capture of the offending vessel. Curtly informing his astounded visitor that he was on a United States man-of-war, Porter ordered the gunners to fire two shots close to the privateer. This was done, and the Peruvian quickly hauled down his colors. The American officers, on boarding the prize, found twenty-three American sailors, who had been robbed of all that they possessed, stripped of half their clothing, and thrown into the hold. IJLLK-JACKKTS OF 1.S12. 243 These unfortunate men were released and sent to the " ICssex ; " after which all the guns and ammunition of the privateer were thrown over- board, and the vessel ordered to return to Callao. / ,-^^-, \ \ V ^ n^jf^ r4i ^ ^ i .11 :^\ ffi \ \ X \ X \ THE PERUVIAN PRIVATF.EK. After this act of summary justice, the "Essex" continued in her northward course. She touched at Callao ; but, much to the disappoint- ment of all on board, there were no British vessels among the shipping ! i ; * ( M u\ 244 BLur:-jACKi:Ts of 1812. . at that port. Nor could the lookouts, for sonic clays, discern from the masthead any craft other than the double-hulled rafts of logs, called catamarans, in which the natives along the Peruvian coast make long voyages. Weary of such continued ill-luck. Porter determined to make for the Galapagos Islands, where it was the custom of the British whal- ing-ships to rendezvous. But it seemed that ill-fortune was following close upon the " Essex ; " for she sailed the waters about the Galapagos, and sent out boats to search small bays and lagoons, without finding a sign of a ship. Two weeks pas?ed in this unproductive occupation, and Porter had determined to abandon the islands, when he was roused from his berth on the morning of April 29, 18 13, by the welcome cry of "Sail, ho!" All hands were soon on deck, and saw a Inrgc ship in the offing. All sail was clapped on the frigate ; and she set out in hot pursuit, flying the Jiritish ensign as a ruse to disarm suspicion. As the chase wore on, two more sail were sighted ; and Porter knew that he had fallen in with the long-sought whalers. He had no doubt of his ability to capture all three ; for in those southern seas a dead calm falls over the ocean every noon, and in a calm the boats of the " lisse.x " couk' easily take possession of the whalers, liy eight o'clock in the morning, the vessel first sighted was overhauled, and hove to in obedience to a signal from the frigate. She proved to be the " Montezuma," Capt. liaxter, with a cargo of four- teen hunilred barrels of sperm-oil. Ha.xter visited Capt. Porter in his cabin, and sat there unsuspectingly, giving the supposed British captain information for his aid in capturing American ships. The worthy whaler little knew, as he chatted away, that his crew vas being transferred to the frigate, and a prize-crew sent to take charge of the "Montezuma." Jiy noon the expected calm fell over the water ; and the boats were ordered away to take jiossession of the two whalers, that lay motionless some eight miles from the " ICsse.x." The ilistance was soon passed, and the two ships were onlered to surrender, which they quickly did, much astonished to find a United States man-of-war in that region. A breeze jjhortly after springing up, all the prizes bore down upon the frigate ; ■ ]jlue-j.u:kkts of 1812. 545 , « and the gallant lads of the " Essex " had the pleasure of seeing them- selves surrounded with captured property to the value of nearly half a million dollars. One of the vessels, the "Georgiana," was a good sailer, strongly huilt, and well fitted for a cruiser. Accordingly she was armed with sixteen guns and a number of swivels, and placed under the com- mand of Lieut. Downes. With this addition to his force, and with the other two prizes following in his wake. Porter returned to the Galapagos Islands. The first sight of the far-off peaks of the desert islands rising above the water was hailed with cheers by the sailors, who saw in the Galapagos not a group of desolate and rocky islands, but a place where turtle was plenty, and shore liberty almost unlimited. I'orter remained some days at the islands, urging the crew of the " Es.sex," as well as the prisoners, to spend much time ashore. Signs of the scurvy were evident among the men, and the captain well knew that in no way could the dread disease be kept away better than by constant exercise on the sands of the seashore. The sailors entered heartily into their captain's plans, and spent hours racing on the beach, swimming in the surf, and wantler- ing over the uninhabited islands. After a few days of this sort of life, the squadron put to sea again. The " Georgianna " now separated from the fleet, and started on an independent cruise, with orders for a rendezvous at certain specific times. The " Essex " continued to hover about the Galapagos, in the hopes )f getting a few more whalers. She had not long to wait ; for the whale ship "Atlantic" soon fell in her way, and was promptly snapped up. The captain of this ship was a Nantucket man, who had deserteil the flag of his country, to cruise under what he thought to be the more l)ovverful flag of Great Hritain. Great was his disgust to fiml that by his treachery he had lost all that he desireil to protect. While in chase of the "Atlantic," a second sail had been sighted; and to this t!ie " ICssex " now gave chase. Oi\ being overhauled, the stranger at first made some show of fighting ; but a shot or two from the guns of the frigate convinced him of the folly of this course, and he surrendered at discretion. The vessel proved to be the whale ship letter-of-mar(|ue ■!■;■ 1 > I i 11 Mi I ■I 1 246 BLUE-JACKKTS OF 181 2. " Greenwich ; " a stout ship, of excellent sailing qualities. She carried ten guns, and was in every way a valuable prize. Porter had now been in the Pacific Ocean about three months. On the 24th of February, the " Essex," solitary defender of the flag of the United States in the Pacific, had turned her prow northward from Cape Horn, and embarked on her adventurous career in the most mighty of oceans. Now in May, Porter, as he trod the deck of his good ship, found himself master of a goodly squadron instead of one stanch frigate. The " Essex," of course, led the list, followed by the " Gcorgianna," sixteen guns, forty-two men; "Atlantic," six guns, twelve men; "Greenwich," ten guns, fourteen men ; " Montezuma," two guns, ten men ; " Policy," ten men. Of these the " Georgianna " had already received her arma- ment and authority as a war-vessel ; and the " Atlantic " showed such seaworthy qualities that Porter determined to utilize her in the same way. Accordingly he set sail for Tumbez, where he hoped to get rid of .some of his prisoners, perhaps sell one or two of his prizes, and make the necessary changes in the "Atlantic." While on the way to Tumbez, a Spanish brig was overhauled. Her captain vastly edified Capt. Porter by informing him that the " Nereyda," a Peruvian privateer, had recently attacked a huge American frigate, and inflicted great damage upon the Yankee. But the frigate proving too powerful, the privateer had been forcul to fly, and hastened her flight by throwing overboard all her guns and ammunition. On the 19th of June, the "Essex" with her satellites cast anchor in the harbor of Tumbez. The first view of the town satisfied Porter that his hopes of selling his prizes there were without avail. A more squalid, dilapidated little seaside village, it would be hard to find. Hardly had the ships cast anchor, when the governor came off in a boat to pay a formal visit. Though clothed in rags, he had all the dignity of a Span- ish hidalgo, and strutted about the quarter-deck with most laughable .self-importance. Notwithstanding his high official station, this worthy permitted himself to be propitiated with a present of one hundred dollars ; and he left the ship, promising all sorts of aid tu the Americans. 1 BLUE-JACKKTS OF 1S12. 247 ( Nothing came of it all, however ; and Porter failed to dispose of any of his prizes. While the " Essex " with her train of captives lay in the harbor at Tumbez, the "Georgianna" came into port, and was greeted with three cheers by the men of the frigate. Lieut. Downes reported that he had captured three British ships, carrying in all twenty-seven guns and seventy-five men. One of the prizes had been released on parole, and the other two were then with the "Georgianna." This adili- tion to the number of vessels in the train of the " Esse.\ " was somewhat of an annoyance to Capt. Porter, who saw clearly that so great a number of prizes would seriously interfere with his future movements against the enemy. He accordingly remained at Tumbez only long enough to convert the "Atlantic" into an armed cruiser under the name of the " Esse.x Junior," and then set sail, in the hopes of finding some port wherein he could sell his embarrassing prizes. His prisoners, sa\c alxnit seventy-five who enrolled themselves under the American flag, wore paroled, and left at Tumbez ; and again the little squadron put to sea. The " Esse.x Junior" was ordered to take the "Hector," "Catherine," "Policy," and "Montezuma" to Valparaiso, and there dispose of them, after which she was to meet the " Esse.x " at the Mariiuesas Islands. On her way to the rendezvous, the " ICsse.x " stopjx'd again at the (iala- pagos Islands, where she was lucky enough to find tlu- British whaler " Seringapatam," known as the finest ship of the British wlialing lleet. By her capture, the American whalers were rid of a dangerous enemy; for, though totally without authority from the British Crown, the captain of the " Seringapatam " had been waging a predatory warfare against such luckless Americans as fell in his path. Porter now armed this new prize with twenty-two guns, and considered her a valuable addition to his offensive force. She took the i)lace of the " (ieorgianna," which vessel Porter .sent back to the Uniteil States loaded with oil. Among the embarrassments which the care of so many prizes brought upon the leader of the e.vpedition was the difficulty of fimling command- ing officers for all the vessels. This difficulty was enhanced while the flotilla lay off the Galapagos Islands ; for two officers, falling into a tlis- 1 f I i ' V n ^ Ta] ■\ 248 RLUE-JACKi:rs OF 181 2. piite, settled their quarrel, after the manner of the day, by a duel. In the contest one, a lieutenant, aged only twenty-one years, was killed, and now lies buried in the sands of the desolate and lonely island. After this occurrence, the need for commanding officers became .so imperative that even the purser and chaplain of the " Essex " were pressed into the service. Midshipmen twelve or fourteen years old found themselves in -it: ;J 7 ... — -=— - -ri- f( \ TMK DUEL AT THK OAI.Al'ACIOS ISLANDS command of ships. David Farragut was one of the boys thus suddenly promoted, ami in his journal has left a description of his experience as a l)oy commander "I was sent as prizc-rnaster to the 'Parclay,'" ho writes. "This was an important event in my life ; and, when it was decided that I was to take the ship to Valparaiso, I felt no little pride at finding myself in command at twelve years of age. This vessel had been recaptured from a Spanish j^uarda casta. The captain and his mate were on board ; and . BLUK-JACKiyi'S OK 1.S12. •49 I was to control the men sent from our frigate, while the captain was to navigate the vessel. Capt. Porter, having failed to dispose of the prizes as it was understood he intended, gave ord'TS for the ' Ivssex Junior' and all the prizes to start for Valparaiso. This arrangement caused great dissatisfaction on the part of the captain of the ' Harclay,' a violent-tempered old fellow; and, when the day arriveil for our separa- tion from the squadron, he was furious, and very plainly intimated to me that I would 'find myself off New Zealand in the morning,' to which I most decidedly demurred. We were lying still, while the other ships were fast disappearing from view; the 'Commodore' going north, and the ' Ir)sse.\ Junior' with her convoy steering to the south for Valparaiso. " I considered that my day of trial had arrived (for I was a little afraid of the old fellow, as every one else was). lUit the time had come for me at least to play the man : so I mustered up courage, and informed the captain that I desired the top.sail filled away. He replied that he would shoot any man. who dared to touch a rope without his orders; he 'would go his own course, and had no idea of trusting himself with a d — d 'uit- shell ; ' and then he went below for his pistols. I called my rigiit-hand man of the crew, and told him my situation ; I also informed him that I wanted the main topsail filled. He answered with a clear ' Ay, ay, sir ! ' in a manner which was not to be misunderstood, and my confidence was perfectly rv .-.tored. I'rom that moment I became master of the vessel, and immediately gave all necessary orders for making sail, notify- ing the captain not to come on deck with his pistols unless he wished to go overboard ; for I would really have had very little trouble in having such an order obeyed." On the 30th of September, the .squadron fell in with the " I-lssex Junior," which had come from Valparaiso. Lieut. Downes reported that he had disposed of the prizes satis'actorily, and also brought news that the liritish frigate " I'hoebe," and the sloops-of-war " Raccoon " and "Cherub," had been ordereil to f.ruise the Pacific in search of the auda- cious " ICsse.s." More than this, he secured statistics regarding the fleet of British whalers in the I'acific, that proveil that Porter hail completely • t h' I ,:■ M' j 1 n ■ !, 1 i ! t' 1, 1' I i I i ' r i': m » I i 1 i 1 ' 1 H ' Ll i 1 250 BLUE-JACKFTS OF 181 2. destroyed the industry, having left but one whaler uncaptured. There was then no immediate work for Porter to do ; and he determined to proceed with his squadron to the Marquesas Islands, and there lay up, to make needed repairs and alterations. The Marquesas are a desolate group of rocky islands lying in the Pacific Ocean, on the western outskirts of Oceanica. In formation they are volcanic, and rise in rugged mountain-peaks from the bosom of the great ocean. Sea-fowl of all sorts abound ; but none of the lower mam- mals arc to be found on the island, .save swine which were introduced by ICuropeans. The people at the time of Porter's visit were simple savages, who had seldom seen the face of a white man ; for at that early day voyagers were few in the far-off Pacific. The island first visited by the " Mssex " was known to the natives as Rooahooga. Here the frigate stopped for a few hours. During her stay, the water alongside was fairly alive with canoes and swimming natives. They were not allowed to come on board, but were immensely pleased by some fish-hooks and bits of iron let down to them from the decks of the frigate. Not to be outdone in generosity, the islanders threw u[) to the sailors cocoanuts, fruits, and fish. A boat-crew of jackies that went ashore was surrounded by a smiling, chattering throng of men, women, and children, who cried out incessantly, " Tnjur, taya " (friend, friend), and strove to bargain with them for fruits. They were a handsome, intelli- gent-looking people ; tall, slender, and well formed, with handsome faces, and complexion little darker than that of a brunette. The men carried white fans, anti wore bracelets of human hair, with necklaces of whales' teetii and shells about their necks, — their sole articles of clothing. Poth men and women were tattoecl ; though the women seemed to content themselves with bands about the neck and arms, while the men were elaborately decorated from head to foot. Though some carried clubs and lances, they showed no signs of hostility, but bore them.selvcs with that siini)le air of hospitality and unconscious innocence common to all savage peoples of tropical regions, uncorrupted by association with civil- i/.eil white men. ^ '':\ ' t !1 THE WAR DANCE. ; ' ;» ■■ M m ^ -y , -. |- 1 ^m! sHHft f ,' 1 : f' ■ . ' 1' i ' * '\ ^ \ ^ ! !, i nHK- ^ If- ; ■ 1 ^^Hf liii BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 253 Porter remained but a short time at this island, as its shallow bays afforded no safe anchorage for the vessels. But, charmed as he was with the friendly simplicity of the natives, he determined to remain some time in the vicinity, provided safe anchorage could be found. This essential was soon discovered at Nookaheevah, where the ships cast anchor in a fine harbor, which Porter straightway dubbed Massachusetts Bay. Hardly had the ship anchored, when a canoe containing three white men came alongside, and was ordered away by the captain, who thought them deserters from some vessel. The canoe then returned to the shore, and the three whites were joined by a vast assemblage of armed natives. Porter now began to fear lest he had offended the natives, and proceeded at once to the beach, with four boats well armed and manned. Hut, by the time the boats' prows grated upon the white sand, every native had disappeared ; ind the solo figure visible was that of a young man, who advanced, and, giving a formal naval salute, announced himself as I^fid- shipman John M. Maury, U.S.N. Porter was greatly surprised to find a midshipman in so strange a place ; but the latter e.xplained it by stating that he was on furlough, and had been left there by a merchant-vessel, which was to call for him. She had never returned, however, and he now hailed the "Essex" as an opportunity for escape. A second white man, who then put in an appearance, naked and tattooed like an Indian, proved to be an Englishman who had been on the island for years, and who, by his knowledge of the language and character of the natives, proved of great assistance to the Americans, during the long stay upon which Capt. Porter had determined. U : '<^S CHAPTER XI. I'H WAR WITH THK SAVACF.S. - THF. CAMPAir.N AGAINST TIIF. TVrF.K.S - DEPARTURF. FKOM NOOKAIIFIAAH.— TIIK " F.SSKX" ANLlIOkS AT VALPARAISO. - ARRIVAL OF THE " PIKF.IIF." A.\l> " CHF.Rl Ii."-IIIFA' CAPirRF THK " ESSEX." - I'ORTliRS ENCOL'.NTER WITH THE ■■SATURN."- THE MITINV .VL NOOKAHEEVAH. T was now the last of October, 1813. Capt. Porter saw that the work he desired done upon the ships under his char{.je would occupy about si.v weeks, and he at once set about forming such relations of peace and amity with the natives as should enable him to procure the necessary supplies and prosecute his work uiuno- lestetl. Much to his dismay, he had hardly begun his diplomatic palaver with the chiefs, when he learned that to keep one tribe friendly he must fight its battles against all other tribes on the island. The natives of Nookaheevah were then divided into a large number of tribal organiza- tions. With three of these the Americans were brought into contact, — the Happahs, the Taeehs, and the Typees. The Taeehs lived in the fer- tile valley about the bay in which the American squadron was anchored. With these people Porter treated first, and made his appearance in their village in great state, being accompanied by the band, the marines, and several boats' crews of jackies. He was hospitably received by the natives, who crowded about to listen to the band, and wonder at the mili- tary precision of the marines, whom they regarded as supernatural beings. a54 *f ( SI: '. r^ > s HLUK-JACKKIS OK 1.S12. !55 GattiiiK'wa, the chief, expressed his abounding love for the captain, ami exchaiij^ed names with him, after the custom of the people ; but ended by sayiuj^ that the lawless liappahs were at war with the Taeehs, and the ^\mericans, to jjain the friendship of the latter tribe, must make common cause with them ap;ainst their enemies. To this Porter demurred, but the wily chief thereupon brought forward a most conclusive argument. He said that the liappahs had cursed his mother's bones; and that, as he and Porter had exchanged names, that estimable woman was the cap- tain's mother also, and the insult to her memory should be avenged. It is i^robable that even this argument might have proved unavailing, had not the liappahs the next night descended upon the valley, and, having burned two hundred bread-fruit trees, departed, leaving word that the Americans were cowards, and dared not follow them into their mountain fastnesses. Porter saw that his food supplies were in danger from these vandals, and his knowledge of savage character convinced him that he could have no peace with any of the natives until the insolence of this tribe was punished. Accordingly he notified the Taeehs, that, if they would carry a gun to the top of one of the mountain peaks, he would send a party against the liappahs. The Taeehs eagerly agreed ; and, after seeing the gun fired once or twice (a sight that set them fondling and kissing it, to show their reverence for so powerful a weapon), they set off up the steep mountain sides, tugging the gun after them. Lieut. Downes led the American forces. They had hardly reached the mountain tops, when the fighting began. The Happahs were armed wilii spears, and with slings, from which they threw heavy stones with terrific velocity. They seemed to know no fear, and stood gallantly befoie the advancing Americans, fairly darkening the air with clouds of stones and spears. The Americans, though few in number, — forty, opposed to nearly four thousand savages, — pressed forward, suffering but little from the weapons of their foes, l-'rom the deck of his frigate in the bay, Porter could see the steady advances of his forces, as they drove the liappahs from peak to peak. Before the Americans a huge native strode along, waving wildly the American flag. The howitzer came in the rear, and ^ 2S6 HIXK-J.UKKIS OF 1S12. was every now and then discharj^ed, to drive the foe from some formid- able stronj;hold. So ignorant of fire-arms were the enemy, that they had no idea of tlieir power, often fighting until the muzzle of a musket was laid to their temples before the discharge. Hut before nightfall this war- like spirit was broken, and the victors returned to their ships, their native .■^* f . ' I >J/M ' \'^'ii\\d 34-^ KiRiNi; rm; howit/er. allies carrying five dead bodies slung on poles. Two only of the Ameri- cans were wounded. The next day Happah ambassadors came to sue for peace ; and soon every tribe on the island joined the alliance, save the Typees, and a distant tribe that proudly bore the unpronounceable name of Hatecaaheottwohos. For two or three weeks peace reigned undis- turbed. Work was pushed on the vessels. The rats with which the " I-lssex " was infested were smoked out, an operation that necessitated the division of the crew between the shore and the other vessels. Porter 4 i,' KI-Ur:-J.UKETS OF iSi, 257 himself, with his officers, took up his quarters in a tent pitched on the shore. Under some circumstances, such a change would have been rather pleasant than otherwise ; but the rainy season had now come on, and the tent was little protection against the storms. Noticing this, the natives volunteered to put up such buildings as the captain desired, and pro- ceedeil to do so in a most expeditious manner. At early dawn four thousand men set about the work, and by night had completed a walled village, containing a dwelling-house for the captain, another for his officers, a cooper's shop, hospital, bake-house, guard-house, and a shed for the sentinel to walk under. For their services the men received old nails, bits of iron hoop, and other metal scraps, with which tiiey were highly delighted. The Americans were then living on the terms of the most perfect friendship with the natives. Many of the jackies had been taken into the families of the islanders, and all had formed most tender attach- ment for the beautiful island women ; who, in their turn, were devoted to the " Malleekees," who were such mighty men of war, and brought them such pretty presents of beads and whales' teeth. The Americans entered into the celebrations and festivities of the islanders, watched their dances, joined their fishing expeditions, and soon were on the friendliest footing with their dusky hosts. But .so pleasant and peaceful an existence was not destined to con- tinue long. The Typees, who inhabited the interior of the island, were beginning to stir up strife against the Americans; and Porter saw that their insolence must be crushed, or the whole native population would unite in war against him, Hut to begin a war with the Typees was far from Porter's wish. The way to their country lay over rugged jjrecipices and through almost im|icnetrable jungles. The light-footed natives could easily enough scale the peaks, or threatl the forests ; but to Porter's sailors it would be an exhausting undertaking. No artillery could be taken into the field, and the immense number of natives that might be arrayed against the .sailors made the success of the expedition very uncertain. Porter, therefore, determined to try to adjust the ilifficuity amicably, and with this purpose sent an ambassador to the Typees, Hi \. \ ! 25.^ r.i,ri;-I.\(Ki;is oi' 1812. I i1 M , t proposinj^ ;i peaceful alliance. The reply of the natives is an amusint; example i)f the ii^norant vainglory of savaj^e tribes, unacciuainted with the pouc-r of civilized peoples. The 'I'ypees saw no reason to desire the friend- ship of the Americans. They had always L;(>t aloni; \ery well without it- They had no intention of sendinj^ ho,L;s or fruit to sell to the Americans. If the Americans wanted supplies, let them come ami take them. The Americans were cowards, white lizards, and mere dirt. The sailors were \veaklinjj;s, who could not climb the Xookaheevan hills without aid from the natives. This, and much more of the same sort, was the answer of the Typecs to I'orter's friendly overtures. T!iis left no course open to the Americans save to chastise the inso- lent barbarians. The departure of the e.xpetlition was, however, delayed until a fort could be built for the protection of the American villai;e. This work, a sand-ba<,^ battery, calculated to mount sixteen L;uns, was completed on the 14th k\ November, and prei)arations for tl'e expedition were then be_L;un. And, indeed, it was time that the Americans showed that they were not to be insulted with impunity. Alreaily the Taeehs and napi)ahs were beginnin.L;' to wonder at the delay, and lumors spriad about the \illai;e that the whiles were really the ccnvards for wiiich the Typces took them. One man, a chief amon,L;' the llap|)ahs, was rash enough to call porter a cowan! to his face ; whereat the choleric- captain sei/ed a gun, and, rushing for the offender, soon i)rought him tn his knees, the muz/.le of the wea|)on against ids head, begging for nuTis, That man was ever after Porter's most able ally among the natives. The preparations fm- war with the T\ pees were completed, and the expedition was about to set out, when a new difficulty arose, this time among the white men. I'irst, a plot was discovered among the Prilish prisoners for the ncaptuie of the " l",ss.'x Junior." Th.rir jilan \\,is ti> get the crew inunk, bv means of diugg'.-d rum, and then rise, seize the vessel, and make olf whiK' the American forces were absent on the Tx pre expedition. This plot. l)i-ing discovered, was easily defeated ; and ihe leaders weii- put in irons. Then Porter discoxered t'lat disaffection had spreacl among his crew, which, for a time, threatened serious consequences. ..^ i ii I !• THE UGHi Al NOOKAMHLVAH. i^ I |) wi I.IJI 't \ ? [ 1 1 I 1 "it \ '1 -i ' ; - IlI.ri.-JACKKI'S OK iSi. 261 lUit this cl;iiij;cr was avcrtod hy the faptain's manly actions and words, which brought the jackics to his side as one man. On the 2.Sth of November tlie long-deferred expedition against tlie Ty))ees left the snug (juarters on tlie shore of Massachusetts Hay. The expedition went by sea, skirting the shore of the island, until a suitable landing-place near the territory of the hostile tribe was readied. The " Ivssex Junior" led the way. followed by live boats full of men, and ten war-canoes tilled with natives, who kept u]) an unearthly din with ilis- cordant conches. When the forces landed, the fiiendly nati\es were seen to number at least tlve thousand men ; while of the Americans, thirty-live, under the command of Capl. I'oiler, were considered enough for the work in hand, ['"rom the time the lighting began, the friendly natives kept carefully in the rear, and seemed to be only waiting to aid the victors, whether they should be .\mericans or I'yiJees. Capt. I'orter and hi-, followers, upon laniling, sat down upon the beach for breakfast ; but their repast wa>. rudely disturbed by a shower of stones from an ambusi ,ide of Typees in the eiige of the wood. Slopping but a moment to tini.sh their food, the jackies picked u|) their cutlasses and muskets, and started for the enemy. They were soon in the shady recesses of the tropical lorest, but not a Tyj.'ee was to Ix- seen. That the enemy was there, however, was amply attested by tb.' hail of stones that fell among the inv.ulers, and the snapping of slings that could be heard »u all siiles. 'I'his was a kind of lighting to which the sailors were not accustomed; and lor a momi'iU. they wavered, but weie clucred on by their brave leader, .md, ]>usiiing through the woods, came to a clearing ^m the l)anks tif a narrow ri\er. Hut here a sail di.saster befell tht.'Ui in the loss of I.ieul. l)tone. lie was sent back to the ship, wiili ;in esi ort of live men; and the party, thus reduced to twenty-nine, forded the river, .md scaled its high b.mk, cheering lustily, under a heavy tire from tlie TyiJces, who maile a ilogged stand on the farther shore. Hy this time, the l.ist of their savage allies had disappeared. The advance of the Americans was now checked by a jungle ol such I I; n .: 262 niA r.-j.uKi: rs OK t.si2. M rank mulcrbrusli that the cutlasses of tlic men maile no impression upon it ; and they were forced to crawl forward on their hands and knees, under a f"»nstant fire from the enemy, i-'roni this maze, they burst .>ui upon a clearing, and, looking about them, saw no sign of their savage foes, who had suddenly vanished. The solution of this mystery was soon discovered. After marching a few rods totally unmolested, a sudden turn in the path brought the Americans in sight of a formidable stone for- tress, perched on a hill commanding the road, and flanketl on either sick- by dense jungles. The wall of the fortress was of stone, seven feet high ; and from it, and from the thickets on either side, came such demoniac yells, and such showers of stones, as convinced the Americans that they were in front of the Typee stronghold. l""or a lime the invaders seemed in danger of annihilation. They were totally unprotected, and tlanked by concealed foes, whose missiles were plunging down u|)on them with deadly effect. Some few secured places behind trees, and began a mus- ketry fire; but the alarming cry soon arose that the ammunition was exhausted. I'ive men were immediately desjiatched to the beach ior more cartridges, while the few remaining determined to hold their |)(>si- tion at any cost, Hut to this determination they were unable to adhere. Had the Tyi)ees charged, the whole American furce would have been swept awav like driftwood before a sprmgtime tlood, lUit the savages neglected their opportunity ; and the Americans lirst gained the protection of the bushes, then fell back across the river, and so to the beach. Here a council of war was held. They had been i)eaten back by savages ; enormously outnumbered, to be sure, but still opposed by ujidis- ciplined warriors armed with, rude weapons. The stair, of that defeat must be washed out by a \ iclory. Upon one point, all were agreed. The Hajipahs had played them false by leading them over the most dangerous roads, and into ambuscades of the enemy. To such treach- erous guides, they wonld not again trust themselves, Hefore he again led his men to b.ittle, Porter wished to try diplomacy. Although he knew that he had been beaten in the engagement, it would never do to confess defeat before so many savages (fcu' the Taeehs and Happahs r.i.ri:-j.\iKi:is or 1.S12. 263 were now swarming about lum, disciissirif; the fi^ht). Acconlinfjly a messenger was sent to tell the Typees that a handful of wliite men hail driven them into their fort, killing and wounding many. Now a large re-enforcement of white men was on the heaeli, ready lo drive them from their valley, hut that if they would sue for peace they might yet save their lives and their villages. At this the Typees laughed. "Tell Opotee," said they, "that we have plenty of men to spaie ; while his men are few. We have killed his chief warrior, and wounded many of his people. Wc are not afraid of his hoii/iirs [muskets] ; they often miss fnc, and, when they wound, don't iiurl much. If tlie Malleekees can drive us from our valley, why don't they come anil do it.' — not stay on the l)each and talk." W'iien Porter received this letter, he knew thai he must again take the field agaiusl the Ty|)ees, or his half-hearted allies would abandi-n him and join his foes, giving him endless troul>Ie, and putting a stop to llie refitting of the ships in Mas.sachusett?> Hay. lie now understood the power ;if his foes, ;ind accordingly chose two hundred men to go with him on the second ixpeilitiou. lie also determined to leave behind the friendly savages, whose friendship was a very doubtful (piality. The forces left the beach that \erv night, and began their weary man h up the mount. nn-s,de. Il u.i> bright moonlight ; .m) thai llu- narrow moun- tain paths, the learlul precipices, the tangled jungles, ami the swamps and rivirs were \i.sible to tlu' marching column. I<\ midnight the .Amer- icans tound tlunisidves jierihed on the summit of .i rockv pe.ik ovi.'rlook- ing the Ivpee \ alley, fiom which arose sounds of drum-beating, sin^;mg, and loud shouts of iiNiliy. The guides wiio hail led tlu' American col- umn .said thai tli;-' savages were rejoicing over their triumph, and were calling upon tluir gods to send rain and spoil the "Malleekees* Lm/iiis." porter knew the time was ripe for a surj)rise, and the men were eager to be led against the enemy ; but the guides |»rolested that no mortal men could desix-nd the i)ath 'eading to the Typee village, at night, .so precipit(.UN vv.ix the descent. The Americans were therefore forced to wait patiently until moming. Tl'.r()wing themselves on the ground, the Weary sailors were .soon asleep, but were waked up m an hour by a licavy i 1 \ \ HLLIK-J.U'KiriS OF 1.S12. M'i ■ ' burst of rain. They saw tin." rain falling in sheets, and the sky banked with lihick clouds that j;ave little hope of a stoppa^^'. I''rom the valley below rose the triumphant yells of the Typecs, who were convineed that their gods had sent the shower to spoil the white men's weapons. And, indeed, the floods poured down as though .sent for that very service; so that at daybreak the Americans found that more than half their powder was spoiled. To make matters worse, the precipitous path leading down into the valley was so slippery that it would have been madness to attempt the ilescent. Accordingly Porter determined to retreat to the Ilappah village, and there wait for better weather. Heforc falling back, however, he ordered a volley lired, to show the savages that the lire-arms were not yet useless. The noise of the volley was the first intimation to the Typees that the Americans were so near them, and their village was at once thrown inlc; the direst confusion. Cries of surprise mingled with the beating of drums, the blowing of horns, the shrieks of women and children, and the scjucaling of pigs being driven to places of safety. In the midst of the tumult the Americans retired to the Ilappah village, where they spent the remainder of that day and the following night. The ne.\t mivrning dawned bright aiul cool after the rain ; and the Americans .sallied forth, determined to eiul this annoying affray in sh(Mt onUi. Thicy scjon reached their former station on the dills, and, looking ik)wn upon the Typee territory, saw a beautiful valley, cut up by stone walls into highly cultivated farms, and dotted with picturesque villages. Ikil llutugh. their Iiearts may ha\e been softened by the sight of so lovely a spot, so soon to be laid desolate, they were soon ner\ed to their work by a party of Typees, who were posted on the farther bank of a river that skilled the base of the clilY, and were calling out to the Americans, calling them cowards, and daring tlnin to come down ami fight, i'orter ga\e the command; and the jaekies were soon ilambering down the cliffs, ill the face of a rapid tire from their enemies. The bank of the river once gained, the .Xnieiica.is halted to nst for a few minutes, and then, fording the stream, pushed forward straight foi- the nearest village. The Typees hung upon the llaiik of the aovancing column ; now and then yilii IJl,Ui:-J.U"KK'l'S OV I Si 2. J65 makinj; ficrco ihar,L;cs, hut always beaten haek with severe losses. The sailors sutfereil l)iit little, and were soon in possession of the villaj;e, behind the walls of whieh the main body halteil, while scoiitin;.; parties were sent out to reconnoitre. After a short halt at this i)()int, the invaders pushed forward to the ne.\t villaj^i.', and so on up the valley, burnin;;- each village as soon as it was captured. Undismayed by tJK'ir continued reverses, the Typees fouglit doggedly, scornfully refusing to listen to the peaceful overtures made i>y the American commander After marching three or four miles, aiul lighting for every fool of the way, the Americans found themselves before an extensive village, which, from its size, and the strength of its fortifications, was evidently the Typee capital. Here the salvages made a last determined stand, hut to no avail. The Americans poured over the wall, and were soon in possession of the town The beauty of the village, the regularity of its streets, and the air of comfort anil civilization everywhere apparent, made it hard for Porter to give the fateful order that should commit all to the flames. Hut his duty was clear, and the order was given. Leaving the blazing capital behind them, the sailors retraced their steps to the ships, having completeil the devastation of the valley that a day before was .so peaceful, fertile, anil lovely. The spirit of the Typees was th()r(nighly broken by this crushing blow ; and for the next few days the ships were besieged by ambassadors from all the island trilies, begging for peace. l""eeling assured that he should have no further trouble with the natives, Porter now exerted all his energies to complete the repairs on the ships, that he might again take the sea. So rapidly did the work progress, that by the 9th of December the " ICsse.x " and " Msse.x Junior" were refitted, and stocked with fresh provisions of hogs, cocoanuts, and bananas ; the " New Zealander," loaded with oil from the other prizes, was ordered to proceed to New V'ork ; while the " Cireenwich," ".Sering- apatam," and "Hammond" were to remain at the islands unt.l the " ICsse.x " should return for them. These arrangements being made, the war-ships made ready to depart. But now arose u dinicully, ludicrous in its cause, but v/hich threatened n * I m m '* 'h' '!'■ 266 I'.i.ri.-iACKKis or i,si2. to l)c serious in its effects. The ships had been lyin^ in harbor for about two nionliis ; and durin;; tiiat time the sailors, with unUniited shore iiiierty, liad made such ties as I)ounii tiiem closely to the native jieople. The youn;; f^irls of the islands, with lluir comely faces and fair lom- plexions, had played sad havoc with the hearts of the gallant tars of thi' " l'!sse.\ ; " and deep was the j;rund)lin,i;' amon;; the sailors when thev iieard that the time had come for them to hid farewill to their sweitluarts. No openly mutinous demonstration was made ; but so old a connnau(U-r could not overlook the f.ut that some disaffeclion existed anion;; his crew, and a little investigation disclosed (he trouble. There could be no half-way measures adojited in the case, and I'orter at once j;ave orders that all further intercourse with tiie shore should cease. That very nij;ht three sailors slipi)ed into tlie sea, and sv,am ashore to meet their sweet- hearts ; but the wily captain had stationed a patrol upon tlu' beach, and the three luckless Leanders were sent back to the ship in irons. All thu next day the native ^irls lined the shore ol thi- l)a\. and with i)lea(lin^ {;estures besought the captain to let the sailors come ashore, but to no avail. .lome fair maidens even swam off to the ship, but were i^rullly onli'ii'd away by the officers. All this was very tantalizing; to the men, whs hung over the bulwarks, looking at the fair objects of their adoration. lUil oni- man only sliowed signs of rebellion against the captain's author- ity ; and i'orter, calling him out before the crew, rebuked him, and sent him ashore in a native canoe : while the rest of the jackies sprang into the rigging, set the canvas, and the ship soon left tlu- ishuul, with its sorrowing nymphs, far in her wake. The two vessels tinned their heads toward \'a1paraiso. and made the port after an uneventful voyage of fift-y.si.\ days. The frig.ttv (.'ntered the harboi- at once, and cast anchor; while the " Ivsse.v junioi " was ordered to cruise about ontside. keeping a close watch for the enemy's ships. The friendship of the people of the town seemed as great as during the first visit of the frigate to the port ; and a series of entertainments was begun, that culminated in a grand bail upon the " Ivsse.x " on the night of the 7th of February, 1.S14. l'"or that one night the ulTicers of the " lisse.x Junior" iiMi:-j.\(Ki:rs oi' isi2. 267 were absolved fioiii llioii- wwiry iluty ot patiollinj; tin- m.-.! ;il tlic muiith of tin: harbor. Tlu- vessel was aiulioied at a point tltat einninanded a view (if the oeean ; and her oflicers, arrayed in the splendor of fidl dress, betook themselves on lioard of the frij^ate. At niidni;;ht, after an even- ing of (hinein;.^ and gayet\. Lieut. Oownes left the " Ivssex," and ri'tnined to his vessel, whieh immediately wei.i;hed anchor and put to sea. I lie festivities on the fri.i;ati- continued a little time lon;^^er ; and then, llu' last ladies havin;; been handed down the ^jan^way, and pulled ashore, the work of elearinj; away the decorations be;;an, While t'lie ship's (K'cks were still stre'vn wiLh lla;;s and (lowers, while the awninj;s still slretche(| from stem to stern, and the hundreds of ;^ay lanterns still lum;^ in the rigjjin;^, the " I'lsse.x Junior" was .-^eeii comin- into the harbor with a sij;nal flying'. Tlu- siL;nal (|uarterma;.ter rushed for his book, and soon announced that the lla;;s read, "Two enenn's shi|)s in si-ht." At this moini'iu more than halt tlu- crew ot the " I'.ssex ' were on shore; but a sJLCnal set at the ship's side recalle.l the men, and in an hour and a half the shiji was read) lor action; wiiile the " ICssev Junior " cast anihor in a supporting position. 'I'he two siran;;c vessels wen- the "Cherub" and the " T'lKcbe," Ihitish men-of-war They rounded into the liarbor about ei,i;hl .a.m., and boie down tow.irds the American ships, The " IMKebe," the larj;er of the two I'ji^lishmen, drew close to the " I-'ssi-.x ; " and her commander, ('a|)t. llillyar, sprang; upon the taffrail, and asked .ifti'r ('apt. Poller's health. I'orter respondid coiuteouslv; and, noticing;' that the "I'hobe" w.is cominj;- closer th.m the lustoms of war-vessels in a neutral port per- mitted, warned the I',n.i,dishman to keep his distance, or troul)te would result, llillvar protested that he meant no harm, but ne\ertheless con- tinued bis adv.mce until the two ships were almost fouled. l'ort"r called the boarders to the bow; and the\ crowded foiward, armed to the teeth, and stiipped for the ti,L;hl, 'I'he "I'luebe" was in such ;i position that she lay entirely at the mercy of the " I'.sse.y," ;ind could not brin- a .L;im to bear in her own di-feiui'. I lillyar, from his position on the taffrail, could see the American boarders re.uly to spriiiL; at the word of lomm.ind, r I '■ 1 N ! ! 1 1 ( ; 1 268 HiA;i;-j.u:Ki;rs oi- isij. and tin- mii//Ios of the cannon ready ti) blow the ship out of water. There is httle ilmihl that he was astonished to run! the " l-'-ssex " so well jjrepared fm the fray, for he had been told that more than half her c-rew had ^one ashore. Relying; upon this infoiniation, he had probably planned to lapture the " ICssex " at her nioorin;;s, rej^jardless of the neutrality of the port. lUu he had now broU};ht himself into a dan;ierous position, and Porter would have been justilied in openinj; fire at onee. I?ut the apologies and protestations of the Hritish laptain disarmed him, and he unwi>ely let the "I'liiebe" proceed unmolested. In his journal, I'arragut thus describes this incident: " W'l- wi-re all at cpiarlers, and cleargLl for action, waitinj; with briMthless an.\iet\ for the command from Capl. I'orler to i)oard, when the Iji^dish captain appeared, standinj; on the after-};un, in a pea-jacket, and in plain hearing said, — " ' Capt. ilillyar's compliments to Cajjt. I'orter, and hopes he is well.' " I'orter replied, ' Wry well, I thank you. lUit I hope you will not come too near, for fear some accident mi^ht take place which would be disai;reeable to y(»u.' And, with a wave of his trumpet, the ked^e-anchors went up to our sard-arms, reaily to {.'.rapple the eneni\. "Capl. IIill)ar braced back his yards, and remarked to I'orter, that, if he did fall aboard him, he beygeil to assure the captain th.il it woulil be entirely acciilenlal. "'Well,' saiti I'orter, 'you have no businer.s where you are. If you touch a rope varn of this ship, I shall board instantly.'" Notwithstandin;; I'orter's forbearance, the incident came near leading.; to a battle, throu^^h the action of one of the irew. who had come off from shore with his brain rather hazy from heavy drinkinj;. This man was standin;; by a j;un, with a lighted brand in his hand, ready to fire the piece, when he thouj^ht he saw an I'ai;;lishman {grinning at him throuLch r.ne of the open ports of the " I'hccbe." Highly enraged, he shouted out, "My fine fellow, I'll soon stop your making faces!" and reacheil out to fire the gun ; when a heavy blow from an officer, who saw the action, stretched him on the deck. Had that gun been fired, nothing could have .saved the "I'luybc." HLUK-JACKKIS Ol' 1S12. 2l' the Ann ri cans, and seemed jjiepared for a lon;^ season in pnit. I-Or tJK- next Irw weeks the Ihitish and American olfuers and scanu n nut freqiientlv on shore; and a kind of friendship sprang up l)ctween them, althou.:;h they were merely waiting; for a favorahle monunt to he^in a deadly strife. Some incidents, however, took place which rather disturbed the amicai>Ie relations of the two parties. At the masthead of the " l'-sse.\ ' iloaled a fla^; bearing; the motto, " l"'ree Trade and Sailors' Ri,L;hts." This Ha>; j;ave j^reat offence to the British, who soon displayed a Hag with the inscription, "(idd and Country, Hritish Sailors" Hest Rights. Traitors offend both." lo this Americans responded with, "God, our Country and Liberty. Tyrants offend them." Here the debate iloscd, and seemed to arouse no unfriendly feelinj; ; for Porter and Ilillyar talked it over amicably on shore. In the course of this conversation, I'orter challenged the " Phccbe ' to meet the " Esse.x " alone; i)ut Ilillyar ile- clined the proposition. Shortly after this, the crews ot the '.loslile ships began the practice of singing songs af each other; the Americans begin- ning with "Yankee Doodle,' while the British retorted with " (jod save thi' King." Then the poets of the forecastle set to work, and ground out verses that would prove particularly obno.xious to the enemy. <">iu' of the American songs recited at full length the capnue of the " (iuerriere." The ch.iracter of tiie poetry may be judged by the fir^i verse. "No i;irs )l i>iir cnuniiy. wlio .six-k iin the main Tlie caiisi; I'm- tin- wroiij^s yi)ur country siist.iin, Ki'iditc and 1)0 nu'iry, lor lirai,':;intj John lUill lias j;ot a sound drubltin;^ troni brave Capt. Hull.' The Ih"itish nspondeil with triumphant verses upon the captun- of the "Chesapeake," news of which had just nacluii V'alparai.so. Their poetry was cpate as bad. •• liravi- llroki- Ik: w.ucd Iiis ^word, .\nd 111- I rii'il, • N'liw, l.uis, alioard ; And We'll ^tiip tlitir •"injfini;, Yankci- Doodle Dandv, <)!'" II ! IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ''/. ^ // {./ >" c^ .s ■%' 73 WE3T MAIN STREIT WESSYER.N.Y. 14S80 (716) 872-4503 Q^ .a/a #> 270 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. Porter now wished to get rid of some of the prizes with which he was encumbered. He could not burn them in the harbor, and the British ships kept too close a watch upon him to permit his ships to leave the harbor for an hour : so he was forced to wait many days for an oppor- tunity. On the 14th of February the opportunity came; and the "Hector" was towed out to sea, and set a-fire. Two weeks later, the " Phcebe " came alone to the mouth of the harbor, and, after showing her motto flag, hove to, and fired a gun to windward. This Porter understood to be a challenge, and he at once put out in the "Essex." But the "Phoebe" had no intention of entering a fair and equal fight ; for she quickly joined her consort, and the two then chased the "Essex" back to port. iMuch talk and a vast deal of correspondence grew out of this affair, which certainly did not redound to the credit of the British. On the 28th of March the wind blew with such force that the larboard cable of the " Essex " parted ; and the ship, drifting before the wind, dragged her starboard cable out to sea. Knowing that the British ships were in waiting outside. Porter lost no time in getting on sail and trying to beat back into the harbor. But, just as the ship was rounding the point, there came up a heavy squall, which carried away the main top- mast, throwing several topmen into the sea. In her disabled state the frigate could not regain the harbor ; but she ran into a little cove, and anchored within half pistol-shot of the shore. Here she was in neutral waters; and, had Capt. Hillyar been a man of his word, the "Essex" would have been safe : for that ofificer, on being asked by Porter whether he would respect the neutrality of the port, had replied with much feel- ing, " You have paid so much respect to the neutrality of the port, that I feel bound in honor to respect it." But he very quickly forgot this respect, when he saw his enemy lying crippled and in his power, although in neutral waters. Hardly had the " Essex " cast anchor, when the two British ships drew near, their actions plainly showing that they intended to attack the crippled frigate. The " Essex " was prepared for action, the guns beat to quarters ; and the men went to their places coolly and bravely, though each felt at BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 271 his heart that he was going into a hopeless fight. The midshipmen had hardly finished calling over the quarter-lists, to see that every man was at his station, whe.i the roar of the cannon from the British ships announced the opening of the action. The "Phoebe" had taken up a position under the stern of the American frigate, and pounded away with her long eighteens; while the "Essex" could hardly get a gun to bear in return. The "Cherub" tried her fortune on the bow, but was soon driven from that position, and joined her consort. The two kept up a destructive fire, until Porter got three long guns out of the cabin-windows, and drove the enemy away. After repairing damages, the British took up a position just out of range of the "Essex's" carronades, and began a rapid and effective fire from their long eighteens. Such an action as this was very trying to the crew of the " Essex." The carronades against which Porter had protested when his ship was armed were utterly useless against an enemy who used such cautious tactics. On the deck of the frigate men were falling on every side. One shot entered a port, and killed four men who stood at a gun, taking off the heads of the last two. The crash and roar of the flying shots were incessant. As the guns became crippled for lack of men, the junior officers took a hand in all positions. Farragut writes, " I performed the duty of captain's aid, quarter-gunner, powder-boy, and, in fact, did every thing that was required of me. . . . When my services were not required for other purposes, I generally assisted in working a gur; ; would run and bring powder from the boys, and send them back for more, until the captain wanted me to carry a message ; and this continued to occupy me during the action." Once during the action a midshipman came running up to Porter, and reported that a gunner had deserted his post. Porter's reply was to Kirn to Farragut (the lad was only twelve years old), and say, "Do your duty, sir." The boy seized a pistol, and ran away to find the coward, and shoot him in his tracks. But the gunner had slipped overboard, and made his way to the shore, and so escaped. After the " Essex " had for some time suffered from the long-range fire of the enemy, Capt. Porter determined to make sail, and try to close 272 IiI,UK-JACKK'rS OV 1 81 2. i |:i t with his foes. The rigging had been so badly shot away that the flying jib was the only sail that could be properly set. With this, and with the other sails hanging loose from the yards, the " Essex " ran down upon the British, and made such lively play with her carronades, that the "Cherub" was forced to haul off for repairs, and the tide of war seemed to be setting in favor of the Americans. But, though the gallant blue- jackets fought with desperation, their chances for success were small. The decks were strewn with dead, the cock-pit was full, and the enemy's shot were constantly adding to the number of dead and dying. Young Farragut, who had been sent below after some gun-primers, was coming up the ladder, when a man standing at the opening of the hatchway was struck full in the face by a cannon-ball, and fell back, carrying the lad with him. The mutilated body fell full upon the boy, who lay for a time unconscious ; then, jumping to his feet, ran, covered with blood, to the quarter-deck. Capt. Porter saw him, and asked if he was wounded. " I believe not, sir," answered the midshipman. "Then," said the captain, " where are the primers } " Farragut remembered his errand, and dashed below to execute it. When he emerged the second time, he saw the captain (his adopted father) fall, and running up asked if he was wounded. " I be- lieve not, my son," was the response ; " but I felt a blow on the top of my head." He had probably been knocked down by the wind of a passing shot. But the end of the action was now near. Dreadful havoc had been made in the ranks of both officers and men. The cock-pit would hold no more wounded ; and the shots were beginning to penetrate its walls, killing the sufferers waiting for the surgeon's knife. Lieut. McKnight was the only commissioned officer on duty. The ship had been several times on fire, and the magazine was endangered. Finally, the carpenter reported that her bottom was so cut up that she could float but a little while longer. On learning this. Porter gave the order for the colors to be hauled down, which was done. The enemy, however, kept up their deadly fire for ten minutes after the " Essex " had struck. David Farragut narrates some interesting incidents of the surrender. He was sent by the captain to find and destroy the signal book before , lit .1 > w CAPTURE OF THE ESbEX. ■\ :i !, BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 275 the British should come aboard ; and, this having been done, he went to the cock-pit to look after his friends. Here he found Lieut. Cornell terribly wounded. When Farragut spoke to him, he said, "O Davy, I fear it's all up with me ! " and died soon after. The doctor said, that, had this officer been operated upon an hour before, his life might have been saved; but' when the surgeons proposed to drop another man, and attend to him, he replied, " No, no, doctor, none of that. Fair play's a jewel. One man's life is as dear as another's ; I would not cheat any poor fellow out of his turn." Surely history nowhere records more noble generosity. Soon after this, when Farragut was standing on the deck, a little negro boy came running up to inquire about his master, Lieut. VVilmer, who had been knocked over by a shot. On learning his master's fate, he leaped over the taffrail into the sea, and was drowned. After the " Essex " had been formally surrendered, boats were sent to convey the prisoners to the British ships. In one of these Farragut was carried to the " Phoebe," and there fell into a second battle, in which the victory remained with him. " I was so mortified at our capture that I could not refrain from tears," he writes. " While in this uncomfortable state, I was aroused by hearing a young reefer call out, — "'A prize! a prize! Ho, boys, a fine grunter, by Jove.' •' I saw at once that he had under his arm a pet pig belonging to our ship, called 'Murphy.' I claimed the animal as my own. "'Ah,' said he, 'but you are a prisoner, and your pig also!' " ' We always respect private property,' I replied ; and, as I had seized hold of 'Murphy,' I determined not to let go unless 'compelled by superior force.' "This was fun for the oldsters, who immediately sung out, — " ' Go it, my little Yankee. If you can thrash Shorty, you can have your pig.' " ' Agreed,' cried I. "A ring was formed in an open space, and at it we went. I soon found that my antagonist's pugilistic education did not come up to mine. In fact, he was no match for me, and was compelled to give up the I! ii III iiij T 276 BLUL-JACKETS OF 181 2. 4 I ' ^5 pig. So I took Master Murphy under my arm, feeling that I had in some degree wiped out the disgrace of the defeat." When the British ships with their prize returned to the quiet waters of the harbor, and began to take account of damages, it was found that the " Essex " had indeed fought a losing fight. On the " Phoebe,!' but four men were killed, and seven wounded ; on the " Cherub," one killed and three wounded, made up the list of casualties. But on the " Essex " were fifty-eight killed, and sixty-six wounded ; while an immense number of men were missing, who may have escaped to the shore or may have sunk beneath the waves. Certain it is some swimmers reached shore, though sorely wounded. One man had rushed on deck with his clothing all aflame, and swam ashore, though scarcely a square inch could be found on his body which was not burned. Another seaman had sixteen or eighteen scales of iron chipped from the muzzle of his gun driven into his legs, yet he reached the shore in .safety. After some delay, the " Essex Junior " was disarmed ; and the pris- oners, having given their paroles, were placed on board her, with a letter of safe-conduct from Capt. Hillyar to prevent their capture by any British man-of-war in whose path they might fall. But this letter availed them little ; for, after an uneventful voyage to the northward, the " Essex Junior " found herself brought to by a shot from the British frigate " Saturn," off Sandy Hook. The boarding-ofificer took Capt. Hillyar's letter to the commander of the " Saturn," who remarked that Hillyar had no authority to make any such agreement, and ordered the " Essex Junior " to remain all night under the lee of the British ship. Capt. Porter was highly indignant, and handed his sword to the British officer, saying that he considered himself a prisoner. But the Englishman declined the sword, and was about to return to his ship, when Porter said, "Tell the captain that I am his prisoner, and do not consider my- self any longer bound by my contract with Capt. Hillyar, which he has violated; and I shall act accordingly." By this Porter meant that he now considered himself absolved from his parole, and free to escape honorably if an opportunity should offer. - I i i ' BLUH-JACKKl'S OK 1812. 77 Accordingly at seven o'clock the following morning, a boat was stealthily lowered from the " I'^ssex Junior;" and Porter, descending into it, started for the shore, leaving a message, that, since British officers showed so little regard for each other's honor, he had no desire to trust himself in their hands. The boat had gone some distance before she was sighted by the lookout on the " Saturn," for the hull of the " Essex Junior " hid her from sight. As soon as the flight was noticed, the frigate made sail in chase, and seemed likely to overhaul the audacious fugitives, when a thick fog set in, under cover of which Porter reached Babylon, L.I., nearly sixty miles distant. In the mean time, the "Essex Junior," finding herself hidden from the frigate by the fog-bank, set sail, and made for the mouth of the harbor. She was running some nine knots an hour when the fog showed signs of lifting; and she came up into the wind, that the suspicion of the British might not be aroused As it happened, the " Saturn " was close alongside when the fog lifted, and her boat soon came to the American ship. An ofificer, evidently very irate, bounded upon the deck, and said brusquely, — "You must have been drifting very fast. We have been making nine knots an hour, and yet here you are alongside." " So it appears," responded the American lieutenant coolly. "We saw a boat leave you, some time ago," continued the English- man. "I suppose Capt. Porter went in it.'" "Yes. You are quite right." "And probably more of you will run away, unless I cut away your boats from the davits." " Perhaps that would be a good plan for you to adopt." "And I would do it very quickly, if the question rested with me." " You infernal puppy," shouted the American officer, now thoroughly aroused, "if you have any duty to do, do it ; but, if you insult me further, ril throw you overboard ! " With a few inarticulate sounds, the Englishman stepped into his boat, and was pulled back to the "Saturn," whence soon returned a second boat, bearing an apology for the boarding-officer's rudeness. The boarders lii r 278 T.I.UK JACKF'/rS OF 1S12. then searched all parts of the ship, mustered her crew on the plea that it contained British deserters, and finally released her, after having inflicted every jiossible humiliation upon her officers. The "Essex Junior" then proceeded to New York, where she was soon joined by Capt. Porter. The whole country united in ooing honor to the officers, overlooking the defeat which closed their cruise, and regarding only the persistent bravery with which they had upheld the cause of the United States in the far-off waters of the Pacific. Before closing the account of Porter's famous cruise, the story of the ill-fortune which befell Lieut. Gamble should be related. This officer, it will be remembered, was left at Nookaheevah with the prizes " Green- wich," " Seringapatam," and "Hammond." Hardly had the frigate disap- peared below the horizon, when the natives began to grow unruly ; and Gamble was forced to lead several armed expeditions against them. Then the sailors under his charge l>egan to show signs of mutiny. He found himself almost without means of enforcing his authority, and the disaffec- tion spread daily. The natives, incited by the half-savage Englishman who had been found upon the island, began to make depredations ujjon the live-stock ; while the women would swim out to the ships by night, and purloin bread, aided by their lovers among the crews. To the lieu- tenant's remonstrances, the natives replied that " Opotee " was not coming back, and they would do as they chose ; while the sailors heard his orders with ill-concealed contempt, and made but a pretext of obeying them. In the middle of April three sailors stole a boat from the "Greenwich," and, •tocking it well with ammunition and provisions, deserted, and were never again seen. One month later, mutiny broke out in its worst form. Lieut. Gamble and his two midshipmen, being upon the " Seringapatam," were knocked down by the sailors, gagged, bound, and thrust into the hold. The mutineers then went ashore, spiked the guns in the fort, and then, hoisting the British colors over the captured ship, set sail. Lieut. Gamble was badly wounded in the foot by a pistol-shot fired by one of his guards. Notwithstanding his wound, he, with the two lieutenants and two loyal seamen, was turned adrift in an open boat. After long and painful exertions. ' I f^ ^m BLUE-JACKK'IS OF 1.S12. 279 they reached the shore, and returned to the hay, where the "Greenwich" still lay at anchor. The mutineers, thirteen of whom were Englishmen who had enlisted in the American service, steered boldly out to sea, and were nevermore heard of. The half-savage Englishman, Wilson, was supposed to be at the bottom of this uprising, and some days later a boat's crew from the "Greenwich" went ashore to capture him. Soon after, (iamble, an.xiously watching the shore, saw a struggle upon the beach, the natives rushing down on all sides, the boat overturned in the surf, and two white men swimming towards the ship, making signals of distress. IVIr, Clapn, with two men, sprang into a boat, and put off to the aid of the swim- mers, leaving Gamble alone on the ship. Two large canoes loaded with savages then left the beach, and swiftly bore down towards the " Essex ; " but Gamble, lamed though he was, seized a lighted brand, and hobbled along the deck of the ship, firing her guns with such effect that the savages were driven back, the beach cleared, and Mr. Clapp enabled to save the two struggling men. When the boat returned to the ship, it was learned that Midshipman Feltus and five men had been basely murdered by the .savages. There were now left but seven Americans ; and of these but two were well, and fit for duty. Setting the "Green- wich " on fire, this little band boarded the " Hammond," and made their way to sea. But between the Sandwich Islands and Honolulu they fell in with the " Cherub," by whom they were captured, and kept prisoners for nine months, when, peace being declared, they were released. So ended the last incident of the gallant cruis^' of the "Essex." History has few more adventurous tales to relate. rti II III -s>%l i%0- 'pi'.:- /€^ CIIArTHR XII. CAPTURE OF THE " SURVEYOR.' —WORK OF THE GUNBOAT FLOTILLA. — OPERATIONS ON CHESAPEAKE I!AY. — COCKIiURN'S DEPREDATIONS. — CRUISE OF THE '" ARGU.S." - HER CAPTURE \\\ THE "PELICAN." -BATTLE OF THE " ENTERPRISE" AND " BOXER."- END OF THE YEAR 1813 ON THE OCEAN. ITH the capture of the "Chesapeake" in June, 1813, we aban- doned our story of the naval events along the coast of the United States, to follow Capt. Porter and his daring seamen on their long cruise into far-off o^as. But while the men of the " Essex " were capturing whalers in the Pacific, chastising" insolent savages at Nookaheevah, and fighting a gallant but unsuccessful fight at Valparaiso, other blue-iackets were as gallantly serving their country nearer home. From Portsmouth to Charleston the coast was watched by British ships, and collisions between the enemies were of almost daily occurrence. In many of these actions great bravery was shown on both a8o III I'.IAK-JACKKTS OI' 1812. 2S1 sides. Noticeably was this the case in the action between the cutter "Surveyor" and the British friijate "Narcissus," on the nij;ht of June 12. The "Surveyor," a little craft manned by a crew of fifteen nion, and mountin<; six twelve-pound carronades, was lying in the York River near Chesapeake liay. I-'rom the masthead of the " Narcissus," lyinj; farther down the bay, the spars of the cutter could be seen above the tree-tops ; and an expedition was fitted out for her capture. Fifty men, led by a veteran officer, attacked the little vessel in the darkness, but were met with a most determined resistance. The Americans could not use their carronades, but with their muskets they did much execution in the enemy's ranks. But they were finally overpowered, and the little cutter was towed down under the frigate's guns. The next day Mr. Travis, the American commai olic." She was a stanch three-master, carrying eleven guns to a broadside. Her crew was purely American, not a foreigner among them ; but all trained seamen from the seaboard villages and towns of New England, — the homes at that time of probably the hardiest seafaring population in the world. Capt. Blakely, who commanded the vessel, had been attached to the " Enterprise " for some time, but had been ordered to the command of the " Wasp " a few days before the former vessel fought her successful battle with the "Boxer." Blakely, while in command of the "Enterprise," had greatly desired to meet an enemy worthy of his metal. Great, then, was his chagrin, when the " Enterprise," two weeks after he quitted her, fought her gallant battle. In a letter written in January, 18 14, he says, " I shall ever view as one of the most unfortunate events of my life having quitted the ' Enterprise ' at the moment I did. Had I remained in her a fortnight longer, my name might have been classed with those who stand so high. I cannot but consider it a mortifying circumstance that I left her but a few days before she fell in with the only enemy upon this station with which she could have creditably contended. I confess I felt heartily glad when I received my order to take command of the 'Wasp,' conceiving that there was no hope of doing any thing in the ' Enterprise.' But when I heard of the contest of the latter ship, and witnessed the great delay in the equipment of the former, I had no cause to congratulate myself. The ' Peacock ' has ere this spread her plumage to the winds, and the * Frolic ' i ! BLUE-JACKKTS OF 1S12. 321 will soon take her revels on the ocean ; but the ' Wasp ' will, I fear, remain for some time a dull, harmless drone in the waters of her country." Notwithstanding his impatience, Blakely was forced to endure the restraints of Portsmouth navy-yard for nearly three months, while the "Wasp" was fitting out; but when she did finally get to sea, on May i, 1814, she proved herself to be far from a "dull, harmless drone." Slipping unobserved through the British blockading line, the " Wasp " made straight for the European coast before a fresh wind, and was soon cruising in the chops of the English channel, where the "Argus" had won her laurels and met with her defeat. Many English merchantmen were captured and burned, and the terror that spread in English shipping circles recalled the days of the "Argus." At daylight on the 28th of June, the " Wasp " sighted two merchantmen, and straightway gave chase. Soon a third vessel was discovered on the weather-beam ; and, abandoning the vessels first sighted, the American bore down upon the stranger. She proved to he the "Reindeer," a British brig-sloop of eighteen guns, carrying a crew of one hundred and eighteen men. Although the British vessel was by no means a match in weight of metal for the " Wasp," her captain, William Manners, brought her into action with a cool gallantry which well justified his reputation as one of the bravest men in the British navy. At ten o'clock in the morning the ships were near enough to each other to exchange signals, but several hours were spent in manceuvring for the weather-gage ; so that it was not until after three in the afternoon that the action fairly opened. The day was admirably suitable for a naval battle. Light clouds floated across the sky, and the gentle breeze that was blowing had sufficient strength to propel the ships without careening them. The surface of the ocean was unusually calm for that quarter, in which a rather choppy sea is usually running. Before the light breeze the " Wasp " came down upon her f. _, bows on, with her decks cleared for action, and the men at their quuriers. On the top-gallant forecastle of the "Reindeer" was mounted a twelve-pound carronade, and the action was opened by the discharge of this piece. In the position she then held, i .■■ I 1 1 3^-^ 1 JI, UK-JACK I "rs OF 1.S12. tlie "Wasp" was unable to reply; and Ikt crew had to hear five effective shots from this j;iin without hein^t; able to fire a shot in return, — an ordeal that less well-disciplined crews might not have endured, l-'or nine minutes the Americans returned not a shot ; but then the " Wasp " luffed up, firing the guns from aft forward as they bore. The two ships were now lying broadside to broadside, not twenty yards apart, and every shot told. For ten minutes this position was held, and the two crews worked like .'^ in loading and firing the great guns. The roar of the cannon was incessant, and the recoil of the heavy explosions deadened what little way the ships had on when fire was opened. Capt. Manners was too old an officer not to know, that, in an artillery duel of that kind, the victory would surely rest with the side that carried the heaviest guns : so he ran his vessel aboard the "Wasp" on the starboard quarter, intending to board and carry the the day with the stubborn, dashing gallantry shown by British seamen when once led to an enemy's deck. At the ringing notes of the bugle, calling up the boarders, the British gathered aft, their faces begrimed with gun- powder, their arms bare, and their keen cutlasses firmly clutched in their strong right hands. The Americans took the alarm at once, and c"'iwded forward to repel the enemy. The marines, whose hard duty it i; )ng- rangc fighting to stand with military impassiveness, drawn up iu . .^ on deck, while the shot whistle by them, and now and then cut great gaps in their straight lines, — the marines came aft, with their muskets loaded and bayonets fixed. Before them were sailors with sharp-pointed boarding- pikes, ready to receive the enemy should he come aboard ; while close under the bulwarks were grouped the boarders, ready with cutlass and pistol to beat back the flood of men that should come pouring over the side. The grating of the ships' sides told that the vessels were touching ; and the ne.xt instant the burly British seamen, looming up like giants, as they dashed through the dense murkincss of the powder-smoke, were among the Americans, cutting and firing right and left. From the deck of the "Reindeer" the marines kept up a constant fire of musketry, to which the sea-soldiers of the "Wasp" responded vigorously. Marksmen posted in the tops of each vessel picked off men from their enemy's decks, choosing generally the oflficers. 1\m ■ -■."«wiU-.' BOARDING THE REINDEER. BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 325 Sharp and bloody though the British attack was. the boarders could make no way against the stubborn stand of the Americans. Capt. Manners, seeing his men beaten back, sprang forward to rally them. He was desperately wounded. A gun-shot had passed through his thighs, and a THE CAPTAIN OF THF, "REINDEER." grape-shot had cut across the calves of his legs ; but, maimed and bleeding to death as he was, he leaped into the rigging, and, cheering and waving his sword, called to his men to follow him to the decks of the Yankee. The Britons rallied nobly under the encouragement of their brave captain, an'l again advanced to the assault. But the figure of the daring officer, as he i' 1 326 bluf:-jackets of 1812. I stood thus before his men, waving his sword and calling on them to come on, caught the eye of one of the men in the "Wasp's" main-top; and the next instant a ball crashed into the captain's brain, and he fell heavily to the deck, with his dying eyes turned upwards toward the flag in whose service he had given his life. Seeing the British captain fall and the men waver, Capt. Blakely with a cheer called up the boarders of the "Wasp;" and in an instant a stream of shouting sailors, cutlass in hand, was pouring over the hammock- nettings, and driving the foe backward on his own decks. The British still fought stubbornly ; but their numbers were terribly tl jd, and their officers had fallen one by one, until now the captain's clerk was the highest officer left. Seeing his men falling back before the resistless torrent of boarders, this gentleman finally struck the flag; and the battle ended, twenty- seven minutes after the "Reindeer" had fired the opening gun, and eighteen after the "Wasp " had responded. The execution and damage done on the "Reindeer" by the "Wasp's" shot were appalling. Of her crew of one hundred and eighteen men, thirty- three were killed or fatally wounded, and thirty-four were wounded. The havoc wrought among her officers has already been mentioned. Evidence of the accuracy and skill of the American gunners was to be seen in the fact that the brig was completely cut to pieces in the line of her ports, ller decks were swept clean of boats, spars, and rigging. Her masts wore badly shattereil, and her fore-mast soon went by the board. The "Wasp" had suffered severely, but was in much better condition than her captured adversary. Eleven of her crew were k'Med or mortally wounded, and fifteen were wounded severely or slightly. She had been hulled by si.x round and many grape shot, and her fore-mast had been cut by a twenty-four-pound shot. A few hours' work cleared from her decks all trace of the bloody fight, and she was in condition for another action. But it would have been folly to try to get the crippled " Reindeer " to port from that region, swarming with British cruisers : so Capt. Blakely took the prisoners on the "Wasp," put a few of the wounded on a neutral vessel that happened to pass, and, burning the 11 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1S12. 327 prize, made his way to the harbor of L'Orient. He had fought a brave fight, and come out victor after a desperate contest. But, though defeated, the plucky British might well boast of the gallant manner in which they engaged an enemy so much their superior in strength. History nowhere records a more gallant death than that of the British captain, who fell THE END Ut THli "REINDEER." leading his men in a da.shing but vain attempt to retrieve the day by boarding. In its mantcuvring, in the courage and discipline of the crews, and in the gallantry of the two captains, the action of the " Wasp " and the "Reindeer" may well go down to history as a mf)del naval duel of the age of sails. The "Wasp" remained in port for several weeks, occujiyiiig the time in refitting, and filling the gaps in her crew by enlistment from the 328 BLUE-JACK KTS OF 1812. I' American privateers which then were to be seen occasionally in every port of the world. She then put out to sea, and soon fell in with a convoy of ten British merchantmen, under the protection of the seventy- four "Armada." Though he had no intention of giving battle to the line-of-battle ship, Blakely determined to capture one of the merchant- men ; and to this end the "Wasp" hung upon the skirts of the convoy, making rapid dashes now at one vessel, then at another, and keeping the seventy-four in constant anxiety. Finally the swi*"*; little cruiser actually succeeded in capturing one of the vessels, and escaping before the heavy seventy-four could get to the scene of the conflict. The prize proved to be a valuable one, for she was laden with iron and brass cannon and military stores. Towards nightfall of the same day, Sept. i, 1814, four more sail were sighted ; and the "Wasp" at once made off in chase of the most weatherly. At eight o'clock the " Wasp " had gained so rapidly upon the chase, that the latter began firing with her stern chaser, and soon after opened with one of her lee guns. All the time the enemy kept up a vigorous sig- nalling with rockets, lanterns, and guns. Hy half-past nine the " Wasp " was within hailing-distance, and an officer posted on the bow hailed the stranger several times ; but as she returned no satisfactory answer, and refused to heave to, the " Wasp " opened upon her with a twelve-pound carronade, and soon after poured a broadside into her quarter. The two ships ploughed through the black water, under full sail, side by side. The Americans had no idea of the identity of their assailant, but, by the flashes of the guns, could see that she was a heavy brig. Her ports gleamed brightly with battle-lanterns ; and the crowds of sailors in the tops, and the regularity of iicr fire, showed that she was a man-of-war with a well-disciplined crew, and no mere marauding privateer. For a time this running fight continued at such short range that the only American injured was struck by a wad from the enemy's cannon. The British gunners were poor marksmen, and the "Wasp" suffered but little; but it was evident that the American fire was taking effect, for gun after gun on the enemy was silenced. At ten o'clock the Americans, iglMIMI BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 329 receiving no response to their carronade, stopped firing ; and Capt. Wakcly, seizing a speaking-trumpet, shouted across the water, "Have you struck?" No answer came, and the enemy began a feeble fire, llie " Wasp " let fly another broadside, and Blakely repeated the question. This time an affirmative response came through the darkness; and the "Wasp" stopped firing, and made preparations to take possession of her prize. Just as the boat was being lowered from the davits, the lookout's cry of " Sail, ho ! " checked the proceedings. Through the black night a cloud of canvas could be seen far astern, denoting the presence of another ship, probably an enemy. The drums of the " Wasp " beat fiercely ; and the men trooped back to their quarters, ready for a second battle. Jhit in the mean time two more sail hove in sight, and there remained to the " Wasp " nothing but flight. She accordingly made off into the darkness, receiving one broadside from one of the newly arrived men-of-war as she departed. So suddenly was she forced to fly, that she was unable to learn the name and condition of the vessel she had forced to surrender. It became known in the United States later that the " Wasp's " adversary in the battle in the darkness was the British sloop-of-war " Avon," of eighteen guns. She was badly cut up by the fire of the American gunners, losing her main-mast early in the action. At the time she surrendered, she was in a sinking condition ; and, had it not been for the timely arrival of the brig-sloop " Castilian " and the " Tar- tarus," both Ikitish, the crew of the " Avon " would have been prisoners on the "Wasp," or carried to the bottom in the shattered hulk of their own ship. The loss on the "Avon ' was ten killed and thirty-two wounded, while on the "Wasp" but three men were injured. Of all this the gallant Capt. Blakely was ignorant ; and, indeed, it is probable that he never knew with whom he had fought his last, battle. For the subsequent history of the " Wasp " is more tragic in its unfathom- able mystery than is the fate of the bravest ship ever sent to the bottom by the broadsides of an enemy. What was the end of the "Wasp," and where her bones now lie, no one knows. For some little time after her battle with the "Avon," her movements can be traced. Sept. 12, she ! a ) ! Jd^ BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. captured the British brig " Three Jirothers," and scuttled her ; two days later, the brig "Bacchus" met the same fate at her hands. Sept. 21, she took the brig " Atlanta," eight guns ; and, this being a valuable prize, Midshipman Gcisinger of the " Wasp " was put on board, and took her safely to Savannah. He brought the last news that was heard of the ill- fated cruiser for many years. Months passed, and lengthened into years ; and still the " Wasp " came not into port, nor could any trace of her whereabouts be found. As time passed on, the attempts to account for her delay changed into theories as to the cause of her total disappearance. All sorts of rumors were afloat. According to one account, the ship was wrecked on the African coast, and her gallant lads were ending their weary lives as slaves to the turbaned Moors of Barbary. Another theory was based on the rumor that an English frigate went into Cadiz much crippled, and with her crew severely injured, and reported that she had been engaged with a heavy American corvette, which had so suddenly disappeared that she was thought to have sunk with all on board. But, as time passed on, the end of the " Wasp " was forgotten by all save a few whose hearts ached for some of the gallant lads thus blotted from the face of the earth. Years after, the fate of the daring cruiser was again brought into remembrance by fresh news curiously found. When the officers and crew of the " Essex," after that vessel's gallant battle with the " Phoebe " and "Cherub," were sent to the United States under parole, two officers remained at Valparaiso, to give testimony before the prize-court. These gentlemen were Lieut. McKnight, and Mr. Lyman a master's mate. After going to Brazil in the " Phoebe," the two officers took pas.sage in a Swedish brig bound for England. Months passed ; and, nothing being heard from them, their friends became alarmed for their safety. In that time, before the day of the telegraph and steam transportation, many things might have easily detained the two officers for a year or more, and nothing be heard of them. But, when two years had passed, inquiries began to be made as to their fate, both by their friends and the naval authorities The first step was to find the vessel upon which they had left Brazil. This was a work of time ; so that it was many years after the disappear- 9B99 SM '-^t 'jM, ^■^.' • r^-^. M' THE END OF THE WASP. i 'i '; i i>^sft«Ji consternation ; and, while messengers »vcre sent in all directions to call together the militia, the answer was returned to the fleet : " We shall defend the place to the last extremity. Should it be destroyed, we will perish in its ruins." And, having thus defied the enemy, the farmers and fishermen who inhabited the town set about preparing for its defence. The one battery available for service consisted of two eighteen-pounders and a four-pounder, mounted behind earth breastworks. The gunners were ;-. r"' <^- THE DESCENT ON WAREH.AM. put under the command of an old sailor, who had been impressed into the British navy, where he served four years. The skill he thus acquired in gunnery, he now gladly used against his former oppressors. It was near nightfall when the British opened fire ; and they kept up a constant cannonade with round shot, bombs, Congreve rockets, and carcasses until near midnight, without doing the slightest damage. The bursting shells, the fiery rockets, and the carcasses filled with flaming chemicals, fairly filled the little wooden village with fire ; but the exertions of the people prevented the spread of the flames. The fleet ceased firing at midnight, 33^ BLUK-JACKKIS OK 1812. 11 * ? hut tliLTc was no peace for the villaf^crs. Militiamen were pourinj; in from the country round ahout, lahorers were at work throwing up breast- work, carriers were tlashinij ahout in search of ammunition, and all was activity, until, with the first <;leam of daylight, the fire of the ships was re-opened. The Americans promptly responded, and soon two eighteen- pound shot hulled the brig "Despatch." For an hour or two a rapid fire was kept up; then, the powder giving out, the Americans spiked their largest gun, and, nailing a flag to the battery flag-staff, went in search of more ammunition. The liritish did not land ; and the Ameri- cans, finding six kegs of powder, took the gun to a blacksmith, who drilled out the sjiike, and the action continued. So \ igorous and well directed was the fire of the Americans, that the "Despatch" was forced to slip her cables and make off ^o a place of safety. That afternoon a truce was declared, which contir.wed until eight the next morning. By that time, the Americans h:ul assembled in sufficient force to defeat any landing party the enemy could send ashore. The bombardment of the town continued ; but the aim of the Hritish was so inconceivably poor, that, during the three days' firing, no damage was done by their shot. A more ludicrous fiasci) could hardly be imagined, and the Americans were quick to see the comical side of the affair. Before departing, the Hritish fired over fifteen tons of lead and iron into the town. A cjuantity of this was picked up by the Americans, and offered for sale. In a New York paper appeared the advertisement, — "just rt.'ceivi.'(I. and olTcrod for salt', ahout three tons of round shot, rnnsjstini,' of six. nine, twelve, eighteen, Iwenty-fonr. and thirty-two |)ounds ; very handsome, being a small projjortion o( those wiiii h were fired from His Hrit;. inie Majesty's ships on the uuoflending inhabitants of Stoiiin>,ton, in the recent />n///ii/tf MUick on that plate. Likewise a few carcasses, in good uriler, weighing about two hundreil poiinils each. .Apply," etc. ! A popular bard of the time set forth in rollicking verse the exploits of the Hritish gunners : — -i *^ BLUK-JACKKTS OK iSu. "Tlvjy killed a goose, they killed a lion, Three ho^s they wounded in a pen; They dashed away, — and pray what then? That was not takiriu; Stonington. "The shells were thrown, the rot kfts llev, ; IJut not a shell of all they threw — Though every house was full in view — Could burn a house in Stonintiton." 3;.9 With this affair, in which the Hritish expended ammunition to the anioiiiit of fifty thousantl dollars, and lost twenty men killed and fifty wounded, active offensive operations alonj; the Connecticut coast ended. I'arther north, however, the British still raideil towns and villaijes, showini; more spirit in their attacks than did Hardy at Stonin.ijton. Eastport. Me,, was captured in July, and converted into a veritable British colon v. Tlu- inhabitants who remained in the town were forced to take an oath of alle- f:;iance to Great Hntain ; fortifications were thrown tip, and an arsenal established; Kin^- (ieor<;e's olTicials were placed in the custom-house, and thencef(jrward imtil the end of the war the town was virtuallv British. I^ncoura|;eil by this success, the enemy undertook a more difficidt task. A formidable fleet of men-of-war and transports, bearinj; almost ten thou- sand troops,, was fitted out at ll.ilifax for the pm-pose of reducini; to British rule all that part of Maine lyinj; l,»etween I'assamaquoddy Bay and the I'enob.scot River. This expedition set sail from Ilalii'ax on tlv J^th of Au^tist, boimd for Machias ; but on the voyaj^e down the coast of Maine the brij; " kifleman " was encountered, and from her the jiresence of the United States corvette " Adams " in the Penobscot River was learned. It will be remetnbered that the "Adams," before enteriiiL; the river, had chased the British bri;;. Upon learnin;;- this, the British naval commander, Admiiid Griffiths, pressed forward to the mouth of the Penobscot, and, anchoring- there, despatched a lanil and naval expedition up the river for the capture of the corve'tc. When the news of this advancing force reached C'apt. Tvlorris, the 340 llIA'K-IACKl'.rS OK 1S12. "Adams" was partially out of water, dismantled, and in the hands of the ship carpenters, who were repairinj^ tiie injuries she hail received on the rocks off Mount Desert. The ship herself was utterly defenceless, but Morris made strenuous attempts to collect a land force to defend her. lie mana,L;ed to rally a few hundred militia-men, who, with tlic sailors and marines, were routed by the enemy on the night of the 3(1 of Septeml)er. l-'indini; that the enemy's forces were not to be driven back by so small a body of men, Morris retreated, hrst setting fire to the corvette, which was totally destroyed before the British came up. The retreating sailors were then forced to march over rugged roads to I'ortsmouth, X.I I. ; and, as walking was an exercise they were little accus- tomed to, many suffered severely from the unusual e.xertion. The difficulty of getting provisions along the road led the men to sejjarate into several parties ; but, notwithstanding the opportunities thus afforded for ilesertion, all who were not broken down by tlie long march ultimately reported for duty at the I'ortsmouth navy-yard. Along the Southern sea-board the course of the war was even more disastrous to tin- Americans. Intelligence which reached the national a.ilhorilies in the s|)ring of 1S14 led them to believe that the Jirilish were planning an expedition for the caplun; of Washington, (irave as was the danger, the authorities were slow to move; and though in July the (io\ern- ment called for fifteen thousand troops, and gave their command to (ien. Winder, vet the actual defensive force about the national capital consisted of but a few hundred militia. The naval tlefence was intrusted lo the veter.m Commodore Harney, who had ser\ed with distinction in the ke\d- lutiiin, and during the early years of the second war with (ireat Hritain had commanded the Baltimore |)ri\aleer " Rossie." The force put under Barnev's command consisted of twent\-si\ gun-boats and barges, manneil bv nine hundred men. C'hietly by his own energetic exertions, this force w.is ready for service in Aprd ; and bv June the crews were cbilljil and ilisciplined, a.nd the connnanders schooled in the tactics of scpiadron evolutions. ( )n the isl of that month occurri-d. the first brush with the enemy. The .\merican llotilla was then lying in Chesapeake Hay, a little !' M i I- THE BATTLE OF THE BARGES. ! fir ] I! H i! BLUE-JACKETS OE 1812. 343 below the mouth of the I'atuxent ; and, a portion of the enemy's sc|uailnm cominj; within ranj^e, Harney ordered out his forces in chase. The Hritish, outnumbered, fled down the bay; but, though 15arney was rapidly over- hauling them, he saw his hopes of victory shattered by the sudden appear- ance of His Britannic Majesty's seventy-four gun ship "Dragon." Thus re enforced, it became the turn of the British to pursue ; and the Americans retreated, firing constantly as they fled. The British continuing their advance. Barney was forced to take shelter in the I'atuxent River ; and he was gradually forced up that stream as far as the mouth of St. Leonaril's Creek. The enemy then, feeling certain that the Americans were fairly entrapped, anchored at the mouth of the river, and awaited re-enforcements. These soon arrived ; and on the 8th of the month the enemy's forces, consisting of a frigate, brig, and two schooners, moved up the river to the mouth of the creek. Farther they could not go, owing to shoal-water ; but they fitted out a small flotilla of barges, and sent them on up tlie creek. With this enemy Commodore Barney was ready to come to close cpiarters ; and he moved down upon the British, who quickly retreated to the shelter of their ships. Two or three such sham attacks were made by the enemy, but not until the loth of the month did they actually give battle to the Americans. On the morning of that day the British advanced in force to the attack ; and the peaceful little creek was ablaze with flags and bright uniforms, and the wooded shores echoed back the strains of martial music. Twenty- one barges, one rocket-boat, and two schooners formed the Ihitish column of attack, which moved grandly up the creek, with the bands playing patriotic airs, and the sailors, confident of victory, cheering lustily. I'.ight hundred men followed the HriUsh colors. Against this force liarney advanceil with but five hundred sailors. His sloop and gun-vessels lie left at anchor, as l)eing too unwieldy for the narrow si oal-waters ot St. Leonard's Creek; and he met the enemy's flotilla with but thirtien barges. The en my opened the actio,: at long range with rockets ami howitzers. The former were terrible missiles in an action of this character, correspond- ing to the shells of modern naval warfare. Some idea of their destruiiive- Hi 344 i'.LUi:-j.u:Ri:rs ok 1812. ncss may be derived from the fact, that one of them, fired at long range, e.xploded and set tire to a boat, after having first passed through the body of one of her crew. JJarney had no rockets; and, as the combat at long range was telling upon his men, he at once dashed forward into the midst of the enemy. Soon the barges were engaged in desperate hand-to-hand conflicts. The sailors, grappling with their adversary's craft, fought with pistol and cutlass across the gunwales. Harney, in a small barge with twenty men, dashed about, now striking a blow in aid of some overmatched American boat, then cheering on some laggard, or api)lauding some deetl of gallantry that occurred in his sight. Major William Barney, son of the commodore, saw an American barge on fire, and deserted by her crew who feareil the explosion of her magazine. Running his boat alongside, he jumped into the flaming craft ; and by dint of bailing in water, and rocking her from side to side, he succeeded in saving the barge, l-'or more than an hour the action raged, both sides fighting with great vigor and gallantry; but the Americans having pierced the British line, the enemy, falling into confusion, turned, and strained every muscle to gain the protection of their ship's guns. The Americans followed in hot pursuit ; but their course was abruptly checked at the mouth of the creek by a British schooner, whose eighteen guns commanded respect. I''or a moment the- pursuing barges fell back ; then, choosing advantageous positions, they openeil fire U|)on the schooner with such effect that she socjn turned to escai)e. She succeeded in getting" under the protecting guns of the frigate and sloopof-war, but was so cut to pieces in the short action that she was run aground and abandoned. The larger vess -'s now opened fire ujxm Barney's forces ; and the flotilla, after a few shots of tiefiance, returned to its quarters up the creek. For the next two weeks all was cpiiet along the shores of the I'atu.xent and St. Leonard's C^eek. The enemy had learned wisdom from their late defeat, and contented themselves with blockading the mouth of the creek, and leaving Barney undisturbed in his retreat. But the doughty commodore had no idea of being thus confined, and during the time of quiet niaile i)reparations foi' an attempt to break the blockade. Land it BB MLUH-JACKKTS ()I< 1812. 545 forces from \\a.shin| ••46 BLUK-JACKKl'S OF 1812. position on a hill overlooking the village. Though no American troops were anywhere in the vicinity, the landing was conducted with the utmost caution. As the prow of each boat grated on the sand, the soUliers leaped on the beach, and instantly drew up in line, ready to repel any attack. After the infantry was landed, about a hundred artillerymen followed, and the same number of sailors dragging howitzers. It is easily understood that this powerful force was not organized solely to destroy Harney's pitiful little flotilla. The real purpose of the Hritish commander was to press on into the interior, and capture Washington, which the Americans had foolishly left without any defences whatever. It came to Harney's ears that Admiral Cockburn had boasted that he would destroy the American flotilla, and dine in Washington the following Sunday. This news the American commodore sent off to the authorities at the capital, and they then began to make futile preparations to repel the invader. In the mean time the Hritish commenced their march uj) the shores of the I'atu.xent, meeting with no opposition. Harney, knowing that the defence of the national capital was of far greater importance than the fate of his flotilla, landed with four hundred men, and hastened to the American lines before Washington. lie left the barges under the com- mand of the second lieutenant, Mr. I'razier, with instructions to set fire to every boat on the appearance of the enemy, and then join the com- modore with all the men left under his charge. Accordingly, when the invading column reached Nottingham, Mr. I-'razier took the flotilla still higher up the creek, — a move that vastly disconcerted the Hritish. who saw their prey eluding them. "Hut in the main object of our pursuit we were disapjiointed," wrote a Hritish officer. "The flotilla which had been stationed o|)posite to Nottingham retired, on our approach, higher up the stream ; and we were C()nsei|uently in the situation of a huntsman who sees his hounds at fault, and has every reason to apjirehend that his game will escape." Hut the game never fell into the hands of the ardent hunters; lor the next day Mr. I-'razier fulfilled bis orders by setting fue to every barge, and, after seeing several of the larger boats blow up, mustered his men, and cut across the country, to join his superior officer. Hi,ri:-j.\cKi"rs oi- iSis. 34; The liritish navoi forces soon after reaehed Pig Point, the scene of this destruction, and there remained ; while the hind forces immediately turned away from the river, and marched upon Washin-^ton. It is not necessary to give in tletail the incidents of the series of skirmishes by which the liritish fought their way to the American capital. They were ui)posed by raw militia, and the few sailors and marines under Si .♦^ ^u -■V'-^A. SIlARrSHOOTERS. Barney. The former fled with ])romptitude at the very first fire, but the sailors and marines fought gallantly. The fighting was sharpest at liladensburg ; antl here l^arney's Idue-jackets wmi praise from everybody, even frnin the enemy whose advance they disputed. Harney himselt led the Americans, and sighted a favorite gun of the sailors' battery, until he fell desperately wounded. This battery commanded the road by which the main column of British advanced ; and by its hail of grape and canister it beat back the advancing regiments, and for some time checked their further progress. The British thereupon opened with loekets, and sent tm M' li 34« i!i.ri;-i.\(Ki;is oi- isi^. out sliarp-shuotcrs to pick off tin- \';inkcc j;uniK'is. Oik- of these riflemen was observed by tiie Americans to ileliijerately build lor himself a small redoubt of stones from an old wall ; and, ly'n^ down behind it, he be;;an a deliberate fire upon the Americans. His hrs; bullet went throuj^h the cap of one of the sailors, anil the second sent a poor fellow to his lonj; account. The marines answered with their muskets; but the fellow's stone rampart saved him, and he continued his hre. liarney vowed to put an end to that affair, and, carefully sightinj; one of his cannon, pulled the lanyard. The heavy round shot was seen to strike the sharp-shooter's ilefence, and stones and man disappeared in a cloud of dust. Meantime, the enemy had thrown out fiankinj^ parties under cover of the woods, and had nearly surrounded the little band of sailors. A musket-ball struck Harney in the thij;h, and he bej^an to ^row faint with loss of blood ; and, finding;" that the militia had Heil, and the sailors were becoming; exhausted, the commodore ordered a retreat. The blue-jackets left the field in good order ; but their gallant commander had gone but a few steps, when the pain of his wound forcetl him to lie down under a tree, and await the coming of the enemy. The Hritish soon came up, led by (ieii. Ross and Capt. Wainwright of the navy. After learning Harney's rank, and courte- ously offering to secure surgical aitl, the general turned to his companion, and, speaking of the stubborn resistance made by the battery, saitl, " I told you it was the flotilla men." — "Yes. You were right, thttugh I could not believe you," was the response. " They have given us the only fight- ing we have had." Meanwhile, the liritish, having routed the Americans at every point, pressed on to Washington. The inhabitants ffed before them, and the town was almost deserted when the Hritish marched in with banners flying anil bands jilaying. The enemy held the city for only a day ; but in that time they did such deeds of vandalism, that even the people and the press of London cried out in indignation. The President's house, the Capitol, all the public buildings except the Talent ( )fTice, were burned to the ground. The navv-yard, with the uncompleted ships on the stocks, was likewise burned ; but in this the enemy only acted in accordance with the rules of JiLUK-JA(Ki:iS or iSi2. 349 war. It was their destruction of llic |iiil)iic buil'lin-is, the national arcliives, and the Cont^ressional library, that aroused the wrathful indi-;nation of all fair-minded people, whether Americans or Europeans. " Willingly," said .z ''■/-< /'// 'I' "'^; nil-, MAkrn on w.\>Hisor<)N, one London newspajjer, "would we throw a veil of oblivion ove ■ our trans- actions at Washington. The Cossacks spared Paris, but ve spared not the capital of America." A second luiglish journal fitly denounced the proceedings as "a return to the times of barbarism." But, if the invaders arc rightly to be blamed for the useless vandalism I i 350 iii,ii;-j.\('Ki:r.s ok isia. they cncoura;;c(l, the American autlioiities are still more eiil|>al)le for tiieir nej^lect of the most ordinary precautions of war. 'I"hat a national capital, close to tlie sea, slioiihl !)e left virtually unprotected while the enemy was massing his forces only a few miles away, seems almost unbelievable. Hut so it was with \\'ashinj;ton ; for five hundred flotilla men were forced to hear the brunt of the attack of five thousand Hritish. True it is that the mili- tary authorities had massed seven thousand militia-men for the defence of the city; but such was the trepidation of these untrained soldiers, that they fled before the main body of the liritish had come into the fi^cht. That the sailors and marines fou<;ht bravely, we have the testimony of the British themselves. Mr. (ilei;;, a subaltern in the attackinj,^ army, writes, "Of the sailors, however, it would be injustice not to speak in the terms which their conduct merits. They were employed as j;unners ; aiul not only did they serve their j;uns "ith a quickness and precision which astonished their assailants, l)ut they stood till some of them were actually bayonneted with fuses in their bands ; nor was it till their leader was wounded and taken, and they saw themselves deserted on all sides by the soldiers, that they cpiitted the field." Therefore, in the battle of liladens- burj;, the blue-jackets won 11 Uhinj; but honor, thou<;h the results of the battle were so mortifying to the national pride of the people of the United States. On the 25th of August the Hritish left the smokinij ruins of Washiii,i;ton behind them, and made for their fleet lyinj; in the I'atu.xent. They feared that the outraged nation would rise upon them, and turn their march into a bU)ody retreat, like that of the l^ritish soldiery from the historic field of Lexington. Accordingly their departure was by night, immediately after a furious storm of rain and wind. Strict orders were issued to all the Americans in Washington, warning them, under penalty of death, not to lea\e their houses until the sun rose the ne.vt morning. Then the liritish stealthily marched out of the town. " No man sjxjke above his breath," says subaltern (ileig. "Our \ery steps were i)lanted lightly, and we cleared the town without exciting observation." A two days' march brought them to Benedict, where the fleet lay in waiting for their reception. I- THE BURNING OF WASHINGTON. n r.i,ri:-i.\(Ki:rs oi' i.su. >>.■>.> Ill llic nu'an tinio, a iiortinii of llu' Hritish tli'i't liad aM'ciKii-d tlu- I'otniiiac as lar as ,\K'.\aii(iria, ami, rmdiii:; lliat tnwii ik'lciu'ck-ss, \nn- ccc ii|iiiii whicli tlu'v rniiid save tlicir villaj^c liom dc^dlatioii, Tlir lirili^h ik'maiidi'd il.at all na\al stores and oninaiuc, all tin- shijiiiin^; and it> l"innilui\', all nicii hantli.^e, and all provisions in tlu- town shonld hr >uinniUri.'d. Scmm- d vessels had been scuttled, to prevent their falling; into ilu' hand- o| the rnein\ ; these, the British demanded, should he rai>ed, ixpai: 'd, a -d (Kli\ered to then). Time, however, did not permit the I'ultilment ol' this eondU'ou ; hul to the others, harsh and h i.n'.IiatinL; thou-h thev were, the inh.d)itant-> were foreed to aeeede. lleav y laden with the spoils ol the \ illa-e, the pilla,:;ers weighed aiuhor and started down the rotonia'-. lint thev were not destined to earry aw.iy their booty unmolested News o| the e.\pediti(Mi readied Baltimore, and a lar^e party ol the sailors at the nav\-yar and tlow> swit!ly between den>i'l\ woodetl bhilTs, At this point the Ameiiians threw up ledoubt-. :ind, mounting; all the eanui'ii th. It lould be L;i*herid on sueh short notiee, pre- j)ared to dispute the enemv's |)assam'. When tlu' British Meet ho\e in si;;ht, they wi're greeted with a storm ol shot hum tln' uususpi, t^d b.illeries; and thev recoiled in confusion. Practised Anu'rican hunters lined the woody shores, and pii'ked oil the British sailors with nniski't- buli.- I'or some time the lleel was t luis I heeked in its pio-ress. i-iualK- 'he admiral determined that oul\ by a bold d.isli vmlil In- ese.ipe ; and :iccordin;;ly, massing his vessels and com enliatinL; his tin- on the thief b.'ittery, he d.ished past, and rejoined his supuior oiVici'i-, I'oikburn, not without jiayin^ deaily for his exploit at Alexandria. While the British were thus deva.-t.itiiiL; the shores of {'hes.ipeakc Bay, they east more than one loii;;in^' look low.ird the thrivinn city of lialtimore, which, b\- its violent patriotism had done much to ur;;e on tile war. l-'roni the .ship-yards ot li.dtimorc e.mie more than one .stout ! !( y ;54 in,i'r:-i.u'Ki:is of isis. naval vessel that had forcod the enemy to hanl down his colors. Hut that whieh more than any thin;;- else aroused the hatred of the l^ritish wa.s tlie siiare Baltimore took in fitting out and manninj;- tiiose swift privateers, concerning' whose depredations ui)on British commerce we shall ha\e sometliin;;- to say in a later chapter. " It is a doomed town," said X'iceadmiral Warren. "The truculent inhabitants of Haltimore must i)e tamed with the weapons which shook the wooden turrets of Copen- hagen," cried the editor ol a '•■•r>^ .., . . .^ ^ - ;rea1 London paper. Hut, nc\eitlirless, Haltimore did lint fall hel'ore the invader, altliou;j,h li)i" some time the arm\- and nav\- of the eni'mv were united in the attempt to hriuL;' desolation upon the ohno.xious lily. After the fall of Washington, the dep- redations of the Hritish alor.;;' the shores of ("hesapcake Hay redouhled, and the ma- rauding;- expeditions thus em- ployed were really feelers thrown out to test the That the marauders found some imown oiH lo u'.si inc stri-n^th ol the defences of Haltimore. That the marauders found some op|ii)sitiou, is e\ident fnuu a passage in tlie journal of a Hritisii ol'dcer. " Hut tluse hasty e.\i-ursions, thouL;h i^enerallv successful, were not always perlormed without loss to the invaders." ( )n one of these expeditions, .Sir IV'ti-r i'arker, captain of tlu- frii^ale " Meiielaiis," lost his lifi-. He had hei'i) ordered down to the mouth of tlu- hav just after the fall of Washinj;ton. "I must first have a frolic wilii the N'ankees," said he. .Sir I'l'ti-r i'arker, captain ... ...v had hei'i) ordered down to the moiiin oi iiu- nav Jum aiier me lan oi Washinj;ton. "I must liist have a frolic wilii the N'ankees," said he. And accordinj;ly, after a jovial ilinncr aboard his fri|;ate, he led a iii;;ht expedition of sailors and marines ashore, expeclinic to surjjrise a small body o{ Maryland luilitia stationed at Moorfields. Sir Peter's frolic turned 1 I MMM 1 i!Lri:-i.\('Ki;i's of 1812. ;>55 * (Hit clisastnnislv ; for the Marylandcrs wi-rc mi tlic watch, and received the invaders witii a tieree volley. Sir I'eler was L;'allantly eheerini;- im his men, when a nuisket-hall ent the main artery in his thii;h. "They have hit me, I'earce," he said iaintly tn his lieutenant; "hut it's mithinn-. I'ush on, mv brave hoys, and follow me." Hut even thus eheerin;;-. he fell hack, the words died away in his thri>at, and he bled to death before a surf^eon eould be found. It is but riL;ht to say, that, thou;;h he sailed in {."oekbiuii's eonunand, he had none of the cruel brutality which his admiral too often showed. On the iJth of September a more serious assault was made upon Baltimore. The British naval ^uid military forces united in the attack. which was maiK' mIu'11 striuk ;m(l (li^^mclllllt^•ll oiu- dl ilu- IwciUy-tonr-poiiiKk-rs, killiii:;- and uiiundiii.:; sL'\craI nt' its iiKii. Admiral ("iHliiaMc, uhu lommaiidcd t!u' altai'kiiiL; iKit, saw lliis iiuidciit, and ordcii'd tliici' nt his hnmbv r>sfl> ti>mii\f u|i nearer Id the Inii. This i;av(.' the Amt'iii^uis the ii|i|i(irtunit\ t'lir whitli they had heeii loii.^ini;, and instantly eveiv nun in the loit opened U|)i>n the three liukless ketehes. Half an h to h.Uf ,:;iven to the reL;ioii about Cliesapeake 15. i\ its most L;.dl.int defenders, jusi as tlu- storming' partv turned the plows of the b,ir,L;es tou.irds the shore, thev were discovered; and from Mellenr\, t"o\ in,L;ton, and the (itv Hatterv burst .1 thumlerous artiller\- tiri', th.it .-hoiik the house-, in H.dtimore. and illumiui'd the ilark sh'ues of the ri\er with ,1 huid .nlare. Hold as the Ihilish sailors were, thi'V eould ,id\.iiu'e no t.irther under so terrible a tire. Two of the bai',:;es were shot to piei'es, leaxiui; the'.r erews strui^L^lin^ in the watc'r. .\ ceaseless h.dl of i^rape .nul «. mister spre.id death and wounds broadc.isi iinmni;' the enenu ; and, aftei' w.iverini; .1 moment, thev tinau'd and lied to their ships. I oehr.me, seeiuL; his pi.ui for taking the American positions by ass.iiilt thus frustrati'd, redoubled the fury of his lire; hoping; th.it, when d.i) bri'.ik m.ide visible the distant shore, nothim; but ,1 heap of ruins slioiild mark the spot where l'"ort Mil km y stood the ni^du l)el()re. A ni^ht boinb.irdnieiit is ,it once a beautiful and a terrible spectacle. I'he ce.iseless iLishiMji; of the j;real ;;uiis, lii^liting up with a lurid glare '>fc/»^fsmj^l:rM^ THE STAR SPANGLED UANNhK. ■ ;■ l| I mem HI.UK-JACKKI'S OF iSu. 359 J : the dense clouds of smoke that han<; over the sieiie of hattli- ; tho roar of the artillery; the shriek of the shell as it leaves the cannon's mouth, slowly dying into a mnrmu>- and a dull explosion, as, with a flash of fire, the missile explodes far away, — combine to form a picture, that, des|)ite the horrors of wounds and death, rouses the enthusiasm and admiration of the beholder. When viewed from the deck of one of an atlackinj; fleet, the scene is even more impressive. At each discharge of the great guns, the vessel reels and trembles like a huge animal in agony. Tlie surging waters alongside reflect in their black depths the Hash of the cannon ai\d the lierv trail of the living shell, l'"ar in the distance can be seen the flashes of the enemy's guns, each of which may mean the despatch of a missile bringing death and pain in its track. ( )iu- who has witnessed such a spectacle can reatlily understand the fascination which men find in the great game of war. Pacing the deck of the one of the Hritish vessels was a yoimg Aniorican, whose tem|)erament was such that lie could fully appreciate all the beauties of the scene, even though harasseil by anxious fears lest the l?ritish should be successful. This man was iMancis .S. Key, who had '.isitcd the licet with a flag of truce, but was unable to get away bct'nn' the bninb.irdnient began When the sun set on the evening of the i.Uh, Key saw his country's flag waving proudly ovir the ram])arts at which the l^riti.sh guns had been so furiously pounding, Woidd that flag still be there when the sun should rise again? That was the question which Key asked himself as he anxiously walked the deck throughout the night, stri\ing to piiTcc the darkness, and make nut, bv the lurid lightnings of the cannon, whether the flag was still there. .As the iiiglit wow on, Key took an old letter from his pocki't, and on the blank sheet jotted down thr lines of the immortal national song. "The .Star .Spangled lianner." Its wonks merely voice the writer's thoughts; for often during that night he 'ooked anxiously shorewards, to see if "the rockets' red j;l:ire, the bombs hurstiiiK in .lir, Gave proof, tliri)ii),'h the night, tliat our ll.i); w.i.s .s»ill there." ;,()«) i;i.i i:-l.\(Ki;is or isi-. When tin- anxiously awaiti-d (laylij^lit caiiu-, l*'ort Mil Icniy still stood; and ovlt it waxed defiantly the starry folds of the I'nited Slates tla;;". The Ihitish saw that, hy land ant! sea, tiieir attaek had faileil ; and early in the niorninf; the lleet. after taking on Ijoard the remnant of f;he land forces, sailed suddcidy away, and left Halliniore safe. They had homliarded l''ort I\IeI lenry for twenty-live hours, throwin;; nearly two tliousand shells. Vet, wonderful as it may appiar, only four of the y\niericans were killed, and twenty-four wounded. With this failure the Hritish endeil their ehief offensive operations alon;; the shores ot the Chesapeake. The ;;reater part of the Heel and the soldiery then moved soutinvard, lo lake |)aM in the operations alon;; the (iulf masi, that eulminatcd in the disastrous tiefeat of the invaders al New ( )rleans. II I 'i ■ !. CIlAlTl'.k XVI. l>i;>ir.l(lKV ilKSTII.IIII > ON 1111. (M I \N, - \1 TAl k II'dN inKT lie iWVKR. - 1. \1 11 1 1. i||K riKAII IlKlllSIl lAl'l lillluN A(..\lN>r NKW ()KI.|;A\>. - liA 11 1.1. A 1' llll. KICl »1 K|S. - All \< k (IN NI.W UKI I- \NS, ASH hKII .\ I <)I Till-. liRI ll>ll. WoKk nV TIIK niX'K-j.VC KKTS. - t AiTiki, oi I III. I KicAi 1. •• rki sinKN I'." - Tin: •• i unmi rrrinN • takivs tiik "i vani;- ANiP ••I.K.VANr.'-llll. "IIiikM I" lAkKS IIIK •' I'KNCLIN " - l-.Mt ol llll: WAU. I I lie naval iiuidcnt.s of the latter part of 1S14 tonftrred little honor upon cither of the bellit;erent.s. Seldom did the nieetin;;s between hostile ships rise to the difjnity of battles. ( )tie or two small American bri};s fell a prey l'> British fri};ates ; Init in every instance the disparity of force was so _i;rcat that the weaker Mirri'iidcrcd without strikinj; a blow. Such was tlie case with the si.xtccn-^uii lnii; " Rattlesnake," which escaped from oiu' British frigate by throwin:; ii\ir- board all her };uns. only to immediately f:dl a prey to the " I.eandcr." In July of the same year, the I'nited States bri^ "Siren" was ca|)turc(l by the British friijate " Mcdway," ott the coast of Africa, alter a lon^ chase, durinj; which the Ami'rican how overboard every thin^' movable on the bri(^. Not all these j)etly encounters ended so favorably for the enemy. Off New York a cuttinj.;-out party of volunteers surprised an-' iu,ri;-j.\(Ki;rs oi' isii. h()\vit/cr, and fourteen nu-n. 'l\n days later, the fii^'ate "TenedDs," whiih had done siiili >:;iun\ service nu tlie Ijloekade, suffered the loss of her tender, which was {gallantly carried away hy the erew of a \'ankee ;;unboat. Some very desperate combats between American |)rivateers and Hritish na\al vessels were fouj^ht about this time, and will l)e duly noteil in detail in the chapter treatin;^ of the exploits of the private armed navy. As the autumn came on, the Mritish naval forces be;;an to rendezvous in the Gulf of Mexico, preparatory to the cam|iai},ni before New Orleans, (^n Sept. 14, a scpiadron of four Hritish sloops-of-war appeared off Mobile, and opened lire upon j-'ort l^iwyer, which ".juarded the entrance to Mo- bile Hay. Tlie attack was vigorous, and the defence determined. A Hritish land expedition moved upon the fort from the landward side; and the little garrison found itself surrounded by enemies, many of whom were Indians, whose sava;;e assistance the Hritish had acicpti'd from the very openin;; of the war. .\ small force, oidy, defended the fort. I'ercy, the Hritish admiral, knew tin- weakness of the j;ariison ; and, thinking; of the ninety-two j^uns he could l)rin;; to bear against tin: twenty worked by the Ameriiaus, annouuted proudly, thai lu- would };ive the garrison just twenty ndnutcs to surrender, 'ihe twenty minuli's passed (luickly, and still the fort responded savaj^ely to tlu- fiie of its assailants. The fla;;' of the Hritish siiip "Hermes" was shot away; and soon after, a round shot cut her cable, and siie drifted ujion a sand-bank, and la\ helpless, a!ul exposed to a rakini;' fire I U'r captain, havinj; set her alire, al)andoned her ; and siie soon blew up. The other vessels kept up the attack gallantly fur a time. The tlag-staff of the fort was shot away; but the flag soon re-appeared, waving from a sponge-staff. The Americans then redoubK'd tluir tire, which soon told so severely upon the Hrilish ships that they were forced to withdraw. In the nuan time, the assault of the Indians and troops had betri checked, and the forces driven back in disorder, thus leaving the victory to the Americans. It is not within the pioviiue of this woik to treat of the military operations that led up to the battle of New Orleans. Hut the last months of 1814 witnesseil a series of naval incidents trivial in themselves, but m' T IJIAK-JAIKKIS ol" iSii. (lerivin{; imixdtaiicc iKnn llu'ir lonncctioii witli (liii. Jacksi'ii's j;reat viitniy. OviT tcttain inciilcnts in tin- preparations of llic Americans for rcpclliiij; tlu- invasion lian;;s a shade of romance. To tlu- soutlnvard of the (piaint, rambling, ro^e-covered cit\- of N'cw Orleans, tiie tawn)' llooii of the Mississi|)pi winds towards the i;ult' in hu^e serpentine curves. The shores between whiiii it llows rise sc;.rce hi^dier tlian the surface of the river itself; and a sh^ht increase in tiie vohune of water, or a strong; wind, will serve to turn the wiiole re},don into a ;;reat, watery marsh. l'"roni che mouth of the great river, the whole coast of Louisiana, extendinj; north and west, is a grass) sea, a vast expanse of marsh-grass, broken here and there by inlets of the Mexican (Jnlf, and sluggish, winding bayous that lead up into the higher lands of the State, — water-w;;\s that lead even to the back door of the Crescent City hersrif, but known only to oyster-gatherers, or in 1.S14 to liie adven- turous nun who followed the banner of Lahtte tlu- I'/iratarian pirate. I'irate he was called then; but it is doubtful whether liis misdeeds ever exceeded Miniggling, or, at worst, privateering under the protecting Mag of some belligerent nation. When all nations wi-re warring, what was easier than for a few gallant fellows, \ii'.h svvift-sailing feluccas, to lurk about the shores of the gulf, and now under the Spanish flag, now under the l'"reiuh, or an\ colors wliich suited the case, sally out and lapturr the richly laden Indiamen that fre(piented those summer seas.' And when a powi'r known as the United States (lovernment, that had its cpiarters more than a thousand miles from the country of the Creoles, passed an outr.igeoiis law known as the embargo, what was more nalm-al than that the Haratan.ins, knowing the mysterious waler-ways that K-d up to the Crescent City, should utili/e their knowledge to take shijjs and cargoi-s in and out without the formality of a custom-house examination .' .Such were the times that led to the formation and growth of the "piratical" colony of Harataria. Its k-aders and riders wen- b)hn and j'ii'rre I-afnte; one of whom lived in N\ \v < )rleans in the character ot a prosjieroiis merchant, while the othei- led the (.-xpeditions whiih brought in merchan- dise to sti)ck the former's stores. L'nder the iidluence of the warlike IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 It e m a" K III 2.2 12.0 140 1.4 1.6 Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST iVtA'N STREET WeBSTER.N.Y. 11:30 (714) 872-4503 V :1? :\ >\ <^ ^ \ em. ^ Ux 364 BLUE-JACKETS OF 181 2. state of Europe, the trade of these worthies throve, and their settlement at Grande Isle took on the appearance of a prosperous colony and naval station. Storehouses and dwellings stood close to the sea. The fertile face of the island was cut up into fruitful plantations and orange-groves. Breastworks, well dotted with the muzzles of cannon, commanded the approach by sea. More than once, from behind those ramparts, the Bar- atarians had proved that they could fight, and that they acknowledged the authority of no flag. The Creoles of New Orleans looked indulgently upon the conduct of the outlaws ; but the few Americans in the city were highly incensed to see the authority of the United States thus set aside, and vowed that when the war was over, the audacious adventurers should be crushed. However, the end came even sooner. On the 3d of September, a British armed brig anchored near the bucca- neers' retreat, and sent a flag of truce ashore. Lafitte, with great dignity, received the envoys in his tent, and assured them of his protection, though the whole village was up in arms clamoring for the death of the intruders. The British officer then announced that he had come to secure the aid of Lafitte and his followers in the campaign against New Orleans. He offered the pirate captain forgiveness for all piracies committed against the British flag, — whoreat the chief smiled sardonically, — also thirty thousand dollars in cash, a captain's commission in the British navy, and lands for himself and his followers. It was a tempting bribe ; for at that moment Lafitte's brother lay in the calabo::a at New Orleans awaiting trial for piracy, and the Americans were preparing rapidly for a descent upon the Baratarian stronghold. But, little as he liked the American flag, Lafitte liked the British still less : so, asking the Englishman to wait a few days for his answer, he sent a report of the occurrence to the New Orleans authori- ties, and offered to co-operate with the Americans, if he could be assured of pardon for all offences committed against the government. This document caused some hesitation at New Orleans ; but the military authorities deter- mined to refuse the offer, and break up the outlaws' nest. Accordingly, a few days later, the war schooner "Carolina," six gun-boats, a tender, and a launch, dropped down the Mississippi, and, rounding into the deep blue 71 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 365 waters of the gulf, headed for Barataria. Lafitte had tuo many friends in New Orleans not to know of the force thus sent against him ; and, when the Americans reached Grande Terre, they found the pirates at their batteries, and the Baratarian flotilla drawn up in order of battle. The contest was sharp, but ended in the rout of the Baratarians. Their village was burned, their fortifications razed ; and, when the triumphant Americans returned to New Orleans, they brought in their train ten armed prizes and a number of prisoners, although Lafitte was not to be found among the latter. Thereafter, the Baratarians, as an organization, vanished from history. Lafitte was afterwards occasionally heard of as a desperado on the more western shores of the Mexican Gulf ; and it is further noticeable, that two guns were served by Baratarians under their old lieutenant, Dominique Yon, on that bloody day when Packenham's forces were beaten back on the field of Chalmette. Early in December the movement of the British upon ?Jew Orleans took definite shape. On the 8th of that month, the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, off the Chandeleur Islands, were the scene of a grand rendez- vous of British naval and military forces. All the vessels of Cockburn's Chesapeake fleet were there, with other men-of-war, transports, and schooners, to the number of fifty vessels. At the head was the towering two-decker "Tonnant," carrying the Admiral's flag. Frigates, corvettes, and sloops-of-war came trooping in the rear ; and the transports bore seven thousand men for the capture of the Southern city. The British were in high good-humor as the anchors were let fall and the ships swung round with their heads to the tide. The voyage across the gulf from the rendez- vous at Jamaica had been like a holiday trip. The weather had been fine, and the sea smooth ; and the soft air of that semi-tropical region was a never-ending source of delight to sailors who had been suffering the hard- ships of a Northern station. The point at which the British fleet had come to anchor lay about fifty miles due east of New Orleans. In that day of sailing-vessels, no enemy could breast the waters of the rolling Mississippi and crush the resistance of the city's defenders, as did Farragut in 1862. Knowing I II lii i\ I i \ i 366 BLUE-JACKETS OF 181 2. that they could not hope to take their ships up to the levee of the city, the enemy determined to cast anchor near the entrance of Lake Borgne, and send through a chain of lakes and bayoils a mammoth expedition in barges, to a point within ten miles of the city. But this well-laid plan had been betrayed to the Americans by Lafitte ; and a little band of American sailors, under the command of Lieut. Catesby Jones, had taken up a position at the Rigolets, and were prepared to dispute the farther progress of the invading forces. Five gunboats, and one hundred and eighty-five men, constituted the American force, which for a time held the British in check. Finally, the enemy, finding that the swift American cutters could easily evade the lumbering war-vessels, fitted out a fleet of forty-five barges, manned by a thousand veteran British sea-dogs, who had seen service in half a dozen naval wars. The Americans had news of the contemplated attack, and made skilful preparations to meet it. The gunboats were moored in a fore and aft line, at a point near the Rigolets, Their broadsides bore upon the enemy, and the shallowness of the water was such that by no means could they be surrounded. The sailors were prepared for a desperate conflict, and spent the night before the battle in tricing up the boarding-nettings, sharpening cutlasses, and getting small- arms in good trim. In the morning the British came on to the attack. It was a long pull from the fleet to the place of battle : so their commander brought his flotilla to anchor just out of range of the American guns; and there the grim old veterans devoured their dinners, and took their rations of grog, with appetites undisturbed by the thought of the coming conflict. Dinner over, the enemy weighed anchor, and dashed forward, with long, swift strokes, into the very flashes of the Americans' cannon. The Americans knew that their one chance of victory was to keep the overwhelming forces of their foe out of boarding distance, and they worked their guns with a rapidity born of desperation. Musket-bullets, grape- shot, and canister poiu'ed in a murderous fire upon the advancing boats. But the sturdy old British veterans knew that the best way to stop that fire was to get at the base of it ; and they pressed on undauntedly, respond- ing vigorously, meanwhile, with their bow guns. Soon they were up to 'f i! !il BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 367 the gunwales of the American flotilla, and the grappling-irons were fixed ; then, with sharp blows of cutlasses, deadly play of the pikes, and a ceaseless rattle of small-arms, they poured upon the decks of the Americans. The boarding-nettings could not long check so furious a foe, and fell before the fierce slash of the cutlasses. The decks once gained, the overpower- ing numbers of the Englishmen crushed all further resistance ; and the flotilla was finally taken, after about one hundred of the enemy and fifty Americans had fallen. The American flotilla being thus shattered, there remained no further obstacle to prevent the landing of the invading army. Of the advance of that brilliant body of veteran troops cer sands and marshes, and through sluggish bayous and canals half-full of stagnant water, until they emerged on the bank of the river, nine miles below New Orleans, it is not my purpose to speak further. Nor does an account of Gen. Jack- son's vigorous measures of defence and glorious victory come within the province of this narrative. The interesting story of Jackson's creation of an army from leather-shirted Kentucky riflemen, gay Creoles from the Creole Quarter of the Crescent City, swarthy Spaniards and mulattoes, nondescript desperadoes from the old band of Lafitte, and militia and regulars from all the Southern States, forms no part of the naval annals of the war. It is enough to say that the flower of the British army, led by a veteran of the Peninsula, recoik d before that motley crew of untrained soldiers, and were beaten back, leaving their gallant leader and thousands of their brave men dead upon the field. The navy was not without some share in this glorious triumph. On the 23d of December the schooner "Carolina" dropped down from New Orleans, and opened fire upon the enemy. " Now, then, for the honor of America, give it to them ! " sung out her commander, as the first broadside was fired. The attack, unex- pected as it was, created a panic in the British camp. A feeble reply was made with rockets and musketry ; but even this was soon discontinued, and the enemy took refuge under the steep bank of the levee, whither the plunging shot could not follow them. All night the "Carolina" 1 it up her fire ; and, when at daybreak she moved away, she left the camp of !» IP h 11! i ;68 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. the enemy in confusion. During the clay she renewed the attack, and persisted in her fire until the British threw up a heavy battery on the river's bank, and replied. The lads of the "Carolina" promjitly accepted the challenge thus offered, and for a time a spirited combat was maintained. But the battery threw red-hot shot, and the schooner was soon set on fire and destroyed. Meanwhile the corvette " Louisiana " had come down to the scene of action, and in the subsequent engagements did some effective work. When the final onslaught of the British was made, on Jan. 7, 18/5, the guns of the "Louisiana" were mounted on the opposite bank of the river, and the practised sailors worked them with deadly effect, until the flight of the American militia on that side exposed the battery to certain capture. The sailors then spiked their guns, and marched off unmolested. The sailors of the " Carolina," on that day of desperate fighting, were in the centre of Jackson's line, between the Creoles and the swarthy Baratarians under Dominique Yon. Here they worked their howitzers, and watched the scarlet lines of the enemy advance and melt away before that deadly blaze ; advance and fall back again in hopeless rout. And among the many classes of fighting men whom Jackson had rallied before that British line, none did battle more valiantly for the honor of the nation and the safety of the flowery city of New Orleans than did those blue- jackets ashore. It is a fitting commentary upon the folly of war, that the battle of New Orleans was fought after the two warring nations had signed a treaty of peace. The lives of some hundreds of brave Englishmen and Americans were needlessly sacrificed in a cause already decided. Far across the Atlantic Ocean, in the quaint old Dutch city of Ghent, representatives of England and the United States met, and, after some debate, signed the treaty on the 24th of December, 18 14. But there was then no Atlantic cable, no "ocean greyhounds" to annihilate space and time ; and it was months before the news of the treaty reached the scene of war. In the mean time, the hostilities were continued by land and sea. The year 1815 found the American navy largely increased by new vessels, though the vigilance of the British blockaders kept most of these V M BLUf<:-JACKETS OF 1812. 369 I I I close in port. The "Constitution" was at sea, having run the blockade at Boston. In New York Harbor were the " President," " Peacock," ■'Hornet," and "Tom Bowline," awaiting a chance to slip out for a cruise to the East Indies. It was decided that the vessels should run out singly, and the "President" was selected to make the first attempt. The night of the 14th of January was dark and foggy, and the blockad- ing fleet was nowhere to be seen. Then, if ever, was the time for escape ; and the Yankee tars weighed anchor and started out through the Narrows. In the impenetrable darkness of the night, baffled by head-winds and perplexing currents, the pilots lost their reckoning, and the orders to the man at the wheel were quick and nervous, until an ominous grating of the ship's keel, followed by the loss of headway, told that the frigate was aground. For a time the ship lay helpless, straining all her timbers as each wave lifted her slightly, and then let the heavy hull fall back upon the shoal. By ten o'clock the rising tide floated her off ; but, on examination, Capt. Decatur found that she was seriously injured. To return to port was impossible with the wind then blowing : so all sail was crowded on, in the hopes of getting safely away before the blockad- ing squadron should catch sight of the ship. As luck would have it, the blockaders had been forced from their posts by the gale of the day before, and the " President " had laid her course so as to infallibly fall into their clutches. Before daylight the lookout reported two sail in sight, and at daybreak the ship was fairly surrounded by the enemy's vessels. All at once gave chase to the luckless American ; and a few hours were enough to show that her sailing qualities were so seriously injured by her pounding on the bar, that the enemy was rapidly over- hauling her. Decatur adopted every known expedient to increase his ship's speed, but to no avail. After she had been lightened by starting the water, cutting away boats and anchors, chopping up and heaving overboard the ponderous cables, together with spars and provisions, the enemy still gained ; and the foremost pursuer, a razee, opened fire. The " President " responded with her stern-chasers, but her shot had no effect. "It is said that on this occasion," writes Cooper, "the shot of the ill :i il ^m 0/ o BLUK-JACKHTS OF iSi; American ship were observed to be thrown with a momentum so unusu- ally small, as to have since excited much distrust of the quality of her gunpowder. It is even added, that many of these shot were distinctly seen, when clear of the smoke, until they strick." At six o'clock in the evening, the frigate " Endymion " led the British squadron in chase, and had gained a position so close upon the American's beam that her broadsides were rapidly crippling the fugitive. Thereupon Decatur deter- mined upon a desperate expedient, thr i sounds like some of his reckless exploits in the war with Tripoli. His plan was to bring the " President " about, and run boldly alongside the enemy. Every thing was to be sacrificed to the end of getting to close quarters. When once the two ships had grappled,- the Americans were to board, carry the British ship in a hand-to-hand battle, and then, abandoning the crippled " President," escape in the captured frigate. So desperate a plan needed the cordial co-operation of every man : so it was first presented to the commiss'oned officers, who gladly embraced the desperate project. The sailors were then sent aft, and Decatur addressed them from the quarter-deck. " My lads," said he, " that ship is coming up with us. As our ship won't sail, we'll go on board of theirs, every man and boy of us, and carry her into New York. All I ask of you is to follow me. This is a favorite ship of the country. If we allow her to be taken, we shall be deserted by our wives and sweethearts. What, let such a ship as this go for nothing ! 'Twould break the heart of every pretty girl in New York." With hearty cheers, the jackies returned to their guns. All were ready for the coming struggle. Over the main hatch was mounted a howitzer, with its black muzzle peering down into the hold, ready to scuttle the ship when the boarders should spring upon the enemy's deck. The sun, by this time, had sunk below the horizon, and the darkness of night was gathering over the ocean. The two ships surged toward each other, — great black masses, lighted up on either side by rows of open ports, through which gleamed the uncertain light of the battle-lanterns. On the gun-deck the men stood stern and silent ; their thoughts fixed ' < \i PRESIDENT AND ENDYMION. 1 ! BLUt:-JACKETS Ol< 1812. 373 upon the coming battle, or perhaps wandering back to the green fields and pleasant homes they had so recently left, perhaps forever. The gray old yeoman of the frigate, with his mates, walked from gun to gun, silently placing a well-sharpened cutlass, a dirk, and a heavy leather boarding-cap at each man's side. The marines were drawn up in a line amidships; their erect, soldierly air and rigid alignment contrasting with the careless slouchiness of the sailors. Butts for the sailors' ridicule as they were during a cruise, the marines knew that, in hand-to-hand conflicts, their part was as dashing as that of their tormentors of the forecastle. When the "President" had come within a quarter of a mile of her adversary, Decatur perceived that his enemy was determined to decide the contest at long range. As the "President" hauled down nearer, the " Endymion " sheered off, keeping up meanwhile a vigorous cannon- ade. To this the Americans responded in kind ; and so much superior was the gunnery of the Yankee tars, that the rigging of the enemy was seen to be fast going to pieces, while her guns were being silenced one by one. But her fire did sad havoc among the men of the "President," and particularly among the officers. The first broadside carried away Decatur's first lieutenant, Mr. Babbitt, who was struck by a thirty-two- pound shot, which cut off his right leg below the knee, and hurled him through the wardroom hatch to the deck below, fracturing his wounded leg in two places. Shortly after, Decatur was knocked to the deck by a heavy splinter. For some time he lay unconscious ; then opening his eyes, and seeing a throng of anxious seamen about him, he ordered them to their stations, and resumed his duties. The fire of the "Endy- mion" then slackened; and she lay upon the water, with her sails cut from the yards. At that moment Lieut. Howell turned to a midship- man standing at his side, and said gayly, "Well, we have whipped that ship, at any rate." A flash from the bow of the Englishman followed ; and he added, "No: there she is again." The midshipman turned to reply, and saw Howell stretched dead at his feet, killed by the last shot of the battle. i 374 HLUK-JACKKTS OF 1812. The enemy was now helpless, and it would have been easy enough for the " President " to choose her position and compel her adversary to strike ; but the presence of two more Englishmen, rapidly coming up astern, forced the Americans to abandon their prey and continue their flighl. It was then late in the evening, and the night was dark and starless. Every light was extinguished on the American frigate, in the hope that by so doing she might slip away under cover of the night. But the British lookouts were sharp-eyed ; and by eleven o'clock two frigates had closed in on the '-^ _ 'T:?r^ J. THE "PRESIDENT" TRIES TO ESCAPE. crippled ship, and a third was rapidly coming up astern. All were pouring in rapid broadsides, and the dark waters were lighted up like a fiery sea by the ceaseless flashing of the guns. Thus surrouii.ued and overpowered, there remained open to the Americans no course but to surrender ; and at eleven o'clock at night the " President " made signal that she had struck. Her fate, like that of the " Chesapeake," had accorded with the superstitious sailors' notion that she was an unlucky ship. In the long running fight, neither the Americans nor the British had escaped without severe loss. On the " President " were twenty-four killed and fifty-six HLUK-JACKHTS OK 1S12, 375 or - > id as ht ig ts c wounded ; the first, second, and third lieutenants being among the slain. The " Endymion " had eleven men killed and fourteen wounded. The two frigates were ordered to proceed to Be'mada; but the "President's" bad luck seemed to follow her, for on the way she encountered a te'rrific gale, by which her masts were carried away, and her timbers so strained that all the upper-deck guns had to be thrown overboard to save the ship. The loss of the " President," at the very mouth of the New York Harbor, was certainly a most inauspicious opening for the naval operations of 1815. The people of New York and Philadelphia, to whom had come neither the news of peace nor of the glorious success of the American arms at New Orleans, were plunged into despondency. " Now that Great Britain is at peace with Europe," thought they, " ,sh<; can e.xert all her power in the task of subjugating America;" and mouri ! il visions of a return to British rule darkened their horizon. But, even while they were thus saddened by Decatur's defeat, ? gallant ve' s 1 — the mor uch of the American itiivy — was fighting a good fight for the honor of the nation; and out of that fight she came witli colors flying and two captive men-of-war following in her wake. It will be remembered that the " Constitution " left Boston in December, 1 8 14, for an extended cruise. The gallant frigate, always a favorite among man-o'-war's men, carried with her on this cruise a full crew of native Americans, — thorough seamen, and as plucky fighters as ever pulled a lanyard or carried a cutlass. Her course lay due east ; and in January, 181 5, she was in the Bay of Biscay, where she fell in with, and captured, two prizes. After this she cruised about for a month, without encounter- ing an enemy. American privateers and cruisers had fairly driven British merchantmen from the seas, and the tars of the " Constitution " found their time hanging heavily on their hands. The captain was an able and considerate officer, and much freedom was allowed the jackies in their amusements. With boxing, broadsword, and single-stick play, drill and skylarking, the hours of daylight were whiled away ; and by night the men off duty would gather about the forecastle lantern to play with greasy, well-thumbed cards, or warble tender ditties to black-eyed Susans far across I I 2,7(> BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. the Atlantic. Patriotic melodies formed no small part of Jack's musical repertoire. Of these, this one, written by a landsman, was for a long time popular among the tuneful souls of the forecastle, and was not altogether unknown in the wardroom. " Now coil up y'r nonsense 'bout England's great navy, And take in y'r slack about oak-hearted tars ; For frigates as stout, and as gallant crews have we, Or how came their " Macedon " decked with our stars .' Yes, how came her " Guerriere," her " Peacock," and " Java," All sent broken-ribbed to old Davy of late .'' How came it? Why, split me, than Britons we're braver; And that they shall feel, too, whenever wc meet. Then charge the can cheerily, Send it round merrily : Here's to our country, and captains commanding; To all who inherit Of Lawrence the spirit Disdaining to strike while a stick is left standing." Many were the verses of this notable production ; for, to be popular in the forecastle, a song must play a lengthy part in " teasing time." One verse, however, is enough to show the manly, if perhaps unreasoning, pride the blue-jackets took in the triumphs of the navy. But the time of the sailors on this closing cruise of the war was not destined to be spent in sport and singing alone. The noble frigate was not to return to the stagnation of a season of peace in port, without adding yet another honor to her already honorable record. On the morning of the 20th of February, as the ship was running aimlessly before a light wind, some inexplicable impulse led Capt. Stewart to suddenly alter his course and run off some sixty miles to the south-west. Again the " Constitution's " good luck seemed to justify the sailors' belief, for at noon she ran into a group of vessels. The first vessel was sighted on the larboard bow, and, as the frigate overhauled her, proved to be a full- rigged ship. Soon after a second sail, also a ship, was sighted ; and a few BLUR-JACKETS OF 1812. ;77 minutes more sufficed to show that both were men-of-war. The oho first sighted was the frigate-built corvette " Cyane," of thirty-four guns ; and the second was the sloop-of-war " Levant," of twenty-one guns. For either of these vessels singly, the " Constitution," with her fifty-two guns and crew of four hundred and fifty men, was more than a match. Yet to attack the two was a bold movement, and this Stewart determined to undertake. Hardly had the character of the strangers been made out, when the corvette was seen making signals to the sloop; and the two vessels, then about ten miles apart, made all sail to get together before the enemy should overhaul them. This juncture was precisely what Stewart wished to prevent ; and in a trice the shrill notes of the boatswain's whistle sent the sailors in swarms into the rigging, and the frigate was as if by magic clothed with a broad expanse of canvas. Quickly she felt the effect, and bounded through the water after the distant ships like a dolphin chasing a school of flying- fish. The old tars on the forecastle looked knowingly over the side at the foamy water rushing past, and then cast approving glances aloft where every sail was drawing. But their complacency was shattered by a loud crash aloft, which proved to be the main royal-mast which had given way under the strain. Another spar was rigged speedily, and shipped by the active tars, and soon the snowy clouds aloft showed no signs of the wreck. At sundown the three vessels were so near each other that their colors could be seen. Stewart ran up the stars and stripes, to which the strangers responded by setting the British flag at their mastheads. The purpose of the enemy was to delay the opening of the action until night should give him opportunity to manoeuvre unobserved ; but the " Constitution," suspecting this, pressed forward hotly, and opened fire a few minutes after si.x o'clock. By skilful seamanship Stewart kept the windward gage of both enoniies ; and the fight opened with the "Cyane" on the port -quarter, and the "Levant" on the port-bow of the American frigate. Fifteen minutes of fierce cannonading followed, the combatants being within musket-shot most of the time. Every gun was engaged ; and the heavy broadsides shook the ships, and thundered far over the placid surface of the ocean, which was now faintly illumined 378 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. by the rising moon. The triangular space between the ships was filled with the dense sulphurous smoke of the burning powder ; so that the gunners could see nothing of the enemy at whom they were hurling their ponderous iron bolts. The men in the tops could now and again catch a glimpse of the top hamper of the enemy's ships, but those on the gun- deck were working almost at random. After a few minutes of rapid firing, the fire of the enemy slackened ; and Stewart directed his gunners to cease until the smoke should have cleared away. At this command a silence, almost oppressive after the heavy cannonading, ensued, broken only by the occasional report of a gun from the unseen enemy, sounding like minute-guns of distress. Anxiously Stewart waited for the smoke to blow away. When it did so, the "Cyane" was seen luffing up, to come under the frigate's stern, and get in a raking broadside. The movement was discovered just in time to be checked. Stewart gave a heavy broad- side to the " Levant ; " then, bracing back his topsails, backed his ship down abreast of the " Cyane," pouring in rapid broadsides, before which the fire of the corvette died away. Two raking broadsides that crashed into the stern of the "Levant" sent that craft out of the action, to refit. The frigate then pressed down upon the " Cyane," and with a few heavy broadsides forced her to strike. Capt. Douglass of the " Levant " then proved his bravery by standing by his captured consort ; although he could have escaped easily, while the " Constitution " was taking possession of her prize. No thought of flight seems to have occurred to the gallant Briton, though he must have known that there was but little hope of his coming out of the combat victorious. Still he gallantly came back into the fight, meeting the " Constitution " ploughing along on the opposite tack. Broadsides were exchanged at such close range that the Yankee gunners could hear the ripping of the planks on the enemy's decks as the solid shot crashed through beam and stan- chion. Having passed each other, the ships wore, and returned to the attack ; but the weight of the American's metal told so severely upon the " Levant " that her flag was hauled down, and, firing a gun to leeward, she gave up the fight. BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 379 As an exhibition of seamanship, this action is unrivalled in naval annals. For Stewart to have taken his ship into action with two hostile vessels, and so handle her as not only to escape being raked, but actu- ally rake his enemies, was a triumph of nautical skill. The action was hard fought by both parties. The loss upon the British vessels has never been exactly determined ; but it was undoubtedly large, for the hulls were badly cut up by the American's fire. The "Constitution" had but three men killed, and twelve wounded. The officers all escaped unhurt. After a few hours' pause to repair damages, Stewart took his prizes into Porto Praya in the Cape Verde Islands, where they arrived on the lOth of March. The day after the ships reached port, a heavy fog settled over the water, cutting off vision in all directions. As the first lieutenant of the "Constitution" was walking the quarter-deck, he heard a young midshipman among the prisoners suddenly e.xclaim, "There's a large ship in the offing. " The lieutenant peered about on every side, but could sec nothing, until, looking upward, he saw the top-gallant sails of a large siiip moving along above the fog-bank. Capt. Stewart was quickly notified ; and, coolly remarking that the stranger was probably a British frigate, he ordered that the men be sent to quarters, and the ship prepared for action. The lieutenant hastened on deck to execute the orders, but had hardly reached his station when he saw the sails of two more ships gliding along above the fog-bank. Hastily he returned to the captain's cabin with the report. Stewart showed no emotion or alarm, although he knew well that the fact that he was in a neutral port would be no protection against the British, should they once discover his presence. The affair of the " Essex " was still fresh in his mind. Calmly he ordered the lieutenant to make sail and take the ship to sea, signalling to the two prizes to follow. The orders were given quietly on deck ; and in fifteen minutes the "Constitution," under full press of sail, was making her way out of Porto Praya roads. On the shore were more than a hundred prisoners whom Stewart had landed under parole. Regardless of the dictates of honor, these men rushed to a Portuguese battery, and opened fire on the ships as they passed out. Hearing the cannonade, •I \ iSo blue-jackf:ts of 1812. the lookouts on the enemy's vessels looked eagerly for its cause, and caught sight, above the fog, of the rapidly receding topsails of the fugi- tives. At this sight the British set out in pursuit ; and the fog soon clearing away revealed to the Americans two ships-of-the-line and a frigate following fast in their wake. The "Constitution" and the "Cyane" easily kept out of reach of their pursuers ; but the " Levant " dropped behind, and finally, at a signal from Stewart, tacked, and stood back for Porto Praya. The enemy then abandoned the pursuit of the two fore- most vessels, and followed the " Levant, " but failed to overhaul her before she entered the harbor. This, however, checked the British not a whit. For the laws of nations and the authority of the Portuguese flag that floated over the little town, they cared nothing. On they came, and opened fire on the " Levant," which had dropped anchor under what was supposed to be a neutral battery. The Americans soon discovered their error. Not only did the British disregard the neutrality of the port, but the paroled prisoners on shore took possession of the battery, and opened fire upon the beleagured craft. Thus caught betwen two fires, no hope remained to the /.mericans ; and, after a few minutes' gallant but useless defence, the flag of the " Levant " was hauled down, and she passed again into the hands of the British. It was late in May before the " Constitution " reached New York. Peace had then been declared ; but none the less were Stewart and his men feasted and honored. The old frigate had won for herself a name ever to be remembered by the people of the nation, in whose service she had received and dealt so many hard knocks. " Old Ironsides," they called her ; and even to-day, when a later war has given to the navy vessels whose sides are literally iron, the " Constitution " still holds her place in the hearts of the American people, who think of her lovingly by the well- won title of "Old Ironsides." While we have been following thus Stewart and his gallant frigate in their final cruise, some smaller vessels were doing good work for the credit of the American flag. It will be remembered, that, when the " President " left New York Bay on her short and disastrous cruise of BLUK-JACKETS OF 1812. ;8i January, 181 5, she left behind her, at anchor, the "Peacock," the "Hornet," and the "Tom Bowline. These vessels, knowing nothing of the fate of their former consort, awaited only the coming of a gale sufficient to drive away the blockading squadron. On the 22d of January it came uj3 to blow ; and the three craft, under storm canvas, scudded over the bar, and made for the rendezvous at Tristan d' Acunha. On the way thither they separated, the "Hornet" cruising alone. On the 23d she sighted a strange sail on the horizon, and, clapping on all sail, bore down upon her. At the same time the stranger sighted the " Hornet," and made for her, evidently with hostile intent. The two vessels approached each other until within musket- shot, when the stranger hoisted English colors, and fired a gun. Capt. Biddle of the American ship was ready for the fray, and opened fire with a broadside. The response of the enemy was vigorous and effective. For fifteen minutes the firing was constant ; but the enemy, seeing that the Americans were getting the better of the fight, then strove to close and board. This Biddle determined to avoid, but called up the boarders to beat back the enemy, should they succeed in closing. "At the instant," he writes, in his official report, "every officer and man repaired to the quarter-deck, when the two vessels were coming in contact, and eagerly pressed me to permit them to board the enemy; but this I would not permit, as it was evident, from the commencement of the action, that our fire was greatly superior, both in quickness and effect. The enemy's bowsprit came between our main and mizzen rigging, on our starboard side, affording him an opportunity to board us, if such was his design : but no attempt was made. There was a considerable swell on ; and, as the sea lifted us ahead, the enemy's bowsprit carried away our mizzen-shrouds, stern davits, and spankei-boom, and he hung upon our larboard quarter. At this moment an officer called out that they had surrendered. I directed the marines and musketry men to cease firing; and while on the taffrail, asking if they had surrendered, I received a wound in the neck." This wound, to which the captain so casually alludes, merits more than a passing reference. The fire of both ships had ceased when Biddle stepped upon the taffrail ; but he had stood there only a moment, when ;82 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. two or three of the officers on the quarter-deck cried out that a man on the ICngH.shman was aiming at him. Biddle did not hear the caution ; but two American marines saw the enemy's movement, and, quickly l)ringing up their muskets, sent two balls crashing into the brain of the luiglish marksman. He fell back dead, but had fired his piece before falling. The bullet struck Biddle in the neck, inflicting a painful, but not serious, wound. The blood flowed freely, however ; and two sailors, rushing up, were about to carry their commander to the cock-pit, when he stopped them. Determined to do something to stanch the flowing blood, a sailor tore his shirt into bandages, with which he bound up his captain's wound. But let us return to Biddle's narrative. " The enemy just then got clear of us ; and his foremast and bowsprit being both gone, and perceiving us wearing to give him a fresh broadside, he again called out that he had surrendered. It was with difficulty that I could restrain my crew from firing into him again, as he had certainly fired into us after having surrendered. From the firing of the first gun, to the last time the enemy cried out that he had surrendered, was exactly twenty-two minutes by the watch. She proved to be His Britannic Majesty's brig " Penguin," mounting sixteen thirty-two-pound carronades, two long twelves, a twelve-pound carronadc on the top-gallant forecastle, with a swivel on the capstan in the tops." On boarding the prize, Biddle found that she had suffered too severely from the American fire to ever be of service again. He accordingly removed the prisoners and wounded to his own ship, and scuttled the "Penguin." Hardly was this operation accomplished, when two sail were sighted, bearing rapidly down upon the scene of action. Nothing daunted, the lads of the "Hornet" went to their guns, but were heartily glad to find that the two vessels approaching were the " Peacock" and "Tom Bowline." On their arrival, the latter vessel was converted into a cartel, and sent into Rio de Janeiro with prisoners ; while the " Hornet " and " Peacock " cruised on toward the Indian Seas. On April 28 a heavy line-of-battle ship was sighted, and gave chase. In the flight the two sloops parted ; the " Peacock " going off unmolested, while the " Hornet " fled, hotly pursued _ ' f. >,ififiip'^'- ■• ;•■■■', •:- n^^^^H^HB ,A^'''' Ki..4^^^^^H|^^^^^H 'l^ -^ . ••.". i* C®*- *%-" 'x -' '-^ tii$^ '^ •^ j'^- 4-'-' .■>■ ,v, . s -f% ^^^Kmm 3 .J" -'*.■■■•— •? . 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'-^r ■^-^. - -^^x^*^'- •', - <.^.-^-' — - ,„..>>s?r— ._. ^' /•'■ ■V •-..■-■ ,• '^:^-r" ^-' '— i«,^«f^-"'''^^"'^*5.''-- ■ I' "•■ : ■^■^ . .. ■ . - --^f^iet^^^^-' ■ ^' »■.■':;■'■. •" ■■■• ^""^^^^' ^*"' '-^' ■''"•'''^' J* " ^i^^:^^^^^^ z*^?.-?'"' t > — - ■■ •^ , ><^ • .>• .v'"-\ ' -, "^ ', ■ - ■ --s^ .-<* ^^'- •■••- ' ' -.-' ^ .' ,, , . ■: ■■■ ■■ ^.. FOUNDERED AT SEA. i ! t BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 385 by the enemy. For a time it seemed as if the little craft must fall a prey to her huge pursuer, which had come up within a mile, and was firing great shot at the scudding sloop-of-war. Overboard went cables, guns, spars, shot, every thing that would lighten the "Hornet. " The sails were wet down, and every thing that would draw was set. By consummate skill liiddle at last succeeded in evading his pursuer ; and on the 9th of June the " Hornet entered New York Bay, without a boat or anchor, and with but one gun left. But she brought the report that the last naval battle of the war had ended in victory for the Americans. Meanwhile the " Peacock " was returning from a cruise not altogether void of interest. On parting with the "Hornet," she had struck off to the southward, and in the Straits of Sundra, between Borneo and Sumatra, had fallen in with the East India Company's cruLser "Nautilus," of four- teen guns. Between these two vessels an unfortunate and silly rencounter followed. The captain of the "Nautilus" knew of the declaration of peace ; and, as the " Peacock " bore down upon his vessel, he shouted through a speaking-trumpet that peace had been declared. To this Capt. Warrington of the "Peacock" paid no attention, considering it a mere ruse on the part of the enemy, and responded by simply ordering the British to haul down their flag. This the Englishman very properly refused to do, and gallantly prepared for the unequal combat. Two broadsides were then interchanged, by which the " Nautilus " was severely cut up, and eight of her crew killed. She then struck her colors. Capt. Warrington, on sending a boat aboard his adversary, found that the declaration of peace was no ruse, but a truthful statement of facts. His conduct had been almost criminally headstrong; and, though he was profuse in formal apologies, the wrong done could never be righted. The " Peacock " then continued her homeward voyage. When this vessel reached port, the last of the cruisers had returned ; and the war was over in fact, as it had long been over technically. It has become the fashion to say that it was a useless war, that served no purpose, because the treaty by which it was ended contained no reference to the hateful doctrine of the right of search, which, more than any 386 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. thing else, had brought on the conflict. Yet, though the conduct of the war had not led the British to formally renounce their claims in this respect, the exploits of the American navy had shown that the Yankee blue-jackets were prepared to, and would, forcibly resent any attempt on the part of the British to put those claims into practice. The liritish had entered upon the war gaily, never dreaming that the puny American navy would offer any serious resistance to Great Britain's domination upon the ocean. Yet now, looking back over the three years of the war, they saw an array of naval battles, in the majority of which the Ameri- cans had been victorious ; and in all of which the brilliancy of American naval tactics, the skill of the officers, and the courage and discipline of the crews, put the younger combatants on a plane with the older and more famous naval service. Fenimore Cooper, in his " History ot the Navy of the United States," thus sums up the results of this naval war: " The navy came out of this struggle with a vast increase of reputation. The brilliant style in which the ships had been carried into action, the steadiness and accuracy with which they had been handled, and the fatal accuracy of their fire on nearly every occasion had produced a new era in naval warfare. Most of the frigate actions had been as soon decided as circumstances would at all allow; and in no instance was it found necessary to keep up the fire of a sloop-of-war an hour, when singly engaged. Most of the combats of the latter, indeed, were decided in about half that time. The execution done in these short conflicts was often equal to that made by the largest vessels of Europe in general actions ; and, in some of them, the slain and wounded comprised a very large proportion of their crews. . . . The ablest and bravest captains of the English fleet were ready to admit that a new power was about to appear upon the ocean, and that it was not improbable the battle for the mastery of the seas would have to be fought over again." L mm s. ,#'S*l\ #*- ^/; CHAPTER XVII. PRIVATEERS AND PRISONS OF THE WAR. — THE " ROSSIE." — SALEM PRIVATEERS. - THE "GEN. ARMSTRONG" GIVES BATTLE TO A BRITISH SQUADRON, AND SAVES NEW ORLEANS. — NARR.\T1VE OF A BRITISH OFFICER. — THE "PRINCE DE NEUFCHATEL." — EXPERIENCES OF AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR. — THE END. 2 ml O narrative of the naval exploits of the Americans in the second war with Great Britain can be complete without some account of the achievements of the fleets of privateers which for three years swept the seas, destroying a vast amount of the enemy's property ; and, while accomplishing their end by enriching their owners, did, nevertheless, much incidental good to the American cause. Seldom has the business of privateering been so extensively carried on as in the War of 1812. For this the reason lay in the rich bait offered by the world-wide commerce of Great Britain, whose fleets whitened every known sea. Privateering must ever be a weapon wielded by the weaker 387 3SS HLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. nation against the stronger. And Congress, in the wry Act by which it declared war, authorized the President to issue letters of marque and reprisal to private armed vessels. The declaration of war had hardly been made public, when the hun- dreds of ship-yards from Maine to Savannah resounded with the blows of hammers and the grating of saws, as the shipwrights worked, busily refitting old vessels, or building new ones, destined to cruise against the commerce of John Bull. All sorts of vessels were employed in this service. The Atlantic and Gulf Coasts fairly swarmed with small pilot- boats, mounting one long gun amidships, and carrying crews of twenty to forty men. These little craft made rapid sallies into the waters of the Gulf Stream, in search of British West Indiamcn homeward bound. Other privateers were huge three-masters, carrying heavy batteries, and able to outsail any of the enemy's ships. On leaving port for a long cruise, these vessels would carry enormous crews, so that captured vessels might be manned and sent home. After a successful cruise, such a privateer returned to port seldom bringing more than one-fifth of the crew with which she had set out. But the favorite rig for a privateer was that of the top-sail schooner, — such a rig as the "Enterprise" carried during the war with France. The famous ship-yards of Baltimore turned out scores of clean-cut, clipper-built schooners, with long, low hulls and raking masts, which straightway took to the ocean on privateer- ing cruises. The armament of these vessels generally consisted of six to ten carronades and one long pivot-gun, going by the pet name of " Long Tom," mounted amidships. The crew was usually a choice assort- ment of cut-throats and seafaring vagabonds of all classes, — ready enough to fight if plunder A^as to be gained, but equally icady to surrender if only honor was to be gained by fighting. Yet history records a few actions in which the privateersmen showed a steadiness and courage worthy of seamen of the regular service. The limitations of this work do not permit a complete account of the work of the privateers during the war. Although an interesting subject, and one of historical importance, but a few pages can be devoted to it RLUE-JACKKl'S Ol' 1812. 389 here. Properly treated, it woukl fill 11 volume; and, iiideetl, one of the most noted privatecrsmen has left a narrative of the exploits of the prin- cipal privateers, whieh forms a very considerahle tome. The fact that two hundred and fifty private armed c.aisers under the American fia<; captured or destroyed over sixteen hundred Hritish vessels will indicate the importance and extent of the suhject. I'or us a mere sketch of the exploits of some of the principal privateers must suffice. One of the first things to attract the attention of the reader, in the dingy files of some newspaper of 18 12-15, '^ the grotesque names under which many of the privateers sailed. The grandilocjuent style of the regular navy vanishes, and in its place we find homely names ; such as "Jaci<'s Favorite," "Lovely Lass," "Row-boat," ".Saucy Jack," or "True-blooded Yankee." Some names are clearly political allusions, — as tlie "Orders in Council" and the "Fair Trade." The "Black Joke," the "Shark," and the "Anaconda" must have had a grim significance for the luckless merchantmen who fell a prey to the ves.sels bearing these names. "Bunker Hill" and "Divided we fall," though odd names to sail under, seemed to bring luck to the two vessels, which were very successful in their cruises. "United we stand" was a luckless craft, however, taking only one prize ; while the achievements of the " Full-blooded Yankee " and the " Sine qua non " were equally limited. Of the " Poor Sailor," certainly little was to be expected ; and it is with no surprise that we find she captured only one prize. Among the most successful privateers was the " Rossie " of Baltimore, commanded by the Revolutionary veteran Capt. Barney, who left her, finally, to assume command of the American naval forces on Chesapeake Bay. She was a clipper-built schooner, carrying fourteen guns, and a crew of one hundred and twenty men. The destruction wrought by this one cruiser was enormous. In a ninety days' cruise she captured, sunk, or otherwise destroyed British property to the amount of a million and a half dollars, and took two hundred and seventeen prisoners. All this was not done without some hard fighting. One prize — His Britannic Majesty's packet-ship "Princess Amelia" — was armed with nine-pounders, m^ 390 BLUfi-JACKETS OF 181 2. ^ ! 1 ^ i and made a gallant defence before surrendering. Several men were killed, and the " Rossie " suffered the loss of her first lieutenant. The prisoners taken by the " Rossie " were exchanged for Americans captured by the British. With the first body of prisoners thus exchanged, Barney sent a cool note to the British commander at New Brunswick, assuring him that before long a second batch of his captured countrymen should be sent in. Several Northern seaports shared with Baltimore the business of fitting out and manning privateers. The hardy seai-'"^n of Maine and Massachu- setts were ever ready for a profitable venture of this kind ; and, as the continuation of the war caused the whale-fishery to languish, the sailors gladly took up the adventurous life of privateersmen. The profits of a successful cruise were enormous ; and for days after the home-coming of a lucky privateer the little seaport into which she came rang with the boisterous shouts of the carousing sailors. " We still, in imagination, see our streets filled with privateersmen," writes a historian of Portsmouth, " in groups, with blue ribbons tied around their hats, inscribed in large letters, ' Succes.s to the " Fox," ' or whatever vessel they were to sail in. And then another scene, of sailors paid off with so much money that they knew not what to do with it. It was one of these men that, in Market Square, put his arm around a cow, kissed her, and put a five-dollar bill in her mouth, for a good cud. Sometimes they might be seen, finely dressed, walking down the sunny streets, carrying parasols." One Ports- mouth privateer came to grief in the West Indies, and was captured by a Bi^tish vessel of heavier metal. In the hold of the privateer was a considerable sum of money in gold coin, the existence of which was known only to the captain and his body-servant, a bright negro. The British, on capturing the vessel, put a prize-crew on board, and, while taking the Yankee captain upon their own ship, left his negro servant on the prize. Watching his opportunity, the negro brought up the gold coin, and dropped it unobserved into a tub of greasy black slush with which he had been slushing down the masts. S xne days later, the captured vessel reached the port to which she had been sent, and was tied up at wm BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 391 a wharf to await condemnation. The faithful servant lingered about the ship for a time, saying that he had no place to go. At last he was gruffly ordered to leave ; but, before going, he astonished the mate by befsrin": for the tub of slush, which he said might enable him to earn a few cents along the docks. The mate carelessly told him to take the stuff, and be off ; which he promptly did, carrying away with him his tub of slush, with its concealed treasure. It is worthy of n.^tc, that this negro, far from home and from the owners of the money, paid it into a bank to the credit of the captain whom he bad served. Salem, Mass., was another great port for privateers to hail from. Not less than twenty-five of these predatory gentry fitted out at the quiet little seaside village ; and, when the war was ended, few of the inhabitants were unable to tell some tale of personal adventures, cruising against the enemy. Indeed, Salem had the honor of receiving the first prize captured on the ocean after the declaration of war; for into the harbor came, on the lOth of June, 1812, the trim privateer schooner "Fame," followed close by two ships, from the halliards of which waved the British flag surmounted by the stars and stripes. Then the whole town turned out as one man to greet and cheer the captors ; but, long before the war was ended, the appearance of a prize in the harbor aroused little excitement. One of the most successful of the rovers sailing from this port was the "Dolphin," whose record during the war shows a list of twenty-two captured vessels. Her faculty for making long cruises, and turning up in the most unexpected places, made her the dread of all British sea-captains. She was manned by a gallant set of lads, who had no fear of hard fighting ; and many of her prizes were won at the cannon's mouth. In January, 1813, the "Dolphin" fell in with a British ship and brig cruising together off Cape St. Vincent. Though the enemy outnumbered the privateersmen, and carried heavier metal, yet the " Dolphin " went gallantly into the fight, and after a severe battle succeeded in taking both vessels. Great was the astonishment of the British at being thus snapped up by a Yankee privateer almost under the guns of the Rock of Gibraltar. The luckless Britons were carried to America as prisoners ; but so kind was 392 BLUK-JACKKTS OF 1812. the treatment they met with at the hands of the privateers, that on leaving the "Dolphin," at Boston, they published a card in which they said, " Should the fortune of war ever throw Capt. Stafford or any of his crew into the hands of the British, it is sincerely hoped he will meet with similar treatment." Perhaps the foremost of all the fighting privateers was the " Gen. Armstrong " of New York ; schooner mounting eight long nines and one long twenty-four on a pivot. She had a crew of ninety men, and was commanded on her first cruise by Capt. Guy R. Champlin. This vessel was one of the first to get to sea, and had cruised for several months with fair success, when in March, 18 13, she gave chase to a sail off the Surinam River on the coast of South America. The stranger seemed to evince no great desire to escape; and the privateer soon gained sufficiently to discover that the supposed merchantman was a British sloop- of-war, whose long row of open ports showed that she carried twenty-seven guns. Champlin and his men found this a more ugly customer than they had e.xpected ; but it was too late to retreat, and to surrender was out of the question : so, calling the people to the guns, Champlin took his ship into action with a steadiness that no old naval captain could have exceeded. " Close quarters and quick work," was the word passed along the gun-deck; and the " Armstrong " was brought alongside her antagonist at a distant of half pistol-shot. For nearly an hour the two vessels exchanged rapid broadsides ; but, though the American gunners were the better marksmen, the heavy build of the sloop-of-war enabled her to stand against broadsides which would have cut the privateer to pieces. Capt. Champlin was hit in the shoulder early in the action, but kept his station until the fever of his wound forced him to retire to his cabin. However, he still continued to direct the course of the action ; and, seeing that the tide of battle was surely going against him, he ordered the crew to get out the sweeps and pull away from the enemy, whose rigging was too badly cut up to enable her to give chase. This was quickly done ; and the " Gen. Armstrong," though badly injured, and with her decks covered with dead and dying men, escaped, leaving her more powerful adversary to repair damages and I ;i PRIVATEERSMEN AT HOME. fl i H BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 395 i. f- f make the best of her way home. Capt. Champlin, on his arrival at New York, was the hero of the hour. For a privateer to have held out for an hour against a man-of-war, was thought a feat worthy of praise from all classes of men. The merchants of the city tendered the gallant captain a dinner, and the stockholders in his vessel presented him with a costly sword. But the " Gen. Armstrong " was destined to fight yet another battle, which should far eclipse the glory of her first. A new captain was to win the laurels this time ; for Capt. Champlin's wound had forced him to. retire, and his place was filled by Capt. Samuel C. Reid. On the 26th of September, 1814, the privateer was lying at anchor in the roadstead of Fayal. Over the land that enclosed the snug harbor on three sides, waved the flag of Portugal, a neutral power, but unfortunately one of insufficient strength to enforce the rights of neutrality. While the " Arm- strong " was thus lying in the port, a British squadron, composed of the " Plantagenet " seventy-four, the " Rota " thirty-eight, and " Carnation " eighteen, hove in sight, and soon swung into the harbor and dropped anchor. Reid watched the movements of the enemy with eager vigilance. He knew well that the protection of Portugal would not aid him in the least should the captain of that seventy-four choose to open fire upon the " Armstrong." The action of the British in coming into the harbor was in itself suspicious, and the American had little doubt that the safety of his vessel was in jeopardy. While he was pacing the deck, and weighing in his mind the probability of an assault by the British, he caught sight of some unusual stir aboard the hostile ships. It was night ; but the moon had risen, and by its pale light Reid saw four large barges let fall from the enemy's ships, and, manned by about forty men each, make toward his vessel. In an instant every man on the privateer was called to his post. That there was to be an attack, was now certain ; and the Americans determined not to give up their vessel without at least a vigorous attempt to defend her. Reid's first act was to warp his craft under the guns of a rather dilapidated castle, which was supposed to uphold the authority of Portugal over the island and adjacent waters, Hardly had the position 396 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. ■i i been gained, when the foremost of the British boats came within hail, and Capt. Reid shouted, " Boat ahoy ! What boat's that ? " No response followed the hail ; and it was repeated, with the warning, " Answer, or I shall fire into you." Still the British advanced without responding; and Reid, firmly convinced that they purposed to carry his ship with a sudden dash, ordered his gunners to open on the boats with grape. This was done, and at the first volley the British turned and made off. Capt. Reid then warped his vessel still nearer shore ; and bending springs on her cable, so that her broadside might be kept always toward the enemy, he awaited a second attack. At midnight the enemy were seen advancing again, this time with fourteen barges and about five hundred men. While the flotilla was still at long r nge, the Americans opened fire upon them with the heavy " Long Tom ; " and, as they came nearer, the full battery of long nine-pounders took up the fight. The carnage in the advancing boats was terrible; but the plucky Englishmen pushed on, meeting the privateer's fire with volleys of musketry and carronades. Despite the American fire, the British succeeded in getting under the bow and quarter of the " Arm- strong," and strove manfully to board ; while the Americans fought no less bravely to keep them back. The attack became a furious hand-to-hand battle. From behind the boarding-nettings the Americans thrust pikes, and fired pistols and muskets, at their assailants, who, mounted on each other's shoulders, were hacking fiercely at the nettings which kept them from gaining the schooner's deck. The few that managed to clamber on the taffrail of the " Armstrong " were thrust through and through with pikes, and hurled, thus horribly impaled, into the sea. The fighting was fiercest and deadliest on the quarter ; for there were most of the enemy's boats, and there Capt. Reid led the defence in person. So hot was the reception met by the British at this point, that they drew off in dismay, despairing of ever gaining the privateer's deck. Hardly did Reid see the enemy thus foiled on the quarter, when a chorus of British cheers from the forecastle, mingled with yells of rage, told that the enemy had succeeded in effecting a lodgement there. Calling his men about him, the gallant captain 4:..:-hed forward and was soon in the front rank of the defenders, dealing BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 397 furious blows with his cutlass, and crying out, " Come on, my lads, and we'll drive them into the sea." The leadership of an officer was all that the sailors needed. The three lieutenants on the forecastle had been killed or disabled, else the enemy had never come aboard. With Reid to cheer them on, the sailors rallied, and with a steady advance drove the British back into their boats. The disheartened enemy did not return to the attack, but returned to their ships, leaving behind two boats captured and two sunk. Their loss in the attack was thirty-four killed and eighty-six wounded. On the privateer were two killed and seven wounded. But the attack was not to end here. Reid was too old a sailor to expect that the British, chagrined as they were by two repulses, were likely to leave the privateer in peace. He well knew that the withdrawal of the barges meant not an abandonment, but merely a short discontinuance, of the attack. Accordingly he gave his crew scarcely time to rest, before he set them to work getting the schooner in trim for another battle. The wounded were carried below, and the decks cleared of splinters and wreckage. The boarding-nettings were patched up, and hung again in place. " Long Tom " had been knocked off his carriage by a carronade shot, and had to be remounted ; but all was done quickly, and by morning the vessel was ready for whatever might be in store for her. The third assault was made soon after daybreak. Evidently the enemy despaired of his ability to conquer the privateersmen in a hand-to-hand battle ; for this time he moved the brig " Carnation " up within range, and opened fire upon the schooner. The man-of-war could fire nine guns at a broadside, while the schooner could reply with but seven ; but " Long Tom " proved the salva- tion of the privateer. The heavy twenty-four-pound shots from this gun did so much damage upon the hull of the brig, that she was forced to draw out of the action ; leaving the victory, for the third time, with the Americans. But now Capt. Reid decided that it was folly to longer continue the conflict. The overwhelming force of the enemy made any thought of ultimate escape folly. It only remained for the British to move the 398 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. i 'I seventy-four " Plantagenet " into action to seal the doom of the Yankee privateer. The gallant defence already made by the Americans had cost the British nearly three hundred men in killed and wounded ; and Reid now determined to destroy his vessel, and escape to the shore. The great pivot-gun was accordingly pointed down the main hatch, and two heavy shots sent crashing through the bottom. Then applying the torch, to make certain the work of destruction, the privateersmen left the ship, giving three cheers for the gallant " Gen. Armstrong," as a burst of flame and a roar told that the flames had reached her magazine. This gallant action won loud plaudits for Capt. Reid when the news reached the United States. Certainly no vessel of the regular navy was ever more bravely or skilfully defended than was the " Gen. Arm- strong." But, besides the credit won for the American arms, Reid had unknowingly done his country a memorable service. The three vessels that attacked him were bound to the Gulf of Mexico, to assist in the attack upon New Orleans. The havoc Reid wrought among their crews, and the damage he inflicted upon the "Carnation," so delayed the New Orleans expedition, that Gen. Jackson was able to gather those motley troops that fought so well on the plains of Chalmette. Had it not been for the plucky fight of the lads of the " Gen. Armstrong," the British forces would have reached New Orleans ten days earlier, and Packen- ham's expedition might have ended very differently. The " Plantagenet " and her consorts were not the only British men-of- war bound for New Orleans that fell in with warlike Yankee privateers. Some of the vessels from the Chesapeake squadron met a privateer, and a contest ensued, from which the American emerged with less glory than did the lads of the "Gen. Armstrong." A young British officer in his journal thus tells the story : — "It was my practice to sit for hours, after .nightfall, upon the taff- rail, and strain my eyes in the attempt to distinguish objects on shore, or strange sails in the distance. It so happened that on the 30th I was tempted to indulge in this idle but bewitching employment even beyond my usual hour for retiring, and did not quit the deck till towards two BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 399 o'clock in the morning of the 31st [of October]. I had just entere^i my cabin, and was beginning to undress, when a cry from above of an enemy iu chase drew me instantly to the quarter-deck. On looking astern I perceived a vessel making directly after us, and. was soon convinced of the justice of the alarm, by a shot which whistled over our heads. All hands were now called to quarters, the small sails taken in ; and having spoken to our companion, and made an agreement as to position, both ships cleared for action. But the stranger, seeing his signal obeyed with so much alacrity, likewise slackened sail, and, continuing to keep us in view, followed our wake without approaching nearer. In this state things continued till daybreak, — we still holding our course, and he hanging back ; but, as soon as it was light, he set more sail and ran to windward, moving just out of gun-shot in a parallel direction with us. It was now necessary to fall upon some plan of deceiving him ; otherwise, there was little probability that he would attack. In the bomb, indeed, the height of the bulwarks served to conceal some of the men ; but in the transport no such screen existed. The troops were therefore ordered below ; and only the sailors, a few blacks, and the officers kept the deck. The same expedient was likewise adopted in part by Capt. Price of the ' Volcano ; ' and, in order to give to his ship a .still greater resemblance than it already had to a merchantman, he displayed an old faded scarlet ensign, and drew up his fore and main sail in what sailors term a lubberly manner. " As yet the stranger had shown no colors, but from her build and rig- ging there was little doubt as to her country. She was a beautiful schooner, presenting seven ports of a side, and apparently crowded with men, — cir- cumstances which immediately led us to believe that she was an American privateer. The 'Volcano,' on the other hand, was a clumsy, strong-built ship, carrying twelve guns ; and the ' Golden Fleece ' mounted eight : so that in point of artillery the advantage was rather on our side; but the American's sailing was so much superior to that of either of us, that this advantage was more than counter-balanced. " Having dodged us till eight o'clock, and reconnoitred with great exact- ;i 400 bluk-jacki:ts of 1812. ness, the stranger began to steer gradually nearer and nearer, till at length it was judged that she was within range. A gun was accordingly fired from the ' Volcano,' and another from the transport ; the balls from both of which passed over her, and fell into the sea. Finding herself thus assaulted, she now threw off all disguise, and hung out an American ensign. When putting her helm up, she poured a broadside with a volley of musketry into the transport, and ran alongside of the bomb, which sailed to windward. " As soon as her flag was displayed, and her intention of attacking discerned, all hands were ordered up ; and she received two well-directed broadsides from the ' Volcano,' as well as a warm salute from the ' Golden Fleece.' But such was the celerity of her motion, that she was alongside of the bomb in less time than can be imagined, and actually dashing her bow against the other, attempted to carry her by boarding. vJapt. Price, how- ever, was ready to receive them. The boarders were at their posts in an instant ; and Jonathan finding, to use a vulgar phrase, that he had caught a Tartar, left about twenty men upon the ' Volcano's ' bowsprit, all of whom were thrown into the sea, and filling his sails sheered off with the same speed with which he had borne down. In attempting to escape, he unavoid- ably fell somewhat to leeward, and exposed the whole of his deck to the fire of the transport. A tremendous discharge of musketry saluted him as he passed ; and it was almost laughable to witness the haste with which his crew hurried below, leaving none upon deck except such as were absolutely wanted to work the vessel. " The ' Volcano ' had by this time filled and gave chase, firing with great precision at his yards and rigging, in the hope of disabling him. But, as fortune would have it, none of his important ropes or yards were cut ; and we had the mortification to see him in a few minutes beyond our reach." An exploit of yet another privateer should be chronicled before the sub- ject of the private armed navy can be dismissed. On the nth of October, 1814, the brigantine privateer "Prince de Neufchatel," seventeen guns, was encountered near Nantucket by the British frigate "Endymion," — the same ^S BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 401 ship which was so roughly handled by the •' President " in her last battle. About nine o'clock at night, a calm having come on, the frigate despatched a boarding party of a hundred and eleven ture the privateer. The latter vessel was forty men ; but this handful of Yankee tars the attack. The guns were charged with boarding-nettings triced up, and cutlasses the crew. As the British came on, the notwithstanding which the enemy dashed fiercely to gain the deck. But in this they were foiled by the gallantry of the defenders, who fought desperately, and cut down the few British who managed to gain a foothold. The conflict was short, and the discomfiture of the ene- my com plete. it men in five boats to cap- shorthanded, having but gallantly prepared to meet grape and canister, the and pistols distributed to Americans opened fire, alongside, and strove PRISON CHAPLAIN AND JAILOR. After but a few minutes' fighting, one boat was sunk, one captured, and the other three drifted helplessly away, filled with dead and dying. The total loss of the British in this affair was twenty-eight killed and thirty- 402 HLUD-JACKETS OF 1812. seven wounded. Of the crew of the privateer, seven were killed, and nine only remained unhurt. A narrative of the exploits of, and service done by, the American sailors in the War of 18 12 would be incomplete if it said nothing of the sufferings of that great body of tars who spent the greater part of the war season confined in British prisons. Several thousand of the.se were thrown into confinement before the war broke out, because they refused to serve against their country in British ships. Others were prisoners of war. No exact statistics as to the number of Americans thus imprisoned have ever been made public ; but the records of one great prison — that at Dartmoor — show, that, when the war closed, six thousand American seamen were imprisoned there, twenty-five hundred of whom had been detained from long before the opening of the war, on account of their refusal to join the ranks of the enemy. As I write, there lies before me a quaint little book, put out anonymously in 18 15, and purporting to be the "Journal of a Young Man captured by the British." Its author, a young surgeon of Salem, named Waterhouse, shipped on a Salem privateer, and was captured early in the war. His experience with British prisons and transport-ships was long ; and against his jailors he brings shocking charges of brutality, cruelty, and negligence. The Yankee seamen who were captured during the war were first consigned to receiving-prisons at the British naval stations in America. Sometimes these places of temporary detention were mouldering hulks, moored in bays or rivers ; sometimes huge sheds hastily put together, and in which the prisoners were kept only by the unceasing vigilance of armed guards. "The prison at Halifax," writes Waterhouse, "erected solely for the safe-keeping of prisoners of war. lesembles an horse-stable, with stalls, or stanchions, for keeping the cattle from each other. It is to a contrivance of this sort that they attach the cords that support those canvas bags or cradles, called hammocks. Four tier of these hanging nests were made to hang, one above the other, between these stalls, or stanchions. . . . The general hum and confused noise from almost every hammock was at first very distressing. Some would be lamenting their BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 403 hard fate at being shut up like negro slaves in a Guinea ship, or like fowls in a hen-coop, for no crime, but for fighting the battles of their country; others, late at night, were relating their adventures to a new prisoner ; others, lamenting their aberrations from rectitude, and disobe- dience to parents, and headstrong wilfulness, that drove them to sea, contrary to their parents' wish ; while others, of the younger class, were sobbing out their lamentations at the thoughts of what their mothers and sisters suffered after knowing of their imprisonment. Not unfre- quently the whole night was spent in this way ; and when, about day- break, the weary prisoner fell into a doze, he was waked from his slumber by the grinding noise of the locks, and the unbarring of the doors, with the cry of ' Turn out ! All out ! ' when each man took down his ham- mock, and lashed it up, and slung it on his back, and was ready to answer to the roll-call of the turnkey." From prisons such as this, the prisoners were conveyed in droves to England, in the holds of men-of-war and transports. Poorly fed, worse housed, and suffering for lack of air and room, their agony on the voyage was terrible. When they were allowed a few hours' time on deck, they were sure to arouse the anger of the officers by turbulent conduct or imprudent retorts. "One morning as the general and the captain of the ' Regulus ' (transport) were walking as usual on the quarter-deck, one of our Yankee boys passed along the galley with his kid of burgoo. He rested it on the hatchway while he adjusted the rope ladder to descend with his swill. The thing attracted the attention of the general, who asked the man how many of his comrades eat of that quantity for their breakfast. ' Six, sir,' said the man, ' but it is fit food only for hogs.' This answer affronted the captain, who asked the man in an angry tone, ' What part of America he came from > ' ' Near to Bunker Hill, sir, if you ever heard of that place,' was the answer." On another occasion, a Yankee and a slightly wounded British marine got into a dispute, and came to blows. The British captain saw the occurrence, and accused the American of cowardice in striking a wounded man. " I am no coward, sir," said the Yankee. " I was captain of a gun on board the ' Constitution ' when she ( 1 • 404 BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. captured the 'Guerrierc,' and afterward when she took the 'Java.' Had I been a fCAvard, I should not have been there." On one occasion the prisoners on the transport " Crown Prince," lying in the River Medvvay, took an uncontrollable dislike to the commander of a second transport lying close alongside. Their spite was gratified quickly and with great effect. The rations served out to the luckless captives at that time consisted of fish and cold potatoes. The latter edible being of rather poor quality, the prisoners reserved for missiles ; and the obno.xious officer could not pace his quarter-deck without being made a mark for a shower of potatoes. Vainly did he threaten to call up his marines and respond with powder and lead : the Americans were not to be kept down ; and for some days the harassed (jfficer hardly dared to show himself upon deck. The place of final detention for most of the prisoners taken in the war with America was Dartmoor Prison ; a rambling collection of huge frame buildings, surrounded by double walls of wood. The number of prisoners confined there, and the length of time which many of them had spent within its walls, gave this place many of the characteristics of a small State, with rulers and officials of its own. One of the strangest characters of the prison was King Dick, a gigantic negro, who ruled over the five or si.\ hundred negro prisoners. " He is si.\ feet five inches in height," says one of the prisoners, "and proportionally large. This black Hercules commands respect, and his subjects tremble in his presence. He goes the rounds every day, and visits every berth, to see if they all are kept clean. When he goes the rounds, he puts on a large bear-skin cap, and carries in his hand a huge club. If any of his men are dirty, drunken, or grossly negligent, he threatens them with a beating ; and if they are saucy they are sure to receive one. They have several times conspired against him, and attempted to dethrone him ; but he has always conquered the rebels. One night several attackc d him while asleep in his hammock : he sprang up, and seized the smallest by his feet, and thumped another with him. The poor negro, who had thus been made a beetle of, was carried the next day to the hospital, sadly bruised, and provokingly KING DICK '^'. U HIS CHAPLAIN. f >31 ill BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. 407 laughed at." King Dick, to further uphold his dignity as a monarch, had his private chaplain, who followed his royal master about, and on Sundays preached rude but vigorous sermons to His Majesty's court. On week- days the court was far from being a dignified gathering. King Dick was a famous athlete, and in the cock-loft, over which he reigned, was to be seen fine boxing and fencing. Gambling, too, was not ruled out of the royal list of amusements ; and the cries of the players, mingled with the singing of the negroes, and the sounds of the musical instruments upon which they played, made that section of the prison a veritable pandemonium. But although some few incidents occurred to brighten momentarily the dull monotony of the prisoners' lot, the life of these unfortunate men, while thus imprisoned, was miserable and hateful to them. Months passed, and even years, but there seemed to be no hope for release. At last came the news of the declaration of peace. How great then was the rejoicing! Thoughts of home, of friends and kindred, flooded the minds of all ; and even strong men, whom the hardships of prison- life had not broken down, seemed to give way all at once to tears of joy. But the delays of official action, "red-tape," and the sluggishness of travel in that day, kept the poor fellows pent up for months after the treaty of peace had been announced to them. Nor were they to escape without suffering yet more severely at the hands of their jailors. Three months had passed since peace had been declared ; and the long delay so irritated the prisoners, that they chafed under prison restraint, and snowed evidences of a mutinous spirit. The guards, to whom was intrusted the difficult task of keeping in subjection six thousand ijnpaticnt a* 1 desperate men, grew nervous, fearing that at any moment the horde of prisoners would rise and sweep away all before them. An outbreak was imminent ; and the prisoners were like a magazine of gunpowder, needing but a spark of provocation to explode. On April 6, 1815, matters reached a crisis. The soldiers, losing all presence of mind, fired on the defenceless Americans, killing five men and wounding thirty-four. Thus the last blood shed in the War of 1812 was the blood of unarmed prisoners. But the massacre, horrible and inexcusable as it was, had the effect of 4o8 blue-jackp:ts of 1812. hastening the release of the survivors ; and soon the last of the captives was on his way home to the country over which peace at last reigned again. Here we must leave the blue-jackets who so bravely fought for "free trade and sailors' rights." Their place in history is a great and noble i i 5 ./ . r' ■^■^^nL. ri II 7^ ' i ll •-■•^-' '-'^•'^^S^^^ - / ^ife •^ m \ ' ■^ THE LAST VOLLEY OF THE WAR. one. As the ragged Continentals of '7^ brought a new nation into existence, so the blue-jackets of 18 12 defended the honor of that nation, and first gave its flag an honorable place upon the ocean. Sixty years later, when the safety of that flag was endangered, their descendants rallied to its defence; and some of the midshipmen of the days of 1812 were admirals and commodores in '61. Should ever, in future times, the BLUV. -JACKETS OF 1812. 409 young Republic of the West need the services of its fighting Jacic Tars on the ocean, many of the names famous in the naval annals of the past will re-appear in the naval lists of the time of action. By the records of history the United States navy can prove, that, in courage, dash, and seamanlike character, its officers and men have never been outdone. The present day sees the service languishing, through unwise legislation which has permitted the nation to find itself without a single vessel available for active and effective service against the navy of any first-class power. That this results simply from the re-action from the tremendous efforts of the late civil war, is certain ; and that in the future the United States will have a navy suited lo her place among nations, seems now probable. And if this simple story of some of the achievements of a past generation of blue-jackets shall win one adherent to the cause of the navy of the future, the purpose of the work will be fulfilled. ^i^-^^^