Crawfordsville Review, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 2 October 1858 — Page 1

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THE BATTLES ON THE LAKES.

M'DOKOUGH'S VICTORV OS last: cHAMPLATN. Daring tho summer of 1814 the English at the northern, and the Americans at the t1 southern portion of the lake, had been busy in bail ding fhips to contest the suprema­

cy

of this sheet of water, whose head picric* so deep into the bosom of New York. The lattor had at length assembled a flotilla consisting of four vessels—the largest, carrying twenty-six guns—and ton galleys the whole under tbe command of Macdon ough. After some skirmishing, this little {foot, which early in the season lay in Otter Crook, was got into the lake aud steered for Plattaburg Bay, to assist Macomb ia hu defense of the town. This bay opens to the southward, and instead of piercing the mainland at right angles, runs north, nearly parallel with the lake itself. A narrow tongue of land divides it from the main water, the extreme point of which is called Cumberland Head. Just within its mouth, and nearly opposite where the turbulent Saranac empties into it, MacDonough anchored his vessels, on the 2d of September. Between him and tbe mainland was a large shoal and an island which effeotually blocked the approach of vessels on that eide.

The English fleet sent to attack him, consisted also of four vessels—the largest mounting 82 guns—and 13 galleys. The American force, all told, was 14 vessels, mounting 8G guns and carrying 850 men, while that of the English was 17 vessels, mounting 96 guns and carrying 1000 men. The largest, the Confiance, "had the gun deck of a frigate," and by her superior size and strength, and her 30 long twentyfours, was considered a match for any two vessels in Macdonough's squadron. Captain Downie, who commanded the British fleet, joined his gun boats at the Isle au Mottc on the 8th of September, where lie lay at anchor till the 11th. In the mean time, Prcvost, whose batteries were all "crccted, remained silent behind his works, waiting the arrival of the fleet before he should-commence his fire.

During those sleepless nights and dr.ys of1 agitation, young MacDonongh lay calmly watching the approach of his superior foe, while Macomb was straining every nerve to complete his defenses. Fearless, frank, and social, the young General moved among his soldiers with such animation and confidence, that they caught his spirit, and like the Green Mountain boys and yeomanry of New York at Saratoga, resolved to defend their homes to the last.

At length, on Sunday morning, September 11th, just as the sun rose over the* eastern mountains, the American guard boat, on the watch, was seen rowing swiftly into the harbor. It reported the enemy in sight. The drums immediately beat to quarters, and every vessel was cleared for action. The preparations being completed, young Maedonough summoned his officers around him, and there, on the deck of the Saratoga, read the prayers of the ritual before entering into battle, and that voice, which soon after rung like a clarion amid the carnage, sent heavenward, in earnest tones, "Stir up tii}- strength, O Lord, and come and help us, for thou givest not always the battle to the .strong, but, canst save by many or by Tew." It was a sol cum and thrilling spectacle, and one never before witnessed on a vessel of war cleared tor action. A young commander who bad the courage thus to brave the derision and sneers which such an act was sure to provoke, would fight his vessel while there was a plank left to stand on. Of the deeds of daring done on that day of great achievements, none evinced so bold aud firm a heart as this act of religious worship.

At eight o'clock the crcws of the different vessels could see, over the tongue of land that divided the bay from the lake, the topsails of the enemy moving steadily down. They had also been seen from shore, and every eminence arouud was covered with anxious spectators. The house of God was deserted, and the light

1 of that bright Sabbath morning, with its I early stillness, flooded a scene at once picturesquo and terrible. Ou one side was the hostile squadron, coming down to the sound of music—on the other, stood the ar--t mies ou shore in order of battle, with their .a banners flying—between, lay Macdonough's silent little fleet at anchor, while the hills around were black with spectators, gazing ou ,the strange and fearful .-2 panorama. "As the British approached, Macdoiiough showed his signal, "Itiqwessed seamen call on every man to do his duty." As vessel after vessel traced the letters, loud cheers £.rcut the air.

The English vessels, under easy sail, gj swept one after another round Cumberland Head, and hauling up in the wind, waited the approach of the galleys.

AS Maedonough lay anchored with his vessels in line north aud south—his gal-.-leys ou their sweeps forming a second liuc ^in rear—the English fleet, as it doubled tithe head, was compelled to approach with •^bows on." The Eagle was farthest up the {.bay, the Saratoga second, Ticonderoga

uthird,

and Preble fourth. The impressive silence which rested on the American l.fleot was at last broken by the Eagle, |whioh opened her broadsides. Startled by the sound, a cock on board the Saratoga, which had escaped from the coop, flew Kiup on to a gun slide and crowed. Aloud Iclaugh and three hearty cheers acknowledged the favorable omen, and spread confiejdence through the ship. Maedonough, ^seeing the enemy were were at too great a ^distance to be reached by his guns reserved his fire, and winched the Confiance standing boldly on till she came within range. He then sighted along twenty-J-.four himself and fired her. The heavy iri shot passed the entire length of the deck i^of the Confiance, killing many of her men •:and shivering her wheel into fragments.— rXThia. was the signal for every vessel to open its fire, and in a moment that quiet bay was in an uproar. The Confiance, however, though suffering severely, did return a shot, but kept boldly on till ensile got within a quarter of a mile, when ehe let go her anchors and swung broadaide to the Saratoga. Sixteen long twen-ty-fours then opened at once with a terrific crash: The Saratoga* shook from kelson to

But a few minutes after, the cry of "the Commodore is killed,"againpassed through the ship. Every eye was instantly turned to a group of ofliccrs gathered around Maedonough, who lay in the scuppers, between two guns covered with blood. He had been knocked clean across the ship, with force sufficient to have killed him.— Again he revived, and limping to a gun, was soon coolly hulling his antagonist.— Maimed aud suffering, lie fought on, showing an example that always makes heroes of subordinates.

At length every gun on the side of his vessel toward tlic enemy was silenced, but "one, and this, on firing it again, bounded from its fastenings, aud tumbled down the hatchway. Not a gun was left.with which to continue the contest, while the ship was on fire. A surrender, therefore, seemed inevitable. Maedonough, however, resolved to wind his ship, so as to get the other broadside to bear. Failing in the first attempt, the sailing-master, Brum, bethought him of an expedient, which proved sue cessful—the crippled vessel slowly swung her stern around, until the uninjured guns bore. The Confiance, seeing the manoeuvre imitated it, but she could not succeed, and lay with her crippled side exposed to the fire of the Saratoga.

Captain Downie had fallen some time before—not a gun could be brought to boar —the ship had been hulled a hundred and fire times—while half of her men were killed and wounded. Farther resistance was therefore useless and she surrendered.

The Kagle, commanded by Capt. Henley, behaved gallantly in the engagement, while the Ticonderoga, under Lieutenant Cassin, was handled in a manner that astonished those who beheld her. This fearless officer walked backward and forward over his deck, encouraging his men and directing the fire, apparently unconscious of the balls that smote and crashed around him. His broadsides were so rapid and incessant, that several times the vessel was thought, to boon lire.

The surrender of the Confiance virtually terminated the contest, which had lasted two hours and a quarter and as flag after flag struck, the galleys took to their sweeps and escapcd.

In the midst of this tremendous cannonade, came, at intervals, the explosions ou shore. The first gun in the bay was the signal for Provost on land, and as the thunder of his heavy batteries mingled in with the incessant broadsides of the contending squadrons, the very shores trembled, and far over the lake, amidst the quiet farm-houses of Vermont, the echocs rolled away, carrying anxiety and fear iuto hundreds of families. Its shore was lined with men, gazing intently in the direction of Plattsburgh, as though from the smoke that rolled heavenward some tidings might be got of how the battle was going.

To the spectators on the commanding heights around Plattsburgh, the scene was indescribably fearful and thrilling. It was as if two volcanoes wore raging below— turning that quiet Sabbath morning into a scone wild and awful as the strife of fiends. But when the firing in the bay 'ceased, and the American flag was still seen flying, aud the Union Jack down, there went up a shout that shook the hills. From the water to the shore, aud back again, the deafening huzzas cchocd and re-echoed. The American army took up the shout, and

TERRY'S VICTORY ON LAKE ERIE. After the capture of Forts York and George, by which the river of Niagara was opened to American navigation, Captain Porry was.able to take some vessels bought for the service from Black Rock into Lake Eric. The lake at the time was in the possession of the British fleet, commanded by Captain Barclay, and Perry ran great hazard in encountering it before he could reach Prcsque Isle, now Erie, where the other vessels to compose his squadron had been built. He, however, reached this spacious harbor just as the English hove in sight. Having now collected his whole force he made vigorous preparations to got to sea. By the first of August he was ready to set sail, but the enemy lay off the harbor, across the mouth of which extended a bar, that he was afraid to cross under a heavy fire-. To his great delight, however, the British fleet suddenly disappeared—Captain Barclay, not dreaming that his adversary was ready to go to sea, having gone to the Canada shore.

cross-trces under the tremendous dis- Perry was at this time a mere youth, of charge. Nearly half of her crew were twenty-seven years of age, but ardent, knocked down by it, while fifty men were chivalrous, and full of energy and resource, cither killed or wounded, and among them From the time ho arrived on the frontier,

Lieutenant Gamble. He was in the act of sighting a gun, when a shot entered the port and struck him dead. The effect of this first broadside was awful, and the Sa ratoga was for a moment completely stun ned. The nest, however, she opened her fire with a precision and accuracy that told fatally on the English ship. But the latter soon commenced pouring in her broadsides so rapidly that she seemed envelop ed in flame. The Eaglo could not with stand it, and changed her position, falling in nearer shore, leaving the Saratoga to sustain almost alone the whole weight of the unequal contest. She gave broadside for broadside, but the weight of metal was .against her, and she was fast becoming a wreck. Her deck soon presented a scene of the most frightful carnage. The living could hardly tumble the wounded down the hatchway as fast as they fell. At length., as a full broadside burst on the staggering skip, a cry of despair rang from stem to stern, "the Commodore is killed the Commodore is killed and there he lay on the blood-stained deck amid the dead, senseless and apparently lifeless.— A spar, cut in two by a cannon shot, had fallen on his back and stunned him. But after two or three minutes he recovered, and cheering on his men, took his place again beside his favorite gun that he had sighted from the commencement of the action. As the men. saw :him once' taore at his post they tciok new courage.

NEW SERIES-VOL. X, NO. 11. CRAWFORDSVILLE, "MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA, OCTOBER 2, 1858.

the winter previous, he had been unceas ing in his efforts to obtain and equip a fleet. Materials had to be brought from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, dragged hundreds of miles over bad roads and across unbridged streams. But after his vessels were ready for sea, he was destitute of crcws. To his repeated and urgent calls for men, only promises were returned, nor did they, arrive till the English had been able to finish and equip a large vessel, the Detroit, which gave them a decided preponderance. Perry was exceedingly anxious to attack the hostile fleet before it received'this accession of strength, but pre vented from doing this through want of men, he was at last compelled to abandon all his efforts, or take his chance with his motley, iintrained crew, in an action where the superiority was manifest. He boldly resolved on the latter course, and taking advantage of Barclay's sudden departure, gave orders for the men to repair immediately on board ship, and dropped with eight of bis squadron down the harbor to the bar. It was Sabbath morning, and young Perry, impressed with the great issues to himself and his country from the step he "was^ about to take, sent his boat ashore for a clergyman, requesting him .to hold religious services on board his ship. All the ofliccrs of the squadron were as: sembled on the deck of the .Lawrence, and listened to an impressive adcli-css on the duty they' owed their country. Prayer was then offered for the success of their cause. Young Perry reverently listening to the voice of prayer, as he is going forth to battle, and young Maedonough lifting his own in supplication to God, after his decks are cleared for action, furnish strikand beautiful examples to naval men.

Next morning the water being smooth, the guns of the Lawrence, the largest vessel, were taken out, and two scows placed alongside and filled till they sunk to the water's edge. Pieces of timber were then run through the forward and after ports of the vessel, and made fast by blocks to the cows. All being ready, the water was pumped out of them, and the vessel slowly rose over the bar. She stuck fast, however, on the top, and the scows had to be sunk again before she finally floated clear and.moved off into deep water. The men orked all night to get this one brig over. The schooners passed easily, and moored outside. The Lawrence was scarcely once more aiioat before the returning fleet hove in sight. Perry immediately prepared for action. -But Barclay, after rcconnoitcring for half au hour, crowded all sail and disappeared agaiu up the lake. The next day Perry sailed in pursuit, but after cruising a whole day without finding the enemy, returned to take in supplies. On the 12th of August he was about to start again, when ho. received information of the cxpcctcd approach of a party of seamen under the command of Captain Elliot.— Waiting a day or two to receive this welcome aid, he sot sail for'Sandusky, to put I.: n* .Z: II. himself in communication with Gen. Harrison and the northwestern army. He then, on the 115th, returned to Maiden, where the British fleet lay. and going into Put-in Bay, a haven in its vicinity, waited for the enemy to come out. Here many of his crew were taken sick with fever, which at last seized him, together with the three surgeons of the squadron. He was not able to leave his cabin till the early part of September, when he received an additional reinforcement of a hundred volunteers. These troops came from Harrison's- army, and were mostly Kentucky militia and soldiers, from the 28th regiment of infantry, and all volunteers for the approaching battle. The Kcutuckians, most.of them, had never seen a squarerigged vessel before, and wandered up aud down examining every room and part of the ship without scruple. Dressed in their fringed linsey-woolsey hunting-shirts, with their muskets in their hands, they made as novel a marine corps as ever trod the deck of a battle-ship.

On the morning of tbe 10th of September, it was announced that the British fleet was coming out of Maiden, aud Perry immediately set sail to meet it. llis squadron consisted of three brigs, the Lawrence, Niagara, and Caledonia, the

sending ithisrh and clear over the thunder tiT-.i -. j• adversary, ith all his canvas out, Ferry of cannon, spread dismay and astonishment

into the heart of the enemy's camp. The American loss in killed and wounded, was one hundred and ten, of whom all but twenty fell on board the Saratoga and Eagle—thatof the English was never fully known, though it was supposed to be nearly double.

b?rc

Trippe, a sloop,

and five schooucrs, carrying in all fifty-four guns. That of the British was composed of six vessels, mounting sixty-three guns. It was a beautiful morning, and the light breeze scarcely ruffled the surface of the water as the two squadrons, with all sails set slowly approached, each other. j'J'hc weather-gage at first, was-with the enemy, but Perry impatient to close, resolved to waive this advantage, and kept standing ou, when the wind unexpectedly shifted iu his favor. Captain Barclay observing this immediate!}' hove to, and lying with his topsails aback, waited the approach of his

slowly and steadily down before the wind. The breeze was so light that he could scarcely make two miles an hour.— The shore was lined with spectators, gazing on the exciting spectacle, and watching with intense anxiety the movement of the American squadron. Not a cloud dimmed the clear blue skv overhead, and the lake like a mirror, reflecting its beauty and its purity. Perry, in the Lawrence, led the line.

Taking out the flag which had been previously prepared, and mounting a gun-side, he callcd the crow about him, aud said, "My brave lads, this flag contains the last words of Captain Lawrence. Shall I hoist it?" "Ay, ay, sir." was the cheerful response. Up went the flag with a will, and as it swayed to the breeze it was greeted with loud cheers from the deck. As the rest of the squadron beheld that flag floating from the mainmast of their commander's vessel, and saw "Don't give up the ship!" was to be the signal for action, a long, loud cheer rolled down the line.— Tho excitement spread below, and all the sick that could move, tumbled up to aid in the approaching combat. Perry then visited every gun, having a word of encouragement for cach captain. Seeing some of the gallant tars who had served on board the Constitution, many of whom now stood with handkerchiefs tied round their

heads, all cleared for action, he said, "Well, boys, arc you ready?" "All ready, your honor," was the quick response.— ''I need not say any thing to you. You know how to boat those fellows," he added smilingly, as he passed on.

The wind was so light that it took an hour and a half, after all the preparations had been made, to reach the hostile squad ron. This long interval of idleness and suspense was harder to bear than the bat tie itself. Every man stood silently watch ing the enemy's vessels, or in low and earnest tones conversed with each other, leaving requests and messages to friends in case they fell/ Perry gave his last direction, in the event of his death, to.Hambleton—tied weights to his public papers, in order to have them ready to cast over board if he should be defeated—read over his wife's letters for the last time, and then tore them up, so that they should not sec those rccords of the heart, and turned away, remarking, "This is the most important "day of my life." The deep seriousness and silence that had fallen on the ship, was at last broken by the blast of a bugle that came ringing over the water from the Detroit, followed by cheers from the whole British squadron. A single gun, whose shot went skipping past the Lawrence first uttered its' stern challenge, and in a few minutes all the long guns of the enemy began to play on the American fleet.— Being a mile and a half distant, Perry could not use his carronades, and he was exposed to this fire, for half an hour before he could get. within range. Steering straight for'.thfe Detroit,' a vessel a fourth larger than his own, he gave orders to have the schooners that lagged behind close up within half cable's length. Those orders, the last he gave during the battle, were passed by trumpet from vessel to vessel.— The light wind having nearly died away, the Lawrence suffered severely before she could get near enough to open with her carronadcs, and she had scarcely taken her position before the fire of three vessels was directed upon her. Enveloped in flame and smoke, Perry strove desperately to maintain his ground till the rest of the fleet could close, aud for two hours sustained without flinching this unequal contest. The balls crashed incessantly through the sides of the ship, dismounting the guns and strewing the deck with the dead, until at length, with "every bracc and bow-line

shot away, slit lay an unmanageable wreck on the water. But still through the smoke, as it went before the heavy broadsides, her colors were seen flying, and still gleamed forth in tho sunlight that, glorious motto—"J)ou't give up the shipCalm and unmoved at tho slaughter around him and his own desperate position, Perry gave his orders tranquilly, as though executing a manoeuvre. Although in his first, battle, Mnd unaccustomed to scenes of carnage, his face gave no token of the emotions that mastered him. Advancing to assist a sailor whose gun had got out of order, he saw the poor fellow struck froin his side by a twenty-four pound shot, and expire without a groan. His second lieutenant fell at his feet. Lieutenant Brooks, a gay, dashing officer, of extraordinary personal beauty, while speaking chccrfully to him, was dashed by a cannon-ball to the other side of the deck, and mangled in the most frightful manner. His shrieks and imploring cries to Perry to kill him and end his misery, was heard even above the roar of the guns in every part of the ship.— The dying who strewed the deck would turn their eyes in mute inquiry upon their youthful commander, as if to be told they had done their duty. The living, as a sweeping shot rent huge gaps iu the ranks of their companions, looked a moment into his face to road its expression, and then stepped quietly into the places caut.

size, from a splinter having passed through it, disfigured and covered with gore, moved

himself, as

Perry,

he

had no more to fur-!OURS"—furnished

At length every gun was dismounted but one, still Perry fought with that till at last it also was knocked from the carriage. Out of the one hundred men with whom a

few hours before he had gone into battle,

only eighteen stood up unwounded. Looking through the smoke he saw the Niagara, apparently uncrippled, drifting out of the battle. Leaping into a boat with his young brother, be said to his remaining officer, "If a victory is to be gained, I will gain it," and standing erect, told his sailors to

give way with a will. The enemy observ-

ed the movement, and immediately direct-

horror and death through the decks of the Detroit and Lady Prcvost. Hounding to aa passed the line, he laid his vessel close to two of the enemy's ships, and poured in his rapid fire. The shrieks that rung out from the Detroit were heard even above the deafening cannonade, while the crew of the Lady Prevost, unable to stand the fire, ran below, leaving their wounded, stunned, and bewildered commander alone on deck, leaning his face on his hand, and gaziirg vacantly on the passing ship. The other American vessels having come up, the action at once became general. To the spectators from the shore, the scene at this moment was indescribably thrilling. Far out on the calm water lay a white cloud, from out whose tortured bosom broke incessant flashes and thunder claps—the loud echoes rolling heavily away over the deep, and dying amid the silence and solitude of the forest.* «•'!'.?

An action so close and murderous could not last long, and it was soon apparent that victory inclined to the Americaus, for while the enemy's fire sensibly slackened, the signal for close action was still flying from the Niagara, and from every American vessel the answering signal-floated proudly in the wind. In fifteen minutes from the time the first signal was made the battle was over. A white handkerchief waved from the taffrail of the Queen Charlotte announced the surrender. The firing ceased the smoke slowly cleared away, revealing two fleets commingled, shattered, and torn° and strewed with dead. The loss on each side was a hundred and thirty-five killed?and-.wounded'.

Perry having secured the prisoners, returned to the Lawrence, lying a wreck in the distance, whither she had recklcssly drifted. She had struck her flag before lie closed with the Niagara, but it was now flying again. Not a word was spoken as he went over the vessel's side

grasp of the baud was the only sign of recognition, for the deck around was covered with dismembered limbs and brains while the bodies of twenty officers and men lain ghastly groups before him.

As the sun went down over the still lake

The uproar of the day had ceased and deep silence rested on the two squadrons, riding quietly at anchor, broken only by the stifled groans of the wounded, that were echoed from ship to ship. As Perry sat that night on the quarter deck of the Lawreucc, conversing with his few remaining officers, winle ever and anon the moans of his brave comrades below were borne to his ear, he was solemn and subdued.— I lie exciting sceue through which he had safely passed—tin. heavy load t«.lcon from his heart—the reflection that his own life had been spared, and tho consciousness that his little brother was slumbering sweetly and unhurt his hammock beside him awakened emotions of gratitude to God and lie gravely remarked, "I bo-

In(h

11

around

Lieutenant Yarnall, with a red handker- spread, bonfires, illuminations, the firing) to which it set fire. The tar upset, and chief' tied round his head, and

1 1 a 1 1 1

the barges.

away»

0

scenc-

ed their fire upon the boat. Oars were jc^osc^ mortal hate, now mourned like a splintered in the rowers'hands by musket i^and of brothers for their fallen leaders, balls, and the men themselves covered

an^

carried his vessel alone through the one- part of these were torn off and otherwise

he told him every officer in his division, my's line, and then closed in half pistol lost. was killed. Others were furnished him, shot—his laconic account of the victory in Six hundred souls were supposed to be but he soon returned with the same dismal! a letter to the Secretary of the Navy, on board, including many women and chiltidings. Perry then told him lie must get I "WE HAVE MET THE EXE.MV, AND TII::v ARK dren. along by

nish him, and the gallant man went back cussion and eulogy, and he suddenly found I saved. He is in the British civil service, alone to his guns. Once only did the himself in the front rank of heroes. I and was on his way to British Columbia.— shadow of any emotion pass over the conn-1 The da)- after the battle tho funeral of! He will proceed to Boston in the steamer tenancc of this intrepid commander. He the officers of the two fleets took place.— Eastern State, on Tuesday,, en route to had a brother ou board, only twelve years A little opening on the margin of the bay,! New York. Vn old. The little fellow, who had two balls a wild and solitary spot, was selected as 1 pass through his hat, and been struck with the place of interment. It was a bcauti- A WATER LOCOMOTIVE.—The very name

splinters, was still standing by the side ofjful autumn day, not a breath of air ruffled excites a smile, just as did the first steam his brother, stunned by-the awful cannon-j the surface of the lake, of moved the still boat and the first telegraph. But a New nading and carnage around him, when lie forest that fringed that-lonely clearing!—j York mechanic, determined not to be outsuddcnly fell. For thoiurht he too was gone been knocked down by a hammock, which a cannon-ball had hurled against him.

The day before had been one of

strife

and carnage, but those who had

gathering together around the place

Burning of Ihc Steamship ,lus(ri i.

Carelessness t?ie Cnnsc of the Di«it*tr.

PASjENKERS KOtSTED AND SUFFOCATED.

endless themes for dis-! Mr. Brown is the only British subject

OUJIU mm, wiieu nu man milieu ui.ii. juiiuiy clearing lorK lueciiauic, determined not to Do outa moment Perry The sun shone brightly down on the new- done by either, has been some time eugagle, but he had only made graves, and not a sound disturbed cd in building a water locomotive, which a

the Sabbath stillness that rested on the Lockport editor says was tried succcssfulforest and lake. The fallen officers, each ly, in a small way, a fortnight atro. Its in his appropriate uniform, were laid on principle is that of a floating locomotive.

the boats fell in behind in long pro-

cession, and the whole swept slowly and sadly toward the place of burial." The flags drooped mournfully in the still air, the dirge to which the oars kept time rose and fell in solemn strains over the water, while minute-guns from the various vessels blended their impressive harmony with the

with sprav from the roynd shot and grape burial, gazed a last farewell, and firing claim.sfor it, it will revolutionize the whole either to close lik that smote the •water on every side. Passing swiftly through the iron storm he reached the Niagara in safety, and as the survivors of the Lawrence saw him go up the vessel's side, they gave a hearty cheer. Finding her sound and whole, Perry backed his maintop sail, and flung out his signal for close action. From vessel to vessel the answering signals went up in the sunlight, and three hearty cheers rang over the water. He then gave his sails to the wind, and bore steadily down on the center of the enemy's line. Reserving his fire as he advanced, he passed alone through the hostile fleet, within close pistol range, wrapt in flame as he swept on. Deliver- dents of his death, will probably be known ing his broadsides right and left, he spread only upon the final day of accounts.

one volley over the nameless graves, turned sadly away. There, in that wild spot, with the sullen waves to sing their perpetual dirge, they slept the sleep of tbe brave. They had fought gallantly, and it mattered not to them the victory or defeat, for they had gone to that still land where human strifes are forgotten, and the clangor of battle never comes.

8Sr"The search for Mr. Thurston, the lost aeronaut, in the marshes near Detroit, has proved unsuccessful. The record of that terrible flight into the air, the sensations of the unfortunate man and the inci-

HALIFAX, Sept. 27.

The bark Lotus, from Liverpool, arrived in Halifax harbor on Sunday afternoon, with twelve of the sixty-seven surviving passengers of the steamship Austria, burin at sea September 13, iu latitude 45 dcg. 1 min. longitune 41 deg. 30 min. They were taken from the bark Maurice, Capt. Ernest Hcnard, on the 11th. At a little after two o'clock, on the 13th, dense volumes of smoke burst from the after entrance of the steerage. The ship was instantly put at half speed, at which she continued until thc.magaz.iuc exploded.— The engineers, it is inferred, were instantly suffocated.

Fire was next seen breaking through the lights amidships, and traveled aft with fearful rapidity. Some persons let down a boat from the front side of the quarter deck, and they were thought to be crushed under the screw.

An attempt was made to launch a boat on the star-board side, but it was swamped from the numbers who rushed iuto it, and all were lost.

All the first cabin passengers were o:i the poop, cxcept a few gentlemen, who mnst have been smothered in the smoking room. Many second cabiu passengers were alsp ou the boat, but a number of them got shut into their cabin by fire.—• Sonic oi them'were pulled up through the ventilator, but the greater nuriibcr could not be extricated. The last woman drawn up said there were six already suffocatcd.

The ladies and the gentlemen on the poop jumped into the sea by twos and threes, some of the ladies in flames scversilcnt

a'

hesitated, but were driven to it at the last moment. In half an hour not a soul was to be seen on the poop.

The French bark Maurice, Capt. Ernest Ilenand, came alongside the steamer at about 5 p. in., and received 40 passengers chiefly taken off the bow-sprit. A few

his last beams looked on a mournful spec- were also picked up floating around the taelc. Those ships, stripped of their steamer.

spars and canvas, looked as if they had been swept by a hurricane, while desolation covered their decks. At twilight the seamen who had fallen on board the American fleet were committed to the deep, and the solemn burial service of the Episcopal Church read over them.

At about eight o'clock, one of the metallic boats came up with about 23 persons in it, including the 1st and 3d officers. Afterwards three or four men were picked up floating on a picce of broken boat.

The second officer was taken up, having been swimming for six hours. lie and the third officer were severely burned.

One male passenger was burned fright fully,and some others slightly. There were but six women saved, three of whom were burned.

A Norwegian bark came up with the steamer next morning, and a boat was observed going around the hurninc shin.— They may have picked up a few.

The Mauricc had no communication with the Norwegian vessel. The list of tho «'ivod has not boon ro. ooivoJ up to '2 o'clock. iSiiotilJ it come to hand before the close of business# hours, it will be published immediately. Y\

Halifax, Sept. 27.

LATKR.—At about 7 o'clock the Maurice sailed for Fayal to deposit the rescued

lie\e that ni} v. ifes prayers have saved passengers. At about 2 o'clock, the same

afternoon, she fell iu with the bark Lotus,

It. had been a proud day for him and as Capt. Trecly, of Yarmouth, Novia SeoLia, from Ijivcrpool for Halifax. The fire is

ho lay that night and thought what .. change a few hours had wrought in his fortunes, feelings of exultation might well swell his bosom. Such unshaken composure—such gallant bearing—stern resolution, and steadiness and tenacity of purpose in a young man of twenty-seven, in his first battle, exhibit a marvelous strength of charactcr, and one wouders more at him heated the end of a chain to dip iu tar to left va- than his success. produce smoke. The end became too hot

known to have risen from the very culpable negligence of some of the crew. The captain and surgeon considered it expedient to fumigate the steerage with burning tar. The operation was to be performed by the boatswain, under the superintendence of the 4th officer. The boatswain

was a great victor}-, and as th" news to hold, and he lot it drop upon the deck,

his of cannon, and shouts of excited multi-j immediately all about was iu flames. A

neck, to stanch the blood flowing from two jtudes announced the joy and exultation of feeble attempt was made to extinguish it, wounds, his nose swelled to a monstrous the nation. The gallant bearing of Perr}-1 but without effect. There was nothing at —his daring passage in an open boat through hand available in such au emergency. The the enemy's fire to the Niagara—the mot- rescued passengers saved nothing but the amid this terrific scene the very genius of to ou his flag—the manner iu which he clothes on their backs, and even the greater havoc and carnage. Approaching

platforms made to receive them, and placed to move upon the water after t'10 manner callcd "The turn of Life," which if crossed with their hands across their breasts, in'of an ordinary locomotive upon a railroad I in safety, leads to the valley of "old age," As these were rowed gently track. The engine and wheels are built! round which the river winds and then flows so as to float, but the latter enter the wa- bcyon 1 without boat or causeway to effect tcr sufficiently to propel the boat forward, jits passage. The bridge is, however, con-

miles per

WHOLE NUMBER 851.

O II O N

The citizens of the Sixth Ward, in the neighborhood to Roberts Chappcl, were thrown into considerable excitement this morning at the announcement that Mr. William B. Green had administered to tho Kcv. J. B. Admire a sound caning. Mr. Admire is the pastor of llobcrts Cbapplo congrc gation, and it is rumored that he has been too attentive tc some of the sisterj- of his flock. A report of this kind having come to the cars of Mr. Green with regard to one of his daughters, he ordered Mr. A. to cease his attentions. This tho latter did, to some extent, in public but, it is said, met the girl clandestinely. Last night Mr. G. missed his daughter from home. ITe searched for her through tho neighborhood, but could not find her. Sho returned home about half-past eight o'clock and upon being closely questioned confesscd that she had been at the house of Mr. Admire, whose family are absent from tho city. This morning Mr. Green armed himself with a club, aud meeting Mr. A. at the grocer}' of Mr. Trescnritcr, gave him a boating, and would probably have serious- & ly injured him, had he not fled. 5

Mr. Admire states that the whole story of there being any criminality in his intentions is false that the young ladies regard him as a father, and that the visit of Miss Green last night was for the purpose of getting a certificate from him.

This is a sad affair, and the general opinion is against Mr. Admire, Wo hope ho will be able to clear himself of the charge. We shall await an investigation of tho facts before giving an opiniou.—„V. A. Ledger.

I)KBT.—Ferdinand Armino had passed the Bubicon. lie wa.-» in debt. If youth but knew the fatal misery that they aro entailing on themselves tho moment tlicy accept a pecuniary credit to which they are not entitled, how they would start in their career! how pale they would turn! how they would tremble and clasp their hands in agony at the precipicc on which they arc disporting! Debt is tho prolific mother of folly and crime it taints tho coursc of life in all its dreams. Hcnce so many unhappy marriages, so many prostituted pens, aud venal politicians! It hath a small beginning, but a giant's growth and strength. When we make tho monster we make our master, who haunts us at all hours, and shakes his whip of scorpions forever in our sight. Tho slavo hath no overseer so severe. Faustus, when he signed the bond with blood, did not secure a doom more terrific. But when Ave are young we must enjoy ourselves. True and there are few things gloomy than the recollection of a youth that has not been enjoyed. What prosperity of manhood, what splendor of old age, can compensate for it? AVcalth is power and in j'outh, of all seasons of lifo, require power, because we can enjoy everything that wo command. What, then, is to be done? I leave the question to the soiioi»]mon. ln'causo 1 am oominecd that to moralize with the inexperienced vaileth nothing.— Disraeli, in Henrietta Tc tuple.

A PKJTN.ors

On the arrival of a train at Chicago fr.jm Detroit., the other evening, the crowd of people about the depot were greatly astonished to see a man, or the semblance of one, covered with a thick coating of dust, emerge from beneath, one of the passcnger ears. Scraping the dirt out of his eyes, he gazed about with a wild, bewildered look. To the questions that were put to him, he stated that lie had ridden from Michigan City to Chicago on the truck beneath the floor of the ear. lie was somewhat in liquor when he crawled into that perilous place but with the motion of the cars soon began to get sober, and with sobriety came a realizing sense of his imminent danger. He determined to seize the first opportunity to get out, but tho train did not stop long enough at any station to enable him to do so. In this way rode to Chicago, a distance of forty miles. He gave the name of Alexander Miller, and said he was on his way to St. Louis, without money. ..f

Tin: URN OF LIFE.—From forty to sixty a man who has properly regulated himself maybe considered in the prime of life.— His matured strength of constitution renders him almost impervious to the attacks of disease, and experience has given his judgment the soundness of almost infalibility. His mind is resolute, firm an! equal all his functions are in the highest, order he assumes the mastery over business builds up a competence to the foundation he has laid ra ear. manhood, and passes through a period of life attended by many gratifications. Having gone a year or two past sixty, he arrives at a critical period in the road of existence: the river of death flows before him, and he remains at a stand still. But to thwart this river is a viaduct"

The inventor does not describe his ma- structed of fragil materials, and it depends chine with sufficient distinctness: but lie upon how it is trodden whether it bend or claims that by his plan a boat can be

pro-1

asserts

maintain, it would not raise as much swell metaphor, "The Turn of

break. Gout, apoplexy, and other bad

polled with greater ease and faster than characters also are in the vicinity to waylay the railroad engine, while it is peculiarly the traveler, and thrust him from the pass, adapted to canal navigation, as in g"ing at bat let him gird up his loins and trudge on the high speed which he

he can in safety with perfect composure. To quits

as an ordinary propeller going at the rate I either into a prolonged would or into the of five

Life"

hour. If all is realized! grave. The system and powers having

from this invention which its projector reached their utmost expansion, now begin

business of canal navigation, and liberate break down at once. One injudicious stimfrom a most laborious bondange a vast ar-. ulant—a single fatal excitement, may force rav of abused and shoulder-galled horses, it beyond its strength—whilst a careful —I'hila. Press.

.supply

is a turn

flowers at sunset or

of props, and the withdrawal of all

a a a a

A HANDSOME INCREASE IN .MAINE. 'in beauty and vigor until night entirely. The Democrats have just given their j!,cl* ^i'nee of Life. candidate for Governor iu Maine about fifty-two thousand votes. The Republican vote is seme sixt\--one thousand. In 1 ?i5G Mr. BUCHANAN received but thirty-niue thousand votes in Maine, and Mr. FREMONT sixty-seven thousand. The Democratic vote has increased thirteen thousand, and the Rcciiblican vote has diminished sic thousand, in two years. Weil Maine!

MORTAUTY FROM CHLOROFORM.—It appears that the mortality in tho London ho.spitals has increased since the introduction'i of etherization from twenty.ouc to thirty-" three per cent.—or, to vary the expression, instead of amputation being fatal in less porportion than one iu four of those oper-

done, for ated upon, it now proves fatal to one iri I three.