Part 15
It appears that it was customary in the navy for commanding officers of squadrons, to have assigned to them during their command, an officer who, being entrusted with the charge of the flag ship, could relieve the commander-in-chief of this trust, and thereby enable him to have more leisure to devote to the important duties of his station. This additional officer was deemed necessary by Captain Truxtun, and claimed by him of the secretary of the navy. A correspondence ensued, the sequel of which was that Captain Truxtun wrote to the secretary, informing him that “the task for the intended service would be too severe without some aid, and if that aid could not be rendered, he must beg leave to quit the service,” (meaning the intended service in the Mediterranean.) In the conclusion of his letter, after recommending some particular business to be attended to, he observes “if I do not proceed on the expedition.”
Contrary to his intentions and to his just expectations, Robert Smith, then secretary of the navy under the administration of Thomas Jefferson, chose to construe this letter into a resignation of his commission as a captain in the navy; and notwithstanding every honorable effort that was then made to restore him to his just rights, the administration of that day sacrificed at one blow the man who had shed such lustre upon the infant navy of our country, but who had the misfortune to belong to a different political school from those who then wielded the destinies of America.
Thus at the early age of forty-seven years, in the prime of manhood, at a period when his former life gave promise of much future usefulness, after many years’ devotion to the navy in which he fondly hoped to close his existence, was the subject of this memoir suddenly cut short in that career in which he had won unfading laurels, both for his country and himself.
He immediately retired to his farm, and like another Cincinnatus, sought in the enjoyment of domestic happiness a solace to the injustice he had met in public life. For many years he continued a citizen of New Jersey, but towards the latter part of his life, he was induced by the claims of his family, to resume his residence in Philadelphia, where his fellow-citizens welcomed his return in the most grateful manner, and as an appreciation of his services, spontaneously tendered him the important office of high sheriff of the city and county of Philadelphia, to which he was elected in the year 1816, by a very large majority. Soon after the expiration of his term of office in 1819, his health began to decline, until finally in May, 1822, he closed his earthly pilgrimage.
Commodore Truxtun has left several children, but neither of his sons now survives. The only grandchild bearing his name, is a midshipman in the navy. The same service also numbers three other grandsons, one of whom, Edward F. Beale, has recently proved, by his gallant conduct under Commodore Stockton, that he inherits the blood of his illustrious grandsire.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDAL.
OCCASION.--Capture of the French frigate La Vengeance.
DEVICE.--Head of Captain Truxtun.
LEGEND.--Patriæ patris filio digno Thomæ Truxtun.
REVERSE.--Two ships of war, the French a two decker; both much shattered; the rigging of both much cut up.
LEGEND.--The United States frigate Constellation, of thirty-eight guns, pursues, attacks, and vanquishes the French ship La Vengeance, of fifty-four guns, 1st of Feb. 1800.
COM. EDWARD PREBLE.
The subject of this memoir was born in the ancient town of Falmouth, now Portland, Maine, August 15th, 1761. He was the son of the Hon. Jedediah Preble, a member of the council and senate, who died in 1783, at the advanced age of seventy-seven.
Edward Preble exhibited from early childhood a firm and resolute temper, and a love for adventurous and chivalrous feats. While quite young he showed a predilection for a seafaring life, and although his father was much opposed to his choice, he thought it unwise to thwart him; and therefore placed him on board a ship bound for Europe, in which he made his first voyage. In 1779 Preble became midshipman, in the state ship Protector, of twenty-six guns, under the command of Captain Williams.
The Protector, on her first cruise, had a sharp engagement with a British frigate of thirty-six guns, on the coast of Newfoundland, and so disabled her that she was obliged to strike. She blew up in a few minutes afterwards.
The second cruise of the Protector was less fortunate; she was captured by a British frigate and sloop-of-war. The principal officers were taken to England, but young Preble, by the influence of his father, obtained his release. Captain Little, who was second in command in the Protector, and one of the prisoners taken to England, scaled the walls of his prison at Plymouth, and escaping with one other person, rowed in a wherry across the British Channel, and landed on the coast of France; thence took passage for Boston; and took the command of the sloop of war Winthrop, with Preble as his first lieutenant.
Captain Little had previously captured the tender of a brig, of superior force to his own, lying in the Penobscot river, in Maine. From the crew he gained sufficient information to determine him to take her by surprise. Accordingly he ran along side in the night, having dressed forty of his men in white frocks, to distinguish them from the enemy. He was hailed by the brig, supposing him to be the tender, with “You will run us aboard!” “Ay!” shouted Preble, “I am coming aboard!” and he immediately jumped into the vessel with fourteen of his men. The rapidity of the vessel was such, that it prevented the remainder from following them. Little cried out to his lieutenant to know if he would not have more men; “No!” he answered with great coolness, (expecting to be overheard by the enemy,) “we have more than we want already; we stand in each other’s way.” Those of the English crew on deck immediately leaped overboard, while others did so from the cabin windows, swimming for the shore, within pistol-shot. Preble then proceeded to the cabin, where he found the officers either in bed or just rising. He informed them they were his prisoners, that the brig was in his possession, and any resistance would be fatal. Supposing themselves captured by a superior force, they submitted, without any effort to rescue the vessel. The captors conveyed their prize to Boston. Our hero was only in his twentieth year, when this daring act took place, which gave striking indications of the intrepidity and courage which afterwards so greatly distinguished him.
Lieutenant Preble remained in the Winthrop the whole of the war. That vessel is acknowledged to have rendered much service to our trade, by destroying privateers infesting our eastern waters.
In 1798, and the ensuing year, government had decided on building fifteen frigates and twelve other vessels of war. Preble was the first lieutenant appointed, and in the winter of 1798 and 1799, he made two cruises as commander of the brig Pickering. The next year, with a captain’s commission, he commanded the frigate Essex of thirty-six guns. In January, 1800, he was ordered to Batavia, in company with the frigate Congress, as a convoy to our homeward bound ships. The Congress was dismasted and obliged to return, while Preble took under his own convoy fourteen sail of merchantmen, valued at several millions of dollars. Soon afterwards he was appointed commander of the Adams, for the Mediterranean; but his health declining, he was compelled to withdraw from the profession until 1803. His government then made him commodore of the squadron fitted out against the Algerine pirates on the coast of Barbary. The brilliant career of this gallant officer, in negotiating with so much ability, not only redound to his own credit, but exalted the character of the American navy in the eyes of all the world. His fleet consisted of the Constitution, of which he was commander, also the frigate Philadelphia, and several smaller vessels. The memorable bombardment of Tripoli is familiar to all readers of history, having been so often recorded by able historians. Congress voted the thanks of the nation, and an elegant gold medal, (_See_ Plate IX.,) which were both presented by the President, with the most emphatic expressions of esteem. On his leaving the squadron, the officers presented a most affectionate and interesting address, expressive of their devotion and attachment to him as their commander, and of his worth as a citizen and Christian. In the latter part of the year of 1806, Commodore Preble suffered severely from a debility of the digestive organs. Indulging a hope of recovery, he bore his sufferings with that fortitude which had marked his character through life, until the 25th of August, 1807, when he breathed his last.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDAL.
OCCASION.--The attack on Tripoli.
DEVICE.--Bust of Commodore Preble.
LEGEND.--Edwardo Preble, duci strenuo comitia Americana.
REVERSE.--The American fleet bombarding the town and forts of Tripoli.
LEGEND.--Vindici commercii Americani.
EXERGUE.--Ante Tripoli, 1804.
CAPT. ISAAC HULL.
Isaac Hull was born at Derby, in the state of Connecticut, about ten miles distant from New Haven, in 1775. Choosing the sea for his profession, he entered, soon after leaving school, on board a merchant vessel, where he was employed during the interval which occurred between the peace of 1783 and the breaking out of hostilities anew in 1798, when it became the policy of the United States to form a permanent marine. He was immediately appointed a lieutenant, without passing through the subordinate grades; an irregularity of necessary occurrence, owing to the absence of any class of men educated in ships of war from which to make promotion. In May, 1800, he was first lieutenant of the frigate Constitution, under Commodore Talbot, and cut out a French letter of marque from one of the islands of St. Domingo with a small sloop. This gallant act took place at noon-day, without the loss of a single man. In 1804 he commanded the brig Argus, and particularly distinguished himself at the storming of Tripoli and the reduction of Derne. In 1812, he commanded the Constitution, and by his energy and skill as a seaman, he escaped from a British squadron under Commander Broke. That escape is faithfully described by Mr. Cooper in his Naval History, from which the following remarks are quoted. “Thus terminated a chase that has become historical in the American navy, for its length, closeness and activity. On the part of the English there were manifested much perseverance and seamanship, a ready imitation, and a strong desire to get along side of their enemy. But the glory of the affair was carried off by the officers and people of the Constitution.
“Throughout all the trying circumstances of this arduous struggle, this noble frigate, which had so lately been the sneers of the English critics, maintained the high character of a man of war. Even when pressed upon the hardest, nothing was hurried, confused, or slovenly, but the utmost steadiness, order, and discipline reigned in the ship. A cool, discreet, and gallant commander was nobly sustained by his officers, and there cannot be a doubt that had the enemy succeeded in getting any one of the frigates fairly under the fire of the American ship, that she would have been very roughly treated. The escape itself is not so much a matter of admiration, as the manner in which it was effected. A little water was pumped, it is true; and perhaps this was necessary, in order to put a vessel fresh from port on a level, in light winds and calms, with ships that had been cruising some time; but not an anchor was cut away, not a boat stove, not a gun lost. The steady and man-of-war-like style in which the Constitution took in all her boats as occasions offered; the order and rapidity with which she hedged, and the vigilant seamanship with which she was braced up and eased off, extorted admiration from the more liberal of her pursuers. In this affair, the ship, no less than those who worked her, gained a high reputation, if not with the world generally, at least with those who, perhaps, as seldom err in their nautical criticism as any people living.” Not long after this affair, Captain Hull met the British frigate Guerriere, and, to the surprise of the whole world, conquered her. That fight was of more importance to America than all the subsequent victories, because it demonstrated that the notion of the British navy being invincible on the seas was incorrect. Commodore Hull was the man that showed that an American frigate was equal to a frigate of any other nation. The following is Mr. Cooper’s description of that most important and eventful action:--
“The Constitution next stood to the southward, and on the 19th, at two P. M., in lat. 41 deg. 41 min., long. 55 deg. 48 min., a sail was made from the mast head, bearing E. S. E., and to leeward, though the distance prevented her character from being discovered. The Constitution immediately made sail in chase, and at three, the stranger was ascertained to be a ship on the starboard tack, under easy canvas, and close hauled. Half an hour later, she was distinctly made out to be a frigate, and no doubt was entertained of her being an enemy. The Constitution kept running free until she was within a league of the frigate to leeward, when she began to shorten sail. By this time the enemy had lain his main topsail aback, in waiting for the Constitution to come down, with everything ready to engage. Perceiving that the Englishman sought a combat, Captain Hull made his own preparations with greater deliberation. The Constitution consequently furled her top-gallant sails, and stowed all her lightstay sails and fling jib. Soon after, she took a second reef in the top-sails, hauled up the courses, sent down royal yards cleared for action, and beat to quarters. At five, the chase hoisted three English ensigns, and immediately after she opened her fire, at long gun shot, wearing several times to rake and prevent being raked. The Constitution occasionally yawed as she approached, to avoid being raked, and she fired a few guns as they bore, but her object was not to commence the action seriously until quite close. At six o’clock, the enemy bore up and ran off under his three top-sails and jib, with the wind on his quarter. As this was an indication of a readiness to receive his antagonist, in a fair yard-arm fight, the Constitution immediately set her main-top-gallant sail and foresail to get along side. At a little past six, the bow of the American frigate began to double on the quarter of the English ship, when she opened with her forward guns, drawing slowly ahead with her greater way, both vessels keeping up a close and heavy fire, as their guns bore.
“In about ten minutes, or just as the ships were fairly side by side, the mizzen-mast of the Englishman was shot away, when the American passed slowly ahead, keeping up a tremendous fire, and luffed short round on her bows, to prevent being raked. In executing this manœuvre, the ship shot into the wind, got sternway, and fell foul of her antagonist. While in this situation, the cabin of the Constitution took fire from the close explosion of the forward guns of the enemy, who obtained a small, but momentary advantage from his position. The good conduct of Mr. Hoffman, who commanded in the cabin, soon repaired this accident, and a gun of the enemy’s that had threatened further injury, was disabled. As the vessels touched, both parties prepared to board. The English turned all hands up from below, and mustered forward, with that object, while Mr. Morris the first lieutenant, with his own hands, endeavored to lash the ships together. Mr. Alwyn, the master, and Mr. Bush, the lieutenant of marines, were upon the taffrail of the Constitution to be ready to spring. Both sides now suffered by the closeness of the musketry; the English much the most, however. Mr. Morris was shot through the body, the bullet fortunately missing his vitals. Mr. Alwyn was wounded in the shoulder, and Mr. Bush fell dead by a bullet through the head. It being found impossible for either party to board, in the face of such a fire, and with the heavy sea that was on, the sails were filled, and just as the Constitution shot ahead, the fore-mast of the enemy fell carrying down with it his main-mast, and leaving him wallowing in the trough of the sea, a helpless wreck. The Constitution now hauled aboard her tacks, ran off a short distance, secured her masts, and rove new rigging. At 7, she wore round, and taking a favorable position for raking, a jack that had been kept flying on the stump of the mizzen-mast of the enemy was lowered. Mr. George Campbell Read, the third lieutenant, was sent on board the prize, and the boat soon returned with the report that the captured vessel was the Guerriere, thirty-eight guns, Captain Dacres, one of the ships that had so lately chased the Constitution, off New York. The Constitution kept wearing to remain near her prize, and at two A. M., a strange sail was seen closing, when she cleared for action, but at three the stranger stood off.
“At daylight the officer in charge hailed to say that the Guerriere had four feet water in her hold, and that there was danger of her sinking. On receiving this information, Captain Hull sent all the boats to remove the prisoners. Fortunately the weather was moderate, and by noon this duty was nearly ended. At three P. M., the prize crew was recalled, having set the wreck on fire, and in a quarter of an hour she blew up. Finding himself filled with wounded prisoners, Captain Hull now returned to Boston, where he arrived on the 30th of the same month. It is not easy, at this distant day, to convey any idea of the full force of the moral impression created in this country, by this victory of one frigate over another.
“So deep had been the effect produced on the public mind by the constant accounts of the successes of the English over their enemies at sea, that the opinions already mentioned of their invincibility on that element generally prevailed; and it had been publicly predicted that, before the contest had continued six months, British sloops of war would lie alongside of American frigates with comparative impunity.
“Perhaps the only portion of even the American population that expected different results, was that which composed the little body of officers on whom the trial would fall, and they looked forward to the struggle with a manly resolution, rather than with a very confident hope.
“But the termination of the combat just related, far exceeded the expectations of even the most sanguine. After making all proper allowance for the difference of force, which certainly existed in favor of the Constitution, as well as for the excuses that the defeated party freely offered to the world, men on both sides of the Atlantic, who were competent to form intelligent opinions on such subjects, saw the promise of many future successes in this.
“The style in which the Constitution had been handled, the deliberate and yet earnest manner in which she had been carried into battle; the extraordinary execution that had been made in so short a time by her fire; the readiness and gallantry with which she had cleared for the action, so soon after destroying one British frigate, in which was manifested a disposition to meet another, united to produce a deep conviction of self-reliance, coolness, and skill, that was of infinitely more weight than the transient feeling which might result from any accidental triumph. In this combat the Constitution suffered a good deal in her rigging and sails, but very little in her hull. Her loss was seven killed and seven wounded. As soon as she had rove new rigging, applied the necessary stoppers, and bent a few sails, as has been seen, she was ready to engage another frigate.” Since that time Captain Hull has commanded in the Pacific and Mediterranean, and at shore stations in the United States. He enjoyed the rank of captain in the United States naval service for thirty-seven years. “No act of Commodore Hull’s life can be quoted as a drawback upon the immense debt of gratitude due him by his fellow-citizens. He did not, in the midst of the continued praise that followed him, yield to a single suggestion of wrong, nor presume, for a moment, upon the hold which he had on the affections of the nation. Every day of his life seemed to be spent as if he felt that day had its special duty, which, if unperformed, would leave incomplete his honors, and perhaps, tarnish the laurels he had already acquired. Hence, day by day, he earned new titles to public affection; and as a man, a patriot, and an officer, he grew in the esteem of his fellow men. And the last day of his life saw his laurels as fresh as when they were first woven into a chaplet for his brow.” He died at his residence in Philadelphia, 13th of February, 1843, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. By a resolution of Congress, it was unanimously agreed to present to Captain Isaac Hull, commander of the frigate Constitution, the thanks of that body and a gold medal (_see_ Plate IX.), for the capture of the British frigate Guerriere, 19th of August, 1812.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDAL.
OCCASION.--Capture of the Guerriere.
DEVICE.--Bust of Captain Hull.
LEGEND.--Isaacus Hull peritos arte superate, July, 1812, Ang. certamine fortes.
REVERSE.--The battle between the Constitution and Guerriere is represented in that particular and interesting stage, when the boarders from the Guerriere were repulsed, and a raking fire from the Constitution had cut away the main and foremasts of the Guerriere, which are falling, leaving the American ship little injured.
LEGEND.--Horæ momento victoria.
EXERGUE.--Inter Const. nav. Amer. et Guer. Angl.
CAPTAIN JACOB JONES.