Part 20
“Those who were acquainted with his early life, spoke of Midshipman Macdonough as a young officer of great promise; but he had no opportunity of being made known to the public until the country had the misfortune to lose the frigate Philadelphia. When the gallant Decatur proposed to burn her, as she lay in possession of the enemy, he selected Macdonough as one of the young officers to accompany him on that hazardous expedition; and he reaped an early harvest of honor in that daring exploit, with his leader and others. The Mediterranean has been the birth-place of more naval reputations than all the waters of the world beside, and it was there, too, that our infant navy displayed some of those acts of valor and good conduct which were of importance in themselves, and were hailed as presages of future glory for our country. When Macdonough was first lieutenant of the Syren, under command of Captain Smith, a circumstance occurred in the harbor of Gibraltar sufficiently indicative of the firmness and decision of his character. An American merchant brig came to anchor near the United States vessel. Macdonough, in the absence of Captain Smith, who had gone on shore, saw a boat from a British frigate board the brig, and take from her a man. He instantly manned and armed his gig and pursued the British boat, which he overtook, just as it reached the frigate, and without ceremony took the impressed man into his own boat. The frigate’s boat was twice the force of his own; but the act was so bold as to astound the lieutenant who commanded the press-gang, and no resistance was offered.
When the affair was made known to the British captain he came on board the Syren in a great rage, and inquired how he dared to take a man from his boat. Macdonough replied that the man was an American seaman, and was under the protection of the flag of the United States, and that it was his duty to protect him. The captain, with a volley of oaths, swore he would bring his frigate along side the Syren and sink her. ‘This you may do,’ said Macdonough, ‘but while she swims the man you will not have.’ The English captain told Macdonough that he was a young hairbrained fellow, and would repent of his rashness. ‘Supposing sir,’ said he, ‘I had been in that boat, would you have dared to have committed such an act?’ ‘I should have made the attempt, sir, at all hazards,’ was the reply. ‘What, sir!’ said the English captain, ‘would you venture to interfere if I were to impress men from that brig?’ ‘You have only to try it, sir!’ was the pithy answer. The English officer returned to his ship, manned his boat, and made his way towards the brig. Macdonough did the same, but there the affair ended,--the English boat took a circuitous route and returned to the ship.
“There was such a calmness in the conduct of Lieutenant Macdonough, such a solemnity in his language, such a politeness in his manner, that the British officer saw that he had to deal with no ordinary man, and that it was not prudent to put him on his metal. In that garden of the world, the shores of the Mediterranean, where nations have grown up and decayed, and others have taken their places; where everything is marked with age, luxury, crime, and temptation, and where many a fine young officer has made shipwreck of his morals and his health, Macdonough exhibited the Spartan firmness with the Christian virtues. His bravery was never for one moment doubted, but he was so reserved, temperate, and circumspect, that the envious sometimes strove to bring him to their level, and often were snares set for him, but he was never caught. His character was fair and bright as the surface of a mirror, before it was brought to reflect any ray of glory upon himself and his country.
“There is generally a good share of sagacity in the common sailor; he sees through a character much clearer than we generally suppose. Before Macdonough had been promoted to a lieutenancy, he had the heart of every sailor who knew him. There are few so ignorant that they cannot distinguish moral worth, when connected with professional ability, and none so bad as not to approve of it. It has often been stated, and never questioned, that while in Syracuse, he was one night attacked by three assassins, with daggers.
“He drew his sword, and wounded two of them so severely as to fear nothing further from them; the other fled, but he pursued him to the roof of a building, and climbing it after the assassin, would have caught him, if he had not thrown himself from it with the loss of his life. At the declaration of war with England, in 1812, our navy was put into requisition, and every officer panted for distinction. The elder officers were mostly sent on the ocean; some of the high spirited juniors to the lakes. Among the latter, Lieutenant Macdonough was ordered to Lake Champlain, an important station; for through this lake a communication could most readily be had with the most powerful part of the Canadas.
“The main armies of the British were always near Montreal and Quebec, but for the first two years of the war, both sides were busy in another direction, particularly on the Lakes Ontario and Erie. The contending powers watched each other’s movements and kept nearly _pari passu_ in the augmentation of their naval forces; the English always in the advance, having in many respects greater facilities; if not in ship building, certainly in procuring munitions of war, sails, rigging, &c.
“Towards the close of the summer of 1814, the warlike preparations on Lake Champlain, and its vicinity, seemed to portend some powerful shock.
“Large bodies of troops, the veterans of Wellington’s army, to the amount of sixteen thousand, had arrived in Canada, and were preparing to strike a severe blow on the frontiers, one that would be felt to the very vitals of the nation. Izard received orders to assist Brown, and Macomb was left with a handful of men to defend Plattsburgh. The fleet under Macdonough was put in readiness for an attack. He had only four ships, the Saratoga, twenty-six guns; the Eagle, twenty guns; the Ticonderoga, seventeen guns; the Preble, seven guns; and ten galleys, carrying sixteen guns, making in all eighty-six guns.
“The British force was larger; four ships and thirteen galleys, in all ninety-five guns; their complement of men was also much larger.
“That the American fleet was commanded by a young officer who ranked only as lieutenant, and the British by an old experienced officer, gave Sir George Prevost no doubt of the issue of his naval operations. On the land, too, with his veterans from Waterloo, he was quite certain of a signal victory. On the afternoon of the 10th of September, it was evident that the assault on the lake and on the land was to be made the next day; and Macdonough deemed it best to await the attack at anchor. At eight o’clock on the morning of the 11th, the British fleet was seen approaching, and in another hour the battle had commenced.
“The most accurate description of it must be from his own pen. ‘At nine,’ says Macdonough, ‘the enemy anchored in a line ahead, at about three hundred yards distant from my line; his ship opposed to the Saratoga; his brig to the Eagle, Captain Robert Henley; his galleys, thirteen in number, to the schooner, sloop, and a division of our galleys; one of his sloops assisting their ship and brig; the other assisting their galleys; our remaining galleys were with the Saratoga and Eagle.
“‘In this situation, the whole force on both sides became engaged, the Saratoga suffering much from the heavy fire of the Confiance. I could perceive at the same time, however, that our fire was very destructive to her. The Ticonderoga, Lieutenant Commandant Cassin, gallantly sustained her full share of the action. At half past ten, the Eagle not being able to bring her guns to bear, cut her cable and anchored in a more eligible position, between my ship and the Ticonderoga, where she very much annoyed the enemy, but unfortunately leaving me much exposed to a galling fire from the enemy’s brig.
“‘Our guns on the starboard side being nearly all dismounted, or unmanageable, a stern anchor was let go, the lower cable cut, and the ship winded with a fresh broadside on the enemy’s ship, which soon after surrendered. Our broadside was then sprung to bear on the brig, which surrendered about fifteen minutes afterwards. The sloop which was opposed to the Eagle, had struck some time before, and drifted down the line. The sloop that was with their galleys had also struck. Three of their galleys sunk, the others pulled off. Our galleys were about obeying with alacrity the signal to follow them, when all the vessels were reported to me to be in a sinking condition.
“‘It then became necessary to annul the signal to the galleys, and order their men to the pumps. I could only look at the enemy’s galleys going off in a shattered condition, for there was not a mast in either squadron that could stand to make sail on. The lower rigging being nearly shot away, hung down as though it had just been placed over the mast heads.
“‘The Saratoga had fifty-five round shot in her hull; the British ship Confiance, one hundred and five. The enemy’s shot passed principally just over our heads, as there were not twenty whole hammocks in the nettings, at the close of the action, which lasted without intermission two hours and twenty minutes.
“‘The absence and sickness of Lieutenant Raymond Perry, left me without the assistance of that excellent officer. Much ought fairly to be attributed to him for his great care and attention in disciplining the ship’s crew, as her first lieutenant. His place was filled by a gallant young officer, Lieutenant Peter Gamble, who, I regret to inform you, was killed early in the action.’
“The Saratoga was twice on fire during the action, by hot shot from the Confiance; but the flames were promptly extinguished. At the same time the land forces were engaged, both armies looking on the sea fight as in a measure the turning point with them.
“The loss of the Americans was fifty-two killed, and fifty-eight wounded; that of the British, eighty-four killed and one hundred and ten wounded. The prisoners taken far exceeded the whole number of Americans in the action. This victory was hailed by the whole nation with great joy. The state of New York, in justice and gratitude, gave the gallant captain a thousand acres of land, of no small value, and the state of Vermont made a grant of two hundred acres, within a short distance of the battle ground. The city of New York gave Macdonough a valuable lot of land, and the city of Albany did the same. Festive honors were offered him in all places where he chanced to pass through, which were generally declined.
“Congress presented a vote of thanks and a gold medal, (See Plate XII.) From the close of the war to the time of his decease, he shared the honors of the home and foreign service with his compeers.
“He was an excellent member of courts martial, for he brought to those tribunals a candid mind, ever ready to find matters that made in favor of the accused as well as against him. For several years before his death he made his home in Middletown, Connecticut, where he had married a Miss Shaler, a lady of a highly respectable family of that place. He died of consumption, on the 10th of November, 1825. His wife had paid the debt of nature only a few months before.”
The great charms of his character were the refinement of his taste, the purity of his principles, and the sincerity of his religion. These gave a perfume to his name which the partial page of history seldom can retain for departed warriors, however brilliant their deeds.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDAL.
OCCASION.--Victory on Lake Champlain.
DEVICE.--A bust of Captain Macdonough.
LEGEND.--Tho. Macdonough stagno Champlain class. Reg. Britan. superavit.
REVERSE.--Fleet engaged; many boats on the lake; Plattsburgh in sight.
LEGEND.--Uno latere percusso alterum impavide vertit.
EXERGUE.--Inter class. Ameri. et Brit. die 11th Sept. 1814.
CAPT. ROBERT HENLEY.
Robert Henley was born in James’ City county, in the state of Virginia, on the 5th day of January, 1783. He was educated at William and Mary College, in that state, and intended for the profession of the law; but his mind seeming bent on a seafaring life, his parents reluctantly permitted him to apply to his relative, General Washington, for a midshipman’s warrant, which, at his particular desire, was obtained, and he entered the navy in 1799. Although but sixteen years of age when he entered the service of the United States, he possessed a good mind and showed great firmness and decision of character; he had laboriously applied himself to reading and study, more particularly in preparation for the naval service, which it was his determination to follow, although at that time his wishes were unknown to his friends. His first cruise was with Commodore Truxtun, in the Constellation, and he was present at her encounter with the French ship “La Vengeance.”
Not a year had elapsed before our young sailor had an opportunity of knowing by experience the toils and hardships of a seafaring life. On the first of February, 1800, the desperate conflict between the Constellation and La Vengeance took place, and during the struggle, which lasted from eight in the evening until nearly one in the morning, the bravery of Midshipman Henley was unflinching; although nearly exhausted by fatigue he never for one moment deserted his post, and after the conflict was over, was one of the first who was complimented by his commander for his bravery, who observed while pointing to him, “That stripling is destined to be a brave officer.”
On his return to the United States he obtained leave of absence and returned to Williamsburgh, where he attended a course of lectures on navigation and naval science. This seemed to infuse him with new life and vigor, and his buoyant pride was soon gratified by an appointment to the command of a gun-boat at Norfolk and promotion to a lieutenancy. After remaining some years in this and similar situations, he received the command of the brig Eagle on Lake Champlain, and was second in command to Commodore McDonough in that decisive battle; who, in his official letter, speaks of the gallantry of our hero, as follows:--“To Captain Robert Henley, of the brig Eagle, much is to be ascribed; his courage was conspicuous, and I most earnestly recommend him as worthy of the highest trust and confidence.”
For his gallant conduct throughout this engagement, Congress voted to Captain Robert Henley a gold medal (_see_ Plate XIII.,) and the thanks of both houses. After the battle of Lake Champlain, Captain Henley resided for some time in Norfolk, Virginia, in order to overlook some matters connected with the naval station at that place, until 1827, when he was called to the command of the Hornet, and ordered to cruise in the West Indies. On his return to the United States he was stationed in North Carolina, where he remained some years; from thence he was ordered to Charleston, South Carolina, where he died in command in the year 1829. He married in early life but left no family. Captain Henley was a man of fine and commanding appearance, of a sanguine and ardent temperament, combined with great decision of character: although generous and brave, he was easily appeased; he was magnanimous, hospitable, and possessed a warmth of heart that made him the idol of his crews; he was full of chivalry, and a devoted lover of his country; whose interest seemed to govern every action of his life.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDAL.
OCCASION.--Victory on Lake Champlain.
DEVICE.--Bust of Captain Henley.
LEGEND.--Rob. Henley, Eagle præfect. Palma virtu. per æternit. Floribit.
REVERSE.--A fleet engaged before a town enveloped in smoke. Several boats on the lake filled with sailors rowing.
LEGEND.--Uno latere percusso alterum impavide vertit.
EXERGUE.--Inter class. Ameri. et Brit. die 11th Sept. 1814.
CAPTAIN STEPHEN CASSIN.
Stephen Cassin, the son of Commodore John Cassin of the United States Navy, was born in Philadelphia, the 16th of February, 1783.
He entered the navy as midshipman in 1800, then in his seventeenth year. His first cruise in 1801, was in the frigate Philadelphia, Commodore Stephen Decatur, the father of the late and gallant Decatur, whose bravery in the Tripolitan war and also in the war of 1812, forms a conspicuous part in the naval history of America. After a cruise of nearly two years, during which nothing of consequence occurred, the command of the Philadelphia was transferred to Captain Samuel Barron, and after a short cruise with him, Midshipman Cassin was transferred to the schooner Nautilus of sixteen guns, ordered to form part of the squadron preparing to sail for the Mediterranean, under the command of Commodore Preble, for the purpose of protecting effectually the commerce and seamen of the United States against the Tripolitan cruisers on the Atlantic ocean, the Mediterranean and adjoining seas.
This squadron, consisting of seven sail, viz: the Constitution, forty-four guns; Philadelphia, forty-four, already on the station; Argus, eighteen; Siren, sixteen; Nautilus, sixteen; Vixen, sixteen; Enterprise, fourteen. This squadron sailed on the 13th of August, 1803, and reached Gibraltar the 13th of September. On the 17th, they arrived in Tangier bay, when the negotiations commenced which terminated so prosperously and which have already been given in the life of Commodore Preble. After two years’ service as midshipman in the Nautilus, greatest part of the time being spent in cruises in the Mediterranean, Stephen Cassin was promoted to a lieutenancy on board the John Adams, Captain Shaw.
Not long after his promotion, Lieutenant Cassin returned to the United States, and sailed as captain of a merchant ship to the Pacific, where he was captured by the Spaniards and detained for nearly two years. Soon after his second return to the United States, he joined the Chesapeake, Commodore Hull. In this ship, he made several cruises under this brave commander. In the interval between the Tripolitan war and that which commenced in 1812, no occasion occurred to our naval officers by which they signalized themselves; we therefore pass over that period till we find Lieutenant Cassin promoted to the command of the Ticonderoga, eighteen guns, and ordered forthwith to join the squadron commanded by Macdonough on Lake Champlain.
Among the young officers of the navy who were ordered on the lake service, and destined to become illustrious in our naval annals was the hero of these memoirs.
Commodore Macdonough, in his official account of the battle on Lake Champlain, says, “The Ticonderoga, Lieutenant Commandant Stephen Cassin, gallantly sustained her full share of the action.” In this sharp conflict, the British force was superior in numbers; being the frigate Confiance, thirty-nine guns; the Linnet, sixteen guns; the Finch, eleven guns; and thirteen galleys, carrying eighteen guns; in all, ninety-five guns, nine more than were in the American fleet; their complement of men was much greater. The calmness of this lake permitted heavy armaments in comparatively light vessels, and of this circumstance the British availed themselves to the utmost, giving their commander a ship equal in force to the President or the Constitution, with which he--being a veteran officer--made sure of capturing the young American officer, ranking only as lieutenant, who was his opponent in a flag-ship of twenty-six guns. But it is here seen, that “the race is not always to the _swift_, nor the battle to the _strong_.” Naval discipline, skill, coolness, and courage, were put in requisition in this battle, united with daring intrepidity in coming down head upon the line of an enemy of superior force. As a description of this battle has been given in the memoir of the gallant Commander Macdonough, it is unnecessary to repeat it here. Lieutenant Cassin was promoted to the rank of post-captain, and received from Congress a gold medal, an engraving of which is given in Plate XIII., in commemoration of the victory. At the close of the war, Captain Cassin commanded the Newport, Rhode Island Station, and since had command, for five years, of the Washington Navy yard. Captain Cassin’s residence, when not in service, has always been in the vicinity of Washington, where his well-known character for courage and ability, and his amiable and gentlemanly deportment have drawn around him a large circle of friends. Notwithstanding the difficulties and disappointments attending a young officer in his first naval career, and his oppressing captivity in Spain for two years, yet his undaunted spirit led him forward, in spite of every untoward event in the path of glory, and crowned his exertions with success.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDAL.
OCCASION.--Victory on Lake Champlain.
DEVICE.--Bust of Lieutenant Stephen Cassin.
LEGEND.--Step. Cassin Ticonderoga præfect. quæ regio in terris nos. non plena lab.
REVERSE.--A fleet engaged before a town enveloped in smoke. Several boats on the lake filled with sailors rowing.
LEGEND.--Uno latere percusso alterum impavide vertit.
EXERGUE.--Inter class. Ameri. et Brit. die 11th Sept, 1814.
COMMODORE WARRINGTON.
Lewis Warrington is the descendant of an old and respectable family in Williamsburgh, near Norfolk, in Virginia, where he was born on the 3d day of November, 1782. He finished the higher branches of his education at William and Mary College in that state. The habits of study which he acquired at that excellent institution, and the associations which he formed, have never forsaken him, but have continued to mark his character and augment his information, at intervals of leisure, amidst the toils and tumults, the hardships and privations of a naval life. In consequence of an unusually retentive memory, added to a strong attachment to books, his mind is amply enriched with general knowledge. Shortly after the completion of his studies at Williamsburgh, he received an appointment in the navy as midshipman, and entered the service in January, 1800. His first cruise was on board the Chesapeake, commanded by Captain Samuel Barron, to the West Indies. In 1801 he was removed to the frigate President, Captain Dale, on a cruise to the Mediterranean, but returned the following year. During the same year he returned again to the Mediterranean, as master’s mate in the frigate New York, under the command of Captain James Barron.