"We are to move up at once opposite New York and to prepare the ship for
running past the batteries up the East River."
"Hurra! the hotter the better; anything better than stagnation!" I
exclaimed.
"Mercer, have you made your will?" asked Kennedy, as the two met each
other near us.
"Yes, Kennedy, I have," answered Mercer gravely. "It may not be to-day
or to-morrow that it will come into force, but it may before long, and I
wish that those I may not help living may benefit by my death."
Kennedy had nothing to reply to this; Mercer's solemn manner silenced
him.
"What does Mercer mean? Does he think he is going to be killed?" asked
little Harry Sumner, who was standing by.
"It may be the lot of anyone of us, my boy," said I. "Though I hope the
enemy's shot won't find you out at all events."
"I hope not indeed," replied Harry. "I should like to go home and
describe all the places I have seen and the things we have done."
As I looked at our young pet I felt how hard a thing it was that so
small a lad should be exposed to all the vicissitudes of warfare.
Macallan had overheard us. "It's my opinion that Mercer has seen his
wraith," he remarked sententiously. "There's a grave, dour look about
his pale countenance which a man who is long for this world never
wears."
We all agreed that there was too much truth about the doctor's
observation, though we trusted he might be mistaken. I have heard many
conversations of this sort, and many of my shipmates and others whom I
have known have had presentiments of their approaching death. Some have
been killed on the occasion they expected, while others who appeared
equally certain of being summoned away have come out of action without
scratch. Others, again, whom I have seen laughing and jesting as if
they had a long lease of life before them, have, within a few hours
perhaps, been stretched lifeless on the deck. I have come to the
conclusion, therefore, that no one can tell when his last moment is to
come, and that consequently it behoves us all to be prepared at all
times for that unavoidable occurrence.
Among the ships lying near us was the Roebuck, of 44 guns, commanded by
Captain Andrew Snape Hamond, (note 1), a very active and intelligent
officer. I knew several of her officers. Among them was an old friend
of mine, Hitchcock, belonging to Falmouth. I dined with him a day or
two after this, and in return invited him to dine with me on board the
Orpheus.
"I'll come," said he; "depend upon me, I'll not let the rebels stop me."
"I shall keep you to your promise," I replied, as I was shoving off.
We had prepared the ship for action for some days by clearing away all
bulkheads fore and aft, and sending everything not absolutely required
below. Still several days passed by and nothing was done. It was
understood that Lord Howe and Dr Franklin were negotiating at this
time, as the result proved, without any effect. Lord Howe to the last
was anxious to prevent more bloodshed, and hoped to bring the colonists
to terms, but as they now considered themselves an independent people,
and he had the authority to treat with them in that capacity, he was
powerless.
At length, on the 21st of September, towards three o'clock in the
afternoon, the admiral made the signal for us to weigh. Each man with
alacrity hurried to his quarters. Never was sail more speedily got on
the ship. The Phoenix, Roebuck, Carrisfort, and Rose were seen
spreading their canvas at the same time to a very light air which blew
from the westward. I must try and describe the scene of our operations.
Before us lay a long, narrow strip of land called Manhattan Island,
about thirteen miles long and from half a mile to two wide, on the south
end of which stands the City of New York, while on the north end are
some hills called the Harlem Heights. It is divided from the mainland
on the north by a creek called the Harlem River, over which there is a
bridge called King's Bridge. The west of Manhattan Island is washed by
the River Hudson, which separates it from the New Jersey shore, while
part of the Sound, which is called the East River, runs round it on the
south and east, dividing it from Long Island, till it is joined by the
Harlem River on the north. The Harlem River forms a direct
communication between the Hudson and East River. That part of it
nearest the Hudson was called by the Dutch Spuyten Duyvel Creek, while
the east end, where it joins East River, has the still less pleasant
sounding name of Hell Gate. Near it was a strong battery. Nearly in
the centre of East River, opposite the south point of New York, is
Governor's Island, which was strongly fortified. There were batteries
along the whole line of the shore on Manhattan Island. Slowly and
solemnly our squadron approached the shore. Perfect silence reigned
throughout the ship. For some time not a shot was fired. Captain
Hudson had been keeping a sharp look-out on the enemy's batteries as we
approached.
"Pass the word along the decks that every man and officer is to lie down
at his quarters!" he exclaimed.
The judicious order was at once obeyed. The same precaution was not
used by the other ships. At half-past three, when we were within
pistol-shot of the city, the enemy opened their fire. We were so close
and moved so slowly that scarcely a shot missed us, literally riddling
the ship, as if we had been a butt put up to be fired at.
"How do you like this?" I asked of young Sumner, who was near me.
"Not at all just now," he answered. "I only wish that the captain would
let us get up and fire back on the enemy. I thought that was always
done when people fight."
"Sometimes one has to be battered at as well as to batter, as in the
present instance," I answered. "But depend on it, we shall be allowed
to take our revenge before long."
"Oh, I wish those dreadful cannon-balls would not come so close to one,"
sung out poor Harry, half playfully, half in earnest, as a round shot
came crashing through the bulwark close to where we lay, throwing the
splinters about us, ploughing up the deck, and passing out at a port on
the other side.
"I thought you were not going to be frightened, Harry, my boy," said I.
"Nor should I, I tell you, if I could but be firing in return," he
answered. "Besides, it is the first time I was ever in action, and I
have heard that the bravest men are apt to bob their heads on such
occasions. Perhaps when I get accustomed to it I shall care as little
as anyone for it."
"I have no doubt you will, Harry," I replied; and most truly the noble
little fellow did not disappoint my expectations. With proud defiance
the squadron continued its onward course, still desisting from firing,
as if invulnerable to the showers of round shot and bullets which came
whistling about them. The enemy were in general firing too high to do
much injury except to our rigging; the splinters which flew from our
topmasts and yards and came showering down every now and then on deck,
and the strange festoons our rigging began to form, the ends of ropes
hanging here and there, and the numerous holes exhibited in our sails
showed the effect their unremitting fire had caused. Sometimes the wind
was so light that we had little more than steerage way, when instantly
guns were brought round to attack us. Still we had not performed half
our distance. I must own that never, when in chase of an enemy, or when
attacked by gun-boats, or when finding my ship set on shore by a strong
current, have I more earnestly prayed than now for a breeze to carry us
onward. Nothing so much damps the ardour of men as having to sit quiet
and be fired at without having the power of returning the compliment.
Few can stand it except Turks and Englishmen; Turks because they fancy
it is their fate, Englishmen because they know it is their duty. As the
shot came crashing among us and the blocks and splinters from the spars
and other parts of the rigging came tumbling down on our heads, a growl
might every now and then be heard from some of the seamen very like that
given by a savage dog chained up as a stranger approaches his kennel and
he finds after repeated trials that he has come to the length of his
tether. I really felt it a relief when I had to move about the decks on
any duty, as was the case occasionally when a slight shift of wind or an
alteration in our course made it necessary to trim sails, though I was
thus exposed to a much greater risk of losing the number of my mess.
Not a man could show his head above the hammock nettings but he was sure
to become the mark of a hundred riflemen who were poking out their
weapons from the windows of the houses which looked so peaceably at us.
As I went about the decks I amused myself by remarking the different
expressions worn by the countenances of the men. With respect to the
greater number it was that of calm indifference, as if not aware that
they were running any unusual risk of their lives. Some seemed to see
the danger, but to brave it; many were laughing and joking among
themselves, while a few, and only a few, were evidently in no small
terror of being hit. I passed near Tom Rockets. His countenance told
me that I need have no fear of his doing me discredit. Old Grampus was
near him, looking as calm as if he was sitting down to his dinner.
"I have been telling the youngster, sir," said he, "that one of the
first things a seaman has to learn is how to bear the hardships it may
please Providence to send him, whether he has to be shot at, as he has
now, or to suffer famine on a raft or desert island, or to have the sea
breaking over him on a wreck or on the cold, slippery rocks. Maybe
he'll have to try them all before he settles down with a wooden leg,
ashore in his own cottage, or bears up for Greenwich, as I hopes to do
one day."
Tom listened to this very gravely, but I suspect old Nol had been
amusing himself somewhat at his expense. Hour after hour passed by, and
the ship proudly held on her course round Manhattan Island till we
reached the eastern side beyond the city, where, at a spot called Kip's
Bay, about two miles from it, the squadron at length, at about seven
o'clock, dropped anchor in front of a long line of entrenchments which
the enemy had thrown up.
Captain Hudson, having to communicate with Captain Hamond, sent me on
board the Roebuck. Having delivered my message, I inquired for my
friend Hitchcock.
"He is here," said Collins, a midshipman I had addressed, lifting up an
ensign which was spread near the mainmast.
There lay the poor fellow who was to have dined with me that day, so
lately full of life and spirits, now stiff and stark. A rifle-bullet
had passed through his heart. Several other men had been killed and
wounded on board. Such is one of the chances of war. I returned sadly
on board my own ship. In those days such an occurrence had but a very
transitory effect.
As soon as the enemy found that we were to be stationary for a while,
some guns were brought up, which began playing on us, and kept up a no
very musical serenade during the night. The shots struck the ships
occasionally; but the guns were very badly served, and did little or no
execution. Their music did not prevent me sleeping soundly, and
preparing to take my share in the hot work in which we were about to
gage.
The next day we received orders to attack the batteries at Hell Gate.
Lord Howe could not have been informed of the true nature of the place,
or he would not have issued the order. The pilots, however, positively
refused to take up the ships, asserting, and not without good grounds,
that they would inevitably be lost. At all events, I believe that by
their determination we escaped a severe chastisement from the enemy. We
therefore, with the exception of a little cannonading, spent another
quiet night with whole skins in Kip's Bay.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Afterwards Sir Andrew Hamond, Bart, and father of the late
Admiral Sir Graham Hamond, Admiral of the Fleet, and grandfather of the
present Captain Sir Andrew Hamond, Bart.--Editor.