Edward Rutledge M’Call was born at Charleston, South Carolina, August
5th, 1790.
Having lost his father at an early age, he was placed under the care
of a guardian who superintended his education, and upon learning
the determination of his young charge to lead a seafaring life,
he directed his studies accordingly. At the age of fifteen years,
Edward R. M’Call received a midshipman’s warrant, and was ordered to
join the sloop-of-war Hornet, Captain John H. Dent. In 1811, he was
ordered to join the Enterprise, Captain Blakeley, with the promotion
of a lieutenancy on board that ship, where he remained till after the
conflict with the Boxer, in which conflict Burrows, who had only a few
days previous taken the command, was killed. The following letter from
Lieutenant Edward R. M’Call to Commodore Hull, commanding naval officer
on the eastern station, gives some account of the action.
_United States Brig Enterprise, Portland, Sept. 7th, 1813_,
“SIR:--In consequence of the unfortunate death of
Lieutenant-Commandant William Burrows, late commander of this
vessel, it devolves on me to acquaint you with the result of
our cruise. After sailing from Portsmouth on the 1st instant,
we steered to the eastward, and on the morning of the 3d, off
Wood Island, discovered a schooner which we chased into this
harbor, where we anchored. On the morning of the 4th, weighed
anchor and swept out, and continued our course to the eastward.
Having received information of several privateers being off
Manhagan, we stood for that place, and on the following
morning, in the bay near Penguin-Point, discovered a brig
getting under way, which appeared to be a vessel of war, and to
which we immediately gave chase. She fired several guns, and
stood for us, having four ensigns hoisted. After reconnoitering
and discovering her force, and the nation to which she
belonged, we hauled upon a wind, to stand out of the bay, and
at three o’clock, shortened sail, tacked, and run down, with an
intention to bring her to a close action.
“At twenty minutes past three, P. M., when within half pistol
shot, the firing commenced from both sides, and after being
warmly kept up, and with some manœuvring, the enemy hailed
and said they had surrendered, about four P. M.--their colors
being nailed to the masts, could not be hauled down. She proved
to be his British-Majesty’s brig Boxer, of fourteen guns,
Samuel Blythe, Esquire, commander, who fell in the early part
of the engagement, having received a cannon shot through the
body; and, I am sorry to add, that Lieutenant Burrows, who had
gallantly led us to action, fell also, about the same time, by
a musket ball, which terminated his existence in eight hours.
The Enterprise suffered much, in spars and rigging; and the
Boxer both in spars, rigging, and hull, having many shots
between wind and water.
“It would be doing injustice to the merit of Mr. Tillinghast,
second lieutenant, were I not to mention the able assistance I
received from him, during the remainder of the engagement, by
his strict attention to his own division and other departments;
and the officers and crew, generally. I am happy to add, their
cool and determined conduct have my warmest approbation. As
no muster-roll, that can be fully relied on, has come into my
possession, I cannot exactly state the number killed on board
the Boxer, but from information received from the officers
of that vessel, it appears that there were between twenty
and twenty-five killed, and fourteen wounded. On board the
Enterprise there was one killed and fifteen wounded, two since
dead-sixty-six prisoners.
“I have the honor, &c.
“EDWARD R. M’CALL, _Sen. Officer_.
“ISAAC HULL, ESQ., _Commanding on the Eastern Station_.”
After the action with the Boxer, Lieutenant M’Call was transferred from
the Enterprise to the sloop-of-war Ontario, Captain Robert T. Spence,
and subsequently to the Java, Commodore Perry, preparing for a cruise
in the Mediterranean, on which cruise he remained till 1817. On his
return home, Lieutenant M’Call was ordered to Charleston to take the
command of the sloop-of-war Peacock, also preparing to cruise in the
Mediterranean. On his return, in 1831, he obtained leave of absence,
and since that time has been waiting orders, till his country is
disposed to employ again his admirable capacities for service.
By a resolution of Congress, January 6th, 1814, which states the
gallantry and good conduct displayed by Lieutenant Edward R. M’Call, as
second in command of the Enterprise, in the conflict with the Boxer, a
gold medal (_see_ Plate XII.) was ordered to be struck and presented to
him with the thanks of that body.