In 1806 he was first-lieutenant5 of the Siren, a little sloop6-of-war in the Mediterranean7 service. On one occasion when Captain Smith, the commander of the Siren, had gone on shore, young Lieutenant Macdonough saw a boat from a British frigate8 lying in the harbor row up to an American brig a short distance off, and afterward9 put out again with one more man in her than she had originally. This looked suspicious, and Macdonough sent to the brig to ascertain10 the reason, with the result that he found that an American had been impressed by the English captain’s orders. Macdonough quietly lowered his own boat and put after the heavy cutter, which he soon overhauled11. Although he had but four men with him, he took the man out of the cutter and brought him on board the Siren. When the English captain heard, or rather saw, what had occurred—it was right under the bow of his174 frigate that the affair took place—he waxed wroth, and, calling away his gig, he rowed to the Siren to demand an explanation.
The following account of the incident is quoted from the life of Macdonough in Frost’s Naval12 Biography:
“The Englishman desired to know how Macdonough dared to take a man from one of his Majesty’s boats. The lieutenant, with great politeness, asked him down into the cabin; this he refused, at the same time repeating the same demand, with abundance of threats. The Englishman threw out some threats that he would take the man by force, and said he would haul the frigate alongside the Siren for that purpose. To this Macdonough replied that he supposed his ship could sink the Siren, but as long as she could swim he should keep the man. The English captain said to Macdonough:
“‘You are a very young man, and a very indiscreet young man. Suppose I had been in the boat—what would you have done?’
“‘I would have taken the man or lost my life.’
“‘What, sir! would you attempt to stop me, if I were now to attempt to impress men from that brig?’
“‘I would; and to convince yourself I would, you have only to make the attempt.’
“On this the Englishman went on board his ship, and shortly afterward was seen bearing down in the direction of the American vessel13. Macdonough ordered his boat manned and armed, got into her himself, and was in readiness for pursuit. The Englishman took a circuit around the American brig, and returned again to the frigate. When Captain Smith came on board he justified14 the conduct of Macdonough, and declared his intention to protect the American seaman15.”
Although Macdonough was very young, and his rank but that of a lieutenant, people who knew him were not surprised to hear that he had been appointed to take command of the little squadron on Lake Champlain. These175 vessels16 were built of green pine, and almost without exception constructed in a hurried fashion. They had to be of light draught17, and yet, odd to relate, their general model was the same as that of ships that were expected to meet storms and high seas.
Macdonough was just the man for the place; as in the case of Perry, he had a superb self-reliance and was eager to meet the enemy.
Lake Champlain and the country that surrounds it were considered of great importance by the English, and, descending18 from Canada, large bodies of troops poured into New York State. But the American government had, long before the war was fairly started, recognized the advantage of keeping the water communications on the northern frontier. The English began to build vessels on the upper part of the lake, and the small force of ships belonging to the Americans was increased as fast as possible. It was a race to see which could prepare the better fleet in the shorter space of time.
In the fall of the year 1814 the English had one fairly sized frigate, the Confiance, mounting thirty-nine guns; a brig, the Linnet; a sloop, Chubb, and the sloop Finch19; besides which they possessed thirteen large galleys20, aggregating21 eighteen guns. In all, therefore, the English fleet mounted ninety-five guns. The Americans had the Saratoga, sloop of war, twenty-six guns; the Eagle, twenty; the Ticonderoga, seventeen; the Preble, seven; and ten galleys carrying sixteen; their total armament was nine guns less than the British.
By the first week in September Sir George Prevost had organized his forces and started at the head of fourteen thousand men to the southward. It was his intention to dislodge General Macomb, who was stationed at Plattsburg, where considerable fortifications had been erected22. A great deal of the militia23 force had been drawn24 down the State to the city of New York, owing to the fears then entertained that the British intended making an attack176 upon the city from their fleet. It was Sir George’s plan to destroy forever the power of the Americans upon the lake, and for that reason it was necessary to capture the naval force which had been for some time under the command of Macdonough. The English leader arranged a plan with Captain Downie, who was at the head of the squadron, that simultaneous attacks should be made by water and land. At eight o’clock on the morning of September 11th news was brought to Lieutenant Macdonough that the enemy was approaching. As his own vessels were in a good position to repel25 an attack, he decided26 to remain at anchor and await the onslaught in a line formation. In about an hour the enemy had come within gunshot distance, and formed a line of his own parallel with that of the Americans. There was little or no breeze, and consequently small chance for man?uvring. The Confiance evidently claimed the honor of exchanging broadsides with the Saratoga. The Linnet stopped opposite the Eagle, and the galleys rowed in and began to fire at the Ticonderoga and the Preble.
PLAN OF THE NAVAL ACTION ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN
Macdonough wrote such a clear and concise27 account of the action that it is best to quote from it:
“... 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, gallantly28 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 eligible30 position, between my ship and the Ticonderoga, where she very much annoyed the enemy, but unfortunately leaving me exposed to a galling31 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 bower-cable cut, and the ship winded with a fresh broadside on the enemy’s ship, which soon after surrendered.177 Our broadside was then sprung to bear on the brig, which struck about fifteen minutes afterward. The sloop which was opposed to the Eagle had struck some time before, and drifted down the line. The sloop which was with their galleys had also struck. Three of their galleys are said to be sunk; the others pulled off. Our galleys were about obeying with alacrity32 the signal to follow them, when all the vessels were reported to me to be in a sinking state. It then became necessary to annul33 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 stand178 to make sail on. The lower rigging, being nearly all shot away, hung down as though it had just been placed over the mast-heads.
“The Saratoga had fifty-nine round shot in her hull34; the 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 able 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 gallant29 young officer, Lieutenant Peter Gamble, who, I regret to inform you, was killed early in the action.”
The English had begun the action as if they never doubted the result being to their advantage, and, before taking up their positions in the line parallel to Macdonough’s, Downie had sailed upon the waiting fleet bows on; thus most of his vessels had been severely35 raked before they were able to return the fire. As soon as Sir George Prevost saw the results of the action out on the water, he gave up all idea of conquest, and began the retreat that left New York free to breathe again. The frontier was saved. The hills and the shores of the lake had been crowded with multitudes of farmers, and the two armies encamped on shore had stopped their own preparations and fighting to watch.
Sir George Prevost had bombarded the American forts from the opposite side of the River Saranac, and a brigade endeavored to ford36 the river with the intention of attacking the rear of General Macomb’s position. However, they got lost in the woods, and were recalled by a mounted messenger just in time to hear the cheers and shouts of victory arise from all about them.
In the battle the Saratoga had twenty-eight men killed179 and twenty-nine wounded, more than a quarter of her entire crew; the Eagle lost thirteen killed and twenty wounded; the Ticonderoga, six killed and six wounded; the Preble, two killed; and the galleys, three killed and three wounded. The Saratoga was hulled37 fifty-five times, and had caught on fire twice from the hot shot fired by the Confiance. The latter vessel was reported to have lost forty-one killed outright38 and eighty-three wounded. In all, the British loss was eighty-four killed and one hundred and ten wounded.
Macdonough received substantial testimonials of gratitude39 from the country at large, the Legislature of New York giving him one thousand acres of land, and the State of Vermont two hundred. Besides this, the corporations of Albany and New York City made him the present of a valuable lot, and from his old command in the Mediterranean he received a handsome presentation sword.100
SYNOPSIS40 OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS, CHIEFLY
MILITARY, IN THE HISTORY OF THE
UNITED STATES, BETWEEN THE
BATTLE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN,
1814, AND THE WAR WITH
MEXICO, 1846–1847
1814. General Jackson seizes Pensacola. The Hartford Convention. Treaty of Ghent between Great Britain and the United States terminates the war.
1815. Before the news of peace reached this country General Jackson repulses41 the British attack on New Orleans,180 defeating in a bloody42 battle veterans who had fought against Napoleon. Escape of Napoleon from Elba. The “Hundred Days.” Battle of Waterloo. Second abdication43 of Napoleon, who is sent to St. Helena. Commodore Decatur imposes terms upon the Dey of Algiers, and exacts reparation from Tunis and Tripoli.
1816. James Monroe elected President. Indiana admitted into the union.
1817. Admission of Mississippi into the union.
1818. Beginning of the Seminole War. Illinois admitted into the union. Act passed establishing the flag of the United States. General Jackson captures Spanish fort, St. Mark’s, Florida.
1819. Treaty between the United States and Spain for the cession44 of Florida (formal possession given in 1821). Admission of Alabama into the union.
1820. Admission of Maine into the union. Adoption45 of the Missouri Compromise, 1820, 1821. James Monroe re-elected President.
1822. Establishment of the colony of Liberia. The President recommends recognition of the independence of the South American States and Mexico.
1823. The President announces the “Monroe Doctrine46.”
1824. John Quincy Adams elected President.
1825. Corner-stone of Bunker Hill monument laid in presence of Lafayette.
1827. Parry’s expedition to the Arctic circle, latitude47 82° 45′.
1828. Andrew Jackson elected President.
181 1829. First locomotive tried in the United States, at Honesdale, Pa.
1830. The Webster-Hayne debate in Congress. Establishment of the Mormon Church.
1831. William Lloyd Garrison48 begins the publication of the Liberator49 in Boston.
1832. Black Hawk50 War. Defeat of the Sacs and the Foxes. Nullification movement in South Carolina. Andrew Jackson re-elected President.
1833. Henry Clay’s tariff51 compromise. President Jackson removes the public funds from the Bank of the United States. Formation of the American Anti-Slavery Society.
1834. Act of Congress for the formation of Indian Territory.
1835. Outbreak of the Second Seminole War. Revolution in Texas against Mexican authority. Great fire in New York.
1836. Admission of Arkansas into the union. Martin Van Buren elected President. Storming of the Alamo by Santa Anna. Houston defeats the Mexicans on the San Jacinto. The republic of Texas proclaimed.
1837. Admission of Michigan into the union. Financial panic throughout the United States.
1838. Inauguration52 of transatlantic steam navigation.
1839. Dissolution of the Confederacy of Central America.
1840. William Henry Harrison elected President.
1841. John Tyler succeeds to the Presidency53 after the death of President Harrison.
1842. Final termination of the Seminole War. The Ashburton Treaty between Great Britain and the United States for the settlement of the Northeastern boundary line concluded. Dorr’s Rebellion in Rhode Island.
1844. James K. Polk elected President. Invention of the electric telegraph.
1845. Admission of Florida and Texas into the union.
1846. Admission of Iowa into the union. War begins between the United States and Mexico. The Mexicans182 defeated at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. Surrender of Monterey. Occupation of California and New Mexico by the American forces. Treaty between Great Britain and the United States for the settlement of the Northwestern boundary-line dispute. Discovery of an?sthetics by Doctor Norton.
1847. General Taylor defeats Santa Anna at Buena Vista54. Occupation of Vera Cruz. American victories at Pueblo55, Contreras, and Churubusco. Storming of Molino del Rey. Storming of Chapultepec and occupation of the City of Mexico.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
continental
|
|
| adj.大陆的，大陆性的，欧洲大陆的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
constellation
|
|
| n.星座n.灿烂的一群 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
amputation
|
|
| n.截肢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
lieutenant
|
|
| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
sloop
|
|
| n.单桅帆船 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
Mediterranean
|
|
| adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
frigate
|
|
| n.护航舰，大型驱逐舰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
afterward
|
|
| adv.后来；以后 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
ascertain
|
|
| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
overhauled
|
|
| v.彻底检查( overhaul的过去式和过去分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
naval
|
|
| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
vessel
|
|
| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
justified
|
|
| a.正当的，有理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
seaman
|
|
| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
vessels
|
|
| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
draught
|
|
| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
descending
|
|
| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
finch
|
|
| n.雀科鸣禽(如燕雀，金丝雀等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
galleys
|
|
| n.平底大船，战舰( galley的名词复数 )；（船上或航空器上的）厨房 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
aggregating
|
|
| 总计达…( aggregate的现在分词 )； 聚集，集合； （使）聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
ERECTED
|
|
| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
militia
|
|
| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
repel
|
|
| v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
concise
|
|
| adj.简洁的，简明的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
gallantly
|
|
| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
eligible
|
|
| adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
galling
|
|
| adj.难堪的,使烦恼的,使焦躁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
alacrity
|
|
| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
annul
|
|
| v.宣告…无效，取消，废止 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
hull
|
|
| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
severely
|
|
| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
Ford
|
|
| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
hulled
|
|
| 有壳的，有船身的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
outright
|
|
| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
gratitude
|
|
| adj.感激，感谢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
synopsis
|
|
| n.提要，梗概 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
repulses
|
|
| v.击退( repulse的第三人称单数 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
42
bloody
|
|
| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
abdication
|
|
| n.辞职；退位 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
cession
|
|
| n.割让，转让 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
adoption
|
|
| n.采用，采纳，通过；收养 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
doctrine
|
|
| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
latitude
|
|
| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
garrison
|
|
| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
liberator
|
|
| 解放者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
hawk
|
|
| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
tariff
|
|
| n.关税，税率；(旅馆、饭店等)价目表，收费表 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
inauguration
|
|
| n.开幕、就职典礼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
presidency
|
|
| n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
vista
|
|
| n.远景，深景，展望，回想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
pueblo
|
|
| n.（美国西南部或墨西哥等）印第安人的村庄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |