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At first they only roared against the roar of the surfacers and levellers. Then the words came up clearly the words of the Forbidden Song that all men knew, and none let pass their lips poor Pat MacDonough's Song, made in the days of the Crowds and the Plague every silly word of it loaded to sparking-point with the Planet's inherited memories of horror, panic, fear and cruelty.
She was a formidable frigate, of the size of the American Chesapeake, and was expected to be more than a match for Macdonough's entire fleet. Captain Downie certainly expected the support of the army, which he failed to receive, for he clearly stated his position before the naval battle.
The result of this victory was immediate and gratifying. The land forces of the British, thus deprived of their naval auxiliaries, turned about, and retreated to Canada, abandoning forever their projected invasion. New York was thus saved by Macdonough's skill and bravery.
Macdonough's shrewd choice of position in Plattsburg Bay, imposing upon the enemy a difficult approach under a raking fire, and his excellent handling of his ships in action, justify his selection as the ablest American naval leader developed by the war.
And I think it's right enough for one to be angry and indignant at such wrongs to others." "Of course it is," said Hunt; "and Americans always will resist oppression of themselves or their weaker brethren and I glory in the fact. What a fight that was of Macdonough's! Do you remember the incident of the gamecock?" "No; what was it?"
There came a bright-checked Vermont mother whose three sons had died in service at MacDonough's guns; and she told of it in a calm voice, as one who speaks of her proudest honour. Yes, she rejoiced that God had given her three such sons, and had taken again His gifts in such a day of glory.
Opposed to this force was the stately Confiance, with her three hundred men and thirty-seven guns, such a ship as might have dared to engage the Constitution on blue water, and the Chub, Linnet, and Finch, much like Macdonough's three smaller vessels, besides a flotilla of the tiny, impudent gunboats which were like so many hornets.
Hampton requested MacDonough to "swoop down on Isle au Noix" an insane request, compliance with which would have meant certain destruction to the American fleet. MacDonough's general instructions were: "Cooperate with the army, but at any price retain supremacy of the lake," and he declined to receive Hampton's order.
And now MacDonough's wisdom in choice of the navy yard was seen, for a British squadron was sent to destroy his infant fleet, or at least sink stone-boats across the exit so as to bottle it up. But their attempts were baffled by the batteries which the far-seeing American had placed at the river's mouth.
Akin to such a briny book as this but more restricted in scope is The Frigate Constitution by Ira N. Hollis, or Rodney Macdonough's Life of Commodore Thomas Macdonough . Edgar Stanton Maclay in The History of the Navy, 3 vols. , has written a most satisfactory account, which contains some capital chapters describing the immortal actions of the Yankee frigates.
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