STORIES OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS

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John Manly

"John Manly commenced his earthly pilgrimage in Massachusetts in 1734. He was one of the first who met the enemy on her favorite element. He was put in command of the armed schooner Lee on the 24th of October 1775 and cruised in and around Massachusetts[Pg 455] Bay. His success was beyond all anticipation. He made numerous captures of great value to the American Army and embryo navy. His noble daring and consummate skill were hailed as germs of future greatness. He was transferred to the privateer Hancock and launched out upon a more extensive cruise and captured the British sloop of war Fox and several other prizes. On his return he was received with great enthusiasm and transferred to the privateer Jason. Soon after he sailed he was attacked by two English privateers of 18 and 10 guns. He ran the Jason between them before he fired a gun and in a few brief moments they both surrendered. On his return passage with these prizes he was captured by the Rainbow of 40 guns on the 8th of July 1777 and was confined in Mill Prison and at Halifax until near the close of the war and treated with the proverbial cruelty so often before noticed. In 1782 he was put in command of the frigate Hague. During his cruise he was run on a sand bank near Guadaloupe by a 74 gun ship which was joined by three other ships of the line. They opened a tremendous fire upon the frigate which was continued for three days. On the morning of the fourth day the Hague swung clear, hoisted the Continental colors and fired a farewell salute of 13 guns and returned to Boston. Charges were there brought against this gallant captain by one of his officers. Those were partially sustained before a court martial but appear not to have been placed upon the public records nor well understood by the community. His unsurpassed bravery may have operated in his favor. He died at Boston on the 12th of February 1793."

Source: The Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution by L. Carroll Judson