The Ramillies gave up th' affray,
And, with her comrades sneaked away.
Such was the valor on that day,
Of British tars, near Stonington.
But some assert, on certain grounds,
(Besides the damage and the wounds,)
It cost the King ten thousand pounds
To have a dash at Stonington.
[Few of Freneau's earlier and better poems were so popular as this of "The Battle of Stonington," in its day. All Connecticut boys knew it by heart, and it had an established place among the 'declamations' of school exhibitions. Until within a few years it was to be found in the assortment of every street vender of ballads and patriotic poems,—sometimes in its original form, but more often, with 'emendations and corrections.' In the broad-side from which I first learned it (bought at a stall in the neighborhood of Fulton market, some thirty years ago,) for the twelfth and thirteenth verses was substituted this:—
"They bored the Despatch through and through,
And kill'd and wounded half her crew;
'Till crippled, riddled, she withdrew,—
And curs'd the boys of Stonington.">[
[Celebrations of the Anniversary of the Attack.]
1815.
Thursday, Aug. 10th, the first anniversary of the battle, was observed as a day of thanksgiving and prayer. The old flag was again hoisted on the flag-staff at the battery: and a procession, formed at that place, marched to the Congregational meeting-house, to listen to a discourse by the pastor, Rev. Ira Hart. On its conclusion, the procession returned to the battery, where the exercises of the day were closed by prayer. "On Friday evening a grand anniversary ball was given; the assembly being both numerous and brilliant."—Conn. Gazette, Aug. 23d.
1818.
Celebration at the Borough, on Monday, Aug. 10th. "The company was very numerous, and the business of the day went off with great eclat."—Id. Aug. 12th, 1818.