1 66 Naval War of 1812 



that the American marines were constantly engaged 

 almost from the beginning of the action. The fight 

 began at once, and continued with great spirit for 

 a quarter of an hour, the vessels all firing broadsides. 

 It was now moonlight, and an immense column of 

 smoke formed under the lee of the Constitution, 

 shrouding from sight her foes; and, as the fire of 

 the latter had almost ceased, Captain Stewart also 

 ordered his men to stop, so as to find out the posi 

 tions of the ships. In about three minutes the smoke 

 cleared, disclosing to the Americans the Levant 

 dead to leeward on the port beam, and the Cyane 

 luffing up for their port quarter. Giving a broad 

 side to the sloop, Stewart braced aback his main 

 and mizzen topsails, with topgallant sails set, shook 

 all forward, and backed rapidly astern, under cover 

 of the smoke, abreast the corvette, forcing the latter 

 to fill again to avoid being raked. The firing was 

 spirited for a few minutes, when the Cyane's almost 

 died away. The Levant bore up to wear round and 

 assist her consort, but the Constitution filled her 

 topsails, and, shooting ahead, gave her two stern 

 rakes, when she at once made all sail to get out of 

 the combat. The Cyane was now discovered wear 

 ing, when the Constitution herself at once wore and 

 gave her in turn a stern rake, the former luffing 

 to and firing her port broadside into the starboard 

 bow of the frigate. Then, as the latter ranged up 



