But the soldiers did not ihink so, and began to laugh and make fun of them. Inside the tavern were crowds of soldiers and sailors. At last the latter began to kick up a row with the soldiers, and drove them all out, and commenced flogging them. They retreated into the barracks, got their bayonets and came out ready for a fight. The sailors seeing this, drove them back again. By this time their officers had been apprised of the row, and attempted to interfere: but it was of no use, the fight had now become general. There were about one hundred and fifty American seamen and officers on shore, and about one hundred and twenty-five seamen engaged in the fight, with over three hundred Spanish soldiers.
They were not what I have before called Mahon soldiers, they were a regiment sent from Old Spain, to protect the Island. The fight now became alarming; the sailors when they turned and faced the soldiers, the latter would retreat, but as soon as the sailors started again towards the town, these cowardly soldiers would throw the paving stones at them, and in some instances rush upon a half drunken sailor, plunge his bayonet into him, and then run. Many of these poor fellows received dreadful wounds from bayonets and large stones. This running fight was kept up for the distance of nearly a mile, and when they had got within a short distance of the Crown Hotel, the noise was heard by the American officers, who were there at the time; who rushed into the street, to see what the trouble was.
Just as the mob had got abreast the door of the hotel, Midshipman Moore, of the Ontario, happened to be the first who got into the street. He had no sooner stepped upon the sidewalk, when a Spanish soldier officer, run him through the body with a small sword, killing him instantly. He fell into the gutter, and remained there until the mob had passed. He was then taken into the hotel and prepared for burial. — The mob had now approached the centre of the town. The American officers were in the midst of them with their side arms. Capt. Downes was also among them, like a brave one. The town authorities now took the matter up, and by sundown all was quiet, the sailors having been sent on board their respective ships.
I came on shore again after dark, with a party well armed, to bring the body of the murdered officer on board the ship. We could never identify the murderer, although much exertion was made to find him out. The funeral was appointed for the following Tuesday. The body was placed in one of the cutters, spread around with American flags, and a large ensign for the pall. The pall bearers were officers, about the age of the deceased. The line of boats o was very long, accompanied by many from the shore, filled with citizens of Mahon who deeply lamented this unfortunate affair. Accompanying the funeral procession which consisted principally of all the officers of the squadron who could be spared from duty, there were also a number of seamen from each ship handsomely dressed, and forty marines, headed by Major Hall.
When the boats arrived at the landing place, the marines were drawn up to precede the body, which was borne on the shoulders of four seamen. The funeral procession was large and well conducted, and when it had arrived at the graveyard, the marines were drawn up for the purp'ose of fireino- a volley over the grave, when the coffin was lowered into its resting place. The major gave the word, Fire! It was not what is generally called a good fire, there being some few seconds interval between some of the reports. At this the Spanish soldiers seemed inclined to laugh; as there was a large body of them near the grave. This insult, and coming too from these cowardly rascals, raised the ire of Major Hall, who instantly gave the order to ': load with ball cartridges." The Spaniards, rather suspecting something, began to move off.
The order now given, " right about face!" present, and if ever sheep jumped quickly over a wall, these fellows cleared and went over the graveyard fence, as if old Jemmy was after them. The marines did not fire, but they ought to have clone so, and shown these cowardly rascals who they had to deal with. Those who had attended the funeral, returned to their several ships, after having paid all due honor and respect to the memory of the unfortunate young midshipman. The weather had now become fine, and we were getting ready for a summer cruise. About the middle of April we sailed for Marseilles, arrived safely there, and hauled into the mole. We wrere boarded by the health officer, and put into quarantine, in consequence of having a few cases of sickness on board.