The United States frigate _President_, under command of Captain Decatur, is taken by a British squadron after a long chase, during which the _President_ completely disabled one of her antagonists, January 15th, 1815 219 XVII February 20th, 1815, the _Constitution_, under Captain Stewart, engages and captures two English vessels that prove to be the _Cyane_ and the _Levant_; one of her prizes is retaken, and the _Constitution_ again has a narrow escape 231 XVIII The British brig of war _Penguin_ surrenders to the United States brig _Hornet_, commanded by Captain James Biddle; the _Penguin_ sinks immediately after the accident, March 23d, 1815 245 XIX The chase of the _Hornet_, sloop of war, by the _Cornwallis_, a British line-of-battle ship 255 ILLUSTRATIONS THE SURRENDER OF THE “GUERRIÈRE” _Frontispiece_ _Facing p._ MEDAL PRESENTED BY CONGRESS TO CAPTAIN ISAAC HULL 22 THE “CONSTITUTION” TOWING AND KEDGING 26 THE “WASP” RAKING THE “FROLIC” 50 MEDAL PRESENTED BY CONGRESS TO CAPTAIN STEPHEN DECATUR 58 MEDAL PRESENTED BY CONGRESS TO CAPTAIN WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE 72 MEDAL PRESENTED BY CONGRESS TO CAPTAIN JAMES LAWRENCE 102 THE “PEACOCK” AND “HORNET” AT CLOSE QUARTERS 106 THE “CHESAPEAKE” LEAVING THE HARBOR 116 MEMORIAL MEDAL IN HONOR OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM BURROWS 128 MEDAL PRESENTED BY CONGRESS TO LIEUTENANT EDWARD R. McCALL 128 THE “ENTERPRISE” HULLING THE “BOXER” 132 MEDAL PRESENTED BY CONGRESS TO CAPTAIN OLIVER HAZARD PERRY 138 THE “NIAGARA” BREAKS THE ENGLISH LINE 148 THE “ESSEX” BEING CUT TO PIECES 184 MEDAL PRESENTED BY CONGRESS TO CAPTAIN LEWIS WARRINGTON 190 THE “PEACOCK” CAPTURES THE “EPERVIER” 192 MEDAL PRESENTED BY CONGRESS TO CAPTAIN JOHNSTON BLAKELEY 198 THE “WASP’S” FIGHT WITH THE “AVON” 204 MEDAL PRESENTED BY CONGRESS TO CAPTAIN THOMAS MACDONOUGH 208 THE “PRESIDENT” ENDEAVORING TO ESCAPE 222 MEDAL PRESENTED BY CONGRESS TO CAPTAIN CHARLES STEWART 230 THE “CONSTITUTION” TAKING THE “CYANE” 236 MEDAL PRESENTED BY CONGRESS TO CAPTAIN JAMES BIDDLE 244 THE “PENGUIN” STRIKES TO THE “HORNET” 252 INTRODUCTION