Mr. Babbitt's life was filled with travel and exciting adventure. His granddaughter, Mrs. Hale, possesses his log books from which an extract is appended. She also owns many articles which he used on ship board also his diplomas in medicine and commissions in the Navy, signed by Presidents Monroe and John Quincy Adams.
EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF WILLIAM DOLLIVER BABBITT, U. S. N.
May 28, 1823.
On receipt of the above order, reported to Lt. Com. M. H. Watson and we sailed on a cruise to Matanzas where we watered and sailed through the old Bahama Sts. We searched and examined all vessels and places of a suspicious character but effected nothing. While beating through the Sts. encountered constant gales and heavy rains. We stayed at Chesterfields Key several days taking what we could get from the wreck of two ships lost on the Key. This was sent to Havana. Capt. Watson sent the schooners to Matanzas to await his coming while we proceeded to examine the coast. On July 5 we examined several vessels in the bay of Sequappa and then got under way for Matanzas. At 3.06 P. M. we discovered a suspicious schooner having a large bark in tow and both were full of men. We could not discover a gun. Thinking them patriots or a Spanish cruiser having been informed to that effect, Capt. Watson hoisted the galley colors and stood down for them, they being to leeward. On approaching within two hundred yards they ran up Spanish colors, hailed up their foresail and gave us a shot from a long nine pounder. Fortunately it did no damage. They immediately put before the wind, we in pursuit. On their arrival at the bottom of the bay they anchored, sent their prisoners on shore and opened fire with their nine and ten cannonade and musketry. Their bark also was busy, their guns loaded with musket balls, spike nails, etc., to the muzzles. They wounded not a man and our boats were not touched.
On nearing them our fire was opened and well directed. When we were running within ten yards of them our tars gave a hurra when every soul jumped overboard and swam for shore, but they reckoned without their host for nearly all were sent to their long account. Some escaped but were taken next morning. We took a few prisoners most of them badly wounded. It was remarkable not one of us was injured. Twenty-seven dead bodies were seen floating near the shore and ten were killed in the swamp. It was agreeable to report 60 prisoners. Our whole crew officers and men amounted to 28 a considerable proportion boys. At daylight we got under way and stood out of the bay, put the schooner in order and stood for Matanzas thence to Key West where we met the approbation of our commander and were publicly thanked on quarter deck and afterward by the Secretary of the Navy. The schooner was now of 90 tons, had two cannonades and was well supplied with muskets, pistols, sabres, knives, etc., and an abundance of ammunition of English glazed. Soon after our return from this arduous cruise, Capt. Watson, Mr. Bainbridge and Mr. Taylor, my boon companions died of yellow fever and I narrowly escaped myself with life. None but ourselves can ever know our privations while on that cruise. I had been with St. Cassin in a division of boats for several weeks before this cruise and we destroyed several piratical huts. On the very ground where we captured this nest of pirates the lamented Allan was slain. He was buried in Matanzas and not a stone marks where his ashes rest. We returned to Washington in the Sea Gull after a stormy and tedious passage of 41 days extremely enfeebled by yellow fever. We put into Amelia for repairs and from there through the Attemaka Sound to Savannah, thence to Charlestown, Beaufort and Norfolk to Washington. We much regretted the illness of our beloved Commander prevented him from enjoying and returning the politeness and hospitality of the whole inhabitants of St. Marys, Savannah, and Charlestown but our debility prevented our going ashore. Every comfort was sent on aboard. Fine fresh beef, vegetables in great abundance, brandy, and even cigars, milk, eggs, etc. The troops turned out to welcome the Commander and saluted from the wharf with infantry, artillery and cavalry. On our arrival at Washington applied for and received leave of absence.
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