Their guns were cannon, loading at the muzzle and firing solid shot.

The most effective of these was the "Long Tom," which was generally mounted on a pivot forward, and used in firing upon a fleeing vessel.
[Illustration: GENERAL ANDREW JACKSON.] (_Afterward President of the United States_.) The most famous achievement was that of the privateer _General Armstrong_, which carried nine long guns, the largest being 24-pounders, or "long nines." She sailed with a large crew, which was depleted to ninety on account of the number in charge of the prizes captured.

Her commander was Captain Samuel C.Reid, born in Connecticut in 1783, and died in 1861.

It was he who designed the accepted pattern of the United States flag, with its thirteen stripes and one star for each State.

The fifteen-striped flag, which it has been stated was carried through the War of 1812, remained the pattern until 1818, when the change referred to was made.
While engaged upon one of his successful cruises, Captain Reid put into the harbor of Fayal, one of the Azores, to provision his ship.