Thomas Byron’s Narrative of the Cruises of the U.S. Frigate Constitution

Thomas C. Byron served as a Marine fifer on USS Constitution and composed this narrative in 1861 as an older man, looking back on the ship’s actions during the War of 1812. He was present for Constitution’s three major battles, which he describes, as well storms, visits to foreign ports, brief political commentaries, and his opinion of “Old Ironsides” and his shipmates.