The Americans added one to this account. Captain Hull reported his loss at seven killed and seven wounded; or a total of fourteen casualties. Among the slain of the Guerriere, was her second lieutenant, and among her wounded, her captain, first lieutenant, master, etc. The Constitution lost her lieutenant of marines, the gallant Bush, and Morris was wounded, together with one other officer. Encumbered with so many prisoners, Hull now deemed it necessary to go into port. The ship had not received any material damage, but it was every way desirable to return home, for a short time at least. On reaching Boston, Hull gave up the ship, Bainbridge having had some time in his possession his orders to join her. It was September 15th, however, before the latter officer hoisted his broad pennant on board Old Ironsides.

The Constitution had been made a favorite ship under Preble, but this brilliant success added immensely to her favor with the nation. From this moment she became dear to every American, and it would have caused great pain to the entire Republic, had she fallen into the hands of the enemy. Still, there was no intention to keep her out of harm's way, in order to nurse her up as a thing merely to boast of. On the contrary, to sea she was immediately ordered again, and to sea she went, as soon as she could be got ready.

Bainbridge was to have a squadron, consisting of his own ship, the Constitution 44, the Essex 32, Capt. Porter, and the Hornet 18, Capt. Lawrence. The first and last of these vessels were at Boston, while the Essex was in the Delaware. Giving the last two places of rendezvous at different ports, the Commodore sailed, with the Hornet in company, October 26th, 1812. On this cruise there was necessarily some change of officers, in addition to that of the commanders. Morris having been promoted, George Parker, of Virginia, was ordered to the ship as her first lieutenant. Aylwin had been promoted to a lieutenant, and was junior of the ship. G. Campbell Read was transferred to the United States, and Wadsworth to the Adams, as her first lieutenant. This made the list of lieutenants read as follows, viz.: Parker, Hoffman, Shubrick, Morgan, and Aylwin. Of these, all but the senior-lieutenant had been in the ship since the commencement of the war.

The two ships were off St. Salvador, December 13th, having looked in vain for the Essex, at the appointed place of rendezvous. An English ship of war was lying in St. Salvador, and, in the expectation that she might be induced to come out, and engage the Hornet, Bainbridge left the latter ship alone, off the harbor, and stood along the coast to the southward, on the 26th of the month. Three days later, when in lat. 13 deg 6’ S. and long. 31 deg W., the Constitution saw two strange sail, in shore, and to windward. The smallest of these vessels continued to stand in for the land, which was then distant from the Constitution rather more than thirty miles; while the other, much the larger vessel of the two, edged away to take a nearer look at Old Ironsides.