Star. — London, England, 1813-07-12 00:00:00

MR p. , - FROM SATURDAY NIGHT'S GAZETTE. IN CONTINUATION F3Oll THE PRECEDING I AQE. AbMIRALTY-OFFICE, JULY 10, 1;13. Copy of a Letter from Admiral Sir John Borlase Warretr, Bart. and K. B. ?cc. to John Wilson Croker, Esq. dated at Bermuda, the 28th May, Isis. SIR—I request you will inform their Lordships, that after the capture of the American privateers on the 3d of April, by the boats of the squadron, I con tinued my course up the Bay, and being of opinion that a light flotilla of small vessels would be of essen tial use in cutting off the enemy's supplies, and de stroying their foundries, stores, and public works, by penetrating the rivers at the head of the Chesapeake, I directed - Rear-Admiral Cockburn to take under his orders the Maidstone, Fantome, Mohawk, Highflyer, and three of the prize armed schooners ; and the Rear-Admiral having selected a detachment, com posed of 180 seamen, and 200 marines, from the 4aval brigade of the squadron, together with Lieu tenant Robertson, of the Royal Artillery, and a small detachment of that corps, which General Horsford, the Lieutenant-Governor of Bermuda, had been so - kind, at my request, to permit to serve with me in the squadron, the whole proceeded upon the above ineutioned service. I herewith inclose a report of the operations of the advanced squadron, from which their Lordships will observe, that the enterprise was conducted with dis tinguished ability and gallantry under Rear-Admiral Cockburn, and most zealously and bravely executed by the Captains Burdett, Lawrence, and Byng, their Officers and men ; and I trust, that when their Lord ships consider that this service was performed in the interior of the enemy's country, where the detach ment was frequently opposed by superior force, and in adifficult and unknown Sayigation, that the beha viour of the Officers and men will entitle them to their 4., oralips favour and approbation. I have the honour to be, &c. (,Signed) JOHN sonfAse WARREN, admiral of the Blue and Commander-In-Chief. His Majesty s Sloop Fautome, in the Elk River, Y9tla April,lBl3. Sot—T have the honour to acquaint you, that hay. lag yesterday gained information of the depot of flour (alludes, to ineyour dispatch of the 23d inst.) being with some lalitary and other stores situated at a place called French Town, a considerable distance op the River Elk, I caussd his Majesty's brigs Fan tome and Mollawk, and the Dolphin, Racer, and Higliflyer tenders to be moored, yesterday evening,' as far within the entrance of this river as could be prudently effected atter dark; and at eleven o'clock last night the detachment of marines, now in the ad vanced squadron, consisting of about one hundred and fifty men, under Captains Wyborn and Carter, of that corps, with five artillerymen under First Lieu tenant Robertson of the Artillery, who eagerly vo lunteered his valuable assistance on this occasion, proceeded in the bo.its of the squadron, the whole being tinder the immediate direction of Lieutenant G. A. Westphal', First of the Marlborough, to take • and destroy the afore s aid s t ores , t h e Iligliflyer tender, under the command of Lieutenant I'. Lewis, being directed to follow, for the support and protection of the boats, as far and as closely as he might find it practicable. Being ignorant of the way, the boats were unfor tunately led up the Bohemia River, instead of 'keep , ing in the Elk, and it being day-light before this er ror was rectified, they therefore did not reach the des tined place till bet Ween eight and Hine o'clock this morning, which occasioned the enemy to have Tull' 'warning of their approach, and gave him time to collect his force and make his arrangements for the defence of his stores and town ; for the security of which a six-gun battery had lately been erected, and from whence a heavy five was opened on our boats; The moment they approached within its react . ; but the launches v..ith their carronades, under the orders of Lieutenant Nicholas Alexander, First of the Dra gon, pulling resolutely up to the Work, keeping up at the same time a constant and well-directed fire on it, and the marines being in the act of disembarking on the right, the Americans judged it prudent to quit • their battery, -and to retreat precipitately into the country, ab.ii.doning to their fate French Town and its depots of sti.res ; the whole of the latter, there tore, consisting of much dour, a large quantity of army clothing, of saddles, bridles, and Wier equip. ments of civalry, ;cc. ifcc. &c. together with various articles of mercbandiqe, were in mediately set fire to and entirely consumed, as were five vessels lying near, the place; and the guns of the battery being too heavy to bring away, were disabled as effectually as pos.' sible by Lieutenant Robertson and his artillerymen; atter u hich, my orders being completely filifilled, the I boats returned dove n the river without molestation, I and I am happy to add, that one seaman, of the Maidstone, wounded in the arm by a grape-shot, is the only casualty we have sustained. • To Lieutenant O. A Westphal', who has so gal lantly cor..ucted, and so ably executed this service, my highest er:contium and best acknowledgements are clue ; and I trust, Sir, you will deem him to have also thereby merited your favourable consideration and make.' . . _ . ... . . It is likewise my pleasing duty to acquaint you, that he speaks in the highest terms of 'the zeal and good conduct of every officer and man employed with him on this occasion ; but particularly of the very great assistance he derived from Lieutenant Robertson, of the Artillery, Lieutenant Alexan der of the Dragon, Lieutenant Lewis of the High flyer, and captains Wybourn and Carter of the Itoy,al Marines. I hake now anchored the above-mentioned brigs and tenders near a farm on the right bank of this river, where there appears 'to be a consideiablc quan tity .1 'cattle, which I intend embarking for the use of the Yl.c t under sour con :nand anu if I meet with no resistance or impeuiment in so doitig, I shall give ,the owner bills on thi, Victualling Office for the fair 'valug of whatsoever is so taken i but should reiis lattice be made, I shall 'consider them as prize of war, wilt:4l I tryst will meet with your approbation f and I purpose taking on board a lurtl.er supply for the Beet ti.mi.iroW, on siniilar ttru.s, frozp Spriucie Vies a little below Havre de Grace, Which I have been ;plus/lied is also well stocked- I have tl.e fonour to be, Bc,c: (Si ;nets) • G. C . mania: , Rear-Admiral. To tie 16ra Hikourable Admiral Sir J. • 1 Warreb, Bait Btc. &c:•{4.4' • ' His Majesty's ship Maidstone, Tuesday eiglit, ltd May, 18t 3, at Anchor off Turkey Point. Sin—l have the honour in inform you, that whilst anchoring the brigs and tenders off Spesucie island, agreeable to my intentZons notified to you in my offi cial report of the 29th ultimo, No. 10, .T observed guns fired and American colours hoisted at a battery lately erected at Havre de Grace, at the entrance of the Susquehanna river ; this of course immediately gave to the place an importance which I had not before attached to it, and I therefore determined on attacking it after the completion of our operations at, the island ; consequently having sounded in the di rection towards it, and found that the shallowness of the water would only admit of its being approached by boats, I directed their assembling under Lieutenant Westphal' (first of the Marlborough) last night at 12 o'clock, alongside the Fantorne, when our detach ments of marines, consisting of about 1.50 men, (as before) under Captains Wybourn and Carter, with a small party of artillerymen, under Lieutenant Ro bertson, of the artilled, embarked in them, and the whole being under the immediate direction of Cap tain Lawrence, of the Fantorne, (who with much zeal and readiness took upon himself; at my request, the conducting of this service) proceeded towards Havre, to take up under cover of the night, the ne cessary positions for commencing the attack at dawn of day. • The Dolphin and Highflyer tenders, commanded by Lieutenants Hutchinson and Lewis, followed for the support of the boats, but the shoalness of the wa ter prevented their getting within six miles of the place. Captain Lawrence, however, having got up with the bOats, and having very ably and judiciously placed them during the dark, a warm fire was opened on the place at day-light from our launches and rocket-boats, which was smartly returned from the battery for a short time, but the launches constantly closing with it, and their fire rather increasing than decreasing, that from the battery soon began to slacken, and Captain Lawence observing this, very judiciously directed the landing of the marines on the left, which movement, added to the hot fire they were under, induced the Americans to commence withdrawing from the battery, to take shelter in the town ; Lieutenant G. A. Westphall, who had taken his station in the rocket boat close :o the battery, therefore now judging the moment to be favourable, pulled directly up under the work, and landing with his boat's crew, got immediate possession of it, turned their own guns on them, and thereby soon obliged them to retreat with their whole force to the furthest extremity of the town, whither (the marines having by this time landed) they were closely pursued, and no longer feeling themselves equal to a manly and open resistance, they commenced a teasing and irri tating fire from behind the houses, walls, trees, &c. from which, I am sorry to say, my gallant First Lieutenant received a shot through his hand, whilst leading the pursuing party. He, however, continued to bead the advance, with which he soon succeeded in dislodging the whole of the enemy from their lurking places, and (hiving them from shelter to the neighbouring wcods, and whilst performing which service, he had the satisfaction to overtake, and with his remaining hand to make pi iso ner, and bring in a Captain of their Militia.. We also took an Ensign and some armed individuals, but the rest of the force which had been opposed to us,i having penetrated into the woods, I did not judge it prudent to allow of their being further followed with our small numbers, therefore after setting fire to some of the houses, to cause the proprietors ( who had de serted them, and formed part of the militia who had fled to the wood) to understand and feel what they were liable to bring upon themselves, by building batteries and acting towards us with so much useless rancour. I embat ked in the boats the gems from the battery, and having also taken and destroyed about ' 130 stand of small arms, I detached a small division of boats up the Susquehanna, to take and destroy whatever they might meet with in it, and proceeded myself with the remaining boats ander Captain Law rence, in search of a cannon foundry, which I had gained intelligence of, whilst on shore in Havre, as being situated about three or four miles to the north ward, where we found it accordingly, and getting possession of it without difficulty, commenced in stantly its destruction, and that of the guns and other materials we found there, to complete which, occu pied us during the remainder of the day, as there were several buildings and much complicated heavy machinery attached to it. It was known by the names of the• Cecil or Principio Foundery, and was one of the most valuable works of the kind in America ; the destruction of it, therefore, at this moment, will, I trust, prove of much national importance. In the margin* I have stated the ordnance taken and disabled by our small division this day, during the whole of which we have been on shore in the centre of the enemy's country, and on his high road between Baltimore and Philadelphia. The boats which I sent up the Susquehanna, returned atter de stroying five vessels in it, and a large store of flour ; when every thing bring completed to my utmost wishes, the whole division re-embarked and returned to the ships, where we arrived at ten o'clock, after being tweuty-two hours in constant exertion, without nourishment of' any kind, and I have much pleasure hi being able to add, that, excepting Lieutenant West phall's wound, we have not suffered any casualty whatever. The judicious dispositions made by Captain Law. rence, of the Fantome, dt„ring the preceding night, and the able manner in which he conducted the at tack of Havre in the morning, added to the gal lantry, zeal, and attention shewn by him dining this whole day, most justjy entitle him to my highest encomiums and acknowledgements, and will, Ltrust, ensure to him your approbation ; and I have the pleasure to add, that he speaks in the most favour. able manner of the good conduct of all the Officers and men employed in the boats under his itnmediate orders, particularly of Lieutenants Alexander and Reed, of the Dragon and Fantome, who each eom. rnanded a division; of Lieutenant G. A. Westpiilll, whose exemplary and gallant conduct it has been necessary for me already to notice in detailing to you the operations of the day, I shall only now add, that for a thcrough knowledge of his titer.its • Taken frc.ns the battery at 1-favie-do-Grace—six guns, 12 and 6-potititts.—Disablecrin the battery for tratection of founder y, give visa. 24-pounders.-Ilizabled, ready fur sending away fi inn founderx, twenty-right Kins, 32-pounders,- ! -Disabied in boring house and foUndery, eight guns and four :arronades, of ditletkilt Cilibres,”-Total, 51 VW, and - 130 stand of Aram (he having served many years with me as Tint Liau•l tenant) I always, on similar occasions, expect much from him, but this day he even outstripped those ex pectations, and though in considerable 'pain from his wound, he insisted on continuing to assist me to the last moment with his'able exertions. I therefore, Sir cannot but entertain a confident hope that his services of to-day, and the wound he has received, added to what he so mccessfully executed at French Town (as detailed in my letter to you of the 29th ult.) will ob tain for him your favourable consideration and notice, and that of my Lords Commissioners bf the Admi ralty. I should be wanting injustice did I not also men. tion to you particularly the able assistance again at. forded me by Lieut. Robertson, of the artillery, who is ever a volunteer where service is to be performed, arid always foremost in performing such service, being equally conspicuous for hi; gallantry and ability ; and he also obliged me by superintending the destruction of the ordnance taken at the foundery. To Captains Wybourn and Carter, who commanded the marines and shewed much skill in the management of them, every praise is likewise due, as are my acknowledg ments to Lieutenant Lewis, of the Highflyer, who, not being able to bring his vessel near enough to ren der assistance, came himself with his usual active zeal to offer his personal services—and it is my pleasing duty to have to report to you in addition, that all the other officers and men seemed to vie with each other in the cheerful and zealous discharge of their duty ; and I have therefore the satisfaction of recommend ing their general good conduct on this occasion to your notice accordingly. (Signed) G. Cocicnt:L.s, Rear-Admiral. To the Rift: on. Admiral Sir J. B. Warren, Bart. • His Majesty's ship Maidstone, ott the Sasafras River, May 6, 1813. SIR-I have the honour to acquaint you, that, un derstanding Georgetown and Frederickstown, situated Zip the Sasafras River, were places of some trade and importance, and the Sasafras being the only river or place of shelter for vessels at this upper extremity of tne Chesapeake, which I had not examined and clear ed, 1 directed last night the assembling of the boats alongside the Mohawk, from whence with the marines, as before, under Captains Wybourn and Caruso, with my friend Lieutenant Robertson, of the artillery, and his small party, they proceeded up this river, being placed by me for this operation, under the immediate directions of Captain Byng, of the Mohawk. I intended that they should arrive before the above mentioned towns by dawn of day, but in this I was frustrated by the intricacy of the river, our total want of local knowledge in it, the darkness of the night, and the great distance the towns lay up it ; it therefore unavoidably became late in the Morning before we approached them, when, having inter. cepted a small boat with two of the inhabitants, 1 directed Captain Byng to halt our boats about two miles below the town, and I sent forward the two Americans in their boat to warn. their countrymen against acting in the same rash manner the people of Havre de Grace had done, assuring them if they slid, that their towns would inevitably' meet with a similar fife ; but, on the contrary, if they did not attempt resistance, no injury should be done to them or their towns ; that vessels and public property only would be seized ; that the strictest discipline would be main tained, and that whatever provisions or other property of individuals I might require for the use of the squa dron, should be instantly paid for in its fullest va.ue after having allowed sufficient time for this message to be digested, and their resolution taken thereon, I directed the boats to advance, and I am sorry to say I soon found the more unwise alternative was adopteJ, for, on our reaching within about a mite of tile town, between two priijectilig elevated points of the river, most heavy fire of musketry was opened n us from about 400 men, divided and entreneheo on the two opposite banks, aided by one lung gun : the iaanclie; and rocket-boat smartly returned tills tire with good effect, and witn the oti,ei 0: -, a.s and the marines I pushed ashore immediately above the enemy's posi• lion, there!), ensuring toe capture of his towns or toe bringing him to a decided -action; be determined, however, not to risk the litter; for the moment he dis cerned we itad gained the shore, and th.t Los. marines had fixed their bayonets, lie tied with his whole force to the woods, and was neither ssen or heard of after wards, though several parties were aent out to ascer tain w hether he had taken up any new position,or what had become of him : I gave him, however, the morti fication of seeing, from wherever he had had himself, that I was keeping my word with respect to the towns, which (excepting the houses of those who had continued peaceably in them, and had taken no part in•she attack made on us) were forthwith desuoyed, as were low vessels lying in the river, and some stores of sugar, of lumber, of leather, and other merchandise ; I then directed the re-embarkation of our small force, and we proceeded down the river again to a town I had observed, situated in a branch of it, about half way up, and here I had the satisfaction to find that what had passed at Havre, Georgetown, and Frederickstown, had its effect, and led these people to understand that they have more to hope tor from our generosity than from erecting batteries and opposing us by means within their power; the inhabitants of this place having met me at landing, to say they had not per mitted either guns or militia to be stationed there, and that whilst there I should not meet with any opposition whatever ; 1 thgretore landed with the Officers and a small guard only, and having aster. tained that there was no public property of any kind or warlike stores, and having allowed of such articles as we stood in need of being embarked in the boats, on payment to the owners of their tull Value, t again re-eta:barked, leaving the people of this place well pleased With the wisdom of their de. Lei Initiation on their mode of receiving us; I also had a deputation from Chariestown, in the North-east River, to assure me that that place is considered by them at your mercy, and that nuttier guns pr militia men shidi be, suffered there, and as 1 4/11 assured that all the places in the upper part of the Chesapeake have auopted similar resolutions, and as there is now neither public property, vessel;, nor warlike pores re: maining in tins neighbourhood, 1 purpose returning to you with the light squadron to-morrow morning, 1 am sorry to say, the hot fire we were under this morning, cost us five men wounded, one only, how eVer, severely ; and I have moos iratislaction in being able again to bear testimony to von, of the zeal gas lant;y, at.si good conduct of the different officers and men serving in thi3di . visism. To Captain I.3yng, of the Idloisawk, who conducted the various arrangements on this occasion, with equal skill and bravery, every possible praise is most justly due; as well as to Cap. tains Wybourn and Carter, Lieut. Robertson, of the artillery, and Lieut. Lewis, of the Hightlyer ; Lieute. nant Alexander, of the Dragon, the senior officer un. der Captain Bang , in command of the b oa t s , d eserves also that I should - particularly notice him to you for his steadiness, correctness, and the great ability with which he always executes whatever service is entius. ted to him ; and I must beg permission to seize this opportunity of stating to you how much I have been indebted since on this service, to Captain Burdett, of ' this ship, who was good enough to receive me on board the Maidstone, when I found it impracticable to advance higher in the Marlborough, and has inva t riably accompanied tete on every occasion whilst di. setting these various operations, and rendered me al. ways the most able, prompt, and efficacious assis tance. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed. G. COCKBURN, Rear Admiral. To the Right Honourable Admiral Sir J. B. Warren, Bart. K. B. &c. Sr.c. &c. Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren has transmitted, to John Wilson Croker, Esq. a letter from Captain Pigot, of his Majesty's ship Orpheus, to Captain Sir Thomas Hardy, of the Ramillies, giving an account of the destruction of the Wampoe, American letter of marque, of eight guns, by the boats of the Orpheus, under Lieutenant William Martin Collins, and acting Lieutenant Dance, on the 28th of April last, off Block Island. The vessel having been run on shore, was boarded and set on fire under a severe fire of musketry from the rocks, by which Lienteaant Col lins (the only person hurt) was unfortunately mor. tally wounded. The Admiral has also transmitted a letter from Captain Sir Thomas Hardy, stating the destruction, by the Orpheus, cf the Holkar American privateer of 20 guns, off Rhode Island, on the llth of May. And in a letter, dated the 16th May, Sir John Warren reports the capture of an American schooner, called the Vesta, from Bourdeaus, attempting to pass up the James River, by the boats of the blockading squadron. LIST Or CAPTCRILI MAGI ST TIE CSASMig. UM', PROM MARCH 22D TO JVNI OOTH, NOT TIT 0/2ITTED. American schooner Tyger, of 4 guns, 25 men, and 265 tons, from Bourdrauz, bound to New-York, lades with brandy, wine, and silks, captured by the Medusa, Iris, Scylla, and Whiting schooner, March 22,1819. American ship Fero:, of 7t guns, 19 men, and 459 tons, from Charlestown, bound to Bourdesux , laden with cotton, captore ed by the Medina and Lyra, Marsh 28, 11113. American schooner Polly, of 7 men and 114 tons, from Boston, bound to Whoa, laden with fish, captured by the SurveUlaute, March 93, 1813. American schooner Eliza, of 4 guns, 16 men, and 150 tons, from New York, bound to Bourdeaux, laden with cotton, potash, •Scc. captured by the Suntillante. Ins, and Medusa, March 27. American bng Essex, of 4 guns, $2 men, and 294 tons, from Boston, bound to Rochelle, laden wisp cotton , capture d dal Pyramus and Goldfinch, April 4, 1813. American ship Qooil Friends, of 4 guns, IS men, and 246 tons from Charlestown bound to Bourdeaux, laden wi:h cot t on and hides, captured by the Andromache and Sealark, April 2. American brig Lightning, of 15 men and 179 tons, from Phila. delphis, bound to Bourdeaux, laden with cotton and fish, cap. tured by the Medusa, Iti., Sparrow, and Bramble, March 31. American schooner Young Holkar, of 2 guns, 9 £nen and 14S tons, Irons Charlestown, hound to Names, laden with cotton, captured bp the Saperb and Rota, April (0, 1813. French brig 11 'mule, of 6 men and tat toils, from Sab'eS D'Olonne, bound to Bayonne, laden with salt, captured 4 , the Hannibal, Bulwark. It Sovereign, Conques adur, and Asit! • row, April 4, 1813. American ship Magdalen, of 9 guns, 20 men, and 255 tons, front the Maine, bourn! to New York, 4/den with brandy anti Nisirgar, captured by the Superb, Pyramus, R o ver, nod Fancy cutter, Aptil 15, 18IS. Pru-s.an galut bighead, of 4 men and tCO tons, from Ma. :inn( s, bound to S'ettln, laden with salt. captured by the Dint patch, Apr I 3, ISIS. American br.g neida, of 9 men and 168 tons, from New York, beau to St. Sebastian' , lad. n with cotton, rice, &d. captured by the Sparrow, March 21, 18.3. English recaptured schooner Equity, of 6 men and SS was, from 'o.adetra, bound to Loudon, laden with wine, captunkl by dos In., April i 5, £Bl3. American recapture.. -hip Mount Hope, of 16 men and 284 tons, :rum Clar.estown, bound to Cade:, laden with rice, captured by t e aurveillaute and Andromeda, May S. 1813. American schooner Miranda. of 6 men and 104 tons, from Rhode Island, bound to Matanzas, laden with lumber, captur. ed by the Liiitl4l‘,, May 21. Amenc;n schooner Hannah Eliza, of 2 guns, 11 men, and 141 tons, from Bayonne, bound to New York, laden with sulky, oil, madder, &c. captured by the Lyn, May 29, 1818. American schooner Governor(errry, of 6 guns, 18 men, and 225 tons, from (.'Orient, bound to New York, laden with brandy • and win_ ,e captured by the Royalist and kart Wit . Vincent pre. rawer, May 31, 1813. GaUiot, name unknown, laden with wine, &c. captured by the • Cooques•ador and Basque Roads squadron, samedate. French chase claret Prudent, of bit tons, from Bourdeaus, bound to Brest, laden with b randyi and wine, captured by the Goldfinch, Bulwark, Royal Sovereign, Clarence, and Magnifi. cent, June 9, IBIS. American brig Joseph, of 2 guns, 13 men. and 160 tons, from Bayonne, bound to Boston, laden with brandy, wine, .ilks, and oil, captured by the Ids, June 8, 1613. (Signed) a K f ITU, Admiral. Copy of a Peter from Rear-Ai4lnd Preentando to John Wilson Croker, Esq. dated cm board . his Majesty's ship Milford, at Lissa, May 1,1813. SIR—In having the honour of forwarding, for the information of the j.ords commissioners ot the Ad. miralty, Captain Black's Report of his Attack. on an enemy's convoy near Sclatro, it is my duty to repre. sent what his modesty • s not allowed hint to make an official report ot, namely, that he is himself badly wounded by a musket-ball, which passed through hi 4 right hand, and now confines him. Having made it my business to inquire and czar mine into all the particular, I can have no hesitation in saying, that niany'would'have undertaken the en terprise, but few vessels, under such circumstances, could have been extricated from such force, and sucli difficulties as wae opposed to their. Much credit is doe to Captain Black, his officers, and ship's company, fiir t:►e►r gallat►try, as well ac for their perseverante and steadiness on this occasion. (Signed) Tiles. FRAS. Ftakl A His Majesty's ship Wenle. April £6. 1816. leave to report to yi th that while mi. : zing in his Majesty's stoop under my commotion in pursuance of your orders of the 10th inst. at do -high; of the 22d, the island of Zirnna, betting W. S. W. distant about tour miles, we discovered a ci.aooy close to the Main land, making fur the ports of u And 6palatrp, to which we imtueoitAiely gave chore ; .is we came up they separated in different airectioos, Lhe greater part, with ten gun boats, bore up fo4 the day of 13nscaline ; these we continued chasintz un et. 411 soil ;' At half-past 5 A.M. they anchored in lit about a mile from the shore, hoisted their Frai L lours, and commenced firing at us the wad 'I if i