Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-12-08
Postscript.
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Interesting information from our
SQUADRON OFF TRIPOLI,
From Liemt. SesoGv, If the Siren, to gene
neman Of !ohiiadeLhhiu.
" SYREN, OFF TRIPoLr,
August 9, 1904.

the Sd ms. when the weather became ia
vorable for cur operations accordingly. ut
2 O'Clock, p. NJ. the signal was made TO
prepare for battle. AT three O'Clock we
got within gun shot Of the batteries, and
cast eff the gun-boats and bomb kstches.
They advanced in line ahead, led OH by
Captain Stephen Decatur, and covered
by the Constitution and the brirs and
schooners. The enemy had seventeen
Sun-boats moored in line in front of the
batteries, and brig of Is and schooner
OF ten guns, to aid aud cover their boats.
The moments were anxious as we advance
ed--a discharge Of shells from the bomb
boats induced the enemy to open their fire,
which was heavy aud iuccssant, vet our
brave fellows advanced with ali possible in
trepidity through u shower Of grape shot.
When our gun boats go, within 20 yards
OF the enemy they discharged their great
guns loaded with forty pounds Of musket
balls, which was Immediately follow ed by
a voliey OF mnsketfy. This obliged Of
The gun boats, composing the eneiny's
right wing, 70 Cut their cables and retreat;
our boats then bore OPP for those 10 leeward
--Capt. Decatur boarded and carried the
first boat Lieutenant Trip boarded ard
earned the second, and lieutenant James
Decatur in the acl of carrying the third,
was Killed. Captain Decatur continued
down the lue and Carried the third-all
OF which were safely brought oil. The
attack continued an hour and an half
he urSs were driven out of Fort Fran.
Gals, aud must have suffered much from
our lire into the town as well as into their
he Of t,o
tire doing us so little damage was on ac-
count ct is being so badly dire cled. The
three gun-boats taken are excellent, TWO Of
them carry twenty six FOUNDER each, Of
brass, and the third an eighteen FOUNDER.
Lieutenant Trip, who carried Tie second
boat, received eleven sabre wounds, but
none OF them dangerous, and he is likely
TO do well.
"Oa the fifth we had the captured boats
rigged, and should have returned 10 The
attack, bat small Ere ach privateer, fnd-
ing her birth too warm IN the harbour.
came out; by her we learned that the e.
my had one boat sunk--aao,her lost two
thirds OF her crew, and ali The rest were
very much shattered; they also inform
ed us, that The enemy were empoY-
cd all night repairing their damages.
The pia forms Cf their batteries were
torn up, and cur unfortunate countiymen
were employed TO repair them. The
Commodore sent the plivaiecr back with
the wounded, and The next day she return
ed with letter from the French Consul.
bearinG strong marks Of pacific DISPOSE
ton. The Commodore however deter.
mined 10 attack them again the next day
to the westward. Accordingly on the Sc
veifil, at eight o'cIccSz a. NJ. the signal
was made 20 advance in ty7o lines, and Al.
tack the batteries. The morning was calm
and warni' which prevented our getting
IN before twelve o'clock, wEsn the euen,
opened their FIRE fem their batteries, and,
~ their confusion, Ere,! al least fay euns
without ball The bomb b.a,s got heir
position at halt rast tgcivc anchored 49,
Their position was wilhin point blank range
and' IN 4 lille lime they distnounted TWO
guns ~ the western battery and drove our
the enemy "a she'll was thrown into bat.
teIy Francois, which brrst and silcnced
their fire for nearly h,.lt an hour.
" At one O'Clock, Z. ri. he quarter
deck OF Gun-B2At No. nine, blew mn.
10y which event we have to- lament The
loss of Lieutenant Jcmss CaldnelI.
commander, and Mr.. Dorsey two pto.
missing young officers, and eight of
her crew mir. Spence (who was
sPnnEipg TIC Guuj with some o,hers. es-
capped Unhurt---they had uearl comcleat.
ed the loading Of the Gun, when he ,e.
rnairiag part IF the boat began TO sink.
ana the brave surviving few gave three
cheers as il went down. We iav abont
2coyards from her when She wen, down,
and my boats were irninedia ely dispatch.
ed and picked up those who survived.
J bis caused small cessation OF our fire
Tut 1t was, Only ciiary it was re.
newed With redoubled vipour, which
seemed 70 say ne qsW gvenge our b,cpe
C5DfGHioa$.
g Al Eve O'Clock The signal Of recall wac
made and The firing ceased; we as in the
o'her affair have suffered nothing Ike
what might be calculated on, owing IN
the bad management Of the enemy. we
have lost ON this occasion, two ofticers and
ten men and some wounded. 1t is tot
CERTAIN whether Cun-boat No. 9 blew an