Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-03-09

shot, which vas warmly returned By them
from fort English, and sfnew battery Ii, .
tie to the westward but IS sooa Is our
boats arrived within good musket shot Of
their gAlGes, and boats they gave way and
retreated to the shore within, the rocks
and under. cover, Of musquetry from fors
English. They were followed by our
boats and BY the Syren, Argus, Vixen,
Nautilus and Enterprise as far q the reefs
would permit them to 60 with prudence.
The action was thea divided. One. divi-
sion of our boats with the brigs and schoon-
.ers attacked fort English, whist the other
was engaged with the enemy's xalHes and
gun boats. The Bashaw's castle, thu
Mole, Grown and several other batteries,
kept up constant FIRE on our bomb vessels.
which were well conducted, and threw
shells briskly into the town; from their
situation, they were very much exposed,
and in great danger Of being sunk. | as-
cordingly ran within them with the cous,i-
tuition to draw off the eneny's attention,
and an,use them whilst rae bombardmene
was kept up. oD
We broughseo within reach of grape,
and fired eleven broadsides ii the Ia.
shaw's castle, town and batteries, ina si-
tuation where more than 70 guns could
bear upon US. One of their batteries was
silenced. The town, castle and other bat.
teries considerably damaged. By this
time, it was half past four o'clock. The
wind was increasing and nclining rapidly
to the northward. made the signal for
the boats TO retire from artin,, and Tor the
briggs and schoeners 70 take them in. tow,
and soon after hauled off with the Conssi-
tuition to repair damages. Our msinsop
sail was totally disabled by shell from the
batteries, which cut away the leach rope
and several cloths of the sail. Another
shell went through the fore.top:sall, and
one through the jib. All our sails consi-
derably cut; the tepmasr backseays shot
away, maiu.sheet, tors-tssks, lifts, braces,
bowlines, and the running rigging general.
" very much cut, but no shot in our hull,
excepting few grape. Our gun boats
were an hour and fifteen minutes in action.
They disabled several of the enemy's gal.
lies and boats. and considerably damaged
fort English. Most of our boats received
damage in their rigging and sails. The
bomb vessel No. /, commaided by lieu
tenant Robinson was disAbled every
shroud being shots away; the bee Of the
mortar rendered useless, and the vessel
near sinking. She was however towed
off. About fifty shells were thrown into
the town, and our boats fred 400 round
shot, besides grape and canister. They
were led into action by captains Decatur
and Somers with their usual CALAMITY
The briggs and ,schooners were handsomely
conducted, and fred many shot with effect
at fort English, which they were near e.
nough to reach with their carronades.-
They suffered considerably in their rigging
and the Argus received 50 pound shot in
the hull forward, which Gu. offa bower ca-
bic as il entered. We kept under weigh
until II P. NJ. when We anchored, Tripo-
Ii bearing S S. wa leagues. I again
with pleasure acknowledge the services Of
an able and active officer in captain Chaun-s
cey, serving on the quarter deck ct the
Constitution. At sun rise made the sig
nal for the squadron to prepare for ACTION.
The carpenters were sent en- board the
bombs to repair damages, and our boats
employed in supplying the bombs aud gua.
boats with ammunition, and to replace tho
expenditures. Ito hceatsnued.l