Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-11-12

nose which have purchased ard am fitting
rat, should be sOle To meet the remand, r
Of the British force on the upper lakes, an,
save an incalcuiable expence and labor I,
the government. On the morning of thei'
arrival heard that our seamen were bu
a short distance from this place, and dis
patched an express 20 the officers directing
them TO use all possible dispatch ia gettin,
their men to this place, as ! had important
service to perform. On their arrival, which
was about II O'Clock, discovered that the,
had only 20 pistols and neither cutlasses OF
battle axes. But on application TO generals
Smyth and Hal of the regulars and militia
was supplied with few arms, and general
oniysh was so sood on my request as imme
sdia'eiy to detsch FIFTY men from the regulars,
armed with muskets.
BY O'Clock in the afternoon had nv
meu selected and stationed IN two boats,
which i had previously prepared for the pur-
pose.-NYith these boats, so men in each.
and under circumstances very disadvantage
Gus, my men having scarcely had time to
refresh themselves after fatiguinS march
of 500 miles, put of from the mouth of Buff
faloe creek, at O'Clock the following morn
ing, and at | was along side the vessels
In the space OF about ten minutes had the
prisoners all secured, the top sails sheeted
home, and the vessels uE,ler way. Unfortu-
nateiy the wind was not sufficiently strong to
get me up against rapid current into the
lake, where had understood another arm
ed vessel lay at anchor. and was obliged to
run down the river by the forts, under a hea-
Wy IRE of round, grape and canister, from a
number Of pieces ofheavy ordnance and Sc
veral pieces of flying artillery, was compel
led to anchor at distance OF about 400 wards
from two of their batteries. After the dis
charge of their first gun, which was from the
fiyi;5, artillery, hailed the shore, and OH
served to the officer, that if another gun was
fred would bring the prisoners on deck and
expose them to the same fate we should all
! share--but notwithstanding, they disregard
ed the caution and continued a constant and
destructive fire. One single moments re-
hection determined me not TO Commit an
act that would subject me to the imDutation
otbarbartv. The Catalonia had been beach
ed, in as safe position az the circumstan-
ces would admit of. under one of our bate
res at Black Rock. ] now brought all the
guns of the Detroit on one side next the en-.
envy, stationed the men at them, and direct
ed a fire which was continued as long as our
ammunition lasted and circumstances per
mitted. During the contest endeavored to
get the Detroit on our side by sounding .
line, there being no wind on shore, witt. all
the line could muster bat the current i've
ing 20 strong, the boat could not reach the
shore. | then hailed cur shore, and request
ed that warps would &c made fast on land, and
sent on board the attempt to all which again
proved useless. As the fire was such as
would, in all probability, sink the vessel in a
short time, determined to drift down the
river out of reach If the batteries, and make
stand against the flying artillery. accor-
dinghy cut the cable. made sail with very
light airs, and atthat inst. discovered thatthe
pilot had abandoned NE. ! dropped astern
Tor about lCinmutes, when was brought up-
On our shore on Squaw Island--go, the board
ing boat ready, had the prisoners put in and
sent on sh"rc, with directions for the officer
20 retura sor me and what property we ceuld
get from the hrig.--He did nos return, ow-
ing to the difficulty Of the boats getting on
shore. Discovering q skifF under the. coun-
ter, | put the four remaining prisoners il,
the boat, and with my oiicersI went on
shore,to bring the boat ofr. asked for pro-
lection TO the brig, of lieut.. coz. Scott who
readily gave It. AT this moment discover
ed & beat with about 20 soldiers from the
British side, making Tor the brig. They got
on boa d, bnt was soon compelled to abandon
her. with the loss OF nearly ali their men,
During the whole of this morning bcth sides
of the river kept up alternately continual
ilrc on the brig, and so much injured her that
1t was impossible 20 have iloated her. Be
fore had left her she had several heal
shot OF large size II her bends, her sails in
ribbonds, and rigging all cut to pieces.
To my officers and men feel under great
obligation. To capt. Towson and lieutenant
Roach Of the I'd regiment of artillery, ensign
Freshman of the infantry. capt. Chaplin, Mr..
John M'Comb, Messrs John Town, Tho
mas Dam, Peter Overstocks & James Sloan.
resident gentlemen of Buffalo,, fortheir soldi-
er and sailor like conduct. In word, sir,
every man fought as il with their hearts an.
mated only by the interest and honor Of their
country.
The prisoners have turned over TO the
military. The Detroit mounted six pound
long guns, commanding lieut.. marines,
boatswain and gunner, and So men--about
80 American prisoners, on board, musIets,
pistols, cutlasses, and battle axes. In board
ing her / lost one man, one officer wounded
Mr.. J Ohm e.. Cummings, acting midshipman,
bayonet through the leg---his con-
duct was correct, and deserves the notice
of the department. The CALEDONIA mount
ed two small guns, blunderbusses, pistols,
muskets, cutlasses, and boarding pixies, in
Gliding officers, 10 prisoners on board. The
boat boarding her commanded by sailing
master George Watts, performed his duty
| IN mastery stiis. But one man killed, and
four wounded, badly, am afraid mortaIly.
enclose you let Of the officers and men
engaged in the ebcrprize and also n view Of
| the lake and river in the different situations
OF attack. In a day or two shall forward
tho names Of the prisoners. The Caledonia
belongs to the n. w. company. loaded with
furs, worth understand two hundred thou
sand dollars.
With sentiments OF respect, have the