Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-10-04
COPY
Head Quarters, Norfolk }
July ID 1918, s

SIR,
In obedience to your orders, proceed
ed yesterday with a flag of Truce to Admi-
| raj Warren in Hampton Roads, to whom
handed both the dispatch for himself and
that for Sir S. Beckwith.' The Admiral re-
ceived me with Civilty, and with MANY &C
acknowledgements for the terms of your let
ter. Sir Sidney was OIL shore at Old Point
Comfort. Feeling some difficulty about the
proprlety of delaying on board for his arri
val, was about to depart, but Admiral
| Warren expressed wish that | would re
main, saying that he would desire, no doubt.
to give a reply.
Sir Sidney did not arrive till s o'clock
He expressed great respect for the motives
that had actuated you, sir in the measures
which you were pursuing-they were more
than he des.red-it was sufficient, he said.
II your own mind was satisfied. He expires,
sed regret at the trouble that you had taken
and much Difference for your character
with resolution to vie with you in efforts,
TO confine future operations within the
bounds of humanity and the usaees of war
de said, in alIussion to the pretended Con
duct of our men at Craney Island, that il
proceeded no dGubt from few of the more
dls'rderiy. 1 denied the charge altogether,
as mad Gone IN my previous interview,
when 1t was made Inc justification of their
ontrages at Hampton, on the ground of re-
| taliation.
found that it was not his intention to give
to your dispatch written reply. BY the light
manner in which he glanced at the subject
OF your investigation, could perceive that
1t was pressed further than was desirable to
him. 1t was my wish however to be able
to report to yon the probability of like
course OF enquiry on his part, and en1mera-
% 10 tal nFo
Hampton. ] mentioned the pillage of the
town, and the wanton destruction of medi
cine. That individuals had been stripped
naked. A sick man stabbed twice Who was
in the Hospital. a sick man shot in his bed
at Pembroke, and in the arms of his wife
who was also shot al and wounded long aF
ter the defeat OF the troops, and Mr.. and
Mrs. Kirby-and fually the assault ON fe-
males. their being struck and personally a.
bused, and even violated
At the mention of the muder of Kirby and
the wound given to his wife Sir Sydney dis.
tinctly admUtedit. The others he appear
ed not to be acquainted with the particulars
OF, and expressed some concern at it. He
said that ne had however, on coming 10 a
knowledge of their conduct, immediately or
dered the embarkation of the troops tbat
were concerned, with a determination that
they should not again land, and that while
he was unable 20 control past event, the
responsibility Of recurrence should rest on
himself That the troops under his CON
mand were strangers to him on his arrival
here, and appealing to my knowledge of the
nature of the war in Spain, in which these
mer (meaning the French corps) he said had
been trained, told me they could not be re.
strained.
Thus far he tho't he could not give a more
convincing proof of the sincerity of his pro
fession than in the withdrawal of these
troops, and that he had moreover Jus, been
employed in finding new watering place o.
Back River, in order to remove from Hamp-
ton and to quiet the minds Of the iuha6i
.ants.
He assured me that in making such a
pledge as he was doing, it should not be light
" regarded-that he would either send a.
way these troops, or wait the arrival of n
theirs for new operations He concluded by
expressing hope that you, sir, would in flu
ture use no reserve in Comrnut eating any
subject Of improperly, and on his part that
he should certainly do so, with due regard
to the bberalty of your conduct. He hop
cd the subject was at rest. took nv leave.
have the honor 10 be, &c.
JOHN MYERS, Cohtain
and .4id de eaD,h.
Brig. Gen. RobeTt u. Taylor,
yNcTJ0LE