Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1813-10-04

the Secretary Of the NAVY.
Y S. Schooner d,iel. Put in Bay,
18th Sept 1918.
SIR-In my last informed you that
we had captured the enemy's feet on
this lake have now the honor 10 give
you the most important particulars of
the action. On the morning ofthe 10th
Inst at sun rise, they were discovered
from Putin Bay, where lay at anchor
with the squadron under my command.
We got under weigh, the wind light at
s. w and stood Tor them At 10 A.
Nj. the wind hauled ) E and brought
MS to windward formed the line and
bore up. At 5 minutes before twelve,
the enemy commenced firing at S
minutes fefore twelve the action COM
menced on our part. Finding their fire
very destructive, owing to their long
guns, and its being mostly directed at
the Lawrence, made sail, and direct.
ed the other vessels to follow for the
purpose of closing with the enemy
Every brace & bowlne being soon shot
away she became manageable, not
wi,hstanding the great exeriions of the
sailing master In this situation she
sustained the action upwards of two
hours within canister distance, until
every gun was rendered useless, and
the rreu,er part of her crew either killed
or wounded Finding she could no Ion.
ger annoy the enemy, left her in
charge OF Lieut.. Yarnall, who, I was
convinced from the bravery already dis.
played by him, would do what would
comport with The honor of the fac. A,
half past two. the wind springing up,
capt. Ellio; was enabled To bring his
vessel. the Niagara, galantly into close
action Immediately went on board of
her, when he anticipated my wish by
volunteering 10 bring the schooners
which had been kept astern by the light.
ness OF the wind, into close action. 1t
was with unspeakable pain that saw,
soon after | go. on board the Niagara,
the hag OF the Lawrence come down,
although was perfectly sensible tina,
she had been defended to the last, and
that to have continued to make shew
oil resistance would have been a wanton
sacrifice Of the remains OF her brave
crew. But the enemy was not able to
take possession of her, and circumstsn.
ces soon permitted her flag again 10 be
hoisted. AT IS minutes past two the
signal was made for close action -
The Niagara being very little injured,
l determined 10 pass through the enc
my's line, bore up and passed ahead Of
their two ships and a brig, giving rak.
ing FIRE TO them from the slarboard
guns, and to large schooner and sloop,
from the larboard side at half pistol shot
distance The smaller vessels at this
time having got within grape and can
lister distance, under the direction of
capt Elliott, and keeping up well di.
recled fire, the two ships, brig and a
schooner surrendered, schooner and
sloop making vain attempt to escape.
Those officers and men who were i'm.
mediately under nv observation evinc
ed the greatest gallantry, and have no
doubt that all others conducted them
selves as became American officers and
sesmen. 1t Yarnall, first of the Law
renee, although several times wounded,
refused to quit the deck. Midshipman
Forrest tdoing duty as LII and sailing
master Taylor, were of great assistance
to me. | have great pain in stating to
you the death of 1t. Brooks of the ma
iines, and midshipman Laub, both Of
the Lawrence, and midshipman John
Clarke of the Scorpion they were val-
ueble and promising officers. MIR.
Hambleton, purser, who volunteered
his service, on deck, was severely
wounded late in the action. Midship.
men Claxton * Swartwout of Law
renee, were severely wounded. ON
board Of the Niagara, 1t, Smith and Ed.
wards, and midshipman Webster, (do-
ing duty as sailing mastery behaved in
a very handsome manner. Capt Bre.
WORT of the ARMY, who acted us a volun.
teer in the capacity of marine officer,
on board that vessel, is an excellent and
brave officer, and with his muske,ry did