The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-07-08

cntiy 10 10 their outys resolved 10 conQuor. aad
better opportunity of discovering their actions
than any one else. being in my boat the whole Of
the action. am. sc. JOHN CAssiN
Navy Yard, Gasnors, Jane %, 1878.
SIn--l have the honor 20 irfcsm yon that on the
s20th. the enemy got under way in al IS sail. and
dropped up 10 the mouth Of James River. one ship
bearing flag at the ubxen. At S, p. M. we're dis.
wered making great preparations with troops for
landing, having number OF boass for the purpose
Finding Crarey Island Father weakly manned Capt
Tarbell directed Licutenants Neale, Shub,ic, and
Sanders, with 100 sesren, shore, AZ IL, 4. NJ 10
a-zmall battery on the w. w. point of the island.
Tuesday, 22d, at the dawn, the enemy were dis
covered landing rourd the point of Nansemond Riy-
er, said TO be HOO troops and. AZ 8. A. NJ. the
barges attempted TO land in front of the Island out
OF the reach of the shot from the sun-Joats when
Lieutcnants Neale. Shubrick and Sanders. with tLc
sailors, aud Il, breckenridge, with the marines. Of
thc constellation, $50 in numbcr opened their ffe,
which was well directed that the enemy werc
glad to get oh. after sinking three Of their largest
boats. One of them, called the Centipedc, Admiral
Wsrrens boat: SC feet In length, carried rs men,
the greater port OF whom were lost by her sinking.
Twenty sailors and soldiers were saved, and the
boat hauled up. From the boats that were sunk. Il
presume there were 40 prisoners. The troops that
were landed fell back in the rxar of the island, aud
commenced throwing Rockets from Mr.: Wise's
house, when gun-boot No. 64 irrrw a. few shot over
InaS way. they uiSpcr5cu ana Went Dnc k2
We have had all day deserters fro,n tho enemy
coming in. have myself ,aken in 25, and 10 prs.
oners belonging to The Centipede.
The others OF the Constellation fired their l8-
pounder more like rihemen than,arsillerists new
er saw such shooting, and seriously believe they sar
ved the Island In tie evening the boats came round
the point OF Nansemond, and, at suuset wcre. seen
returning TO tAir ships. full OF men. AT dusk they
strewed the shore along with fires in order 90 run
AWAY by the light. have the honor co be, Sc.
JOHN CAs9IN.
The Hon. WV. Joyss, Secretary Of the Navy.
June 1S.
Coty Of letter from L.. Bndd TO TIE cecrs.
sory n fhe Navy, dated
HALIFAX, June IS, 1919.
SrR-Thc unfortunate death Of Capt. james
Lawrence and L,. Augus,os e. LUDLOW, has
rendered it my duty 10 inform you of the cap
turc OF the late United States frigste Chcsa-
Psakc.
On Tuesday, June Isl, a, A. NJ. we un-
moorsd cur ship, and at meridian got under
way from Presidents Roads, with light
wind from the soaihward and westward, and
proceeded ON cruise. A ship was then in
sight in the ofiing, which mad the appearance
Of ship of war, and which, from Information
received from the pilot-boais and craft, we
bcleycd to be the British frigatc Shannon.
We'made sail in chaec and cleared ship for.
sc,ioo. AT half pasts4, P. Nj. she hove tpo
with hcrhead to the southwark and eastward.
All s, r. NJ. took in the royals and top gall
laot Sails, nnd st half past s hauled the colr-
acs up About Is minutes before &, the act
son commenced within pistol SHOT. The
Arst brondside did great execution on both
sides, damaged our rigging, and killed among
others, Nj. Whits the sailing master, and
wounded Capt. Lawrence. In about ~ min
utes sfter the conimencemcn nt of the action,
Ne fell on board The enemy ADD Immediately
aftcr, one Of our artn chests on The quarter
deck was blown up by hand grenade thrown
from the snemy's ship. In few minutes
one Of the captain's aids came on the qua.
6eek TO inform Ins that the boardcrs were
called. Immediately called the hoarders a.
Hay and proceeded 70 the spar deck, where
found that the encuiy bad succeeded in board
ing US, and had gaitcd possession Of our
quarter deck. Immediately gave orders to
haul on board the fore tack, for the purpose
os shooting the ship clear Of the enerny, and
then made au atteIpt TO regain the quarter
deck but was wounded and thrown down on
the gun deck. again made an effort 10 toi-
Iect the boarders, but in the mean
time the ehcmy had gained complete
possession Sf tho ship. On my being carried
down into the cockpit, there found Captain
Lawrence and Lieut.. Ludlow both moriaiiy
wounded; the former had been carried be-
Ia. previous to the ships being boarded the
latter was wounded in attempting to repel the
boarders. Among those who fell carly 10 thc
action werc MIR. Edward J. Ballard, 4th lieut..
(, hcrein enclose to you return OF ibe Kill.
ed aud wounded, BY which you will perceive.
that every officer. upon wtom tue charge Of
the ship would desolve, vas either killed or
wounded previous 10 her capture. The enc.
my report the loss Of Mr.. Watt their Ist II.
the purser, the captains clerk, and 70 soa.
men killed and Captaia Broke, snIdship-
man, and Sc seauen wounded.