Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1813-10-14

Sept 29, 1878
:" enclose you letter from Commodore
Chauncey, which he put into my hands the
day before yesterday, and beg leave to add
the following brief but interesting detail
1.-The commodore entered this port on the
24th inst. with his squadron On the Goth
we received satisfactory information direct
from Y ors, that on the day of the commo-
dore's arrival here Friday the 2lth) the
British squadron was on the opposite coast
This communication being made to the
Commodore he promptly ascertained the
fact to his satisia action, and on the 9Th in
the evening left port in quest of his antago-
mist. Yesterday morning his squadron was
deserted near mid channel, between this
place and York, standing for the latter place,
and about noon we discovered by the smoke
in which his vessels were occasionally enve-
Hoped. that he was closely engaged and had
the wind of the enemy, who were scarcely
discernable We could, however, with the
aid Of our glasses, distinctly perceive that
the British squadron was forced to leeward
towards the head of the lake and the ac-
ton continued without intermission until we
lust sight OF the siernmost of our vessels a
bout 3 T. NJ The issue must therefore have
been decisive, because the breeze freshened
without any change in its direction, and the
narrowness of the lake made it impossible
for the vanquished party to escape by any
manGuvre.
81 have no doubt the victory is ours, but
am apprehensive it has cost u. dear, since
the batteries of the enemy were superior to
those Of our squadron, and the British com
IL
resolution but of great naval skill.
" If Commodore Chauneey has survived,
which implore Heaven may be the case,
we shall behold him mantled with glory, as
his ship was yesterday beheld wrapt in the
flame and smoke of her batteries"
4 Postscript to the above letter dated late
in the evening, says, "A flag was sent to the
British camp on the Lake last evening ; the
receiving officer acknowledged we had the
wind, and observed that vessel had been
dismasted this was observed from the
heights of Lewistown also, and it is beliey-
ed it was the Royal George, by the Pike.
A vessel supposed to be the Wolf, bore up
to the relief of the crippled ship, and enga-
ged the Pike, and they went out of sight,
covered with smoke, apparently about to
board''
:. Sept goth, o'clock, r. M-We have
not, as vet, heard from Chauncey; the ut
most does not exceed so miles to the end Of
the Bay-but the wind is still adverse. |
begin to fear his victory may have cost too
much-I have sent out several small craft
to look for him, but the sea which is run.
ming has forced them back. 1t was visible
4 -. Cal
Copy Of a letter from Commodore Chaun-
Cey to the Secretary cfthe Macy, dated
U. S. Ship General Pike, Niagara
River, 25th September, 1878.
SIR-After had the honor of address
ing you on the 18th, | continued to blockade
the enemy until the 18th, when, the wind
blowing heavy from the westward, the enc
my having run into Kingston, and knowing
| that he could not move from that place before
a change of wind, took the opportunity of
running into Sackett's Harbor
remained but few hours at the Harbor
and left it at day light on the morning of
the 18th, but did not arrive here until yester-
day, owing to continued head winds. not
having laid our course during the passage
On the 18th | saw the enemy's fleet near
the False Ducks, but took no notice of him
as wished him to follow me up the Lake
There is report hero, and generally be
lieved, that capt. Perry has captured the
whole of the enemys fleet on Lake Erie
If this should prove true in all its details,
land God grant that it may he has immor-
talised himselfand not disappointed the high
expectations formed of his talents and brave
ry
| have learnt from a source which can be
depended upon, that we did the enemy much
more injury in our rencounter on the 18th.
than had expected. find hat Sc killed
Captain Mulcaster of the Royal George and
a number of his men, and did considerable