Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-06-24

all sail in chace, and soon made her out
TO be large trigate at noon prepared for
acton, the chace not answering our private |
signals, and tacking towards us under ca |
sy san; when about four miles distant she |
made signal, and Immediately tackled *
MADE all san away upon the wind. We
soon found we had the advantage Of her in
sailing, and came up with her fast, when
she hoisted American colors she then bore
ABOUT three points on our lee bow At fif-
ty minutes past one p. III. the enemy shor-
tened sail, upon which we bore down upon
her; 1T ten minutes past two, when about
hait mile distant, she opened her FIRE,
giving US her larboard broadside, which
was not returned till we were close on her
weather bow. Both ships now manoeuv.
red to obtain advantageous positions, our
opponent evidently avoiding close action,
and firing high to disable our masts. in
which he succeeded too we'll, having shot
away the head of our bowsprit with the lib
boom, and our running rigging so much as
10 prevent our preserving the weather
gage.
AT hve minutes past three, finding the
enemy's raking fire extremely heavy, capt
Lambert ordered the ship to be laid on
board, in which we should have succeeded.
nad not our foremost been sho. away at
ms moment, the remains of our bowsprit
passing over his taffrail shortly after this
the maintopmast went, leaving the ship TO-
tally unmanageable with most of our star
board guns rendered useless from the wreck
lying over them.
AT nan past three. our gallaat captain
received dangerous wound in the breast,
and was carried below from this time we
could Efa, H.,
until a quarter past four, when our mizen
mast was shot away the ship then fell oil
a little and brought many of our etsri,sar,i
guns to bear; the enemy's rigging, vas so
much cut that he could not avoid shooting
ahead, which brought us fairly broad. side
and broad-slde. Our main yard then went
IN the sings. both ships continued engaged
IN this manner till IS minute past four. we
frequently on fire in consequence of the
wreck lying on the side engaged. Our OPP
Ponent now made sail ahead out of gun shot
where he remained an hour repairing dam.
ages ieaVing us an unmanageable wreck,
"ith only The main mast left, and that tot.
tering.
Every exertion was made by us during
ttiS interval to place the ship in state to
renew the action. We succeeded i'm clear
ing the wreck Of cur masts from our guns. n
san was set on the stumps of the fore-mast
ana bowsprit, the weather half Of the main
yard remaining aloft, the main tack was got
forward Ia the hope of getting the ship be
lore the wind, our helm being still perfect
tue fort unfortunately proved Intellectual.
from the main mast falling over The side.
from the heavy rolling of the ship, which
heariy covered the whole of our star board
guns We stiil waited the attack of the en-
ehy' ne nog standing towards us for that
purpose. On his coming nearly within hail
OF U.s. andfrom his manoeuvre perceivne he
intended apostlon ahead, where he could
axe Us without possibility Ct our return
ing single shot then consulted the off
GERS who agreed with myself that our ha-
wing a great part of our crew killed and
"oui'ueo' our bowsprit and three masts |
sererai guns useless, we should not |
,e' JuS'ihed IN wasting the lives of more Of |
Iiose remaining, who / hope their ord |
'nPs ana the country will think have brave |
Y defend d His Majesty's ship. Under
hese circumstances, however reIuctantiv
IL MY minutes past five, our colors were
o"ered from the stump os the Dizen mae
ma we were taken possession of a little af
ef SIX by the American frigate Constitu-
ION, commanded by Com. Bainbrid.e who
ID Immediately after ascertaininine the state
u the ship, resolved on burning her. which
se haa the satisfaction of seeing done as
Don as tie wounded men were removed
N"ieA9u l send you return of the killed
ma wounded, and it Ii with pain perceive
SD numerous also a statement of the
Imperative force OF the two ships when
nope their Lordships will not think the
'r'tlsh nag furnished, although success has
ot attended us. i''''
Ii would be presumptuous in me TO sneak
capt Aampert's merits, who though still
danger from his wounds, we still enter
am n, the greatest hopes of his being restored
the service and his country.
Here follows the usual praise Of off
ers.] 0'i
cannot conlude this letter without ex
: resFing mr. grateful acknowledgements,
nus Iuohciy, ior the generous treatment
apt Lambert aud his officers experienced
'om our gallant enemy, Commodore Bain-
ridge and his ofFcers.s
lhave the honor to b., &c.