The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-09-02


as transport OF troop vessels, and carry one
large gun each.
The enemy's feet had not appeared for
some days.
Gen. Mead had dismissed the militia that
he embodied there.
WASHlNGTON-CITY, August 81.
Cohy Of letter from Commodore Chauncey
TO tie Secretary Of the Navy.
u. S. ship General Pike. at anchor off
Sackett's-Harbor, June 49, 1918.
SIR-I arrived here this day with this
ship, the Madison, Oneida, Governor Tomp-
kins, Conquest, Ontario, Pert, and Lady of
tho Lake. The Fair American and Asp
left at Niagara. Since had the honor of ad-
dressing you last, have been much distress
scd and mortified distressed at the loss Of
part of the force entrusted to my command,
and mortified y, not being able to bring the
encmy to action. The following movements
and transactions of the squadron, since the
9th inst. will give you the best idea of the
difficulties and notifications that have had
TO encounter.
On the 9TH, at day light, the enemy's fleet,
consisting Of two ships, two briggs and two
large schooncrs, were discovered bearing w.
n. w. dl.tsnt about FIVE or six miles, wind
at west. AT weighed with the. fleet and ma.
nGuvcrcd to gain the wind. AT having
passed to leeward of the enemy's line and a.
breast of his van ship, (the Woife) hoisted
our colors and fired few guns, TO ascertain
whether we could reach him with our. shot:
finding they fell short, wore and hauled up
on a wind ON the starboard tack the rear of
our schooAors then about six miles astern.
The enemy wore in succession and hauled
upon wind on the same tack, but soon find.
ing that we should be able to wea thcr him
upon the next tack, he tackled and made all
sail to the Norhward. As soon as our rear
vessels could fetch his wake, tackled and
made all sail in chase. In the afternoon the
wind became very light and towards night
quite calm. The sChooners used their
sweeps all the afternoon, in order to close
with tho enemy, but without success. Late
ia the afternoon made the signal of recall,
and formed in close order. Wind during the
night FROM the westward and after midnight
squaly kept all hands at quarters and beat
10 windward in hopes to gain the wind of the
enemy. AT /, A. M. missed two of our
schooners--at day light discovered the mis-
sing schooners to be the Hamilton ss Scourge.
Soon after spoke the Governor Tompkins,
Scouree both ovcCset and sunk, In a heavy
,quail about o'clock +; and, distressing to
relate, every soul pcrished, except sixteen
This fatal accident deprived me at once OF the
services of two valuable officers, Lieutenant
Winter and Sailing Mastor Osgood, and two
of nv best schooners, moupung together, l9
guns. This accident giving TO the enemy
decidedly the superiority, thought he would
take advantage Of 1t, particularly as by
change of wind, he was again brought dead
to winGward of me. Formed the line upon
the iarboard tack and hove to: Soon after
!, A. NJ. the enemy bore up and set studding-
, sails, apparently with an intention OF bring.
ing us to action. When he had approached
us within about four miles he brought to on
our starboard tack. l wore and brought to
on same tack. Finding that tae enemy had
no intention Of bringing US TO action, l edg.
ed away to gain the land, in order to have the
advantage Of the land breeze in the afternoon.
Ii soon after fell calm and | directed the
sctooncrs to sweep up and engage the enemy.
ALon, noon we got light breeze from the
Eastward took the Oneida in tow, as she
sails badly, and stood for the enemy. When
the nn of our schooners was within l-2 or
mics of his rear, the. wind shifted 10 the
westward, which again brought him to Wind
ward; as soon as the breeze struck him, he
bore up for the sehooners in order to cut
the m off before they could rejoin me ; but
With heir sweeps, and the breeze soon reach
Inr item also they we're soon in their station
The enemy, finding himself foiled in his at
temp, upon the schooners, hauled his wind
and hove TO. Ii soon aher became very sqLal.
lv anj the appcarance Of its continuing so
during the night; and as we had been a,
quarters for nearly forty hours, and being sp-
prehepsiye Of separating from acme Of the