Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-08-23

hc Hds ucCIdIcu hllHscu Sut!ty OF nlSn
treason, and has been taken into custody,
and sent to Albany for safe keeping"
WAsaINcrsN CIrY, August 81.
Cof.y Of letter from ~. Agus, 10 The Sc
retary Of 1ssysa1g.
us. FlotiIla, New c. aus. Sae II. 1919.
SIR,
l have Just reCeHed letter from
Sailing Master Shead, respecting the Cap
ture of Gun Boat No. III a copy of which
have the honor of enclosing to you } see
from this the enemy had killed and IL
wounded, since dead. am convinced they
have deceived him, both as to the number
of killed and wounded, as well as the nuns
Der of men in the boats, which at the small
est calculation could not have been less than
$50.
have the honor to remain, with the
highest respect, Sir, your oaedieat SER
want.
(Sigded) SAINT. ANGUS.
From WIN JoNEs, Sec. Of Navy.
Mr.. Shead's letter enctosedu in The a6oUe.
On board II. Nj. Sloop, Martin,
off Rhode Island, Angus, 6, 1913.
| SIR,
1t is with the deepest regret that l
announce to you the capture of the u. 5.
| Gun Boat No. l21, under my command, by
! the BOATS of the Junon frigate AMI Martin
| sloop of War, eight in number, three of
| which mounted 10 pound carranades & car
| ryIng in al $50. At ten min befroe meridi
| AN on the 9th of July. l received orders
| from you to form line ahead and to FIRE on
| the enemy, but finding myself drove away
| from the squadron by the wind diving away
and a strong ebb tide, i remained sw eepiag
and firing the thirty two FOUNDER. at the
same time finding my shot did not reach
placed all hands to the sweeps to endeavor
| to gain the squadron. AT 20 minutes past
IL, perceived the enemy's barges making
for me ; they being out of gun Shot, still
endeayored TO sweep up TO the squadron -
| At 30 minutes before u. NJ i commenced
firing on the cnemy's boats and sweeping at
the same time but finding could gain no
thing, i anchored to receive them as Anne
rican tars have been accustomed to. The
enemy then getting within grape reach, !
coinmmenced it, but unfortunately the
pintle of OF the large gun gave way the first
7 und again charged and got her 10 bear,
which discharge did considerable damage,
but tearing my gun carriage all to pieces, 1
| loaded with the hope of getting her to bear
again, but found it utterly impossible, the
enemy now close on board, di,chargng vol
lies of shot f. their|carr, ntdes and musk cts,
called the hosrdcTS & small arms men a.
way to repel theff0fEg9s hey now surrounds
ing US poured q eeif} 6re, whch we re
turned with'as Npsh nfobipHess as our
feeble numbers VOL, q I'M several of my
men having now felEf1lA ensign halyar,is
shot awav, and seeing he superiority of The
! enemy's force in the acNofbsarding us in e.
very quarter, they began to fire briskly. and
! found it necessary for the preservation of
those few valuable lives left to surrender to
seven times our number the enemy board
ing. loaded our decks with men, we were all
driven below. and it was with the utmost
difficulty that the officers could stay the re
venge of the seamen, who seemed TO thirst
for blood and pIunder, the last OF which they
had, by robbing us Of every thing we had
none killed, but z wounded, 5 slightly. The
cnemy's loss by us was killed and twelve
wounded, of which have since died They
have conquered me but they have paid dear
iy for it, and | trust, sir, when you come
to view the disadvantages that / labored
under, having been but da ON board of
my boat, and scarcely time to station my
men, and the misfortune OF entirely dis
aiding my gun and the superiority OF num-
bers to oppose me you will lie convinced
that the flag had the honor to wear has
not lost any of that national character which
has ever been attached to it.
have the honor to be, with the greatest
respect, sir, your most otedient servant,
WILLIAM SHEAD,
Sei6ng Muster
Lieut. SAuLsANcUS, Commanding L. 81
Flotlila, Delaware.