Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-08-23
ATTACK ON ST. MICHAEL.
Extract of letter from Easton, da ed
August u.

Extract OF a letter from Easton, da' ed
August IL.
The enemy have taken full possession of
Kept Island and have fortified the narrows !:
then ships lie around the Island. several OF
theaSip the Eastern Bay and brig has been
upbas high as Deep Water Point in Miles ri
YER.
Last Tuesday morning about o'clock the
brush made an attack on ST Michael Wi h
eleven barges, they went up the river en- the
opposite side and came down IN the side of
ot Michael without making the least noise
close IN the shore, and, as it was very ciou ly
ana our men in the Fort without auspiciun Of
an attack, they had landed before they were
discovered Oar men fred two guns and
left the Fort of which the enemy immediate
iy took possession and gave three cheers sup
posing they would have st. Michael without
much difficulty, but they were very much
mistaken for the st. Michaei's people and
captain Vickers OF the Easton Packet, with
the artillery from Easton attacked them so
orlskly and pointed their guns with so much
judgement, that our invaders we're soon oS
biiged to make of-the infantry were nhf
engaged.
There were only four pieces of cannon$A
the battery, one of which our own peop n
spiked before they left il, the other threeN
were spiked by the enemy but they have
all been drilled and are again ready for SER
wee.
We were fortunate enough not 60 have
maa hurt. although the grape shot dew like
haii-in the town and their balls went thro'
number OF the houses. The two shots that
were hired from the fort must have done
some execution, as good deal OF blood was
seen on the shore and two swords and pis.
tol were left behind, and their barges were
seen to be struck by the artillery ffom the
town.
we expect every hour TO hear OF anotheii
attack on 81 Michael, as have no doubt butt
they Will return with a larger force they
are however well prepared for ;hem, two
companies from Easton have been there for
tue last week, they have just been relieved
and have returned home. Should the enc
my succeed in taking St. Michael, we NAV
expect visit from them (at Eastun) bu ha-
wing already met with so unexpected 9 re
p9lse, perhaps they may not venture again"
August 10.
fRLITSH DESERTERS.
Yesnff1H morning, about 8 O'Clock, the look.
out boatsAof Commodore Gordon's squadron
discovered sail short distance below Haw.
kins' Point gave chase, aud run her ashore. |
when she proved to be one OF the British cut. |
tiers, with four descrters from the enemy's |
soop Of war
They state, that in preparing to row guard
last night, about O'Clock, squat arose, and
hammocks pped down, when they took advan- |
tage OF the darkness of the night, cut the Pain.
ter and made sail for Baltimore.
Ihey inform further, that on Saturday, Com |
aVJf RS squadron was seen from the fleet |
'tpai..g down, and an idea was entertained |
hat y had anchored back of the Bodkin. At !
'Ight, between 80 and ~ barges and smaller
boats lett the feet, with a view Of attacking the |
'chooners, but on perccivipg that their posili- !
'm had been mistaken, they lay By all night. and
It dayabreak returned TO the feet Accordiu,e
o the account OF these daserters. about two
bousand soldiers are stationed on Kent ISLAND. |
With eighteen field pieces. On Tuesday NIGH |
asst, party OF about three hundred marched 4
ip>Re Queen's.IoVn and about the same nun /
Der 7niTf IS, where they landed Some
kir1f nook place, the result Of which tbey
go ts1A except that tho party returned
bestday btaS TO the Island, with the loss. 10
vas said Of 10 KILLED and six wounded. Tbe
commanding officer had his horse shot under
lim.
They add, that rumor prevailed or con.
emplated attack on Annapolis in few DAYS,
nd that two or three Of the smaller vessels,
lad been sounding the chanuel for the purpose,
was supposed, of determining what sized
essels could lay within gun shot.
Extract Of letter from ChesteytosgH, (Nd. ) |,
10 a gentleman in this city, dafed dRgasf II
The British entered our river last night
bout l2o'ciock, With from forty to ffty barge.,
I'd made an attack on Queenstown this morn |,
ng about dxyLkreak. They also marched a
out 500 troops from Kent Island at the same
ime the bsrges came up, and took complete
.osscsslon Of the town and carried OF the pro