Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1813-11-04


until yesterday, having been forwarded from
Albany only on the 18th, as appears by the
post mark on the envelope of the letter
Copy of letter from Commodore ChauA-
cey to the Secretary Of the Macy dated
United States Ship General Pike,
OFF Niagara, LIST October 1918.
SIR-On the 25th uIt. it was reported to
me, that the enemys fleet was in York.
Immediately dispatched the Lady OF the
Lake to look into York, and ascertain the
fact-she returned in the evening with the
information that the enemy was in York
bay. Immediately prepared to weigh, but
owing to strong wind from N. n. E. was
not able to get out of the river before the
evening of the eth, and owing to the ex-
treme darkness of the night, part of the
squadron got separated and did not join be-
fore next morning at A. M. On the 2Sth,
the General Pike, Madison, and Sylph,
each took schooner in tow and made all
sail for York Soon after discovered the
enemy's fleet under way in York bay, shaped
our course for him and repared for action
-he perceiving our intention of engaging
him in his position, tackled and took out OF
the bay, wind at east | formed the line
and run down for his centre. When we had
made all sail to the southwark. wore in
succession and stood on same tack with him,
edging down gradually in order to close
. 10 minutes past meridian, the enemy. find
inc that wo were closing fast with him, and
that he must either risk an action or suffer
his two rear vessels to be cut off, he tackled
in succession, beginning at the van, .hoisted
his colors and commenced well directed
fire at this ship for the purpose of covering
his rear, and attacking our rear as he pass
sd to leeward :-PerceiviDg his intention,
was determined to disappont him; there
fore, as soon as the Wolf tthe leading ship)
passed the centre Of his line and abeam Of
us, bore up in succession preserving our
line) for the enemy s centre; this andBHvrc
not only covered our rear but hove him in
confusion he Immediately bore away, We
had however closed go near as to bring our
guns to bear with effect, and in go minutes
the main mizen top mast and main yard Of
the Wolf was shot away; he Immediately
put before the wind and set all sail upon his
foremast made the signal for the fleet to
make all sail the enemy however, keeping
sail most of our squadron. AS it brought
all the sail upon one mast, he did not feel
the loss Of his main and mizen top mast--I
continued the chase until near 5 o'clock,
during which time was enabled in this
ship with the Asp in tow to keep within
point blank shot Of the enemy and sustained
the whole Of his fire during the chase Capt
Crane in the Madison, and Lieut.. Brown in
the Oneida used every exertion to close
with the enemy, but the Madison having
heavy schooner in tow and the Oneida sail
ing very dull before the wind, prevented
those officers from closing near enough to
do any execution with their carronades-
The Governor Tompkins kept in her sta
ton, until her foremost was so badly wotnd
ed as to oblige her to shorten sail. Lieut.
Finch of the Madison who commanded her
for this cruise lowing to the indisposition of
Lieut. pettigrew) behaved with great gal
lantry and is an officer Of much promise
Capt Woolsey in the Sylph was kept astern
by the Ontario, which he had in tow, but
did considerable execution with his heavy
guns. @Ne se
At l5 minutes before 8 p M very re-
luctantly relinquished the pursuit Of beat
termination were such as fiatter myself
that you will approve--they we're these
AT the time ! gave up the chase, this ship
was making so much water, that required
all our pumps to keep her free towing to
our receiving several shot so much below
the water edge that we could not plug the
holes from the outside} the Governor Temp
kins with her foremost gone, and the squad
ron within about six miles of the head OF the
Lake. blowing gale of wind from East
and increasing with heavy sea on, and
every appearance Of the Equinox consi-
dered that if chased the enemy TO his an
chorase at the head of the Lake, should
be obliged to anchor also. and although we
might succeed in driving him on shore. the
probability was that we should go on shore
also-he amongst his friends, we amongst
our enemies, and after the gale abatcd, if
n -. -