Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-09-25
WASHINGTON CITY, Sept. -.
SEVENTH NAY.lL yIcT0RYI

CONF sfa letter frsm Commodore Perry,
20 tie Secretary Of fhe Navy.
u. S. SCHOONER ARIEL, Put in Bay.
,.g 18Th Sehs. 1878
I SIR-In my last I informed you that
We had captured the eneny's tieet Oh
this lake. have now the honor to give
you the most important particulars OF
the action. On the morning OF the 10th
instant, at sun rise, they were discover
ed from Putin Bay, when / lay at ah'
Choir with the squadron under my CON
mand. We got under weigh, the wind
light at S. w and stood for them. At
10 A. M. the wind hauled to S + and
brought us to windward formed the
line and bore up, AT Is minutes before
Il, the enemy commenced hriog; at S
minutes before IL the action commenc
ed on our part. Finding their FIRE very
destructive, owing to their long guns,
and its being mostly directed at the
Lawrence, made sail. and directed the
other vessels TO follow for the purpose
of closing with the enemy. Every brace
and bowline being saon shot awav she
became unulanagable, notwithstanding
the great exertions of the sailing master.
In this situation she sustained the action
upwards Of two hours within canister
distance, until every gun was rendered
useless, and the greater part OF her crew
either killed or wounded. Finding she
could no longer annoy the enemy, lleft
her in charge of lieutenant Yarnail, who
was convinced from the bravery alrea-
sy displayed by him, would do what
wsuld compctt with the honor OF the
Gag. Al half past ., the wind springing
up, captain Elliott was enabled to bring
his vessel, the Niagara, gallantiy into
close faction Immediately went on
board of her, when he anticipated my
wish by volunteering to bring the schrs
which had been kept astern by the light
ness of the wind, into close action 1t
was with unspeakable pain that saw,
soon after got on board the Niagara,
the flag Of the Lawrence come down,
although / was perfectly sensible tina;
she had been defended to the last, and
that to have continued to make shew
of resistance would have been wan,on
sacrifice of the remains of her brave
crew. But the enemy was not able to
take possession Of her, and circumstan-
ces soon permitted her flag again to be
hoisted. AT As minutes past 2, the sig.
nal was made for " close action" The
Niagara being very little injured, ! de.
termined to pass through the enemy's
hne, bore up and passed ahead OF their
two ships and brig, giving raking
FIRE to them from the starboard guns,
and to large schooner and sloop, from
the larboard side at half pistol shot dis.
lance. The smaller vessels at this time
having get within grape and canister
distance, under the direction of captain
Elliott, and keeping up we'll directed
FIRE, the two ships, brig, and schoo-
ner surrendered, schooner and sloop
making a vain attempt to escape.
Those officers and men who were i'm
mediately under my observation evine-
ed the greatest gallantry, and / have no
doubt that all others conducted them.
selves az became American officers and
seamen. Lieutenant Yarnall, first of the
Lawrence, altho' several times wounded,
refused to quit the deck, Midshipman
Forrest (doing dsly as lieutenant and
sailing master Taylor, were of great as
sistance to me. have great pain in
stating to you the death Of lieut.. Brook
of the marines, & midshipman Laub, both
of the Lawrence, and midshipman John
Clarke OF the SEQ, pion they were va
liable and promising officers. Mr. Ham.
bleton, purser, who volunteered his SER
vices on deck, was severely wounded
late in the action. Midshipman Claxton
and Swartwout, of the Lawrence, were
severely wounded On board OF the Nj
agara, ieutenants Smith and Edwards,
and midshipman Webster (doins duty
a. sailing mastery behaved in very
handsome manner. Captain Brevoort,
of the army, who acted as a volunteer
in the capacity Of q marine officer, on
board that vessel, is an excellent and
brave officer, and with his musketry did
great execution. Lieutenant Turner,
commanding the Caledonia, bro't that
vessel into action in the most able man.
ner, and ia an officer that in all situations
may be relied on. The Ariel, lieutenant
Packet, and Scorpion, sailing master
Champlin, were enabled to get early in.
to action, and were Of great service
Captain Elliott speaks in the highest
terms of Mr.. Magrath, purser, who had
been dispatched in boat on service pre-
vious to my getting on board the Nigga
ra and, being seaman, since the &C.