Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-03-02

abaft her beam. To have attempted to tack,
in hard squat. would at least have expos
ed me to raking FIRE and to have attempt.
eel it and miss. would have been attended
with the inevitable loss of the schooner.-
l therefore Thought it most prudent to take
her fire on the tack on which was and
this l was exposed to from the position
which have mentioned until passed her
bow she all the while standing on with me,
and almost as fast as ourselves. anu such
a tune as was played around ms ears, as
sure you. never wish to hear again in the
same Key.
AT a her shot began to fall short of u.s.
At half past 4. the wind dying away. and
the enemy still holding it. his shot again be
gan to reach Us, got out sweeps and turned
all hands too. also threw over all the
lumber FROM the deck, and about 1000 wt.
of shot from the after hold. From about s..
a. m. all his shot fell short of us-At about
IS minutes after S, the enemy hove about.
and was glad to get SO vel; clear of one
OF the most qnarrelsome companions that
ever met with.
After the first broadside from the fri
gate, no shot struck the hull of the Temp
all round her.
The moment the squall struck us, told
Mr., Farnam that she was too heavy for us.
and he went forward with The glass 10 take
another look; when the squali took the
schooner as If by magic, and up with her be-
fore we could get in our light sails.
my officers conducted themselves in
way that would have done honor to a more
permanent service Mr.. Farnam first lieu
tenant, conducted himself with his usual vi
gor. Mr.. Acheson, sailing master. perform
ed his part in the style of a brave and &C
| complished seaman. Messrs. Miller and
Dood. Cd and Sd lieutenants, were not so im-
| mediateiy under my eye but the precision
with which all my orders were executed. is
| sufficient proof that they are to be relied
on. Mr.. Thomas, boatswain, and Mr.. Cas>
well, masters mate, were particularly ac-
tive and deserve encouragement.
The name of one of my poor fellows who
| was killed, ought to be registered on the
books of fame, and remembered with reve
rsnce as long as bravery is considered vir
| the. He was black man, by the name OF
John Johnson. A 24lb shot struck him in
the hip, and took away all the lower part
of his body. In this state the poor brave
fellow lay on deck, and several times cx
claimed to his shipmates,. Fire dzuoy my
| boys NO haul color d9qpn :"
| The other was also black man by the
name of John Davis. and as struck in much
the same way. He fell near me. and seve
| raj times requested to be thrown overheard,
saying, " He scas cnty in the zvqy Of others"
Whilst America has such tars, she has little
to fear from the tyrants of Europe
From tho circumstances of her shot being
| GAS (Which assure you is the case, as we
| have feh and rveighcd them) am OF opinion
| it was the Laurel, a new frigate that had
inflammation Of gentleman whom took
told me she was in the fleet; that she was
built and manned on purpose to cope with
our frigates; and that if she got sight of me
she would certainly take me, as she was the
| fastest sailer he ever saw.
:" Enclosed send you list of the killed
and wounded. In every thing else we are in
good order and high spirits.
Yonrs respectfully,
| NATHANIEL SMALLER.