Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-07-02

DessSIy, tcu dtnOnB tfcEls y ndu dntlCipd<
red that disadvantsge. but i was unavolds-
Bile. 1t was Indispensable to have them cd-
Wersd by some rising ground from the wa
tiers Of the Patuxent, and the position cAo-.
zen was the only one compatible with that
view, and the design had in posting them
60 protect the rear of our battery.
The battalion of the 3Sth regt. joined US
but last evening, after a bard days march,
4 were Immediately marched to the ground.
some of their men were completely exhaust.
ed, and the whole excessively iatigucd and
half tamished.
Commodore Barney flotilla was at hand,
ready to open upon the cacrny the moment
favorable opportunity should offer. He
commenced firing soon after US. and drew
osS that the enemy for while. have
not seen him since the action. but UNDER
stand he lost several men killed and wound.
sds
deration our not being fully prepared, the
excessive fatigue the men had undergone,
and that we have attained the object in
view, which was the release of Com, Bar
ney's fiotilla, the affair will not reflect disho
hor on our troops.
Ihaye the honor to be, &c.
DECIUS WADSWORTH.
Gen. John Armstrong,
Secretary of War.
Coty ofa letter from Com. Chauncey 10 the
Secretary Of sfke Navy, dated =
United States Ship Superior,
Sackett's Harbor, June 90, 1914.
SIR. s
Knowing that the enemy was constantly
receiving naval and military stores at King
ston by the St. Lawrence, thought it might
be practicable TO surprize and capture a
brigade of boats with stores on board, and
either destroy or bring them off for this
purpose directed Lieut.. Gregory to take
three gigs with only their crew and one set
tee in each boat, and proceed down the st.
Lawrence, secrete himself on some of the
islands and watch favorable opportunity to
surprize brigade of loaded boats, and Ell
Their bring them off or destroy them, as Cir.
Cumsta1hes would point out.
|. Lieut.. Gregory left here with his party on
the evening ofthe 18th inst. and proceeded
to the I" I Thousand Islands," where he haul
ed his boats on shore and concealed them
saw two brgades of boats pass, one up the
river with troops, of course too strong for
our little party--tEe other down the river,
empty, and not worth taking.
Lieut' Gregory found the enemy bad gun
bosts stationed between Kingston & Press
Colt within about six miles of each other, *
that they had a telegraph aud look -out in
almost every high island, SO that they COM
yey intelligence with great expedition.
Yesterday mo rnins between nine and ten
O'clock, Lieut.. Gregory finding himself dis
covered and \ gun boat c.osc to him, he inr
stantiy formed the bold design to board her.
which he did and carried i,er, without losing
a man, one of the enemy was badly wound
eH he U,et 81, G-e -,o Rtur II
Snake or No 9, and mounted one Is FOUNDER
and manned with ls men, chiefly royai MAJ
rines, (aGss oFwhich IS enclosed) Lieuten
ant Gregory manneAhis prize and proceed
ed M the st. Lawrence, but 81 as soon DISCO
vefed and parS,tcs. by a very large guHboat
mounting two hsavy guns and rowed wiih
upwards of fory oars which over-hauled
him fast--he kept possession of his prize
ISsil the enemy threw their shot over hin,
he then very reluctantly (but thiRk pro.
perly) took all his prisoners our and scustled
the gun boat which sunk instantly, and esca,
ped the enemy; although SO heavily loaded.
Lieut.. Greco arrived sale this morning
with ali MS prisoners.
Permit NE. to recommend this gallant
young oi6certo your notice and patronage !;
he is not surpassed by any of his grade, in
zeal, intelligence aud inirepidity. Sailing
master Vaughan and Mr.. DIXON, escn cam
mandng gig under Lieutenant Gregory,
are entitled to my warm acknowledgements
for their zeal and activity on all occasions
to render service to their Country, more
particularly on the last expedition, when,
from their knowledge of the river, they rem
dered the most important services by poin
ting out the proper channels to elude the
pursuit of the enemy.
Will you be pleased to direct in what
mauner.the prisoners are to be disposed of
lhaye the honor to be, &c.
ISAAC CHAUNCEY. +