Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-07-14

Porter, HnuLnS II hbPVooio'o W
gain our former anchorage, concluded to
bear UP for a small bay, situated on the
west side Of the harbour.
At IS minutes past 8, came to with the
best bower in 9 LIZ fathom water, and in
half pistol shot Of the shore. The Western
Fort TOR Cas,ello Viego) bore T. by y.
distance three miles. The eastern fort or
CASTILLO Tel Barren bore 8 w. by w.
distance about / I-2 miles. The fort was
not in sight. as we were anchored under
a high bluff that screened US from it
There was a long "a FOUNDER detached
from it on a rising around to the ". +.
distance I-2 a mile, and consequently so
much nearer to the place where we an
chored.
In this situation, we considered ourselves
perfectly secure. Captain Porter gave or
ders to clear the ship for action, although
he did not Il beiievel entertain an idea
that the enemy would attack him. At %
m. past 5, the Phoebe commenced firing
on our larboard quarter, and at 4 the
Cerub commenced firing on our starboard
bow. In about half an hour, they were
round and stood out to repair damages
They appeared to be very much cut
in their rigging, their top sail sheets flying
away.-In this interval, we got the third
spring on the cable, the two first being
shot away as sooa as put on. They soon
returned, and took their position out of
most CALLING fire upon us. The wind shift
ing about this time, captain F. deter
mined to lay the Phoebe aboard. The
cable was accordingly cut but the only
halliards standing were those of the fly
ing glib. This sail was partly hoisted. but
was not sufficient to wear the ship off
W. were now ina most dreadful situa-
ton, as the enemy hulled us every shot,
and our brave fellows were falling in every
direction but we were all so animated bv
the brave, cool and intrepid conduct oil
our heroic commander, that every man
appeared determined to sacrifice his life
in defence of our ship, and for Free
Trade and Soilors Rights. for which
they were continually hdzzaying fore and
aft An nnlucky accident, however, took
place, which frustrated all our hopes, viz
the explosion of some loose cartridges in
the main hatch way. which caused a grea,
CONSERVATION among the crew. the greatest
part of which jumped overheard. Capt
P. seeing no hopes left gave orders to tire
the Ship, but humanely considering thai
many of his brave companions were Iy.
ing wounded below, he co~untermanded
this order, and gave the one to lower
our ensign which was executed precisely
at half past six, the enemy did not cease
firing for some minutes afterwards. Dur.
ing this interval some of our men were
wounded ard four shot dead-thus fell
the Essex into the hands of the English.
after a resistance worthy the cause which
animated us.
Since the action I have been informed
by the first Lieutenant of marines of the
Phoebe, Mr.. Burrows, that they passed
the two unfortunate men on our life
buoy, which had been thrown over to
them, to perish in the waves, without en-
deavoring TO afford them the least assis-
tance.
A return of the killed, wounded and
missing on board the United States ship
Essex, of 50 guns, 225 men, David Porter,
ESQ. commander, in an action fought on
the 2Sth March 1914, in Valparaiso bay
with the British frigate Phoebe, of SO
guns, $50 men, James HilIyar, ESQ. com
mander, and the sloop of war Cherub
mounting % guns, $50 men, commander
T. Tucker, Esq.
Killed in action and haze since died
of their pounds.
James p, Wilmer, first lieut.. John G,
CopeN, I'd do Henry Kenady, boat
SCANS mate; I'm. Smith, do Francis
Bland, quartermaster; Reuben Nqrshal,
quarter gunner ; Tomas Hojlay, 5oats.
geo John adams, cooper IVna. John
son, carpenters crep ; II Tckers, do !;
n. MoYfeld, am. crep; " Christopher,
captain .forecastte Nath, Zones, captain
mast, Joseph Thomas, captain main
top ; John Russet, do r. Green, G..
Hill, " r. Cook George Vine, sea
man ; Jos FerreH, do ; Samuel Miller,
do ThoS. Johnson, lSt do: Philip
Thomas do; Thos. Nordyke. do W..
White, do Thomas Mitchell, do HIN.
Lar, lSt ordU. sedmen: Peter Alien sen-