The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-09-28

10 come within musket shot, although their
force and numbers were more .thsn tre-
bic ours, bot continued firing at a distance,
thcir great guns for so or 35 minutes, and
then retired 10 their ships again.
On the 4ih inst | bad another Gre-vcssel
prepared, but il being calm, ordered Lieut..
Newcomb and the four cutters to proceed
with one Of the remaining lighters Of the
yard, having an cightcen-pounder IT, her, TO
attack the bumb ship, which IN the anxiety
of he enemy to get below the temporary forts
erecting by my gallant associates, Cap,s. Por-
ter and Perry, had been left exposed to attack.
AT sunset, just as was aboat TO give orders
TO attack the bomb, discovered one of the
enemy's frigates behind the point forming
the entrance OF Washington's reach, which
necessarily obliged me TO relinquisb this de-
termination, ,and give orders to proceed across
to the Virginia shore, 10 haul up the boats
and place the lighter in situation TO be de-
Tended against the enemy's barges.
Having reconnoitered the enemy, On re-
turning to the Lighter at p. NJ. seized a
man under suspicious circumstances On the
Beach near to a small boat, abort mile above
the enemy's uppermost ship, that again In
duced me 10 change my position to the oppo-
site side Of the river, where after getting the
cutters hauled up, placing the lish,er in an
advantageous position, and my musket men
upon the top of a cliff overlooking the river
was at ii p. M. attacked by NIL the enemy's
bsrges, bot which, by the cool intrepidny Of
Lit. Newcomb having charge OF the lighter,
assisted by Lieut.. Forrest, S. Master RarnaSe,
NJ. Mate Stockton and Midshipman Whitiock
and As scamen with muskets, the enemy was
not only repulsed, bur IN less than 20 minutes
thrown into the utmost confusion and driven
back TO his ships and have sufficient reason
to believe with great loss, although the only
injury sustained on our part was cns man
wounded on board the lighter.
The enemy thus repulsed, and no pros
pect Of doing him further injury in this
way, az his rearmost ship was not more
than mile distant, had the lighter shifted
further up and at A. NJ. a FIRE vessel brought
down for the purpose Of assallipg him in con-
junction with the battery at the White House,
under the command Of Capt. Porter--ba, ip
this was again disappointed, as that excellent
officer, after using every possible excr,iou,
was not a5lc in SO short a time as had been
afforded him, 10 erect work sufficiently
strong, to check the enemy any length Of
time otherwise, l conceived should have
AT the time the enemy silenced he battery,
the frc-ship, under full sail was about mile
above his uppetmost vesseb when l found
myself undefthc necessity oi ordering her 10
be set on ere, and ut the same time, our boats
to retire TO prevent their being taken posses
sion Of by his numerous bargcs.
Although did not succeed in the kSc-
tion of any OF The encmy's vessels, i ana ".
hat l,a ew In - H..
in many points OF view attended with good
effect, consequently feel it duty to recon-
mend to your notice the officers and scamen
engaged IN the same as, in two Of the FIRE.
vessels, Lieut.. Newcon,b and s. Master Ram.
age manifested so much zeal, as 10 continue
on board, steering them, until they were en-
veloped in the flames, and obliged to jump
overheard 60 avoid sharing the fate Of the ves-
sells themselves. am also indebted 70 The
exertions of 1t. Forrest, who volunteered his
services, and although very much indispos.d
at the time, afforded all the assistance HI his
power.
Permit me at the same time TO recommend
to your attention Mr.. Stockton, Masters Mate,
who not only rendered me essential service
as !an acting Aid-de Camp, but in every oihe.
situation manifested . zeal and intrepdity
not to be shaken: also, Midsbipman Whit
lock, whose conduct in every part of the ser.
vice | highly approve. Mr.. Thomas Herber,
young gentleman Of Alexandra and Mr..
Porry, Pilot, who volunteered their services,
also deserve weIl'of their country
The conduct of the seamen for energy and
patriotism was not even excelled by that OF
their officers.
A, the time took possession Of Alexan-
dria, there were 500 pounds of fresh beef
lying on the wharfs ready to be delivered to
the boats Of the enemy's ships, which were
then only ala or miles below the Town,
and mention this to shew the state tha, place
was in at the time.
In justice to Maj. Kcmper, commanding
detachment of the militia of Gen. Hunger
ford's Brigade, it is bnt proper mention.