Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-06-22

oulwarks, which were too thick to be pene-
trated by our carronades, unless within pis-
toll shot distance. Their masts were 90 much
shattered that they fell overheard soon aft
ter they got into the bay.
The loss Of the Americans was severe,
particularly on board the Lawrence. When
her nag was struck she had but nine men fit
for duty remaining on deck. Her sides
were completely ridd'ed by the shot from
the long guns of the British ships. Her deck,
the morning after the CONFLICT, when / first
went on board. exhibited scene that deiies
description-for it was literally covered
with blood, which still adhered to the plank
in clots--brains, hair and fragments of bones
were still sticking to the rigging and sides.
The surgeons we're still busy with tile woun.
ded-enough !-horror appalled, my sen.
ses. f
Among The wounded were several brave
fellows. each of whom had lost leg or an
arm-tbey appearedcheerf1l and expressed
hope that they had done their. duty. Rome
and Sparta would have been proud of these
heroes.
The efficacy of the gun boats was fully
proved in this action, and the stems of ali
the prizes bear ample testimony of the fact.
lhey took raking positions and CALLED the
3fQSvOSt
twelve men before either Of the briggs fred
on her-Their fire was quick and precise.
Lei Us hear the enemy. Ehe general order
OF Adjutant General Bayncs, contains the
following words 49,. His {Perry's) uumer.
Gus gun boats. (four) which had proved the
greatest annoy ance during the action we're
all uninjured."
: The nndaunted bravery of admiral Bar,
clay entitled him to better fate to the
loss OF the day was superadded grievous &
dangerous wounds |: he had before lost an
arm; 1t was now his hard fortune to lose
tae use OF the other, by shot which car
ried away the blade of the right shoulder
a canister shot made violent confusion in
his hip: his wounds were for some DAYS
considered mortal. Every possible attention
was paid to his situation.-When comm.
Perry sailed for Buffaloe, he was so far re-.
covered that he took passage on bDard our
fleet. The fleet touched at Erie. The citi.
zens saw the affecting spectacle of Harri-
son and Perry supporting the wounded Bril-
tish hero, still unable to walk without help.
from the beach to their lodgings.
on board of the Detroit, twenry four
hours alter her surrender, were found snug.
~ slowed away in the hold, two Indian
Chiefs, who had the courage to go on board
at Maiden, for the purpose of acting as
sharp shooters to kill our officers. One had
the courage to ascend into the round top and
discnarge his piece. but the whizzing of
snot, splinters, and bits of rigging, soon
made the place too warm for him-he de-
scended faster than he went up; at the mo-
ment he reached the deck, the frag,nents
OF a seaman's head struck his comrade',
face, and covered it with blood and brains.
he yociferated the savage inreriection
" qnoh - and both sought safety below. 3
The British officers had dornesticated !,
Bear at Maiden. Brun accompanied his
,nradesto battle--was on deck of the De-
roll. during the engagement. and escaped
nhui
The \ aled of both fleets were thrown o.
erboar6 a inst as they fell. Several were
1asiled asho, y upon the island and the
main land burr, ,g the gales that succeedr
the acli N
Com. Perry treat.>i the prisoners with
umanity and indulged,re several Canadi-
ms. having wives at M Nden, were pern
lifted to visit their families, on parole.
The British were superb " in the length
nd number of their guns. as well as in the
lumber of their men. The A. Nerican feat
'as manned with a molly set of Ltings. Eu-
opeans, Africans, Americans fro, y every
art of the Uuited States. Full one fourth
ere blacks. / saw one Russian, who could
OF speak word Of English. They we're
rave--and who could be otherwise under |
re command of Perryi
The day after the battle, the funeral OBJ
.quies of the American and British officers
no bad fallen in the action were performs
in an appropriate and affecting manner,
N opening on the margin of the BAY was
elected for the interment of the bodies.-
he crews of both fleets attended. The
Gather was fine--the elements seemed TO
anticipate in the soiemnites of the day, for
very breeze was hushed and not a wave
filled the surface of the water. The pro-,
,ssion OF boats--the neat appearance of
le officers and men--the music-the slow
I'D regular motion Of the oars, striking in
<act time with the notes of the solemn
rge-the mournful waving ofthv flags the
'und OF the minute guns from the different
lips IN the harbor-- the wild AID solitary
spect OF the place--the stiffness of nature,
ave to the scene an air of melancholy grau>
eur. better felt than described-all ac-
o~ledged its iuiuencc----all were sensi-
= affected. What contrast did it cx~
hit to the terrible conflict OF the proceed.
e day Then the people Of the two sauad-l
,ns were engage in the deadly strife of
rms. Now they associated like brothers,
} pay the last sad tribute of respect to the
cad Of both nations
Five officers were inferred, two American
nd three British. 1t. Brooks and midship.
ian Laub of the Lawrence: captain Fin
is and 1t. Stokoe of the Queen Charlotte,
nd 1t. Garland Of the Detroit. The graves
re but few PAGES from the beach, and the
lture traveller Of either nation. will find |