Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-11-12
WAsaIwc roN. November >

WASHINGTON, November 2.
Extract OF letter ffam A.. Sinclair, Esa.
commanding the United States nava.
force on the Upper Lakes, to the Secrs-
tary of the Navy. dated
u. S. s. Niagara. Roads OF Erie,
October 2s;h. 1914
SIR-I am rnder the notifying necessi-
ty Of stating to You that the repor; mem,
ed in my last letter Of the vessels lef, in tho
Upper Lake having been sarprised and cap
tuy-d by boats OF the enemy. has turned out
tobc correct. Tie bnatswain and Four men
from the Scorpion made Gleirs escape. on
their way to Kingston, and crossed Lake
Ontario in s'siFs from the Bay of Quinte TO
tire Gennessee River, from thence to this
place. The mans story is 4 most unfayor.
able one, and snch as am 10th to believe
true. from an wen>known character Of Lit.
Turner. He says the blockade of the Nau-.
tswasausa river was raised short time af-
ter my departure-that the Lient. who com-
manded the Navy land who had escaped III
the woods when she wac destroyed) had
passed up % Macainac in boats and it was
by him and his crew they were captured.
Tie Tigress bad been sepera,ed from hin
tive days arnory the islands in which time
she had been csp:ured They came in sight
Of Fer, LAYING at aGchor, in the evening the
wind being light, they anchored some dis
tance frcaI her. withput passlng signals. In
the morning there was only fur or five men.
and no officer on deck The Tisress sot
Under way. run down fred into them, and
were or board without any report ever be-
ing made to Mr. furuet. nor was there an
otticer of any grade on deck when she was
captured. The wind was light, the Scorpion
had the advantage Of I. long ;2.Dcunder over
TIE other and conld have re-captnred her
with such ease. The Tgrcss had made
great resistance, but was overpowered BY
an overwhelming force. Her commander,
tosIiing master ChampIain) and allher OIL 4
GERS were wounded, as we're many of his
men, and some killed. had gis en- Lieut..
inrDe'' picked crew from this vessel, with
sly Sailing mas er. and had added to both
their crew. IS chosen men borrowed from
toi. Crcghan, TO act as marines. ha.. ala
soieft him boarding "ctting Indeed, there
was no precautioo I did not take in anti
cirat'cn OF every effort. J knew the enemy
would make to regain their line OF commu>
"cat'on, on which their very existence de,
pended
herewith enclose you my ins.rn1tions to
Lent iiarner-after which cannot ex,
p resst TO ytr, sir, my chagrin a, learning the
n't'e regard which appears to have been
paid to them, ami the evil consequences
growing out of such neglect; consequences
ont TOO vel known TO you AVID To the gov.
ci'nmcnt. You must first believe the inf
ute interest had taken in the expedition
rom the moment had been entrusted viii,
ne Conducting Il, and the sanguipe hope J |
lad formed Of its complete success, and IN |
'enehss ting from II TO my country, =
enable you to form an adequate idea Of tis
notification nov experience.
have the honor 10 remain, with high re- !
pect, sir, yoer obedient servants,
A. SINCLAIR.
Ion WILLIAM J,NEs,
Secretary Of the NAVY.
,opy Of n letter from Capt Sinclair. 10
Licut Daniel Turner, dated,
u. s. S!oop cfWar Niagara.
Na"tawasauga River, Aug. IS, 1914.
STA -iiavin5 ACCOM- lished the object for
liica the squadron Game into this quarter,