Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-10-06

Copy qfa letter from Cont Maedoaoagh to the Sszs-
tay # the May, date4
u. S. ship Saratoga, Plattssurgh Bay,
SeptenIbet Is, 1914.
SIR have the honor to give you the particulars
of the action which took place the llth inst ola
this lake.
For several days the enemy on their way
to Piattsburgh by land and water, and ii being.
wellunderstood that an attack would be made II
the Same time by their land and naval forces,
determined TO wait al anchor the approach of the
latter.
At A. NJ. the look out boat ANNOUNCED the
approach of the enemy. At 9, he anchored in 1.
line ahead, at about 500 yards distance from my
line his ship opposed 10 tie Saratoga, his brig 10
the Eagle, capt Henley, his gailes, IS in nun
Der, to the schooner, sioop, and division of orr
galiies; one OF his sloops assisting their ship and
brig, the other assisting their ga!lIes. Our re-
manning salAes with the Saratoga and Eagle.
In this situation The whole force On both sides
became engaged, the Saratoga suffering much
from the heavy fire Of the Confaace. | could
perceive at the same time, however, that our fire
was very destructive to her. The Ticouderoga,
Lit Con. Cassin, gallantly sustained her full
share OF the action. At halt past ten O'Clock. the
Eagle. not being able to brsis her guns to bear,
cut her cable and anchored in more eligible posi-,
non, between my ship and the Ticonleroga, where
y leaving me exposed to calling fire from the
enenys brig. Our guns on the starEsard side be-
ing nearly all dismoun.ed or not manageable, =
stern anchor was let go, the bower cable cut, and
the ship wsIded with fresh broadsde on the enc
my's ship, which soop after surrendered, Our
bfo4dslde was then sprung to bear on the brig,
which surrendered III about IS minutes after.
The soop that was opposed TO the Eagle, had
struck some time before and dritted down the line;
the sioop which was with their gaes having
struck also Three OF their galEes are said 70 be
SUNK, the others pulled off Our gales were
about obeying VITA aiacfity the signal to follow
them when all the vessels were reported 10 nc
to belna sinking state it then became necessary
TO annui t4e slsmal % the Galies, and order their
men TO the pumps.
lcoult only hook at the enemy's galles going off
in shattered condition, for there not a mast
i'll either squadron that could stand to make sail
on the lower rigging Being nearly all shot away,
hung down Us tho 1T had been just placed over the
mast heads
The Saratoga had ffty-fve round shot in her
huh the Coniiance one hundred and five. The
enemys shot passed principally just over urheaGs,
as there were not 20 whole hammocks in the nett
lngs at the close of the action, which lasted with
out mtermisslon two hours and twenty minutes
The absence and sickness of Lieut.. Raymond
Perry, left without the services OF that excel-
cht officer; much ought fairly to be attributed to
hlm Tor his great and attention in disciphnlDg
the ships crew, her first lieutenant. His place
was filled by gallant young officer Lieut.. Peter
Gamble, who, regret to inform you, killed
early in the action Acting Lieut.. Vallette work.
ed the LIST and 20 divisions of guns with able effect.
Sailing master Bruins attention TO the springs
and in the execution fthe order to wind the ship,
and occasionally at the guns, meets with my en-
ire appreciation, also Capt. Youngs commanding
the acting marines, who took his men to the guns.
Mr Beale, purser, was of great service at the
guns, aad in carrying my orders throughout the
ship with midshiplnan Montgomery Masters
mate Joshua Justin, had command of the Sd digi-
sion his conduct during the action was that OF
brave and correct officer Mdshipmen Monteath,
Graham, Williamson, Plat, Thwing, and acting
midshipmtn Bald win, all behaved well, and gave
evidence Of their making valuable officers.
The Saratoga YVES twice set on fire by hot shot
from the cnelIy's ship.
/ close sir, this communication with feelings OF
gratitude for the able support Ireceived from eve
ny officer and man attached to the squadron
which have the honor to command
have the honor to be, with great respect, slF'
your most obedent servant,
r MAcDoNouGH,
Hon. Nm. Zones, Secretary Of TIE May.
P. S, Accompanying this is list of killed and
wounded, list of prisoners and precise state
mcnt OF both forces engaged. Also letters from
Capt. Henley and Lieut.. Com. Cassin J. NJ
Return fkilled and wounded on board the U. D.
squadron on Lake Champlain, IN the engage
ment with the British feet on the 18th OF SEPT
1914.
Killed Wounded
Saratoga, 70 %
Eagle, Is 20
1iconderoga,
preble, 2