The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-12-21

intentions. The moon was near its full, which
enabled Us TO observe them very miDuiely I;
and now determined TO haul in nearer The
shore. According ly,after clearing for action,
we got under way, and began 10 sweep in.
The moment this was observed by the enc
my's brig, she instantly cut her cable, made
sail, and despatched four boats in pursai, of
us. Being now about 8, p. NJ. as soon as
we saw The boats approac hing, We let 60 our
anchor, got sprisgs on our cable, and prepar
ed 10 receive them. hailed them repeated
iy as they drew near, bur they fell no inclins-
lion TO reply. Sure Of their game, they only
pulled with the greater speed observed
the other boats were we'll manned, and appa-
emily as we'll armed and as soon<us they
had clevcrly cot alongside, we opened our
fire, which was as soon returned T; but meet
ing with rather warmer reception than they
mad probably been aware of they very soon
cried out for quarters, and hauled oH. In this
skirmish | had one man killed, and my Fl rst
lieutenant wounded Tn. en-my's loss must
have been upwards of twenty killed and woun.
dcd.
They had now repai' ed TO their ships 10
prepare for more formidable attack. We,
in the interim, having taken the hint, prepar-
ed to haul close into the Beach, where we
moored head and stem within half pistol sho,
of the castle. This done, we again prepared
IN the best possible manner for theit second
reception. About 9 p. M. we observed the
cnemy's brig towing in large fleet of boais.
They soon alter left The brig and took their
station In three divisions, under cover Of a
small reef of rocks, within about musket shot
Of US. Here they 'continucd man9uveriDg
for some time, the brig still keeping under
way to act with the boats, should we at any
time attcmpt our escape.
The shores were lined with the inhabitants,
waiting the expected attack and from The
brightness Of the moon, they had most favor
able view of the scene. The Governor, with
most Of the first people of the place, stood by
and saw the whole affair.
Al length, about midnight, we observed
The boats in motion, four crew having laid at
their Quarters during the whole of this inter.
'ai) They came on in one direct line, keep
ing in close order; and we plainly counted
twelve boats.--As soon as they came With.
IN proper distance we opened our fire, which
was warmly returned from the cnemy's car
ronades and small arms. The discharge
from our Long Tom rather staggered them
but soon reconnoiteripg, they gave three
cheers, and came on most spiritedIy In a
moment they succeeded in gaining our bow
and starbeard qdarter, and the word was Board.
Que great guns now becoming useless, We
attacked them sword in hand, together with
our pixies, pistols, and musket,y, from which
our lads poured on them a most destructive
fire. The enemy made frequent and repeat.
ed attempts TO gain cur decks, but were re-
Uulsed al all times, and at all points, with the
,reatesi slaughter. $500 About the middle of
the action received mreliigence of the death
OF my second Lieutenant and soon after of
the third Lieutenant being badly wounded.
From this and other causes, / found our h,e
had much siackened on the forecastle and.
fearful Of the event. l Instantly rallied the
whole of orr AFTER division, who had been
bravely defending and now had succeeded IN
beating the boats off the quarters. They
gave shout, rushed forward, opened fresh
fire, and soon after decided the conflict, which
and the loss Of many Of their boats two OF
which, belonging to the Rota, we took pos
session of, literally loaded with their own
dead. Seventeen only escaped from them
both, who had swan 90 the shore. In another
boat under our quarter, com nanded by one of
the Lieu,cnan,s Of the Plantagene,, all were
killed saving four. This have from the
Lieutenant himself, who further told me tha.
he jumped overheard to save his own life.
The duration OF this action was 30 minutes.
Our decks were now found in much confus-
ion, our Long Tom disrnountcd, and several
of our carriages broken; many Of our crew
having left the vessel, and others disabled.
Under these circumstances, however, we
succeeded in getting Long Tom in his birth,
and the decks cleared in some sort for a fresh
action, should the enemy attack Us again be.
fore day light. A NJ I received
message from the Anne lean Consul, re-
guessing to see me on shore, whese nc ,nforn-
cd me the Governor mad sent note 20 Captain
Lloyd, begging him to desist from further
bostiIitics. To which Captain L.oyd sent for
answer, that he was now determined to have
the privateer at risk Of knocking down the
whole town and that if the Govcrnor suffer.