The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-04-19

TO render 1t no longer safe OF prudent tor me
to continue in that part of the Lakes with
the small force which / commanded
therefore determined TO gain a station near
the nalhereux Islands as sogn AS possible,
which station would better enable me to OPP
pose further penetration OF the enemy up
the Lakes, and at the same time afford ire
an opportunity ct retreating to the Petite
CoQuillc if necessary. ~.
At 10 A. Nj. ON the 18Th, discovered
large fotilla of barges had left the feet, sha-
ping their course towards the Pass Christian,
which supposed to be a disembsrk alton Of
troops intending to land at that place A.
bout 2. Nj. the eneny's tiotilla having
gained the pass Christian, and continuing
their course to the westward, convinced N.
that an attack On the gun boats was their de-
sign. At this tine the water in the Lakes
was uncommonly low, owing to the westerly
wind which had prevailed for a number of
days previous, and which still continued
from the same quarter. Nos. 156, 1862 and
1913, although in the best channel, were in 10
or IS inches less water than their draught.-
Every effort was made to get them afoat by
throwing overheard all articles IF weight that
could be dispensed with. AT s so. the food
time had commenced; got under weigh, ma
king the best of my way towards Petite Co
guile. Az IS, the enemy dispatched 3
boats to cut out the schooner Sea Horse, which
had been sent into the bay Saint Louis that
morning to assist in the removal Of the Dub
lie stores, which had previously ordered.
There finding removal impracticable, I
ordered pre- pc rations 10 be made for their de-
structon, least they should fall into the enc
emy's hands. A few discharges Of grape shot
from the a-Horse compelled !he three
boats, which had attacked her, to retire ont
of the reach of her guns, until they were ;oin
ed by four others, when tine attack was re-
commenced by the seven boats Mr.. john
son having chosen an advantageous position
near the poueders mounted on the bank
maintained sharp action for near so mi
nutes. when the enemy hauled off, having one
boat apparently much injured, and with the
loss of several men killed and wounded. Al
so an explosion at the Bay. and soon after
a large fire, induced me to believe the Sea-
Horse was blown up and the public store
house set on fire, which has proved to be the
fact,
About a Nj. on the 18th, the wind ha-
wing entirely died away, and our vessels be-
come Interchangeable, came to anchor in the
west end of MalhereuX Islands passage at
day light the next morning, sill perfect
calm, the enemy's 1otilia was about 9 miles
from us at anchor, but soon got in motion and
rapidly advanced towards us. The want cf
wind, and the strong ebb tide which was {set-
native, which was, to put ruy vessels in the
most advantageous position. to give the enc
my as warm reception as possible. The
commanders were all called on board and
made acquainted with my Intentions, aud the
position which each vessel was to take, the
whole to form close line abreast ecre..e the
channel, anchored by the stern with springs
on the cables, SSc. &c. Thus we remained
anxiousy awaiting an attack from the advan-
r II
guished to be composed of forty f.co heavy
launches and gnn-5arges with three light
giggs manned with upwards of one thousand
men and officers. About 80, .hs Alligator
(tender) which was TO the Southwark and
Eastward, and endeavoring to iofn the divi-
sion was captured by several of the enc
ny's barges, when the whole f,otila came
too, with their. grapnels a little out of
reach of our shot, apparently making ar
rangements for the attack. At 10 80, tile e.
nemy weighed forming line abreast in open
order, and steering direct for our line, which
was unfortunately in some degree broken by
the force Of the current driving Hos i56 and
16S about 100 yards ia advance. AS soon as
the enemy came within reach OF our shot, a
deliberate fire from oar long guns was open
e. upon him, out without much effect the OBJ
ccts being of so small size. At 10 minutes
before II the enemy opened FIRE from the
whole OF ms line, Wben the acton became Ce-
neral and destructive on both sides. About
| IL 40 the advance boats of the enemy, three
| in number, attempted to boarl no. 156, but
| were repulsed with the loss of nearly every
officer killed or wounded, and two boats
sunk. A second attempt to board was then
, made by fur other boats, which shared al
most similar fate. At this moment re-
ceved severe wound in my left shoulder
which compelled me to quit the deck, leav-
! ing it in charge of Mr.. George Parker, mas
| ter's mate, VINO galtantly defended the vessel
! until he was severely wounded, ahen the en-
| envy, by his superior numbers, succeeded in
| gaining possession of the detk about 10 mi.
nutes past IL O'Clock. The enemy imnedi-
ately turned the guns Of his prize on the Other
| gun-boats, and fired several shot hreUious tc
| striking the American colors The action
continued with unsbating severity until A
minutes past - O'Clock, when it terminated
| with the surrender of No. IS, all the Other
vessels having previously fallen into the hand.
/ of the enemy.
| In this unequal contest our loss i'm killer
and wounded has been trifling, compared t,
| that of the enemy, which amounts to neal
! 400
Enclosed you will receive list of the kiIlc,
| and wounded, and a Correct statement Of t,it
| force which had the honor to command a
the commencement Of the action, together
| with AN estimate of the force / had to con
tend against, as acknowledged by the enemy
l .-I, al A. r