The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-03-08

their ships astern were drawing up fast, I
| teit satisfied should be enabled to throw him
| out of the combat before they could come up.
and was not without hopes, if the night pro-
we'd dark, (of 'hich there was every appear
ance) that might still be enabled to effec,
my escape. Our opponent kept off at the
same instant we did, and our fire commenced
at the same time. We continued engaged.
steering south, with steering. IS set, two
hours and half, when we completely sue
ceeded in disnantling her. Previously to her
dropping entirely out of the action, there
were intervals OF minutes, when the ships
were broadside and broadside, in which she
did rot hre gun. At this period, (halfpast
8 o'clock) although dark, the other ships Of
the squadron were in sight, and almost with
in gun-shot. We were of course compelled,
to abandon her. I'm resuming our former
course, for the purpose Of avoiding the squad
ron, we were compelled to present our stern
to our antagonist-bnt such was his state,
though we were thus exposed, and within
range of his guns for half an hour, that he
did not avail himself Of this favorable oppor-
tunity OF raking us. We continued this course
until IL o'ciocg, when two fresh ships of the
enemy. (the Pomona and Tenedos) had come
up. The Pomona had opened her fire on the
larboard bow, within musket shot the 9TH
er about two cables length astern, taking a
with the exception of the Endy miou) with
IN gun-shot. Thus situated, with about one
nth OF my crew killed and wounded, nv ship
crippled, and more than four-fold force
opposed to me, without a chance of escape
left, deeined it my duty to surrender.
it is with emotions of pride l bear testimo-
ny To the gallaatry and steadness of every
officer and man had the honor to command
on this occasion, and / feel satisfied that.the
fact of their having beaten force equal to
themselves, in the presence and almost under
the guns OF so vastly superior force, when,
too, it was almost self-evident. that whatever
their e2;ertions might be, they must ultimate
| ly be captured, will be taken as evidence of
what they would have performed, had the
| force opposed to them been in any degree e.
qull.
1t is with extreme pain have to inform
| you that Lieuts. Rabbit. Hamilton and How
ell fell i'll the action. They have left no Off
| GERS of superior merit behind them.
| IT, sir, the issue O: this affair had been for
ii'iate, should have felt it my duty to have
recommended 10 your attention, ilsiIt, SSi,1-
brick and Gallagher They maintained
| throughout the day, the reputation they had
| acquired in former actions.
Lieut.. Iwiggs, of the marines, Displayed
| great zeal, his men were well supplied, and
their hire incompatible, so long as tie enemy
| Midshipman Randolph, who had charge of
the forecastle division, managed it to my entire
satisfaction.
FROM Mr.. Robinson, who was serving as q
volunteer, received essential aid, particu-
larly after was deprived Of the services of
TIE master, and severe loss had sustained in
! my officers on the quarterback.
Oh our loss IN killed and wounded am un-
able at present to give you correct state
| ment the attention of the Surgeon being so
entirely occupied with the wounded, that he
was unable to make out correct return when
| LETT the President, nor shall be able to
make 1t until our arrival i'll port, we having
parted company withthe squadron yesterday
L he enclosed list, with the exception / fear
! of its being short of the number, ill be found
Correct.
For "a hours after the action, it was near
| 'y Calm. ana the squadron were occupied in
| repairing the crippled ships. Such of the crew
! OF tile President as were not badly wounded,
wels put on board the different ships; myself
auda part of my crew, were put on board
| this snip. On the 17th, VIC had gale from
| the eastward, when this SHIP lost her
bowsprit, fore aud main-masts, and mi
zen top-mast, all os which were bad
| ly Wounded, and was IN consequence of her
disabled Condition, obliged to throw overheard
ailof her upper deck guns ; her less in kill
| led and wounded must have been very great
| have not been able to ascertain the ex-
! tent. Ten were buried after came on board
! $50 hours after the action J the badly woun-
ded, such as are obliged to keep their cots,
occupy the starboard side of the gun deck,
from the cabin bulk head to the main-mast
From the crippled state of the Presidents
spars, feel satisfied she could rot have sa-
we'd her masts, and feel serious apprehen-
sions for the safety of cur wounded left On
| board.
1t is due to Capt. Hope to state that every
! attention has been paid by him to myself Il
| officers, that have been placed on board his
ship, that delicacy &c humanity could dictate.
Ihave the honor to be, with much respect,
| sir, your obedient servant,
STEPHEN DECATUR.
The hon. Ben. ~. Crozmizshield,
Secretary ofthe Nary.
British squadron refsJTed to in The letter.
Majestic, TaZee Tenedos
trdyDion Dispatch, brig.
P1more
List Of killed. md 7po,mdsd on board the IT, States
| FygG.e President:
NlLLhD-Lieuls T. ". Rabbit, 4. Hamilton, v.
| T. Howell; Henry Hi, Samuel Gaines, Samuel De
Costes dy Lamphiere, MichseI Barton, John Weary,
/ john Briggs, Chas. Conway, VIM. Smith Sd. William
heeIer James Chapman, Geo w. Swift, Francis Dec,
! Edward james. Amos Peasy, VIM Barrett, Charles
| Pratt lhos Kelley, Andrew Sestrom, WIN. M core,
| Aaron bynr.
W0UNDED-Sailing Master Rogers, bir Robin.
! son, Midshipmen Dale and Brewster Masters mate
Parker, Jos Fitch, Jno. G<lfey, Jas Nickerson, VIM
Nisbet, Ino. Butler, VIM Rogers, Alexander Gordon
1 IA I1ay-1 -. Ill II