The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1815-03-01

C.ry ef q leasr Jrom Com. Patterson 10 fhe
Secretary ot rhe Nary.

Nero. Orleans, 27M Jan 1915.
SfR--I do myself the honor 10 enclose you
/ q letter frou Mr.. Thomas Shields, Purser of
this station, giving detailed account of The
expedition under his command, sent 10 annoy
the enemy in their mbarkalion; the success
ful issue Of which ishigFly honoraDleto him
and those under his command. The prison
els taken by him, addcd o hose taken by Mr.
Johnson, will so far 10 the exchange Of my
officers and seamcn,cspl ed ia the gun
have the honor TO be, sc.
DANIEL r. PATTERSON.
The Hon. sec'ry Of the Navy. Washington
COPY ej a letter from Mr.. Thomas Shields TO
Commodore Peterson, dated
Aesr Orleans, 25h Jan 1915.
SIR-I have the hoaor to report NY arrival
in this city last night from the expedition OF
dered by you the i7th inst. and which you did
me the honor to entrust my command.
Op the night of the 18th ! left The Pass
Cheuf Mon,cur, having made the necessary
observations on the enemy's si,ustioD before
sunset, wiki fve boats and your gig msnncd
and armed with fifty men. Al 10, p dis.
covered boat a, anchor, which captured
by surprize, no resistance bsing made she
had forty men Of the 'Ath light Dragons, In
cludng officers, and fourteen semen OF the
British navy under command OF masters
mate.
Tho number Of troops exceeding my own,
thooght il most prudent TO convoy them IN.
TO the picket guard, from whence they could
be more COW enien,ly sen; TO New Orleans by
land than by water, snd oy winch means B
should also avoid weakening ny own force, in
| itself already too limited for the completion
Of the object 10 view.
Alter landing the prisoners and putting
them in chu,ge Of the army, l again left the
| Pass .abou 2, A n. aud stood on 10 gain the
enc emy's tack ,iD the hope of uiereep'ng some
of .hem about Daylight, Du' without success.
returned 10 the Pass on the 2oth, al 9, A NJ.
where ! was detained until the morning OF The
2lst Three gun.boats having arrived from
The feet bclow with four transports, oil OF
whom were soon filled with troops from the
shore, at &, A. NJ 2lst, again got out and
fell into their track 10 the fleet about day
light. Finding il impossible to make any
captures without being discovered, deter
mined 10 run down among them IN disguise
aud strike al every opportnn'iy-Hoisted
English colors and took transport boat with
five men ordered her to follow and stood on
for a transport schooner VINO was beating up
tor the army. A, 9, boarded and took her
without opposition with men; she had ten
on board.--From this time until IL We veto
in the midst of their boats going up TO the ar
my, aud during which time We took i've 9TH
! crs, having on board 70 men. The wind at
| this time had unfortunately hauled to y. W.
and blew with grcs, violence ordered their
boats with their prizes 10 make the best CT
their way to the Rigolets. Finding the trans
ports draft of water 100 great to take her over
! The shoals having already taken the ground,
| set her on 6re and Joined the boats on shore.
The wind still increasing and many boats ap-
proachinv full Of men from the army, induc-
| ed be.sf that they had discovered my char.
| ac,er FROM the burning oil the schooner, and
meant TO attack me.
NV force was unfortunately divided the
| large launch with a IL pound carronadc, and
J some of my best men, with 30 prisoners, hav-
| ing driited below, we're compelled, from the
! strength of the current TO anchor on the other
side nearly half miie,disiant. Every dispo-
| si,ion was made by our litlc band TO defend
! ourselves to the last extremity, and fire was
prepared 10 burn the marsh should the enc
nv land in my rear. Six boats approached
us at one time crowded with men, and three
| made fent 10 attack the launch, bu, well
| directed shot from her carronadc compelled
them to haul off. and few discharges OF onr
muskctry drove the others also. In about
hours we were entirely clear o! them. lhe
violence OF the wind aud the tide drove ,wo
Of The prizes from their anchorage, on board
Of which were abou; 90 pris, ners, with o
my own men, who were taken of, the Pfls
oncrs having overpowcaed them as soon a.
they got out Of the reach OF our mosset'y
This Is the only loss have experienced dn'
ing the expedition Finding IL totally imprsc
,ica5le 70 stem The sireng,h OF the eafren'