Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-03-08


ougnt 10 nave come to hand yesterday. give,
a full and interesting account of the action
between her and the British squadron.
Off Wew. London. Feb. 81.
commodore Deca 'ur, lieut.. Shubrck the
commodore's clerk. and your humble ser.
want arrived here this morning frcm Bermu.
ds the Commodore in the Narcissus--Shu-
brick and myself in the Pactolus frigate
just as boat from New-London, had
Drought off the news of Peace to Admiral
Hotham Tomorrow they fire their royal
salutes when expect we shall be landed.
i send you enclosed copy of a letter
from late officer of the President to his
friend Ia your city, giving the particulars of
the action and CAPTURE of that ship.
"Bermuis. Jan. 81, 1915.
"We got under way from the watering
place on the morning of the 18th inst. and
anchored again within the Hook in the
evening weighed with an intention OF an
choring close to the har. that we cou,d cross
1t with more ease as the night was dark !;
but by some mistake three gun boa-s that
were anchored there for that purpose, we're
not in their proper situa ion in vounding to,
TO anchor for high watee. the ship struck /;
there being heavy sea on the bar, she beat
could force her over. which was accom-
plshed about 10 o'cl ck. ALTHOUGH the ship
continued right, we were appreheusive that
her bottcm and rudder had received mueh
irjury. which was too well confirmed When
daylight appeared, for we discovered that
two of the rudder braces were broke, and
the false keel much injured, the after part
projecting considerable from the main keel,
We stood away to the eastward With stiff
breeze from the NV and had run about
half Long Island down, when at A. NJ. we
discovered large sail rearly ahead we
immediately hauled up 70 the wind and soon
discovered three more sail in chase. At
daylight the nearest ship, which was IA !.
zee, commenced firing from her bow guns,
but without effect, her shot falling short !;
We soon found we dropped the razec. The
wind at this time growing light. the other
ships evidently gslned on us; one ship in
IN particular, a heavy frigate, neared US
fast. AS ihe oaIy alternative eft. the Com.
nnodore ordered the ship to be lightened !:
provisions &c. were thrown overheard, wa
ter started and every exer,ion made that
could facilitate her sailing, and the salts
kept continually wet At 10. made another
sail on tho weather beam and soon discov-
eietl her to be n sloop of war standing down
Tor us At 8, the nearest ship had got With
In gun shot commenced and kept up con.
slant FIRE from her bow guns, which we i'm
mediately returned, but with little effect on
either side, there being high irregular sea
Every hope of escape, as the wind then
was, without coming to close action, had
vanished.
Our gallant commodore then conceived
the bold design of closing and boarding the
enemy; the boarders were then called. and
all hands greeted him with three hearty
cheers. 1t was truly astonishing to see the
coo', deliberate courage and cheerfulRess,
that prevailed among the officers and crew.
IN the face of an enemy more than four
times tteir force From this You may con.
ceiye what he wou' j have done. had we any
thing Ike an equal force to contend with
Every arrangement was now made to close
with the leading shin, which he'd at this
time ranged up nearly within pistol shot,
and out brave commodore placing himself
at the head of the boarders, Ats p NJ we
wore short round with the intention of lay>
ing him on board--bur, as if he had antici
pated orr design be immediately wore and
hauled te she wind, fearing to close, although
the whole squadron were coming NJ fast he
having the wind Il was impossible to close
for boarding we then opened cur FIRE. and
In fifteen minutes his sails were very much
cut up both ships now falling off, CON inued
engaging before The wind for an hour and a
halt, in which time his spars. sails and rig
ging, was literally cut 20 pieces, and mis- fire
nearly silenced, only firing single guns at
long istervaIs. We now quit him, ard 10
hauing up, had 10 expose ourselves to a
raking 6re, but he was so much Cut " tn it
he could not avail himself of the advantage,
and only fred or q shot we then, aston
ishingstn relate, went out of ACTON with eve
ry sail &c and soon left our antagoRis out of
sight. We were now going off with every
thing set, our damade but trihing, sails al,
wet again and began almost to flatter our
selves on the probability of escaping. Had
thick weather set in, OF which there was e"
very appearance, no doubt but we should
have Succeeded--on the contrary, it cont
nued fine. and he three other ships plainly
discernible, making their night signals, two
in particular nearing us fast, as the concu.
sion of our guns had destroyed the wind,
whereas they were bringing up the breeze
with them.
About TIVE hours from the time we ieft
the ship we had engaged, one OF the ener
my had approached within half gun shot
the other taking raking position /; being
now assaulted by so superior a force, with :
cut any probability OF escape, our brave
commodore with great reluctance, befng
dictated by motive Of humanity, ordered
a signal ofsnrrender to be made, notwiih
standing they continued firing into us for
more thaniI5 minutes through nliskake.----
We we're then taken possession Of by the
Pomone and Ttnedos Of SO guns and Maies-
tic razee OF 60 guns. found the ship we
hed engaged was the Endymion mounting
S guns, long 81 Founders on her gun deck
Our less as you may suppose from the
length of the &C ion. was great as rear as
Icould learn we had "a killed and 81 woun
ded. Commcdo'e Deootur received Sc
we're confusion in tae breast, Of which am