Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-02-01
HARRY WooD, Secretary


Cotsy of a letter from Commodore Patter.
son TO The Secretary of HE MaUy, dQ.ed
.Fe9o Orleans, leth December 1914.
SlR-l have the honor to inform you. that
since the date of my last letter, Dr. Mar
shaii mas arrived at this place, ard made
10 me the within statement relative to the
aCuon between our gun vessels and the bar
Ses OF the enemy, and their Subsequent
movements; since when no further intelli,
gence has been received BY this statement
1t appears the enemy's force Was infinitely
superior to that reported by Mr.. Johnson.
ne vessels stated by Doctor Marshall to be
within the shoals of Passes CHRISTIAN and
Mary Ann, must have been built expressly
LOT cur saoai waters, and their having
Drought them within those shoals, indicates,
tnink, an intention to rely upon them and
numerous fiat barges, TO ate mpt dis c,tv
oy forcing their way up the Bayou ST. John.
10 guard against their so dong, on the even.
ing of Tie 18th ! Commenced erecting on the
banks OF the Bayou, two batteries to mount
eaCh long "A pounders, one of which, in
despite OF rain and other difficulties, is now
thronSh the active exertions of my few re,
naming officers, ready for action, This
other VIII be completed by tomorrow night.
when hope the enemy may attempt us by
that route. These Two batteries are inde.
pendent OF the Fort st. John. at the mouth
OF the Bayou. Every exer,io., is also maks
ing to have fire.vessels ready for them in
the event OF an attack by way of the river.
Their attack will, no doubt, be made stimuli.
taneousiy BY the Barataria aad lake POM
chartrain. Capt Henley and lieut.. Norris
have the superintendent Of the batteries
erecting at the Bayou st. John. Lieuts.
Alexis and Thompson, acting lIeuts. Crow.
lie, and Cunnlngham and saiiiug master
Pollock, are interchangeable in their cndeavors
to expedite every measure winch is found
necessary at this tine. % 900" -
The nag sent TO the enemy has not vet reA
turned. am happy to inform you, that
the most determined spirit Of resistance 10
che enemy is manifested by every class of
citizens OF this country and l have no doubt
that the enemy will be repulsed in any at4
tack he may make upon Us, with very great
loss. The gallant resistance made bJ the
few gun vessels appears to have reused the
spirits OF the people, and animated them TO
the highest pitch
nave the honor to be, with great consia
deratien and respect, your o5edient ssrs
want,
DAN'L 7. PATTERSON.
The hon. Secretary Offhe
Navy, Harrington.
Cohy ofG letter from Acfing Surgeon Mar.
shaH, 10 Com. Patterson, dafed .Ye,y.
Orleans, mn DECEMBER, 1914. '''"7
SIR haze the honor to inform vou-
that on tuesday evening the 1871 INFANT
a, 10 o'clock, A. NJ the enemy landed az
Pass ChristianEe, with one hundred and six
barges from tic squadron OIL snip Island.-.
At p. NJ got under weigh and directed
their course towards the United Safes gun
vessels, then laying at anchor on BAY 81.
Louis They did not, however, come up
with our squadron that night, which. in the
mean time, retreated TO the Malhereaux
Islands, where the wind and tide forced
them to remain. Wednesday the IA h inst.
the weather being calm, at 10 o'clock, =.
NJ. an engagement ensued, which continued
about two hours. when the enemy closed
AVID SUI rounded the gun vessels, in every die
rection keeping up a constant FIRE from heir
great guAS and musketry, and making ire
quent attempts to carry by boarding. In
ibis situation our gallant officers aud men,
resolving never to give up their ships, fought
with the most distinguished bravery for the
incredible space Of one hour against such
an over@ helming force When the action
terminated in the capture of gun vessels No,
I56. 100 I69 "a and deeuafcb boat A.