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

enabled to throw him out of the combat be.
'ore they could come up. and was not with.
out hopes, IT the night proved dark, (of
which there was every appearancc) that
might still be enabled to effect my es-
cape. Our opponent kept Of at the same
Instant we did. and our fire commenced at
the same time. We continued engaged
steering south with steering sails set two
hours and half, when we cotapIeteIv suc.
ceeded in dismantling her. Previously to
her dropping entirely out of the action
there were intervals Of minutes. when m,
SHIPS were broadside and br.,adside. j.,
which she did not Are gun. AZ this peri.
OIL (half past o'clock) although dark. tn.
other ships OF the squadron were in sight
ana almost within gun shot. We were of
course compelled 70 abandon her In re-
suming our former Course for the purpose
OF avoiding the squadron, we were com.
pehed 10 present our stern to our antago~
nist-but such was his state, though we
were thus exposed and within range OF mis-
guns tor half aud hour, that he did not
asau himself OF this favorable opportunity
OF raking us We continued this course un.
I'll IL O'Clock, when two fresh ships of the
enemy Che Pomona and Tenedo,l had
come up. The Pomona had opened her
h'e on the larboard bow, within musket
SHOT the other about two cables Ienrtb
astern, taking raking position on our quar-.
Yer ana the rest with the exception of the
hndymion) within gun shot. Thus stua.
cd with about one-tifth of my crew kill.
ed and wounded, my ship crippled. and a
mere than four>fold force opposed to nae.
without chance of escape left, I deemed
it my duty 20 surrender.
It Is with emotions of pride bear testix
mnny to the gallantry and s.eadiness of Q.
very ofhcer and man had the honor to
command on this occasion, and feel satis-
neo tnat the fact iof their having beaten a
iorce equal to themselves, in the presence
anu almost under the guns of so vastly a
superior Iorce, when, too it was almost self
eviaent' that whatever their exertions
Iignt oe, 'hey must ultimately be captured,
VIII be taken as evidences of what thew wonld
have performed. had the force opposed r.,
them been in any degree equal
IL IS with extreme pain l have 70 inform,
you that Lieuts. Rabbit, Hamilton and How.
eli 'eil IN the action. They have left no
oinCess OF superior merit behind them.
liz SIR the issue of this affair had been
fortunate. should have felt it my duty TO
nave recommended to YOUR attention Lieutc
ohuorick and Gallagher. They maintained
tnroushout the day the reputation thew had
acquired in former actions.
Lieut.. Twiggs, of the marines, displayc1
great zeal, his men were well supplied and
their hire Incompatible. SO long as the en-
envy continued within musket range.
Midshipman Randolph, who had charge
OF tbe iorecastle division, managed it to INV
entire satisfaction.
from Mr., Robinson, who was serving as
|: 'O'un'ser, l received essential aid, par
uouiariy alter L was deprived of the seryi.
Ces or the mas; er and severe loss 7 had sus-
tanned in my officers on the ouar,ar dscI
Or cur Joss in killed and wonnded 90
unable at present to give you a cnrrect
statement the attention of the Snreeon
oeinS so entirely occupied with the woun-
He>'' 'aat ne was unable to make ont a cor.
rec! re.urn when left the President. nor
snail De able tcmake IL until our scriyal j.,
Pcrt' we having parted company with r.,
squadron Yesterday. I he enclosed 1ist
WIN the exception fear ofi,s beine short
:" me npmhe r, win be found correc,.
for - hours after the action il was nesr.
iycalm, and the squadron were occun;ad i,
repairing the Crippled ships. Such ofthe
crew Oh the frezdcnta as were not BAD,
|.uhnen' were put on beard the different
ships myself and part of my crew were
put On BOARD this ship On the 17ih we had
sa.e from the eastward, when this shin
iose her bowsprit, fore and main>masts .rS
mizen top mast, all of which werr had,,,
wounded, and was in consequence rs ~,
disabled condition, obliged to throw over
board all OF her upper deck guns . her Iose
III Killed and wounded must have been ve.
ny great. nave not been able to ascertain
lhe extent Zen were buried after came
On BOARD, (oo hours after the acti my the
uaoiy wounded, such as are obliged 10 keen
their cots, occupy the starboard side of III
gun deck from the cabin bulk head 70 ,he
nam mast. From the crippled state of tha
Fresldent's spars, feel satisfied she couId
not save her masts, and feel sermons AN.
prehensions for the safety of our wounded
left on board. "e"
IL Is Que to captain Hope to state. that =.
very attention has been paid by him to nv.
sen ana oihcers that have been placed on
could dictate. humanity
nave tue honorto be, with much rca
'Pect, SIR, your obcdient servant.
STEPHEN DECATUR.
The Hon. Ben. w Crowninshield.
Secretary ofthe Navy.
British Squadron referred 10 in Me letter.
Majestic, race,
EDdymion,
Pomone,
Tenedos,
Dispat b Cbrig)
List OF killed and 7v5uHdea on 5ourd the n
states F'iGute President.
KiLLED.~-Lieus. Il. Rabbit. A. u.nu
on, - how III " nry Hill, Samuel Gainas
samuel DE Coster, Hy. Lamphiere. M;ch.si
3arton, Join Weary, John Briggs, Cha c.n,
yay, VIM Smith Sd. VIM Keelsr' Jas ci',"
nan, Geo. w. Swift Francis Dso. RJ",.pS
James, Ames Peasly, William Barrett. Chs,,es
Dratt, lhOs. Kelley, And Seztrn,, tsr.ii: