The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-03-18

round, and gave her the larboard broadside
(being at this time within grape distance)
which was returned, and the action commen-
ced within the range of musquetry. At 4, /
Capt. Allen was wounded, and the enemy
shot away our main braces, min spring stay,
gait, and t.ysailmast. At S, Captain Al
len, being much exhausted with the loss of
blood, was taken below. AT ~, lost our
spritsalyard and the principal part of the
standing rigging on the iarboard side of the
foremost. AT this time l received wound
on the head from grape shot, which, for "a
time, rendered me incapable of attending to
duty, and was carried below. had, howe
yer, the satisfaction OF recollecting OH my re-
covery, that nothing which the most gallant
eXertions could effect, would be left undonc
by 1t. w. n. Allen, Jr. who succeeded in tie.
command Of the deck. 1t. Alien reports, at
+ IA. the enemy, being in our weather quar-
i:r, edged Cd for the purpose of getting un-
der our stern, but the Argus mffed close to
with the maintopsail aback, and giving him
raking broadside, frustrated his attempt-
at 6 Is, the enemy shot away our preventer-
main braces and maintopsa!tye and the
Argus having lost the use of her after sails
tell OH before the wind, when the enemy sue
ceeded in passing our stern, and ranged up
on the starboard side. At E IS, tn: wheel
ropes and running rigging of every descr,pti-
OH being shot away, the Argus became ua-
manageable and the enemy, not having sus-
tanned any apparent damage, had it COM
pletely IN his power TO chuse position, con-
tinued to play upon CUT starboard quarter,
occasionally shifting his situation until so,
when returned to the deck, the enemy be-
ing under our stern, within pisto, shot, where
ne continued To rake US until SO, when we
prepared to board, tut, in consequence of our
shattered condition, were unable to effect il
the enemy then passed our broads.ie and
TOOK position on our starboard bow From
this time until AZ, we were exposed TO a
cross or raking fire, without being able to
oppose but little more than muskety to the
oroadside OF the enemy, our guns being much
disabled and seldom brought to bear The
Argus having now suffered much, in hull ant.
rlgging, as also in killed and wounded a.
mong the former of whom (exclusive of our
gallant Captain,) We have to lament the loss
OF two meritorious young officers in Mdshiu-
men Delphv and Edwards and being expo
sed to Calling fire. which from the enen,v's
ability TO manage his vessel, we could not a.
void, deemed it necessary to surrender, and
was taken possession of by II. B. NJ soop the
rehcan, of twenty-one carriage guns, viz.
sixteen S2-pound carronadcs, four long 6's. &
! one lib. carronade. / hope this measure
VIII meet your appreciation, and that the
result or THIS action, when the superior size
and metal OF our opponent, and the fatigue
winch the crew, &c. of the Argus under
went roma very rapid succession of cap
lures is considered, will not be thought un-
worthy OF the flag under which We serve.
lhave the honor to enclose a list of killed
and wounded, and feel great satisfaction in
reporting the general good conduct of the
oifcs and iilGii 9iiSase,i OH this occasion,
ana particularly the zeal and activity display
ed by 1t. Allen, who you will observe Tor
time commanded on deck
nave the honor TO be, sir, with great res
pect, your obedient servant, -,
w. II. WATSON.
Late Isl Lit. u. S. Brig argus.
t1on b. w. CRowNfNsHIELD,
Secretary of the Navy.
Cory efa return eftAe Killed and Uouuaed
on board tie u. S. brig .d1:gus, I'm, III.
.aaen, Esq. CommandeT.
KILLED.
Richard DelPhy, MidShipman,
William w. Edwards, do.
Joshua Jones, seaman,
William Fnay, do.
Williap knowlton, do.
George Gardner, do.
DIED OF THEIR wouEps
William H. Allen, Captain,
James White, Carpenter,
Joseph Jordan, Boatswain's Mate,
Francis Eggert, Seaman,
Charles Backster, do.
WOUNDED.
William H. Watson, 1st Lieut..
Colin Mcleod, Boatswain,
John Sniifer, Carpenters Mate,
John Young, Quarter-Master,
John Nugent, Seaman,
James Hall, do.
Joseph Allen, do.
John Faddon, do.
George Starbuck, do.
VIM. Hoventon, do.
John Scott, 1st do.
John Scott, Cd do.