Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-07-15

tempt to board us. At the instant every !
officer and man repaired to the quarter
deck, where the two vessels, were coming
IN contact, and eagerly pressed me to per-
NIT them to board the enemy but this |
would not permit. as it was evident from
the commencement of the action that our
lire was greatly superior both in quickness
aud in effect. The enemv's bowsprit came
In between our main and mizen RIGGING, on
our starboard side, allording him an oppor-
tunity to board us, If such was his design.
but no attempt wSs made. There was a
considerable swell on, and as the sea lift
ed us ahead, the enemy's bowsprit carried
away our mizen shrouds, stern davits and
spanker boom, and he hung upon our lar
board quarter. At this moment an officen.
who was afterwards recognised to be Mr..
Mcdonald, the first lieutenant. and the
then commanding officer. called out that
they had surrendered. directed the ma
rlnes and musketry-men to cease firing.
aud, while on the tafrail asking if they
had surrendered, Ireceived woundin the
neck. The enemy just then got clear of
us, and his foremost and bowsprit being
both gone, and pcrceiving us wearing to
give him fresh broadside, he again called
out that he had surrendered. 1t was with
difficulty could restrain my crew from
firing into again as he had certainly
fired into us after having surrendered
From the firing of the first gun, To the last
time the enemy cried out he had surren-
dered, was exactly % minutes by the
watch. She proved to be his IL. b. NJ.
brig Penguin, mounting sixteen S2lb. car
ronades, two long los, twelve lb. carron-
fde on the topgallant forcastle, with swi-
vels on the capstern and in the tops. She
had spare port forward, so as to FIGHT
both her long guns of side. She sailed
from England inSeptember last. She was
shorter upon deck than this ship by tw,
feet, but she had a greater length of keel,
greater breadth of beam, thicker sides. and
higher bulwarks, than this shin. and was.
IN all reNeSts, remarkably fine vessel of
her class11 The enemy acknowledge a
complement of 1872 10 of them supernu-
merary marines from the Midway, "a. re-
ceived on board in consequence of their
being ordered to cruize for the American
privateer Young Wasp. They acknow-
ledge, also, a loss of IA killed, and %
wounded; but Mr.. Mayo, who was in
charge OF the spriZe, assures me that the
number of killed was certainly greater.-
Among the killed is captain Dickinson,
who fell at the close of the action. and the
boatswain; among the wounded, is the Sc
cond lieutenant, purser, and two midship-
men. Each OF the midshipmen lost leg.
We received on board, mall, one hundred
and eighteen prisoners, four of whom have
since died OF their wounds. Having re-
moved the prisoners, and taken on board
such provisions, and stores rs would be
useful to us, scuttled the Penguin. this
morning, before daylight, and she went
down. As she was completely riddled by
our shot, her foremost and b0wsprit both
gone, and her malnmast so crippled as to
be incapable of being secured. it seemed
unadvisable, at this distance from home.
to attempt sending her to the United
States.
This ship did not receive single round
shot in her hull, nor any material wound
in her spars; the rigging and sails were We.
ny much cut but having bent new suit
Of sails and knotted and secured our TO-
gng, we are now completely ready, i'm all
respects, for any service. We were eight
men short complement, and had nine up
on the sick list the morning of the action.
Enclosed is list of killed and wound
ed. l lament to state that Lieutenant
Conner is wounded, dangerously. | feel
great solicitude on his account. as he is an
officer Ofmuch promise, and his loss would
De serious loss to the service.
1t is most pleasing part of my duty to
acquaint you, that the conduct OF Iieuts.
Conner and Newton, Mr.. MAYO, ACTING
lieutenant Brownlow of the marines. SAIL
ing-master ROmney, and the other officers,
seamen and marines have the honor 10
command, was in the highest degree credi-
table to them, and calls for my warmest
recommendation. cannot indeed do.
justice to their merits. The satisfaction
which was diffhsed throughout the ship
when it was ascertained that the stranger
was an enemy's sloop of war, and the ala
Gritty with which every one repaired to
quarters. fully assured me that their con-
duct in action would be marked with COOL
ness and intrepidity.
| have the honor to be, your obedient
servant,
]. BIDDLE.