Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-08-09

toom deck to get at the Kentledge, hove
yerboard ABOUT 90 pieces, weighing about
20 tons. AZ 2 A. NJ. tackled ship to the
lseuthward and westward, which the enc
my no sooner discovered than he tackled
also. AZ day light he was within shot dis-
lance, on orr lee quarter sat z A. NJ. be
hOisted English coiors and a Rear Adni-
tal's lag az his mizen top gallant mast
aead, and commenced firing from his bos
guns, ms shot over reaching US about one
nile, We therefore commenced again to
hghtep the ship, by cutting away our re-
naiai1g anchors and throwing overheard
Sle cables, cut up the launch and hove il
Overheard, quantity of provision with
more kentledge, shot, capstern, spars, all
rigging, sails, guns, aud in fact every hea-
" article that could possibly tend to i'm
oede Che ships sailing. The enemy CONT
nued to ire very heavy and in quick sue
cesslOD. but his British thunder could
neither terrlfy the Yankee spirit or dimin-
Ish Yankee skill, or compel us to show
nm the Yankee stripes, which must have
lnritated him xcessively.-None of his
shot as yet had taken effect, although he
mad been firing for near A hours incessant-
ly, his shut generally passing between our
lnasts. We thought at this period we dis
covered we were dropping him,s his shot
begun to fall short, this stimulated our
gallant crew to fresh exertion at IL A.
Va. his hiring ceased, and the breeze began
to freshen, we discovered the enemy was
again coming up with us fast, which Undue
ed general beliefhe had made some al
teration IN the trim of his ship. At meri-
dian squally and fresh breezes, wind from
the westward ; Sunday (30th) fresh breez-
es and squally, the enemy still gaining on
the Hornet; at p. NJ. being within gun
SHOT distance, he commenced very spi-
rited and heavy fire with round and grape,
the former passing between our maSts, and
the later falling all around us. The enc
my fired shells, but were so i'll directed as
TO be perfectly harmless. From to 8
Z. Al. threw overheard all the muskets.
cutlasses, forge, &c. &c. and broke up the
peli--also cut up the top gallant furecas-
tie. Ii was now.our capture appeared inc
vHG6te-the enemy of mile on the lee
quarter, pouring his shot and shells il
great numbers all around discontinued To
'ighten the shin, by heaving every thing
overheard that could either be of service
2 the enemy, or an iinpediment to the
hornets sailing. The men were ordered
20 .ay down on tie quarter deck. in Ordel
% tiIm ssiip, and to facilitate the sl.in's
salllng. At 4. one Of the shot from the
enemy struck the jib-boom, another struck
the starbOarf bu, 8ark, Just forward Of th,
gangway, ani tprd struck on the decl,
onward Ut the maiD hatCh.,on the Iarboad
side' glanced OF and passed through the
,1fesall. At past 4, we again began to
leave the enemy, and to appearance, b,
na5Ic-set the larb0agd lower steerinc
sal, the wind drawing more aft. Ats.
the enemy's Shot fell short At 6, fresh
oreezes-the enemys hull down in our
wake. At z, could lust see his lower
steering sail above the horizon--frorn 8 To
=, descned him at intervals. with the
night glasses. At daylight, discovered
the enemy asfern of US, distant 5 leagues.
vt y, a. M. the enemy shortened sail.
reeled his tOpsails, and hauled upon wind.
TO the eastward, after chace of 40 hours.
during this tedious and anxious chace.
the wind was variable, so as to Oblige us
to make perfect circle round the enemy.
Between two and three O'clock YESTERDAY
not person on board. had the most dis
tant idea that there was possibility of es
cape. We all packed up our things, and
waited until the enemy's shot would com
pei US tCHheave to and surrender, which
appeared certain. Never has there been
SO evident an interposition of the GOOD
ness ola Divine Father-my heart with
gratitude acknowledges his supreme pow
er and goodness. On the morning ofthe
18th, 1t was very calm, and nothing bu
murmurs were heard throughout the Shin.
as 1T was feared we should lose our antici-
pated prlze-many plans had been formed
by US Tor the disposal of our plunder. The
seamen declared they would have the
birth deck carpetted with East India Sill,
supposlng her an lndiaman from India.
While the officers, under the impression
she was from England, we're making ar
engagements how we should DISPOSE Of the
money, porter, cheese, &c. &c. Nothing
Derplexed us more than the idea that we
should not be able to take out all the GOOD
things before we should be Obliged to des-
troy her. We were regrefting our ship
did sail faster, as the Peacock would GER
tainiy capture her first, aud would take
out many Of the best and most valuable
articles before we should get up-(this We
ry circumstance of our not sailing as fast
as the Peacock, saved US in the first in
stance from inevitable capture-for when