Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1815-03-21

those who acted under nlHls ihCiis0s
I think, great praise. They naiiea
their own eolors to the standard q
placed those Of the enemy under
meath them, determined never 70
surrender the FORT =
Copy Of q letter from sMajcr 0uerton
Commanding FortSt. Philip DIR
ms the late bombardment Of It, to-
Mayer Gen. jackson.
Fort st. Philip, Jan. 4 9th, 1915.
SIR--On the fst Of the present
month / received the Information
that the enemy intended passing this
Fort to cooperate with their land
forces. in the snbjugation of louisa
ma, ard the destruction of the city Of
New. Orleans. 70 effect this with
more facility, they were first with
theirheayy bomb vessels to lombard
this place into compliance. On the
grounds ofthis information, turned
nv attention to the security of my
command, / erected small magazines
in different parts of the garrison,
that ifOne blew up could resort to
another built covers for my men
to secure them from the explosion
Of the shells, and removed the COM
bustible matter without the work
Early in the day ofthe 9TH inst. I
was adyisedof their approach, and
on the 9Th at a quarter past 10 A. M.
hove in sight two bomb vessels. one
sIoop, one brig and one schooner ;
they anchored two aud one quarter
miles below-at half past eleven, and
at half past twelve they advanced
two barges apparently for the pur-
pose astounding within one and a
half miles of the Fort !; at this mo.
ment | ordered nay water battery
under the command of Lieut.. Gun
niDgham. OF the Navy, to open on
them ; its well directed shot caused
a precipitate retreat. At half past
three O'clock, p. NJ. the eaemy's
bomb-vesseIs opened their fire from
four sea mortars, two Of thirteen
inches. two Of ten, y to my great
modification l found they were with
out the effective range of my shot
as many subsequent experiments
proved they continued their fire
with little intermission during the
f0th nth. 18th, 18th, fAth, 18th,
10th, and 18th. / occasionally open
ed my batteries On them with great
vivacity. particularly when they
showed a disposition to change their
position. IN the 18th ia the evening
cur heavy mortar was said 10 be in
readiness. l ordered that excellent
officer Captain Woistonecraft of the
Artiilerisls. who previously had
charge Of il to open a fire, which
was done with great effect, as the
enemy from that moment became
disordered and at day light on the
18th commenced their retreat. after
having thrown upwards of a thous.
aud heavy shells besides small shells
from Howitzers, round shot and
grape, which he discharged from
boats under cover ofthe night.
Cur loss in this affair has been
nnco mmoniy small, owing entirely
TO toe great pains that was taken by
The different officers to keep their
men under cover as the enemy left
scarcely ten feet Of this garrison I'M
touched.
The officers and soldiers through
this whole affair. although nine days
aud nights under arms iu the differ
ent batteries, tbs consequent fatigue
and loss of sleep, have manifested the
greatest firmness o. the most Jealous
warmth to be at the enemy. TO
distinguish individuals would be
a delicate task, as merit was conspi
cuous every where. Lieut.. Cunning
ham of the Navy who commanded my
water battery, with his brave crew,
evinccd the most determined bra.
very and uncommon activity through
out and in fact. sir. the only thing
to beregrettedi is that the enemy was
too timid to give US an opportunity
of destroying him.
Herewith enclose you list Of the
killed and uannf,ad