The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-02-15

Com. NJ Donough, 1t grieves me 20 state. be-
comes my duty to perform, from the ever-tc-
be iamented loss ofthat worthy and gallant
oihcer, Capt. Downie, who unfortunately
fell early in the action
In consequence of the earnest solicitation
OF his Excellensy Sir George Provost for the
cooperation of the naval force on this Lake
To attack that of the enemy, who were Dla-
ced tor the support of their works at Piatts-
burgh, which 1t proposed should be stormed
oy the troops, at the same moment the naval
action should commence in the BAY every
possible exertion was used to accelerate the
armament OF The new ship that the military
movements might not be postponed at such
an advanced season of the year, longer than
was absolutely necessary. On the Sd inst.
was directed TO proceed in command of the
hotilla of gun-boats to protect the left flank of
our army advancing toward, Pittsburgh
and ON the following day, after taking pos
session and p1roling the militia of Isle la
Motte, cSased a battery of three long eirh-
teen poun5'er guns to be constructed for the
support of our position abreast of Little Cha
~, where the supplies for the army were
ordered to be landed.
ne Meet came mp on the 9Th instant, but
tor want ct stores for the equipment of tho
guns, could not move forward until the 18th.
at ght We weighed, and ut seven were
IN tuli view OF the enemy's feet, consisting
OF ship, brig, schooner, and one sloop. moor
ed IN line, abreast of their encampment.
with division of FIVE glin-boats on each
Hank at 40 minutes past Z, after the Off
GERS commanding vessels and the flotilla had
received their final instructions as to the
plan OF attack, we made sail in order of bat
ne. Capt. Downie had determined on Law
ing ms snip athwart- hause of the enemy's,
directing Lieutenant Mckee, of the Club. IN
mn he /
brig to the right. aud Lieut. Hicks, of the
fihch, with the flotila of gun-boats, to at
tack the schooner and sloop on the left of the
epcm' S line
ut 8 the encmy's guu-boats and smaller
vessels commenced a heavy and CALLING fire
on our line: Mt 10 minutes after 8. the Conf
ance hfW 6 two anchors shot away from her
laro0. ri bow, and the wind battling, was o.
orged to anchor Though not in the situation
proposed) within two cables length her adj
veraary the Linnet and Chub soon after
wards took their allotted stations, something
snort OF that distance, when the crews on
ooth SIDES cheercd, and commenced a spiri-
yea ana close action; short time however,
deprive ed me of the valu bic services of Lit.
VI " &c, VINO, from having his cables bow
spirit and rnain-boom shot awav. drifted
within he enemy's line, and was Obliged to
surrender
trora the Light airs and smoothness of the
water. III. f'i'- Oh each size proved very de-
st. uotVe from the commencement of the en-
gaBsment and with the exception ofthe brio
enat ~ the enemy appeared united against
the Conhance. After two hours severe CON
nct with our cpponeAt, she cut her cable. run
down, an took shelter between the shin and
schooner, which enabled us TO direct our fire
| aS linsf ths division Of the enemy's gun-boats
ana sap, Wnch had 50 long annoyed MS dur
| 'ng our close engagement with the brig. with
! or any returnon our part-at this time the
| iire OF the enemys ship slackened considera-
! o.Y, having several Of her guns disrao,5-ltgti,
/ -; a sie ut her Cable and winded her lar
| BOARD Oroadsjde to bear on the Conhauce
| who, in vain, endeavoret 70 effect the same
| operation at SO minutes after TO- I was
| much distressed to observe that the Conf
| ance struck her colours. The whole atten-
| ton II the enemy's force became directed To-
| wards the ILnnet; the shattered and disa
| oled state OF the masts, sails rigging & wards
| precluded the most distant hope of BENG able
GO effect an escape by cutting the cable the
/ result OF dong so must IN 4 few minutes have
been, her drifting along side the eneny's YES
sells Close under our Ice but in the hope
| the hotlla OF gun-boats who had Abandoned
the object assigned them, would perceive our
wants and come 70 cur assistance, which
would attordE reasonable prospect Of being
| lowed clear, determined TO resist the then
! destru tive canaonading of the whole Of the
eneny's Heet, & at the same time disoatched
| II. ~. Dew TO ascertain the state Of the
Confnnce At forty-fpe mirutes after zen. 7
as apprised Of the irreparable loss she had
sus. incl b. the death Of her brave co,iTraf,-
! q r ("hose merits itN-ould be prestmptu
Gus IN me to eXtol J. rs well as the GREAT
slaughter winch had taken place on board !:
and deserving from the maneuvrts Of the
10 iilt tnat could ENJOY no further exp. eta
uoas OF reErf, tn; situation Of my gaiiait com
rades VINO mad 50 nobIy fought. and even
now last falling by my side. demanded the
SURRENDERED his Maiesty's brig entrusted TO
! my command, to prevent a useless waste Of
valuable lives, and, at the requ st Of the sur
Vlying officers AMI men, | gave the painful
| orders Tor the colors to be struck.
Lieut. Hicks, OF the Finch, had the morti-
| nc uon to strike on. a reef Of rocks, 70 the
| eastward Of Crab Island, about the middle Of
| the engagement which prevented his render
| ing that assistance TO The sauadron. that
| might, from an officer Of such ability. have
| been expected
! The misfortune which this day befei us by
| capture, wiz. 81, trust apo.og We fyr the
lengthy detail which, in justice to the suffer-
| efs. 1--we deemed necessary 20 give of the
| particulars which led to 1T and when it IS
taken into consideration that tire Confance
was l6 DAYS fore on tic stofks. with an
| organized crew, composer of scvegal drafts If
! men WHO had r. emily arrived from djFerrnt