Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-10-29

W
Murray selected the watery element, as The
theatre of his future usefulness. Such was
his early promise and exemplary deporl-
men, that at the age OF eighteen he was hoo
ored with the command OF vessel, engaged
in the European trade.
Processing a jealous attachment to the in
teres,s of his country; and DESTROYS TO afford
a practical evidence of his sincerity, he
took decided and active part in our g'orl-
Gus revolution.
At the age OF twenty-one, he was appoint.
ed Lieutenant in our Navy but as there
was no vessel IN readiness to receive him, and
a. his ardent spirit could not bear inacton
at SO trying period, he solicited all APP
pointment OF the same grade. in the Isl Ma.
ryland regimen, under the command OF
Colonel Smallwood His conduct in the
battles Of WEitepains, Flatbusb, and New
York was such as To secure the hearty ap-
probation of the commanding colonel.
The bursting and explosion Of several
pieces OF cannon on the New.York battery.
did such injury TO bis sense OF hearing; as to
impair it through life. He was now promo.
TED 10 a captancy. and served with constan-
cy ami self devotion to the close of TIT.
AZ his health became affected by the e.
posure and priva.ions OF the field, he was
obliged to retire for time to the comforts
of his fathers house. As soon as his he a,l.
wa. restored, be resumed hi. station in the
Navy ,!but as there was still no nationa! yes-
sci ready for service. he took command A
different periods, of several well appointed
letters of Marque.
Whilst in command OF these vessels he
fought many unsuccessful and desperate en-.
gasements. The particulars OF these &C.
lions are detailed in an interesting bioers-
ply Of Commodore Murray. published in The
Port Folio of 1914.
after he had taken an English letter Of
marqus OF bis own tCrce, and had prisoners
on board, equal in number to his own crew,
he was unfortunately captured by an En-
slsh Aeet and carried into New-York, which
was then in possession of the enemy. lie
had permission 10 return to bis friends IN
Philadelphia, and was soon afterwards re-
gulsrIy exchanged.
About this time, his gallant friend and re-
lative captain James Nicholson, was about 10
sail on cruize in the government, trigs,e
TrumbuIl. CaptaniMurray volunteered lis
! services as one of the Lieutenan,s OF this
vessel. She had scarcely cleared the Capes
of the Delaware, when she was assailed by
a violent gale onpanied by thunder and
lightning, which did great injury to the
Fru,pbuii's .pars and rigging. The night
Beng dark and tempestuous, they did not dis
cover that their ship vas close on board an
English lrigate and sIoop OF war, until the
storm had somewhat abated All hands were
promptly at their quarters which could only
he equalled in terrible effect, by the hor.
rors and howiDgs OF dreadful night. At
length the enemy's fire slackened. and her
battle lanterns were extinguished; but at
this cheering moment of apparent tri.
umph, the sloop of war ran under the stern
Of the Trumbul, and poured several rakins
broadsides which obliged her to surrender.
Lieutenanis Murray and Dale the present
distinguished Commodore DALAI were Sc.
verely wounded. and one third Of the crew
either kIle d or disabled. The next day the
Trum bull W as ed useles wreck into |
the harbour of New. York.
As soon as Lieut.. Murray had recovered !
from bis wounds and had been duly exchang-
ed, he was selected as The first Lieut.. of the |
Alliance trigate, then under the command OF
the gallant Com. Barry. The period OF
peace found him in this honorable post.
1t was thus that be was zea!ousy, actively, |
and constantly engaged throughout the whole
revolutionary struggle. Lieutenant Murray |
:ouli now proudly reject that he hal fought |
bravey, and BLEED freely for hi, country's
glory--that lie had participated in thirteen
battles in The army and nary. and in all had
sustained the reputation OF a skilliul and
spirited officer.
When our government deemed it nesessa-
ry to organize the navy, captain Murray wa,
one of the first officers recalled into service.
This appointment. was unexpected and I'M
solicited.
A. am d;snu,as with Franco L.5 r