The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-12-06
CAPTAIN ALLEN.

~hCu VIC nave OCCu pOhNCiy ioNoiSu W
the gentleman to whom it was written,
il from the respectable surgeon Of the
schr. Alligator. Nat. Gag.
MArANzAs, (DE QUAY nov. Is. Il
Dear Sir-You will no doubt have
heard, before the receipt of this, Of the
capture of a piratical schr. by the boats
Of the Alligator, about forty miles to
windward Of Matanzas, and Of the great
loss our naval service has suffered, in
the death Of lieut.. commandant William
H. Allen.
After sailing from New York in Au.
gust last, We had an arduous and diligent
cruise, remaining but short time in
those ports we visited, in order to svoid
the diseases Of the climate, by which our
vesselspf war have unfortunately suffer-
ed SO much this summer.
We continued healthy until the mid-
die Of October, when some cases of fever
appeared among the crew, which, tho
violent in the commencement, gave way
in a short time, to free evacuating treat
ment, and l scarcely thought Of yellow fe-
yer, until the loss OF acting lieut. M'Rorie,
who died on the 4th day of his illness,
with black vomit. He was much re-
GREETED by all of US; he possessed sound
understanding, and worthy heart
There were twelve cases on board,-his
was the only one that terminated fatally,
which attribute entirely to the mild and
manageable state of the disease.
The time OF our cruise having expir.
ed, we were on our return home, and
put into Havana for provisions, &c. but
before we came to anchor, information
was given capt. Allen, that several pratt
cal depredations had recently been COM
mitted near Matanzas.
He Immediately ran out, went up to
Matanzas, and found the fullest eonfir-
nation that the neighborhood, about 40
miles to windward, was infested with the
most formidable piratical force that has
at any time appeared off the coast of this
island. Fhey had captured brig and
schr. two days before, and being disap-
pointed in getting money, suffered the
captains to go to Matanzas, in order to
procure their ransom while they kept
the vessels in possession. We sailed IN
search of them, and early on the morning
Of the 9th Nov. discovered them among
the Keys. BY this time they had ship,
two briggs, and two schrs. and were en-
pioyed in plsnderipg them. AS soon as
we came in sight, they abandoned their
prizes, and made all sail TO effect their
escape. The wind dying away and the
water being shoaI, SO that it was impossi-
bic to pursue them, capt. Allen manned
his boats and pulling for them came up
with them fast.
He and capt Freeman of the marine
corps, we're in the launch, with about 90
men, and the first lieut.. Mr.. Dale in
the cutter with ten or twelve. Having
approached the nearest pirate, he cons
menced fire of grape shot from long
IL FOUNDER, aided by two long 6's, and
some smaller guns, but our boats kept
steadily for him, and commencing a fire
of musketry, at the same time coming
fast up with him the piratical crew aban-
donsd their vessel and took to their boats
with the utmost precipitation, making
for another scbr. which was coming TO as
sist them. Capt. Allen ordered his gig
and S or men, with midshipman Hem
icy, to go on board the prize, and pur.
sued the other schr. with determina-
ton to board him. The second having a
large crew on board, and being joined by
that Of the first, which had escaped, de-
termined on a desperate resistance. They
had much such an armament as the first,
OF large guns, and his decks were literal
ly covered with men. Our boats ap.
preached him under heavy but Ill di-
rected fire. Capt. Allen was closing with
him on one quarter, and Mr.. Dale on the
other, he retreating and firing; and when
about to board him, the brave Allen re.
ceiyed two wounds from musket balls, one
of which was mortal. Mr.. Dale, al
though not less exposed, having two or
three men shot by his side, was more
fortunate. The captain ordered him TO
go 10 the prize schr. and the other es-
capped.
The two pirates had upwards Off 100
men, and another Of them was not far dis
tant, but was supposed to be their tender
They lad nailed the red Gag to the mast
Of the one we captured, and when they
abandoned the vessel, left a number
Of bottles of powder with SLOW matches TO
them.
When you reflect on the disparity Of
force, and the disadvantages Of attacking
vessels from our small boats, you will
readily suppose that every officer aud
man engaged in the expedition, conduct
eG himself WE'LL MIR. Randolph was left
much against his inclination, in charge OF
The A IlIoator and Mr. CUNNINGHAM with