The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-10-14
ii. IEAVENWORTH.
Colonel commanding.
MOST DISASTROUS NEWS FROM
THOMPSON'S ISLAND.

NORFoLK, October 3.-Arrived on We'd
nesday from Thompson's Island the Uni
ted States soop of war, Peacock, STE-
rnEN CAssIN, Esq. commander, bringing
further intelligence from that i'll fated pot,
which will be heard throughout the ,oun-
try with the hvcliest sorrow. WATSON,
the gallant aud distinguished officer, the
estnable and noble spirited gentleman, has
sunk beneath the ruthless hand of disease
lie whose yalor had achieved for him
dcathless name, and shed fresh lustre on
the reputation of our gallant navy, now
sleeps IN the silent tomb but it is the tomb
Vfiihe hero bedccked with never fading lau-
rels, bedewed with n nations tears. Capt.
WATSON flor such his station in the squad
ron ranked him) was appointed to the
command of the John Adams in place of
C. pit. Renshaw, who had left that ship to
return to the United States. lie was at
tackled with the prevailing fever on the 9th
ef September, and after severe struggle
of four days fell victim tn it on the 18th.
We would attempt TO inscrbe his euogy,
but feel ourselves Inadequate to the task
IL was glowingIy depicted in the saddcncd
countenances of our citizens on the an
! nounccment Of his death never have we
seen more general gloom, or more heart
ielt manifestations of sorrow. He was
known 10 us all--heoved, admired and
respectfully all. His courteousdemeanor
hs sprishtliness and aliability, his frank
aud generous nature, his correct and gen
tlemanly department, had endearcd him to
our hearts, and we united in the plaudits of
the nation on his rerent heroic atchieve-
nrnt on the coast OF Cuba, with the hyeli-
est feelings ofjoy.
Captain WATSON was native of this
state, aud though young, being we believe
about % years ofage) had been long in the
service. As has already been stated in this
pa er, he was in active employment during
the late war, and was Lieutenant on board
the L. >. brig Argus, at the time she So
much annoyed the enemy's commerce in
the British Channcl From that stormy
period be was employed in various srr,i-
ces in which he gained the unlimited con
fdence and esteem of his supcriors in com
mand His brilliant exploit in the drstruc.
ilon of an overwhelming plratical force near
| MatanZas, is oftoo recent date to require
tecaPitulation.
| We INV l'iSo w 0llIeI HeldllS nI sorrow
| The anxiety on the arrival of the Peacock
was in proportion TO the general arprehen-
sion previously excited in the minds of our
| 5lllHens for the safety of relations, friends
and acquaintance attached to the vessels
! AT Th0mpsOn's iSand--our last accounts
from that place being of il description to
create the most fearful forrbodrngs. Every
one wished IL know the worst. but dreaded
to make the enquiry. The following list
for which we are indebted to Nr. DINNER.
PnTser oft Peacock, contains the names
OF all the officers vino have died, not before
reported
Lieut.. Cent WILLIAM H. WATSON
of Virginia, at Thompson's Island, Sep.
! tember IS.
Lieut.. GEORGE w. HAMMERSLEY
of Maryland, on board the Fox, off Ha,a.
ma.
Lieut. NATHANIEL CARTER, Junr
OF massachusetts,, at Thompson's Island.
Acting Sailing Master ARTHUR Balm
BRIDGE, of New Jersey, ut do. 9Th.
MidshNpman RICH'D NJ. BENBRlDGE
at ditto, l4th.
NIidshipman ROBERT TAYLOR, of
New Jersey.
Chaplain p. D. ADAMS, of Massachu.
seits, on board the Peacock, on the alst,
while homeward bound Mr.. Adams wa
man fconsummate genius rs ma,he-
matlcian, and is great loss TO the Navy