Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-03-06
From orr Correspondent.
Conrier OHice, Charleston, Pc

Courier Office, Charleston, Feb. ~.
DESPERATE NAVAL BATTLE.
BY the schooner Lilly, capt. Sawyer,
arrived this day, from Key West, we
learn that the dismasted Brig, in tow of
Spanish frigate, going into Havana,
on the 18th inst. seen by capt Talbot,
of the Miles standsb, and which we
announced this morning, was the Mezi-
can Brig OF War GUERRERO, late
Captain David III Porter From capt
Sawyer, and letters we have seen from
Key West, we gather the following
particulars:
On the l4th inst. information was re-
ceived at Key West, from Havana,
that the Guerrero had, on the 9th, fallen
in with and captured, after short en-
gagement, two Spanish Guineamen
Brigs, which she manned. On Sunday,
the 10th, she fell in with two Spanish
men of war Briggs, the Marie and
Maria Amelia, one of IS guns aud 1870
men, the other Of 10 guns and $50 men,
both of which she beat; they succeeded
| however in making their escape into
MaFel The Guerrero mounted IS
guns and had crew of 1876 men. In
this engagement, she suffered much in
hex sPars and rigging, and it was sup
posed the Spanish loss was very heavy.
The firing, in this action, was heard at
Havana, when the Frigate Lealtad, of
"a guns and 500 men, Immediately put
to sea. She is said to be a remarkable
fast sailer, and the Brig being in very
crippled state, was soon overtaken by
the Frigate, when a desperate fight
ensued, which lasted hours and 90
minutes, one hour aud quarter Of aoblOh
time The tgo vcssels aohere ,Oithin speaking
distance. During the engagement the
colours of the Guerrero were twice
shot away and replaced The two
previous engagements, and this long
and close fight, exhausted the whole OF
the powder and shot of the Guerrero,
when, as consequence, she ceased
firing, and being so crippled in spars
and rigging, capt. Porter determined to
strike his colors. The Frigate suppos-
ing they were again shot away, con.
! tinued their fire, and it was after the
Brig had surrendered capt. Porter was
killed by grape shot passing through
his body.
Thus fell Capt David II. Porter, af-
ter as gallant battle as history records.
Such conduct deserved better fate
We cannot avoid feeling a pride of
country in recording so gallant an ex-
plot, performed by an American, al
though he was engaged in a foreign
service, at war with a nation with
whom we are at peace.
! We learn that the Guerrero lost AZ
men killed, the number of wounded
not known. The loss OF the Spaniard
is said to be near 900 men, and the
lrigate very uuch cut in her hull and
rigging. Captain ID. II. Porter was the
nephew Of the Commodore. The lat
ter had son on board the Guerrero.
Lieut.. Thompson, Surgeon Board
man and young Porter, son of the
Commodore, we're put on board of a
guard ship at Havana.
A public funeral was preparing at
HAVANA for capt. Porter. At Key
West, the Herman Mexican brig fired
minute guns, sc.
A letter from Key West states, "the
Herman is now in port, and is deter
mined TO give the Casilda frigate a Trial
She was in sight yesterday. Captain
Hawkins is a gallant officer, aud does
not want Tor men. Should she take us
It will not be for the want of amuni-
ton"
The II sailed on a cruise the same
day the Lilly left Key West