Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-07-13
FOR EHGN.
U. s. SHIP POTONIAC


H U. S. SHIP POTOMAC
We have been favored with the following extract of
letter from gentleman board the Pot0nac-Balt.
ChrOn.
"FoRrY MILES FROM BATAVIA RoAps)
March 9Th, 1882.
We arrived at Rio de Janciro the 10Th October.
sailed again Nov 3, arrived at the Cape OF Good Hone
Table Bay Dec. g. sailed again Dec. 18th January ID
1857, made the Island of Sumaira, on February g.
came to anchor at Quaah Batioo five miles from the town
and fort In the afternoon five of Leuenants and two
mdshpmen, disguised a Merchant Captain a SUPER
cargo, and the others part of the merchant
man. saeu from the ship in the whale boat under the pre-
tence OF purchasing cargo Pepper on their
to the shore they observed ii lined with armed men Not
thinking il prudent land they nut back TO The shin Re-
fore they reached the ship, small fishing boat had come
alongside and we made prisoners of those who in
her.
All hands were called 10 'out-boats-en order which
was promptly obeycd. At half past o'clock we left the
ship as olIows:-Whae boat, LIST Lieut.. Erwin Shubrick
Esq commanding; Launch, I'd Lieut. Pinckham, LIST cut.
ter, 4th Lieut. Huff 81 cutter, Lieut. Ingersol 81 cutter
Past Midshpman Zecly; 4th cutter Past Mi,Isbioman
Godon; 9th cutter, Mdshpman Haiti Life Boat, Midship-
man ------. The Commodores Barge was left by the
ship 2d Lieut. Wilson remained in charge of the shin
with the Commodore.
We landed about bell after O'clock numbering in
all 26O men, and commenced the attack four divisions
three OF sailors and marines. We commenced an at
tack the five forts three of which we took possession of
number OF the huts burned. The other two forts
were separaed from MS by creek which too deep &c
ford The number killed side was two and seven
wounded From all the information we could receive the
number OF the natives killed 90 and 80 wounded
he names OF the persons killed from party werc VIM
. m. "A Tho
whole affair conducted with great skill and bravery
on the part OF the officers and We the pleasure
OF seeing the StarspangIed banner remote is
land-so lar from the land OF reemen.
Mr. Berry, assistant sailing master was second
mate OF the ship Friendship, when her crew were so
cruelty mastered here On the 9Th Feb we go The shin
under way, and approached within mile and half of the
town and FORTS and Immediately opened heavy fire on
them; we fired 62 OF our long double fortified thirty two
pounders and then stood off for 500 Soo distance of two
miles, where one OF the friendly Rajahs live.
Feb Is, left 500 500, bound towards Batavia. Feb %
(Washingons birth day. fired salute noon March
l, made Java Head March T. passed AMER Point and
came TO anchor, 10 miles from there.
Yours in haste, Sc
Correspondence of the New York Daily Adverscr.l
Extract Of letter dated on board the U. States FIJI
gate Potomac
Isle OF SUMATRA, 500 500, Feb 10
designed that you should have heard from me again
long this. | have already on hand letter eiyng
you bret account of visit the Cape of Good Hone
which thought would have been its way TO the Unit
ed States long before this but did get ready in
son to send ashore at Cape Town, and strange as may
seem, we have not fallen in with any homeward bound In
diamen, although their very observation-disclosures of our
arrival here may have reached you long ere this by the
way oil England AS, however, my letter is written,
have concluded to send H. thinking that may possibly a
ford you some small degree of qualification 1 suppose
now That you would like TO hear something about pro-
ceedlngs and operations at Quaah Baoo town distant
about five six miles from this place, and in full sight
There will be unquostionably many statements of The AZ
appear in the Washington papers. have not been favor.
ed with perusa OF that report but presume substan-
omitted in that report will give brief account of the
affair and as accurately possible. We at Qua
ah Blttoo on the 9th inst after passage fy-ve DAYS
from the Cape of Good Hope We came in with our shin
disguised mcrchanman, and with Danish coors hv-
ing. So complete Disguise, that the enemy was
not of character.
Shortly after we had dropped anchors, Commodore
Downes sent party shore for the purpose of recon.
noering the place. This party consisted of our LIST Ieut
MIR. Shubrck LIST Lieut. of Marines Mr. Edison; Iieuts
Pinkham, Hoi and IngeIso; Acting Sailing Master Tot
ten, and passed Midshipman Tooly. Mr. Shubrick went
as Of he Sbi MIR ElSn,,
mander III the capacity ocOmmon sailors and were dressed
in manner coniormable TO their different characters AS
sumed The design examine the relative position
OF the different forts previous TO making the intended al
tack. But they found the beach lined with large b,lv
OF men, exhibiting warike appearance and maniicsng
nOSuie lntcnHon consequently they did deem prI-
dent to land They therefore returned the ship having
obtained but an imperfect idea of the place During the
absence of the party ashore took four MaIavs nc
soncrs. They exceedingly terrified as they were
/ brought over the gang way INTO the ship; casped their
hands, looked up oheayen and cried out Allah guile Justify
On being INTERCEPTED, which were the strongest now the
Americans the Malays? they replied that they did not
know? that they were from Tally Pow The Commodore
kept them board during the night the next ay re-
leased them They proved be poor iliterae fishermen,
and apparently inofensve As as the information
of the hostile appearance of the Malays ashore was an
nounced, our ship presented busy
An attack upon the town The morning was deter.
mined upon, and every necessary preparation
ingly made AZ IL O'clock on the morning OF the 9Th ali
hands assigned TO take part in the expedition were called
mustered and received their instructions At about they
left the ship Here was moment of interest. All before
now was stern reaiiy.-The moment had arrived when
the grand object OF voyage ither TO be accom-
plshed Tie blow TO be struck, victory or
defeat TO IL seemed though spell had fallen
upon the ship silence, Ike that amid the mourn
iul repositories OF the dead reigncd throughout il :
each ones thoughts busted in contemplation of What
might be the probable fate of his companion i'm arms
The expedition proceeded slowly their midnight errand
in perfect sence occasional whisper from the of
licer in command with mulicd oars, and nothing but a
star 10 guide them TO their place of disenbarkmcnt
landing effected the dawn of day, about mile
and half from the town, and undiscovered by the enc.
my. The troops, amounting TO 260 men in number were
then all drawn up in regular order, and under the chie
command Of Lieutenant Shubrick, took up their line oil
march against the enemy-They had not proceeded fan
along the beach, before they discovered by native
who appeared at distance, running with full speed give
intelligence of an approaching foe.
As this perceived, Mr. Shubrick ordered his
20 quicken their pace TO press onward and if posi-
bic take possession Of the forts the eueny should be ap.
priscd OF his approach They accordingly commenced
rapid march, which soon brought them up with tho FIRST
fort, when detachment OF men under the command oil
Lieutenant IIo filed of, and commenced assault upon
it, This fort was found TO OF very difficult access In
consequence Of deep hedge Of thorn bushes and brable
with which was envroned As the entrance 10 il wa.
attended with much difficulty It gave the enemy time
TO place himself in state Of preparedness tho wbzLna
of balls from his tort after eviuccd The natives nov
raised their whoop, and resisted most manfuv They
fought indeed like lions and tigers Just reused from he
lair They fought in yain for the fort was stormed am,