The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-08-26

renee being soon shot away, she became
unmanageable, and in this situation sustain
ed the action upwards of . hours within
canister distance, until every gun was rem
dered useless, and but small part of her
crew left unhurt upon deck.
Athalf past two the wind increased and
enabled the Niagara to come into close ac-
tion-the gun boats took a nearer position.
Commodore Perry left his ship in charge
of 1T. Yarnel, and went on board the Mag
ara. Just as he reached that vessel, the
flag of the Lawrence came down, the crisis
had arrived. Capt. Elliott at this moment
anticipated the wishes of the Commodore,
by volunteering his service in bringing the
schooners into close action.
At 45 minutes past 2 the signal was Civ
en- for close action. The Niagara being
very little injured and her crew fresh the
commodore determined to pass through the
enemy's line; he accordingly bore up and
passed ahead of the Detroit, Queen Char
ldte and Lady Provost, pouring a terrible
raking fire into them from the starboard
guns, and on the Chippeway and Little
Belt, from the Larboard side, at half pistol
shot distance. The small vessels at this
time having got within grape and canister
distance, kept up well directed and de-
structive fire. The action now ragged with
the greatest fury-the Queen Charlotte,
having lost her commander and several of
her principal officers, in a moments confu-
sion got foul of the Detroit-in this situa-
ton the enemy in their turn had to sustain
a tremendous fire without the power of re-
turning it with much effect; the carnage
was horriblo-the flags of the Detroit,
Queen Charlotte and Lady Provost struck
in rapid succession. The brig Hunter and
schooner Chippeway were soon made to
follow the example. The Little Belt at
tempted to escape to Maiden, but she was
pursued by two of the gun boats and sur
rendered about three miles distant from the
scene of action.
The writer of this account in company
with 5 others arrived atthe head OF Putin
Bay island, on the evening of the 9th, and
had view of the action, at the distance of
only ten miles. The spectacle was truly
grand and awful. The firing was inces-
SAINT, for the space of 3 hours; and continu-
ed at short intervals As minutes longer
In less than one hour after the battle began,
most of the vessels of both fleets were in
volved in cloud of smoke, which rendered
the issue of the action uncertain, till the
next morning when we visited the fleet in
harhor on the opp site side of the island
The reader will easily Judge of our solici-
tude to learn the result. There is no senti-
ment more painful than suspense when it is
excited by the uncertain issue of an event
like this.
1.-THE wind had continued at S. w. it was
the intention of Admiral Barclay to have
boarded our aquadron; for this purpose he
had taken on board of his fleet about 900 of
the famous dist regiment; they acted as
marines and fought bravely, but nearly two
thirds ofthem were either killed or wound
ed.
The carnage on board the prizes was
prodigious-they must have lost 300 killed
besides wounded. The side ofthe Detroit
and Queen Charlotte were shattered from
bow to stern; there was scarcely room to
place ones hands on their larboard sides
without touching the impression of shot
"a great many balls canister and grape,
were found lodged in her bulwarks, which
were too thick to be penetrated by our car
ronades unless within pistol shot distance.
Their masts were so much shattered that
they fell overheard soon after they got into
the Bay.
The loss of the Americans was severe,
particularly on board the Lawrence
When her flag was struck she had but 0
men on board fit for duty. Her sides were