Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1838-06-02
From the Commercial Advertiser.

DEATH or CoMMoDoaR WooLsEY.--We
have the melancholy intelligence by letter from
Utica this morning, Of the death Of Commo-
dore Meancthon T. Woolsey, Of the United
States Navy. He had been ,ndisposed for Sc
veral weeks--first from erysiplas, and the
aropsey. We know not the exact age Of the
Commodore, but he was probably not far from
sixty.
Our first knowledge of him as an officer,
was during the restrictive energies" of Mr.
Jefferson. In order to enforce the embargo
and non-intercourse laws, an armed brig was
built upon Lake Ontario, called the Oneida, the
command Of which was assigned to Woolsey,
then lieutenant. He had seen much previous
service on the ocean, and was engaged in the
Tripolitan war, with Decatur and others.
He remained in the lake service for several
years, and was one Of the most active and eff
cient officers during the war with Great Brit
ain, under Commodore Chauncey. Several
very gallant affairs were conducted by him with
success. When the U. States were building
the large ships at Sackett's Harbor, Woolsey
was sent to bring the anchors, cables and rig
ging from below.
The roads at that day were so bad from
Rome to Sackett's Harbor, as to render their
transportation by land, all but impracticublc 1t
was therefore determined, if possible, to tukc
them in the Durham boats through Wood
Creek and Oneida Lake, to Oswego, and thence
round, keeping the boats close in shore, to
Sackett's Harbor. Ascertaining, however, that
his intentions had been discovered by the ene-
my through the instrumentality of spies, and
that the British commander on Lake Ontario
was preparing to intercept his boats, Woolsey
resorted to stratagem which so far threw
Sir james Lucas Yeo from off his guard, as
well nigh to ensure his success. The voyage
from Oswego was commenced prosperously--
Woolsey himself proceeding alongkthe shore
by land, and watching their movements. When
off the mouth Of Salmon river, however de-
tachment ofthe enemy's flotla discovered the
boats, which were compelled TO put into that
harbor for shelter, and the naval stores we're
hurried on shore, where the only armed pro-
lection consisted OFF company Of riAemen un.
dor Major Appleton.
A detachment Of the enemy entered the har-
hor ia pursuit and landed. BY advice of Wool
scy, and under his own conduct, the rifemen
were placed in ambush, with direction not to
FIRE till the near approach Of the enemy. The
enemy advanced unconscious Of the ambuscade,
until within a convenient distance, when they
wera received by destructive fire. In loud
voice Woolsey ordered Ga charge," whereup-
on the rihemen rushed impetuously forward,
with loud cheers and holding their weapons in
the position Of charged bayonets. The result
was the surrender Of the enemy at discretion.
- They were commanded by an officer named
r6phsin, of the British navy, and an old ac-
HI| |5l 6ce Of sVoolscy's. AS Popham came
iof5 ia ID surrender his sword, Woolsey ex-
cIainIed Why, Popham, what on earth are
you doing up this creekl" After some indif-
ferent reply, and survey Of Woclsey's force,
i Popham observed. Well, Woolsey, this is
he frat time ever heard Of rifemen charging
bayonetsi'
The irst attempt ofthe enemy upon Sack
ott's Harbor was repelled by Woolsey, with
tho Onaida brig alone. This affair happened
early IN the war, before the United States were
prepared to take the lake with squadron. He
wss also In command at Oswego, where the at
facIE of the British was 90 brilliantly repulsed
al which occasion he displayed great skill q nd
ia remained ID command Of the marine d
eacbett,s Harbor after the close Of the war
we believe, until il was determined mutuall,
.hv Enojand and tins United States to ddmantlI
8fd sbsndon their ships upon those wstsss