The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-10-31


ates, under the orders of Monsieur De Til
ly, Captain Of the navy his orders were to
60 to Chesapeak Bay, and to endeavor to
destroy the little British fleet there, and the
frgates which protected it. The enemy
having taken the precaution TO put their ves-
sells out of danger in the small river Eliza
beth, Monsieur De Tilly could not com
pletely I'LL the object of his mission; his ex
pedition, however, was not fruitless he
took or destroyed ten ships belonging to the
enemy, and brought to Newport the Romu-
lus, of "A guns, which he had taken at the
entrance of the bay. The success Of this
first undertaking, and the great desire of
the Chevalier Destouches to give an effica-
cious succor to the State Of Virginia, made
him take the resolution to renew the attempt
with a greater force. He fitted out his squa-
dron, armed the Romulus, and, to ensure
as much as it was possible the success of
the expedition, the Count de Rochambeau
sent on bonrd his men of war, and the Fan
tasque Ia pink detachment of his army,
under the orders of the Baron de Viomenl.
On the Sth March, in the evening, the
fleet got under way; the contrary winds
drove it the following days to the south
east; however, they took advantage of the
variety of the winds, approached the coast,
an l,a A in h. Il, Il
Cape Charles in Chesapeak Bay. The
south winds, which blew very hard, did not
allow them to rise in the wind so as to go into
Cape-Henry on the contrary they we're
drove northward, and tackled about two
whole days. On the 10th. at dny-break,
the wind still continuing to blow from the
same quarter, but with less force, and the
weather foggy, the fleet having their lar
board tacks aboard, q frigate was discover
ed two gun-shots to windward the Admi-
raj made signal for chasing, but short
time after, many large ships appearing
through the fog, he did not in the least
doubt that the British fleet had got inielli.
gence, by some enemy to America, of bis
going out, and that the w. and N. w. winds
having made them run more large than the
French fleet, they were arrived almost as
soon as the French on the coast of Virgin
ia. In consequence of that reflection, he
called back the chsce, and the wind shift
! ing to the nUrth-east in the same instant,
he made signal to form the line, with the
larboard tacks aboard. The British fleet
were then two leagues off to the southwark,
steering the same course. At 9 o'clock the
! French fleet wore round ahead by the coun-
ter. march; half an hour after, the British
did the same. AT half after 10, the Admi-
raj seeing that the wind increased, and that
he was approaching the shadows on the
north coast of Virginia, made signal to take
the larboard tacks aboard, and to wear
round before the wind by the counter-march.
! The Chevalier Destouches was conscious
that not having got into Chesapeak before
the enemy, his expedition could not take
place he knew it was impossible to land
his troops, even from the men Of war, un-
der the fire Of a Superior fleet his only
care was for the glory Of the arms Of his
King, without cndangerIng his fleet.
The enemy taking advantage of their
superiority in sailing aud force, continued
to rise ia the wind, crowding n great deal
Of sail, aud having their starbaard tacks a.
board. At noon they wore in the French
fleets wake; little before one, their van
approached within half a league Of the rear
of the French line, and they seemed to have
mind to attack TO the leeward. Till then
the Chevalier Des,ouches had worked his
ships SO rs neither to avoid nor seek the
engagement, because he was conscious that
even the huppies, issue Of it would hinder
him from fulfilling his principal object
but The honor of the Kings arms, which
he must sustain before America, would no,
let him give room to the British to boast
that they had pursued him, even with su-
perior force, and he took the resolution oil
attacking himself, by falling on their van,
wearing round by a countermarch, and
fighting them on opposite tacks, to leeward
that his ships nigh, with facility make use
Of their lower deck guns.
At o'clock the headmos, shin of the
French line was within gun.sho, of the
headlines, ship Of the enemy. and few min.
utes after, the engagement began. The
van Of the British flee, fell to leewnrd, and
the van Of the French fleet did the same, 10
keep up with the enemy, so that these two
parts Of the feet fought FOR some time, run
ming befnre the wind. A little before o,-