The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-11-15
IT. BELL, Editor and Proprietor.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Rar Donongt's Gfrtorp.
on LAKE CHAPLAIN.
Extracted from Professor Frost's "Book
of the Nary"

Sir George Provost, to be essential to the
success of this plan of operations and Cap
tain Downie, who was at the head of the
British squadron, was directed to attack the
American naval force, which had been for
some time under the command of NJ Don
ough, then only lieutenant, al the same
time that Sir George stormed the intrench.
ments at Plattsburgh.
Aware of their intentions, and knowing
of their approach, M'Donough decided to
await the attack at anchor. At eight in the
morning of the 18th of September, 1914,
: the lookout boat announced the approach
of the enemy's squadron. The hostile ships
were soon in action, and we cannot do bet
fer than describe the battle in Captain NJ
Donough's own words.
"At nine," says the Captain, "the enemy
anchored in line ahead, at about three
hundred yards distant from my line; his
ship opposed to the Saratoga; his brig TO the
Eagle, Captain Robert Henley; galleys,
thirteen in number, TO the schooner, sloop
and division of gallevs--one of his sloops
ass sting their ship and brig; the other as
sisting their galeys. Our remaining gall
legs were with the Saratoga and Eagle.
( SIN this situation, The whole force on both
sides became engaged, the Saratoga suf-
fering much from the heavy fire Of the Con-
fance. | could perceive at the same time,
! however, that our fire was very destructive
to her. The Ticonderoga, lieutenant COM
mandant Cassin, gallantly sustained her full
share of the action. At half past ten, the
Eagle, not being able to bring her guns 10
bear cut her cable and anchored in more
elegant position, between my ship and the
Ticonderoga, where she very much annoy
ed the enemy but unfortunately leaving
me exposed to CALLING fire from the ene>
my's brig.
"Our guns on the starboard side being
nearly all dismounted, or unmanageable, a
stern anchor was let 60, the bower cable
cut, and the ship wendell with a fresh
broadside on the enemy's ship. which
soon after surrendered. Our broadslde was
then sprung to bear on the brig,which struck
about fifteen minutes afterwards. The
sloop which was opposed to the Eagle, had
struck some time before, and drilted down
the line. The sloop that was with their
galleys had also struck. Three of their
galleys were said TO be sunk the others
pulled off. Our galleys were about obey
ing with alacrity the signal to follow them,
when all the vessels were reported TO me TO
be in a sinking state. II then became me-
ccssary to annul the signal 10 the galcys,
and order their men TO pump. | could on
Iy look at the enemy's galleys going of in
shattered condition for there was not a
| tbo- hot lcfa nd IN
make sail on. J he lower rigging, being
nearly all shot away, hung down as though
1t had Just been placed over the mast heads.
"The Saratoga had fifty-nineround shot
in her hull; the Confiance one hundred and
five. The enemy's shot passed principally
lust over our, heads, Us there was not twen-
ty whole hammocks in the nettings, at the
close of the action, which lasted, without
intcrmission, two hours and twenty min
utes.
"The absence and sickness of lieutenant
Raymond Perry left me without the assis-
lance of that excellent officer. Much ought
fairly TO be attributed TO him for his care
and attention in disciplining the ships
crew, as her first lieutenant. His place was
filled by a gallant young officer, lieutenant
Peter Gamble, who, regret 10 inform you,
was killed early in the action"
Captain M'Donough concludes mis- letter
by stating that the Saratoga was twice set
on fire during the engagement by hot shot
from the enemy's ship; and expressions OF
gratitude for the able support he received
from every officer and man in the squad.
ron.
The loss of the Americans, in this hard
fought battle. was fi(ty-two killed and fifty
eight wounded; that of the British, eighty
four killed and one hundred and ten woun.
, ded. Among the killed on the American
side was lieutenant Potter Gamble. a gallant
, young officer, one of three gallant brothers
who had devoted themselves to the service
of their country. The other two brothers
survived. He who fell on the memorable
18th of September, is inseparably connec'
ted with an event, which will never be for
, gotten in this nation, and will, we trust. heal
d with 1t the recollection as well of the living
: as OF the dead, who were instrumental il
gaming one OF the most important victorle:
i of the war. The American squadron car,
ried two thousand and twenty.three pound:
weight of metal, and one thousand and fif
d ty men.
: 1t was in this action that the far-famet
e manevre of coming down head first upor
!. the enemy was first tried against the Amer
S leans, and the result was what we will ven
It ture to predict it always will be, when triet
II against force any way equal in numbe
q and courage. The British vessels were Gu
to pieces before they were in station tt
e bring their guns to bear against the Amer
S leans; and nothing carries stronger con
e vlction to our minds, of the want of propel
skill and self-possesson in the officers anc
men of those fleets that have been taken Of
e defeated by this manevre. than the fata
/ effects which resulted from the attempt in
g this instance.
. The anxiety of the public had long drawn
g theattention Of all,who were capable of rea
soning, upon the probable effect of Sir Geo
$ Prevost's operations, or who felt an interes