Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-12-03
coMMU MIC ArED.
DEFENCE OF CRANEY ISLAND.
u Ne -, lClu


Erirqct from "Hisiorical Sketches Of The Laie
Udr, betlceen The UItited States md Greai
Britain, SC. Sc, IN JoiaI Lecis Thomson, -
printed al PHILADELPHIA, 1916, pages 2i6 emd
2l7.
Whilst this gallant resistance was made to
his approaches from the water. by the Naval
division on the island, the enemy's troops, who
had landed on the main shore, and crossed a
narrow inlet to the West side, We're warmly
engaged with the Virginia Volunteers. Pre-
viousIy to the movement Of the barges, up
wards Of 500 soldiers had been landed by the
enemy at fireplace above mentioned, and were
already crossing the inlet, which, at low wa
ter, IS passable for infantry. Col BEATTY,
who commanded the military division on the
island, made instont and iudicious preparations
f. TO receive the enemy, Under Maj FAULKNER,
Of the Artillery, two "a Founders and four 8
FOUNDERS, had been drawn up TO resist them,
One division Of this battery was Commanded
by Capt EMMERsoN; and Two others, by
Lieuts IIowLE and GOODWIN. The enemy 5
troops had not all landed, when this cannon
was opened upon them with great address; and,
those which had not crossed tue gulph, wera
compelled to retreat. By the We lociiy and pre-
cjsion Of the fire Those wao had already
gained the island, fell back 10 its rear. and
threw several rockets from a AOur which
stood there but they were very soon di>,Odged
By one Of the gun-boats, in which a2i pound
er was brought TO bear upon the house, and
with great difficulty escaped from the island
when, Joining the troops who had been pre-
yl0usly repulsed, they were all conducted bac,
% the British fleet. When thai division of the
enemy, which was composed Of his seamen
and marines, had been fooled IN its attempt TO
land. Lieut.. NEALE gave directions to his in
trepid sailors. to haul up the beats which had
been sunk. and 10 assist the British sailors and
marines, who were making, for safety, TO the
shore The Cenupede was accordingly drawn
up, and a small brass FOUNDER, number of
small arms, and quantity OF pistols and cut
laSses, taken out OF her. Twenty two of her
men came on the island with her aud surren-
deTpd themselves as deSerters. Ia this warm
and spirited engagement, IN which 1900 Brl-
tISh soldiers. sailors and marines. were oppo-
sed by $50 Virginia Militia. and % sailors
and narincs, the loss on the side Of the inya-
ders. 10 killed, wounded, and drowned, was
upwards Of 200, exclusive Of 40 deseuers on
the side Of the invaded, not a man was either
Killed or wounded
By the gallant services Of the defenders of
this island, the safety of the town OF Norfolk
was, for time at least, secured; aud 70 the
intrepid bravery and interchangeable exeruons Of
Lieut.. NEALE, and his companions, SuuBRIcE,
SAUNDERS, and BREc KENRID6E; OF Lieut.. Col.
BEArrY. and his officers, Maj FsuLENER,
Capt EsMERs0S, and LeulS. HowLE and
GoDwIS and 2 non commissioned volunteers,
Sergeant YoUNG and Corporal NORM, and
the valiant men, who assisted in the defence Of
the island. the gratitude Of the cilizens of Nor
folk, and the surrounding towns, Portsmouth,
Gospou, and others, has been frequently man
hested