Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-08-14


&C, with the boats, should We at any time
attempt to escape. The shores were lined
with the inhabitants, waiting the expected
attack and from the brig h,ncss Of the
moon, they had most favorable view Of
the scene. The Governor, and most Of the
first people of the place, stood by, and saw
the whole affair.
"At ler 9Th, about midnight, we observed
the boats in motion, our crew having laid
at their quarters during the whole Of the
interval. They came on,in cne direct line,
keeping in close order; and we plainly
counted twelve boats" The English
accounts agree upon fourteen launches
about the size Of our Union Canal boats,
and armed with short cannon at the
bow.-Ed. Chron. "As soon as they
came within proper distance, we opened
our fire, which was warmly returned from
the enemy's carronades and small arms.
The discharge from our long Tom rather
staggered them ; but soon reconnoilering,
they gave three cheers, and came OIL most
spri,edIy. In a moment, they succeeded
in gaining our bow and slarboard quarter.
and the word was board" Our great
guns now becoming useless, we attacked
them sword in hand. together with our
pixies. pistols, and musketry, from which
our lads poured on them a most destructive
fire. The enemy made frequent and
repeated attempts to gain our decks. but
were repulsed at all times land at all points,
| with the greatest slaughter.
"About the middle Of the aciion,l receiv.
ed intelligence Of The death Of our second
Lieutenant aud, soon after, Of the third
Lieulenani's being badly wounded: from
| this and other causes, found our fire had
much slackened on the forecaslle, and fear
, ful o: the event, | instantly rallied the
whole afler.division, who had been bravely
defending, and now had succeeded IN beat
ing :he boats off the quar,ers-lhey gave
shout, rushed forward, opened fresh
! fire, and soon decided the contlict-wbich
I terminated in the total deiea; OF the enemy,
and The loss of many of their boats two
| Of which, belonging TO the Rota, We took
possession Of, literally loaded with their
own dead. Seventeen only escaped from
/ them both, who had swan to the shore. ln
another boat. under our quarter, comman.
! ded by one Of the I.eUlenanis Of the Plan.
lasane,, all were killed, saving four : this
have from the Lieu,enan, himself. who
further told me that he jumped over board
to save his own life.
"The duration OF this action was about
forty minutes. Our decks were now found
in much confusion, our long Tom dis
mounted. and several Of our carriages
broken many of our crew having left the
vessel, and others disabled. Under these
circumstances, however, We succeeded in
getting long Tom in his berth, and The
decks cleared, in some sort. for a fresh
action, should the enemy again attack US
before daylight.
/ "About 3, A. NJ, received message
from the u S. Consul, requesting to see me
! on shore where he informed me the Gov
ernor had sent note to Capt. Lloyd. beg.
ging him 10 desist from further hosllli,ies.
TO this, Capt. Lloyd sen, for answer that
he was now determined TO have the priva-
teer at the risk Of knocking down the whole
town; and il the Governor suffered the
Americans to injure the privateer. in any
manner, he should consider the place an
enemy's port, and :reat it accordingly.
Finding this 10 be the case, considered all
hopes Of saving our vessel TO be a, an end.
/! therefore went on board, and ordered all
our wounded and dead 10 be taken on
shore, and the crew to save their effects as
FAST as possible. Soon after this. it became
daylight, when the enemy's brig stood
close in, and commenced a heavy fire on
Z U.s. VIVA tiCt lOtCCSs hUCI several
broadsides, she hauled OIL, having received
shot in her hull, her rigging much cut,
and her fore-top-mast wounded; (of this
was informed by the British Consul.) She
soon after came in again, and anchored
close to the Privateer. then ordered the
"Armsirong" to be scuitIed, TO prevent the
enemy from getting her of. She was soon
after boarded by the enemy's boats. and set
on fire. which completed her destruction.
"They [the British have destroyed
number Of houses in the town, and wounded
some OF the inhabitants.
''By what have been able 10 learn from
the British Consul, and officers Of the flee;,
1t appears there were abou, 400 officers
and men in the last attack by the boats, of
whom 100 we're killed, and 100 wounded.
Capt. Lloyd, l am told by the British Con.
sui, is badly wounded in the leg; a jurv Of
| surgeons had been held, who gave as their
opinion that ampuialion would be necessa-
nv TO save his life.