Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-09-12
The Privaieer Gen. Armstrong.

with the British crusier in the harbor of
Fayal, in 1912, was marked BY such un-
daun,ed daring and determined bravery
has published in the New York Herald. a
statement OF the engagement. We pub
lish It below. At the present time it is
peculiarly interesting, in reference to the
question of indemnity SO peremptorily
demanded from the Government of Portu-
gal:
After leaving New York, (says Capt.
Reid) | anchored in the port Of Fayal,
September rs, 1914. about noon. / i'm
mediately called on Mr. Dabney, our Con-
sui with whom dined. AT 5 p. M. /
went on board my vessel, accompanied by
the Consul and several other gentlemen.
and whilst conversing on the subject Of
British cruisers, Sc, being then about 6
+. NJ. we discovered the British brig
Carnation, Of twenty guns, suddenly
rounded the Northeast head Of the port.
within gun shot when she first appeared.
As the Carnation was duly informed of
our character BY the pilot and the appear
ance of our flag then flying at our main
peak, she very uncerimoniously hauled in
close alongside of US, within hailing dis
tance. thought this was being rather
sociable for an enemy, and Immediately
demanded OF the Consul fhe thought they
would regard the neutrality of the port
when he assured me that | need not give
myself any uneasiness. as they would new
er trouble lis while nj anchor.
AT the same moment, the Plantaeenet
"a and Rcta frigate, hove in sigh; and an
active intercourse, by signals, continued
some time between the Carnation and the
Commodore's ship Plantagenet.
The result was that the Carnation pro-
ceeded to throw ont all her boa,,-dis-
patched one 10 the Commodore's ship, and
appeared otherwise to be making unusual
exertions. A brilliant moon, clear sky,
and a smooth sea, enabled us to observe
their movements with great minuteness.
The arming and naming Of the boats were
very distinctly heard and seen, and the
men were observed aloft on the yards of
the Carnation, preparing the sails for get
ting under way at a moments warning.
SO near were the two vessels, that the
words Of command on board the Carnation
were frequently heard by those on board
the General Armstrong.
The object Of these manevers on the
part OF the enemy were but too clearly and
distinctly understood, and could not pos
sibly be mistaken by any person having
the slightest knowledge of naval or nau-
tic"l affairs. Il was evident from these
v,,----.sv ..->vs-.i~-~-,~~~~----,
most distant idea Of paying any regard
to the neutrality Of the port but that the
whole object from the outset was to cap
ture the General Armstrong. Hence the
great hurry and eagerness TO man and
arm the boats in order to make the attack
as early as possible while there was little
or no wind fearful that they should fresh
breeze spring up, we might make our es-
cape during the night.
On calling these circumstances to the
notice Of our Consul, he seemed to have
his doubts. told him we were about to
have trouble, and that very soon; where
upon he and his friends Immediately after
took leave and went on shore.
Ii was now between I and P. M. and
as we had every reason te expect an at
tack from the enemy's boats momen,ly, we
to clear ship for action, get un-
der way, and crawl in shore out of his
neighborhood, as we were then laying
much exposed to his fire should he be in
clined to cover his boats in the attack
We weighed our anchor with as little
noise as possible, and began to sweep in
shore. The instant the Carna.ion saw us
under weigh she dropped her topsail cut
her cable and was under sail in moment,
at the same time despatching four boats
in pursuit of US.
When we saw the boats approaching as
we had expected we let go our anchor, got
spring on the cable, and prepared to re-
ceive them. The large cutter or pinicle
which started first, took the lead and was
considerable in advance Of the other three.
This NAV have been the boat commanded
by Lieut. Fawcett. She pulled up with
all speed and rounding close under the
stern came up under our Iarbaord quarter.
Standing onthe taffrail at the same moment
with the trumpet in my hand | hailed
her repeatedly as she approached but they
would not deign to answer. As she
passed close under the stern l plainly
saw she was no. only we'll manned but
also well armed. When nearly alongside
l ordered them to keep off or l should fire
n,othem: but they disregarded my threats.
One Of the sailors, in surly tone cried
out, "What's the matter?' The officer
of the boat, chiding the sailor, said, Pull
away and give no answer" In moment
after they tossed their oars and pulled a.
long side under the main chains, and, when
in the act cf boarding the order 10 fire
was given on both sides a, the same instant
and the fire from both parties was stimuli
taneous.
In the skirmish with this boat, they kill.
ed one of my men on the spot and wound
ed nv first lieutenant severely. Now
this was the boat said TO be unarmed after
killing and wounding two of my crew.
After silencing this boat the other three
boats were Just pulling up on our starboard
side. hailed them also but they refused
to answer; the fire commenced on both
sides, and they were likewise silenced in
a few minutes. They now pulled off to
their ships and heard nothing more from
them until the midnight attack, when they
attempted to board US with fourteen boats