Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1850-09-05
FAYA1. October I5. ISL.

FAyAL, October Is. 1914.
: WILLIAM CoBBErT, Esq-Sir: Th'
American schooner privateer Gen
Armstrong, of New York, Capt
Samuel C. Reid, of 2 guns and 81
/, men, entered here on the 26th ult.
about noon, IL days from that place
for the purpose of obtaining water
The captain, seeing nothing on the
horizon, was induced TO anchor
Before the lapse of many hours, hi;
majesty's brig Carnation came in
and anchored near her. About six
his majesty's ship Plantagenet, ol
| IA guns, and the Rota fIigate, came
in and anchored also. The captain
of the privateer and his friends con.
suited the first authorities here about
her safety. They all considered her
perfectly secure, and that his majes-
ty's officers were two we'll acquain-
ted with respect due to a neutral
port TO molest her. But, TO the
great surprise of every one, about
nine in the evening, four boats were
dispatched rmed and man.
ned from his majesty's ships, for the
purpose Of cutting her out. 1t be-
ing about full OF the moon, the night
calm and clear, we could see every
movement made. The boats ap-
preached with rapidity towards her,
when, it appears, the captain of the
privateer hailed them and told them
to Keep off several times. They, not
withstanding, pushed on, and were
in the act of boarding, before any de.
fence was made for the privateer.--
A warm contest ensued on both
sides. The boats were finally dis
persed with great loss.
The American now calculated on
a very superior force being sent, he
cut his cables, and rowed the priva-
teer close in alongside the fort, with
in half cables length, where he
moored her, head and stern, with four
lines. The government now sent
remonstrance to Van Lloyd, Of the
Plantagenet; against such proceed
ings, and trusted that the privateer
would not be further molested, she
being in the dominion of Portugal,
and under the guns of the castle,
was entitled to Portuguese protec-
tion. Van Lloyd's answer was that
he intended 10 DESTROY the vessel at
the expense Of all Fayal, and if any
protection should be given her by
The fort, he would not leave a house
standing in the village. All the in
habitants were gathered about the
walls. expecting a renewal of the at
tack. About midnight Ia launches
were discovered to be coming in ro-
Iation for the purpose. When they
got within clear, or gun-shot a tre-
and effectual discharge was
made from the priva:eer, which
hrew the boats into confusion. They
low returned spirited fire, but the
'rivateer kept up so continual a dis
charge, /; was almost impossible for '
he boats to make any progress l
They finally succeeded, after i'm
nense loss, TO get along side of her, 1
md attempted to board at every ;
quarter, cheered by the officer with !
he cry OF "no quarterr' which we '
:ould distinctly hear, as well as their {
hrieks and cries. The termination {
vas near about a total massacre t
Three Of the boats were sunk, and '
'ut one solitary officer escaped death S
n boat that contained fifty souls; q
le was wounded. I
The Americans fought with great S
rmness but more like blood-thirsty d
avages than any thing else. They v
'ushed into the boats sword in hand, c
nd put every soul TO death as far t
S it came within their power. Some d
f the boats were left without sin i
le man to row them; others with S
hree or four. The most that any Y
eturned with was about ten. Sew F
raj boats floated on shore full Of n
cad bodies. With great reluctance b
state, they were manned with pick U
d men and commanded by the first, t
econd, third and fourth lieutenants d
f the Planfagenet, first, second, n
bird and fourth ditto OF the frigate, t
nd the first officers of the brig; to- f
ether with great number OF mid
hipmen. Our whole force exceeded
BUR hundred men. But three Off il
ers escaped, two of whom are o
wounded. This bloody and unfortu- p
ate contest lasted about forty min C
ties. After the boats gave out, moth t.
ng more was attempted till daylight g
ext morning, when the Carnation n
auled in alongside, and engaged her.
The privateer still continued to make [
most gallant defence. These vete- O
ans reminded me OF Lawrence's dy- C
ng words on the Chesapeake "Don't 9
i've up the shipp The Carnation Q
ost one of her topmasts, and her
ards were shot away; she was
,ourh rI1t nm in the rioc;nc arJ ~ | a