The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-08-09
The Gen, Armstrong;,
The following is the British version Of the affair
of the Gen. Armstrong, from Cobbetts lRegister

Vno GEN. ArnStEOnBt
The following is the British version Of the affair
of the Gen. Armstrong, from Cobbett slRegister
FAxAL, October Is, 1874
WILLIAM CoBBErT, Esq.-Sir The Aneri-
can schooner privateer Gen. Armstrong, Of New
York, Capt Samuel Q. Reid, Off guns and go men,
entered here on the 10Th ult, about noon, II days
from that place, for the purpose of obtaining water.
The captain, seeing nothing the horizon, was in
duced to anchor. Before the lapse of many hours,
his msjestys brig Carnatlon came in and anchored
near her. About six, his majestys ship Plantage-
net, OF "a guns, and the Rota frgate, came in and
anchored also. The captain Of the privateer and his
friends consulted the first authorities here about her
safety. They all considered her perfectly secure
and that his majesys officers too well acquain-
ted with the respect due to neutral port to modest
her. But to the great surprise Of every one, about
line in the evening, four boats dispatched
armed and manned from his majesty's ships, for
the purpose Of cutting her out. 1t being about full
Of the moon, the night calm and clear, we could see
every movement made The boats approached with
rapidity towards her, when, it appears, the captain
OF the prvateer hailed them and told them to keep
of, several times; They, notwithstanding, pushed
on, and were in the act Of boarding, before any de-
fence was made for the privateer. warm contest
ensued on both sides. The boats were finally dis
persed with great loss.
The American now calculated on very superior
force being sent; he cut his cables, and rowed the
Prvateer close in alongside the fort within half ca
bles length, where he moored her, head and stern,
with four lines. The Government now sent re-
monstrance to Van Lloyd of the Pantagenet
against such proceedings, and trusted that The pri
vateer would not be further molested; she being in
the dominions of Portugal, and under the guns
Of the castle, entitled to Portuguese protection.
Van Lloyd's answer was, that he intended to de-
stroy the vessel at the expense Of all Faya and if
any protection should be given her by the fort he
would not leave house standing in the village.
All the inhabitants gathered about the walls
expecting renewal ofthe attack. About midnight
Ia launches were discovered to De coming in rota-
ton for the purpose. When they got within clear,
or gun-shot, tremendous and effectual discharge
was made from the privateer, which threw the boats
into confusion. They now returned spirited fire,
but the privateer kept up continual discharge,
it was almost impossible for the boats to make any
progress. They finally succeeded, after immense
loss, to get along side Of her. and attempted 10 board
at every quarter, cheered by the officer with the
shout of no quarter !" which we could distinctly
hear, as well as their shrieks and cries. The ter
mination was near about total massacre. Three
OF the boats were sunk, and but one solitary officer
escaped death in boat that contained fifty souls
he was wounded
The Americans fought with great frmness, but
more like bloodthirsty savages than any thing else
they rushed into the boats sword in hand, and put
every soul TO death far as it came within their
power. Some of the boats were left without
The most that any one returned with was about
ten. Several boats floated on shore full of dead
bodies. With great reluctance state, they were
manned with picked men, and commanded by the
first, second, third and fourth lieutenants Of the
Plantagenet; first second, third and fourth ditto
OF the frigate, and the first officers of the brig
together with great number of midshipmen
Our whole force exceeded four hundred men,
But three officers escaped, two of whom are
wounded This bloody and unfortunate contest
lasted about forty minutes. After the boats gave
OUT nothing more was attempted till daylight, the
next morning, when the Carnation hauled in along
side, and engaged her. The privateer still con-
tinued TO make most gallant defence. These
veterans reminded me of Lawrence's dying words
on the Chesapeake, I" Don't give up the ship 20
The Carnation lost one of her topmasts, and her
yards were shot away; she was much cut up in
the rigging, and received several shots in her hull
This obliged her to haul off to repair, and TO cease
firing.
The Americans now, finding their principal gun
long Toni and several others dismOunted, deemed
it folly to think of saving her against so superior
force; they therefore cut away her masts to the
deck, blew hole through her bottom, took out
their small arms clothing, etc. and went on shore.
discovered only two shot-holes in the hull of the
privateer, although much cut up in the rigging.
Two boats crews were soon after dispatched from
our vessels, which went on board, took out some
provisions, and set her on fire.
For three days after, we were employed in bury
ing ttlo uedu lildL washed on SnOre IN the SURF.
The number of British killed exceeds l20 and 90
wounded. The enemy, to the surprise of man
kind, lost only two killed and seven wounded
We may well say, " God deliver us from our enc
niies, II THIS is the tDdy ue Americans fight"
After burning the privaIeer, Van Lloyd made
demand to the Governor u deliver up the Ameri-
cans as his prisoners, which the Governor refused
He threatened to send 500 men on shore, and take
them by force. The Americans Immediately re-
tired, with their arms, to an old Gothic convent
knocked away the adjoining drawbridge, and de-
termined to defend themselves to the last The
Van, however, thought better than to send his men.
He then demanded two men, who he said desert
ed from his vessel, when in America. The Gov
ernor sent for the men, but found none of the de-
scription given.
Many houses received much injury on shore from
the guns Of the Carnation. A woman, sitting in
the fourth story Of her house, had her thigh shot
off, and boy had his arm broken
The American Consul has made demand on
the Portuguese Government for 100000 for the
privateer, which our Consul, Mr.. Parkin, thinks
in justice will be paid, and they will claim on
England Mr. Parkin, Mr.. Edward Bailey, and
other English gentlemen, disapprove of the out
rage and degradation committed by our vessels on
this occasion. The vessel that was dispatched TO
England with the wounded was not permitted to
take a single letter from any person. Being an
eye witness to this transaction, / have given YOU
a correct statement as it occurred.
With respect, am, &c. H.K,F