The Placer herald., 1858-07-10
From Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper.
The Privateer Brig General Armstrong

strong is the only authentic and detailed ac
count of this wonderful naval engagement
ever published:
1t was towards the close of the last wa
with England, in 1914, that the reverse
which had attended our arms on land. an,
the bankrupt condition of the Government
had thrown gloom and dependency owe
the whole country, when the news of th
almost incredible battle of the Privatee
Gen. Armstrong with large British fleet
the island of Fayal-one of the Azores o.
Western 1slands-revived our hopes, anc
sent thrill of joy and enthusiasm through
the hearts of the American people.
The fight of the brig Gen. Armstrong wa:
probably the most desperate, fearful and ro
mantle that ever took place on the ocean
She was light brigantine of only two hun
dred and forty-sx tons, belonging to New
York, and carried but seven guns and ninety
men, including officers. She was command
ed by very young officer, Capt. Sam. c.
Reid, then only thirty years of age, who
had been midshipman under Commodore
Truxton.
On the 26th of September 1914. the
Armstrong put into the neutral port of Fayal,
belonging to Portugal, for the purpose of
obtaining water. Capt. Reid had dined that
day with the American Consul Mr.. John B.
Dabney, who with number of other gen
tlemen returned with him on board his yes
sell Towards sundown, the British brio-of
war Carnation, Of eighteen guns, hove in
sight, stood up the harbor, and anchored
within half cables length of the Armstrong.
Soon after the frigate Rota, of forty -four
guns, and the ship-of-the-line Plantagenet,
of seventy four guns came to anchor in the
roads. Admiral Lloyd, who commanded
the fleet, had previously been informed by
the pilot that the Armstrong was in the
harbor, and he at once determined upon her
capture. The brig Carnation Immediately
began signalizing with the feet, threw out
four large launches, or boats, and commenc-
ed passing arms into them. All these move
ments could be seen, and the orders given
were distinctly heard on board the Arm
strong. At the same time the British brig
made every preparation to intercept the pri-
vateer should she attempt to escape AL
though Capt Reid had been assured of the
perfect safety Of his vessel by the American
Consul, being in neutral port he now felt
certain, from the manpuvers of the fleet and
the preparations going on, that there would
he trouble, and he accordingly told the gen
tlemen that they had better 90 on shore
After their departure a council of war was
held among the officers of the Armstrong,
and it was first suggested that they should
make an effort to get ont to sea; but the
wind being very Echt, it was determined to
haul close in under the guns of the castle
for protection.
Capt. Reid Immediately gave secret orders
to clear the decks for action, and caution the
crew to make as little noise as possible. He
then cut his cable, got out sweeps and COM
menced pulling in shore to the castle. The
Carnation Immediately dropped her top sails
and made sail, to prevent the privateer from
going out of the harbor should she attempt
it, while the boats, which were lying along
side, were ordered in chase of the Arm
strong. 1t was now about eight o'clock in
the evening. The moon, which was near its
full, was gradually rising, and silver sparkling
with its beams the beautiful bay, while not
a ripple broke the stiffness Of the glittering
surface, save the splash of the oars of the
boats which were pulling swiftly towards
the privateer. Capt. Reid Immediately ceas-
ed pulling to the shore, let 60 an anchor,
and got springs on his cable so as to bring
the vessel broadside to the enemy
At this time one of the large launches,
which was considerably in the advance, pull
led up under the stern of the Armstrong,
when Capt. Reid, with speaking trumpet in
hand, being in his shrt-sleever, and all hands
at quarters, hailed the boat three times. No
answer was returned except by one of the
sailors, who asked in grutf voice what was
the matter! The officer replied, "Make
no answer, sir-pull away, my lads" Al
the next moment the word was given to ''toss
oars" and with their boat hooks they hauled
alongside under the port quarter of the pri
vateer The officer in the boat then criet
out, Sire aud board, my lads" and as the
men rose from their seats, Capt. Reid in
stantv gave the word to his marines to fire
which was almost simultaneous on the par
of both. One man on board the privateel
was instantly killed, and the First Lieutenant
Fred. A. Worth, brother of the late Gen
Worth, of the United States army was woun
ded. The men in the boat were severely Gu
up, and they cried out for quarter, while th
other three boats, pulling up at full spec
on the starboard side, Immediately opene'
their fire. They were received with fu
broadside of grape and canister, which wa
followed by the shrieks and groans of tn
wounded and dying. A fierce struggle no.
ensued, in which the enemy made desperat
attempt to board; but staggered and appalle
by the calling fire of the privateer, they erie
out for quarter, and the boats pulled off in
sinking condition, with great loss, Captai
Reid refusing to take them prisoners.
The Gen Armstrong then weighed the
anchor and pulled in towards the shor
about half pistol shot from the castle. whe1
she was moored head and stern near II
beach, with her port side next to the shor
The Carnation in the meanwhile sailed dow
to the feet, and it was soon evident that tn