Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-09-30

been sunk, and IL was. evident to me that nothing
could enable him to extrcate himself and retire
from the hopeless conflict but the reserve of boats
and men at the junks. but at the time the tide
RAINING too strong for the crowded boats to stem.
The othcer In charge of these boats now visited
me He said nothing Of aid, but his silent appeal
was powerful indeed In the few moments he
was on board he would look, anxiously, alter
nately at his Admiral and at the boats. After he
lett held consultation with Mr.. Ward, and be
agreed with me perfectly that, under all the cir
cumstances Of our position with the English and
the aid the Admiral had rendered me the day be-
fJre, could do no less than to tow the bosts to
fully and promptly accepted. While the boab
were making fast to hawsers, which | veered
astern, insisted on Mr.. Ward and his suite leav-
ing the Toey-wau, and going on board one Of the
junks. for reasons that will be obvious He at
first reluctantly yielded, and left us, but re-
turned In one of the English boats declaring
that, as the Toey-wau was his home and was
going under fire with his appreciation and con-
currence, he would remain In her reluctantly
yielded to his gallant impulse. At this time
young British officer came TO me from the vessels
engaged to say that the gallant Admiral was dan
gerOusly wounded and had but six men left He
(the oficer) had two boats sunk in reaching me-
l lowed the boats through the British line to
within short distance of the admiral, whose flag
was flying on the COrmorant, when. casting them
Off retired to the rear of the line. the Frenc
gun-boat, and anchored for the night. 1 took up
this position, as il might enable me to aid the
wounded, and should the boats be sunk to rescue
g
admiral and of his chivalrous kindness to me of
Il. day before, which, from unwillingness to
intrude on him when he was preparing for action,
! had In no way yet acknowledged. I, therefore,
with my flag lieutenant, Mr.. T chard, went In
my barge to visit him. When thin few feet
Of the Cormorant a round shot struck the boat
killed my coxswain, and slightly bruised my flag
lieutenant We fortunately reached the Corno-
rant before the boat entirely filled / found the
admiral lying on his quarter deck, badly wound
ed. informed him that had called to pay him
my respects, and to express my regret at his con-
dition. After remaining on board the Cormorant
about ten minutes. took advantage Of an English
boat that was passing tn return to the Toey-wan
The CormOrant after this was sunk, and the admi-
raj shifted his flag to fourth vessel, the Coro-
mandel "a thing, believe, unprecedented thus
evincing an indomtable valor under very dis
heartening and almost hopeless circumstances.
At dusk, ABOUT p. m, desperate attempt was
made. by landing from boats. to storm the forts,
but they stood in an impossible morass, and the
assailants Were repealed with heavy loss On the
morning following this day and night of slaugl =
ter-the acton still continuing. but the fire more
feeble and distant found that six Of the English
vessels Were sunk and that the remainder b; d
withdrawn to a more distant and safer positions,
from which they could easily retire out Of gun =
shot. now prepared to return to the Powhatan
with Mr.. Ward. but first called on board the Coz :
morant to take leave of the Admiral, and also on
board the French 2un-boat, to inquire after the
French Commodore. (Tricault. whom had met
on board the CormOrant when called OIL the Ad-
miral, and WHO had subsequently, been wounded
deferred my departure. by request that mi giIt
tow TO their ships at sea, two launch loads of the
wounded English.
On reaching the Powhatan, again despatched
the Toeywau into the harbor, in charge of Lieu
tenant Johnston, first of the Powhatan) with or
ders to remain at the mouth Of the harbOr, out Of
fire, and to afford all aid consistent with our neu-
tralty. After an efficient performance of this
duty for twenty -fours he rejOned me. The sea
officers with me in the Toey-wau on this service
were Captain Pearson. Lieutenants IRE nc hard and
Semmes, all of the POwhatan; and Midshipman
Merchan, of the Germantown. The engineer Of
ticers were Messrs. City and Archer. Captain A
:. Taylor, of the Marine corps was also with me.
I have to thank them for their Jealous services
NV coxswain. John Hart whose death hive 20
lament was the son Of John and Mary Hart, now
living at Jamaica, Long Island. lie was a wild
over, but has left young daughter eight wears
old. shall communicate the sad event to his pa
rents, and as his child whom he supported will
be entitled to pension, may beg the favor OF
you, sir as soon the proper papers shall be filed
at the Department to direct that the pension be
issued without unnecessary delay. Hart had been
long time in the Navy, having served under NE
fifteen years ago.
The English retired this morning from the
river, having recovered and brought out three of
their sunken vessels and destroyed the others
Their loss is about four hundred and fifty killed
and wounded, including twelve French Eight
officers are killed and twenty-tLrce wounded;
including the Admiral and the French Commo-
dore Tricault. They attacked with about twelve
hundred men.
am sir, with great respect, your obedient ser
want, Josiah TArrNALL
Flag Officer COmd'g East India Squad IN.
The Hon Isaac ToUcEy,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington