Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1859-10-03

Two of his vessels at this moment grounded near tho
spot the Toey-wau had grounded the day before
The British and French fought with the most deter.
mined valorbu fifteen minutes suieed to show me with
out hope of success.
The hrc OF the Chinese directed with fatal skill
and chiefly on the admiral md The ycs
sells him. His flag vessel being disabled and
her up, be shifted his Aag to seco I'd and on
her meeting the fate Of the first he again shifted IL to the
Cormorani OF the larger (despatch steamers Here
again the fire concentrated the flag of the gallant
Admiral
liv this time, p. NJ several of his vessels had been
sunk, and IL evident to that nothing eou,d
him eNtricate himself and retire from the homeless
ct but the u boats and men ut the iunks but
at the time the tide running strong for the crowd
ed boats to stem.
The officer in charge of these boats now visited
lie said nothing of aid but h silent appcn was power
iui indeed. In the few moments he was on board he
would look, anxiousy, alternately his Admiral and at
the boats
After he left held consultation with Mr.. Ward and
he agreed with perfectly that rnder all the circuu.
stances OF position which the English and the aid the
Admiral had rendered me the day before could do no
less than TO the boats to his relief
made the offer, which was thankfully and promptly
accepted.
While the boats making fast to hawers which
reered astern insisted NJ Ward and his suite eav
for reasons that will be obvious
lie at frs, reluctantly Yielded and left ma but soon re-
turned In one OF the English boats, declaring that the
Toey-"an was his home aud was going under fire with
hs appreciation and concurrence, he would remain in
her. reluctantly yielded 10 his gallant impulse
Al this time young British officer TO from
ihe vessels engaged to say that the gallant admiral
dangerously wounded and had but six men left He
lthe oficerl had two boats sunk in reaching me
towed the boats through the British line TO within n
short distance of the admiral whose flag Aying on
The Cormorant when, casting hem Off | retired 10 the
rear OF the ne near the French gunboa end anchored
for the hight.
took up this position might enable me to aid
the wounded and should boats be sunk to rescue their
crews.
After anehOTing, thought Of the admiral and of his
ehvarous kindness to the Jay before which, from an
un"lingness TO inrude on him when he was preparing
for action, had in no way vet acknowledged.
l. therefore, with my iag lieutenant Mr. Trenchard
wen, in NV barge to visit him. When within few feet
OF the CormOrant, round shot struck the boat killed
my eo1swAin and slightly bruised my fa lieutenant
We fortunately reached the Comoran before the boat
entirely filed.
found the admiral lying on his quartz, deck badly
wounded. informed him that bad called to paw him
my respects, aud to express my regret at j. condition
After remaining on board the Cormorant about en- mil
utes took advantage OF an English boat that plss-
ing, TO return TO the Toey-wau
The Cormorant after this was sunk, and Il admiral
shifted his nag TO fourth vessel the CorOn ande IA
thing, believe Unprecedented thus evinciug indoni-
table valor under very dheareniug and aim, st ho G.
less circumstances
At dusk, about +. NJ. desperate attempt was made
by landing from boats, the iort but they stood
IN AN impas-able moras and the aaants were rel eed
with heavy los.
On the morning following this day and night of augh.
ter-the action still continuing, but the fire feeble
and distantl found that six Of the English vesses were
sunk and that the remainder mad Withdrawn 10 more
distant and safer position, from which they could ealy
retire out of gun-shot.
now prepared return to the Powhatan with Mr.
Ward but first called board the Coromandel TO take
leave of the admiral and also board the French gun
boat, inquire after the French commodore
whom had met on board the CormOraut when called
the admiral and who had subsequently, been wour ded
deferred my departure by request that might tow
to their ships, at sea- two Aunchoads of the wounded
English.
On reaching the Powbatan again despatched the
Iocy-wan into the 1aTboT, in charge of Lieutenant
Johnston rst of the Powhaia with orders TO ren ain
At the mouth Of the harbor fire. and to afford all
AID consistent with our neutrality. Aitcr efficient per
ormance of this duty for twenty -four hours lac r,oed
The sea officers with me in the Tocy-wau on his ser
vice were Captain Pearson, Leuenauts TrCnchard and
Semmcs, all of the Powhatan: and Midshipman Merchap
Of the Germantown. The engineer officers were Messs
City and Archer. Captain \ :. Taylor of the marine
corps also with have thank them for their
Jealous services
Ny coxswain, John Hart whose death have to Ia.
ment, was the Of John and Mary Hart living at
Jamaica, Long Island He was a widower but has left
young daughter eight wears old.
shall communicate the sad event TO his parents and
his child whom he supported will he entitled 20 pen
son may beg the favor Of yOu sir as the pro-
per papers shall be fled the department. to direct that
the pension he Issued without unnecessary delay:
Hart had been long time in the navy having served
under me fifteen years ago.
The English retired this morning from the river hav-
ing recovered and brought three Of their sunken
vessels aud destroyed the others.
Their loss is about four hundred and fifty killed and
wounded, including twelve French Fight officers are
killed and twcnty-ihrcc woun,ed among the wounded
the four senior officers including the admiral and the
French Commodore Tricaut
They attacked with about twelve hundred men,
am, sir with great respect your obedeut servant
JOSIAH TATNALL
Flag Officer Commanding Fast India Squadron.
Tho Hon. Isaac ToUCEY,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.