Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-02-02

CAPTAIN SAMUEL CHESTER REID.

SAF AIN SAMUEL SaA9 hAh hEADs
Died January %. 1851, at his residence in
New York West FOrty-ffh street, in the
seventy-seventh year of his age, of congestion
of the lungs.
Captain Samuel Chester Reid was born at
New London, Connecticut, in the year 1874,
and deservedly occupies a distinguished place
among the gallent and adventurous spirits
who signalized themselves during the last
war with Great Britain. There is, perhaps,
no incident in the whole history of naval
warfare so full of the thrilling and the ter
rible as the heroic and wonderful defense Of
the privateer, General Armstrong, at the
island of FayaI in the year 1914. Never was
there more desperate struggle, and never a
more brilliant victory achieved against a
vastly superior force, for although the com
mander of the vessel finally abandoned her,
twas not until he had again and again beaten
back an overwhelming body of the British.
The General Armstrong was brigantine of
only two hundred and forty-six tons, and
carried a crew Of ninety men. including
officers, with an armament Of only seven
guns. While lying in the neutral port of
Fayal three British men-of-war, counting in
Ill one hundred and thirty-six gnns, entered
the harbor and came 10 anchor within half
a cables length of the privateer. As soon as
the British Admiral ascertained that the
vessel which appeared to be almost in his
l,or The fLouo-oT l.. J.
preparations for an immediate attack, not
withstanding the fact Ofhis being in neutral
port. Four large launches were speedily
manned and sent against the brig, the brave
commander Of which was resolved to receive
them in becoming manner. he made his
preparations according, and as soon as they
pulled up close to the vessel, having pre-
vi0usly warned them of, be ordered his men
to FIRE, which they did with terrible effect
The boats pulled off in a sinking condition,
and with the greater part of the attacking
force killed or wounded. Another assault
was made upon the brig, and this time with
q largesaeet Of boats, numbering fourteen,
each Of which had from forty to fifty men,
but 1t was as unsuccessful as the first. and
attended with fearful loss to the Eng
iish. Having failed in both these attempts,
it was resolved to make q third, and the
Carnation, one of the feet, carrying eighteen
guns, stood close in for the General Arm
strong, and opened a heavy FIRE upon the
little brig. The fire was returned, as to be
obliged to Withdraw from a conflict in which
she was certain to be completely disabled,
if not utterly destroyed. Finding, however,
thatit was the determination Of the English
Admirable get possession Of his vessel, and
yielding to the solicitations of the Governor of
the Island as well as that of the American
Consul at the port, Ca9tain Reid scuttled her,
and went on shore with the gallant fellows
under his command. The prizateer was
soon after boarded by the English and blown
up. Captain Reid was confined to about
dozen men in killed and wounded, while the
English had, according their own calculation,
one hundred and twenty killed and one
hundred and thirty wounded. The news q
this action was received ell over the country
with the greatest rejoicing, and subsequently.
Captain Reid was presented by the State Of
New York with gold sword, in company
with General Scott Peter B. Porter and
Edmnnd P. Gaines. In addition to this gift,