Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-08-14

having come all the way through the
woods alone to bring her husband horn
of powder, which she had found after he
had gone.
Early on Monday morning, four young
men took possession of one of the lumber
sloops, and, bringing her up to the wharf,
gave three cheers, to call the attention of
the villagers. Thirty-fve athletic men
were soon gathered at the wharf, and a
design of capturing the "Margaretta"
was made known to them. Aiming
themselves as well as they were able at so
brief notice, they set sail in pursuit of
the British vessel, which was lying at
anchor few miles below.
As yet, they had no commander; but
an election was held on the way, by
which jeremiah O'Brien, the eldest of
six noble brothers on board, was unan-
imously chosen captain. He immedi-
ately gave permission, for all who did not
wish to venture in the attack, to leave
the vessel, and three men accordingly
went ashore in the boat.
When the Marguerite" observed the
approach of the sloop, she weighed anchor
and crowded on all sail to avoid con-
fict. In changing her jib she carried
away the boom; but, continuing her
flight, she ran into Holmes Bay, and took
a spar from a vessel lying there.
While repairs were making, the sloop
hove in sight; and the "Margaretta"
stood out to sea, in hope still ofavoiding
her. So anxious was Captain Moore to
avoid collision, that he cut away his
boats to increase the speed of his vessel ;
but this, too, was Intellectual. Finding
the sloop fast closing upon him, he at
length opened fire upon her.
The Margaretta" had an armament
of four light deck guns and fourteen
swivels; while the sloop had only sim
gle cannon, rudely mounted, with which
TO return the fire. The first discharge
killed the Margaretta's" helmsman and
cleared the quarterback. The schooner
preached suddenly to windward,
throwing the sails back, and bringing her
deck into full view of her pursuers.
Those of the patriots who had firearms
instantly discharged them.
In a very few moments the vessels
came together. Then ensued contest
with musketry, Captain Moore himself
throwing -grenades into the sloop
with considerable effect. An attempt
was made by the patriots to board the
schooner; but only one man-John
O'Bren, brother of the commander
reached her deck. Seven of the Br't'sh
crew discharged their guns % hi. ,.imost
at the same mono at not ball struck
him. =" - ...o, charged upon him with
~, onets, but he escaped by jumping
overheard. The vessels had fallen some
thirty yards apart; but he swan to the
sloop, and was taken on board without
having received any worse harm than a
wetting.
The American vessel was again brought
alongside the enemy, and twenty men,
armed chiefly with pitchforks, sprang on
board the schooner. Captain Moore had
already fallen, pierced by two balls and
the conflict was so fierce that the officer
left in command fed, panic-stricken, to
the cabin.
Thus the schooner and her stores fell
nearly uninjured into the hands of these
brave freedmen of Machias. The loss OF
the Americans was four killed and eight
or nine wounded that of the British was
more than twice as many.
The Margaretta' was the first British
armed vessel captured by the Americans
in the War of independence. This en-
terprise was entirely private one, the
Centennial Congress not having organized
any nautical force until the following Oc-
tober.-iSt. Nicholas.