The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-07-15
The NAVY OF '76.
NoyYYyUA TON OF THE STORY or
ITS RECORD.
TIE Battle Of the BarKes-A Maryland
Fight In which Virginia Played y Con
spicnous Part-Another Interesting Re
cltaI of Revolutionary Times.

cltaI of Revolutionary Times.
One OF the most interesting episodes in
the history of the naval affairs Of the
Chesapeake occurred on the Both Novem-
Der, 1882, the very day that the prelimina
ries for peace were signed at Paris. ~
IA generally known as the Battle OF the
Bsrges," or battle OF "Cageys straits,
This is narrow strait separating two OF
The Tangicr Islands, partly IN the VIZ
ginia and part in the waters OF Maryland.
II more properly belongs TO the history
of the Maryland marine the heet OF
barges engaged having been for the mos,
part manned by citizens, and commanded
Sy an officer Of that State But we shall
ace hereafter that some of those who dis
tinruishcd themselves in this bloody
affair were Virginians. From the &C
counts we have read, it must have been
one Of the most desperately contested
fights of the war II was hand-to- hand
atrugge when foe met foe face TO face,
and when personal proves was severely
tested We shall see. however, that both
Marylander and Virginian viDdicated
their character for personal courage 10
the highest degree. Although the enemy
Was victorious in the end, il was not un-
ti after a long and bloody handto- hand
encounter with cutlass and boarding pike
and amid showers of bullets, that the
Americans yielded to superior numbers
The historian of the Maryland marine
has failed for some reason 10 present all
the facts connected with this action. 1t
will therefore be necessary TO 20 some.
4 -. Al. - go
40 az TO give due credit to all concerned.
A fio,ils of barges under the com
mand OF Commodore Whaley had been
dispatched BIZ the Maryland authorities,
for the protection Of the shores of that
State against maTauding expeditions of
ike character with those infesting the
waters Of Virginia These latter were
manned in part by seamen from the Brit.
sh ships, bu; chiefly by Tories and adj
veuturcrs whose manner Of warfare was
more worthy Of Buccaneers than of
civilized COmbatants Whilst Wholey
was cruising in that part of the Chesa-
peake known as the Sound of Somerset
county, he deserted some distance to the
westward ana south the enemy fleet OF
boats commended by a bold and hardy
Scot, who, perhaps, by way Of giving adj
ditiOnal terror 10 his presence in those
waters, had adopted the generic name Of
Kidd. He must not. therefore, be con-
founded with his redoubtable namesake,
the great pirate OF the Western seas
Who long before had been seized IN the
streets of Boston carried to England
and executed. The British tlotilla of
six large barges proving too powerful for
Whaley's force, the latter thought il pru-
dent 10 take refuge in OnanCock creek
Virginia with The hope Of procuring
such re- endorsements as would enable him
90 encoun,er his more powerful adversary.
In this he was successful. II was court
dav in Accomac when he landed and the
people were assembled in their usual
numbers on such occasions Colonel
John Chopper was in command of the
militia. and to him Whaley made applica
ton for help. Colonel Croprer had only
TO proclaim upon the cOurt-gTeen that
volunteers were wanted TO aid their
brethren of sister State against the
common enemy when he at once found
himself at the head of a considerable re-en
forccment He with Major Smith
Snead and Captain Thomas Parker, Of
tiCe:s Of the Continental line. Lieutonants
Snoad. Christian, Captain Reyille, and a
number Of militia went on board, The
Marylanders feet. while Virginia barge
called the Victory Joined The expedition
MANY of these men did not take time 10
inform their families, so promptly did
they respond 10 the call for their SER
vice. and many OF them never returned
20 the fire,ide they had so suddenly left,
but persisted within sight of tie homes
thcv were defending
Whalcy, full of hope ami eager 90 en-
gage the enemy, now shaped his course
ow.rds Taugier Island Ina which direc
lion he had last seen Kidd, fleet \
shor sail brOugL' him Odd sight oi the lat
ter iu line of battle or CageY strait,
about twenty mile, north ot Oman
cock czech These harecS, both
English and American, were propelled hv
sails a. Wei AS o2rsmcn, and. AS viii soon
De seen. carried armamculs Of c0nsidcra-
ble weight Commodore Whalcr was Is
brave uut Sash ah. uLgoVelDaulc man, %,
his conduct on thi- occasion proved. Iii,
own barge tle Protector, was e better
sailer than were her COnsorts. and in al-
preaching the enemy g., line LETT them too
Tar astcrn 90 ensure a simultaneous at
tack upon the latter Colon, Chopper,
who had gone ON board Wnalcys barge,
in vain endcavOrcd 90 persuade the later
20 lie TO and await their approach before
beginning tAe action The impc,uous
Maryandcr disregarding this advice. sig.
nailed his hargts 90 follow. and boldly
advanced single handed against ihe Bci-
'.sh lime. At his approach the Protector
q r-f a If