The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-07-01
yIRGINIA'S NAVY OF '76
PATRIOT VESSELS DESTROYED BY
ARNOLD.
The Gallant Cruiser Patriot-How She Fell
Into the Hands of the Enemy Brilliant
Fate at Last.

Career OF the Marquis Lafayette''- Her
Fate at Last.
Arnold having established himself at
Portsmouth inaugura,ed series Of dep
relations on land, while his fleet ravagcd
the shores OF all the nayigable streams.
Daring these expeditions MANY of the
patriot vessels were destroyed, while
others were forced to take refuge far up
the larger rivers and among the numer-
Gus inets, sheltered by protecting cur
tains of forests II viii be observed by
reference 10 the list Of vessels of the
navy. that there were two which bore
the name Of Liberty sl0Op and a
brig. The former had fallen prey to
one of the maiandering parties just men
toned while lying in York river. Under
cover of night her crew were surprised
and oyerpOwered by a flotilla OF the
enemy.
But the loss now 20 be recorded was a
much more serious ore, accounts Of
which differ so much that it will be
necessary 10 dwell somewhat upon it.
The gallant little schooner Patriot had
been in active service since the year 1.i5.
A short intermission occurred iii her
career, when she was diSmantled and
submerged TO escape destruction by the
euemV She had been one OF the most
efficient cruisers of the navy under Cap
tain Richard Barron. Her COnsOrt, the
brig Liberty. was at the same time COM
mauded by bis brother, James Barron.
At the time to which reference is now
made, she was commanded by Lieuten-
ant James Watkins In April, 1871, she
fell into the hands Of the enemy by de
vice unworthy Of a generous foe, and
which. therefore, deprived him Of the
credit always due 10 n chivalrOus adver-
sary There appears also TO be contra
diciion in the accounts given of this AT
fair. The late Commodore Barron of the
United States Navy, in communication
to the Virginia Historical Register, has
given quite o different narrative from
one We propose to present, IN which
10 will be seen he has unwiltingly done
the gallant little cruiser injustice. AT
The time of the capture he was bat boy
Of nine years, and, as he narrates, wit
messed the event from the ncighbOrug
shore in company with an elder brother
and an old negro servant. We cannot
doubt that strong impression was ade
upon his youthful mind by so stirring a
scene: but 1t is impossible 20 reconcile
two such opposing accounts as are given
except under the hypothesis that the
veteran Commodore must have con
founded this event with some of the
other numerous accounts he had heard
al the freside of his distinguished rela-
tiyes who had borne such active parts in
the Revolution BE this as il may, we
snail give both statements and leave the
reader to iuQue between them In The
Commodore account, after referring 10
the melancholy state of things at the
time and the deienseess condition Of the
people he describes tie Patriots pursuit
of a decoy sloop down James river, and
winds up with the following language.
"The sloop was purposely delayed by
drag thrown out on her slarbOard bow,
which enabled the Patriot 10 come along
side of her, when all at once up jumped
fifty mariners with their officers, who
had hitherto not been seen ami the cup
tire If tie Patriot nus bHt tie r0rk of II
minute.
According TO this statement the Viz
gilman tamely submitted without a show
of resistance even TO such great odds. IL
would have been no disgrace had this
been the fact, but, as will be shown, her
capture was farfr0m being "but The work
Of a minute" IF tL- evidence we produce
can be relied upon.
In a letter now upon record written by
a Mr. William Davenport TO General
Weeden, dated April, 1881, referring 10
this very event, he uses the following
words a small sloOp left Portsmouth
last night, and come two tto) Of the point
this morning. Got under way and stood
up James river The Patriot OF the same
time was standing down The latter
gave chase and soon came up with the
eloop. They immed'ately eHgd9ed ami aras
fQhfiHq Hearly too oars. The Patriot l3cic6
attempted to BOrd the sloOp, but fell
through in his attempt. The sloop cut
away his main halliards and his main
sail fell to the deck. The Patriot cut
away the slOops' pecktey (peek-tie) The
sloop run along side the Patriot and
fired a broads.de in her She immtdi-
ately struck, and the men from the sloop
Borded her They are now at anchor of
Francisco Jones and seem very busy
fitting their sails. TIE men aboQrd tie
Patriot 5ehaped ccry spirited The sloop
has large number OF men on board
Ii will be perceived from this clear
statement made by an eyewitness that
the two accounts agree in the main, but
differ very widely upon the point in
question as to the conduct of the Patriots
crew. It is impossible to suppose that
this man could have been mistaken when
he saws, They Immediately engaged and
were fighting for upwards If two hours,
and then proceed TO give the details Of
such pro,racted struggle, unless il was
an true Again. Dee would never have
taken occasion 10 say that "tac men
aboard the Patriot behaved very spir-
tied" If her capture had been "but
the Work Of Il minute" The broad
side referred to in this letter was
doubtless from the firearms of the ma
rines secret,d on board the sloop, who
appeared on deck as soon as the Patriot
had oyertaken her. IL is enough to know
that with this event the career Of the
Patriot came to an end. She had been