.

vier, captain Wales, rating and mounting 18 thirty-two pound car. ronades, with 128 men, of whom 8 were killed and 15 wounded, according to the best information we could obtain. Among the latter is her first lieutenant, who has lost an arm, and received a severe splinter wound on the hip. Not a man in the Peacock was killed, and only two wounded, neither dangerously so. The fate of the Epervier would have been determined in much less time, but for the circumstance of our fore yard being totally disabled by two round shot in the starboard quarter from her first broadside, which entirely deprived us of the use of our fore and fore-top sails and compelled us to keep the ship large throughout the remainder of the action. This, with a few top-mast and top-gallant back stays cut away, a few shot through our sails, is the only injury the Peacock has sustained. Not a round shot touched our hull; our masts and spars are as sound as ever. When the enemy struck he had five feet water in his hold, his main top-mast was over the side, his main boom shot away, bis fore-mast cut nearly in two and tottering, his forę rigging and stays shot away, his bowsprit badly wounded, and forty-five shot holes in his hull, twenty of which were within a foot of his water line. By great exertion we got her in sailing order just as dark came on.

In fifteen minutes after the enemy struck, the Peacock was ready for another action, in every respect but her fore yard, which was sent down, finished and had the foresail set again in forty five minutes : such was the spirit and activity of our gallant crew. The Epervier had under her convoy an English hermaphrodite brig, a Russian and a Spanish ship, which all hauled their wind and stood to the east north-east. "I had determined upon pursuing the former, but found that it would not answer to leave our prize in her then crippled state, and the more particularly so, as we found she had in 120,000 dollars in specie, which we soon transferred to this sloop. Every officer, seaman and marine did his duty, which is the highest compliment I can pay them.

Tam, respectfully,

L. WARRINGTON. Honourable William Jones.

SAVANNAH, May 1st, 1814. SIR,

I have the honour of informing you of my arrival here in late his Britannic majesty's brig Epervier, of eighteen 32 pound carronades, captain Wales, captured by the sloop Peacock, captain Warrington, on Friday morning, the 29th ultimo, off cape Carnaveral, after an action of forty-two minutes, in which time she was much cut up in huil, spars, rigging and sails, with upwards of five feet water in her hold, having the advantage of the weather gage

She has lost 8 killed and 15 wounded, among the latter her first lieutenant, who has lost his arm. I am happy to say the Peacock received no material injury : her fore yard and two men slightly wounded ; she received not one shot in her hull. The brig had upwards of one hundred thousand dollars on board.

I have the honour to be, &c.

JOHN B. NICOLSON. Honourable William Jones.

UNITED STATES' SHIP GENERAL PIKE, SACKETT'S HARBOR,

May 1st, 1814. SIR,

I am happy to have it in my power to inform you, that the United States' ship “ Superior” was launched this morning, without accident. The Superior is an uncommon beautiful, well-built ship, something larger than the President, and could mount 64 guns, if it was thought advisable to put as many upon her. This ship has been built in the short space of eighty days, and when it is taken into view, that two brigs of 500 tons each, have also been built, rigged, and completely fitted for service, since the first of February, it will be acknowledged, that the mechanics employed on this station have done their duty.

I have the honour to be, &c.

ISAAC CHAUNCEY. Honourable William Jones.

UNITED STATES' SLOOP PEACOCK, May 5th, 1814. SIR,

As my letter of yesterday was too late for the mail, I address you again in the performance of a duty which is pleasing and gratifying to me in a high degree, and is but doing justice to the merits of the deserving officers under my command, of whom I have hitherto refrained from speaking, as I considered it most correct to make it a subject of a particular communication.

To the unwearied and indefatigable attention of first lieutenant Nicolson in organizing and training the crew, the success of this action is in a great measure to be attributed. I have confided greatly in him, and have never found my confidence misplaced. For judgment, coolness, and decision in times of difficulty, few can surpass him. This is the second action in which he has been engaged this war, and in both he has been successful. His great pride is to earn a commander's commission, by fighting for, instead of heiring it.

From second lieutenant Henley, and lieutenant Voorhees (actting third, who has also twice been successfully engaged) I received every assistance that zeal, ardor and experience could afford. The fire from their two divisions was terrible, and directed with

the greatest precision and coolness. In sailing master Percival, whose great wish and pride is to obtain a lieutenant's commission, and whose unremitting and constant attention to duty, added to his professional knowledge, entitle him to it in my opinion, I found an able as well as willing assistant. He handled the ship as if he had been working her into a roadstead. Mr. David Cole, acting carpenter, I have also found such an able and valuable man in his occupation, that I must request, in the most earnest manner, that he may receive a warrant: for I feel confident that to his uncommon exertions, we, in a great measure, owe the getting our prize into port. From 11 A. M. to 6 P. M. he was over her side stopping shot holes, on a grating, and when the ordinary resources failed of success, his skill soon supplied him with efficient ones. Mr. Philip Myers, master's mate, has also conducted himself in such a manner as to warrant my recommendation of him as a master. He is a seaman, navigator, and officer; his family in New York is respectable, and he would prove an acquisition to the service. My clerk, Mr. John S. Townsend, is anxious to obtain, through my means, a midshipman's warrant, and has taken pains to qualify himself for it, by volunteering and constantly performing a midshipman's duty. Indeed I have but little use for a clerk, and he is as great a proficient as any of the young midshipmen, the whole of whom behaved in a manner that was pleasing to me, and must be gratifying to you, as it gives an earnest of what they will make in time; three only have been to sea þefore, and one only in a man of war; yet they are as much at home, and as much disposed to exert themselves, as any officer of the ship. Lieutenant Nicolson speaks in high terms of the conduct of Messrs. Greeves and Rodgers (midshipmen) who were in the prize wíth him.

I have the honour to be, &c.

L. WARRINGTON, Honourable William Jones.

ΤΟΝ,

a

Extract of a letter from Commodore Chauncey to the Secretary of

the Nary. TNITED STATES' SHIP GENERAL PIKE, SACKETT'S HARBOR,

May 7th, 1814, "I received a letter from captain Woolsey last evening, dated at 6 o'clock P. M. on the 5th instant. The enemy had been cannonading Oswego about three hours when the express came away, without doing any injury. He had been twice repulsed in his attempt to land, and the officers and men in high spirits, and expected to be able to hold out until reinforcements arrived. Colonel Mitchell and captain Woolsey are both excellent officers, and I may say, without disparagement to any other corps, that the 3d regiment of artillery is one of the best disciplined corps in the

army, and Is remarkable for the great number of scientific and correct officers in it-we therefore may expect a most gallant defence of Oswego. If the enemy has succeeded in taking the place, he has paid dearly for it. The attack, I presume, was renewed

1 yesterday morning, as the guns we heard distinctly at this place from morning until about 2 P. M. when the firing ceased."

UNITED STATES' SHIP GENERAL PIKE, SACKETT'S HARBOR,

May 7th, 5 o'clock P. M. 1814. SIR,

The enemy's fleet passed in sight about an hour since, at a great distance, and standing for Kingston. We have several vague reports, that the enemy landed from 1500 to 3000 men, and that they carried the fort at Oswego by storm and put the garrison to the sword; others, that the garrison, with captain Woolsey and seamen, surrendered, and that the enemy was marching to the falls. All these reports are unquestionably much exaggerated, and if it should turn out that Oswego has been taken, it will be found that the troops and seamen did their duty, and that the enemy has paid dearly for the place.

I have the honour to be, &c.

ISAAC CHAUNCEY. Honourable W. Jones, Secretary of the Navy.

GENERAL ORDERS.

HEAD QUARTERS, SACKETT'S HARBOR, May 12th, 1814. Major general Brown has the satisfaction of announcing to the troops of his division, that the detachment under the command of lieutenant colonel Mitchell, of the corps of artillery, have, by their gallant and military conduct on the 5th and 6th instant, gained a name in arms worthy of the nation they serve and the cause they support. For nearly two days they maintained an unequal con test against ten times their numbers, and but yielded their post when the interest of their country made that measure necessary,

The companies composing this gallant detachment were Boyle's, Romayne's, M'Intires, and Pierce's, of the heavy artillery, and a few seamen under the command of lieutenant Pearce of the navy-in all, less than three hundred men. The enemy's force by land and water exceeded three thousand,

HEAD QUARTERS, SACKETT"3 IIABOR,

May 12th, 1814 SIR.

Enclosed is an abstract from the report of lieutenant colonel Mitchell, of the affair at Oswego. Being well satisfied with the copy

manner in which the colonel executed my orders, and with the evidence given of steady discipline and gallant conduct on the part of the troops, I have noticed them in the general order, a

of which is enclosed. The enemy's object was the naval and military stores deposited at the falls, 10 miles in the rear of the fort.

These were protected. The stores at the fort and village were not important.

I am, &c.

JACOB BROWN, maj. gen. Hon. Secretary at War.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL MITCHELL'S REPORT.

a

I informed you of my arrival at fort Oswego on the 30th ultimo. This post being but occasionally and not recently occupied by regular troops, was in a bad state of defence. Of cannon we had but five old guns, three of which had lost their trunnionswhat could be done in the way of repair was effected-new platforms were laid, the gun carriages put in order, and decayed pickets replaced. On the fifth instant the British naval force, consisting of 4 large ships, 3 brigs and a number of gun and other boats, were descried at revellie beating about 7 miles from the fort. Information was immediately given to captain Woolsey of the navy, ( who was at Oswego village) and to the neighboring militia. It being doubtful on what side of the river the enemy would attempt to land, and my force (290 effectives) being too small to bear division, I ordered the tents to be pitched on the village side, while I occupied the other with my whole force. It is probable that this artifice had its effect and determined the enemy to attack where, from appearances, they expected the least opposition. About one o'clock the fleet approached. Fifteen boats, large and crowded with troops, at a given signal, moved slowly to the shore. These were preceded by gun boats sent to rake the woods and cover the landing, while the larger vessels opened a fire upon the fort. Captain Boyle, and lieutenant Legate, (so soon as the debarking boats got within range of our shot) opened upon them a very successful fire from the shore battery, and compelled them twice to retire. They at length returned to the ships, and the whole stood off from the shore for better anchorage. One of the enemy's boats, which had been deserted, was taken up by us, and some others by the militia. The first mentioned was sixty feet long, and carried thirty-six oars and three sails, and could accommodate 150 men. She had received a ball through her bow, and was nearly filled with water.

Picket guards were stationed at different points, and we lay on our arms during the night.