Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

considerable quantity of cannon ball, and upwards of one hundred stand of arms.

I send you enclosed herein, a return of our loss. The return of prisoners enclosed, does not include the stragglers that came in after the action.

I have the honour to be, &c.

JACOB BROWN. Hon. Secretary of War.

a

H. Q. CAMP FORT ERIE, October 1st, 1814. SIR,

Looking over my official account of the action of the 17th ultimo, I find that the names of the regiments which composed general Miller's command have not been given. As I believe it even more important to distinguish corps than individuals, I am anxious to correct this mistake. General Miller on that day commanded the remains of the 9th and 11th infantry and a detachment of the 19th. Of three field officers who were attached to them, two were severely wounded ; lieutenant colonel Aspinwall of the 9th, gallantly leading his men to the attack upon the enemy's entrenchments; and major Trimble, of the 19th, who was shot within their works, conducting with great skill and bravery. A detachment of the 17th regiment was attached to the 21st.

I have the honour to be, &c.

JACOB BROWN. Hon. Secretary of War.

PRIVATEER GENERAL ARMSTRONG.

FAYAL, October 4th, 1814: SIR,

With infinite regret I am constrained to say, it has eventually fallen to my lot to state to you the loss and destruction of the private armed brig General Armstrong, late under my command.

We sailed from Sandy Hook on the evening of the 9th ultimo, and about midnight fell in chase, aboard of a razee and ship of the line. They pursued till next day noon, when they thought proper to give over the chase. On the 11th, after a nine hours' chace, boarded the private armed schooner Perry, John Colman, six days from Philadelphia, had thrown over all his guns. On the following day fell in with an enemy's gun brig; exchanged a few shots with and left him. On the 24th, boarded a Spanish brig and schooner, and a Portuguese ship, all from the Havanna. On the 26th following, came to in Fayal Roads, for the purpose of filling water; called on the American consul who very politely ordered our water immediately sent off, it being our intention to proceed to sen early the next day. At 5 P. M. I went on board, the consul and some other gentlemen in company. I asked some questions concerning enemy's cruizers, and was told there had been nome at these islands for several weeks; when about dusk, while we were examining, the British brig, Carnation, suddenly hovein sight close under the north-east head of the harbor, within gun-shot when first discovered. The idea of getting under weigh was instantly suggested; but finding the enemy's brig had the advantage of a breeze, and but little wind with us, it was thought doubtful if we should be able to get to sea without hazarding an action. I ques. tioned the consul to know if in his opinion the enemy would regard the neutrality of the port? He gave me to understand I might make myselt perfectly easy, assuring me at the same time, they would never molest us while at anchor. But no sooner did the enemy's brig understand from the pilot boat who we were, than she immediately hauled close in and let go her anchor within pistol shot of us : at the same moment the Plantagenet, and frigate Rota, hove in sight, to whom the Carnation instantly inade signal, and a constant interchange took place for some time.

The result was, the Carnation proceeded to throw out all her boats ; despatched on board the commodore, and appeared otherwise to be making unusual exertions. The moon was near-its full, which enabled us to observe them very minutely; and I now deterinined to haul in nearer the shore. Accordingly, after clearing for action, we got under weigh, aud began to sweep in. The moment this was observed by the enemy's brig, she instantly cut her cable, made sail, and despatched four boats in pursuit of us. Being now about 8 P. M. as soon as we saw the boats approaching, we let go our anchor, got springs on our cable, and prepared to receive them. I hailed them repeatedly as they drew near, but they felt no inclination to reply. Sure of their game, they only pulled up with the greater speed. I observed the boats were all manned, and apparently as well armed; and as soon as they had cleverly got along side, we opened our fire, which was soon returned; but meeting with rather a warmer reception than they had probably been aware of, they very soon cried out for quarters and hauled off. In this skirmish, I had one man killed, and my first lieutenant wounded. The enemy's loss must have been upwards of twenty killed and wounded.

They had now repaired to their ships to prepare for a more formidable attack. We, in the interim, having taken the hint, prepared to haul close into the beach, where we inoored head and stern, within half pistol shot of the castle. This done, we again prepared in the best possible manner for their second reception. At 9 P. M. we observed the enemy's brig towing in a fleet of boats. They soon after left the brig and took their station in three divisions, under cover of a small reef of rocks, within about musket shot of us. 'liere they continued manouvring for soine

a

time, the brig still keeping under weigh to act with the boats, should we at any time attempt our escape.

The shores were lined with the inhabitants, waiting the expected attack; from the brightness of the moon, they had a most favourable view of the scene. The governor, with most of the first people of the place, stood by and saw the whole affair.

At length, about midnight, we saw the boats in motion, (our crew having laid at their quarters during the whole of this interval.) They came on in one direct line, keeping in close order ; and we plainly counted twelve boats. As soon as they came within proper distance we opened our fire, which was warmly returned from the enemy's carronades and small arms. The discharge from our Long Tom rather staggered them ; but soon reconnoitering, they gave three cheers, and came on most spiritedly; in a moment they succeeded in gaining our bow and starboard quarter, and the word was board. Our great guns now becoming useless, we attacked them sword in hand, together with our pikes, pistols, and musketry, from which our lads poured on them a inost destructive fire. The enemy made frequent and repeated attempts to gain our decks, but were repulsed at all times, and at all points, with the greatest slaughter. About the middle of the action I received the intelligence of the death of my second lieutenant; and soon after of the third lieutenant being badly wounded. From this, and other causes, I found our fire had much slackened on the forecastle; and, fearful of the event, I instantly rallied the whole of our after division, who had been bravely defending, and now had succeeded in beating the boats off the quarters. They gave a shout, rushed forward, opened a fresh fire, and soon after decided the conflict, which terminated in the total defeat of the enemy, and the loss of many of their boats; two of which, belonging to the Rota, we took possession of, literally loaded with their own dead. Seventeen only escaped from them both, who swam to the shore. In another boat under our quarter, commanded by one of the lieutenants of the Plantagenet, all were killed saving four. This I have from the lieutenant himself, who further told me that he jumped overboard to save his own life.

The duration of this action was about 40 minutes. Our decks were now found in much confusion, our Long Tom dismounted, and several of our carriages broken ; many of our crew having left the vessel, and others disabled. Under these circumstances, however, we succeeded in getting Long Tom in bis birth, and the decks cleared in sort for a fresh action, should the enemy attack us again before day-light. About 3 A, M. I received a message from the American consul, requesting to see me on shore, where he informed me the governor had sent a note to captain Lloyd, begging him to desist from further hostilities. To which captain Lloyd sent for answer, that he was determined to have the privateer at the risk of knocking down the whole town; and that if the governor suffered the Americans to injure the privateer in any inanner, he should consider the place an enemy's port, and treat it accordingly. Finding this to be the case, I considered all hopes of saving our vessel to be at an end. I therefore went on board, and ordered all our wounded and dead to be taken on shore, and the crew to save their effects as fast as possible. Soon after this it became day-light, when the enemy's brig stood close in, and commenced a heavy fire on us with all her force. After several broadsides she hauled off, having received a shot in her hull, her rigging much cut, and her fore-top mast wounded ; (of this I was informed by the British consul.) She soon after came in again, and anchored close to the privateer. I then ordered the Armstrong to be scuttled, to prevent the enemy from getting her off. She was soon after boarded by the enemy's boats, and set on fire, which soon completed her destruction.

They have destroyed a number of houses in the town, and wounded some of the inhabitants.

By what I have been able to learn from the British consul and officers of the fleet, it appears there were about 400 officers and men in the last attack by the boats, of which 120 were killed and about 130 wounded. Captain Lloyd, I am told by the British consul, is badly wounded in the leg; a jury of surgeons had been held, who gave it as their opinion, that amputation would be necessary to insure his life. 'Tis said, however, that the wound was occasioned by an ox treading on him. The fleet has remained here about a week, during which they have been principally employed in burying their dead and taking care of their wounded.

Three days after the action they were joined by the ship Thais and brig Calypso (two sloops of war ; ) they were immediately taken into requisition by captain Lloyd, to take home the wounded men. The Calypso sailed for England with part of the wounded on the 2d instant, among whom was the first lieutenant of the Plantagenet. The Thais sails this evening with the remainder. Captain Lloyd's fleet sailed to-day, supposed for the West Indies.

The loss on our part, I am happy to say, is comparatively trifling ; two killed and seven wounded. With regard to my officers in general, I feel the greatest satisfaction in saying they one and all fought with the most determined bravery, and to whom I feel highly indebted for their officer-like conduct during the short period we were together; their exertions and bravery deserved a better fate.

I here insert, for your inspection, a list of the killed and wounded.

Kuled—M. Alexander O. Williams, 20 lieutenant, by a musket ball in the forehead, died instantly; Burton Lloyd, seaman, do. through the heart do.

WOUNDED—Frederick A. Worth, 1st lieutenant, in the right side ; Robert Johnson, 3d do. left knee; Razilla Hammond, quarter master, left arm; John Piner, seaman, knee ; William Castle, do. arm ; Nicholas Soalson, do. arm and leg ; John Harrison, do. hand and face by the explosion of a gun.

It gives me much pleasure to announce to you that our wounded are all in a fair way of recovery, through the unremitted care and attention of our worthy surgeon.

Mr. Dabney, our consul, is a gentleman possessing, every feeling of humanity, and to whom the utmost gratitude is due from us, for his great care of the sick and wounded, and his polite attention to my officers and myself.

Mr. Williams was a most deserving and promising officer. His country in him has lost one of its brightest ornaments; and his death inust be sadly lamented by all who knew his worth.

Accompanied with this you will find a copy of my protest, together with copies of letters written by Mr. Dabney to the governor of Fayal, our minister at Rio Janeiro, and our Secretary of State. These letters will develope more fully the circumstances of this unfortunate affair.

We expect to sail to-morrow in a Portugeuse brig for America Island, who takes the whole of our crew.

I remain gentlemen, &c.

SAMUEL C. REID. To the editor of the

Mercantile Advertiser, New York.

BRUTALITY OF THE ENEMY.

[ocr errors]

.Hessrs Gales & Seaton,

Having seen the following publication in the Alexandria Herald, of the 19th October, with horror, as capping the climax of atrocity

" TO THE EDITORS OF THE HERALD. ** Gentlemen,

“I have no recollection of having seen any account of the conduct of the enemy at Chaptico published in any of the public prints; you are at liberty to publish the following extract of letter to a friend, written shortly after that affair. It is a very imperfect account written in a hurry amidst the bustle of a camp, but contains most of the facts. My name is enclosed, which you are at liberty to make public, if any respectable person should deny the truth of the following statement.

"A citizen of Maryland." "I passed through Chaptico shortly after the enemy left it, and I am sorry to say that their conduct would have disgraced canni

« AnteriorContinuar »