among whom was a Mr. Richard Casey, with his family. He had got into his boat with his wife and children, and was under way when he was hailed by a party of soldiers and ordered back, which he was about obeying, though slowly (for he is a decrepid old man), when one of the soldiers fired on him and shot him in the breast. I believe the wound will not prove mortal. The admiral told him (as he told every other person, who complained of depredations), point out the man who did it and he shall be corrected well knowing it was impossible for them to identify any one among such a number of strangers. Sir, Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant Angus, commanding the United States Delaware Flotilla, to the Secretary of the Navy. United States Flotilla, Cape May, July 29th, 1813. Lying off Dennis's Creek this morning I discovered that an enemy's sloop of war had chased a small vessel, and taken her near the Overfalls. I immediately got under way and stood down the bay. The sloop of war stood so near the Overfalls, that she grounded slightly on the outer ridge of Crow's shoals. I thought proper to endeavour to bring him to action. I succeeded and got within three quarters of a mile, and anchored the boats, (consisting of eight gun-boats and two block-sloops) in a line a-head. A heavy frigate had by this time anchored about half a mile further out. After a cannonade of one hour and 45 minutes, in which the ships kept up a constant and heavy fire, heaving their shot from a half to three quarters of a mile over us, they doing us but little damage, their shot seldom striking us, the sloop of war and frigate, finding our shot to tell on their hulls, manned their boats, ten in number (two launches, the rest large barges and cutters), with from 30 to 40 men in each, and despatched them after gun-boat No. 121, sailing master Shead, which had unfortunately fell a mile and a half out of the line, although it had been my positive and express orders to anchor at half cable length apart and not farther. From the strong ebb tide they succeeded in capturing her, after a gallant resistance (for three times did No. 121 discharge her long gun, apparently full of canister among the whole line of boats when at a very short distance, which must have done execution, and not till after he was boarded did the colours come down); before any assistance could be given her, however, we got near enough to destroy three or four of their boats, and must have killed a vast number of men. It being a calm, they succeeded in getting her away, by sending all their boats ahead and towing her, but have paid dearly for their temerity, they must at least have had one-third of their men killed and wounded. They put one shot through the foot of the Buffaloe's jib, and one through the under part of the bowsprit, and cut gun-boat No. 125, sailing master L. Moliere's rigging in several places, and an 18-pound shot struck her long gun and indented it several inches; but happy am I to say, that not a man was wounded in any of the boats, except the one captured, and have not yet learnt their fate. I feel much indebted to L. Mitchell and officers commanding gun-boats for their spirited conduct in carrying into execution my orders; and if I may judge from the gallant resistance made by sailing master Shead in engaging when surrounded by the boats of the enemy, that every officer and man of the flotilla will do their duty in all situations. I have the honour to be, &c. SAMUEL ANGUS, Commanding United States Del. Flotilla. P. S. The action commenced at 7 minutes before 1, P. M.,. and ended 37 minutes after 2, P. M. Sir, United States Flotilla, Newcastle, Aug. 17, 1813. I have just received a letter from sailing master Shead, respecting the capture of gun-boat No. 121 (a copy of which I have the honour of enclosing to you). I see from this the enemy had 7 killed and 12 wounded, 4 since dead. I am convinced they have deceived him, both as to the number of killed and wounded as well as the number of men in the boats, which at the smallest calculation could not have been less than 250. I have the honour to remain, with the highest respect, sir, your obedient servant, (Signed) SAML. ANGUS. Hon. Wm. Jones Secretary of the Navy. Mr. Shead's Letter enclosed in the above. On board His Majesty's Sloop Martin, off Rhode Island, Sir, It is with the deepest regret that I announce to you the capture of the United States gun-boat, No. 121, under my command, by the boats of the Junon frigate, and Martin sloop of war, eight in number, three of which mounted 12-pound carronades and carrying in all 150 men. At ten minutes before meridian on the 27th July, I received orders from you to form a line ahead and to fire on the enemy, but finding 3 I VOL. II. myself drove away from the squadron by the wind dying away and a strong ebb tide, I remained sweeping and firing the 32-pounder. At the same time finding my shot did not reach, Ì placed all hands to the sweeps to endeavour to gain the squadron. At twenty minutes past 12, I perceived the enemy's barges making for me; they being out of gun-shot, I still endeavoured to sweep up to the squadron. At twenty minutes before 1, P. M., I commenced firing on the enemy's boats and sweeping at the same time; but finding I could gain nothing, I anchored to receive them as American tars have been accustomed to. The enemy then getting within grape reach, I commenced it, but unfortunately the pintle of the large gun gave way the first round; I again charged and got her to bear, which discharge did considerable damage, but tearing my gun-carriage all to pieces. I loaded with the hope of getting her to bear again, but found it impossible; the enemy now close on board, discharging vollies of shot from their carronades and muskets, I called the boarders and small arms men away to repel the enemy; they now surrounding us poured in a heavy fire which we returned with as much promptness as our feeble numbers would admit: several of my men having now fell, our ensign halyards shot away, and seeing the superiority of the enemy's force in the act of boarding us in every quarter, they began to fire briskly, and I found it necessary for the preservation of those few valuable lives left, to surrender to seven times our number; the enemy boarding, loaded our decks with men, we were all driven below, and it was with the utmost difficulty that the officers could stay the revenge of the seamen, who seemed to thirst for blood and plunder, the last of which they had by robbing us of every thing; we had none killed, but seven wounded, five slightly. The enemy's loss by us was 7 killed and 12 wounded, 4 of which have since died. They have conquered me, but they have paid dearly for it, and I trust, sir, when you come to view the disadvantages I laboured under, having been but seven days on board of my boat, and scarcely time to station my men, and the misfortune of entirely disabling my gun, and the superiority of numbers to oppose me, you will be convinced that the flag I had the honour to wear has not lost any of that national character which has ever been attached to it. I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, sir, your most obedient servant, WILLIAM SHEAD, Sailing Master. Lieut. Saml. Angus, commanding U. S. Flotilla, Delaware. Copy of a Letter from Commodore Lewis to the Secretary of the Navy. Sir, Off Sandy-Hook, July 6, 1813. I have the pleasure to inform you of the capture of the British sloop tender Eagle, which for some time had been employed by commodore Beresford for the purpose of burning the coasters, &c. Her force was two officers and eleven men, with a 32 brass howitzer. This service was performed in a most gallant and officerlike manner by sailing-master Percival, who, with volunteers from the flotilla which I have the honour to command, jumped on board a fishing smack, ran the enemy alongside, and carried him by a coup de main. I am sorry to add, that in this little affair the enemy lost the commanding officer, one midshipman mortally wounded, and two badly. I am happy 'to say we suffered no injury, which is to be attributed to the superior management of sailing-master Percival, and the I coolness with which his men fired, for which they all deserve well of their country. I have the honour to be, &c. J. LEWIS, Com. U. S. Flotilla. Hon. William Jones, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. Copy of a Letter from Commodore Lewis to the Secretary of the Navy. Sir, New York, Nov. 7, 1813. I have the honour to inform you of the recapture of the American schooner Sparrow of Baltimore, from New Orleans bound to this port, laden with sugar and lead. On the 3d the enemy's ship Plantagenet chased the said vessel on shore, near Long Branch, six miles distant from where the flotilla is stationed, and took possession of her with about one hundred men. A detachment from the flotilla marched against them, attacked them, drove them from on board the vessel, and took possession under the fire of the enemy's ship and barges. In the affair we lost one man; the enemy's loss must have been considerable, as many were seen to fall. The whole cargo, together with sails, rigging, &c. have been saved. Vessel bilged. I have the honour to be, &c. Hon. William Jones, Secretary of the Navy. J. LEWIS. Sir, Copy of a Letter from Commodore Jacob Lewis, commanding the New York Flotilla, to the Secretary of the Navy. New York, Nov. 30, 1813. I have to inform you, that on the 29th, the flotilla force recaptured from the Plantagenet, a schooner from New Orleans, loaded with cotton and lead. The enemy had chased the schooner on shore about 13 miles from where the flotilla lay at anchor; however, before the enemy had time to get the vessel off, or to unlade the cargo, they were attacked, beaten off, and the vessel taken possession of. The enemy sent a flag to demand a ransom for the schooner and cargo, stating she was in their power, and unless we consented to ransom the vessel, he would destroy her, also all the houses on the shore. All his threats did not answer his purpose; the vessel and cargo are ours. I have the honour to assure you of my respect, consideration and J. LEWIS. Hon. William Jones, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. P. S. One man wounded in the affair. Hon. Wm. Jones, &c. J. L. CRUIZES OF COMMODORE CHAUNCEY ON LAKE ONTARIO, Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant Chauncey to Commodore Chauncey. Sir, Sackett's Harbour, 18th June, 1813. According to your orders of the 14th instant, I proceeded off Presque Isle in the schooner Lady of the Lake. On the morning of the 16th fell in with and captured the English schooner Lady Murray, from Kingston bound to York, with provisions and ammunition. Enclosed is a list of one ensign, 15 non-commissioned officers and privates found on board, with six men attached to the vessel. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) WOLCOTT CHAUNCEY. Copy of a Letter from Commodore Chauncey to the Secretary of the Navy. U. S. ship General Pike, at anchor off Niagara, Sir, |