particularly as by a change of wind, he was again brought dead to windward of me; formed the line upon the larboard tack and hove to. Soon after 6 A. M. the enemy bore up and set studding sails, apparently with an intention to bring us to action. When he had approached us within about four miles, he brought to on starboard tack. I wore and brought to on same tack. Finding the enemy had no intention of bringing us to action, I edged away to gain the land, in order to have the advantage of the land breeze in the afternoon. It soon after fell calm, and I directed the schooners to sweep up and engage the enemy. About noon we got a light breeze from the eastward. I took the Oneida in tow, as she sails badly, and stood for the enemy. When the van of our schooners was within about one and a half or two miles of his rear, the wind shifted to the westward, which again brought him to windward; as soon as the breeze struck him, he bore up for the schooners, in order to cut them off before they could rejoin me; but with their sweeps, and the breeze soon reaching them also, they were soon in their station. The enemy finding himself foiled in his attempt upon the schooners, hauled his wind and hove to. It soon after became very squally, and the appearance of its continuing so during the night; and as we had been at quarters for nearly 40 hours, and being apprehensive of separating from some of the heavy sailing schooners in the squall, induced me to run in towards Niagara, and anchor outside the bar. General Boyd very handsomely offered any assistance in men that I might require. I received 150 soldiers and distributed them in different vessels, to assist in boarding, or repelling boarders, as circumstances might require. It blew very heavy in squalls during the night. Soon after day-light discovered the enemy's fleet bearing north; weighed and stood after him. The winds soon became light and variable, and before 12 o'clock, quite calm. At 5, fresh breezes from north, the enemy's fleet bearing north, distant about 4 or 5 leagues. Wore the fleet in succession, and hauled upon a wind on the larboard tack. At sun-down the enemy bore N. W. by N. on the starboard tack. The wind hauling to the westward, I stood to the northward all night, in order to gain the north shore. At day-light, tacked to the westward, the wind having changed to north north-west. Soon after, discovered the enemy's fleet bearing south-west; I took the Asp and the Madison, the Fair American in tow, and made all sail in chase. It was at this time we thought of realizing what we had been so long toiling for, but before 12 o'clock, the wind changed to west south-west, which brought the enemy to windward-tacked to the northward. At 3, the wind inclining to the northward, wore to the southward and westward, and made the signal for the fleet to make all sail. At 4, the enemy bore south south-west, bore up and steered for him. At 5, observed the enemy becalmed under the land, nearing him very fast, with a fine breeze from north north-west. At 6, formed the order of battle, within about four miles of the enemy; the wind at this time very light. At 7, the wind changed to southwest, and a fresh breeze, which again placed the enemy to windward of me; tacked and hauled upon a wind on the larboard tack, under easy sail, the enemy standing after us. At 9, when within about two gun shot of our rear, he wore to the southward-I stood on to the northward under easy sail-the fleet formed in two lines, a part of the schooners forming the weather line, with orders to commence the fire upon the enemy as soon as their shot would take effect, and as the enemy reached them, to edge down upon the line to windward and pass through the intervals and form to` leeward. At about half past 10, the enemy tacked and stood after us. At 11, the rear of our line opened his fire upon the enemy in about 15 minutes, the fire became general from the weather line, which was returned from the enemy. At half past 11, the weather line bore up and passed to the leeward, except the Growler and Julia, which soon after tacked to the southward, which brought the enemy between them and me. Filled the main-top-sail and edged away two points to lead the eneiny down, not only to engage him to more advantage, but to lead him from the Growler and Julia. He, however, kept his wind, until he completely separated those two vessels from the rest of the squadron, exchanged a few shot with his ship as he passed, without injury to us, and made sail after our 2 schooners. Tacked and stood after him. At 12 (midnight) finding that I must either separate from the rest of the squadron, or relinquish the hope of saving the two which had separated, I reluctantly gave up the pursuit, rejoined the squadron, then to the leeward, and formed the line on the starboard tack. The firing was continued between our 2 schooners, and the enemy's fleet until about 1 A. M. when, I presume, they were obliged to surrender to a force so much their superior; saw no more of the enemy that night soon after daylight discovered them close in with the north shore, with one of our schooners in tow, the other not to be seen. I presume she may have been sunk. The enemy showed no disposition to come down upon us, although to windward, and blowing heavy from W. The schooners laboring very much, I ordered 2 of the dullest to run into Niagara and anchor. The gale increasing very much, and as I could not go into Niagara with this ship, I determined to run to Genesee bay, as a shelter for the small vessels, and with the expectation of being able to obtain provisions for the squadron, as we were all nearly out, the Madison and Oneida, having not a single day's on board when we arrived opposite Genesee bay. I ound there was every prospect of the gale's continuing, and if it did, I could run to this place and provision the whole squadron with more certainty, and nearly in the same time that I could at Genesee, admitting that I could obtain provisions at that place. After bringing the breezes as for as Oswego, the wind became light, inclining to a calm, which prolonged our passage to this day. I shall provision the squadron for 5 weeks, and proceed up the lake this evening, and when I return again I hope to be able to communicate more agreeable news than this communication contains. The loss of the Growler and Julia, in the manner in which they have been lost, is mortifying in the extreme; and although their commanders disobeyed my positive orders, I am willing to believe that it arose from an error of judgment, and excess of zeal to do more than was required of them, thinking probably that the enemy intended to bring us to a general action, they thought by gaining the wind of him they would have it more in their power to annoy and injure him than they could by forming to leeward of our line. From what I have been able to discover of the movements of the enemy, he has no intention of engaging us, except he can get decidedly the advantage of wind and weather, and as his vessels in squadron sail better than our squadron, he can always avoid an action-unless I can gain the wind, and have sufficient daylight to bring him to action before dark. His object is, evidently, to harrass us by night attacks, by which means he thinks to cut off our small dull sailing schooners in detail. Fortune has evidently favored him thus far. I hope that it will be my turn next, and although inferior in point of force, I feel very confident of success. I have the honour to be, sir, &c. Hon. Wm. Jones, Secretary of the Navy. SIR, UNITED STATES, FLOTILLA, NEW CASTLE, I have just received a letter from sailing-master Shead, respecting the capture of the gun-boat No. 121 (a copy of which I have the honor of inclosing 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, &c. Hon. Wm. Jones, Secretary of the Navy. SIR, (INCLOSURE.) ON BOARD H. M. SLOOP MARTIN, 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, 8 in number, S of which mounted 12 pound carronades, and carrying in all 150 men. At 10 minutes before meridian on the 27th of July, I received orders from you to form a line a head and to fire on the enemy, but finding 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, I placed all hands to the sweeps to endeavour to gain the squadron. At 20 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 1st 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 utterly impossible; the enemy now close on board, discharging vollies of shot from their carronades and musketry, 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 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 seven killed and twelve wounded, four of whom 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 that I laboured under, having been but seven days on board 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, &c. every WILLIAM SHEAD, Sailing Master Lieut. Samuel Angus, SIR, HEAD QUARTERS, FORT GEORGE, August 17th, 1813. In the last letter which I had the honour to address to you, had to communicate the information that commodore Chauncey had left this part of the lake; yesterday an express arrived from the 18 Mile Creek, stating that he was then off that place, in pursuit of the British fleet, which was likewise to be seen. A body of volunteers, militia and Indians, under the command of brigadier general Porter, of the New York militia, having arrived at this place, and very impatient to engage the enemy, a plan was, this morning, concerted to cut off one of his pickets. About 300 volunteers and Indians under the command of major Chapin, was to effect this object, supported by 200 regulars under the command of major Cummings, of the 16th infantry. A heavy rain, and other untoward circumstances, defeated the primary object, but in a skirmish that ensued, in which the enemy were completely routed, our indians captured 12 of the British Indians, and four whites. Many of the enemy's dead were left on the field, among whom is supposed to be the famous chief, Norton. Our loss was only two Indians, and a few slightly wounded. Those who participated in this contest, particularly the Indians, conducted with great bravery and activity. General Porter volunteered in the affair, and major Chapin evinced his accustomed zeal and courage. The regulars under major Cummings, as far as they were engaged, conducted well. The principal chiefs who led the warriors this day, were, Farmer's Brother, Red Jacket, Little Billy, Pollard, Black Snake, Johnson, Silver Heels, Captain Halftown, Major Henry O. Ball, (Cornplanter's son) and captain Cold, chief of Onondago, who was wounded. In a council which was held with them yesterday, they covenanted not to scalp or murder; and I am happy to say, that they treated the prisoners with humanity, and committed no wanton cruelties upon the dead. The Canadian volunteers, under major Wilcox, were active and brave as usual. Hon. John Armstrong. I have the honour to be, &c. JOHN P. BOYD, Brig. Gen. Comnd. HEAD QUARTERS, FORT GEORGE, August 18th, 1813. SIR, Yesterday I had the honour to address you a letter, detailing the conduct of the Indians in a late skirmish. Their bravery and humanity were equally conspicuous. Already the quietness in which our pickets are suffered to remain, evinces the benefit arising from their assistance. Permit me to suggest the propriety of immediately depositing presents for them in the hands of Mr. Granger, of whose exertions, and those of Mr. Parrish, I must express my approbation. Hon. John Armstrong. I have the honour to be, &c. JOHN P. BOYD, Brig. Gen." |