sumber, 3 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 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 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. 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, I 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. Comndg. SIR, HEAD QUARTERS, FORT GEORGE, August 18th, 1813. 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. Extract of a letter from captain John H. Dent, commanding naval officer at Charleston, S. C. dated August 21st, 1813. "SIR, "I have the honour to inform you that the privateer schooner Decatur, of this port, arrived here yesterday, with his. Britannic majesty's schooner Dominico, her prize. She was eaptured on the 5th instant, after a most gallant and desperate action of one hour, and carried by boarding, having all her officers killed or wounded. She was one of the best equipped and manned vessels of her class I have ever seen. The Decatur mounts seven guns, and had a complement of 103 men at the commencement of the action, nineteen of whom were killed and wounded. "I have the honour to be, &c. "JOHN H. DENT." Hon. Wm. Jones, Secretary of the Navy. SIR, HEAD QUARTERS, FORT GEORGE, August 24th, 1813. I have the honour to report, that at day break this morning the enemy attacked us at all our pickets, which retired towards the camp, pursued by his advance guards. A skirmish ensued in the village, with little effect upon us; after which he retreated, having come within reach of our cannon, but never within musketshot of our entrenchments. One captain of the 49th and a few privates have been brought in prisoners. We lost two men and a few wounded; the enemy left about fifteen dead on the different grounds. He is supposed to have brought his whole force into the field; but finding our position so strong, desisted from a general attack. Sir George Prevost was in person at the attack. His force is withdrawn out of our reach into his strong holds. I have the honour to be, &c. Hon. J. Armstrong, Secretary of War. SIR, JOHN P. BOYD, B. G. C. CHARLESTON, (S C.) August 26th, 1813. I have the honour to acquaint you, that I received a letter express, last night, from major Jenkins, commanding the St. Helena militia, stating that the enemy's two brigs, the Calibre and Charybdis, got under way on Monday morning, with an intention of proceeding to sea, when the wind shifted to the eastward; and in attempting to beat over the bar, one of them (supposed to be the Calibre) grounded on Cole Scarce Reef, and in a short time. after bilged and became a complete wreck. The crew was taken off by the other, which now lies about five miles from Bay Point, waiting a wind to proceed to sea. Major Jenkins states, that they landed twice at a plantation of Mr. Pope's, and took one of his large canoes off, with some provisions. It appears their object in entering Port Royal was principally to sound the bar, and roadstead, which they have effected, as their boats were seen on that service the whole time they were at anchor. The officer who delivered major Jenkins's letter further states, that the wreck had entirely gone to pieces, a great part drifted on shore, among which were her boats and the stolen canoe. I have the honour to be, &c. Honourable William Jones, Secretary of the Navy. Extract of a letter from General Ferdinand L. Claiborne, to General Flournoy, commanding the 7th Military District. "SIR, "CANTONMENT, MOUNT VERNON, September 3d, 1813. "On the 31st ultimo, I had the honour to receive your letter of the 24th, with its enclosure, forwarded by express to me, then at Easley's station, near the Creek line, and about 85 miles above this, on the Tombigbee. "Colonel Hawkins's communications for some time past have unfortunately had a tendency to lessen our apprehensions, and to beget a belief of our almost perfect security. My little, but inestimable corps, have felt the effects begotten by the doubts which existed as to the real intention of the Creeks. It probably prevented yourself, and certainly governor Holmes, from sending troops to this exposed part of the country. About the 23d ultimo, I received information that 1200 Indians were on the eve of entering the territory, with the intention to attack the upper posts in the Tombigbee, that commanded by colonel Carson in the fork of the Tombigbee and Alabama rivers, and the one on Tensaw commanded by major Beasley. The Indians from the Black Warrior were to attack the upper posts; and those from the Alabama, that on Tensaw. This information was immediately communicated to colonel Carson and major Beasley, and my arrangements made for the defence of the three places threatened, in the best manner of which the limited means I possessed would admit. "With 80 men, I went myself to Easley's, and was joined by two detachments of volunteer militia under the command of colonel Haines, aid-de-camp to governor Holmes, and by a captain Cassity. The place was attacked at the time expected, and after several unsuccessful attempts to gain intelligence, my scouts fell in with 2 Chocktaw Indians, from whose information I was induced to believe, that no attack would soon be made. In fact they seemed rather to insinuate that the enemy was rather intimidated, and stated that the Chocktaws in the immediate neighbourhood, who had joined them, had, at the instance of Pooshemataha, (a medal chief) withdrawn from them, intending to remain neutral; and that they had removed and were removing from the scene of action to a more secure place for their women and children. This I ascertained to be the fact. Their towns were visited by captain Wells of dragoons, and found abandoned. Under these circumstances I left Easley's station, and, on my way to this post, learned that major Beasley had been attacked. I reached this place at twelve o'clock last night, having rode 70 miles since morning. 66 The attack on major Beasley was made at about 11 o'clock, A. M. on the 30th ultimo. It was unexpected at the moment it occured, but the whole garrison was immediately under arms. The front gate was open, and the enemy ran in great numbers to possess themsevles of it. In the contest for the gate many fell on both sides soon, however, the action became general, the enemy fighting on all sides in the open field, and as near the stockade as they could get. The port-holes were taken and retaken several times. A block-house was contended for by captain Jack, at the head of his brave riflemen, for the space of an hour after the enemy were in possession of a part of it, when finally they succeeded in driving this company into a house in the fort, and having stopped many of the port-holes with the ends of rails, possessed themselves of the walls. From the houses our troops made a gallant defence, but the enemy set fire to the roofs, and an attempt to extinguish the flames proved unsuccessful. The few who remained now attempted to retreat under the direction of captain Bailey of the militia, and ensign Chambliss of the rifle company, both of whom had been badly wounded. Previously to their retreat, they threw into the flames many of the guns of the dead men. Few of them succeeded in escaping. Both the officers are missing, and supposed to be dead. Nine of the volunteers and three of the volunteer militia have reached this, several of them wounded. A few citizens who fought in the stockade, but not enrolled in any company, also escaped, one of them leaving a wife and six children, who were probably burnt to death. Major Beasley fell gallantly fighting at the head of his command near the gate, at the commencement of the action. Captain Jack was killed about the close of the scene, having previously received two wounds. Captain Middleton also distinguished himself, having received four or five wounds before he fell. He was active and fought bravely from the commencement of the action until he died. Lieutenant S. M. Osborn, of Wilkinson county, after receiving two wounds, was taken into a house, but requested to die on the ground, that he might as long as possible see the men fight. The other officers fell nobly doing their duty; and the non-commissioned officers and privates deserve equally well. The action continued until five in the evening. |