The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876Loubat, J. F. (Joseph Florimond)
History
The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876
Loubat, J. F. (Joseph Florimond)
Medals -- United States; United States -- History
To United States Brig Enterprize,
Isaac HULL, Esq., Portland, September 7th, 1813.
United States Navy Yard, Portsmouth.
Sir: In consequence of the unfortunate death of
Lieutenant-Commander William Burrows, late commander of this
vessel, it devolves on me to acquaint you with the result of our
cruize. After sailing from Portsmouth on the 1st instant, we
steered to the eastward, and on the morning of the 3d, off Wood
Island, discovered a schooner, which we chased into this harbour,
where we anchored. On the morning of the 4th weighed anchor and
swept out, and continued our cruize to the eastward. Having
received information of several privateers being off Manhagan, we
stood for that place; and on the following morning, in the bay
near Penguin Point, discovered a brig getting under weigh, which
appeared to be a vessel of war, and to which we immediately gave
chase. She fired several guns and stood for us, having four
ensigns hoisted. After reconnoitering and discovering her force,
and the nation to which she belonged, we hauled upon a wind to
stand out of the bay, and at 3 o'clock shortened sail, tacked and
ran down with an intention to bring her to close action. At 20
minutes after 3 P.M., when within half pistol shot, the firing
commenced from both, and after being warmly kept up, and with
some manoeuvering, the enemy hailed and said they had
surrendered, about 4 P.M. Their colours being nailed to the
masts, could not be hauled down. She proved to be His Britannic
Majesty's brig Boxer, of 14 guns, Samuel Blythe, Esquire,
commander, who fell in the early part of the engagement, having
received a cannon shot through the body. And I am sorry to add
that Lieutenant Burrows, who had gallantly led us to action, fell
also about the same time by a musket ball, which terminated his
existence in eight hours.
The Enterprize suffered much in spars and rigging, and the Boxer
both in spars, rigging and hull, having many shots between wind
and water. It would be doing injustice to the merit of Mr.
Tillinghast, 2d lieutenant, were I not to mention the able
assistance I received from him during the remainder of the
engagement, by his strict attention to his own division and other
departments. And the officers and crew, generally, I am happy to
add, from their cool and determined conduct, have my warmest
approbation and applause.
As no muster roll that can be fully relied on came into my
possession, I cannot exactly state the number killed on board the
Boxer; but from information received from the officers of that
vessel, it appears that there are between twenty and twenty-five
killed, and fourteen wounded. Enclosed is a list of killed and
wounded on board the Enterprize.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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