The New York Journal, And Daily Patriotic Register

Extraordinary behaviour of two commanders, in a sea-fight, between the fleets of Caesar and Pompey, off Cuma.

IN the heat of the action the two rivals, now grown enemies, Menas and Menocrates, happened to descry one another at the same instant. Immediately they left every other pursuit, and with all their art and strength of oars, threatening and shouting, rushed upon one another: The shock was terrible : Menas's ship had her brazen head beat off with a part of her bow ; and Menocrates's galley had a tier of her oars tripped clear off, by the board. But when the grappling irons were thrown, and the ships made fast alongside, there ensued the most desperate engagement that had ever been seen between two captains. It began with showers of darts, stones, and spears. Then the bridges were thrown for boarding, where a cruel battle joined, foot to foot, and shield to shield : there was not a blow given in vain.

They fought, for some time, with equal fury and success, and the crews of both were generally either killed or wounded, when an accidental circumstance seemed to give Menas the advantage : his ship was higher than the enemy's: his men fought as from a rising ground, and the blows and shot from above gave the superiority. Yet he was run through the arm with a dart, which was got out, but his adversary, Menocrates, was pierced through the thigh with a Spanish barbed javelin, which they durst not try to move. But, though disabled from fighting, he kept the deck, encouraging his men, till seeing them all cut down, and the enemy ready to clear the deck, he sprung overboard and perished in the sea.