Kentucky Gazette

First Battle with the British:

The following account is taken from the mouth of a respectable gentleman of Herkimer who was engaged in the action, and may be relied upon as perfectly accurate. (The account furnished Mr. Cook of Albany by Judge Atwater is no less so, but does not go into the details.) Our correspondent remarks, in addition to the narrative, that

"Many other particulars are given—such as, that our people on the point opposite the battery saw the splinters fly from the Royal George, heard the screeching of the men on board, &c. Capt. Woolsey says, the shot must have perforated her magazine, and if hot, must have blown her up. Alarms were given of the landing of British troops below the harbor, which were unfounded. The inhabitants removed many of their valuable effects, but every one was emulous to excel in serving his country. The British did not know that we had a single gun mounted, till the 32 pounder gave them the information. It appears, they calculated to divert themselves a little on the Sabbath in a defenceless port—but their anticipated joy vanished in the smoke of our ordnance. The vessels in the harbor were scuttled and sunk, to prevent their being taken; but will be raised without much trouble. From this specimen of Yankee prowess, I imagine a lesson will be taught the royal tygers that they will not soon forget."

ACTION AT SACKET'S HARBOR

On Sunday morning, the 19th inst. Capt. N. T. Woolsey, of the Oneida, lying in Sacket's Harbor, discovered from the mast head of his brig five sail, all British, viz; the R. George, of 24 guns; the Prince Regent, a new ship, supposed of 22; the Elmira, of 20; Seneca, of 18; the name of the other not known; about 5 leagues distant, beating up the harbor, with the wind dead ahead. The troops immediately called to arms, and expresses sent to call in the neighboring detachments and volunteers, who arrived in course of the day to the amount of nearly 3000. Soon after sun rise, the P. Regent brought to and captured the custom house boat, about 7 miles from the harbor, on her return from Gravelly-Point.—The boat's crew was liberated and sent on shore, with a message to Col. Bellinger, the commandant at the harbor, demanding the surrender of the Oneida, and the late British schr. Nelson, seized for a breach of the revenue laws and fitting for a privateer; and declaring, that in case of a refusal to surrender the vessels, the squadron would burn the village or lay the inhabitants under contribution. Soon after this, Capt. Woolsey left the harbor in the Oneida, and ran down within a league of the squadron; when he returned and moored his vessel on a line with the battery erected last week, with springs on his cables. Capt. W. being the most experienced engineer present, left the Oneida under the command of a lieut. went on shore and took the command of a 32 pounder mounted the day before on the battery, the other guns of which consisted of 9 pounders.

By this time the enemy had arrived within gun shot, the Royal George, as flag ship, ahead, and firing was commenced from the 32 pounder. This was returned by the squadron, which stood off and on—and a brisk cannonading was reciprocally continued for more than two hours, all our guns being well manned and served—and it was plainly discovered the Royal George and P. Regent were much injured. At this time, as the flag ship was wearing to give another broadside, a ball from the 32 pounder* was seen to strike her and rake her completely, after which the squadron fired but a few guns, and bore away for Kingston—our brave citizens giving three hearty cheers, and greeting the ears of his majesty's faithful subjects with the well remembered tune of Yankee Doodle from all the music at the post—not a man being hurt on our side.

The officers, detached troops, volunteers, and citizens, universally displayed a degree of firmness, intrepidity and patriotism on the occasion worthy the sons of freemen and defenders of republican government.

The action was maintained within point blank shot. Most of the enemy's balls struck the rocks below the battery, and one 32 pound shot was picked up by our citizens, it having lodged near the breastwork.

* Judge Atwater informs us that Mr. Woolsey brother to Capt. W. who was in the action, says, the shot was from one of two long brass nines belonging to this state, under the care of Capt. Camp, of Sacket's Harbor. Two shot from these pieces hulled the R. George, and one carried away the fore topgallant mast of the P. Regent. Judge A. also met on Tuesday morning, at Turin, 45 miles this side of Sacket's Harbor, two long 12's on travelling carriages, which would probably reach the harbor on Wednesday evening.