Virginia Argus

BRITISH ACCOUNT

Of the Capture of the President.

H. M. frigate Pomone, Bermuda.

20th January, 1815.

About one hour before day-light of the 15th instant, two strange sail (a ship and brig) were discovered on our lee bow standing to the eastward, under a press of sail, wind N W. by N. Majestic and Endymion in company; all sail was made in chase by the three ships, and it was soon evident we gained on them. As day dawned, another ship was seen hull down to leeward, and the Commodore, imagining her also to be an enemy, detached the Pomone in chase; we immediately bore right up before the wind, and in three quarters of an hour, ascertaining her to be the Tenedos—again hauled up to the east, being by this circumstance thrown 7 or 8 miles more astern of the original chase; however, we soon again began to approach the enemy, as did also the Endymion, who from the above event was now far ahead of the Pomone. At 1 P. M we passed the Majestic; President and Endymion at two occasionally exchanging stern and bow guns; the wind began to fail light, and the Pomone was yet too far off to render any assistance, but still coming up. At 5 P. M, the President bore up, closing with the Endymion, and fired her starboard broadside, which was promptly returned by the Endymion's larboard; a running fight then continued for some time, which gradually slackened, and at half past 8 ceased, the Endymion falling astern; Pomone passing her at half past nine, and at this time she was observed to fire two guns, which the President returned with one. At eleven, being within gun shot of the President, who was still steering to the eastward under a press of sail, with royal, topgallant, topmast, and lower studding sails set, finding how much we out sailed her, our studding sails were taken in and immediately afterwards we luffed to port, and fired our starboard broadside.

The enemy then also luffed to port, bringing his larboard broadside to bear, which was momentarily expected, as a few minutes previous to our closing her, she hoisted a light abaft, which in night actions substitute the ensign: our second broadside was fired, and the President still luffing up as if intent to lay us on board; we hauled close to port, bracing the yards up, and setting the mainsail; the broadside was again ready to be fired into his bows raking, when she hauled down the light, and we hailed, demanding if he had surrendered; the reply was in the affirmative, and the firing instantly ceased. The Tenedos who was no more than three miles off, soon afterwards came up and assisted the Pomone in securing the Prize, and removing the prisoners. At three quarters past twelve the Endymion came up and the Majestic at three in the morning.

The President mounts 30 long 24 pounders on the main deck; 14 42 pound carronades, 1 long 24 pounder, 1 brass howitzer 24 pounder, on the quarter deck; 6 42 pound carronades, 1 long 24 pounder in the forecastle; and swivels in her tops—53.

Of the officers, her first, fourth, and fifth Lieutenants were killed by the Endymion's fire, and Commodore Decatur received a severe contusion in his breast from a split ball; the sailing master and one midshipman wounded.

The number of seamen and marines killed and wounded is not yet ascertained; but from the firing of the two ships (Endymion and Pomone) must be considerable.