The Enquirer

Copy of a letter from Sailing Master Johnson to Com. Patterson.

New-Orleans, January 7th, 1815.

SIR--I have the pleasure to inform you of my succeeding in burning one of the enemy's transport brigs in Lake Borgne yesterday morning at 4 A. M. The following are the particulars: after receiving a reinforcement of the launch and 12 men, and, with the assistance of an officer and 12 men from Capt. Newman, commanding fort Petite Coquille, I manned the launch and three small boats, and on the 4th inst. proceeded down Pass Chef Menteur, as far as Bayou Sauvage where Col. Morgan, with a detachment of militia are stationed; we encamped there for the night. On the 5th inst. in the afternoon, I proceeded down to east mouth of Pass Chef Menteur, with one of the small boats, to ascertain the position of the enemy in Lake Borgne ; finding at anchor there one brig, three gun boats, three schooners, and several barges, rowing from vessel to vessel ; the brig lying at a distance of about two miles from the other vessels ; I returned to the camp, determined on making an attempt to destroy her ; I received the assistance of six men from Col. Morgan ; we then making in number 38 men : with this force I was conscious I should be able to destroy her, though I had been previously informed she mounted four pieces of cannon, and equipped accordingly : at midnight proceeded down Pass Chef Menteur, and on the 6th inst. at 4 o'clock A. M. took possession of the brig, only one man on deck; about 5 minutes after 4 A. M. one of the enemy's launches came along side, fired two muskets into her, when she surrendered; but owing to its blowing very fresh from the northward, making considerable of a sea, she parted her painter and was not able to regain the vessel, and the sea being too heavy to tow her with my boat, I abandoned her ; it being near day-light, I immediately ordered the prisoners into the launch and set fire to the brig : at half past five o'clock A. M. she was totally destroyed ; she proved to be the British transport brig Cyrus, a captain, a sailing master, and eight men of the British navy on board, laden about half full, with rum, bread, and a quantity of soldiers' clothing for the British army at Bayou Bienvenue; at day-light we arrived at the camp at Chef Menteur, delivered to col. Morgan the prisoners, who will be sent to the city, after which I returned to Fort Petite Coquille. Finding my provisions almost out, & being short of arms, I have returned to town with the launch, leaving Mr. Boyd, master's mate, and five men, at Petite Coquille, and to watch the movements of the enemy and give every information in his power.

I have the pleasure to say, that on this occasion the conduct of the officers and men whom I had the honor to command, convinced me clearly, that had she been of the force expected; we could have burned her with ease.

Sir, I have the honor to be, your obedient humble servant,

WM. JOHNSON.

P.S. I think the brigs lying at anchor at the East mouth of the Rigolets may easily be destroyed.

Commodore D.T. Patterson,

New-Orleans.