Virginia Argus

WASHINGTON, March 15.

Copy of a letter from Lieutenant Watson, 1st of the late U S. Sloop Argus, to the Secretary of the Navy, dated Norfolk, March 21, 1815.

SIR—Circumstances during my residence in England having heretofore prevented my attention to the painful duty which devolved on me by the death of my gallant commander, Capt. Wm. H. Allen of the late U. S. brig Argus, I have now the honor to state for your information, that having landed the Minister Plenipotentiary (Mr. Crawford) and suite at L'Orient, we proceeded on the cruise which had been directed by the Department, and after capturing twenty vessels, (a list of the names and other particulars of which I have the honor to enclose,) being in lat. 52 15, north long. 5 50 west, on the 14th Aug. 1813, we discovered at 4 o'clock, A. M. a large brig of war standing down under a press of sail upon our quarter, the wind being at south and the Argus close hauled on the starboard tack, we immediately prepared to receive her: and at 4 30, being unable to get the weather gage, we shortened sail and gave her an opportunity of closing. At 6, the brig having displayed English colors, we hoisted our flag, wore round, and gave her the larboard broadside (being at this time within grape distance) which was returned, and the action commenced within the range of musketry. At 6 4 Capt. Allen was wounded, and the enemy shot away our main braces, main spring stay, gaff, and trysail mast. At 6 8, Capt. Allen, being much exhausted by the loss of blood, was taken below. At 6 12, lost our spritsail yard and the principal part of the standing rigging on the larboard side of the foremast. At this time I received a wound on the head from a grape shot, which for a time rendered me incapable of attending to duty, and was carried below. I had, however, the satisfaction of recollecting on my recovery, that nothing which the most gallant exertions could effect would be left undone by Lieut. W. H. Allen, jr. who succeeded to the command of the deck. Lt. Allen reports, at 6 14, the enemy, being in our weather quarter, edged off for the purpose of getting under our stern, but the Argus luffed close to with the main topsail aback, and giving him a raking broadside, frustrated his attempt. At 6 18, the enemy shot away our preventer main braces and main trysail tie; and the Argus having lost the use of her after sails, fell off before the wind, when the enemy succeeded in passing our stern, and ranged upon the starboard side. At 6 25, the wheel ropes and running rigging of every description being shot away, the Argus became unmanageable; and the enemy, not having sustained any apparent damage, had it completely in his power to choose a position, continued to play upon our starboard quarter, occasionally shifting his situation until 6 30, when I returned to the deck, the enemy being under our stern, within pistol shot, where he continued to rake us until 6 38, when we prepared to board, but, in consequence of our shattered condition, were unable to effect it; the enemy then passed our broadside and took a position on our starboard bow. From this time until 6 47, we were exposed to a cross or raking fire, without being able to oppose but little more than musketry to the broadside of the enemy, our guns being much disabled and seldom brought to bear. The Argus having now suffered much, in hull & rigging, as also in killed & wounded, among the former of whom (exclusive of our gallant Capt.) we have to lament the loss of two meritorious young officers in Midshipmen Delphy and Edwards; and being exposed to a galling fire, which from the enemy's ability to manage his vessel, we could not avoid, I deemed it necessary to surrender, and was taken possession of by H B M. Sloop the Pelican, of twenty one carriage guns, viz, sixteen thirty 32 pound carronades, four long 6's, and one 12 lb. carronade.

I hope this measure will meet your approbation, and that the result of this action, when the superior size and metal of our opponent, and the fatigue which the crew, &c. of the Argus underwent from a very rapid succession of captures, is considered, will not be thought unworthy of the flag under which we serve.

I have the honor to enclose a list of killed and wounded, and feel great satisfaction in reporting the general good conduct of the men and officers engaged on this occasion, and particularly the zeal and activity displayed by Lt. Allen, who you will observe for a time commanded on deck.

I have the honor to be, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,

W. H. WATSON,

Late 1st Lt. U S. Brig Argus.

Hon. B. W. CROWNINSHIELD,

Secretary of the Navy:
Copy of a return of the Killed and Wounded on board of the United States brig Argus, William H. Allen, Esq. Commander.

KILLED,

Richard Delphy, Midshipman,

William W. Edwards, do.

Joshua Jones, seaman,

William Finlay, do.

William Knowlton, do.

George Gardner, do.

DIED OF THEIR WOUNDS.

William H. Allen, Captain,

James White, Carpenter,

Joseph Jordan, Boatswain's Mate,

Francis Eggert, Seaman,

Charles Backster, do.

WOUNDED.

William H. Watson, 1st Lieutenant,

Colin McLeod, Boatswain,

John Sniffer, Carpenter's Mate,

John Young, Quarter Master,

John Nugent, Seaman,

James Hall, do.

Joseph Allen, do.

John Faddon, do.

George Starbuck, do,

William Hoventon, do.

John Scott 1st. do.

John Scott 3d. do.