The Rhode Island Republican

NORFOLK, July 14.

SUCCESSFUL SKIRMISH

The Plantagenet 74, has for some time past been lying off Cape Henry light house near enough in shore to protect the landing of her men who were sent on shore to procure water. The enemy had sunk wells for this purpose on the Cape Point, where there is excellent water, and every day visiting them in their barges, supplying themselves with water, and plundering the inhabitants. Yesterday, detachments from two companies of the Princess Ann militia, amounting to about 50, under the command of Captain Richard Lawson, marched down to the Cape, and took a position behind some sand hills, about 40 yards in the rear of the wells. At half past 5 this morning, a barge full of men from the ship, was seen rowing towards the shore. They landed about 6 o'clock, and all hands proceeded to the wells, where they received a full fire from the militia, who until that moment were concealed from their view by the sand hills. The enemy was panic struck. They threw down their arms, and ran in confusion to their boat. Some were cut off while running, and those who reached the boat immediately laid down in her and durst not shew their heads. Capt. Lawson, to prevent an unnecessary effusion of blood, ordered his men to cease firing, and summoned the enemy to surrender, when they made the requisite tokens of submission, and were all taken prisoners. The enemy's force consisted of 2 Lieutenants, 15 seamen and 8 marines; and they had three marines killed, and 1 Lieut. 2 seamen and 2 marines wounded. We had not one man injured. As the barge could not be removed without exposure to the guns of the 74, a piece of cannon which was in her bow, and whatever else could be detached from her, were taken out and she was scuttled.

The only vessel visible in Lynnhaven this morning, are the Plantagenet 74, the Ortolan sloop of war, and a brig.