The Rhode Island Republican

NAVAL BRAVERY.

PRIVATEER GEN. ARMSTRONG.

Copy of a letter from our Consul at Fayal, to the Secretary of State.

Fayal, 5th October, 1814.

SIR—I have the honor to state to you that a most outrageous violation of the neutrality of this port, in utter contempt of the laws of civilized nations, has recently been committed here, by the commanders of His Britannic Majesty's ships Plantagenet, Rota and Carnation, against the American private-armed brig General Armstrong, Samuel C. Reid, commander, but I have great satisfaction in being able to add, that this occurrence terminated in one of the most brilliant actions on the part of Captain Reid, his brave officers and crew, that can be found on naval record.

The American brig came to anchor in this port in the afternoon of the 20th of September, and at sun-set of the same day, the above named ships suddenly appeared in these roads; it being nearly calm in the port, was rather doubtful if the privateer could escape if she got under way, and relying on the justice and good faith of the British captains, it was deemed most prudent to remain at anchor. A little after dusk Captain Reid, seeing some suspicious movements on the part of the British, began to warp his vessel close under the guns of the castle, and while doing so, he was at about eight o'clock, P. M. approached by four boats from the ships, filled with armed men. After hailing them repeatedly and warning them to keep off, he ordered his men to fire on them and killed and wounded a number of men. The boats returned the fire and killed one man, and wounded the first Lieut. of the privateer, and returned to their ships, and, as it was now light moonlight, it was plainly perceived from the brig as well as from the shore, that a formidable attack was premeditating. Soon after midnight, twelve or more large boats crowded with men from the ships and armed with carronades, swivels and blunderbusses, small arms, &c. attacked the brig; a severe contest ensued which lasted about forty minutes, and ended in the total defeat and partial destruction of the boats, with a most unparalleled carnage on the part of the British. It is estimated by good judges that near one hundred men were in the boats when the attack commenced, and no doubt exists in the mind of the numerous spectators of the scene that more than half of them were killed or wounded; several boats were destroyed; two of them remained along side of the brig literally loaded with their own dead. From these two boats only eighteen reached the shore alive; most of them were severely wounded. The whole of the following day the British were occupied in burying their dead; among them were two Lieuts. and one midshipman of the Rota—the first Lieut. of the Plantagenet, it is said, cannot survive his wounds, and many of the seamen who reached their ships were mortally wounded and have been dying daily. The British, mortified at this signal and unexpected defeat, endeavor to conceal the extent of the loss; they admit however, that they lost in killed and those who have died since the engagement, upwards of 120 of the flower of their officers and men. The captain of the Rota told me he lost 70 men from his ship. Two days after this affair took place the British sloops of war Thais and Calypso came into port, when the Capt. Lloyd immediately took them in requisition to carry home the wounded officers and seamen—they have sailed for England, one on the 2d and the other on the 4th inst. each carried 25 badly wounded. Those who were slightly wounded, to the number, as I am informed, of about 30, remained on board of their respective ships, and sailed last evening for Jamaica. Strict orders were given that the sloops of war should take no letters whatever to England, and those orders were rigidly adhered to.

In face of the testimony of all Fayal and a number of respectable strangers who happened to be in this place at the moment, the British commander endeavors to throw the odium of this transaction on the American captain Reid, alleging that he sent the boats merely to reconnoitre the brig, and without any hostile intentions; the pilots of the port did inform them of the privateer the moment they entered the port. To reconnoitre an enemy's vessel in a friendly port, at night, with our boats, carrying by the best accounts 120 men is certainly a strange proceeding! The act is, they expected, as the brig was warping in; that the Americans would not be prepared to receive them, and they had hopes of carrying her by a "coup de main." If any thing could add to the baseness of this transaction on the part of the British commander, it is want of candor openly and boldly to avow the facts: In vain can he expect by such subterfuge to shield himself from the indignation of the world and the merited resentment of his own government and nation for thus trampling on the sovereignty of their most ancient and faithful ally and for the wanton sacrifice of British lives.

On the part of the Americans the loss was comparatively nothing, two killed and seven slightly wounded; of the slain, we have to lament the loss of the second Lieut. Mr. Alexander O. Williams of New York, a brave and meritorious officer.

Among the wounded are Messrs. Worth and Johnson, first and third Lieutenants; etc.
Reid was thus deprived, early in this action, of the services of all his lieutenants; but his cool and intrepid conduct secured him the victory.

On the morning of the 27th ult. one of the British ships placed herself near the shore and commenced a heavy cannonade on the privateer. Finding further resistance unavailing, Capt. Reid ordered her to be abandoned after being partially destroyed, to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy, who soon after sent their boats and set her on fire.

At 9 o'clock in the evening (soon after the first attack) I applied to the Governor requesting his Excellency to protect the privateer either by force or by such remonstrance to the commander of the squadron as would cause him to desist from any further attempt. The Governor indignant at what had passed, but feeling himself totally unable with the slender means he possessed, to resist such a force, took the part of remonstrating, which he did in forcible but respectful terms. His letter to Captain Lloyd had no other effect than to produce a menacing reply insulting in the highest degree. Nothing can exceed the indignation of the public authorities, as well as of all ranks and description of persons here, at this unprovoked enormity. Such was the rage of the British to destroy this vessel, that no regard was paid to the safety of the town; some of the inhabitants were wounded and a number of houses were much damaged. The strongest representations on this subject are prepared by the Governor for his court.

Since this affair the commander, Lloyd, threatened to send on shore an armed force and arrest the privateer's crew, saying there were many English men among them, and our poor fellows afraid of his vengeance have fled to the mountains several times and have been harassed extremely. At length Captain Lloyd, fearful of losing more men if he put his threats in execution, adopted this stratagem: he addressed an official letter to the Governor, stating that in the American crew were two men who deserted from his squadron in America, and as they were guilty of high treason, he required them to be found and given up. Accordingly a force was sent into the country, and the American seamen were arrested and brought to town, and as they could not designate the said pretended deserters, all the seamen here passed an examination of the British officers, and no such persons were to be found among them. I was requested by the Governor and British Consul to attend this humiliating examination, as was also Captain Reid; but we declined to sanction by our presence any such proceedings.

Capt. Reid has protested against the British commanders of the squadron for the unwarrantable destruction of his vessel in a neutral and friendly port, as also against the government of Portugal for their inability to protect him.

No doubt this government will feel themselves bound to make a full indemnification to the owners, officers and crew of this vessel, for the great loss they severally sustained.

I shall as early as possible transmit a statement of this transaction to our Ministers at Rio Janeiro for this government.

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

JOHN B. DABNEY,

To the Secretary of State of U. S. Washington.

The following is Capt. REID'S account of his rencontre with the British at Fayal, and is communicated to the Editors of the New-York Mercantile Advertiser, for publication:

Fayal, 4th October, 1814.

With infinite regret I am constrained to say it has eventually fallen to my lot to state to you the loss and total destruction of the private armed brig General Armstrong, late under my command.

We sailed from Sandy Hook on the evening of the 9th ult. and about midnight fell in chase aboard of a razee and ship of the line. They pursued all next day noon, when they thought proper to give over chase. On the 11th, after a nine hours chase, boarded the private-armed schr Perry, John Coleman, 6 days from Philadelphia; had thrown over all his guns. On the following day fell in with an enemy's gun-brig; exchanged a few shots with, and left him. On the 26th following came to in Fayal Roads, for the purpose of filling water; called on the American consul, who very politely ordered our water immediately sent off, it being our intention to proceed to sea early the next day. At 5 P. M. I went on board the Consul and some other gentlemen in company. I asked some questions concerning enemy's cruisers, and was told there had been none at these Islands for several weeks; when about dusk, while we were conversing, the British brig Carnation suddenly hove in sight close under the N. E. head of the harbor, within gun shot when first discovered. The idea of getting under way was instantly suggested; but finding the enemy's brig had the advantage of a breeze, and but little wind with us, it was thought doubtful if we should be able to get to sea without hazarding an action. I questioned the consul to know if in his opinion the enemy would regard the neutrality of the port? He gave me to understand I might make myself perfectly easy, assuring me at the same time they would never molest us while at anchor. But no sooner did the enemy's brig understand from the pilot-boat who we were, than she immediately hauled close in, and let go her anchor within pistol shot of us. At the same moment the Plantagenet, and frigate Rota, hove in sight, to whom the Carnation instantly made signal, and a constant interchange took place for some time. The result was, the Carnation proceeded to throw out all her boats; despatched one on board the Commodore, and appeared otherwise to be making unusual exertions. From these circumstances I began to suspect their real intentions. The moon was near its full, which enabled us to observe them very minutely; and I now determined to haul in nearer the shore. Accordingly, after clearing for action, we got under way, and began to sweep in. The moment this was observed by the enemy's brig, she instantly cut her cable, made sail, and despatched her boats in pursuit of us. Being now about 8 P. M. as soon as we saw the boats approaching, we let go our anchor, got springs on our cable, and prepared to receive them. I hailed them repeatedly as they drew near, but they felt no inclination to reply. Sure of their game, they only pulled with the greater speed. I observed the other boats were well manned, and apparently as well armed; and as soon they had cleverly got alongside, we opened our fire, which was as soon returned; but meeting with rather a warmer reception than they had probably been aware of, they very soon cried out for quarters, and hauled off. In this skirmish I had one man killed, and my first lieutenant wounded. The enemy's loss must have been upwards of twenty killed and wounded.

They had now repaired to their ships to prepare for a more formidable attack. We, in the interim, having taken the hint, prepared to haul close into the Beach, where we moored head and stern within half pistol shot of the castle. This done, we again prepared in the best possible manner for their second reception. About 9 P. M. we observed the enemy's brig towing in a large fleet of boats. They soon after left the brig and took their station in three divisions, under cover of a small reef of rocks, within about musket shot of us. Here they continued maneuvering for some time, the brig still keeping under way to act with the boats, should we at any time attempt our escape.

The shores were lined with the inhabitants, waiting the expected attack; and from the brightness of the moon, they had a most favorable view of the scene. The Governor, with most of the first people of the place, stood by and saw the whole affair.

At length, about midnight, we observed the boats in motion, (our crew having laid at their quarters during the whole of this interval.) They came on in one direct line, keeping in close order; and we plainly counted twelve boats. As soon as they came within proper distance we opened our fire, which was warmly returned from the enemy's carronades and small arms. This discharge from our Long Tom rather staggered them; but soon reconnoitering, they gave three cheers, and came on most spiritedly. In a moment they succeeded in gaining our bow and starboard quarter, and the word was 'Board.' Our great guns now becoming useless, we attacked them sword in hand, together with our pikes, pistols, and musketry, from which our lads poured on them a most destructive fire. The enemy made frequent and repeated attempts to gain our decks, but were repulsed at all times, and at all points, with the greatest slaughter. About the middle of the action I received intelligence of the death of my second Lieutenant, and soon after of the third Lieutenant being badly wounded. From this and other causes, I found our fire had much slackened on the forecastle; and fearful of the event, I instantly rallied the whole of our after division, who had been bravely defending and now had succeeded in beating the boats off the quarters. They gave a shout, rushed forward, opened a fresh fire, and soon after decided the conflict, which terminated in the total defeat of the enemy, and the loss of many of their boats; two of which, belonging to the Rota, we took possession of, literally loaded with their own dead. Seventeen only escaped from them both, who had swam to the shore. In another boat under our quarter, commanded by one of the Lieutenants of the Plantagenet, all were killed saving four. This I have from the Lieutenant himself, who further told me that he jumped overboard to save his own life.

The duration of this action was 40 minutes. Our decks were now found in much confusion, our Long Tom dismounted, and several of our carriages broken; many of our crew having left the vessel, and others disabled. Under these circumstances, however, we succeeded in getting Long Tom in his birth, and the decks cleared in some sort for a fresh action, should the enemy attack us again before day light. About 3 A M I received a message from the American Consul, requesting to see me on shore, where he informed me the Governor had sent a note to Captain Lloyd, begging him to desist from further hostilities. To which Captain Lloyd sent for answer, that he was now determined to have the privateer at risk of knocking down the whole town; and that if the Governor suffered the Americans to injure the privateer in any manner, he should consider the place an enemy's port and treat it accordingly. Finding this to be the case, I considered all hopes of saving our vessel to be at an end: I therefore went on board, and ordered all our wounded and dead to be taken on shore, and the crew to save their effects as fast as possible. Soon after this it became daylight, when the enemy's brig stood close in, and commenced a heavy fire on us with all her force. After several broadsides she hauled off, having received a shot in her hull, her rigging much cut, and her foretopmast wounded; (of this I was informed by the British Consul.) She soon after came in again, and anchored close to the privateer. I then ordered the Armstrong to be scuttled, to prevent the enemy from getting her off. She was soon after boarded by the enemy's boats, and set on fire, which soon completed her destruction.

They have destroyed a number of houses in the town, and wounded some of the inhabitants.

By what I have been able to learn from the British Consul and officers of the fleet, it appears there were about 400 officers and men in the last attack by the boats, of which 120 were killed and 130 wounded. Captain Lloyd, I am told by the British Consul, is badly wounded in the leg; a jury of Surgeons had been held, who gave as their opinion that amputation would be necessary to insure his life. 'Tis said, however, that the wound was occasioned by an ox treading on him. The fleet has remained here about a week, during which they have been principally employed in burying their dead, and taking care of their wounded.

Three days after the action they were joined by the ship Thais and brig Calypso (two sloops of war) who were immediately taken into requisition by Captain Lloyd, to take home the wounded men. The Calypso sailed for England with part of the wounded, on the 2d inst, among whom the first lieutenant of the Plantagenet. The Thais sails this evening with the remainder. Capt. Lloyd's fleet sailed to day, supposed for the West-Indies.

The loss on our part, I am happy to say is comparatively trifling; two killed and seven wounded. With regard to my officers in general I feel the greatest satisfaction in saying they one and all fought with the most determined bravery, and to whom I feel highly indebted for their officerlike conduct during the short period we were together; their exertions and bravery deserved a better fate.

I here insert, for your inspection, a list of the killed and wounded.

KILLED

Mr. Alexander O. Williams 2d Lieut. by a musket ball in the forehead, died instantly. Burton Lloyd, Seaman, do, through heart, do.

WOUNDED

Fredk. A. Worth 1st Lieut in the right side,

Robert Johnson, 3d do. left knee,

Bazila Hammond, Qr Master, left arm,

John Piner, Seaman, knee,

Wm. Castle, do. arm,

Nicholas Scalsan, do, arm and leg,

John Harrison, do. hands and face, by the explosion of a gun.

I gives me much pleasure to announce to you that our wounded are all in a fair way of recovery, through the unremitted care and attention of our worthy surgeon.

Mr Dabney, our Consul, is a gentleman possessing every feeling of humanity, and to whom the utmost gratitude is due from us for his great care of the sick and wounded and his polite attention to my officers and myself.

Mr. Williams was a most deserving and promising officer. His country, in him, has lost one of its brightest ornaments; and his death must be sadly lamented by all who knew his worth.

Accompanied with this you will find a copy of my Protest, together with copies of letters written by Mr. Dabney to the Governor of Fayal, our Minister at Rio Janeiro, and our Secretary of State. These letters will develope more fully the circumstances of this unfortunate affair.

We expect to sail to-morrow in a Portuguese brig for Amelia-Island, who takes the whole of our crew; till when, I remain, gentlemen, your very obedient humble servant,

SAM. C. REID.

The British vessels Plantagenet, Rota, and Carnation, whose crews destroyed the General Armstrong privateer, in the port of Fayal, arrived at Jamaica on the 5th ult. An account is given in the Jamaica papers of their rencontre with the General Armstrong, as usual, full of falsehood and misrepresentation; from the midst of which we pluck the following fact, which at least testifies the gallantry of our Captain Reid and his crew. The Rota lost three Lieutenants and thirty-eight seamen killed, and eighty-three wounded; the Plantagenet, twenty-two seamen killed, and three Lieutenants, and twenty-four seamen wounded. Total, Sixty-three killed, and One Hundred and Ten wounded. Nat. Int.

The British account do not mention the loss on board the Carnation.

The official particulars of the gallant defence of this vessel against the overwhelming force brought against her in a neutral port, will be found in our columns this day. Captain Reid and his brave companions have added an unfading laurel to our naval wreath of renown, the more glorious as it was acquired by privateersmen, who cannot be expected to have equal skill, although unsurpassed in bravery with their brethren in the regular service. This brig carried but six 9-pounders, in addition to her thundering 42 amidships, and had but ninety men. It will be recollected she is the same privateer which crippled a British frigate so completely, some time since; and was then commanded by Captain Champlain, who is now in the Navy. also from New-Y. Prov. Pat.