The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

SALEM, August 15.

In our last was given, under Philadelphia head, a short account of the heroic conduct of Capt. Simmons and his crew, in a late action with the enemy. We are now able to insert the following particulars; contained in a letter, dated the 10th ult. from a Gentleman in Alexandria.

On the 8th ult. at 3 o'clock A.M. Capt. Thomas Simmons, Commander of the brig Ranger, of this port, mounting 7 carriage guns, with 20 men, who sailed from Alexandria the 2d, was attacked off St. Mary's, near the mouth of Potomac, by Anderson and Barrett, two noted commanders of two refugee barges, with thirty men each; and after an obstinate engagement of three glasses, the latter were obliged to sheer off, with the loss of 15 men killed and thirty eight wounded. The barges rowed off to St. George's Island with their mangled crews, where they buried five, who died of their wounds, and left three mortally wounded. Capt. Simmons is wounded in one of his legs, his second mate in both arms, one man killed and one wounded. Nothing could exceed the bravery of Capt. Simmons, his officers and crew, having but one man to oppose to three of the enemy, and unable to derive any advantage from their guns, as the barges were lashed, one on each side, fast to the brig. Notwithstanding the disadvantage of a sudden attack, added to the darkness of the night, which enabled the enemy to grapple the Ranger before they received any damage, Capt. Simmons and his men began and continued the engagement with such spirit, by pushing their pikes and throwing cold shot, as to merit the highest encomiums for the gallantry of their conduct. These two barges, a few days before, took a brig of 12 guns, with 30 men.