Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

Extract of a letter from an officer on board the U. States' Ship Washington, at Sea.
September 22d, 1814

On the 5th June, we fell in with and captured the British sloop of war Reindeer, in 19 minutes. We had 5 killed and 17 wounded, 7 of the wounded have since died, and against them two a midshipman. The enemy suffered severely.

We were compelled to put into L'Orient to repair damages, a shot having passed through our mainmast.

On the 27th day we left L'Orient; on the 1st Sept. about 4 o'clock P. M. discovered a sail; stood for the one most westward; at 9 o'clock we came up with her; and after an action of 15 minutes, she surrendered, being very much injured, and in a sinking condition—we were on the eve of taking possession when a sail was discovered close on our lee beam—orders were then given to clear the ship for action, which was promptly executed, and in 10 minutes, ready for a second engagement. The sail close on board of us we perceived to be a brig of war—we were on the point of wearing to attack the second sail, when two more vessels hove in sight when Capt. Blakely gave orders to stand on the course which he had no doubt were brigs of war. The second brig could have engaged us if she had thought proper, as she was to windward and close to us; but contented herself with firing a broadside into us which cut our rigging and did other damage; she then wore and stood for to join her companions. The brig we had taken, during this time was firing signal guns of distress, and in all probability went down before assistance could be afforded her. Her name or force cannot be ascertained—she had it force of a frigate and her shot weighed 13-4 pound heavier than any belonging to this vessel—she must have suffered a great deal in men, as we could distinctly hear the groans and screams of the wounded. We had 2 killed and 1 slightly wounded.