Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

BY THIS DAY'S MAIL.

From the Richmond Enquirer.

VERY INTERESTING.

Extracts of a letter from an officer of high rank in our Naval Squadron on Lake Ontario, to his friend in this city, dated Sackett's Harbor, August 14, 1813.

"On Saturday morning the 7th instant at day light, the enemy's fleet made its appearance while we lay at anchor off Niagara river, consisting of 2 ships, 2 brigs and 2 schooners-- mounting in all 106 guns. The signal was instantly made, and we all got under way, standing for the enemy. At 7, A. M. he wore, and stood off. The General Pike, leading the van, exchanged broadsides, at 8, A. M. with the flag ship leading the van of the enemy. He having the weather gage, and his force concentrated in six vessels, whereas we had thirteen vessels, with only the General Pike and the Madison sailing decently. he could take his choice to engage or not as he pleased. He prudently declined it, although he had, in point of wind, decidedly the advantage. We wore ship, and drew our fleet up in close order: both fleets continuing to manoeuvre, just without gun-shot, the whole day: we endeavoring to close with him, and he avoiding the contest.

At dark he made a crowd of sail and lost sight of us. We lay at quarters all night, much fatigued. The 8th, at day-light, saw him again as far to windward as we could discern him, shewing no disposition to engage. We continued manoeuvring all this day without being able to bring him to battle: Never have I seen a man have so much luck as Sir James--indeed. He is like Caesar in this respect, for he always tells his men that they may rely on his fortune.

Twice in this day we got the wind of him: and after bearing down, in line of battle, nearly within gun-shot, with every prospect of compelling him to an engagement, and the prospect much in our favor, a sudden change of wind would give him the weather gage of us, and of course the choice of fighting or not.

This night a most melancholy accident happened. It was, from midnight to day-light, excessively squally, with thunder and lightning-- two of our schooners, the Hamilton, of 9 guns and 40 men, commanded by Lieut. Winter, and the Scourge, of 10 guns and 30 men, commanded by sailing master Osgood, were both upset, and sunk so immediately, that out of the whole number on board only twelve were saved, and they by accidentally falling in with one of our fleet, after swimming one hour and ten minutes. No officer saved, except a master's mate.

Quite worn down with fatigue we went to an anchor in the Niagara river, which gave us the choice of avoiding an action, except we wished it, as he could not attack us there, and we could, whenever the wind came off shore, compel him to it, giving ourselves the weather gage.

9th. At day-light received from the army 150 volunteers, as sharp shooters, and immediately got under way, and stood out, with every prospect of compelling him to action; but, as usual, when we got near him, the wind shifted in his favor, and he again kept out of gun-shot to windward, By four in the evening, we manoeuvred to get the wind of him, and bore down with a noble breeze; but, wonderful to relate, it fell a dead calm in an instant. - We now sent our schooners to row in, and, with their heavy guns, to dismast or disable one of their heaviest vessels. Just as they got near their distance, a fine breeze sprang up, and he was very near cutting them off before we could cover them. Night came on, the enemy to windward, and it blowing so hard the schooners could scarcely carry sail at all. At 10 o'clock we saw him bearing down, under a crowd of sail, in close compact order, Sir James, in the Wolfe, leading the van.

At 11, the rear vessels of our line commenced the action. Two of our best schooners were just to windward of the General Pike, in the van, with orders to keep up a fire upon their leading ship, and, when hard pressed, to run down and shelter under her lee. In consequence of the great advantage the weather gave him, and blowing strong as it was then, he pressed our rear vessels out of the line. To prevent their being cut off, the General Pike wore ship, and passed down the line of fire, giving them shelter under her lee. The first and second shot from that ship hulled the Wolfe. The third cut down her mizen topsail yard, which made Sir James give up his object of cutting off our rear vessels, and haul close by the wind, avoiding the General Pike as he would contagion. His shot all went over us. Thus should we have handsomely frustrated his advantage, but for the mad bravery of the two schooners to windward, who, instead of following her motions, and keeping under her protection, tacked to windward, and the enemy got between us and them. They, however, sold themselves most dearly, and have shewn him what stuff we are made of. They fought the whole squadron for forty minutes; and (as we could see by the full moon) did not surrender, until, as we believe, one sunk, and the other was literally covered with shot, both musketry and grape, and seeing us so far to leeward as not to be able possibly to assist them.

We lay to all night, and until late the next morning- but he would not return to the combat. We had now staved out as long as we could- having left port only for a few days-we were entirely out of provisions--and, as there were none to be procured at Niagara, we bore up and came to Sackett's Harbor. We have, besides, three other schooners here, which we now want. We left this place on the 22d of July. On the 25th the keel of a vessel 30 tons larger than the Argus laid-and she is now ready to launch. She is to mount 20 guns (carronades) or 6 long 32 pounders, and as she will be a very fast sailer, she will add much to our strength. We came in at 4 o'clock this morning, and have provisions and stores for 400 men to ship and stow away, ready to sail to-night.

* During the long and painful suspense (while endeavoring to bring the enemy to battle) I thought of nothing but my wife and family, until engaged, and then, I thought of a Glorious Victory! - I humbly placed my trust in Him who had always protected me, in which trust I felt secure.

We can beat the enemy if we manage right. They have half the number of vessels, with one third more guns. They of course have much the advantage in a night action, by confusing our numbers, while they can act in a compact body. As they are still out, we are anxious not to lose a moment in meeting them."