Virginia Argus

POSTSCRIPT.

Interesting information from our SQUADRON OFF TRIPOLI,

From Lieut. Sterrett, of the Siren, to a gentleman of Philadelphia.

"Syren, off Tripoli,

August 9, 1804.

"The scene of combat commenced on the 3d inst. when the weather became favorable for our operations; accordingly, at 2 o'clock, P. M. the signal was made to prepare for battle. At three o'clock we got within gun shot of the batteries, and cast off the gun-boats and bomb ketches. They advanced in a line ahead, led on by Captain Stephen Decatur, and covered by the Constitution and the brigs and schooners. The enemy had seventeen gun-boats moored in a line in front of the batteries, and a brig of 16 and a schooner of ten guns, to aid and cover their boats: The moments were anxious as we advanced--a discharge of shells from the bomb boats induced the enemy to open their fire; which was heavy and incessant, yet our brave fellows advanced with all possible intrepidity through a shower of grape shot. When our gun boats got within 20 yards of the enemy they discharged their great guns loaded with forty pounds of musket balls, which was immediately followed by a volley of musketry. This obliged 5 of the gun boats, composing the enemy's right wing, to cut their cables and retreat; our boats then bore up for those to leeward--Capt. Decatur boarded and carried the first boat--Lieutenant Trip boarded and carried the second, and Lieutenant James Decatur, in the act of carrying the third, was killed. Captain Decatur continued down the line and carried the third--all of which were safely brought off. The attack continued an hour and an half.--The Turks were driven out of Fort Francis, and must have suffered much from our fire into the town as well as into their batteries. The reason of the enemy's fire doing us so little damage was on account of its being so badly directed. The three gun-boats taken are excellent, two of them carry a twenty six pounder each, of brass, and the third an eighteen pounder. Lieutenant Trip, who carried the second boat, received eleven sabre wounds, but none of them dangerous, and he is likely to do well.

"On the 5th we had the captured boats rigged, and should have returned to the attack, but a small French privateer, finding her berth too warm in the harbour, came out; by her we learned that the enemy had one boat sunk--another lost two thirds of her crew, and all the rest were very much shattered; they also informed us, that the enemy were employed all night repairing their damages.--The platforms of their batteries were torn up, and our unfortunate countrymen were employed to repair them. The Commodore sent the privateer back with the wounded, and the next day she returned with a letter from the French Consul, bearing strong marks of a pacific disposition. The Commodore however determined to attack them again the next day to the westward. Accordingly on the 6th, at eight o'clock A. M. the signal was made to advance in two lines, and attack the batteries. The morning was calm and warm, which prevented our getting in before twelve o'clock, when the enemy opened their fire from their batteries, and; in their confusion, fired at least fifty guns without ball. The bomb boats got their position at half past twelve anchored--their position was within point blank range and, in a little time they dismounted two guns in the western battery, and drove out the enemy;--a shell was thrown into battery Francis, which burst and silenced their fire for nearly half an hour.

"At one o'clock, P. M. the quarter deck of Gun-Boat No. nine blew up, by which event we have to lament the loss of Lieutenant James Caldwell, commander, and Mr. Dorsey two promising young officers, and eight of her crew;--Mr. Spence (who was spunging the gun) with some others, escaped unhurt--they had nearly completed the loading of the gun, when the remaining part of the boat began to sink, and the brave surviving few gave three cheers as it went down. We lay about 200 yards from her when she went down, and my boats were immediately dispatched and picked up those who survived. This caused a small cessation of our fire but it was only momentary it was renewed with redoubled vigour, which seemed to say We will avenge our brave Companions.

"At five o'clock the signal of recall was made and the firing ceased; we as in the other affair, have suffered nothing like what might be calculated on, owing to the bad management of the enemy. We have lost on this occasion, two officers and ten men and some wounded. It is not certain whether Gun-boat No. 9 blew up by accident or by a hot shot--that it was caused by a shot we have the observation of one of the men saved, who says he felt the shot strike, but, before he could communicate the circumstance, her quarter deck blew up.

"The frigate John Adams joined us this day, August 9th; by her I received yours of the 26th of May and 14th of June, for which I thank you."