The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

By a gentleman from the Eastern shore of Virginia, we are informed that Captain Whaley in a galley belonging to the state of Maryland, and cruising in the Chesapeake, mounting one 18 pounder besides swivels, and manned with 70 men, on the 30th of November fell in with three refugee barges from New York, when one of the most bloody conflicts ensued since the commencement of the war. In the beginning of the action the men had the mortification to see their Captain killed the first broadside from the enemy; and to complete the distress, about five minutes after, the whole of the small arm cartridges took fire. The engagement lasted about 20 minutes. At the end of which time Capt. Whaley's galley struck, having 60 of her men killed. Col. Cropper, Major Snead and three other young gentlemen who were on board as volunteers were all wounded: out of this crew, which was composed of 30 men besides 5 militia men, only 10 were saved.