Chronicles of Baltimore - Part 10



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1813. Early in this year the bay was entered by a part of the British 
squadron, under the command of Admiral Warren. It was not thought proper 
to wait the preparations which might be made by the Government, and the 
corporation appointed a committee of supply, consisting of Messrs. Mosber, 
Tiernan, Payson, J. C. White, J. A. Buchanan, L. Sterett, and Thorndike 
Chase, who were authorized to expend the sum of $20,000 in the means of 
defence; but that being insufficient, a meeting of the citizens in their 
wards and precincts was called, and forty gentlemen selected, who advise a 
loan not exceeding $500,000, with an addition to the committee of supply, 
and Messrs. J. E. Howard, G. Warner, J. Kelso, Gilmor, Deshon, Patterson 
and Burke, are appointed.

On the 27th of April, General Pike took York, on Lake Ontario, but lost 
his life, as did Lieutenant Nicholson; Capt. Moore was wounded. On the 5th 
of June, at night, Generals Chandler and Winder were attacked at Stony 
Creek, in Canada, and after beating off the enemy, fell amongst them and 
were taken prisoners. On this occasion Messrs. Hindman, Towson and 
Nicholas distinguished themselves, and were promoted.

Mr. Flanigan, at the end of McElderry's wharf, built for Messrs. Wm. 
McDonald & Co. the first steamboat ever built in this city, which they 
called the Chesapeake, and which was put on the line from Baltimore to 
Philadelphia, by way of French Town, &c.

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Mr. Charles Gwinn introduced steam power for a flour-mill in his warehouse 
at the end of Commerce street wharf, and Mr. Job Smith also in a saw-mill 
on Chase's wharf.

Messrs. Worthington, Jessop, Cheston, and others, procured the water 
rights of Gwinn's Falls, and built mills within a few perches of each 
other, which they called the Calverton mills.

At the session of May, the Assembly were petitioned by the city government 
to assume the debts contracted for public defence; which the Legislature 
refused.

Luther Martin was appointed Chief Justice of the Criminal Court in the 
place of Judge Scott, deceased.

Commodore Barney was appointed to the command of a flotilla, and was 
joined here by Messrs. Solomon Rutter, R. M. Hamilton, T. Dukehart, and 
others, and being fitted out early in the spring following, proceeded down 
the bay to meet the enemy.

Twice in each week a battalion of infantry, with a company of artillery, 
marched to Fort McHenry for discipline, under the immediate inspection and 
direction of Major-General Smith, well known for his conduct on Mud Island 
in 1777. It appears from his address to the troops, that the public safety 
was well attended to. He observed "that the militia of Baltimore city and 
county stood high in the estimation of the General Government, and of the 
people generally; that as regulars could not be well spared for the 
protection of the different seaports, the Executive of the United States 
had to rely on the militia of such places for their immediate defence; 
that in placing this reliance on the patriotic militia of this city he 
would not be deceived, for the alacrity with which they had attended to 
the first calls for disciplining was sufficient evidence that they would 
always be found at their posts in time of need. The Executive of Maryland, 
said he, "has done his duty: he has adopted every means in his power for 
the defence of this important port; it remains for us to do ours." The 
General's whole address was feeling, animated and impressive, and the 
plaudits of the soldiers evinced that they participated in his sentiments. 
The enemy appeared on the 16th of April at the mouth of the Patapsco. It 
was astonishing to perceive the animation of the people on the firing of 
the alarm gun; only one spirit prevailed. There was no fear but the fear 
of being too late on duty; no party but to repel the enemy. A fine water-
battery had been built, and many additional cannon (42 pounders) were 
mounted and furnaces erected for heating shot, and great zeal was 
manifested to give the enemy a warm reception. Both sides of the river 
were defended by troops of horse and companies of artillery, infantry and 
riflemen. On the 22d of April the enemy's squadron remained off Baltimore 
inactive, except in predatory excursions, by which they got little else 
than hard knocks. But the measures for defence went on with great 
activity. Col. Wadsworth of the United States engineers arrived here to 
superintend the fortifications.

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From unpublished letters in our possession, and the news papers, we 
extract the following facts: "Fort McHenry is assuming a formidable 
appearance. The first Marine Artillery of the Union, a body of invaluable 
men, masters and mates of vessels, to whom we are indebted for the 
transportation and mounting of 20 great guns for a new battery there. The 
fort is garrisoned by the regulars under Major Bell, and two companies of 
artillery with a regiment of infantry, in turns for a week at a time."

May 5th.--"Between eleven and 12 o'clock the alarm guns were fired, and 
the city was thrown into great bustle and apparent confusion. But in a few 
minutes, regiment after regiment and company after company were marching 
the streets in regular order towards the supposed point of attack. It was 
calculated that upwards of 5000 men were under arms, and in their proper 
places, an hour after the alarm was given. The savage burning of Havre de 
Grace led the people to calculate what they might expect from the mercies 
of the enemy. The 5th regiment had just returned from a week's duty at the 
Fort (their place being supplied on the morning of that day by the 6th). 
Making a forced march, after halting a few minutes for orders, they pushed 
for North Point, distant 15 miles, as did the 39th, and some artillery and 
troops of horse. The 27th was under arms ready for orders, and the 51st or 
Precincts regiment. At two o'clock it was reported the alarm was a false 
one, and the fact being ascertained, the soldiers were dismissed. Some 
persons removed from Baltimore within the past few days, and many women 
and children have been sent away. Twenty large barges, from 40 to 75 feet 
long, are built or building for the special defence, also several gun-
boats."

August 6th--"On the elevated grounds east of and adjacent to Baltimore 
(now Patterson's Park) there are collected a fine park of artillery, say 
from 35 to 40 pieces; 18's, 12's, 6's, and 4's, all on flying or field 
carriages."

August 10th--"A fine regiment from the Baltimore County brigade, under the 
command of Col. Jamison, arrived. The cavalry of the Baltimore city and 
county brigades of Maryland militia, under the command of Lieut.-Colonels 
Biays and Moore, assembled on Hampstead Hill, and proceeded to North 
Point, to make themselves better acquainted with the ground, if the enemy 
attempts a landing."

Extract from a letter written by Capt. Booker, commander of the Richmond 
and Washington volunteers, to Thomas Ritchie of Baltimore, dated August 
23d: "Never were soldiers more hospitably treated than our volunteers are 
by the citizens of Baltimore. The treatment is such as to excite and 
deserve the acknowledgments of all the men."

Christopher Hughes was appointed secretary to the ministers sent to 
negotiate with Great Britain.

A Bible Society was formed and chartered, James McHenry

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being President, Alexander Fridge, Treasurer, the Rev. Doctors Kurtz and 
Inglis, Corresponding Secretaries, and the Rev. Alexander McCair, 
Recording Secretary. In 1821, another Bible Society was formed as an 
auxiliary of the American Bible Society, of which auxiliary society Robert 
Smith was chosen President, Mr. Roswell L. Colt, Treasurer, Mr. T. Parker, 
Corresponding Secretary, and Mr. Charles G. Robb, Recording Secretary. 
There had been established in the meantime a Ladies' and Young Men's Bible 
Societies, and a common prayer-book and tract societies.

Mr. Thomas Warner was appointed by the city government an assayer of 
manufactured plate.

Mr. Rembrandt Peale, having some years before exhibited the skeleton of a 
mammoth in Baltimore, fixed his permanent residence here, and purchasing a 
small collection of natural curiosities of Mr. James Savage, commenced the 
building of a museum and gallery of the fine arts in Holliday street, now 
occupied as the Council chambers, &c.

Departed this life on the 17th of November, aged 87 years, nearly forty of 
which he had been the pious and respected minister of the German 
Evangelical Reformed Congregation, the Rev. William Otterbein.

Extracts from valuable letters which were written during the year, and 
which give many important facts relating to the war of 1812 never before 
published:

"Philadelphia, 27th March, 1813.

"Dear Sir:--I have written to Major Beall to have such work done at Fort 
McHenry as is necessary to its repair and better state. The Major is also 
desired to platform the batteries in front of the Fort, and to mount in 
them not exceeding thirty heavy cannon, attaching the requisite furnaces. 
For a more extended defence of Baltimore Harbor, including the rear of 
Fort McHenry, Patapsco river, the Cove, the Point between the Fort and 
Flagstaff Point, and the Point opposite Fort McHenry on the northeast side 
of the harbor, I have recommended to the Hon. Secretary of War, to have 
twelve eighteen-pound cannon mounted on travelling field-carriages, 
completely appurtenanced, attaching to them two furnaces. This train to be 
disposed so as to run four of the pieces with a furnace to any position on 
the Fort McHenry side, and eight of them with furnace to the Point 
opposite Fort McHenry, to be used as the position of the enemy may 
require. Bridges should be constructed over every creek or river in the 
route from Baltimore to any point of attack, removable at will. The 
furnaces can be placed in a ravine or behind an embankment to be secure 
from the enemy's shot. The house near Fort McHenry should be removed.

"I have the honor to be, dear Sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

J. G. Swift, Col. Eng.

"Major-General Sam'l Smith, Baltimore."

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"To Committee of Public Supplies:

"Gentlemen:--I pray you to man and dispatch the barge belonging to the 
merchants as low down the river as will enable her commander to see the 
top of Ridgely's house on North Point, and on observing a signal from the 
steeple, to hoist a flag of any kind, fire a gun, and return to the fort, 
the commander to note the signal hoisted.

"I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,
S. Smith."

"Head-Quarters, 16th April, 1813.

"Head Quarters Third Division, 27th April, 1813.

"Edward Johnson, Esq., Mayor of the City of Baltimore:

"As a measure of precaution in case of an attack by the enemy upon our 
city Col. Wadsworth has suggested the expediency of having in readiness 
our fire engines and fire companies, so that in such an emergency they may 
be employed with the best practical effect. This idea I have the honor of 
submitting to your consideration, with an assurance of my disposition to 
co-operate with you in whatever plan may thereon be adopted by the Mayor 
and City Council.

"S. Smith, M. G. Third Division."

On the 8th of May, 1813, Col. R. Y. Nicholls, in a letter to Gen. S. 
Smith, assumes command of Fort McHenry, and on the 10th, in answer to Gen. 
Smith in relation to the relief of the militia in the fort from military 
duties, as the enemy had moved below Annapolis, he said: ".... I know the 
alacrity with which the militia of Baltimore turn out in case of danger, 
and should their aid at any moment be required am convinced we should 
receive it. The orderly and soldierlike conduct of the several militia 
companies which have been at this post during my short command demand my 
approbation and thanks."

On the 18th of May, David Harris, in a letter to Brigadier-General John 
Stricker, says: "In a late conversation you suggested that a certain 
number of pikes would be useful, and I am persuaded that five or six to 
each gun might be well employed against either cavalry or infantry, and 
would add much to the confidence of the men in their efforts to maintain 
possession of their field-pieces when in action." In a postscript, he 
adds: "The liberality of the banks and insurance officers of the city has 
afforded us a large quantity of ammunition for the purpose of enabling us 
to practice at a target. The proficiency of the officers and men has 
already been so great as to surprise experienced soldiery."

On the 30th of August, Mr. Wm. Jones, Secretary of War, in a letter to 
Gen. Samuel Smith, says: "I am much obliged by your favor of the 27th, 
with a copy of the signals of the enemy's squadron, received from a 
deserter. They are, however, only the general manoeuvering signals, and 
appear to be irregular and defective, but

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may be so far of use as to enable the observer to anticipate in part the 
intended movement. The probability is, however, that the desertion of a 
signal man may induce suspicion and a change of the numbers or 
significations." In another letter written on the 2d of September, he 
says: "I am much obliged by your favor of yesterday, covering a copy of 
signals from Gibraltar, which, together with a valuable acquisition 
received at the department from the southward by yesterday's mail, 
completed a mass of information on that subject of considerable 
importance. The latter corroborates the copy of the signals furnished by 
the deserter, and supplies the deficiency in that copy."

On the 8th of December, 1774, a meeting of deputies from all the counties 
of Maryland was held at Annapolis, chiefly for the purpose of adopting 
measures to support the proceedings of the "Continental Congress." After 
passing several patriotic resolutions, the Convention agreed to recommend 
to the several counties to raise the sum of £10,000 for public purposes, 
by subscription or "such other voluntary manner" as might be thought most 
proper. The apportionment of this sum amongst the counties at that period, 
according to their then supposed wealth, compared with their quotas of the 
United States tax, as determined by Congress in the Act levying the same 
in 1813, is a statistical curiosity:

[image of table]

The counties printed in italic were formed since 1774. Montgomery was 
erected from Anne Arundel and Frederick counties, and Washington and 
Alleghany were taken entirely from Frederick. The various comparisons 
growing out of this table, every one will make for himself. The rapid rise 
of Baltimore, however, claims attention. In 1774, St. Mary's and Caroline 
together were supposed more valuable. In 1813 Baltimore was esteemed about 
eight times more valuable than these counties, and was assessed for more 
tax

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than St. Mary's, Charles, Calvert, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, 
Montgomery and Frederick, which were rated at five times her value by the 
Convention of 1774.

1814. In this year the corporation purchase the water rights, and soon 
after commence the public dock between town and Point, directing the 
course of the Falls into the dock, and putting a draw at the entrance of 
it.

Commodore Perry, on the 31st of January, while on his way to Newport, R. 
I., where he was stationed, stopped in Baltimore three days. On the 
evening of the first day he visited the circus. That spacious building was 
incompetent to receive the mighty crowd that rushed to greet him. The 
house was crammed long before the entertainment began; and when the hero 
of Lake Erie entered, he was received with deep, loud and continued 
cheering. On the following day, in accordance to previous arrangements, he 
was entertained at Barney's "Fountain Inn." Everything was furnished "that 
was luscious and good, that was pleasing to the palate or delightful to 
the eye, in bounteous profusion." A public dinner was also given to Gen. 
Winder on the 28th of February, who was on his way to the seat of 
government to obtain terms of an exchange for himself and others.

Messrs. Peter Little, William Steuart, W. Lemmon, Stephen Griffith, 
William Neilson, Sheppard C. Leakin, George Keyser, John Buck, Charles 
Stansbury, and others, take commissions in the army. The United States 
Government build here, under the direction of Capt. Robert T. Spence, the 
sloop-of-war Erie, which is commanded by Capt. C. S. Ridgely; the Ontario, 
Jesse D. Elliott; and the frigate Java by Commodore Perry: but they did 
not get to sea until after the peace.

Cols. Hindman and Towson of the artillery contributed essentially to the 
success of the American arms at the battles of Chippewa and Bridgewater, 
on the 5th and 25th of July.

A splendid public dinner was given to Commodore John Rodgers, on the 7th 
of April, at Barney's Fountain Inn. The company was numerous and of the 
first respectability. The Mayor, Edward Johnson, presided, assisted by 
Major McKim and N. Williams. The toasts were eminently patriotic.

The banks in New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore suspend specie payments.

The following account of the battle of "North Point" is extracted from 
Niles' Register:

"Having triumphantly despoiled the capital of the Union, Gen. Ross turned 
his eyes upon this flourishing and wealthy city, which he had fixed upon 
for his winter quarters; and boasted, that with the force he had, he would 
go where he pleased through Maryland. Thus forewarned, considerable 
additions were made to the defences of the place. Some of the troops of 
Gen. Winder's command were collected, Rodgers and Perry were here, and a 
good many noble

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volunteers flocked in from the adjacent parts of our own State and from 
Virginia and Pennsylvania. The Baltimore brigade was taken en masse into 
the service of the United States; and the whole submitted to the direction 
of Major-General Smith, of the Maryland militia.

"On Saturday, the 10th of September, we had information that the enemy was 
ascending the bay, and on Saturday morning his ships were seen at the 
mouth of our river, the Patapsco, in number from 40 to 50. Some of his 
vessels entered the river, while others proceeded to North Point (at the 
mouth of the Patapsco,) distant 12 miles from the city, and commenced the 
debarkation of their troops in the night, which was finished early next 
morning. In the meantime the frigates, bomb-ketches, and small vessels 
approached and ranged themselves in a formidable line to cannonade the 
fort and the town. The frigates were lightened before they entered the 
river, and the ships of the line lay off North Point to overawe us and 
protect the whole force.

"The force that landed consisted of about 9000 men,--viz., 5000 soldiers, 
2000 marines, and 2000 sailors--the first under Major-General Ross, the 
latter commanded by the famous Admiral Cockburn. The troops were a part of 
Wellington's 'invincibles.' Some works were erected not far from North 
Point to arrest their progress; but their incipient state forbade a stand 
being made at them, and the enemy marched four miles towards us 
uninterrupted, except by a few flying shots from the cavalry. Here they 
were met by Gen. Stricker with his entire Baltimore brigade, (except that 
he had only one company of the regiment of artillery,) consisting of Col. 
Biays' cavalry, the rifle corps, and the 5th, 6th, 27th, 39th, and 51st 
regiments of infantry, commanded respectively by Lieut.-Cols. Sterett, 
McDonald, Long, Fowler, and Amey. In the 5th was incorporated an elegant 
uniformed company of volunteers from York, Pa., under Captain Spangler, 
and in the 39th Captain Metzger's fine company of volunteers from Hanover, 
Pa., and Capt. Quantril's from Hagerstown, Md., and in the 6th Capt. 
Dixon's volunteers from Marietta, Pennsylvania. All the rest were city 
troops; and the whole, including Capt. Montgomery's company of artillery, 
(with six four-pounders,) amounting to about 3200 men.

"The rest of our forces were judiciously stationed in or near tho various 
defences, &c. About one o'clock a party of 150 or 200 men, consisting of 
Capt. Levering's and Capt. Howard's companies of the Fifth Regiment, and 
Capt. Aisquith's rifle corps, were detached from the line to feel the 
enemy and bring on the battle; they were accompanied by a few artillerists 
with one of their pieces. Before they expected it they were attacked by 
the British in very superior numbers, and driven in with some loss, after 
a few fires, to the main body. As the enemy advanced the artillery opened 
a destructive fire upon them, which was returned from two

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nine-pounders, and the action became general along the line of the 5th and 
27th, which were in front. The 39th and 51st were in the rear of these, 
and the 6th advantageously posted still nearer the city to protect and 
cover the whole. The fire from the two first-named regiments, as well as 
from the artillery, was very active and uncommonly certain for about an 
hour. Of the 5th much was expected, but the 27th behaved at least as 
gallantly. The men took deliberate aim, and the carnage was great--the 
'invincibles' dodging to the ground and crawling in a bending posture to 
avoid the militia-- the 'yeomen' they were taught so much to despise. When 
the 5th and 27th (between which was placed the artillery) were outflanked 
by the much greater force of the enemy, they retired in better order than 
could have been expected under a galling fire, and they retired 
reluctantly at the repeated command of their officers; the artillery had 
been drawn off a little while before. The right of the 39th was gallantly 
engaged, but the 51st took no part in the action, and it was not at that 
time and place expected that the 6th would share in it, else (under its 
veteran colonel, a soldier of the Revolution, and one who met the same foe 
under Pulaski) it would no doubt have distinguished itself.

"The cavalry, though they performed very severe and important duties, had 
but little to do in the battle. The whole number of our men actually 
engaged did not exceed 1700. Nearly as much, perhaps, being done at this 
point as was expected, our force retreated towards the city. The enemy 
followed slowly, and on Tuesday night approached within about two miles of 
our intrenchments. Measures were taken to cut them off and punish their 
temerity; but before General Winder with the Virginia militia and a 
squadron of United States cavalry could bring his plans fully to bear, the 
British, suspecting the design, or not liking the appearance of our works, 
decamped suddenly in the night, and embarked with such precipitation that, 
though closely pursued, a few prisoners only were taken; but the pursuing 
force merited and have received the thanks of their general, and the whole 
body collected is entitled to the gratitude of Baltimore and their country 
for the sufferings they so patiently and patriotically endured, being 
compelled to sleep, if sleep was allowed, in the open air, with the 
heavens for their canopy, for four nights, during the chief part of which 
it rained pretty constantly and sometimes heavily. They also received 
their refreshments irregularly, the whole being packed up in prudent 
preparation of events that might haw happened.

"But the attack on Fort McHenry was terribly grand and magnificent. The 
enemy's vessels formed a great half-circle in front of the works on the 
12th, but out of reach of our guns, and also those of the battery of the 
Lazaretto, on the opposite side of the great cove or basin around the head 
of which the city of Baltimore

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more is built. Fort McHenry is about two miles from the city, a light 
little place, with some finely planned batteries, mounted with heavy 
cannon, as the British very well know. At six o'clock on Tuesday morning 
six bomb and some rocket vessels commenced the attack, keeping such a 
respectful distance as to make the fort rather a target than an opponent; 
though Major Armstead, the gallant commander, and his brave garrison fired 
occasionally to let the enemy know the place was not given up!! Four or 
five bombs were frequently in the air at a time, and making a double 
explosion, with the noise of the foolish rockets and the firings of the 
fort, Lazaretto and our barges, created a horrible clatter. (Many of these 
bombs have since been found entire; they weigh, when full of their 
combustibles, about 210 or 220 lbs., and they threw them much farther than 
our long 42 pounders would reach). Thus it lasted until about three 
o'clock in the afternoon, when the enemy growing more courageous, dropped 
nearer the fort, and gave tho garrison and batteries a little of the 
chance they wanted.

"The balls now flew like hail-stones, and the Britons slipped their 
cables, hoisted their sails and were off in a moment, but not without 
damage. When they got out of harm's way they renewed the magnanimous 
attack, throwing their bombs with an activity excited by their 
mortification. So they went on until about one o'clock in the morning, our 
batteries now and then firing a single gun. At this time, aided by the 
darkness of the night and screened by a flame they had kindled, one or two 
rocket or bomb vessels and many barges, manned with 1200 chosen men, 
passed Fort McHenry and proceeded up the Patapsco, to assail the town and 
fort in the rear, and perhaps effect a landing. The weak-sighted mortals 
now thought the great deed was done--they gave three cheers, and began to 
throw their missive weapons. But alas! their cheering was quickly turned 
to groaning, and the cries and screams of their wounded and drowning 
people soon reached the shore; for Forts McHenry and Covington, with the 
city battery and the Lazaretto and barges, vomited an iron flame upon 
them, in heated balls, and a storm of heavy bullets flew upon them from 
the great semi-circle of large guns and gallant hearts.

"The houses in the city were shaken to their foundations, for never, 
perhaps, from the time of the invention of cannon to tho present day, were 
the same number of pieces fired with so rapid succession; particularly 
from Fort Covington, where a party of Rodgers' really invincible crew was 
posted. Barney's flotilla men, at the city battery, maintained the high 
reputation they had before earned. The other vessels also began to fire, 
and the heavens were lighted with flame, and all was continued explosion 
for about half an hour. Having got this taste of what was prepared for 
them (and it was a mere taste) the enemy precipitately retired with his 
remaining force, battered and crippled, to his respectful distance; the 
darkness of the night and his ceasing to fire, (which

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was the only guide our people had) preventing his annihilation. All was 
for some time still--and the silence was awful; but being beyond danger, 
Some of his vessels resumed the bombardment, which continued until 
morning--in all about 24 hours, during which there were thrown not less 
than 1500 of these great bombs, besides many rockets and some round shot. 
They must have suffered excessively in this affair--two of their large 
barges have been found sunk, and in them were yet some dead men. But what 
the loss really was it is probable we never shall know. They also were at 
other times injured by Fort McHenry, the Lazaretto, and the barges. I 
myself believe I saw several shots take effect during Tuesday afternoon.

"The preservation of our people in the fort is calculated to excite in a 
wonderful manner our gratitude to that Great Being without whose knowledge 
a sparrow does not fall to the ground. Only four were killed and about 
twenty wounded, and two or three hundred dollars will repair all the 
damages the fortresses sustained. Lieut. Clagget, of Capt. Nicholson's 
company of artillery, was the only officer killed in the fort. His friend, 
Sergeant Clemm, of the same corps, received his death at the same time. 
They were respectable merchants.

"The Admiral fully calculated on taking the fort in two hours. Its 
surrender was spoken of as a matter of course. He said that when it was 
taken, and the shipping destroyed, 'he would think about terms for the 
city.' All about and in the fort is such ample evidence of his zeal to 
perform his promise, that it seems impossible to believe that greater 
damage was not done than really sustained. The gallant and accomplished 
Armstead, through watching and excessive fatigue (for he had other great 
duties to do besides defending his post) flagged as soon as the fight was 
done, and now lies very ill; but not dangerously, we trust, though 
severely afflicted. Many of his gallant companions were also exhausted, 
but have generally recruited their strength.

"To return to the field engagement: the force of the enemy in the battle 
may have amounted to 4,000 men. They were fine looking fellows, but seemed 
very unwilling to meet the 'Yankee' bullets--their dodging from the 
cannon, and stooping before the musketry, has already been noticed. The 
prisoners and deserters say that, for the time that the affair lasted and 
the men engaged, they never received so destructive a fire; and this may 
well be, for our men fired not by word of command only, but also at an 
object. Of the 21st British regiment, about 500 were landed; on the 
morning of the 13th they found 171 killed, wounded and missing. Their 
whole loss may be safely estimated at from 5 to 700 men. Major-General 
Ross, who did 'not care if it rained militia,' the incendiary of the 
Capital, paid the forfeit of that act by his death. He was killed in the 
early part of the action; and there is reason to believe that two or three 
other officers, high in command, met the same fate.

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Ross was a brave man and an able commander--and if he had been engaged in 
another system of warfare, would have claimed our respectful remembrance. 
We may admire, but we cannot esteem his memory. The character of Moore, in 
Schiller's play of the Robbers, notwithstanding its grandeur, disgusts by 
the business to which his great talents and accomplishments were devoted. 
So it was with Ross. His orders, perhaps, may afford some sort of an 
excuse for his violation of the rules of civilized war. His death was 
probably the immediate cause why an attack upon our works was not made. 
General Brooks, on whom the command devolved, would not risk the 
enterprise.

"Our whole loss in the affair was about twenty killed, ninety wounded and 
forty-seven prisoners and missing; (twenty-two of the wounded were paroled 
on the field, forty-seven are on board of the fleet--many of them 
gentlemen of the first respectability--and it is believed will be sent to 
Halifax, though all possible means to effect their release was used. By a 
flag they were all liberally supplied.) The officers killed were James 
Lowry Donaldson, Esq., Adjutant of the brave 27th regiment, and one of the 
representatives of this city in the House of Delegates of Maryland--he 
fell while encouraging his brethren in arms; and Lieut. Andre, of the 
'Gray Yagers,' a valuable young man. Major Moore, of the 27th, was 
severely but not dangerously wounded; Major Heath of the 5th had two 
horses shot under him, and Major Barry of the same regiment was also 
killed. The cavalry lost several horses, and some of them on the lookout 
were taken prisoners. For the present we shall only add that Brigadier-
General Stricker, whose urbanity has long endeared him to the citizens 
under his command and the people at large, behaved as became the high 
charge entrusted to him as a soldier. He has the entire confidence of his 
brigade. Robert G. Harper, Esq., who volunteered his services as an aide-
de-camp, also greatly exerted himself in the hottest part of the fire to 
encourage and give steadiness to our troops.

"The enemy's bomb-vessels, we are told, are much wrecked by their own 
fire. This may well be supposed when the fact is stated that at every 
discharge they were forced two feet into the water by the force of it, 
thus straining every part from stem to stern.

"Never was the mortification of an invader more complete than that of our 
enemy. Beaten by the militia and defeated by the fort, he went away in the 
worst possible humor, and a total loss that may amount to not less than 
800 men." During the fearful night of the bombardment, Francis S. Key, a 
distinguished son of Maryland, was a prisoner in the British fleet. Having 
gone on board in the cartel ship Minden, in the company of Col. John S. 
Skinner, under the protection of a flag of truce, to effect the release of 
some captive friends, (Dr. Beanes, a highly esteemed physician of Upper 
Marlborough in Maryland,) he was himself detained

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during the expedition. They were placed on board the Surprise, where they 
were courteously treated. Finally they were transferred to their own 
vessel, the Minden, which was anchored in sight of the Fort. Of vivid and 
poetic temperament, he felt deeply the danger which their preparations 
foreboded, and the long and terrible hours which passed in sight of that 
conflict whose issue he could not know. It was under these circumstances 
that he composed "The Star Spangled Banner," descriptive of the scenes of 
that doubtful night and of his own excited feelings. As the struggle 
ceases, upon the coming morn, uncertain of its result, his eye seeks for 
the flag of his country, and he asks in doubt:

"Oh! say, can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming:
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O'er the rampart we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
The rocket's red glare--bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
Oh! say, does that star-spangled banner still wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?"

And then, as through "the mists of the deep" dimly loomed that gorgeous 
banner fluttering in the first rays of the morning sun, he exclaims 
triumphantly--

"'Tis the star-spangled banner! oh, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave."

This outburst of the patriot and poet's heart thrilled through the souls 
of his brethren. They took it up--it swelled from millions of voices;--and 
"The Star-spangled Banner," written by a son of Maryland, within sight of 
the battle-fields won by the citizen soldiers of Maryland--with the sound 
of their victorious cannon still ringing in her ears--became the proud 
national anthem of the whole Union.

The crude substance of this song was written on the back of a?etter which 
the author happened to have in his pocket. On the night after his arrival 
in Baltimore he wrote it out in full, and the next morning he read it to 
his uncle, Judge Nicholson, who was one of the gallant defenders of the 
fort, and asked his opinion of it. The Judge was so pleased with it that 
he took it to the printing-office of Capt. Benjamin Edes, on North street 
near Baltimore. Mr. Edes was then on duty with the gallant Twenty-seventh 
Regiment, of which Capt. Lester was a member. The Judge then took it to 
the office of the Baltimore American, and directed copies to be struck off 
in small hand-bill form. Mr. Samuel Sands, who was then an apprentice-boy 
in the office, but now editor of the American Farmer, set up the song in 
type, printed it, and distributed it among the citizens. It was first sung 
in a restaurant in this city, next to the Holliday Street Theatre, by 
Charles Durang, to an assemblage

Page 353

of patriotic defenders of the city, and after that, nightly in the 
theatre. It created intense enthusiasm, and was everywhere sung in public 
and in private.

During the bombardment of Fort McHenry, at a time when the explosions were 
the most tremendous, a rooster mounted a parapet and crowed heartily. This 
excited the laughter and animated the feelings of all present. A man who 
was severely indisposed and worn down with fatigue, declared that if ever 
he lived to see Baltimore, the rooster should be treated with pound-cake. 
Not being able to leave the fort, the day after the bombardment he sent to 
the city, procured the cake, and had fine sport in treating his favorite 
rooster.

From the official report of Commodore Rodgers, who commanded the naval 
force stationed in Baltimore on the 12th and 13th of September, to the 
Secretary of the Navy, dated the 23d of September, we find the following 
distribution of the force under his command:

"I stationed Lieut. Gamble, first of Guerriere, with about 100 seamen, in 
command of seven-gun battery on the line between the roads leading from 
Philadelphia and Sparrow's Point Sailing-master De La Rouch, of the Erie, 
and Midshipman Field, of the Guerriere, with 20 seamen, in command of a 
two-gun battery, fronting the road leading from Sparrow's Point. Sailing-
master Ramage, of the Guerriere, with 20 seamen, in command of a five-gun 
battery, to the right of the Sparrow's Point road. And Mid-shipman Salter, 
with 12 seamen, in command of a one-gun battery a little to the right of 
Mr. Ramage. Lieut. Kuhn, with the detachment of marines belonging to the 
Guerriere, was posted in the entrenchment between the batteries occupied 
by Lieut. Gamble and Sailing-master Ramage. Lieut. Newcomb, third of the 
Guerriere, with 80 seamen, occupied Fort Covington, on the Ferry Branch, a 
little below Spring Gardens. Sailing-master Webster, of the flotilla, with 
50 seamen of that corps, occupied a six-gun battery on the Ferry Branch, 
known by the name of Babcock. Lieut. Frazier, of the flotilla, with 45 
seamen of the same corps, occupied a three-gun battery near the Lazaretto. 
And Lieut. Rutter, the senior officer of the flotilla, in command of all 
the barges, which were moored at the entrance of the passage between the 
Lazaretto and Fort McHenry in the left wing of the water-battery, at which 
was stationed Sailing-master Rodman and 54 seamen of the flotilla. Sailing-
master Rodman was stationed in the water-battery of Fort McHenry with 60 
seamen of the flotilla." Com. Rodgers says: "The enemy's repulsion from 
the Ferry Branch on the night of the 13th inst., after he had passed Fort 
McHenry with his barges and some light vessels, was owing to the warm 
reception he met from the Forts Covington and Babcock, commanded by Lieut. 
Newcomb and Sailing-master Webster, who with all under their command 
performed the duty assigned to them to admiration. . . . .

Page 354

It becomes a duty to notice the services of that gallant and meritorious 
officer, Captain Spence, of the navy, by whose exertions, assisted by 
Lieut. Rutter with the barges, the entrance into the basin was so 
obstructed in the enemy's presence, and that too in a very short time, as 
to bid defiance to his ships, had he attempted to force that passage."

The different Masonic lodges of this city formed in procession on Monday, 
the 16th of May, at the riding-school in George street; from whence, 
accompanied by a band of music and a company of military, they proceeded 
to the First Presbyterian Church, in East street (Fayette.) After divine 
service, the procession moved to "a spot of ground near the southwest 
corner of the new court-house, in St. Paul's lane, where, according to the 
ceremonies of that most ancient and honorable fraternity, the foundation 
was laid of a new and superb Masonic hall." Max Godfrey, Esq., was 
architect, and Col. William Steuart and Col. Jacob Small builders. Upon 
the completion of the new Masonic Hall this building was sold to the Mayor 
and City Council for the sum of $50,000, and is now used for a court-house.



NAVAL HISTORY OF BALTIMORE IN THE WAR OF 1812.

On the 18th of June, 1812, Congress passed an Act declaring war between 
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the dependencies 
thereof, and the United States of America and their territories; and 
authorized the President to use the whole land and naval forces of the 
United States to carry the same into effect, and to issue to private armed 
vessels of the United States commissions, or letters-of-marque and general 
reprisals, &c.

It is well known to those Americans who lived through the war of 1812, and 
to all the reading portion of our extensive country, that the privateers 
and letters-of-marque were the great thorn in the side of our inveterate 
enemy; that they harassed and annoyed their adversaries in every quarter 
of the globe, and even at the entrance of their own ports in old England 
itself. They fought and captured ships and vessels off the North Cape, in 
the British and Irish channels, on the coasts of Spain and Portugal, in 
the East and West Indies, off the capes of Good Hope and Horn, and in the 
Pacific Ocean. In a word, they were harassing and annoying British trade 
and commerce wherever a ship could float; they took and destroyed millions 
of property, and were, beyond all doubt, the happy instruments under God 
in bringing about a permanent peace with a proud, haughty, overbearing 
nation. About four months after the declaration of war, Baltimore had sent 
to sea forty-two

Page 355

armed vessels, carrying about three hundred and thirty guns, and from 2,
800 to 3,000 men. And here we would observe, that Baltimore took the lead 
in fitting out privateers and letters-of-marque, and was more active and 
patriotic in annoying the enemy than any other city in the United States. 
On the 10th of July, the British government schooner Whiting, Lieut. 
Maxey, with dispatches from his Government to the Government of the United 
States, was taken while lying in Hampton Roads, (he not having heard of 
the war), without resistance, by the privateer Dash, Captain Carroway, of 
Baltimore. The Dash at this time was ready for sea, and bound on a cruise 
for British merchantmen.

On the 18th of July the letter-of-marque schooner Falcon, belonging to 
Baltimore, on her passage from Boston to Bordeaux, with four guns and 
sixteen men, when on the coast of France, was engaged with the British 
cutter Hero, with five guns and fifty men, for two hours and a half, and 
finally beat her off, with considerable loss on both sides, after 
repulsing the enemy three times in his attempt to board. On the next day 
the Falcon was attacked by a British privateer of six guns and forty men, 
and although considerably injured by her engagement with the cutter the 
day previous, the privateer commenced a heavy fire on the Falcon, which 
she bravely returned for an hour and a half, when the captain and several 
of the crew of the Falcon being wounded, she was carried by boarding while 
her colors were still flying.

On the 26th of July the first English vessel arrived at Baltimore a prize 
to the privateer Dolphin; she was loaded with sugar, and her cargo was 
valued at $18,000. In August the British schooner Fanny, from St. Croix 
for St. Andrews, in ballast, was sent into Baltimore by the Dolphin; 
valued at $18,000. Ship Braganza, from Port-au-Prince for London, mounting 
twelve guns, burthen four hundred tons, deeply laden with coffee and 
logwood, was captured and sent into Baltimore by the Tom of this port, 
aider a running fight of fifty-five minutes. Brig William, from Bristol, 
England, for St. Johns, with a cargo of coal, butter and sundries, was 
sent into Boston by the Rossie, Commodore Barney, of Baltimore. One ship, 
five brigs, and a schooner, all laden with fish and timber, captured by 
the Rossie and burned. Ship Jennie, twelve guns and eighteen men, from 
Liverpool for St. Johns, with salt, was sent into Salem by the Rossie. One 
brig and a schooner, captured by the Rossie, and sent to Newfoundland with 
the crews of the above vessels, one hundred and eight in number, on parole 
and receipt for exchange. Commodore Barney sent his compliments to Admiral 
Sawyer, desiring the poor fellows might be fairly treated, and promising a 
larger supply very soon. Schooner Perseverance, from St. Augustine for 
Nassau, in ballast, was sent into Charleston by the Nonsuch of Baltimore. 
Ship Sir Simon Clark, sixteen guns, thirty-nine men, from Jamaica for 
Leith, with a cargo of sugar, rum, coffee, etc., worth from $100,000 to 
$150,000,

Page 356

was sent into Norfolk by the Globe of Baltimore. She was gallantly carried 
by boarding, after a brisk cannonade of a few minutes. The British ship 
had four men killed, with the captain and three others severely wounded. 
The second lieutenant and drummer were killed on board the Globe, and one 
wounded. Privateer Globe brought into Hampton Roads a very large British 
ship, showing twenty-two guns. She was from Jamaica, bound for Glasgow, 
and richly laden. The ship came up the bay, and the Globe proceeded again 
to sea as quickly as possible. The schooner Ann, another prize to the 
Globe, carrying four guns, laden with logwood and mahogany, arrived at 
Baltimore. It is stated that several of the crews of these prizes entered 
as seamen on board of the Globe.

Extracts from the log-book of the schooner Highflyer of Baltimore: "On the 
26th July, off the Double-headed Shot Keys, at half-past four P. M., 
discovered a sail standing north and west; gave chase. At seven P. M. came 
up with and boarded the schooner Harriet, in ballast from New Providence, 
bound to Havana. She carried three black men and one boy, two gentlemen 
and one lady passengers. Put on board Captain Taylor as prize-master, and 
ordered her for the first port in the united States. The next day the 
captain of the Harriet informed Capt. Gavet that there was money concealed 
on board. We boarded her and found $8000 in specie. On the 21st, brought 
to and boarded the British ship Diana, Captain Harvey, one of the Jamaica 
fleet bound to Bristol, burthen 353 tons, laden with rum, sugar, coffee, 
etc. Took out her crew, sent a prize-master and ten men on board, and 
ordered her for the first port in the United States. At the same time two 
other sail in sight. At six A. M. bore down on them, fired three or four 
shots at them, which were returned by both ships. 22d, at two P. M., 
engaged the two ships at half-gun shot, and after firing on them upwards 
of sixty shots, the breeze blowing fresh, not thinking it safe to board 
them, at four P. M. hauled off. Next day, at four P. M., wind moderating, 
bore down and engaged the sternmost ship, called the Jamaica of Liverpool, 
Captain Neil, of seven guns, twenty-one men, 365 tons, in company with the 
ship Mary and Ann of London, Captain Miller, mounting twelve guns, 
eighteen men, and 329 tons burden. When within musket shot we commenced a 
brisk fire from our great guns and musketry, which was returned with great 
courage and resolution from both ships. The engagement lasted twenty 
minutes, when we boarded and carried the jamaica, the Mary and Ann 
striking her colors at the same time. Manned both ships, put Mr. Brown 
(prize-master) and eight men on board the Mary and Ann, and Mr. Grant and 
fourteen men on board the Jamaica, and ordered them for the first port in 
the United States. Both ships were richly laden with sugar, rum, coffee, 
logwood, &c. Several of their seamen and ours were wounded, but none 
killed. The prizes arrived safely."

Page 357

Extracts from the journal of the privateer Globe of Baltimore: "July 31st 
saw a sail, to which we gave chase, and in about three hours were within 
gun-shot, when we commenced firing. She hoisted British colors, and 
returned fire with her stern-chasers--two long nines--which was continued 
for about forty minutes against our long nine (midships), that being the 
only gun we could get to bear, as it was blowing fresh and she crowded all 
sail. When we got close enough we began to fire broadsides (charged with 
round shot double-shotted, and then with langrage and round) which she 
returned, broadside for broadside. When we got within musket-shot and 
fired several volleys into her she struck, after a brisk engagement of an 
hour and a half. She proved to be the English letter-of-marque ship Boyd, 
from New Providence for Liverpool, laden with coffee, dye-woods and 
cotton, mounting ten guns, viz., two long nines, two short twelves, and 
six long sixes. Put a prize-master and eight men on board, and ordered her 
to Baltimore. Arrived at Philadelphia. On the 14th of August saw a sail 
ahead, to which we gave chase, and captured without resistance. She proved 
to be the British schooner Ann, from the city of St. Domingo for Guernsey, 
laden with mahogany and logwood, mounts four guns, and carries nine men 
(arrived)."

In August the ship Elizabeth, ten guns, twelve pounders, from Jamaica for 
England, laden with 323 hogsheads of sugar, some tierces and barrels of 
do., with a quantity of coffee and ginger, &c., was sent into Charleston 
by the Sarah Ann, of Baltimore, after a smart action, in which four men 
were wounded on board of the ship, and two on board of the privateer. 
Schooner James, from Porto Rico for Martinique, in ballast, was sent into 
Baltimore by the Dolphin, of this port. The Dolphin also destroyed several 
droggers. Schooner Minorca, from Jamaica, for Cuba, was sent into Savannah 
by the Wasp of Baltimore.

On the 30th of August, Commodore Barney arrived at Newport, in his 
schooner Rossie, from a short but successful cruise of forty-five days, 
along the eastern coast of the United States. During his absence he 
captured fifteen vessels, nine of the number he burned or sunk. The 
vessels captured amounted to about 2,914 tons, and were manned by 166 men. 
The estimated value of these vessels was $1,289,000. Commodore Barney 
remained in this port about eight or ten days to water, provision, and 
refresh the crew of his privateer, for another cruise.

Ship Hopewell, fourteen guns, twenty-five men, from Surinam for London, 
burthen upwards of 400 tons, laden with 710 hhds. of sugar, 54 hhds. of 
molasses, 111 bales of cotton, 260 bags and casks of coffee and cocoa, 
captured by the Comet of Baltimore, was sent into this port after an 
obstinate engagement, in which one man was killed and six wounded on board 
of the ship; two of the privateer's men were wounded. The Hopewell was 
worth $150,000. Ship Kitty, captured by the Rossie of Baltimore and sent 
into an

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eastern port. Ship Mary Ann, from Jamaica, for London, a very valuable 
vessel, carrying twelve guns and eighteen men, deeply laden with sugar, 
&c., was sent into Charleston by the Highflyer of Baltimore. Sent into 
Baltimore the first-class British ship Henry, 400 tons burthen, coppered 
to the bends, mounting four twelve pounders and six six pounders, bound 
from St. Croix for London. She was captured by the privateer Comet, 
Captain Boyle, of Baltimore. The Henry's cargo consisted of 700 hogsheads 
of sugar and thirteen pipes of old madeira wine; this vessel and cargo 
produced a clear profit to the captors of more than $100,000. Schooner 
Hussar, sent into Savannah by the Liberty of Baltimore, laden with turtle, 
&c., supposed as presents for Admiral Warren and his officers. Three 
vessels captured by the Dolphin of Baltimore, and burned. Ship John, 
fourteen guns, thirty-five men, four hundred tons burthen, from Demerara 
for Liverpool, laden with 742 bales of cotton, 230 hogsheads of sugar, 100 
puncheons of rum, 50 casks and 300 bags of coffee, with a large quantity 
of old copper and dye-wood, worth at least $150,000, was sent into 
Baltimore by the Comet of this port. Privateer schooner Frances, of 
Nassau, N. P., four guns and thirty men, a fine, fast sailing vessel, was 
sent into Baltimore by the Dolphin, of the same port. Brig Point Shares, 
from St. Johns, New Brunswick, for Barbadoes, was captured by the letter-
of-marque schooner Baltimore, of Baltimore, on her voyage to France, and 
sent into port. The brig was laden with fish. Schooner Fame, from Trinidad 
for Cayenne, laden with dry-goods, oil, &c., was sent into Savannah by the 
Nonsuch of Baltimore. Schooner Dawson, captured off the Island of Jamaica, 
laden with sugar, rum, and coffee, was sent into Savannah by the Wasp of 
Baltimore.

The gallant Commodore Barney returned home to Baltimore in his privateer 
schooner Rossie on the 10th of November, from a successful cruise, and we 
herewith extract from his journal: "July 22d--Seized the brig Nymph, of 
Newburyport, for breach of the non-importation law. July 23d--Was chased 
by a frigate, fired twenty-five shots at us, outsailed her. July 30th--
Chased by a frigate, outsailed her. July 31st--Took and burned the ship 
Princess Royal. August 1st--Took and manned the ship Kitty. August 2d--
Took and burnt the following: brig Fame, brig Devonshire, schooner Squid, 
and took the brig Brothers, put on board of her sixty prisoners and sent 
her to St. Johns, to be exchanged for as many Americans. August 3d--Took 
and sunk the brig Henry, and schooner Race Horse; burned schooner Halifax, 
manned the brig William, and gave the schooner Two Brothers forty 
prisoners, and sent them to St. Johns on parole. August 9th--Took the ship 
Jenny after a short action; she mounted twelve guns; sent her to the 
United States (arrived). August 10th--Seized the brig Rebecca, of Saco, 
from London, for a breach of the non-importation law (arrived). August 
28th--Seized the ship Euphrates, of New

Page 359

Bedford, for breach of the non-importation law (arrived). September 9th--
Chased by three ships of war, which did not continue long, for we 
outsailed them without difficulty. September 12th--Chased by a frigate six 
hours; outsailed her." On the 16th of September, Com. Barney fell in with 
his Britannic Majesty's packet ship Princess Amelia, when a severe action 
commenced between the two vessels at close quarters. It lasted nearly an 
hour; and during the greatest part of the time within pistol-shot 
distance. Com. Barney's first lieut., Mr. Long, and six of his crew were 
wounded. The Rossie suffered considerably in her rigging and sails, but 
nothing in her hull. The loss of the Princess Amelia was her captain, 
sailing-master, and one man killed, the master's mate and six seamen 
wounded. The packet was terribly cut to pieces in her hull, sails, and 
rigging. "October 8th--Took (in company with the Globe) the schooner 
Jubilee, and sent her into port. October 22d--Seized the ship Merrimack, 
for a breach of the non-importation act. The result is 3,698 tons of 
shipping, valued at upwards of $1,500,000, and 217 prisoners."

On the 28th of September the privateer Nonsuch, of Baltimore, Captain 
Levely, carrying twelve twelve-pound carronades, and between eighty and 
ninety men, fell in with a ship and a schooner under British colors off 
Martinique--the ship carrying sixteen eighteen-pound carronades, and two 
hundred men, including soldiers; and the schooner six four-pounders, and 
sixty men. "When within reach of the ship she gave us a broadside. We bore 
down upon her and hoisted American colors, and returned ten broadsides, 
accompanied each time with a heavy volley of musketry, the ship and 
schooner keeping up a heavy fire upon us with their great guns and 
musketry. The engagement lasted three hours and twenty minutes, when the 
bolts and breachings of our guns fore and aft were carried away both 
sides. We could then only use our musketry, or we should certainly have 
captured them both. We dismounted several of the ship's guns, and damaged 
her very much in her hull and rigging. From the confusion which appeared 
on board, we judge that we must have killed and wounded a considerable 
number of men; she bore away for Martinico; we being much crippled in our 
sails and rigging could not pursue her. The Nonsuch lost during the action 
one officer killed (Mr. Wilkinson) and three seamen (Samuel Christian, 
Lewis Riley, and David McCarthy), they had also six seamen wounded. The 
British lost seven killed and sixteen wounded."

Brig Francis, from St. Johns, Porto Rico, for Martinique, laden with 
bullocks, was sent into Charleston by the Nonsuch, of Baltimore. Brig 
Porgie, from Antigua, laden with rum and molasses, was sent into Norfolk 
by the Highflyer, of Baltimore, on her second cruise. Ship John Hamilton, 
550 tons, mounting ten guns, twelve-pounders, and thirty men, from 
Honduras for London, laden with 700 tons of mahogany, was sent into 
Baltimore by the Dolphin

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privateer of this port, after a smart action, but without loss of a single 
life on either side, though several were wounded--a fine prize. Packet 
Townsend, from Falmouth, (England), for Barbadoes, heavily armed, was 
captured by the Tom of Baltimore, after a severe engagement, in which the 
captain of the Townsend and four of her men were killed and several 
wounded. The Tom was but little injured, and had only two men wounded. The 
mail was thrown overboard, but recovered by the Bona, and brought to 
Baltimore a few days after. Brig Burchall, a packet from Barbadoes for 
Demerara, with an English commissary and his lady on board, was captured 
by the Highflyer of Baltimore, and sent into this port. The Highflyer also 
captured a number of droggers (coasting vessels), plying between the 
islands of the West Indies; she released one of them with the commissary 
and seventy-two prisoners, and sent her as a flag of truce into Demerara. 
The Governor (Carmichael) returned a complimentary letter to her captain 
for his kind treatment to them. Brig Active of ten guns, and very 
valuable, was sent into Charleston, S. C., by the Highflyer of Baltimore. 
Ship Betsey, guns, for Glasgow, supposed to have a quantity of specie on 
board, was sent into Wilmington, N. C., by the Revenge of Baltimore. 
Schooner--laden with dry-goods, &c., from Jamaica for the Spanish Main, 
very valuable, was sent into Savannah by the Liberty of Baltimore. The 
prize carried two guns, and had thirty men; the privateer had only one gun 
and forty men. The prize was worth $60,000. Schooner Swift of Plymouth, 
(England), from St. Michaels, was taken by the Rolls of Baltimore, and 
burnt. In a severe gale of wind, Captain Dewley was compelled to throw 
overboard all his guns but one, but the crew, sixty in number, determined 
to continue the cruise.

Near Madeira, from the 12th to the 15th of December, without the loss of 
one man, the Rolla captured, manned, and ordered for the first port, the 
following immensely valuable vessels, being a part of the Cork fleet:--
Ship Mary, fourteen guns, of Bristol, laden with hardware, crates, &c. 
Ship Eliza, of ten guns, of Bristol, laden with 20,000 bushels of wheat. 
Ship Rio Nouva, eighteen guns, of London, laden with dry goods. Ship 
Apollo, ten guns, deeply laden with king's stores. Brig Boroso, six guns, 
of Cork, laden with dry goods, beef, and candles. Schooner--, of Aberdeen, 
given up to discharge the prisoners. Grand total, seven vessels, fifty-
eight cannon, 150 prisoners, and property worth between two and three 
millions of dollars.

Sloop Reasonable, from Porto Rico for Martinique, was chased on shore on 
the north-east end of the former by the Liberty of Baltimore, and 
destroyed. Schooner Maria, from Jamaica for the Bay of Honduras, in 
ballast, was taken by the Liberty of Baltimore, and ransomed. While Capt. 
John Murphy, in the privateer Globe of Baltimore, was cruising off the 
coast of Portugal, he fell in with

Page 361

an Algerine sloop-of-war, when a severe engagement ensued between them. 
Although the action was continued for a period of three hours at half 
gunshot distance, it is strange to relate that the Globe lost not a man, 
and had but two wounded. The shot of the Algerine almost invariably passed 
over her adversary, the Globe having received no less than eighty-two 
shots through her sails. How much the sloop-of-war suffered was not 
ascertained, but from all appearances she must have been terribly hulled 
and cut to pieces. The Globe hauled off to repair damages, and the 
Algerine was unwilling to renew the conflict, so that both parties 
probably esteemed it a drawn battle, and accordingly separated.

1813. Port of New York, April 24th.--Arrived, letter-of-marque schooner 
Ned, Captain Dawson of Baltimore, forty-two days from La Teste (through 
Long Island Sound.) In lat. 44° 54' N.,long. 15° W., fell in with the 
English letter-of-marque brig Malvina, of Aberdeen, mounting 10 guns--six 
and nine-pounders; and after a close action of fifty-two minutes, 
succeeded in capturing her. The captain of the Malvina was killed; the Ned 
had seven men badly wounded. Put Capt. Penderson as prize-master, and a 
crew on board of her, and ordered her into an American port. On the 18th 
inst., the Ned was chased off the Chesapeake by a seventy-four and a 
frigate; on the 19th was chased off the Delaware; on the 20th, was chased 
off Sandy Hook; and on the 21st, got in at the east end of Long Island, 
through four or five ships-of-war. Schooner Farmer, of Nassau, N. P., 
laden with cotton, captured by the Sparrow, of Baltimore, but given up. 
Schooner Pearl, from Curacoa to St. Croix, with a cargo of corn meal, was 
sent into Savannah by the Liberty of Baltimore. Sloop--, a British 
privateer of--guns, was captured by the Liberty and divested of her 
armament and valuable articles, and then given up for want of room for the 
prisoners. Brig--, from Lisbon to London, with a cargo of cotton, was 
taken by the letter-of-marque schooner Sabine, of Baltimore, on her way to 
France, and burnt. Brig Kingston Packet, with a valuable cargo of rum, 
&c., was brought into Ocracock, North Carolina, by the Globe of Balto. 
Ship Loyal Sam, 10 guns, from Nassau, N. P., for England, was captured by 
the letter-of-marque schooner Siro, of Balto., on her passage from France, 
and ordered to a southern port. The Loyal Sam had $23,500 in specie on 
board, and a quantity of indigo which came safe to Portland, where the 
Siro arrived soon after.

Ship Venus, fourteen guns, from Cadiz for Newfoundland, with a full cargo 
of salt, was sent into Beaufort, S. C., by the Globe, of Baltimore. 
Brigadier-General Prevost, from Halifax for Demerara, was captured by the 
Rolla, of Baltimore, and sent into New Orleans. Schooner Elizabeth, from 
Lisbon for London, was captured by the Globe of Baltimore and burnt. Ship 
Pelham, from Lisbon for Figaro, laden with rum, was captured by the Globe 
and burnt. The Globe captured at this time and ordered into port several

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valuable vessels. Bark--, captured and burnt by the Dolphin, of Baltimore, 
on her second cruise. Armed schooner Dorcas, taken by the Liberty, of 
Baltimore, divested of her dry-goods, &c., and released.

The letter-of-marque schooner Lottery of Baltimore, with six guns and 
thirty-five men, on the 15th of February, 1813, while at anchor in 
Chesapeake bay (being outward bound), was captured by nine British barges 
containing 240 men, after fighting them off for an hour and a half; it was 
supposed that more Englishmen were killed and wounded than the whole crew 
of the letter-of-marque. Captain Southcomb, of the Lottery, being badly 
wounded, the enemy boarded the schooner and pulled down the colors 
themselves.

Captain W. S. Stafford, of the privateer Dolphin, of Baltimore, had been 
for some days cruising off the coasts of Spain and Portugal, and when off 
Cape St. Vincent on the 25th of January. 1813, he fell in with a large 
ship and a brig and gallantly engaged them both. The combat was sustained 
with considerable spirit until the captain of the Hebe and eight men were 
wounded; they both struck their colors, and were manned for the United 
States. The privateer lost four men in this gallant affair. The force of 
the Dolphin was ten guns and sixty men. The Hebe carried sixteen guns and 
forty men, the brig ten guns and twenty-five men; making together twenty-
six guns and sixty-five men. They were both richly laden, and were very 
valuable prizes. The Dolphin then proceeded homeward. She passed through 
the British squadron in Chesapeake Bay, and arrived safe at Baltimore on 
the 15th of February, after a very fortunate cruise.

On the 14th of January, Captain Boyle, in the privateer schooner Comet, 
when off the coast of Pernambuco, discovered four sail standing out of the 
harbor. They proved to be three English vessels, consisting of a ship of 
fourteen guns and two brigs of ten guns, under convoy of a Portuguese 
brig, national vessel, mounting twenty 32's and 165 men, making in all a 
force of fifty-four guns. After a desperate conflict the Comet compelled 
the British vessels to surrender. Soon after the fight and capture of the 
three British vessels, the gallant Boyle fell in with and captured the 
Scotch ship Adelphi, belonging to Aberdeen. She was from Liverpool bound 
for Bahia, of 361 tons, mounting eight long twelve-pounders, laden with 
salt and dry-goods. The Comet was subsequently chased by the famous 
British frigate Surprise, which she easily outsailed, and continued on her 
cruise down among the West India Islands. On the 6th of February fell in 
with two brigs, and after a short chase captured them. One proved to be 
the Alexis, of Greenock, from Demerara, loaded with sugar, rum, cotton and 
coffee, mounting ten guns; the other was the Dominica packet, of 
Liverpool, from Demerara bound for St. Thomas, laden with rum, sugar, 
cotton and coffee, mounting ten guns. A short time after Captain Boyle was 
chased by the man-of-war brig Swaggerer,

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which he outsailed with ease, and captured the schooner Jane from Demerara 
for St. Thomas, loaded with rum, sugar and coffee. Soon after the capture 
of these prizes Captain Boyle returned home, and arrived safe in Baltimore 
on the 17th of March, passing through the British blockading squadron, 
bidding defiance to their vigilance and numbers.

The schooner Louisa, of 202 tons, one gun, and 26 men, from St. Vincents 
for St. Johns, was captured and sent into Newport by the letter-of-marque 
schooner Enterprise of Baltimore, having on board 100 hogsheads of rum and 
30 barrels of sugar. Brig--from New-foundland, laden with fish, was sent 
into Bordeaux by the letter-of-marque schooner Pilot, of Baltimore. The 
Pilot also captured the schooner Lily, from Port-au-Prince, for London, 
but given her up after taking out some sugars, &c. The brig Mary Ann, from 
St. Lucie for St. Johns, N. B., laden with 180 puncheons of rum and 147 
hogsheads of molasses, was captured by the same and ransomed for $4,000. 
Brig--from Lisbon for London, laden with wool, rice, and cotton, was 
captured and burnt by the letter-of-marque schooner Grampus, of Baltimore, 
on her passage from France.

Thirteen merchant vessels were captured on the coast of Spain by the Leo 
of Baltimore, and burnt. The schooner Sparrow, of Baltimore from New 
Orleans, bound to New York laden with sugar and lead, was chased on shore 
near Long Branch, where the enemy took possession of her, but were driven 
off by the militia from off shore. The cargo was saved, the vessel bilged.

Captain W. S. Stafford, famous for his defence of the Dolphin privateer in 
the Chesapeake the summer before, was attacked close in with Charleston 
bar, on the 27th of November, by five boats from a British brig-of-war. 
When close upon him, he tore one of the boats to pieces with grape-shot, 
and gave the rest employment in saving their comrades. The valuable ship 
Manly, four guns, laden with wine, oil, &c., from Halifax, for the West 
Indies, was sent into Charleston, S. C., by the Revenge of Baltimore. A 
brig laden with sugar and molasses, captured by the Caroline, of 
Baltimore, was recaptured by the British off Charleston. The Lion 
privateer, of Baltimore, arrived at L'Orient in France, with about $400,
000 on board, after having destroyed fifteen or twenty English vessels off 
the coasts of Spain and Portugal. The schooner Messenger, from the West 
Indies, laden with rum and molasses, was sent into Wilmington, N. C., by 
the Comet, of Baltimore. The schooner Grampus, of Baltimore, whilst 
cruising among the Canary Islands, captured the British brig Speculation, 
from Lanzarote, bound to London; she proved to be worthless and was given 
up to the prisoners. Soon after Captain Murphy gave up his prize, a 
British sloop-of-war hove in sight, and was so well disguised as a 
merchantman, that Capt. Murphy was decoyed quite under her guns before he 
discovered his mistake. He was taken by surprise when the man-of-war 
opened her ports and gave the Grampus a terrible broadside

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from her main deck battery, when within half pistol-shot distance. Captain 
Murphy was killed, and several of the crew killed and wounded. The Grampus 
suffered greatly in her sails and rigging, but by the greatest exertions 
escaped.

Schooner--, laden with sugar, coffee, &c., was sent into Sunbury by the 
Patapsco letter-of-marque, of Baltimore. On the 3d of November, the 
privateer schooner Globe, of Baltimore, Captain Richard Moon, had a 
desperate engagement with two English packets at half pistol-shot 
distance. The largest brig mounted eighteen guns, and the other sixteen 
twelve-pounders. The former surrendered, but owing to the disabled 
condition of the Globe managed to get away. The loss of the Globe was 
eight killed and fifteen wounded. The force of the Globe was a "long tom" 
amidships, and eight twelve-pound carronades, with a complement of ninety 
men, including officers and marines. The enemy it was supposed lost 27 men 
killed and wounded, besides being terribly cut up in their hulls, sails 
and rigging.

Brig Criterion, a traitor vessel, laden with 80 hogsheads of rum, was 
captured by the Caroline, of Baltimore, and sent into Stonington, Conn. 
The Vigilant, a tender to the Admiral of the Windward Island station, was 
captured by the Comet, of Baltimore, and sent into Wilmington, N. C. 
Schooner.--, laden with sugar and coffee, was sent into Savannah by the 
Patapsco, of Baltimore. Nine vessels were captured by the Comet, of 
Baltimore, divested of their valuable articles and sunk. She also captured 
and manned four prizes and sent them to the United States. She had a 
terrible battle with the ship Hibernia, of 800 tons, 22 guns, and a large 
complement of men, but was beaten off. The fight lasted about eight hours. 
The privateer had three men killed and sixteen wounded; the ship had eight 
killed and thirteen wounded. The Comet also captured another British 
vessel, which being short of provisions, put into Porto Rico for a supply; 
was given up by the Government to the English claimant. The Comet in this 
cruise captured nineteen prizes. The Chasseur at this time made six 
prizes. Ship --, laden with dry-goods, &c., was captured by the letter-of-
marque schooner Delisle of Baltimore, on her passage from Bordeaux to New 
Orleans, and sunk.

The Tuckahoe letter-of-marque of Baltimore captured the schooner Sea-
Flower on her passage to Aux Coyes, and burned also the schooner Hazard, 
from Nassau to St. Domingo. The Tuckahoe also captured another English 
vessel (whose name is not given), which prize she manned and sent into 
port. The Tuckahoe narrowly escaped capture off the east end of Long 
Island, having been chased for several days by sundry English frigates and 
brigs-of-war. She, however, by superior sailing and good management eluded 
their grasp, and got safe into Boston in March, 1814.

1814. The privateer Caroline, of Baltimore, captured the English brig 
Elizabeth, for Kingston, (Jamaica), and sent her into

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Charleston. Schooner -- with dry-goods and other valuable articles was 
captured by the Kemp, of Baltimore, and carried into Cape Francois, where 
the prize and her cargo were disposed of. Fifteen vessels were captured by 
the Comet of Baltimore, in the West Indies, were divested of their 
valuable articles and destroyed, excepting two which were sent into North 
Carolina. The Kemp, of Baltimore, captured on the third day after she left 
the Chesapeake the brag Louisa, laden with oil and fish, and sent her into 
Elizabeth City, Va. Ship Hebe from Halifax for Bermuda, with coal, lumber, 
&c., was captured by the Surprise of Baltimore, and sent into a southern 
port. Brig Ceres, in ballast, was captured in the Bay of Biscay, by the 
Grampus of Baltimore, on her way home and burnt.

The letter-of-marque Sire of Baltimore, bound to France, was. captured by 
the English and sent into Plymouth, England. The privateer York, of 
Baltimore, when off the coast of Nova Scotia, on the 18th of April, had a 
severe engagement with the British transport ship Lord Somers. During the 
action, Captain Staples, of the York, and five of his men were killed, and 
twelve wounded. In this disabled condition, the privateer was obliged to 
haul off and give up the contest.

Brig -- from Lisbon for Passage, with provisions for the English troops, 
was captured and destroyed by the Expedition of Baltimore. The very 
valuable schooner Adeline was captured by a British frigate, but 
recaptured by the Expedition. The Chasseur of Baltimore captured the 
schooner Miranda, sloop Martha, and several other vessels, which were 
destroyed, &c. One of them had on board a quantity of money in gold. Brig 
Experience from Jamaica was captured by the Caroline of Baltimore, but 
lost on the Island of Cuba. Schooner -- laden with rum, cocoa, &c., was 
sent into the Delaware, by the Perry of Baltimore. Schooner Francis, with 
bullocks for the British army, was captured off the French coast by the 
letter-of-marque schooner Midas of Baltimore, on her passage home and 
burnt. Brig Bellona, laden with madeira wine and fruit, was captured by 
the Globe of Baltimore. Schooner Diligence, from Halifax, was captured by 
the York of Baltimore, and destroyed. Ship Bonita captured by the Delisle 
of Baltimore, and destroyed. Brig Robert, with fish and lumber, from St. 
Johns for Jamaica, was captured by the Zebee Ulter of Baltimore, and sent 
into Charleston. Brig Swift, four guns, and eighteen men, bound for 
Halifax, captured by the same. Brig Lord Nelson of Belfast captured by the 
same. Schooner Nancy and two others captured and burnt. Schooner -- in 
ballast, by the same, given up to prisoners. Privateer schooner Amnesty, 
one gun, twenty-four men, captured by the same and burnt. Besides the 
before-mentioned vessels, two other small vessels were taken by the same 
and burnt. The Zebec also made prizes of five or six other British 
vessels, which were permitted to proceed. A brig of fourteen

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guns was manned and ordered for France, and two others were sent to the 
United States.

Brig Camelion, from the West Indies, laden with rum and molasses, was sent 
into port by the Mammoth of Baltimore. Two vessels captured by the 
Caroline of Baltimore, were destroyed. She captured three other vessels 
which were manned and sent into port. Brig Kutozoff of six guns, from 
Laguayra, laden with coffee, cocoa, and hides, was captured after a severe 
action, and carried by boarding; was sent into Frankfort, Maine, by the 
Surprise of Baltimore. She was worth $50,000. British ship Joanna, of 
Malta, from Constantinople for Lisbon, with a cargo of wheat and barley, 
worth $30,000, was captured by the Chasseur of Baltimore, and sunk. The 
Chasseur captured several other valuable vessels on the same cruise. 
Schooner Hope from St. Johns, with fish, was sent in by the Pike of 
Baltimore; also the ship Mermaid was sent in by same. Ship Commerce, with 
supplies for the British army, was captured by the Lawrence of Baltimore 
and sent to Portland, Maine. Brig Melpomene of six guns, was sent in by 
the Chasseur of Baltimore. The Chasseur also captured and sent in an 
elegant London packet ship, twelve guns, laden with 400 pipes of brandy 
and wine.

Brig Liddelle from Liverpool, with salt, was captured by the Amelia of 
Baltimore, and made a cartel of. Brig Jessie, of six guns, from London, 
captured by same and burnt. Schooner Ann captured by same, and sent as a 
cartel to Halifax. The Amelia arrived at New York after a cruise of 85 
days, during which time she had taken 1400 tons of shipping, with property 
valued at $1,000,000. She also made 80 prisoners. Schooner Octavia was 
sent into a southern port by the Harrison of Baltimore. The private armed 
schooner Perry, of Baltimore, was out ninety days on a cruise, during 
which time she captured 22 British vessels, 18 of which she destroyed and 
sent 4 to the United States. July 23d.--The privateer Surprise of 
Baltimore arrived at Newport, R. I., from a cruise of 103 days, a part of 
which time she was in the British and Irish channels and near the Western 
isles. She was chased 16 times, and made in all 13 prizes, some of which 
arrived safe; several others were burnt.

The Zebec Ulter of Baltimore, in passing through Long Island Sound, was 
attacked by two British boats: she captured one with eight men, the other 
made her escape. The commander of the barge was killed. The British brig 
Astrea, with 10 guns and 20 men, laden with fish, was taken by the Midas 
of Balto., and sent into Savannah. The Midas also captured a small English 
schooner privateer, called the Dash, with a crew of 40 men and several 
guns. She also captured 3 coasting-vessels laden with 700 bales of cotton. 
Schooner Union, with fish, &c., was sent into port by the Amelia of 
Baltimore. Sloop Friendship, with dry goods and $7000 in specie, was 
captured by the Revenge and destroyed. Schooner Alert captured by the same 
and destroyed. Schooner Mary Ann

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taken by the same and given to prisoners. Sloop Active captured by the 
Fairy of Baltimore and burnt. Schooner Rambler, with dry goods, sent into 
Wilmington, N. C., by the Perry of Baltimore. Schooner Fox, captured off 
the Irish coast by the Surprise of Baltimore, was made a cartel of, to 
dispose of her prisoners. Brig James and David in ballast, captured by the 
same. Brig Fidelity taken by the same and burnt.

On the 18th of June the privateers Grampus, Patapsco of Baltimore, and the 
schooner Dash of Boston, were all chased by Capt. Chapen in the La Hogue, 
seventy-four, in Boston Bay, but all escaped. Brig Fortitude from Rio 
Janeiro, with a full cargo of hides, coffee, dye-wood, &c., was sent into 
Maine by the Surprise of Baltimore. Ship Pizarro from Liverpool, with dry 
goods, &c., was sent into Savannah by the Midas of Baltimore; also brig 
Esperanza by the same; brig Elsinore sent into port by the same.

The privateer Harrison of Baltimore captured the following vessels: ship 
Julia, brig Mary Ann, schooner John Duncan, -- Louisa. After removing from 
the prizes goods to the amount of $100,000, they were destroyed. 
Schooner --, with a large amount of specie on board, was captured by the 
same and sent to the United States.

Brig Betsy was sent into Boston by the York of Baltimore. Ship Alfred sent 
into port by the Harpy of Baltimore. Ship Antonia, under Russian colors, 
sent in by same. Two brigs in ballast captured by same and burnt.

In September the Harpy fell in with the British packet Princess Elizabeth, 
and after a warm but short action the packet surrendered. She had three 
men killed and several wounded. The Princess Elizabeth was armed with 10 
guns and 38 men. She had on board as passengers a Turkish Ambassador for 
England, and an English officer, aide to a British General, and a second 
lieutenant of a "74." The privateer divested the packet of $10,000 in 
specie, five pipes of Madeira wine, and her armament, and ransomed the 
vessel for $2000, and then allowed her to proceed on her course to England.

East India Company's ship Countess of Harcourt, 520 tons, 6 heavy guns and 
90 men, outward bound, laden with dry goods, brandy, rum, &c., separated 
from the fleet in a gale, was captured in the British Channel by the 
Sabine of Baltimore and sent into port. This was a very valuable prize to 
her captors. His Majesty's packet, the cutter Landraile, -- guns, 33 men, 
was captured after a hard battle in the British Channel, by the Syren of 
Baltimore. Two brigs were also captured by the same, one burnt, the other 
released. Brig Betsy and Mary captured by the Kemp of Baltimore and burnt. 
Ship Calypso, with $3000 in specie, by the same. Brig New Frederick 
captured by same.

His Majesty's transport brig Doris, captured by the Grampus of Baltimore, 
was sent into Marblehead. The Doris was from

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Senegal bound to Portsmouth, England, and had on board 30 or 40 soldiers, 
also two elegant horses, one hyena, two jackals, &c., presents for the 
Prince Regent.

The Mammoth, off the coast of Newfoundland, had an action with an English 
transport ship with three or four hundred troops on board. She hauled off 
and continued on her cruise. The York of Baltimore arrived at Boston, 
filled with the richest spoils of several vessels; among them the East 
India ship Coromandel, of 500 tons. The privateer Surprise of Baltimore 
arrived at Salem, after a fortunate cruise of one month, during which time 
she captured twenty British vessels, some very valuable. British brig Pike 
captured by the privateer Pike of Baltimore, and burnt. Schooner -- 
captured by the same, and made cartel of. Schooner Industrious Bee 
captured by the same and burnt. Schooners Venus, Lord Nelson, and brigs 
Jane, Orient, were also captured by the Pike. She also captured several 
other vessels, which were released or made cartels of. The Pike was 
finally chased ashore on the Southern coast, and taken possession of by 
some of the enemy's boats. A part of the crew, however, escaped; the 
remainder, forty-three in number, were made prisoners. She paroled 250 
prisoners during her cruise.

The ship Samuel Cummings, 400 tons, laden with sugar and coffee, was taken 
by the Pike, but was wrecked on the Southern coast. Brig Endeavor, a 
transport vessel, was taken by the Surprise of Baltimore, and destroyed on 
Rockaway beach, near New York, by the British men-of-war.

Cutter Jubilee, from Teneriffe, with wine, captured by the Whig of 
Baltimore and made a cartel of. Schooner Alexandria, in ballast, captured 
by the same and burnt. Also captured British brigs Irish Minor, Princess 
Mary, Eliza, and ships Esperance, London, and Postethwell. The Whig made 
several other prizes on this cruise, and arrived at New York with some 
goods and twenty-three prisoners. She also made some prizes in company 
with the David Porter of Boston.

Brig Fire-Fly, from Smyrna for London, with a full cargo of drugs, wines 
and silks, was brought into Wilmington, N. C., by the Sabine of Baltimore. 
She took goods to the amount of $100,000. Brig Mary and Eliza was captured 
by the Argo of Baltimore, and burnt. Brig Argo of Dublin was captured by 
the Surprise of Baltimore. Brig --, laden with rum and molasses, captured 
by the Grampus of Baltimore. The Mammoth captured the sloop Farmer, and 
brigs Britannia, Ceres, and three other brigs in ballast. The privateer 
York of Baltimore captured the following vessels, viz: British brigs 
Harvest, William, ten guns and fourteen men, Rover and sloop Regulator, 
all of which had valuable cargoes. The privateer Leo of Baltimore captured 
several vessels at sea, and was finally captured herself whilst in 
distress off the coast of Spain by a British frigate.