Shortly after getting clear of the bay, one of the sentinels, (although repeatedly cautioned against putting his finger on the trigger) fired a pistol, the contents of which passed through my left heel a little below the ancle bone. As soon as the men on deck heard the report, they immediately pointed their muskets down the sky-light and were in the act of firing, but were prevented by the sentinel, who told them that the pistol was accidentally discharged. At nine o'clock, the night dark, and the wind blowing fresh, after receiving (by request) from the mutineers a barrel of powder and three old muskets, I was put into a leaky boat, in which I found my unfortunate companions, and the only two Americans that were in the ship at the time the mutiny took place, the others being employed on board the Greenwich, and on shore, in putting the arms in order, baking bread, and doing other work which required the most trusty. In this situation, after rowing at least six miles, and every person exhausted from the great exertions made to keep the boat from sinking, we reached the Greenwich, where I found the few remaining men anxiously looking out for me, and seriously alarmed at the conduct of the savages, who had already begun to plunder the encampment, and been informed by Wilson, (a man who had lived among them for several years, and who, as I afterwards learned, was not only instrumental in promoting the mutiny, but, in my absence, plundered the Sir Andrew Hammond) of our defenceless situation. Finding it impossible to comply with that part of my instructions, directing me to remain in the bay until the 27th of May, I thought it most advisable to repair to the port of Valparaiso, and with that view, all hands, assisted by George Ross and William Brudenell, (who were living on the island for the purpose of collecting sandal wood,) exerted themselves in making the necessary preparations to depart. My first object was to put the Sir Andrew Hammond in such a situation, that we might get under way at any moment. After which, all hands were engaged in getting the few articles of value from shore, and in endeavouring to recover the property stolen from the Sir Andrew Hammond, when the savages made an unprovoked and wanton attack upon us, in which I have with the deepest regret to inform you, that midshipmen William Feltus, John Thomas, Thomas Gibbs, and William Brudenell, were massacred, and Peter Coddington dangerously wounded, who, with William Worth, made his escape by swimming some distance, when they were both taken out of the water by acting midshipman Clapp, and the three remaining men. Our situation at this moment was most desperate. The savages put off in every direction for the purpose of intercepting the boat and boarding the ship, but were driven back by my firing the few guns we had just before loaded with grape and cannister shot. Before the boat returned and the guns were re-loaded they made a second attempt, and afterwards repeated efforts, first to board the Green wich and then the Sir Andrew Hammond, but were repulsed by our keeping up a constant fire. During this time several hundred were employed in pulling down the houses and plundering the encampment, whilst others were in the fort, endeavouring (assisted by Wilson, who had received several casks of powder from the mutineers) to get the spikes out of the guns. As soon as William Worth had recovered a little strength, after having been so long in the water, I sent the boat to the Greenwich for John Pettinger, a sick man, and some things that were indispensably necessary, with orders to burn that ship and return with all possible despatch, as our ammunition was nearly expended, and we had no other means of keeping the savages one moment out of the ship. We then bent the jib and spanker, cut the moorings, and luckily had a light breeze, which carried us clear of the bay, with only six cartridges remaining. We now found our situation most distressing, for in attempting to run the boat up she broke in two parts, and we were compelled to cut away from the bows the only remaining anchor, not being able to cast it. We mustered altogether eight souls, of whom there were one cripple confined to his bed; one man dangerously wounded; one sick; one convalescent (a feeble old man just recovering from the scurvy); and myself unable to lend any further assistance, the exertions of the day having inflamed my wound so much as to produce a violent fever; leaving midshipman Clapp and two men only capable of doing duty. In that state, destitute of charts, and of every means of getting to windward, I saw but one alternative; to run the trade winds down, and, if possible, make the Sandwich islands, in hopes of either falling in with some of the Canton ships (that being their principal place of rendezvous) or of obtaining some assistance from Tamaahmaah, king of the Windward Islands. No time was lost in bending the topsails, and on the 10th of May we took our departure from Robert's Island, on the 25th of the same month made Owhyhee, and on the 30th, after suffering much, came to anchor in Whytetee Bay, at the Island of Woahoo. I here found captain Winship, several officers of ships, and a number of men, from whom (particularly captain W.) I received every assistance their situations could afford me. The natives, though at first surprised at our deplorable condition, and inquisitive to know the cause, of which I did not think prudent to inform them, supplied the ship with fresh meat, fruits and vegetables, partly on condition that I would take the chief man of the island and some others, with their property up to the Windward Island, where I found it necessary to go (after shipping some men) in order to procure from the king, a supply of provisions. Thence, it was my intention to have proceeded to Valparaiso, in compliance with my instructions from captain Porter, but I was unfortunately captured on the passage by the English ship Cherub, of twenty guns. I was some what surprised to hear captain Tucker say (when I pointed out a valuable canoe and many other articles, which I assured him was the property of the natives, and that I was merely conveying them and it from one island to the other, the weather being too boisterous at that time for them to make the passage in their canoes) that every thing found in a prize ship belonged to the captors. I thus had the mortification to see the people, from whom I had received so much kindness, sent on shore, deprived of all they had been collecting for twelve months, and were about to present to their king as a tribute. The Cherub proceeded to Atooi, where she captured the ship Charon, and made many fruitless attempts to get the cargo of that ship, and of several others which had been deposited on the island under the immediate protection of the king of the Leeward Islands. She took her departure on the 15th of July, and on the 28th of November arrived at Rio de Janeiro with her prizes, touching on the passage for refreshments at Otaheite and Valparaiso. During her stay at the latter place, the frigates Britton and Tagus arrived from the Marquesas, where they had been in search of the ships left under my charge. On the 15th of December the prisoners were sent on shore, having received the most rigorous treatment from captain Tucker during their long confinement in his ship, and the greater part of them, like the natives, left destitute of every thing, save the clothes on their backs. The men belonging to the Essex had little to lose, but those I shipped at Woahoo, had received in part money and goods, for one, two, and some of them three years services in the Canton ships. On the 15th of May (by the advice of a physician who attended me,) I took my departure from Rio de Janeiro in a Swedish ship, bound to Havre de Grace, leaving behind acting midshipman Benjamin Clapp and five men, having lost one soon after my arrival at that place, with the small pox. No opportunity had previously offered by which I could possibly leave that place, the English admiral on that station, being determined to prevent, by every means in his power, American prisoners returning to their own country. On the 10th instant, in latitude 47 north and longitude 18 west, I took passage on board the ship Oliver Elsworth, captain Roberts, 15 days from Havre de Grace, bound to New York. I arrived here last evening, and have the honour to await, either the orders of the Navy Department or the commandant of the marine corps. I have the honour to be, &c. The Secretary of the Navy. JOHN M. GAMBLE. UNITED STATES' FRIGATE ESSEX, AT SEA, July 14th, 1813. SIR, your handsome which greatly facilitated her capture, while it prevented the possibility of her escape. Be assured, sir, I shall make a suitable representation of the affair to the honourable Secretary of the Navy. With the greatest respect, &c. Lieut. John M. Gamble, commanding the prize ship Greenwich. D. PORTER: SIR, NAVY COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE, February 10th, 1816, Captain John M. Gamble of the marines served with me in the Essex, from the time of my taking command of that vessel, until my departure from Madison's Island; during the whole of which his conduct was such as to entitle him to my respect, as an officer and a gentleman. During a great part of my cruize in the South Seas, captain (then lieutenant) Gamble, continued in command of one of my most valuable prizes, and while in that situation brought to action with an inferior force, and caused to surrender, an armed vessel of the enemy, which had long been the terror of the American ships, which had been engaged in commercial and other pursuits in that ocean. Honourable mention was made of this affair to the Secretary of the Navy, but by the capture of the vessel, the account was lost, and of course never reached the United States. Captain Gamble at all times greatly distinguished himself by his activity in every enterprize engaged in by the force under my command, and in many critical encounters by the natives of Madison's Island, rendered essential services, and at all times distinguished himself by his coolness and bravery. I therefore do, with pleasure, recommend him to the department as an officer deserving of its patronage. I have the honour to be, &c. Non, B. W. Crowninshield, Secretary of the Navy. SIR, NAVY COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE, February 28th, 1816. Captain Gamble of the marine corps, has informed me that he had understood it to be your wish that I should state my opinion positively, whether I think him entitled to a brevet for the services rendered. Making part of the department, motives of delicacy prevented my doing so before, but I now avail myself of the opportunity of assuring you, that no marine officer in the service, ever had such strong claims as captain Gamble, and that none have been placed in such conspicuous and critical situations, and that none could have extricated themselves from them more to their honour. I have the honour to be, &c. D. PORTER. Honourable B. W. Crowninshield, Secretary of the Navy. HEAD QUARTERS, CHIPPEWA PLAINS, July 7th, 1814. DEAR SIR, On the 2d instant I issued my order for crossing the Niagara river, and made the arrangements deemed necessary for securing the garrison of fort Erie. On the 3d that post surrendered at 5 P. M. Our loss in this affair was four of the 25th regiment under major Jessup, of brigadier general Scott's brigade, wounded. I have enclosed a return of the prisoners, of the ordnance, and ordnance stores captured. To secure my rear, I have placed a garrison in this fort, and requested captain Kennedy to station his vessels near the post. On the morning of the 4th, brigadier general Scott, with his brigade and a corps of artillery, was ordered to advance towards Chippewa, and be governed by circumstances; taking care to secure a good military position for the night. After some skirmishing with the enemy, he selected this plain with the eye of a soldier, his right resting on the river, and a ravine being in front. At 11 at night, I joined him with the reserve under general Ripley, our field and battering train, and corps of artillery under major Hindman. General Porter arrived the next morning with a part of the New York and Pennsylvania volunteers, and some of the warriors of the Six Nations. Early in the morning of the 5th, the enemy commenced a petty war upon our pickets, and, as he was indulged, his presumption increased; by noon he showed himself on the left of our extensive line, and attacked one of our pickets as it was returning to camp. Captain Treat, who commanded it, retired disgracefully, leaving a wounded man on the ground. Captain Biddle, of the artillery, who was near the scene, impelled by feelings highly honourable to him as a soldier and officer, promptly assumed the command of this picket, led it back to the wounded man, and brought him off the field. I ordered captain Treat, on the spot, to retire from the army, and as I am anxious that no officers shall remain under my command who can be suspected of cowardice, I advise that captain Treat,* and lieutenantwho was also with the picket, be struck from the rolls of the army. At 4 o'clock in the afternooon, agreeably to a plan I had given general Porter, he advanced from the rear of our camp, with the volunteers and Indians (taking the woods in order to keep out of view of the enemy), with the hope of bringing his pickets and "Captain Treat was tried by a court martial and honourably acquitted. |