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Lieutenant Buchan, in the Lady Prevost, behaved most Nobly, and did every thing that a brave and experienced Officer could do in a Vessel Armed with 12 Pounder Carronades, against Vessels carrying long Guns, I regret to state that he is very severely Wounded. Lieutenant Bignell of the Dover, commanding the Hunter, displayed the greatest intrepidity but his Guns being small, 2, 3, and 6 Pounders he could be of much less service than he wished. Every Officer in the Detroit behaved in the most exemplary manner; Lieutenant Inglis showed much calm Intrepidity, that I was fully convin- ced that on leaving the Deck I left the Ship in excellent hands and for an account of the Battle after that I refer you to his Letter which he wrote me for your information. Mr. Hoffmeister Purser of the Detroit, nobly volunteered his Services on Deck and behaved in a manner that reflects the highest Honor on him, I regret to add that he is very dangerously Wounded in the Knee. Provincial Lieutenant Purvis, and the Military Officers Lieutenants Garden of the Royal Newfoundland Rangers and O'Keefe of the 41st. Regiment behaved in a manner which excited my warmest admiration; -- The few British seaman I had behaved with their usual intrepidity and as long as I was on Deck the Troops behaved with a calmness and courage worthy of a more fortunate Issue to their exertions. The weather Gage gave the Enemy a Prodigious advantage as it enabled them not only to choose their position but their distance also which they did in such a manner as to prevent the Carronades of the Queen Charlotte and Lady Prevost from having much effect, while their long Guns did great execution, particularly against the Queen Charlotte: But the great cause of loosing His Majesty's Squadron on Lake Erie, was the want of a competent number of Seaman until the thirty six arrived from the Dover I had not more than ten or fifteen, and those you Know Sir were of the very worst quality, the rest consisted of Canadians and Soldiers who except crossing the Atlantic, had never seen a Ship. Such was the means I had to defend the Squadron intrusted to my charge against a force Superior in itself, and fully equipped and manned and in a situation where an Action was inevitable or probably we must have at last surrendered for want of Provisions. Captain Perry has behaved in a most humane and attentive manner not only to myself and Officers but to all the Wounded. I trust that although unsuccessful, you will approve of the motives that Induced me to Sail under so many disadvantages, and that it may be hereafter proved, that under such circumstances the Honor of His Majesty's Flag has not been tarnished. |
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