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sion of barges, closed upon Ulrick?s boat. They were held at bay for some time, but being reinforced by the other division under Roberts, soon succeeded in overpowering the little vessel. The guns of these two boats were then concentrated upon the other gunboats, and particularly upon the nearest one, under Lieutenant Robert Spedden; but that gallant young officer undaunted by the disasters which had overtaken his companions, returned this fire with an alacrity and vigor which drove the barges to take shelter behind the two boats that had been captured. Here, combining and arranging their forces into one powerful division, Mon-tressor and Roberts again threw themselves upon Spedden?s little craft, with more than a dozen barges, filled with several hundred sailors and marines. Though surrounded, the little gunboat did not yield, but showered her iron hail upon the crowded barges with most destructive vigor. A grape-shot had shattered Spedden?s left arm at the elbow. Regardless of his wounds the brave young sailor held his post, giving orders to his men and cheering them with his words and with a countenance in which gallantry and heroism conquered the agony of a painful wound. Occupying an exposed and conspicuous position on the deck of the boat, Spedden became the target of the British marines for their musket exercise. He noted particularly one fellow in the bow of the nearest barge aiming at him writh the coolness and precision of a sportsman shooting a pigeon. He was a good marksman and lodged a musket-ball in Spedden?s shoulder which deprived him of the use of his right arm.
?He was thus without the use of either arm. Mutilated and covered with blood?his men rapidly falling around him (the other boats being in the hands of the enemy), this gallant young man did not yield until, overpowered by numbers, he was forced below by the British, who rushed upon deck and took possession of the boat. The guns of the captured boats were next turned upon Ferri?s boat, No. 5, with such effect as to dismount her most effective weapon, a twenty-four-pounder, and after this, the barges encountered but little difficulty in boarding and capturing her. Meantime, McKeever, on No. 23, kept up a brisk fire on the barges with his thirty-two-pounders. But the guns of the other boats were all turned upon him and further resistance became vain?so he surrendered at halfpast twelve p. m.
?Thus closed this very remarkable and gallant action. It was maintained by both parties for three hours, with great courage and activity. Both did their duty faithfully. The British, though numerically and in metal vastly superior