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RE:	BATTLE	OF	BAY	ST.	LOUIS
DECEMBER 15, 1814
On yesterday a report reached Contonement that a severe fight between a considerable number of Enemy Barges and American Gunboats had taken place.
The consequences were foreseen by American Commander Capt. Jones, but could not be avoided owing to a adverse winds & a strong tide runing through the pass of the Rigoelotts. (sp.)
A sixth gun boat called the "Sea Hock" (Sp.?) which was attempting to join the flotilla, from the Bay of St.
Louis, was pursued by a number of Barges and compelled her to return into the same pert where she was blow up to prevent her from falling into hands of the enemy. That the landing of the enemy was prevented by means of a small battery of two guns on the hill.
That the party being too weak for defence at St. Louis had found it necessary to destroy the public propery ; at that place and abondon the port.
Ref. Smiths College Studies in History
" The shallow water of the ake caused by Westerly wind prevented the American boats from floating through enemy, effort was made by thorwing overboard articles of weight.
12/13/1914	3:45	p.m. the enemy sent boat to cut off the
Sea Horse which had been sent'-into Bay St. Louis by American officers to assist ;in removal of pujiic stores which nad previously been burned. On finding it was impossible to remove them they were ordered to be destroyed by fire for fear of capture by the British.
In the afternoon of the- 13th the flood tide set in and Capt. Jones small division of little American fleet moved out of its groundings and sailed for Bay St. Louis; Jones having been ordered to make a stand, boats ground at channel of Malheureaux Island on morning Dec. 14th.
Dunbar Rowland MS Terr ,Var 1812
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