United States Brig Enterprise

Portland,

September 1813

Sir, In consequence of the unfortunate death of Lieutenant Commandant William Burrows, late commander of this vessel, it devolves on me to acquaint you with the result of our cruize, after sailing from Portsmouth on the 1st instant.

We turned to the eastward and on the morning of the 3rd off Wood Island, discovered a schooner which we chased into this harbour where we anchored.

On the morning of the 4th weighed anchor and swept out and continued our course to the eastward. Having received information of several privateers being off Monhegan we stood for that place and on the following morning in the bay near Pemaquid Point discovered a brig getting under way which appeared to be a vessel of war, and to which we immediately gave chase.

She fired several guns and stood for us, having four ensigns hoisted. After reconnoitering and discovering her force and the nation to which she belonged, we hauled upon a course to stand out of the bay, and at 3 o'clock shortened sail, tacked and ran down with an intention to bring her to close action.

At twenty minutes after 3 P.M. when within half pistol shot, the firing commenced from both and after being warmly kept up and with some manoeuvering, the enemy hailed and said they had surrendered about 4 P.M, their colours being nailed to the mast could not be hauled down.

She proved to be his B. Majesty's late Brig Boxer of fourteen guns. Samuel Blythe Esquire Commander, who fell in the early part of the engagement having received a cannon shot to the body. And I am sorry to add that Lieutenant Burrows who has gallantly led us to action fell also about the same time by a musket ball which terminated his existence in eight hours.

The Enterprise suffered much in spars and rigging and the Boxer both in spars, rigging and hull, having many shots between sound and water.

It would be doing injustice to the merit of Mr. Tillinghast ,Second Lieutenant, were I not to mention the able assist I received from him during the remainder of the engagment by his strict attention to his own division and other departments. And the officers and Crew generally, I am happy to add, from their cool and determined condition, have my warmest approbation and applause.

As no muster roll that can be fully relied on has come into my possession, I cannot exactly note the number killed about the Boxer, but from information received from the officers of that vessel, it appears there were between twenty and twenty five, and fourteen wounded.

Enclosed is a list of the killed and wounded about the Enterprise.

Your most obed.serv.
Edward R. McCall, Senior Officer

List of the killed and wounded aboard the U.S.Brig Enterprise in the engagement with the British Brig Boxer the 5th Sept. 1813

Wounded:
Wm. Burrows, Esq.Comm. since dead
Kervin Waters, midsh. mortally
Elisha Blossom, Carp'ts. Mate since dead
David Horton, Q .Master
Rupel Coats, Q. Master
Thomas Owings, Q. Master
Benj. Garmon, Boat's. Mate
Scuiler Bradley, seaman
James Snow, seaman
Snow Jones, seaman
Peter Barnard, o. seaman
Wm. Thomas, 2nd, seaman
John Fitzmire, marine

Edward R. McCall Senior Officer