it to adm. Graves. Graves however failed on a cruife 1781. before Bofton. When he returned on the 16th of Auguft, the propofal was renewed: but it was now become neceffary to refit one of his fhips, and to repair others, so that his fleet could not be ready in season. Mr. de Barras failed with the train and stores from Rhode Island Aug. on the 25th; concluding from de Graffe's own dispatches, 25 that he must be then at the Chesapeak. De Barras was at liberty to have undertaken any other fervice: but though he was an older officer than de Graffe, he volun-` tarily chose to put himself under his command, to enfure an object, the attainment of which was of fuch immenfe confequence to the allied arms of France and America. On the day of his failing, Sir Samuel Hood arrived off the Chesapeak, where he expected to have met Graves with the fquadron from New York; but being difappointed, he fent a frigate to that commander with the news of his arrival. Had they formed a junction at this period and place, they might have fecured the Chefapeak, and have prevented de Graffe's entering it a few days after. Sir Samuel having examined the bay, proceeded to the capes of Delaware, and not seeing or hearing any thing of de Graffe, made the best of his way to Sandy Hook, where he arrived on the 28th. 28. On that day, the commanders at New York received intelligence, that Barras had failed three days before to the fouthward. Notwithstanding the hope of intercept-: ing his fquadron before it could join de Graffe, must, have been a new incentive for exertions; it was three days before Graves could be in readiness to proceed. from New York with five thips of the line and a fifty gun to the Hook, and from thence with the whole fleet 310 Ac the British fleet, treated the French van fo roughly, that 1781. they bore away, while de Graffe with the centre edged up in order to cover their retreat. The weight of the action fell principally upon the British van, the centre coming in for a more moderate fhare, and feven fail never being able to get within a proper gun-fhot distance of the French: from thefe circumftances Drake's divifion fuffered feverely. The engagement ended about fun-fet. The flain on board the British amounted to go, and the wounded to 230. The Shrewsbury and Intrepid bore more than a proportionable share of this lofs. Capt. Robinson of the former loft a leg, and capt. Molloy of the latter gained great honor, by the gallantry with which he fuccoured and covered the Shrewsbury, when overborne and furrounded by the French. cording to the French accounts, no more than 15 fhips on each fide were engaged. Admiral Graves used all measures to keep up the line during the night, with the design of renewing the action in the morning. But he discovered that feveral fhips of the van, and the Montague of the centre, had fuffered fo much in their mafts, that they were in no condition for renewing the action, till the fame were fecured. The Terrible was fo leaky as to keep all her pumps going, and the Ajax was in little better condition. The hoftile fleets continued for five fucceffive days, partly repairing their damages, and partly manoeuvring in fight of each other; and at times were very near. The British were so mutilated, that they had not speed enough to attack the French; and thefe showed no inclination to renew the action, though they had it often in their power, as they generally maintained the wind of Graves. De Graffe fearing left by 1781. under his command to the fouthward. The day before he failed, de Graffe arrived in the Chesapeak. On his paffage the count fell in with and took a packet from Charlestown, having on board lord Rawdon, who was on his return to Great Britain. The French admiral after blocking up York river, took poffeffion of James's, in order to cover the boats. of the fleet, which were to convoy the marquis de St. Simon, with 3300 land forces from the West Indies, eighteen leagues up the river, to form a junction with Fayette. Graves received no intelligence of the French fleet (nor they of his approach) till they were difcovered Sept, early in the morning of September the 5th, lying at 5. anchor, to the number of 24 fail of the line, juft within Cape Henry, and confequently the mouth of the Chefapeak. The French immediately flipped their cables, and turning out from the anchorage ground, Graffe threw out a fignal for the ships severally to form the line as they could come up, without regarding particular ftations. The British fleet amounted to nineteen fhips of the line, and one or more of 50 guns. Through various delays the action did not commence till four o'clock, and then was partial, only the van and a part of the British centre being able to come near enough to engage with effect. De Graffe did not aim fo much at a close engagement, as at keeping poffeffion of the Ch peak, and faving his fhips for that and all its co dent purposes. The abfence of 1800 of and 90 officers, employed in troops up James river, conve confirmed him the British fleet, treated the French van fo roughly, that 1781. they bore away, while de Graffe with the centre edged up in order to cover their retreat. The weight of the action fell principally upon the British van, the centre coming in for a more moderate fhare, and feven fail never being able to get within a proper gun-fhot distance of the French: from thefe circumftances Drake's divifion suffered feverely. The engagement ended about fun-fet. The flain on board the British amounted to 90, and the wounded to 230. The Shrewsbury and Intrepid bore more than a proportionable share of this lofs. Capt. Robinson of the former loft a leg, and capt. Molloy of the latter gained great honor, by the gallantry with which he fuccoured and covered the Shrewsbury, when overborne and furrounded by the French. According to the French accounts, no more than 15 fhips on each fide were engaged. Admiral Graves used all measures to keep up the line during the night, with the design of renewing the action in the morning. But he discovered that several ships of the van, and the Montague of the centre, had suffered so much in their maits, that they were in no condition for renewing the action, till the fame were fecured. The Terrible was fo leaks as to keep all her pumps going, and the Ajax was in little better condition. The hofti' five fucceffive days, partly rep the continued t damages its, and and ut 7000 excelfixed himself and army |