February 13th
Latitude 12, 49, Longitude 57, 35, captured, after a chase of 5 hours, the British schooner Miranda, from Cork to Guadalope, laden with dry goods, flour, butter, soap, beef, etc; took out the dry goods and some other articles necessary for ship’s use, and burnt the balance.
From the journal of the Chasseur, excerpted in Baltimore American, June 2, 1814. Maryland Historical Society.
12th – Clear morng. Wind N.W. and high but chang’d at 12 O’Clock to S.E. Went to Town din’d with Jo. Patterson, roads very bad, cloudy evening ~
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, February 12, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
February 12th
At half past 1 p.m. saw 3 sail from mast head, bearing n. e. immediately in light sails and hauled by the wind in chase, soon made them out to be three ships standing to the westward. At half past 2 the headmost ship fired a gun, hoisted her English ensign with the private signals, which was immediately answered by the other frigate in chase. We now discovered the headmost ship to be a frigate, the other two merchantmen, made all sail off, the two frigates under a press of sail in chase, the former in our wake, the latter to windward about 3 and a half miles, soon found we had the advantage in sailing. At 10. p.m. lost sight of the frigates.
From the journal of the Chasseur, excerpted in Baltimore American, June 2, 1814. Maryland Historical Society.
On February 12, 1814, the French army under Emperor Napoleon I won the Battle of Château-Thierry against a Prussian army under Marshal von Blücher. Learn more.
11th – Clear’d up this morning at Sunrise, Wind N.W. & high. Went to Town return’d to dinner
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, February 11, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
February 11th
Latitude 12, 46, Longitude 57, 7, at half past 5 P.M. discovered a sail from the mast head, made sail in chase, at 7 wore ship and shortened sail to keep the chase in sight, made her out to be a large ship. At 8, jibed ship and stood from the chase, a few minutes after we fired a gun over us. Brailed our foresail up, backed our maintopsail and returned the fire; during the night she kept up an incessant firing; we occasionally returned it. In the morning, being about one and a half miles to windward, made her out to be a frigate. At half past 7 wore ship and stood of N. by W. The chase immediately tacked and stood after us, under a crowd of sail.
From the journal of the Chasseur, excerpted in Baltimore American, June 2, 1814. Maryland Historical Society.
10th Rain’d all last Night & continued all this day, I therefore remain’d at Home, and for the first time on accty. of bad Weather since living at Clifton, nearly 11 years
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, February 10, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
9th – Commenc’ Town, din’d at C. Wirgmans roads very bad – Cold evening
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, February 9, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.