August 25
The first of these 24 hours commences with fresh Breezes and thick Weather. At 3 PM saw a sail standing to the N & Eastward. At 6 PM saw two more sail standing to the N & Eastward but it being nearly dark and blowing very fresh could not see what they were.Middle and latter part fresh Breezes and hazy weather. At 10 AM saw a sail standing to the N & Eastward. Made sail in chase
From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.
August 24th
The first part of these 24 hours commences with moderate weather. at 4 PM saw a sail to windward. Made sail in chase. at 4:30 saw a sail on the lee Bow. at 5 made her out to be a man of war Brig, who immediately gave chase. At 8 had run her out of sight. At 7 AM saw a sail from the Masthead bearing WSW. Made sail in chase. At 8 made her out to be a ship standing to the Eastward, at 10 AM wove ship & stood [?] for him and hoisted English Colors, when he hoisted the Bourbon Flag. The sea so heavy could not board him. Wove ship to the Westward.
From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.
23rd – Very pleasant day, went to Town, din’d at S. Steretts & afterwards exercis’d my Men in Riding School. Being order’d to Washington on Duty intend setting off early tomorrow
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, August 23, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
August 23
These 24 hours commences with fresh Gales, and thick rainy Weather. At 4 PM more clear could not see anything of the Brigs. At 8 PM let one reef out of the Foretopsail, and set the Main topsail.Middle and latter part, fresh Breezes and clear Weather, accompanied with light Squalls. Watch employed, getting things to rights.
From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.
22nd – Delightful cool day – Went to Town, din’d with Rob. Patterson at Beltons. Exercise’d my Men in the evening – Mrs. Jo. Sterett call’d at Clifton
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, August 22, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
August 22
The first part of these 24 hours commences with moderate Breezes and clear Weather, at 4 PM saw a sail from Masthead Bearing SSE. Made all sail in chase. At 8 PM cloudy, lost sight of her. Continued the chase till 11 o’clock took in Studdingsails and square sail. At 6 AM saw several sail. At 8 made 3 of them to be men of War. They all gave chase.Latter part fresh gales and a heavy sea[,] with thick weather and rain at 12 noon, it cleared up a little & see them a little on the lee quarter. At 2 tacked ship. At 4 cleared away for half an hour. Could not see anything of them.
From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.
21st – Went to Town at day light and escorted with my Men Col Sterett’s Regt. on his way to Washington. Din’d at Home, Mr. Moore with us, afterwards walk’d to Mr. Peters ~ Mr. & Mrs. Wirgman call’d in the morng. & Mr. Nicols & Mr. Alexander in the evening – Wind chang’d last Night to N.W. and weater cool & pleasant today-
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, August 21, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
August 21st
The first part of these 24 hours commences with moderate Breezes and thick Weather, nothing in sight.Middle and latter part, moderate breezes and light rains, attended with Squalls. At 9 AM more clear saw a sail. Made sail in chase, at 12 came up with and Boarded the Swedish Gochist Sophia from St. [?] bound to Gottenburg with a cargo of Salt. She had on board the crews of two English Vessels that had been captured by American privateers and put on board. And in consequence she would have to tack at some port in England to land them & get supplies.
From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.
20 – Still Hot, went to Town, din’d at S. Steretts, exercis’d Artillery in the evg.
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, August 20, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
August 20
These 24 hours commences. Light winds and clear weather. Laying too repairing sails. At 9 PM made sail.Middle and Latter part fresh Gales and a crop sea, with light rains and thick foggy weather. At 7 AM saw the Barke, our prize to Leeward. Split the Jib, took it in to repair it.
So ends.
From the Schooner Mammoth Logs, 1814. MS 3082, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society.