CAPTURE OF THE GENERAL MONK.

ON the 8th of April, 1782, Lieutenant Joshua Barney commenced his cruise for the capture of the enemy's privateers, which had lately committed great outrages in the vicinity of Delaware Bay. His ship, the Hyder Ally, carried sixteen guns, and had been fitted up by the state of Pennsylvania expressly for this service. While alone near the Capes, he was descried by a brig and two ships of the enemy, who immediately commenced an attack. After permitting the smaller vessel to pass, Harney allowed one of the ships to approach within pistol-shot; while the other stationed herself toward the west, in order to cut off the retreat of the Americans.

The attacking vessel now bore down in haste upon the Hyder Ally, imagining that the latter would strike; but a wide ringing broadside, whose shot came ripping and splitting among spars and sails, soon corrected the mistake. At such unmistakeable marks of determination, the enemy halted for a moment; and then commenced ranging alongside of Captain Barney, preparatory to boarding. At this important moment, Barney directed the quartermaster in a loud voice to port the helm, while at the same time he was under secret orders to perform a manœuvre exactly opposite. By this singular stratagem the British were completely deceived, and allowed the Americans to gain a position where they could effectually rake their enemy. The battle now raged with such fury, that in twenty-six minutes twenty broadsides were fired. Amid this scene of death and desolation, while the two ships were rocking under repeated shocks, and the water hissing and boiling with shot, Captain Barney stood upon the quarterdeck, in full view of the enemy's musketeers, and a mark for every discharge. In twenty-six minutes the enemy struck her colours.

The prize proved to be the General Monk, formerly an American vessel, under the title of General Washington. It had been captured by the British, and fitted up, under a new name, with eighteen nine-pounders, and one hundred and thirty-six men, under Captain Rodgers.

The General Monk lost twenty men killed, and thirty-three wounded; the Hyder Ally four killed, and eleven wounded. Considering the great disparity of force, together with the fierceness of the action and brilliancy of manœuvring, this is justly considered one of the proudest achievements on our naval record.