THE SERVICES OE LIEUT.-COLQNEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 109 
tleman came on board of us to-day and told us that the Fox frigate 
had been taken by the Hancock and Congress , two rebel frigates, after 
an obstinate engagement; that a little time after the three ships 
were chased by an English frigate, the Flora, which was soon after 
joined by another English frigate, the Rainbow , and that they re-took 
the Fox and took the Hancock , the other making her escape. The 
Flora had the resolution to give chase to the other three ships, for 
the rebels had manned the Fox. During the chase the four ships 
were discovered by the Rainbow; she at first imagined them to be 
rebels, but on the Flora ranging up alongside the Fox , and giving a 
broadside and hoisting English colours, the Rainbow saw what they 
were and soon came up with them, when the Hancock of 36 guns, 
commanded by one of their best seamen, Admiral Manly, struck to 
her with little resistance. The rebel frigate that made her escape 
was the Boston. 
August 20th .—This morning about 6 o’clock the whole fleet got under 
way and stood up the bay with a fair wind. The country on each 
side looks extremely pleasant. In the evening about 7 o’clock the 
whole came to anchor opposite Poplar Island, a few miles from An¬ 
napolis, in about seven fathom water. 
August 21st .—This morning at daylight the fleet got under way 
and continued up the bay with a fair wind. About 9 o’clock we 
passed Annapolis, the metropolis of Maryland, a large town all of 
brick. The rebel colours were flying on both points of the entrance 
to the river, and there appeared to be some kind of works. Opposite 
to the town is a little creek where are four or five small vessels at 
anchor. Our Admiral, we suppose, has given orders that they shall 
not be molested, for none of our ships or boats have been sent in 
shore or fired a shot. About noon we passed Maggoty Creek, and 
about 3 came to anchor at Swan Point. All the morning the rebels 
were firing cannon along the shore, we imagine to give the alarm 
and collect themselves. We heard yesterday that General Burgoyne 
had given the rebels a severe thrashing near Albany. 
August 22nd .—-The fleet got under way in divisions and sailed up 
the bay as far as Sassafras Creek, and came to anchor not far from 
Baltimore about 11 a.m. The water is here very shallow and the 
channel narrow. Ships are sent on ahead to sound and place the marks 
upon the shoals, which has been done all the way hitherto, so that 
not one vessel has yet run ashore, though so numerous, and the bay so 
full of sands. It is no doubt a wonderful sight to the Americans. 
The country on both sides appears a good deal cultivated and looks 
very beautiful. We came to anchor about noon a few miles from 
Turkey Point; in an hour after we got under way again and went 
nearer to the Point and came to anchor. 
August 23rd .—This morning we got under way and went up to 
Turkey Point, and just at the entrance of Elk River we came to in 
about three fathom water. The country up the bay towards Sus¬ 
quehanna River looks delightful, Several of our small vessels and 
