The midnight struggle was a desperate one, the enemy fairly surrounding the "General Armstrong," and striving to reach her decks at every point.

But though greatly outnumbered, the defenders were able to maintain their position, and not a boarder succeeded in reaching the decks.

The struggle continued for nearly three-quarters of an hour, after which the British again drew off.

Two boats filled with dead and dying men, were captured by the Americans, the unhurt survivors leaping overboard and swimming ashore.

The British report showed, that in these two attacks there were about one hundred and forty of the enemy killed, and one hundred and thirty wounded.