Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Sackett's Harbor, to his friend in Albany

"A Mr. Shumaker, which was last summer a prisoner to the British, had, a few days since, the command of a boat bound from Oswego to this place, loaded with provisions for the army. Yesterday off Stoney Point he was attacked by a British barge, commanded by a lieutenant of the royal navy, with ten men, and after making all the resistance in his power was compelled to surrender. The lieutenant after taking possession of the prize, sent all his men to join another boat's crew, except four which he deemed sufficient to secure her.

" Mr. Shumaker, not much pleased with the idea of being a second time prisoner to the British, formed the desperate resolution, which was no less daring and intrepid than it was ultimately glorious and successful. Walking the deck with the lieutenant, without any preconcert with his brother and a Mr. Sergeant, who were captured with him, watched his opportunity, threw the lieutenant overboard, and snatching up a stone, knocked down a sailor with it, then calling on his comrades for assistance, had the satisfaction to find himself the sole commander of his boat again.

"Mr. S. and his brave associates, however, in effecting their deliverance, were severely wounded - one of them having one of his hands nearly cut off, and another receiving a dangerous wound in his head, by a heavy sabre. But another British barge which lay a little distance discovering the sudden transfer of command, pushed down upon them, and obliged Mr. S. with his comrades to abandon his boat and take to a gig which had accompanied the enemy's barge, and make their way for Sackett's Harbor, where they arrived in safety."