Charming Sally, Alexander Holmes, master, received a letter of marque on 27 January 1779. Around 20 May, Charming Sally, the Massachusetts letter of marque Cadwallader, and the New Hampshire letter of marque Minerva sailed from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with cargoes of lumber for the West Indies. In early June the three encountered the British privateer Revenge, of some 24 carriage guns, Sheppard, master, which had left Halifax, Nova Scotia, some 12 days earlier. A two-hour engagement ensued, with Charming Sally bearing the brunt of the action. Revenge struck after she had five men killed and several wounded, and had sustained substantial damage. Charming Sally had lost one man killed and three men wounded. The three American ships then escorted their prize to Boston, where they arrived o