Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-10-12

!. upou 'ne eueInys WnsCn mao aireauy ueeot
r to tack 10 the windward. But the log BY
I this time had become SO thick, that could
/ no longer perceive any thing, andsit was
: with difficulty that each vessel saw The one
. I next head.
. The canuonading was suecesclveIy con-
tinued nearly the whole length OF the sinc. /,
. We cire6led our shot FOR the most part BY
| the enemy-s FIRE, which was indeed our on
!. lIy guide. Il was not ill the combat was
ended that ina momen,ary flash per-
ceived to the larboard vessel bearing a
Spanish flag, which was sailing under her
| lower sails, her topmasts being shivered.
Near her were two vessels belonging 10
the enemy, one of which was entirely dis.
masted, and the other decker, had lost
her mizen top mast, and was besides much
damaged, both making for the rear. The
vessel that had lost her masts appeared to
be IN great confusion, and was with diff
Guilty kept afloat by all her pumps.
The van and rear of the squadron were
at this time totally envsIoped with fog,
which prevented me from making any
movement, tho was sensible the advan-
tage was all on our side.
There was no more firing the rest of the
evening. The squadrons remained in
sight OF each other during the night, max.
ing signals for succor. conieStured,
however, that the enemy were steering
| OF. BY day break thsy had fallen far to
the leeward. Our part Of the squadron
behaved with great intrepidity, and those
OF Admiral GIasina eyinced determine
ton to follow and begin the combat again,
aad the more so, as when day light ap.
pearsd, We perceived that'tw Spanish
ships were missing, the Firme and St.
!, Raphael. ordered the Feet once more
10 clear for action. and TO fail to iarboard,
and bear down upon the enemy. But the
wind slackening and the swell of the sea
being great, found il impossible, during
the whole day, 10 bring on tho action as
wished, though the enemy were all the
time in sight.
We were busted all the following night
in putrng the feet in order, that we might
be ready to re.commence the action at
break OF day. AS soon as il was light,
bore down upon the enemy, which were
alta great distaDce, and by their stress of
sail seemed 10 avoid an engagement. Fin
ding ii impossible TO bring on arenewal of
the action, ! Thought it most prudent mol
10 wander further from t., destination,
ard TO effect, conformably to my ipstr.c-
lions, a junction with the squadron a. Fer
roi. We still experienced contrary winds
| from the n f. and E. N. E. which yester
day blew hurricane.
have been able 70 obtain no other in
formation than this OF the two Spanish
ships missing. Captain Cosmso. of his
Imperial Majesty's ship Pluto, has inform.
Cd nae, thatin The beginning OF the action,
the Firme lost both her masts, main and
! mizen; that he aad covered her as long
as he could see her, bu, that he afterwards
lost sight OF her in The. fog.
! RS for the St. Raphael, it is certain
that she was not dismasted, but this vessel
being bad sa,lcr, and drawing much wa.
. ter, fell TO leeward and we lost six liz of her
the first night.
, could not ascertain the force of the enc.
! my, owing 10 the thick and incessant fog ;
l buttbe day after the engagement, I per.
: ceived IL vessels, ef which were deck
E ers, all which appeared 20 be much Injured ;
$ and, il IT IS true as the captain Of the Dido
informed me, no had Carefully observed
the hostile feet previous to the engage
| ''~'sp e''N~ " "aS NStapOocu VI - StliDS,
there can be httle doubt but that one Of
them has been sunk. Your exceIlency
will be persuaded, as am, this action ha,
Terminated honorabiy To the combine a
arms, and if il had not been forthe foe, as
Eimpenetrab!e as il was lasting, which "a.
> vored the maneuyring and retreat of the
enemy, they would net have escaped Our
/, vengeance, and decisive overthrow.
have DOT yet been able 10 ascertain the
numbe OF killed and wounded. bat bslieye
they will be found 10 be inconxiderzblc.
! have 10 regret the loss Of captain Per.
rome, of his Imperial Majesiy's ship the
Intrepid, who was killed. Capt. ROLAND,
OF the Atlas, received wound. I hope
10 have the honor OF transmitting you i'm.
mediately more detailed accounts OF the
engagement.
lpray yonr Excellency TO accept the as.
surances OF my respect.
VILLENEUVE.
AnotherIetterfrom Admiral VilIeneuye
dated at Vigo, Is Thermidor, tJuIy go
acknowledges the loss Of the two Spanish
Ick l.t-l A =