Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-03-14
HALTIMORE. March z

BALTIMORE March
The following account of the Defeat IF the
French F2eet IN tbs Vest Indies differs in some
respects, and, in general. viii be found more
expici. than that given in the Tslegraphe
yesterday The reader will draw his own con
illusions on comparing them, a. we believe enc
as authentic as the other.
The squadron under Siegcl remained off the
city of ST Domingo until the OH of Feb when
british squadron under adm Cochranc hove in
sight, and desperate. and 70 the French, de-
strueive engagement ensued; for the following
particulars Of which, we are indebted TO an incl
iigent gentleman who was an eye witness. from,
an house top in the city OF the whole action,
from the firing of The FIRST gun, TO the departure
of the British squadron GAG
ST Domingo, Fei, 6, 1906.
{" AT 6. a. u the look out ship of thefIenoh
squadron was seen firing alarm guns. and an En-
gIish squadron OF seven sal Of the line. two fri.
gates, one b ig and ? schr. in chase of her At
half past 7. a 81 the French squadron of ships
of the line and 9 figstes get under way, Z. ran
TO leeward with The sloop OF war that was on the
lookout: ~ 80 min past 10 O'Clock the head
mos, ship of ,he English, (suppssed ~ ran
head of the French squadron and bro them 10
action in 90 minules after British ship of the
line fell into action in 10 minutes after
three ships of the line into ACTON and in Is
minutes after the commencement, the adion W as
Kercrak--2 French ships ran en- shore & 9 more
were dismasted The aaion lasted hours and
90 minutes: BY this time they were so far OF
that was unable to see what ships were taken.
"Teb 7, several officers and seanen returned
from the adrnirais ship the Imperial. that was on
shore, and said that her 3 decks were battered a
way; The admiral and $50 men killed Sc wounded
the Dior,ed was also on shore dismasted, in
sight of St Domingo--the other three ships of
the line were not ascertained to be taken. but
not certain of the fa'e of the sIoop of wa, or
frigates. At 10 meridian, heavy ships passed
the city. steering to the Westward, but Showed
no colours.
"Feb g, at o N one ofthe disnas,ed ships
hove in sight with brig and frigate plying a.
bout her At2r NJ 4 frigates, 2 ships Of the
line and brig passed along the coast reconnoi
tring about the 9 ships that we're on shore while
the heavy ships kept a straight course, the fri
gates seemed ~ keep ranging in with the shore,
and had St. Georges ensign H. Dg--one Of the
heavy ships wore blue at the nizen Night
came on, and no farther observations could be
made The French admiral was slightly woun.
dod the captain general had both his legs sho,
of, & the 1st & ID lieuts. on board the admraI's
ship were killed Officers and seaman were re-
turning to town in a shocking condition The
Jupiter and La Brave were both dsmas ed by
the board in the first Of the action The admi.
rails mast wen, BY the board as she was running
on shore. She was silenced nearly half an hour
prior to going ashore
From the above minutes, which were taken
down as the incidents which they relate occurred,
and from the details we have been able to col.
lea from other sources, il appears. hat on the
French squadron passing by st Thomas's, some
person e that island hired large row boat.and
with 20 ~ more hands piled away TO windward
up TO Forfoia, where AN armed vessel was lying,
which wa5dispa,ehed with The utmost expedition
20 admiral CcchTanc. at batbadoes, who coea
ed al the ships winch the urgency Of the case