Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1806-03-14

nation unknown but from their steer
ing as. w. course, It was conjeculred
that they were bound Tor the Cape of
Good Hope. - ks u:
The squadron under Seigal remained
off the city Of St. Domingo until the 9th,
February, whena British squadron I'M
der admiral Cochrane hove in sight, and
adesperate, and to the French destruc-
tive engagement, .ensued for the fol-
lowing particulars Of which, we are in
, deb.ed to an intelligent gentleman who
was a eye witness, from an house-top
in the city of the whole action, from the
6ring Of the first gum to the departure
ofthe British squadron.
I" st. Domingo, February 6, 1906.
At 6 A. M. the lookout ship of the
French squadron was seen firing alarm
guns, and an English squadron Of 2 sail
ofthe line, 2 frigates, 1 brig and schoo-
ner in chase Of her. Athalf past seven
A. M. the French squadron Of ships
Of the line and 2 frigatss got under way,
and ran to Ieeward with the sloop of war
that was on the look-out:' At so min
utes past 10, the headmost ship Of the
English supposed - ran ahead Of
the French squadron, and brought them
to acrion-In 20 minutes after British
ship of the line fell into action in ten
minutes after ships Of the line came in
to action, and in rs minutes after the
commencement, the action was general
two French ships ran on shore, and
two more were dismasted. The action
lasted 2hours and 30 minutes: BY this
time they were so far of that was una
bic to see what ships were taken. boz.
February7, several o6cers and sea.
men returned from the admirars ship
the Imperial. that was on shore, and
said that her three decks were battered
away the admiral and 80 men killed
and wounded---the Diomed was also ON
shore dismasted, in sight ofSs. Domin-
go tbs other three ships Of the line.
were now ascertained to be taken, but
not certain Of the fate of the sloop of war
or frigates. At IL meridian, heavy
ships passed the city, steering to the
westward, but showed no colors.
February 8, at 8 A. M. one Of the
dismassed ships hove in sight, with a
brig and frigate plying about her. Alta
P. M. 4 frigates, ships Of the line and
u brig passed along the coast reconnoi-
tering about the two ships that were on
shore while the heavy ships kept
straight course, the frigates seemed TO
keep ranging in with the shore, and had
St. Georges ensign flying one Of the
heavy ships wore blue at the mizen.
Night came on and no further observa-
tons could be made.
The French admiral was slightly
wounded the captain general had both
his legs shut of, and the FIRST and second
lieutenants on board the admiral were
killed. Officers and seamen were return-
ing to town in shocking condition The
Jupiter and Ia Brave were both, dismast-
ed by .he board in the FIRST Of the action. =,
The admiral's mast went by the board
as she was running on shore. She was
sileaesd nearly half 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 collect from other sour.
ces, itappears, that ON the French squa- :
dron passing b. ST. Thomas'ssome per.
son OF that island hired large row boat
and with 20 or more hands piled away :
to windward up to Tortola, where an
armed vessel was lying, which was dis
patched with the most expedition to ad. +
miral Coehrane, at Barbados, who. COL |
leeted all the ships which the urgency Of !
the case would permit, aud the force n
bove stated, secured down to leeward /
till be overlook the French squadron of !
the city Of St. Domingo; where he cap
tured the Jupiter, Is, lie Brave, 80,
aud L'Alexandre, ~, and burnt the fine
new ship L'Imperial, Of lS4 guns, and