Herald Of The United States

The following letter from a Midshipman, on board the Egyptienne frigate, to a relative in London, contains some particulars, which, we think, will not prove unacceptable to our readers:

'On board His Majesty's ship Egyptienne, July 29, 1805, Plymouth Sound.

'Ere this reaches you I suppose you will have heard of Sir Robert Calder's having fell in with the combined fleets of France and Spain off Cape Finisterre, and as the Egyptienne was with the English squadron I can give you as circumstantial an account of the action as you can as yet have received by the papers. Our squadron consisted of fifteen line of battle ships, two frigates, a lugger and cutter. The enemy twenty line of battle ships, seven frigates, two brigs, and a Spanish galleon of 16 guns.

July 22, a little before noon, the Defiance being on the look out a-head, made the signal for several strange vessels to the S. E. The admiral immediately made the signal to make all sail, and prepare for battle, our two frigates being directed to keep sight of the enemy.

The advanced line of battle ship, at two P. M. made the signal for thirty sail. Shortly after they were seen from our deck, forming the line of battle on the larboard tack. We continued to stand on till we were within gun shot of them, when we hove-to to observe them. The line appeared well formed and regular. One of their frigates had the galleon in tow. Our line was formed on the larboard tack, and was nimbly led into action by the Egyptienne. At 5 P. M. the action commenced. As we being the headmost ship of our line, some of the sternmost ships of the enemy hoisted Spanish colors, and two of their line of battle ships gave us each a broadside, which we returned; and we since learned that the first broadside they got, which was from us, shot away the Second Captain's leg, and did some other damage. One of them then bore up, and raked us, but did us no material injury. Our line who followed us close up, now began to open their fire on the enemy; the weather being now become very thick and foggy, we were merely directed by the report of guns. At six the fog began to clear away, and the Windsor Castle was perceived firing a broadside into the enemy's vessels passing on opposite tack. Five minutes past six the firing was continued without interruption. I saw the Ajax behaving worthy of the name she bore. Half past seven, saw the Windsor Castle with her fore top-mast shot away. the firing rather slackened. The fog clearing a little, we saw one of the enemy with her main and mizzen-mast gone, having struck.
to the Maira, running out of the line. The Windsor Castle appears to have suffered considerably, but continued fighting gloriously. The firing continued: the horizon appeared like a line of vivid lightning. Three quarters past nine the firing ceased: made sail to join the fleet; people still at quarters. At ten we spoke the Glory, who requested us to take charge of two captured vessels: bore up for them: spoke the Thunderer. She informed us of having 6 men killed and 17 wounded: bore away for the prizes and boarded one of them, found her in a most terrible situation, having 150 men killed and 40 wounded, next day took her in tow; they are both Spaniards; one of them an 80 gun ship, and the other a 74. On board of the two captured ships were altogether 200 men killed and wounded. The British fleet lost above 50 killed in the whole, and not many more wounded. We left Sir R. Calder in expectation of attacking the enemy again very soon. and he dispatched us and the Sirius frigate, with each of us a prize in tow, for England, to the regret of every body on board, with the Windsor Castle which is disabled.

(Signed) 'George Hutchison.'