Herald Of The United States

Admiralty Office, London, Aug. 2.

Copy of a letter from the Earl of St. Vincent, K. B. admiral and commander in chief of his majesty's fleet employed in the Channel, Soundings, &c. to William Marsden, Esq. dated on board his majesty's ship the Hibernia, off Ushant, the 27th July, 1806.

SIR, I enclose the relation of a very gallant action in which the most intrepid valour has been manifested, and the national character highly sustained; but I greatly lament the loss of a number of brave men in the performance of it, flattering myself, however, that none of them are prisoners.

I am, &c.

(Signed) ST. VINCENT.

Indefatigable, off Rochefort, July 17.

SIR, I have the honor to acquaint you, in obedience to your orders of the 14th inst. I gave the command of the boats of the squadron you sent me by the Frisk, for the purpose of endeavoring to capture or destroy the French convoy in the entrance of the river of Bordeaux (with the addition of three from the Indefatigable, and three from the Iris) to lieutenant Sibly, of the Centaur, with all the information I was in possession of respecting their situation, on the evening of the 15th, it appearing a favorable time to make the attempt; though some time after the boats had quitted the Indefatigable, the wind shifted to the westward and came on to blow fresh, notwithstanding the boats proceeded to Verdun Road, boarded and carried the French brig Le Caesar, of 18 guns, and by the role d'equipage eighty-six men, commanded by Monsieur Louis Francois, Hector Poorre, lieutenant de vaisseau. The conflict was severe on both sides, the Frenchmen being in every respect well prepared, expecting the attack. The wind coming on to blow fresh, and the tide running strong, was much against the boats; but nothing could withstand such men led on by the officers who commanded them. Lieutenant Sibly, I lament to say, is badly wounded in several places, though, from the reports of the surgeon, I trust will recover. To this gallant officer (whose conduct is spoken of by all who were under his command with admiration) I beg to refer you for particulars. There is much credit due to Lieut. Thomas Parker, first of the Indefatigable, who took the command of Le Caesar after she was carried, for his conduct in working her out past the batteries, which kept up a constant cross fire on her, and engaged by the Teazer brig (late in his majesty's service) for nearly two hours; the same attaches to the other officers and men for their coolness and conduct whilst they were engaged. The greater part of the boats were either shot through, or so badly stove, that they were swamped, and obliged to be cast adrift from the brig, except the Indefatigable's launch and Iris's cutter. The Revenge's boat, officer, and crew, are missing. Le Caesar is a fine brig, evidently sails well, 5 years old, eighty-eight feet long, twenty-three wide, coppered, and appears fit for his majesty's service. Enclosed is a list of the killed and wounded. I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed) JOHN T. TODD.

Total—six killed: 36 wounded; 21 missing.

Many on the above list are but slightly wounded.

N. B. By intelligence gained yesterday from a Portuguese vessel of sixteen English prisoners having been marched into Rochefort from Bordeaux, it is considered they are the Revenge's men, missing in the above report.