Gazette Of The United States

Philadelphia, August 7.

AMBUSCADE and BOSTON FRIGATES.

An account of the action between those vessels, by a spectator on board the latter.

On Thursday the 1st of August, at 2 A. M. the Boston discovered a sail on the weather bow; they immediately beat to arms, and every thing was prepared for action. The Captain of the Boston knowing himself near the fleet, concluded to stand to the southward as long as it was dark, that at daylight he might see if any more ships were in sight. At about 5 o'clock, finding no other ship in sight, to sail to head-reach the Ambushcade, so as to fetch her on the other tack. In about 20 minutes they tacked ship again, but could not fetch the Ambushcade. As soon as the Boston came abreast, She bore down. Captain Courtney expecting the enemy were going to rake him, wore ship and met him in the opposite tack. The Boston then hauled down her French colours which she had wore in her former manoeuvrings, and hoisting her English colours, fired a broadside without hailing the other Ship. The Ambushcade returned the fire, carried away the Boston's cross jack yard, and passed by. The Boston then tacked again and came under the Ambushcade's lee quarter, when the engagement was very smart. In the early part of the action the 1st and 2d-lieutenants were wounded. About the middle part the Captain was killed, as was the lieutenant of marines; and about the same time the main top mast was shot away. The Ambushcade was the whole of this time dropping astern, to get on the Boston's weather quarter; and as soon as he had got this situation had greatly the advantage, and shortly after cut the spars, sails and rigging of the Boston in such a manner, that they had very little command of their ship.

The 1st lieutenant (who had been wounded before) came on deck and took command: he immediately bore away, making what sail he could, and having a fair wind, set all his steering sails on his foremast. The Ambushcade gave chase, which she continued about 2 hours, but, finding he could not overtake the Boston, spoke a brig which she appeared to have captured.

The Boston has received much damage in her hull, and sprung her mizen mast, damaged her fore and mizen yard, and most part of her standing and running rigging cut to pieces. One of her main deck guns was also dismounted, and by the surgeon's account there were 16 men killed and 24 wounded; among the former were Captain Courtney, the lieutenant and corporal of marines; among the latter, 3 lieutenants and 1 midshipman.

As some persons have disputed the challenge sent by Capt. Courtney to Citizen Bompard, I think proper to certify that it is a matter of fact.

The Ambushcade returned to New-York on Saturday morning, with the loss of 8 men killed and about 30 wounded, in the above engagement.

The New-York papers inform us, that the masts of the Ambushcade were so wounded in the late engagement, that she must have a new set complete.