 In 1798 , an undeclared war had begun between the United States and France due to French seizures of American merchantmen . As part of an American effort to deter French attacks , Commodore Thomas Truxton led an American naval squadron that was dispatched to the Lesser Antilles . Learning that regular French naval forces were in the region , Truxton set out in his flagship Constellation and sailed to Guadeloupe to engage them . On 1 February 1800 , while nearing the French colony , Constellation met François Marie Pitot 's frigate La Vengeance of the French Navy . Despite Pitot 's attempts to flee , his frigate was drawn into a heavy engagement with Constellation . Although the French frigate struck her colors ( surrendered ) twice , Constellation was unable to take La Vengeance as a prize . Eventually Pitot was able to escape with his frigate to Curaçao , though only after sustaining severe casualties and damage to his vessel . Truxton 's ship sustained light damage and sailed to Jamaica for repairs before returning home to a hero 's welcome . 
