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^1
J
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE ROYAL MARINE FORCES.
VOL II.
i
** HBQUID PAL8I IHCKBB AUDBAT,
MBQUID TSBI NOlf AUDEAT.**
Oieero.
i
HISTORICAL RECORD
ROYAL MARINE FORCES.
Bv PAUL BAEHIS NICOLAS.
LONDON ;
THOMAS AND WILLIAM BOONE, 29, NEW BOND STREET.
UDC€CXt,\.
CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
CHAPTER I.
From October 1805, to February 1806.
Battle of Trafalgar : Victory, p. 1 — Temeraire, 4 — Leviathan, 6 — Nep-
tune and Conqueror, 7 — Leviathan, 8 — Africa, 9 — Britannia, Aga-
menon, and Ajax, 10 — Death of Nelson, 13— Strachan's action, 16 —
Battle oflf St Domingo, 22— Gaeta, 29— Capri, 30— Battle of Maida, 31
— Capture of Raposa, 32— Marengo and Belle Poule, 33 — Pique and
Phaeton, 34 — Giganta, 35 — Sirius and flotilla, 38 — Pallas and Min^rve,
39 — Blanche and Guerri^re, 40— Capture of Pomona, 41 — Capture of
Caroline, 43 — Cape of Good Hope, 44 — Monte Video, 45 — Buenos
Ayres 47— Cura9oa, 51.
CHAPTER IL
From the year 1807 to 1809.
Expedition to Copenhagen, 54 — Dardanelles, 64 — Hydra at Begur, 69 —
Centaur and Implacable in Baltic, 71 — San Fiorenzo and Pidmontaise,
74 — ^Emerald at Vivero, 75 — Daphne, 76 — Virgine and Guelderland,
77— Defeat of Spanish flotilla, 78— Defence of Fort Trinity, 79— Cap-
ture of Volpe, 85 — Seahorse and Badere-Zafier, 87 — Africa and gun-
boats, 87 — Amethyst and Thetis, 88 — Marines at Noli, 89 — Capture of
Topaze, 91 — of Junon, 92 — Amethyst and Nidmen, 93 — Basque Roads,
95 — Capture of Joseph, 100 — Melpomene and gun-boats,. 101 — ^Belle-
rophon, 103 — Reduction of Senegal, 104.
CHAPTER III.
From the year 1809 to 1811.
Expedition to the Scheldt, 107— Attack upon Anholt, 113— Pesaro, 115 —
Topaze, 116 — Cyane and flotilla, 117 — Cyane and Cdr^s, 118 — Corte-
lazzo, 119— Duin, 120— Bourbon, 123— Junon, 125— Besiglio, 127—
Ndrdide and Rainbow, 128 — Expedition to Molucca, 129 — Baie Ma-
haut, 131 — Tribune at Mandel, 133 — Santa Maura, 136 — Spartan and
French squadron, 138 — Alceste at Agaye, 139 — Groa, 141 — Amanthea,
143 — Jacotel, 144 — Isle de la Passe, 145 — Grand Port, 148 — Africaine,
153— Pointe du Ch6, 155— Isle of France, 156— Palamos, 157.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.
Fr(m February 1811, to December 1812.
Battle of Lissa, 159 — ^Defence of Anholt, 163 — Astreaand consorts, 169 —
Expedition to Java, 170 — ^Port Hercule, 174 — Ragoniza, 175 — Parenza
176— Samanap, 179— Cheribon, 180— Naiad and flotilla, 182— Possi-
tano, 183 — Capture of Pomone, 186 — Northumberland off TOrient,
187 — Java and Constitution, 189 — Ciotat, 192— Languelia, 193 — Dic-
tator, 194 — Apulia, 196 — Victorious and Rivoli, 197 — Guerri^re and
Constitution, 198 — Macedonian and United States, 199.
CHAPTER V.
From the year 1813 to 1815.
Gela-Nova, 202— Amelia and Ar^thuse, 205— tJarri, 206— Morgion, 207—
Apollo near Vasto, 208 — Narcissus, 209 — Calvarie road, 210 — Shannon
and Chesapeake, 212— Fiume, 215— Porto-R6, 21&— Ragoniza, 217—
Trieste, 218 — Leghorn, 221 — Creole and Astrea, 223 — Hebrus and
Etoile, 225— Eurotas and Clorinde, 226— Phoebe and Essex, 227—
Menelaus, 228 — Fort Bowyer, 229 — New Orleans, 231 — ^Endymion and
President, 235.
CHAPTER VI.
From the year 1810 to 1815.
Services of the First and Second battalions 273
CHAPTER VII.
From the year 1813 to 1827.
Services of the Third battalion, 276 — Squadron in the Patuxent, 279 —
Washmgton, 280— Baltimore, 284— Cumberland Island, 287— Fort
Bowyer, 289— Algiers, 291— Sybille at Bona, 300— Presentation of
Colours, 301.
CHAPTER VIII.
From the year 1827 to 1837-
Battle of Navarino, 305 — ^Battalion on north coast of Spain, 315 — Officers
of battalion, 326 — Flotilla on Lake Ontario, 327.
CHAPTER IX.
Operations on the Coast of Syria, 1840.
Gebail, 335— Tortosa, 336— Sidon, 340— Acre, 345— Eulogium of Marquis
of Anglesea, 350.
CHAPTER X.
Operations in China, from the year 1840 to 1842.
Chusan, 352 — Macao, 354 — Chuenpee, 355 — Anunghoy, 357 — Whampoo,
359— Macao, 361— Canton, 365— Amoy,367— Tinghae, 370— Chinghae,
375— Seagon, 378— Woosung, 380— Kinshan, 381— Conclusion, 384.
k
THE HISTORY
OP THV
ROYAL MARINE FORCES.
CHAPTER L
From October 1806, to February 1806.
We left the Victory about a quarter before noon, just as she
had conveyed to the fleet that inspiring sentiment of the noble
chief, which echoed in every Briton's heart on this day of deadly
strife ; and with the signal hoisted to *^ engage closer," the Vic-
tory continued slowly advancing towards the enemy's line.
At twenty minutes past noon, and about ten minutes after the
Royal Sovereign had passed under the stem of the Santa Afia,
the Bucentaure fired a shot at the Victory, then, with studding
sails on both sides, steering about east and going scarcely a
knot and a half through the water, but the shot fell short:
after a few minutes had elapsed^ a second shot was fired, which
fell alongside; a third almost immediately followed, and that
went over the ship. One or two others did the same, imtil
a shot went through her main top-gallant sail. This visible
proof that she was within reach, was followed by a minute or
two of awful silence ; and then, as if by signal, six or seven ships
ahead and stem of the french admiral opened their fire upon
the Victory.
Seeing that the british admiral was about to follow the ex-
ample of his second in command, the french and Spanish ships
closed for mutual support. This movement, together with the
VOL. II. B
2 VICTORY AND BUCENTAURE.
stoppage in the head-way of the Santa Afia, and the bearing up
of the two ships a-head of her, divided the combined line nearly
in the centre ; leaving fourteen ships in the van, and nineteen in
the rear, with an interval between them of more than three
quarters of a mile. When the Victory had reached within about
600 yards of the larboard beam of the Bucentaure, her mizen
top-mast was carried away, and another shot knocked her
wheel to pieces. In a few minutes, eight marines were killed
and several wounded by a single shot, as they were drawn up
on the poop, upon which the admiral directed captain Adair to
disperse his men ; and it is to be regretted that the precaution
adopted by the Belleisle and some leading ships in the lee
column had not been practised here, — that of ordering the men
to lie down until they could return the enemy's fire. Presently
a shot, which came through the hammocks near the larboard
chess-tree, carried away the larboard-quarter of the launch on the
booms, and striking the fore-bits on the quarter-deck, a splinter
tore the buckle from captain Hardy's shoe, as he was walking
the deck with lord Nelson. They both instantly stopped, and
surveying each other with anxious looks, his lordship smiled
and observed, " This is too warm work. Hardy, to last long."
As the Bucentaure forged a-head, a large french ship was
seen upon her lee-quarter, and another ship astern of the for-
mer, ranging up as if intending to close the interval. Captain
Hardy representing to lord Nelson the impracticability of pass-
ing through the line without ninning on board one of the ships,
his lordship quickly replied, '' It does not signify which we run
on board of. Go on board of which you please, — take your
choice."
It was about one o'clock when the sixty-eight pounder on
the larboard-side of the Victory's forecastle was discharged
into the cabin-windows of the Bucentaure ; and as the three-
decker moved slowly a-head, the remaining fifty guns on that
side, treble shotted, were deliberately discharged into the french
ship as they came to bear : so close were the ships, that the
LORD NELSON WOUNDED. 3
Victory's larboard main yard-arm, as she rolled, touched the
vangs of the Bucentaure*s gaflF.
Although there were no visible effects of this destructive
broadside^ yet the havoc it made among the crew of the french
ship was tremendous, and many of her guns were dismounted.
As the Victory cleared the stem of the Bucentaure, she became
exposed to a well-directed fire from the Neptune ; but as she
was advancing towards the beam of the french 80, the latter,
apprehensive of an intention to run her on board, ran up her
jib, and keeping away a little, ranged a-head. Captain Hardy
having decided on closing with the ship on his starboard hand,
the Victory, after discharging her starboard guns, put her
helm a-port, and ran foul of the Redoutable, the sheet-anchor
of the one striking the spare of the other, and in a few minutes
the two ships dropped alongside. In this position they con-
tinued to engage ; and as it is stated by our best naval chro-
nicler that the Redoutable had lowered her ports, we presume
that the only return made to the fire of the british three-decker
was from the guns of the french ship's main and quarter-deck,
aided by her musketry. About I h. 25 m. p.m., while lord
Nelson turned round as he was walking on the quarter-deck
with captain Hardy, he received a musket-ball on the left
shoulder, which, passing through the fore-part of the epaulet,
lodged in the spine.
Captain Hardy, turning also at that moment, saw the admiral
in the act of falling : he was then on his knees, with his left
hand touching the deck ; and the arm giving way, his lordship
fell upon the exact spot where his secretary, Mr. Scott, had
breathed his last. On the captain's expressing a hope that
he was not severely wounded, lord Nelson replied, " They have
done for me at last. Hardy : my back-bone is shot through."
From the direction of the fatal bullet, it must have been fired
from the mizen-top of the Redoutable, but it is very doubtftil
if it was aimed at any individual; and had an officer been
singled out, captain Hardy would probably have been the vic-
b2
4 TilMiRAIRE.
tim, for his commanding appearance was far more likely to
have been the object of attention. Moreover, in the confusion
which prevailed at that moment, with the deck enveloped in
smoke, it would have been impossible to have used any discri-
mination beyond firing at the spot where many oflScers and men
were busily engaged. Serjeant Seeker and two marines, who
had approached on seeing the admiral fall, bore their revered
and much-lamented chief to the cockpit. The Redoutable's
fire from her upper decks and musketry was so destructive, that
several officers and about 40 men were killed or wounded on
board the Victory, whose crew, abandoning the twelve-pounders,
continued to fire her twenty-four and thirty-two pounders from
the middle and lower decks into her opponent, who became
exposed to a raking fire from the Neptune and succeeding
ships, as they passed her a-head. The Redoutable had be-
sides to contend with an unequal match in the Temeraire on
her starboard side, who, in order to keep astern of the Victoiy
as she had been directed, was under the necessity of cutting
away her studding-sails ; and upon taking her station close on
the Victory's starboard quarter, was alike exposed to the heavy
raking fire directed at her leader. In a few minutes after the
Victory poured her larboard broadside into the stem of the
Bucentaure, the T6m6raire opened her fire at the Neptune and
Redoutable; and when the Victory ran on board the latter,
the Temeraire was compelled to haul to starboard, and passing
along the broadside of the Redoutable, received a sharp fire,
which carried away the head of her mizen top-mast. After
standing on a short distance, the Temeraire hauled up as she
passed through the enemy's line, to avoid being raked by the
french Neptune, whose heavy fire brought down her fore-yard
and main top-mast: at that moment, about 1 h. 40 m., the
Redoutable, with the Victory on her larboard side, fell on
board the T^m^raire ; the french ship's bowsprit passing over
her gangway a little before the main rigging, where it was
lashed by the british crew, who poured a raking broadside into
FOUGUEUX BOARDED. O
the bows of the Redoutable. A short time before this second
powerful opponent had placed herself alongside the french 74,
the latter made a resolute attempt to board the Victory ; and
so formidable was the assault, that in repulsing the gallant
enemy, captain Charles W. Adair, while standing upon the
gangway encouraging his party of marines, and 18 men were
killed ; and lieutenant William Ram, mortally, George Augus-
tus Westphal, midshipman, and 20 men wounded.
Notwithstanding the dreadful havoc among the boarders
assembled on the forecastle and gangways of the Redoutable
by the heavy fire of the three-decker, the 74 continued nobly
to defend herself after the T^m^raire had dropped alongside ;
but at length overpowered, this heroically-fought ship was
taken possession of at 1 h. 55 m. p. m. This happened just as
the Victory was preparing to boom herself oflF from the Re-
doutable; and at this moment a two-decker was observed
close upon the Tem^raire's starboard side, which ship was the
Fougueux, who, it will be recollected, on quitting the Belleisle
was engaged by the Achille. The french ship stood to the
northward, steering directly for the beam of the three-decker,
at that time much disabled ; and as her gaff was down, she
had no colours flying, except the jack on the fore-topmast stay.
When the Fougueux got within 100 yards, she became exposed
to the starboard guns of the T^m^raire, Which so crippled the
french ship that she fell alongside, and was immediately lashed
by her fore rigging to the T6m6raire's spare anchor ; and lieu-
tenant Kennedy, with two midshipmen, 20 seamen, and 6 ma-
rines, then boarded the Fougueux in her larboard main-rigging.
On the quarter-deck captain Baudouin (mortally wounded),
and his oflScers, were encouraging their men to repel the board-
ers; but the second captain being severely wounded in the onset,
the french crew were driven off the deck, and in ten minutes
after lieutenant Kennedy and his twenty-eight followers got on
board, the Fougueux was in possession of the British.
This occurrence took place at about 2h. 10m. p.m., and it
i
b LEVIATHAN.
was within five minutes afterwards that the Victory, having by
the aid of fire>booms, disengaged herself from the Redoutable,
gradually got her head to the northward, while the three fast-
locked ships, from which she had just parted, swung out their
heads to the southward. Shortly afterwards the main and
mizen-masts of Ihe Redoutable came down: the main-mast
falling on board the Temeraire, carried away the stump of the
latter's mizen top-mast, and breaking down the poop rail, en-
cumbered the whole after-part of the ship with the wreck. The
main-mast of the french ship forming a bridge of easy descent,
was soon available; and at 2 h. 20m. p. m. lieutenant Wallace,
heading a party of seamen and marines, stepped on board, and
took quiet possession of the gallantly-defended Redoutable.
The Victory's masts were all badly wounded, and her rigging
and sails cut to pieces. Among the killed was captain Charles
W. Adair and 18 marines; and among the wounded, lieutenants
Lewis Buckle Reeves and J. G. Peake, and 9 privates. On
board the Temeraire, captain Simeon Busigny, lieutenant John
Kingston, and 8 marines were killed; lieutenant Samuel J.
Payne and 12 marines wounded.
The Redoutable's loss was unusually severe : out of a crew
of 643 men, she had 300 killed and 222 wounded, including
nearly the whole of her officers. The Fougueux's loss was com-
paratively very small, being only 40 in killed and wounded.
As the Leviathan was advancing in her station astern of the
Conqueror, captain Blackwood communicated to captain Bayn-
tun that lord Nelson desired the latter to place his ship be-
tween the T^m^raire and the Victory, and it was intended that
these two ships were to precede the commander-in-chief; but
the lead of the column had then advanced too near the enemy
to render the change practicable. The Leviathan made every
effort to reach the enviable post assigned her; but as it was
now 11 h. 30 m. a.m., she did not get further a-head than just
abreast of the Conqueror, before the enemy's shot were begin-
ning to pass over the Victory.
NEPTUNE AND CONQUEROR. 7
The Neptune^ having shortened sail to facilitate the endea-
vours of the Leviathan to pass a-head to her newly allotted sta-
tion^ and the almost calm state of the weather, made it 1 h. 45m.
P.M. before she became closely engaged. At this time^ after
her fruitless efforts to go a-head, the Leviathan had resumed
her station in the line, close astern of the Neptune and a short
distance a-head of the Conqueror. Passing close under the
stem of the Bucentaure, the Neptune poured in a well-directed
broadside, which shot away the french admiral's main and
mizen-masts nearly by the board, and doubtless killed and
wounded' a great many of her crew. The Leviathan, when
within thirty yards of the french ship's stern, also poured in a
destructive fire, and the Conqueror soon after raked her in the
same manner.
The Conqueror, then hauling up on the lee-quarter of the
Bucentaure, soon knocked away her fore-mast, and after a few
minutes, an officer on board the latter waved in token of surren-
der. Captain James Atcherly of the marines, with three of his
men and two seamen, were sent in the Conqueror's jolly-boat
to take possession: on that officer's stepping on the Bucen-
taure's quarter-deck, vice-admiral Villeneuve and his two cap-
tains presented their swords ; but conceiving that it more pro-
perly belonged to captain Pellew to disarm officers of their
rank, captain Atcherly declined the honour of receiving them,
and accompanied by the french admiral and his two captains,
pushed off with his three remaining hands, and at length board-
ed the Mars ; for the Conqueror had proceeded in chase.
The Neptune, hauling up soon after she raked the Bucen-
taure, soon found herself in a similar position astern of the San-
tissima Trinidada, whose main and mizen-masts came down
with a tremendous crash, just as the Leviathan was in the act
of seconding the fire of her leader. The Neptune then luffed
up alongside of the Santissima to leeward, while the Conqueror
kept up a distant fire upon the four-decker with her starboard
guns to windward. At 2h. 30m. p.m., the fore-mast of the
8 LEVIATHAN AND SAN AUOUSTIN.
Santissima fell over her bows, and she lay an unmanageable
wreck upon the water. At this moment the movement in the
combined van called the attention of the Neptune ; and some of
those ships on bearing up raked her, and caused the principal
part of the damage and loss she sustained in the action.
Leaving the Santissima Trinidada to the care of the english
Neptune, the Leviathan stood on towards the french Neptune,
then in the position we have related on the lee-bow of the
T6meraire; but before the Leviathan had opened her fire, the
french Neptune wore round and stood away in the direction of
the Belleisle. Captain Bayntun then hauled up on the lar-
board tack, and soon afterwards stood on towards the van-ships
of the enemy, who were observed to be tacking or wearing, as if
intending to double upon the headmost ships of the british
weather column .
About 3 p. KL the San Augustin, steering to the south-east,
when within 100 yards, attempted to rake the Leviathan ; but
the latter, porting her helm at the same moment, and having
fresher way than the Spanish ship, not only defeated the in-
tended manoeuvre of her antagonist, but was enabled to pour
her broadside so effectually into the starboard quarter of the
San Augustin, that it brought down her mizen-mast, and with
it the Spanish colours. The Leviathan then ran on board the
San Augustin in such manner, that the latter's jib-boom be-
came entangled in the british ship's main rigging. In this posi-
tion, the marines on board the Leviathan's poop soon drove the
Spaniards below; and lieutenant Eyles Mounsheer, at the head
of a party of seamen and marines, boarded the San Augustin^
and carried her without further opposition. Soon after tfie Le-
viathan had lashed herself to her prize, the Intr^pide, another
fresh ship from the combined van, was seen advancing, and
after raking the Leviathan a-head, she ranged along her star-
board side; but on the Africa approaching, the french ship
merely exchanged a passing fire. The british 64 gallantly
brought the Intrepide to close action at about 3 h. 20m. p.m.,
AFRICA AND TRINIDADA. 9
and notwithstanding her great inferiority of force, the Africa
continued the contest for nearly three-quarters of an hour, at
which time the Orion came up and opened a fire upon the
Intrepide's starboard quarter. The Orion then wore round the
french ship's stern, and bringing to on the latter's lee-bow, be-
tween her and the Africa, maintained so heavy and well-directed
a fire, that in less than a quarter of an hour the main and
mizen-masts of the french ship fell over her side, and the ap-
proach of the Conqueror left the Intr^pide no alternative but to
strike her colours. At about 5 p. m. she was taken possession
of, having sustained a loss of 200 killed and wounded.
In reference to the Africa we must observe, that from having
lost sight of the fleet during the night, she was broad upon the
Victory's larboard-beam when the firing commenced, and nearly
abreast of the van-ship of the combined line. Seeing her dan-
ger, lord Nelson made the Africa signal to make more sail ; but
captain Digby, not comprehending his lordship's motive, used
every means to hasten his ship into the thick of the fight, instead
of withdrawing from it. Passing along, and exchanging broad-
sides in succession with the enemy's ships, the Africa bore down
a-head of the Santissima Trinidada, and meeting no return to her
fire, nor seeing any colours hoisted, the british captain con-
cluded she had surrendered, and consequently sent lieutenant
John Smith in a boat to take possession ; but on reaching the
quarter-deck, a Spanish officer explained that they had not sur-
rendered, at the same time pointing to the four french and one
Spanish ship of the line then passing to windward : strange to
say, lieutenant Smith and his boat's crew were permitted to
return to their ship, and the Trinidada remained without a prize-
crew until 6 h. 30 m. p. m., when the Prince, by signal, boarded,
and took the dismasted four-decker in tow. The Africa had her
main top-sail yard shot away, and her lower masts and bowsprit
were so badly wounded, that they all fell after the action. She
had 6 marines killed, captain James Fynmore and 7 wounded ;
and her total loss, out of 493 men and boys, was 18 killed and
i
10 MOVEMENT IN THE ENEMY's VAN.
37 wounded. On board the Conqueror, lieutenant Thomas
Wearing was among the wounded.
It was about 2 h. 30 m. p. m. that the whole of the ships of
the combined van a-head of the Santissima Trinidada, who lay
dismasted abreast and to leeward of the Bucentaure, (equally a
wreck,) began to tack or wear, in obedience to a signal made by
the commander-in-chief at 1 h. 50 m. p. m. to the following pur-
port : — '^ Ships not engaged, are to take such a position as will
bring them the most quickly into action ;" and it appears that
five minutes previous to this communication, rear-admiral Du-
manoir had signalled the commander-in-chief that the van had
no enemy to contend with. At all events, no immediate attempt
was made by the generality of the ships to comply with the
signal, and those who were most prompt in obeying it were so
baffled by the calm state of the weather, that the Formidable
and one or two other ships had to employ their boats to tow
themselves round. When the ten ships did at length get on the
starboard tack, four french and one Spanish, under rear-admiral
Dumanoir, hauled their wind ; and the remaining five kept away
as if to join admiral Gravina, then to leeward of the rear, in the
act of making off towards Cadiz.
It was at this period of confusion in the combined van, that
the Britannia, Agamemnon, Orion, and Ajax got intermingled
among the enemy's ships that had wore and edged away in the
manner related. The Britannia was engaged for a short time
with the Francisco d'Asis, and subsequently with the Rayo.
The Agamemnon and Ajax also exchanged a few broadsides
with some of the ships that had bore up; and the Orion, as
already stated, was the first, after the Africa, that became en-
gaged with the Intrepide: the latter, and the San Augustin,
were the only ships of the five that seemed to have any other
object in view than a retreat.
The five ships that hauled to the wind, were the Formidable,
bearing the flag of rear-admiral Dumanoir, Dugnay Trouin,
Mont Blanc, Scipion, and Neptune. The British that lay near-
CAPTURE OF THE NEPTUNO. 11
est to their track were, from their disabled state, the least cal-
culated to offer opposition ; and among these the Victory, T6me-
raire, and Royal Sovereign were the most exposed. One of the
first shots fired by the ships under rear-admiral Dumanoir
killed two lieutenants on board the Conqueror : then keeping
away a little, they exchanged a few and ineffectual shots with
the Victory ; but by the time they arrived abreast of the T6m6-
raire, the latter had succeeded in clearing her starboard broad-
side of the Fougueux, who now lay athwart her stem.
One or two broadsides were exchanged between the british
three-decker and the ships to windward, and the fire of the
latter, besides cutting away the main and mizen-masts of the
Fougueux, killed and wounded some of the french crew, and
one shot killed a midshipman of the T^m^raire, when on board
the Redoutable.
At about 3 h. 16 m. p.m. the Minotaur and Spartiate, having
hove to on the larboard tack, exchanged broadsides with the
four french ships as they passed them to windward ; and then
wearing round, succeeded in cutting off the Neptuuo, who was
some way astern of her companions. At about 4 h. 10 m. p. m.
they got alongside of the Spanish SO-gun ship, who after de-
fending herself in the most gallant manner, surrendered a few
minutes after 5 p. m.., with the loss of her mizen-mast, and fore
and main top-masts. Having been captured directly to wind-
ward of the T^m^raire, the Neptuno drifted upon and fell on
board the british three-decker ; which circumstance, probably,
gave rise to the extraordinary mistake contained in the despatch
of vice-admiral Collingwood, which represented the Temeraire
as having been boarded by a french ship on one side, and by a
Spaniard on the other.
Of the nineteen ships composing the rear of the combined
line, eleven were captured, and seven bore away to Cadiz and
escaped ; leaving one ship only whose fate remains to be shown.
The Achille, in her successive encounters with the english
Achille, Belleisle, Swiftsure, and Polyphemus, had lost her
12 RBSULT OF THE BATTLE.
mizen-masty main top-mast, and fore^yard ; and having caught
fire in her fore-top, the crew were preparing to cut away the
fore-mast ; when a broadside from the Prince severed the mast
about its centre, and the burning wreck falling upon the boats
on the booms, soon became in flames, which rapidly com-
municated to the decks below. The British around the french
ship then ceased firing, and sent their boats to render assist-
ance in rescuing the remainder of her gallant crew. At about
6 h. 45 m. P.M. the Achille exploded, and with her perished
the officer then in command, (an enseigne-de-vaisseau), and a
great portion of her crew. At this time her colours were flying,
but the ship had certainly submitted two hours before, although
not taken possession of. According to the official returns, the
loss of killed and wounded on the part of the British amounted
to 1690; but of this amount six-sevenths, or 1452, fell to the
share of fourteen out of the twenty-seven ships composing the
fleet; and with few exceptions, the ships so suffering were in
the van of their respective columns. This was in consequence
of the calm state of the weather, which exposed the leading
ships, as they approached within range of the enemy's shot, for
a considerable time to the deliberate and uninterrupted fire of
seven or eight ships drawn up in line a-head, without being able
to bring a gun to bear, until they reached close ahead or astern
of their opponents as they cut through ; and then the french
and Spanish ships, having closed for mutual support, were too
seriously occupied with antagonists near at hand to bestow
much attention upon those at a distance.
In describing the occurrences on board the Victoiy, we no-
ticed the removal of lord Nelson from the quarter-deck, after he
received his fatal wound, which lamented event occurred at
about 1 h. 30 m. p.m. His lordship was placed on a bed in the
midshipmen's starboard berth, and being stripped of his clothes
the wound was soon ascertained to be mortal ; and lord Nelson
himself, it appears, was from the first fully impressed with that
opinion. His sufferings were great, and he frequently called
DEATH OF NELSON. 13
for drink ; and desiring to be fanned with paper, kept constantly
pushing from him the sheet which was his only covering. About
ten minutes after the admiral received his wound, captain Hardy
came down to visit him. They shook hands affectionately, and
lord Nelson said, " Well, Hardy, how goes the battle ? How
goes the day with us?" "Very well, my lord," replied captain
Hardy : " twelve or fourteen have struck ; but five of their van
have tacked, and show an intention of bearing down upon the
Victory : I have therefore called two or three of our ships around
us." " I hope," said his lordship, *' that none of our ships have
struck." " No, my lord," captain Hardy replied ; " there is no
fear of that." Lord Nelson then remarked, " I am a dead man,
Hardy. I am going fast; it will be all over with me soon." Sub-
sequently, captain Hardy again descended to the cockpit ; and
while holding his lordship by the hand, congratulated him on
the victory, which he said was complete, and that fourteen or
fifteen of the enemy had surrendered. His lordship observed,
" That is well ; but I bargained for twenty." He then emphati-
cally exclaimed, "Anchor, Hardy, anchor!" Captain Hardy
having alluded to admiral CoUingwood taking the direction of
affairs, " Not while I live, I hope. Hardy," cried the dying
chief, in making an ineffectual effort to raise himself from the
bed: '*no," added he, "do you anchor. Hardy." The latter
then asked, "Shall we make the signal, sir?" "Yes," his
lordship exclaimed, " for if I live, I'll anchor." In about a
quarter of an hour after captain Hardy quitted the cockpit, lord
Nelson became speechless; and great as must have been his
previous sufferings, he expired without a struggle or a groan,
at about 4 h. 45 m. p.m.
" Thus," observes doctor Beatty, in his narrative of the last
moments of lord Nelson; " thus died this matchless hero, after
performing, in a short but brilliant and well-timed life, a series
of naval exploits unexampled in any age of the world. None of
the sons of fame ever possessed greater zeal to promote the
honour and interest of his king and country ; none ever served
14 EIQIITBBN SHIPS SURRRBNDBH.
them with more successful and important i-esults. His character
will ever cast a lustre over the annals of his nation, to whose
enemies his very name was a terror. In the battle of Cape St.
Vincent, though then in the subordinate station of a captain, his
unprecedented personal prowess will long be recorded with ad-
miration among his profession. The shores of Aboukir and
Copenhagen witnessed those stupendous achievements which
struck the whole civilized world with astonishment. Still,
these were only preludes to the battle of Trafalgar, in which he
shone with a majesty of dignity as far surpassing even his own
former renown, as that renown had already exceeded every thing
else to be found in the pages of naval history, the transcendently
brightest star in a galaxy of heroes. His splendid example will
operate as an everlasting impulse to the enterprising genius of
the british navy."
The result of this battle was seventeen french and Spanish
ships captured, and one french ship burnt. Four french ships,
which hauled to the southward, effected their escape; while ad-
miral Gravina, with eleven Spanish and french ships of the line
and the frigates, stood away to the north-east, and anchored in
course of the night about a mile and a half from Rota.
During the night the \ ind increased, and on the 22nd and
23rd the violence of the storm drove the greater part of the cap-
tured ships on shore, or so close to the coast as to render their
destruction necessary ; and some, under these desperate circum-
stances, were recaptured by their crews and carried into Cadiz.
The only four prizes saved were the San Ildefonsa, San Juan
Nepornuceno, Bahama, and Swiftsure, who were anchored on the
evening of the 21st; and had their example been followed by
the fleet, in accordance with lord Nelson^s dying injunction, it
is probable that the remainder of the captured ships would also
have reached Gibraltar in safety.
Honours were abundantly conferred on every class of the
naval officers, and a grateful country paid that tribute to the
memory of lord Nelson which was commensurate with his worth
REWARDS CONFERRED. 15
and the importance of the achievement he had died in con-
summating. His brother was created an earl, with a grant of
£6000 per annum^ £100,000 for the purchase of an estate,
and £10,000 were voted to each of his sisters. The living par-
ticipators in the glorious battle also received honours and re-
wards : the thanks of both liouses of Parliament were unani-
mously voted to all who served in the fleet ; vice-admiral Coi-
lingwood was made a baron, with a grant of £2000 per annum ;
rear-admiral Northesk appointed knight of the bath, and captain
Hardy a baronet. Medals were given to the admirals and cap-
tains; five lieutenants were promoted to post rank; the first-
lieutenants of all the ships engaged, and some others, made
commanders, and mates and midshipmen from every ship ob-
tained their well-earned promotion.
Amidst all these abundantly scattered rewards, only one soli-
tary mark of distinction was extended to the corps of Marines
serving in the fleet, — a force amounting to 92 officers and above
3,600 rank and file ; of whom 2 captains and 2 subalterns were
killed, 5 captains and 8 subalterns wounded : the brevet rank of
major, conferred on captain Thomas Timmins, was considered
adequate to the claims of the marines, whose gallant exertions
so materially contributed to the important result of this glo-
riously-fought day !
The four french ships of the line under rear-admiral Dumanoir,
that escaped on the evening of the battle on the 21st of October,
stood to the westward until the squadron doubled Cape St. Vin-
cent ; and on the 29th it steered north, with the intention of entei^
ing Basque roads. Pursuing that course, the rear-admiral had
reached the latitude of Cape Finisterre ; when, on the 2nd of
November at 11 a.m., they fell in with and chased the british
36-gan frigate Phoenix, captain Thomas Baker, who steered to
the southward in the hope that he might lead the enemy into
the hands of sir Richard Strachan, then cruising with five
sail of the line oflf Ferrol. At 3 p.m. the Phoenix discovered
four large ships bearing south, who soon becoming visible to the
16 DVMANOIR AND STRACHAN.
chasing sqaadron^ the latter hauled to the wind on the star-
board tack ; bat sabsequently wore and stood to the eastward,
while the Phoenix, firing gans and making signals, used every
efibrt to join the ships to leeward, which were the Caesar 80,
Hero, Namur, Courageux, and Bellona of 74 guns, with firigates
Santa Margarita, .£olas, and Revolutionaire.
At 11 P.M. the Phoenix passed under the stem of the Caesar,
and informed sir Richard Strachan that an enemy's squadron
was not far distant upon his lee-bow. The british ships being
at that moment very much scattered, the commodore directed
captain Baker to hasten up those astern ; and the Caesar then
bore away under all sail, with the wind at west north-west, fol-
lowed at no great distance by the Hero, Courageux, and .£olus.
Shortly after the Caesar had made sail, the light of the moon
discovered to sir Richard the objects of his pursuit in the east-
north-east, under a press of canvas; and bearing away, they
closely formed in a bow and quarter line. The chase was con-
tinued until the setting of the moon, at about 1 h. 30 m. a. m.
on the 3rd, accompanied by hazy blowing weather, concealed
the enemy from view. Sir Richard therefore shortened sail to
permit the ships astern to arrive up, and at daylight the Santa
Margarita, with the three ships already named, joined the Caesar.
At 7 h. 30 m. Cape Ortegal was seen, be^iring south-east half-
east, distant thirty-six miles; and at 9 a.m. the french ships
again appearing in the north-north-east, the british squadron
made all sail in that direction. At 11 a. m the Namur, preceded
by the Phoenix, and followed at some distance by the Revolu-
tionaire, were seen far astern with a strong breeze from the south-
south-west : the Santa Margarita's superior sailing enabled her
to become the leading ship before evening, and the Phoenix was
also despatched a-head to assist in harassing the enemy's rear.
On the 4th, at daylight, the british had gained so far on the
chase, that the Caesar, still the leading line-of-battle ship of her
squadron, was within six miles of the Scipion, the rearmost
ship in the french line. At about 5 h. 45 m. a. m. the Santa
THE ACTION COMMENCES. 17
Margarita had approached sufficiently near to fire her starboard
foremost guns, and shortly afterwards the Scipion brought her
stem chasers to bear with effect upon the british frigate. At
9 h. 30 m. A.M. the Phoenix opened a fire from her larboard
guns at the Scipion's quarter, and in this way the two frigates
continued to harass the rear of the enemy ; while the Ceesai*,
Hero, and Gourageux, formed in line a-head, and favoured with
a shift of wind to southnsouth-east, were rapidly approaching to
take a more decided part in the contest.
Finding an action unavoidable, the french admiral at 11 h.
45 m. A.M. made the signal for his ships to take in their small
sails, and haul up together on the starboard tack ; they then
fell into a line a-head in the following order : Duguay Trouin,
Formidable, Mont Blanc, Scipion. At this time the Ceesar was
about a mile distant on the weather-quarter of the rearmost
french ship ; but the Namur and R^volutionaire were still at a
considerable distance: the former more than twelve, and the
latter about seven miles astern of the commodore, whilst the
^olus was barely within gun-shot. Sir Richard Strachan hav-
ing hailed captains Grardner and Lee, and communicated his in-
tention to attack the centre and rear of the enemy, edged away
for the french admiral ; who, with the other three ships of his
squadron, were under top-sails and top-gallant sails, having the
wind about a point abaft the starboard beam. The Ceesar, at
about fifteen minutes past noon, opened her fire as she arrived
within musket-shot of the Formidable, and in a minute or two
afterwards the Hero and Courageux, in quick succession, dis-
charged their broadsides into the Mont Bianc and Scipion : the
three french ships instantly returned the fire, and a spirited
action ensued. At this time the Namur was ten miles astern,
using her utmost endeavour to get up.
At 5 P.M. the Duguay Trouin gallantly luffing up to rake the
Ceesar a-head, unintentionally came round on the larboard tack,
and passing to leeward of the Ceesar and Hero, received from
each of them a destructive fire. The french admiral tacked to
VOL. II. c
18 FOUR SHIPS OF THE LINE CAPTURED.
support his second a-head, and was followed in that manoBUvre
by the two ships in his wake ; but the Fonnidable was so slack
in stays, that she could not regain her station astern of the
Duguay Trouin, and became the third, instead of the second
ship. At 1 h. 20 m. p.m. the Ceesar wore after the enemy, and
the Hero and Courageux successively tacked. At 1 h. 40 m.
the commodore made the signal for the Namur, then on the
weather-bow of the french ships, to attack the enemy's van,
and for the Hero to lead on the larboard tack. The latter,
followed at some distance by the Courageux and at a greater
distance by the Ceesar, edged away towards the french squa-
dron; and at 2 p.m. the Hero recommenced the action by firing
her starboard guns at the Scipion ; whilst the latter, having had
her main top-mast shot away, fell to leeward, and became en-
gaged with the Courageux to windward, and by the Phoenix
and B^volutionaire to leeward. The Hero in the mean time was
enabled to place hereelf on the weather-bow of the Formidable ;
but on the Namur arriving up and engaging the french admiral,
captain Gardner made sail to close with the Mont Blanc ; which
ship, as well as the Duguay Ttouin, had occasionally raked the
Her© while engaging the Formidable.
The CsBsar having meanwhile repaired her damages, was about
to re-open her fire on the Formidable, when that ship, with
her mizen top-mast over the side and other masts in a tottering
state, hauled down her colours at 3 h. 6 m. p.m., and was taken
possession of by the Namur, who had her main-yard cut in
two, and was incapable of making sail. At 3 h. 10 m. the Du-
guay Trouin and Mont Blanc bore up, with the intention of
forming a line a-head of the Scipion ; but the latter, by the
united fire of the Courageux and frigates, having had her fore
top-mast and mizen-mast shot away, struck her colours, and
was taken possession of by the Phoenix and R6volutionaire.
The Duguay Trouin and Mont Blanc, observing the fate of the
Scipion and Formidable, endeavoured to make off, but were
soon overtaken by the Hero and Casar ; and after a close and
MARINE OFFICERS IN THE ACTION. 19
sharp action of twenty mhrates, the two french ships, being re-
duced to a shattered and defenceless condition, and observing
the Courageux ready to re-open her fire, hauled down their
colours ; the Dngnay Trooin striking to the Hero, and the Mont
Blanc to the Caesar.
BRITISH SQUADRON.
CaBsar, captain sir Richard J. Strachan, 4 killed, 26 wounded.
Captain of marines Geoi^e Lewis, lieutenant James Jack-
son, second-lieutenant Charles Dunford.
Hero, captain hon. A. Gardner, 10 killed, 51 wounded. Ci^
tain-lieutenant of marines Thomas Phillips, second-lieute-
nant Robert Morrison (killed), Cornelius John Stevenson
(wounded).
Namur, captain L. W. Halstead, 4 killed, 8 wounded. Captain
of marines William Clements (wounded), second-lieutenants
William Nichol and T. Osborne.
Courageux, captain Richard Lee, 1 killed, 13 wounded. First-
lieutenants of marines Richard Edwards and Geoi^e O'Neal.
Santa Margarita, captain William Rathbone, 1 killed, 1 wounded.
Phoenix, captain T. Baker, 2 killed, 4 wounded. Lieutenant of
marines John P. Pleydell, sec<Mid-heutenant Alexander
Campbell.
Revolutionaire, captain hon. Henry Hotham, 2 killed, 6 wound-
ed. Lieutenant of marines Richard T. Parsons, second-
lieutenant James J. Willes.
.£olu8, captain lord Henry Fitzroy, 3 wounded. Lieutenant
of marines William Baker.
The total loss sustained by the British amounted to 24 killed,
and 111 wounded.
The french ships suffered severely: the Formidable having
200 killed and wounded, including among the latter rear-ad-
miral Dumanoir, in two places. The Scipion's loss was in about
the same proportion, including captain Berenger among the
wounded; the Mont Blanc 180, and the Duguay Trouin had
c 2
i
20 REWARDS CONFERRED.
ber captain Claude Touffet killed^ and 150 men hors de combat^
making a total of 730 in killed and wounded. All four ships
had suffered so severely in their masts and rigging, that in a
short time after the action, the fore-masts of the Formidable
and Mont Blanc were the only sticks left standing. The forlorn
condition to which they were reduced, afforded evident proof of
their having been defended to the last extremity ; and in justice
it must be stated, that although the Formidable is rated as
mounting 80 guns, she had only 66 in the action : three having
been dismounted in the battle of Trafalgar, and 12 of her quar-
ter-deck twelve-pounders were thrown over board during the
present chase.
The four prizes reached Plymouth in safety, and were all
added to the british navy: the Formidable was named the
Brave, the Duguay Trouin became the Implacable, and the
other two retained their own names.
Sir Richard Strachan was invested with the order of the Bath
on the 29th of January, 1806, and the thanks of Parliament
were voted to those who participated in the action. Gold me-
dals were distributed to the respective captains, the first-lieute-
nants of the line-of-battle ships were made commanders, and
captain Hugh Holland of the marines obtained the brevet rank
of major.
On the 13th of December eleven sail of the line escaped from
the harbour of Brest, and on the following day they separated
into two squadrons : one composed of five sail of the line and
two frigates, under the command of vice-admiral Leissegues; the
other, consisting of six ships of the line and two frigates, under
rear-admiral Willaumez. The former, provisioned for six months,
having 1 000 troops on board, was to proceed to San Domingo,
and then cruise before Jamaica and Newfoundland ; while the
squadron of rear-admiral Willaumez steered for St. Helena or
the Cape ; and after visiting Martinique or Guadaloupe for
supplies, they were to cruise off Barbadoes, and then return to
Europe by way of St. Helena.
i
SQUADRON OF VICE-ADMIRAL LBISSEOtJES. 21
Intelligence reached the Admiralty on the 24th of December
of the escape of the french squadron from Brest, and in the lat^
ter part of January two bntish squadrons were despatched in
pursuit of the enemy. Vice-admiral sir John Borlase Warren
with seven sail of the line was directed to proceed to the island
of Madeira on his route to Barbadoes; and if no tidings could be
obtained, he was to leave a portion of his force with rear-ad-
miral Cochrane, then run down to Jamaica, and if still unsuc-
cessful in his pursuit, to return to Spithead. Sir Richard Strachan
with six sail of the line was to steer straight for St Helena,
and not finding any information of the proceedings of the french
squadron, to make the best of his way to the Cape of Good
Hope, and reinforce the expedition which had been sent to efiect
the capture of that important settlement.
The french squadrons, after separating, were seen on the l/)th
of December by the Arethusa and Boadicea frigates, with a
convoy from Cork to the West Indies ; who were pursued by
vice-admiral Leissegues until the evening of the 16th, when the
enemy tacked to the south-west. On the 17th the squadron
was again seen by the british frigates; but after a few hours
they gave over the pursuit, and allowed the Arethusa with her
charge to pursue their course.
On the 23rd, when midway between Madeira and the Canary
islands, the Arethusa fell in with six ships of the line and two
frigates, under vice-admiral sir John T. Duckworth ; who, on re-
ceiving information that the enemy had been seen between
Madeira and Teneriffe, had raised the blockade of Cadiz, and
hastened towards Madeira in quest of the enemy. Arriving
there on the 5th of December, and touching at Teneriffe on the
15th, the vice-admiral stood to the southward as far as the Cape
de Verds ; and was on his return to resume the blockade of
Cadiz, when fallen in with by the Arethusa.
On the 25th, being close hauled on the starboard tack with
the wind about east half-north, nine sail were discovered stand-
ing to the southward. All sail was made in chase, and the pur*
22 BATTLE OF SAN DOMINGO.
suit continued until 1 p.m. on the 26th^ at which time the
Superb was within seven miles of the stemmost of the french
squadron, but the remainder of the British were so scattered,
that the rearmost ship was not visible to the admiral ; conse-
quently the pursuit was discontinued, and having despatched
the Amethyst to England, with information that the supposed
destination of the french squadron was the Cape of Good Hope,
sir John bore away to get a supply of water at the leeward
islands.
On the 2nd of January, 1806, the Powerful was detached to
the East Indies to reinforce rear-admiral sir Edward Pellew ; on
the 12th the remaining five sail of the line and one frigate an-
chored in Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes ; and on the 19th they ar-
rived in Basse-terre road, St. Christopher's, where they were
joined on the 21st by the Northumberland and Atlas. The
ships had commenced refitting for their homeward passage,
when on the 1st of February the Kingfisher brought informa-
tion that three french ships of the line had been seen steering
towards the city of San Domingo. The british squadron, now
consisting of seven ships of the line, a fiigate and a sloop, imme-
diately weighed and made sail in search of the enemy. Having
passed the island of Zacheo, in the Mona passage, on the 4th,
they reached the east end of the island of San Domingo at 8
A. M. on the 6th, and shortly afterwards learnt from the Magi-
cienne frigate, that the enemy's ships were in San Domingo
road.
Steering under easy sail during the night, the british squadron
arrived off* the city of San Domingo at day-break on the 6th of
February ; at 6 h. a. m. the Acasta made the signal for two fri-
gates, and at 6 h. 46 m. " nine sail at anchor." These were the
ships under vice-admiral Leissegues, consisting of the Imperial
120 guns, Alexandre 80, Brave, Diom^de, and Jupiter, of 74
guns each; frigates Comfete and Felicity, and ship-corvette
Diligente. After chasing the Arethusa and her convoy, as re-
lated, the french ships encountered a heavy gale of wind, in
i
MAEIHB OFFICERS IN THE ACTIOlf. 23
which the Alexandre and Brave parted company ; and the vice-
admiral with his remaining ihips having bore up, anchored in
the road of San Domingo on the 20th of January, where the
Alexandre and Brave rejoined on the 29th. The troops, toge-
ther with the ammunition and BUxe§, were landed, and the ships
set about repairing their damages ; which they had nearly com-
pleted, when they were discovered by the british squadron.
On ascertaining the force that was approaching them, the
french ships slipped their cables, and at 7h. 30m. a.m. made
sail to the westward, in the direction of Cape Nisao, with a light
breeze at north-north-west, formed in line of battle in the fol-
lowing order : — Alexandre, Imperial, DiomMe, Jupiter, and
Brave, with the frigates and corvette in a second line, in-shore
of them.
Having immediately shaped a course so as to cross the lead-
ing french ships, the admiral telegraphed that his principal ob-
ject of attack would be the french admiral and his two seconds ;
and at 8 a.m. the british squadron, in two divisions, was in
tolerably compact order as follows :—
Superb, vice-admiral sir J. T. Duckworth, K. B., captain Richard
Keats, 6 killed, 66 wounded. Captain of marines Philip
Patriarch, first-lieutenant Thomas H. Donne, second-lieute-
nant Robert Webb.
Northumberland, rear-admiral hon. Alexander Cochrane, captain
John Morrison, 21 killed, 79 wounded. Captain of marines
Robert Lynch, first-lieutenant James Weir, second-lieute-
nant George Nelson.
Spencer, Captain the honourable Robert Stopford, 18 killed, 60
wounded. Captain of marines W. Barry, second-lieutenant
James Cuthbertson (badly wounded), lieutenants Henry
Lewis and Hugh Parry.
Agamemnon, captain sir Edward Berry, 1 killed, 13 wounded.
Captain of marines H. B. Downing, second-lieutenants Her-
bert Raban and Donald Campbell.
i
24 THE ACTION COMMBMCES.
Canopiis^ rear-admiral Thomas Louis^ captain F. W. Austen,
8 killed, 22 wounded. Captain of marines James Malcolm,
lieutenants Robert Stewart and Vans Walker.
Donegal, captain Pulteney Malcolm, 12 killed, 33 wounded.
First-lieutenant of marines W. B. M'MuUen, second-lieute-
nant Alexander Smith.
Atlas, captain Samuel Pym, 8 killed, 11 wounded. Lieutenants
of marines James R. Goddard and George D. Harrison.
Total— 74 killed, and 264 wounded.
The Acasta and Magicienne frigates. Kingfisher sloop, and
Epervier brig, had in the mean time taken their stations to
windward of the line-of-battle ships.
The inequality of sailing among the british ships was so great,
that by 10 A. m. the Agamemnon had dropt considerably astern;
and the Canopus, the leading ship of the larboard division, was
at about the same distance from the three advanced ships of the
weather line, who were in close order, and gaining fast upon
the enemy's squadron. Owing to the shifl of wind, which was
blowing from the north-east by east, the french ships were now
steering with it about a point upon the starboard quarter, and
at 9 h. 45 m. they hoisted their colours. The Superb having
shortened sail, opened her fire at 10 h. 10 m. from her starboard
guns upon the Alexandre, and in three minutes afterwards the
Northumberland was in action with the three-decker. In another
five minutes the Spencer, when close upon the starboard quar-
ter of the Northumberland, joined in the cannonade, making
the Diom^de her immediate opponent, but firing her bow guns
occasionally at the Imperial : at this time all the ships engaged
were running nearly before the wind, at the rate of about eight
knots an hour.
After the exchange of three broadsides, the Alexandre hauled
suddenly up on the larboard tack, and passed astern of the
Superb and Northumberland, leaving the Imperial in close
action with the two british ships. The Alexandre attempted
to pass through the interval between the Northumberland and
SURRENDER OF THREE SHIPS. 25
Spencer; but the latter, after pouring in a raking broadside,
crossed the bow of the french ship, and wearing round, brought
her to action on the larboard tack. The Northumberland hav-
ing gallantly pushed in between the Superb and the Imperial,
received the heavy fire which had been intended for the british
vice-admiral, and the french three-decker continued nobly to
defend herself against her two antagonists, until other ships
arrived up, as we shall presently relate. The Alexandre and
Spencer were now sharply engaged, with their heads to the
southward, while the remaining ships of both squadrons con-
tinued their course to the westward. At about 10 h. 35 m. a.m.
the Canopus, leading the lee division, poured in her broadside
whilst crossing the bows of the Alexandre, which bi-ought
down her three masts by the board ; and the dismasted ship
afterwards received the passing fire of the Donegal and Atlas.
The Canopus then stood on towards the Imperial and Diom^e,
while the Donegal and Atlas became the opponents of the Brave
and Jupiter. The Spencer, on finding that the Alexandre, be-
sides being totally dismasted, was on fire, filled, and at 11 a. m.
bore away to take a further share in the contest. The Donegal,
after discharging her starboard broadside at the Brave, wore
under her stem, and engaged the french ship with her larboard
guns until the Brave struck her colours. The Donegal then
made sail, and after the discharge of some broadsides from her
larboard guns into the Jupiter, (who, as well as the Brave, had
been previously engaged by the Atlas and one or two other
british ships), ranged a-head, and ran her opponent on board ;
receiving the french ship's bowsprit just over her larboard quar-
ter, and securing it there, she soon compelled the Jupiter to haul
down her colours.
After quitting the Jupiter and following the Canopus, the
Atlas, at about 11a. m., fired two broadsides into the Imperial,
and then bearing up under the latter's stem, raked her ; but
unfortunately at this moment the tiller of the Atlas became
jammed, and she was consequently exposed to a heavy fire on
i
26 HEAVY LOSS OF THE ENEMY.
her quarter from the Diom^de. In the confusion she ran foul
of the Canopus^ who was close a-head, and without doing any
essential damage to the latter^ carried away her* own bowsprit.
Heaving all aback, the Atlas, in clearing herself from the Cano-
pus, dropped along the larboard side of the Diom^de. Both
ships were smartly engaged for nearly a quarter of an hour,
when the Spencer came up, and after firing at the Brave in
passing, stood towards the Imperial; but the latter was so near
the shore, that the Spencer joined the Atlas in her contest with
the Diom^de, and crossing that ship's bows, hauled up on the
starboard tack. In the mean time the DiomMe ran on shore,
and as she took the ground her three masts went by the board;
nevertheless, the french ship still continued to fire at the Atlas
and Canopus, until they made sail to rejoin the admiral.
The Imperial, after sustaining the fire of the Superb, Nor-
thumberland, and Canopus, and having lost her main and
mizen-masts, hauled towards the land, then not more than a
mile distant : still fired at by the Superb and her former oppo-
nent, the three-decker struck the ground at 11 h. 40 m., when
the shock caused her fore-mast to fall over the side. Shortly
afterwards the Imperial fired a gun to leeward, and her people
having flocked to the upper deck in apparent distress, the bri-
tish ships discontinued to molest her.
Thus, in less than two hours, the enemy's five ships of the
line had been either captured or driven on shore ; but the two
frigates and corvette, having got well to leeward during the ac-
tion, and not having been pursued by the british frigates, made
their escape. About noon the main-mast of the Northumber-
land fell forward on the booms, destroying the boats and doing
considerable injury. The captured ships suffered very severely:
the Imperial, according to the french account, lost 600 men in
killed and wounded, the Diomfede 260, the Alexandre 300,
Brave 260, and Jupiter 200. The Alexandre was so shattered,
that it was only with difficulty this fine 80-gun ship could be
kept afloat. Neither the Jupiter nor the Brave had their masts
I
DISPOSAL OF WILLAUliEZ's SQUADRON. 27
shot away^ nor was the Jupiter materially damaged in her bull.
The Imp^rial^ with the Diom^de within 200 yards of her, lay
broadside on, about midway between Point Nisao and Point
Catalana; and such was the rocky state of the coast, that their
bottoms were stove in very soon after they had struck the
ground. On the 8th the Acasta, after rescuing the few of the
french crews remaining on board, set fire to both ships, and
they were destroyed. Honours and promotion rewarded the
officers who had assisted in obtaining this victory. Rear-ad-
miral Cochrane was invested with the order of the Bath, and
rear-admiral Louis created a baronet. The first-lieutenant of
each flag-ship was promoted to post rank, the second made
a commander, and the commander's rank bestowed upon the
first-lieutenants of the remaining four ships. Captain James
Malcolm, of the marines, obtained the brevet rank of major.
To return to the squadron of rear-admiral Willaumez, we find
that on reaching the Cape of Good Hope this officer learnt,
to his great disappointment, that the colony had submitted to
the british flag : thus baffled, he continued to cruise until the
month of April, and after obtaining provisions at St. Salvador,
proceeded to Cayenne ; then dividing his force into three squa-
drons, they cruised successfully for some months, although fre-
quently chased by british ships. Sailing towards the coast of
Newfoundland, on the 1st of August a violent storm dispersed
the squadron, dismasting and damaging the whole of them.
On the 14th of September the 74-gun ship Impetueux, under
jury-masts, fell in with the british 74-gun ships Belleisle and
Bellona, and the Melampus frigate : in the crippled state of the
ship, there was no alternative but to bear up for the land ; and
having hoisted her colours, the Imp6tueux ran ashore near
Cape Henry, where she was burnt by the British. The Fou-
droyant, after refitting at Havanna, reached Rochefort, whilst
the Patriote, Casard, and Veteran, also found their way to a safe
port ; but the Eole was taken to pieces at Annapolis.
The success of the emperor *Napol6on at Austerlitz, enabled
i
28 FERDINAND QUITS NAPLES.
him to conclude a treaty of peace with Austria at Presburg ;
and about the same time a treaty with Prussia was signed at
Vienna. Austria renounced her claim to the Venetian states,
and signified her approval of their being annexed to the king-
dom of Italy, reserving the comparatively insignificant port of
Trieste, at the head of the Adriatic, as her only portion in the
Mediterranean. Being at peace with these two powers, and the
Prussian army having withdrawn from Austria, Napoleon seized
the opportunity to punish Ferdinand of Naples for having, in
direct violation of a treaty of neutrality, concluded on the 8th
of October, 1805, sufiered a combined english and russian force
to land on his territory on the 20th of the following November.
The Russians, amounting to about 1 4,000 men, occupied Naples
and the environs ; and 10,000 British, under general sir James
Craig, were cantoned at Castel-a-Mare and its vicinity: more-
over, the king of Naples was levying an army, and providing
the necessary magazines and stores for its use.
On the 28th of December, the very day after the treaty of
Presburg had been signed. Napoleon issued a proclamation
from his head-quarters at Vienna, declaring that the neapolitan
dynasty was at an end. This denouncement induced the two
allies of Naples to consult their own safety : the russian troops
retired to Corfu, and the english army, having also re-embarked,
were conveyed to Messina, in Sicily. The king of Naples be-
came alarmed, and quitting his capital on the 23rd of January,
embarked on board the Excellent 74, which ship conveyed his
majesty to Palermo, leaving his eldest son, the duke of Calabria,
as regent ; but on the 7th of February the duke also quitted
the kingdom. In the mean time the firench army under general
Massena, with Joseph Buonaparte for its nominal head, and
assisted by general Regnier, had reached the frontier; on the
9th they were at Ferentino, whence the firench troops advanced
in three divisions : the right, under Regnier, marched to Gaeta,
a strong post situated upon a rocky promontory, three sides of
which were washed by the sea, and the fourth connected with
SIEGE OF GAETA. 29
the continent by a narrow and well-fortified isthmus; whilst the
centre division, under Massena, advanced straight to Naples.
On the 12th and 16th they had possession of Capua, as well
as of the capital; and before the end of March, the French had
placed garrisons in Scylla and Tarento, and the whole king-
dom, with the exception of Gaeta and Civitella del Tranto, in
the further Abruzzo, had submitted.
On the 21st of April rear-admiral sir Sidney Smith, in the
Pomp6e 74, arrived at Palermo, to take the command of the
squadron assembled there for the defence of Sicily, consisting
of the Pomp^e, Excellent, and the two 64-gun ships Athenien
and Intrepid, with two british and a neapolitan frigate, toge-
ther with some neapolitan gun and mortar-boats. Sir Sidney
immediately adopted measures for throwing supplies into Gaeta,
which he accomplished under a heavy fire from the besiegers,
landing at the same time four of the Excellent's lower-deck
guns. Considering that the best means of co-operating with
the prince of Hesse Philipsthaal in defending the fort, which
he had so gallantly maintained, would be to draw off a part of
the attacking force for th^ defence of Naples, sir Sidney pro-
ceeded thither with the four ships of the line, leaving the
32-gun frigate Juno, the neapolitan frigate, and twelve gun-
boats.
The garrison, having embarked 60 men in four fishing-boats,
accompanied by the armed boats of the two frigates, landed on
the night of the 12th of April in a small bay in the rear of a
battery of four guns, which the enemy abandoned on their ap-
proach ; and the troops re-embarked without loss, after spiking
the guns and destroying the carriages. On the 16th the garri-
son of Gkieta made another sortie, supported by two divisions of
gun-boats under captain Richardson, and the armed boats of
the Juno under lieutenant Thomas Wells, assisted by lieutenant
Robert M. Mant of the marines. In this affair the British had
4 killed and 5 wounded.
On the 30th of March Joseph Buonaparte caused himself to
i
30 A88AULT OF CAPBI.
be procUimed king of Naples^ and on the arrival of sir Sidney
in the bay, he found the city illuminated on the occasion of his
coronation as king of the Two Sicilies. The 74-gun ship Eagle
was now added to the british squadron, which consisted of the
Pomp^, EoLglCf and Excellent of 74, and the Athenien and In-
trepid of 64 guns.
On the 1 1 th a summons was sent to the french officer com-
manding the garrison on the island of Capri ; and on his refusing
to capitulate, the Eagle was judiciously placed in a position to
cover the landing, and so near ihe shore, that a seaman was
killed and her first-lieutenant wounded by musketry before she
opened her fire. After a heavy cannonade from the 74 and two
neapolitan mortar-boats, from 9 till 10 a.m., the French were
driven from the vineyards within their walls. The disembark-
ation of a storming-party immediately took place, consisting of
seamen under the command of two lieutenants, and the marines
under captain Richard Bunce, assisted by captain John Stannus
and lieutenant George P. CarrolL The detachment gallantly
mounted the steps that led to the heights, and captain Stannus,
being in the advance, attacked and killed the french comman-
dant. On this event being known, the garrison beat a parley,
and were allowed to capitulate on honourable terms. The total
loss sustained by the British did not exceed 2 killed and 10
wounded.
Sir Sidney, after placing an english garrison in Capri, pro-
ceeded along the coast to the southward, cutting off the ene-
my's communications, in order to retard the operations against
Oaeta. On his return to Palermo, the rear-admiral assisted
Ferdinand in persuading sir John Stuart to invade Calabria ;
and on the 1st of July, 4800 british infantry were landed with-
out opposition in the gulf of St. Eufemia. On the afternoon
of the 3rd, the british general received intelligence that general
Rcgnier with an immediate french force of 4000 infantry and 300
cavalry, and an hourly-expected reinforcement of 3000 more
troops, was encamped on the slope of a woody hill, below the
BATTLE OF MAIDA. 31
village of Maida, and distant about 10 miles from the position
of the British. In the hope of being able to attack the enemy
before the reinforcement could arrive^ sir John Stuart pushed
forward on the morning of the 4th ; but the expected division
joined on the previous evenings and general Regnier had now
under his immediate command above 7000 men. With the de-
sire of having the assistance of his cavalry, the french general
descended into the plain in front of his position ; and here was
fought the famous battle of Maida, which was gloriously won
by the firmness of the british troops with the bayonet, and
with so trifling a loss as one officer, 3 Serjeants, and 41 rank
and file killed; 11 officers, 6 Serjeants, 2 drummers, and 261
rank and file wounded : whilst the loss on the part of the
French was estimated at nearly 4000 men.
In consequence of this victory the British, become possessed
of the forts along the coast, and of all the d6p6ts of arms and
ammunition, prepared for the attack of Sicily. By the end of
July the british army was withdrawn from Calabria, with the
exception of the garrison of Scylla, and a detachment of the
78th regiment under lieutenant-colonel McLeod, conveyed to
the coast near Calanzaro in the Amphion 32, captain William
Hoste. An attack was made by these two officers on the 30th
of July upon the important post of Cotrone ; and greatly owing
to the judicious manner in which captain Hoste placed the Am-
phion and some neapolitan gun-boats, that fortress, containing
upwards of 600 french troops, together with all its stores and
magazines, surrendered to the british arms.
Shortly alPterwards the French evacuated both Calabrias, but
the fortress of Oaeta was closely invested by the enemy, who
brought their artillery to act with such effect, that on the 12th of
July this important post surrendered by capitulation. This suc-
cess gave fresh energy to the French, and before the end of the
year they regained possession of every place of importance in the
two Calabrias except Scylla, which was still retained by the
British ; and this, united with their occupation of Messina on
i
32 CAPTURE OF THE RAPOSA.
the opposite side of the Faro, gave them the entire command of
the strait.
On the 6th of January, in the evening, the 36-gun frigate
Franchise, having anchored abreast the town of Campeachy, and
in consequence of the shallowness of the water at a distance of
five leagues from the shore, despatched her launch, barge, and
pinnace under the orders of lieutenant John Fleming, assisted
by several oflScers, and among that number lieutenant of marines
Herbert Bowen Mends, with orders to scour the bay. Owing
to the distance and the darkness of the night, the boats did not
reach the anchorage until 4 a. m. on the 7th; by which time the
moon had risen, and their approach having been consequently
discovered, it gave ample time to the Spaniards to make every
preparation for defence, by tricing up their boarding-nettings,
and projecting their sweeps from the sides of the vessels to ob-
struct the boats in their approach. By this time the alarm had
spread rapidly from one end of the bay to the other; but nothing
could damp the ardour of the British, who pushing onward pre-
sently saw approaching them two Spanish brigs of war, an armed
schooner, and seven gun-boats; all of which opened a smart
fire on the boats. Lieutenant Fleming in the launch dashed
forward, and with lieutenant Mends boarded the nearest brig ;
and being supported by the other two boats, after an obstinate
conflict of ten minutes duration, they carried the Spanish brig-
corvette Raposa, pierced for 16 but mounting 12 carriage guns,
and having on board 75 men. This gallant exploit was accom-
plished with a loss to the British of only lieutenant Mends and
6 men wounded. The Raposa had an officer and 4 men killed,
and 26 wounded, many of them mortally ; besides several who
had jumped overboard and were drowned. The remaining brig,
mounting 20 guns, with a crew of 180 men, and the schooner of
8 guns, together with the gun-boats, opened a fire of cannon
and musketry upon the Raposa ; but the latter and the boats
so smartly returned their fire, that the flotilla soon retired to its
former position, leaving the British to carry off their prize in
MARENGO AND BELLE POULE. 33
triumph. The gallant services of lieutenant Mends were re-
warded by a handsome sword, presented to him by the Patriotic
Fund, valued at £60.
On the 8th of March the boats of the 44-gun frigate Egyp-
tienne, captain the honourable Charles Paget, were detached
under the orders of captain P. C. Handfield, assisted by lieu-
tenant Alleyn, and lieutenant of marines Edward Hancock
Gkirthwaite, to endeavour to capture a large frigate-built irench
privateer, anchored in the port of Muros, near Cape Finisterre.
Although this vessel (which was the Alcide of Bordeaux, pierced
for 34 guns and carrying a complement when at sea of 240 men)
was moored close to the beach, under the protection of two bat-
teries that kept up an incessant fire until the ship was out of
range, the enterprise fully succeeded, without any loss on the
part of the British.
On the 13th of March, at 3 a.m., the 98-gun ship London,
captain sir Harry B. Neale, being to windward^ and somewhat
astern of the Foudroyant 80, and Amazon 38, was steering to
the south-east with the wind from the south-west, when she 4i^
covered two strange sail. The London immediately wore in
chase, making signals to her companions, and in a short time
was enabled to fire upon the strangers, who were the Marengo
74, rear-admiral Linois, and the Belle Poule 40-gun frigate, i^-
tuming to France from the East Indies.
At 6 h. 30 m. A.M. the London got alongside of the Marengo,
then on the larboard tack, and a sharp action was main-
tained until 6 A.M., when the Marengo hauled off and made
sail a-head. The Belle Poule, then on the lee-bow of the Lon-
don, now became opposed to the british three-decker, but at
7 A. M. the Amazon, captain William Parker, came up, and pass-
ing the London, soon got alongside the Belle Poule, who had'
stood on a-head out of shot of her former opponent, and at 8 h.
30 m. both frigates were warmly engaged. A running fight
was maintained by the London and Marengo until 10 h. 25 m.
A.M., when the Foudroyant having arrived sufficiently near to
VOL. II. D
i
34 PIQUE AND PHJETON.
take part iii the action^ the Marengo struck her colours^ and
about the same time the Belle Poule surrendered to the Amazon.
The loss on board the London amounted to 9 killed and 22
wounded. The Amazon had her first-lieutenant Richard Sey-
mour, second-lieutenant of marines Edward Prior^ and one sea-
man killed, and 5 wounded. The loss of the Marengo amounted
to 63 killed and 82 wounded. The Belle Poule had 6 killed
and 24 wounded. First-lieutenant Edward S. Brown was serv-
ing on board the Amazon.
On the 26th of March, in the afternoon, the 36-gun frigate
Pique, captain C. B. H. Ross, when crossing from St. Domingo
to Curagoa, fell in with the french 16-gun brigs Voltigeur and
Phseton, who were on the starboard tack, standing for the land
with a fresh breeze from the south-east. The Pique immedi-
ately made sail in chase, and after an hour's distant firing closed
with the two brigs at 2 p. m. In about twenty minutes the
stemmost brig, the Phseton, having had her peak and gaff-hal-
liards shot away, fell on board the starboard beam of the frigate.
In an instant lieutenants Ward and Baker, Richard Thompson
the master, and lieutenant William Henry Craig of the marines,
leading the boarders, sprang on board the Phseton; and as there
was no appearance of resistance, the Pique, clearing herself, stood
after the Voltigeur, who was crowding sail to get away. At this
moment a great proportion of the french crew, headed by their
officers, rushed from under the fore and aft main-sail, where
they had been concealed, and opened a destructive fire upon the
British; by which Mr. Thompson and 8 seamen were killed,
lieutenants Ward, Baker, Craig, and 11 seamen and marines
wounded.
On perceiving the renewal of the contest on board the brig,
the Pique again closed and sent a reinforcement, who soon re-
venged themselves for the loss of their comrades, and compelled
the french crew to sue for quarter. The Pique then crowded
sail after the Voltigeur, and captured her before she could reach
the land, without any further resistance. On the 1st of Novem-
CAPTURK OP GIOANTA. 35
ber three boats of the Pique, under lieutenant Charles Bell, as-
sisted by lieutenant of marines Edward Bailie, were detached to
intercept a schooner coming round Cape Roxo, Porto Rico; but
owing to a heavy squall, attended with rain, the boats lost sight
of her in the night. These enterprising officers then pushed in
for Cabaret bay, where they boarded and captured a fine spa*
nish copper-bottomed brig, pierced for 12 guns, which they
brought out in safety, after they had landed and destroyed a
three-gun battery.
On the 3rd of May, in the evening, when cruising to the
north-east of Cape Palos, the boats of the 36-gun frigate Re-
nomm6e, captain sir Thomas Livingstone, were despatched under
the command of lieutenant sir William Parker, assisted by seve-
ral officers, and among that number lieutenant Henry Murton of
the marines, to cut out from the port of Torre Vieja the Spanish
schooner Giganta, of 2 long twenty-four-pounders in the bow,
3 long four-pounder carriage guns, and 4 two-pounder swivels,
with a crew of 28 men. The schooner was lying chain-moored
within pistol-shot of the batteries, fully prepared for the attack,
with her boarding netting triced up. Notwithstanding this for-
midable opposition, the Giganta was carried after a spirited re-
sistance, and safely brought out, with no greater loss than 1
midshipman and 6 men wounded; on the part of the enemy
9 men were wounded.
On the 3rd of April, in the evening, the 36-gun frigate Mel-
pomene, captain Peter Parker, sent her boats in-shore, and at
day-break on the 4th they separated in chase of several vessels.
The barge, commanded by lieutenant Thompson, assisted by lieu-
tenant Henry Bamet Gascoigne of the marines, Whitwell But-
ler master's mate, Serjeant Thomas Milligan of the marines,
with a crew of 18 seamen, after a long pull came up with a large
french settee, armed with 4 six-pounders and 12 mounted mus-
quetons, and defended by a crew of 18 men. At this time the
frigate lay becalmed in the offing, half top-sails down ; and the
other boats had gone off to her with the prizes captured at day-
D 2
36 HEROISM OF SEKJEAMT MILLiGAN.
light. Notwithstanding that the settee was fully prepared,
having a strong netting triced up, and every man with a spare
musket and pistols at his side, the barge pulled gallantly up,
cheered by the officers as the enemy opened a well-directed fire,
by which lieutenant Thompson and 7 men were killed, and 8 se-
verely wounded, leaving only lieutenant Gascoigne (who was
also wounded), Mr. Butler, serjeant Milligan, and 3 men able to
board. Covered by the smoke, which concealed the loss the
British had sustained, the remaining six instantly sprang on
board, and in spite of a determined resistance made good their
footing on the enemy's deck. Three Frenchmen were killed in
the struggle, and the remainder, having been driven overboard,
were separately picked up and secured.
Serjeant Milligan being in the Bow of the barge, was the first
man that got on board the settee, and being closely followed by
his 6 comrades, they drove the Frenchmen before them, 6 of
v\rhom jumped into their own boat, taking with them their
arms and ammunition. Considering that if these men pulled
from alongside they might do much mischief, Milligan instantly
leaped into the midst of them, and being overpowered, was seiz-
ed and thrown overboard ; but in the struggle he grappled and
carried with him one of his antagonists, whom he killed with his
cutlass when in the water. The serjeant was afterwards picked
up much exhausted, having received several wounds in this
gallant conflict.
Lieutenant Gascoigne addressed a recommendation on behalf
of the serjeant to lieutenant-general Barclay, commanding the
Chatham division, having had it previously countersigned by
sir Sidney Smith and captain Parker. It was read at the head
of the division, entered on the records, and transmitted to the
committee of the Patriotic Fund at Lloyd's, who in consequence
voted the sum of £40 to the serjeant. About this time so much
had been said in the House of Commons with reference to the
loss of the many valuable lives in boat actions, that the de-
spatches of captain Parker and of sir Sidney Smith, reporting
PALLAS AND FRKNCH CORVETTES. 37
this gallant enterprise, never appeai*ed in the Gazette, From
that circumstance Mr. Butler lost his promotion, and the com-
mittee at Lloyd's was restricted from presenting rewards to the
surviving officers and men ; and to the relations of the gallant
slain those consolatory testimonials bestowed on similar occa-
sions. The wounds of Mr. Gascoigne brought on a lingering
illness, which caused him to be invalided home ; and some time
afterwards to retire on half-pay. The lord High Admiral, to
mark his sense of lieutenant Gascoigne's claim, gave his son a
commission in the corps in which his parent had served with
«o much distinction.
On the 5th of April the boats of the Pallas frigate boarded
the french corvette Tapageuse, anchored in the Gironde, twenty
miles above the shoals of Cordouan; and although pursued by
a sloop of war and opposed by the fire from the batteries, she
was safely brought out ; but before the boats reached the Pallas,
the frigate was engaged with three french ships. Captain Coch-
rane observes, " In a few minutes the anchor was weighed, and
with the remainder of the officers and crew we chaseo and drove
on shore and wrecked one national ship of 24 guns, one of 22
guns, and the Malicieuse, a beautiful corvette oi \H guns ; their
masts went by the board, and they were involved in a sheet of
flpray. The assistance rendered by lieutenant Drummond of
the marines was such as might have been expected." None
were killed, and only t3 wounded on board the Pallas.
On the 17th of April the 36-gun frigate Sirius, captain Wm.
Prowse, while cruising to the eastward of Civita-Vecchia, gain-
ed intelligence that a flotilla of armed vessels was about to sail
from that port for Naples. All sail was immediately made by
the Sirius in that direction, and at 4 h. 15 m. p. m. the object of
her pursuit was seen near the shore. This flotilla consisted of
the ship-corvette Berg^re of 18 guns, with 189 men, commo-
dore Duclos, brig-corvettes Abeille of 18 guns and 160 men,
Leg^re and Janus of 12 guns each, Victoire bombarde of 12
Jong eighteen-pounders and two heavy mortars, a cutter, and
38 8IRIUS AND FUENCH SQUADRON;
three gun-ketches, — mounting altogether 97 guns. It was junt
sunset when the Sirius closed with the flotilla, which, formed
in compact order, was lying to near a shoal at the mouth of the
Tiber, awaiting the attack. About 7 p.m., when within pistol-
shot, the frigate opened both her broadsides, and continued
closely engaged during two hours; at which time the firing
ceased with the surrender of the Bergire, for the Sirius was too
much disabled to pursue the remainder of the flotilla, several
having made ofl* before their commodore struck his colours.
The loss sustained by the British amounted to 9 killed and 20
wounded. Lieutenant William Murray was serving on board
the Sirius in this gallant action.
On the evening of the 22nd of June, two boats of the 32-gun
frigate Minerva, when lying becalmed in.Finisterre bay, were
despatched by captain G. R. Collier, under the command of
lieutenant W. H. Mulcaster, assisted by lieutenant Ogle Moore,
and lieutenant of marines Charles Menzies, to scour the neigh-
bouring coast, and attempt to capture some luggersi of which
information had been received. On arriving at the place where
the vessels were lying, it was found necessary to carry the
fort which protected them, mounting 8 brass twenty-four and
twelve-pounders. The party immediately landed, and before
the Spaniards had time to raise the drawbridge, or to discharge
a twelve-pounder at the entrance, the British inished in with
the bayonet and drove the enemy over the parapet. Having
spiked the guns and thrown them over the walls, they took
possession of five luggers laden with wine ; and although ex-
posed to a fire from a 2-gun battery to the southward of the
town, the British triumphantly brought out their prizes without
sustaining any loss.
On the 9th of July, while the Minerva was lying in the road
of Oporto, the barge, under the command of lieutenant Mulcas-
ter, accompanied by lieutenant Charles Menzies of the marines,
was sent to cruise several leagues to the northward, to intercept
the privateers and row-boats lurking in the creeks and rivers on
k
BOATS OF MINERVA. 39
the coast; and on the ilth, after a fatiguing row of nearly
forty miles, they fell in with the Spanish lugger-privateer Buena
Dieha, of 1 long eighteen-pounder and small arms, with a crew
of 26 men. The barge was received by a heavy fire of grape
from the bow-gun of the privateer, but nothing could withstand
the impetuosity of the attack : the boat's crew quickly boarded
and carried the lugger, killing one of her crew and wounding
five others, without sustaining any loss on their own part.
On the 2nd of October, while the 32-gun frigate Minerva was
at anchor off Oro island, near the entrance of Porto Novo, cap-
tain Collier, accompanied by lieutenant Charles Menzies of the
marines, in the cutter, followed by lieutenant Paumier in the
barge, proceeded to reconnoitre the Bay of Rocks in quest of
some Spanish gun-boats, known to be at Carril. After a pull of
seven hours, the cutter was hailed by a gun-boat, mounting one
long twenty-four pounder in the bow, and 2 short bi-ass fours,
with a crew of 30 men, lying at anchor within pistol-shot of the
shore, attended by a small gun-launch with a brass four-pounder.
The gun-boat was immediately boarded on the quarter, as well
as her attendant, and both were carried without sustaining any
loss.
On the 14th of May, the 32-gun frigate Pallas, captain lord
Cochrane, at 10 h. 30 m. a.m. having arrived nearly within gun-
shot of the battery on the Isle of Aix, and shortened sail to her
top-sails, the french 40-gun frigate Min^rve, with three brig-
corvettes, were seen upon the beam of the Pallas, running down
with studding-sails and royals set, to capture the little two-and-
thirty. At about 11 h. 15 m., the strangers being within range,
the Pallas opened her fire, which soon induced the commodore
to shorten sail, and one of the brigs had her main top-sail yard
shot away. The Pallas then filled, and hauled on board her
tacks to get to windward of her principal opponent, who, assist-
ed by the batteries, kept up a smart fire upon the british frigate.
The action continued until 1 p.m., only inteirupted by the fre-
quent tacking of the Pallas to avoid the shoals ; but having
40 ]iLANCU£ AND GUERKIERE.
bucceeded in gainiug the wind of the Min^rve, and after firing
two broadsides with effect, the british frigate ran her opponent
on board ; and in the collision the Pallas had her fore-topmast,
jib-boom, fore and main top-sail yards, sprit-sail yard, bumpkin
cat-head, chain-plates of the fore-rigging, and even the bower
anchor, torn away. At this moment, to make certain of their
prize, two other frigates came out to the assistance of the Mi-
n^rve ; upon which the Pallas, being nearly a wreck, bore up
towards the offing with the little sail she could set, until taken
in tow by the Kingfisher brig. The loss on board the british
frigate amounted to only one marine killed ; one midshipman
and four seamen wounded. The Minferve is reported to have
had 7 men killed, and 14 wounded. Lieutenant Drummond was
the officer of marines serving on board the Pallas.
The 38-gun frigate Blanche, captain Thomas Lavie, cruising
off the Shetland islands, having received information that the
french 40-gun frigate Guerri^re had been seen alone off the
Faro isles, immediately proceeded thither; and on the 18th of
July, at 10 h. 30 m. a.m., the object of her search was disco-
vered from the mast-head, steering towards the island of North
Faro. At noon the Blanche bore up under all sail, with a light
breeze from the south-west, but the Guerri^re, probably mis-
taking the british ship for one of her consorts, continued to
stand on until 3 p.m., when she bore away, spreading all her
canvas. The superior sailing of the Blanche enabled her to
bring the enemy's ship to action at about 45 minutes past mid-
night, pouring in two broadsides before any return was made by
her opponent. Both ships were then warmly engaged, the
Blanche still retaining her position in the chase; and at
1 h. 30m. A.M. on the 19th, the Guerri^re, whose mizen top-
mast had been shot away, was compelled to haul down her
colours.
Out of 265 men and boys, the Blanche had no further loss
than lieutenant Robert Bastin, and 3 marines wounded ; while
the Guerricire, out of 317, sustained a loss of 20 killed and 30
CAPTURE OF POMONA. 41
wounded. Lieutenant John Campbell of the marines was serv-
ing on board the Blanche.
The 38-gun frigate Arethusa, captain C. Brisbane, and 44 -gun
frigate Anson, captain Charles Lydiard, cruising off the Havana
on the morning of the 23rd of August, discovered to leeward of
them, and within two miles of the Moro castle, the Spanish 34-
gun frigate Pomona; who finding herself closely pursued by the
british frigates, and driven to leeward of the fort by the current,
bore up and anchored within pistol-shot of a castle mounting
1 1 long thirty-six pounders, situated about two leagues to the
eastward of the Moro, where she was presently reinforced by
ten gun-boats from Havana, each mounting a long twenty-four
pounder, with 60 men.
About 10 a.m. the british frigates came to an anchor; the
Anson abreast of the gun-boats, who were formed in line a-head
of the frigate, the Arethusa on her consort's quarter, and close
alongside of the Pomona. A warm action immediately com-
menced, which continued until 10 h. 35 m., when the Pomona
hauled down her colours, and was taken possession of. All the
gun-boats had previously been either blown up, sunk, or driven
on shore ; but the castle continued the cannonade, until the ex-
plosion of part of the battery put an entire stop to the engage-
ment. The Arethusa had 2 men killed ; captain Brisbane, lieu-
tenant Higman, lieutenant John Fennell of the marines, and 29
men wounded. The Pomona had 20 killed and 30 wounded.
The officers of marines of the Arethusa were first-lieutenant
Octavius Scott, and second-lieutenant John Fennell : first-lieu-
tenant George Peebles was on board the Anson.
On the 29th of August, in the evening, the 20-gun ship Bac-
chante, captain J. R. Dacres, cruising off Santa Martha on the
Spanish main, sent her boats, under the command of lieutenant
George Norton, assisted by lieutenant John M. Pilcher of the
marines and other officers of the ship, to attack some Spanish
vessels in the harbour. At 1 a. m. on the 30th the boats arrived
at the entrance, and immediately dashed for the vessels under
42 CAPTURE OF FOUR FRENCH FRIGATES.
a very heavy fire from them, the batteries^ and several field-
pieces on the beach. Notwithstanding this formidable opposi-
tion, the British succeeded in bringing out one armed brig and
two armed feluccas, without sustaining any loss.
On the 25th of September sir Samuel Hood, cruising off
Rochefort, with the Windsor Castle 98, Centaur, Achilla, Mo-
narch, Revenge, and Mars, of 74 guns each, at 1 a.m., when
standing in towards Chasseron light-house, discovered to lee-
ward five french frigates and two brig-corvettes. This squa-
dron, which had escaped from Rochefort on the preceding
evening, bound to the West Indies, was immediately chased ;
and at 5 a.m. the Monarch commenced firing her bow guns at
the Armide, who returned the fire with her stem chasers. At
6 A.M. the Indefatigable hauled to the northward, and was pur-
sued by the Mars ; while the leeward-most frigate, the Themis,
accompanied by the two brigs, bore away to the southward and
effected their escape. The three remaining ships of the enemy
kept in close order for mutual support; and about 10 a.m. the
Monarch became sharply engaged with the two rear-most fri-
gates, so much to the disadvantage of the 74, owing to the
heavy swell, which frequently prevented her from opening her
lower-deck ports, that in about twenty minutes she was much
disabled. The Centaur arriving up at 11 a.m., commenced a
heavy fire from her larboard guns upon the Gloire and Armide,
while the Monarch continued engaging the Min^rve, and all
three frigates kept up a smart fire in return ; but being over-
powered, the Armide surrendered to the Centaur at 11 h. 46 m.
A.M., and soon after noon the Min^rve struck to the Monarch.
By this time the Mars had overtaken and captured the Inde-
fatigable : thus left to herself, the Gloire hauled up and made
sail to the westward, pursued by the Centaur and Mars, and
after a resistance of thirty minutes, surrendered to the latter
at 3 p.m. The Centaur was much disabled in her masts, sails,
and rigging, and she had 3 men killed, her captain and 3 men
wounded. The Monarch lost 4 killed and 16 wounded : making
CAROLINE AND MARIA. 43
a total loss on board the britisb squadron of 9 killed, and 29
wounded.
On the 18th of October, the 36-gun frigate Carolinei cap-
tain Peter Rainier, having captured a dutch brig of 14 guns,
obtained intelligence that the dutch 36-gun frigate Maria Rig-
gersbergen, with a 14-gun corvette and an armed ship of 18
guns, were lying in Batavia roads. Being prepared with springs
on her cables, the Caroline stood in and anchored within pistol-
shot of the frigate, and after an action of thirty minutes com-
pelled her to surrender. The British sustained a loss of 3 men
killed; lieutenant Zachary Williams of the marines (mortally),
and 17 men wounded.
In the autumn of 1805 an expedition, consisting of 5000
troops, commanded by major-general sir David Baird, having
assembled at the island of Madeira, accompanied by the 64-
gun ships Diadem, commodore sir Home Popham, Raisonable,
and Belliqueux, the 50-gun ship Diom^de, Led a and Narcissus
frigates, sailed thence for the purpose of reducing the Cape of
Good Hope. Having touched at St. Salvador for refreshments,
they continued their voyage on the 28th of November, and on
the evening of the 4th of January, 1806, reached the precon-
certed anchorage, to the westward of Robben island.
On the 5th, at 3 a.m., the troops assembled alongside the
Espoir brig; but the surf ran so high that the landing was
deemed impracticable, and they returned to their ships. The
commodore and sir David Baird then proceeded to reconnoitre
the coast, which they found extremely dangerous ; but the pro-
bability that some of the enemy's squadrons might arrive with
reinforcements, rendered it highly important that the disembar-
kation should take place as soon as possible : it was therefore
resolved to land the troops in Saldanha bay. With this object
in view, the transports containing the 38th regiment, the ca-
valry, and a proportion of artillery, under the orders of major-
general Beresford, and escorted by the Diom^de, sailed for
that destination.
44 REDUCTION OF CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.
Soon afterwards the westerly wind abated, and on the morn-
ing of the 6th, the surf having subsided, preparations were made
for landing the remainder of the troops at the spot originally
fixed upon. The ships were then placed in positions to cover the
landing, and a transport-brig of light draught of water was run
on the beach as a breakwater. Owing to these aiTangements^
and the absence of any obstruction on the part of the enemy,
the greater part of the troops effected their landing in the course
of the afternoon ; but unfortunately, thirty-five men of the 93rd
regiment were drowned, occasioned by the upsetting of a boat.
The surf increasing considerably towards the evening, the re-
mainder of the troops were not landed until the morning of the
7th. The marines of the squadron, amounting to about 400
men, were landed lower down, between the army and the town,
and formed on the enemy's fiank. The commodore, with the
Leda and a division of transports containing the battering train,
then proceeded to the head of Blawberg bay, and by firing over
the bank towards the Salt-pans, drove the enemy from the eli-
gible position he had taken. On the morning of the 8th the
army, formed into two brigades, with two howitzers and six
field-pieces, moved off* towards the road that leads to Cape
Town ; and having ascended the summit of the Blue mountain
and dislodged a part of the enemy's light troops, discovered
the main body of the Dutch, amounting to about 5000 men,
chiefly cavalry, with twenty-three pieces of cannon, and com-
manded by lieutenant-general Janssens. After an interchange
of some firing, the British moved forward with the bayonet, and
routed their opponents in every direction. The dutch loss is
represented to have amounted to 700 men in killed and wound-
ed; while the loss on the part of the British was no more than
16 killed, 189 wounded, and 8 missing.
On the 9th the troops reached Salt River, where general
Baird proposed encamping to await the arrival of the battering
train; but a flag of truce arrived from the officer commanding
the town with proposals to capitulate, and the britisli troops.
EXPEDITION TO MONTE VIDEO. 45
as agreed upon, occupied Fort Knocke. On the 10th ar-
ticles of capitulation were respectively signed; and on the
12th the British took possession of Cape Town and its depen-
cies, on the several batteries of which were mounted 113
pieces of brass, and 343 pieces of iron ordnance Greneral
Janssens, who after the battle of the 8th had retired to the
pass of Holland's Kloof, leading to the district of Zwellendam,
was at length induced to surrender, and thus the conquest of
the colony was completed. By the terms agreed upon, the
dutch general and his army were not to be considered as
prisoners of war, but were to be conveyed to Holland at the
expense of the British.
On the 4th of March, 1 806, the french 40-gun frigate Volon
taire, deceived by the dutch colour^ on the forts and shipping,
was decoyed into Table Bay, and was captured by the british
squadron, to the great joy of 217 men of the Queen's and 64th
regiments, who were on board as prisoners. Learning from va-
rious sources that the inhabitants of Monte Video and Buenos
Ayres were so oppressed by their government that they would
offer no resistance to a british army, sir Home Popham, with
the concurrence of sir David Baird, undertook an expedition
against those places; and on the 14th of April the Diadem,
Raisonable, Diom^de, Leda, and Narcissus, Encounter gun-
brig, with five transports, having on board the 71st regiment, a
small detachment of artillery, and a few dismounted dragoons,
under the command of major-general Beresford, sailed from
Table Bay. On the 22nd they arrived at St. Helena, where
they received on board a detachment of the St. Helena regi-
ment, with artillery, amounting to 286 officers and men, making
the whole force embarked about 1200 men. The expedition
left St. Helena on the 2nd of May, and on the 22nd sir Home,
being anxious to obtain the earliest local information, sailed
for Rio de la Plata in the Narcissus, leaving the squadron in
charge of captain Josias Rowley, of the Raisonable. On the
46 THB SPANISH AUMY DEFEATED.
8th of Juae the Narcissus anchored near the island of Flores,
and on the 13th was joined by the Raisonable and squadron.
It being determined to make the first attempt upon Buenos
Ayres^ the marine battalion^ consisting of 340 men and the fol-
lowing officers, major Alexander McKenzie, major Gillespie, cap-
tain Ballinghall, lieutenants Swale, Piicher, Pollard, Sandell^
Charles Forbes, and Fernyhough, and the brigade of seamen of
100 men under captain King, were placed on board the Nar-
cissus and Encounter. On the 16th these vessels, with the
transports, moved up the river, while the Diadem blockaded
Monte Video ; and the Raisonable with the Diomi^de, by way
of demonstration, cruised near Maldonado and other assailable
points on the coast. Owing to the foggy state of the weather
and intricacy of the navigation, it was not until the 25th that
the Narcissus and transports reached Point Quelmey, about
twelve miles from Buenos Ay res, and not more than ninety
from the spot they had quitted nine days before.
The army landed without opposition from the enemy near the
village of Reduction, about six miles below the town, where
the water was so shallow, that the boats grounded when half a
mile from the beach. The troops, after wading to the shore,
advanced a short distance, and then formed in line, having a
morass in front, and their rear protected by the companies of
the St. Helena regiment. Here they bivouacked for the night,
while the enemy occupied the rising ground on the opposite
side of the morass, with the village of Reduction on their right,
and their advanced picquets within a mile of our position. At
day-break the British were under arms, preparing to attack the
enemy, who were also on the alert, and making a considerable
display of cavalry. The british line now advanced, and al-
though their ailillery, from getting entangled in the swamp,
was left in the rear, the troops gallantly moved forward under
a heavy fire of grape and canister, routed the enemy and cap-
tured three guns, which were immediately turned upon the
CAPITULATION OF BUENOS AYRES. 47
Spaniards as they fled towards the river Chuelo. After de-
stroying the bridge, the Spanish army took up a position on
the bank of the river, out of gun-shot.
On the morning of the 27th the British crossed the Chuelo,
and having advanced to within a mile and a half of the capital, an
officer arrived from the Spanish authorities offering to capitulate,
provided the inhabitants were protected and their property re-
spected. Those terms having been acceded to, the british troops
immediately entered the city and took possession of the castle,
the viceroy and his army having previously fled to Cordova;
and on the 2nd of July the capitulation was signed upon terms
highly favourable to the inhabitants.
The amount of the garrison did not exceed 1600 men, and
this limited force was so inadequate to the extent they had to
defend, that the Spaniards soon began to evince a spirit of re-
sistance, frequently attacking our men on picquet, and many
were cut off" by the insidious enemy. About six weeks after
Buenos Ayres had submitted, the warlike preparatipns of the
inhabitants became very apparent, and on the 31st of July
general Beresford apprized sir Home Popham that an insur-
rection was forming in the city ; at the same time a force of
1200 men was organizing on the Monte Video side of the
river, under M. Liniers, a french colonel in the Spanish service.
On the 4th of August that officer, taking advantage of a fog,
was enabled to elude the vigilance of the british gun-boats,
and the Spanish troops landed at Conchas, about fifteen miles
above Buenos Ayres.
A british force, consisting of 450 men of the 71st regiment and
60 marines, with 2 pieces of artillery, were detached at 2 a. m.
to attack them ; and after a march of five hours they discovered
the enemy drawn up in order of battle : instantly moving for-
ward, the British dispersed the Spanish force, which, with the
militia that had assembled, amounted to above 2000 men. After
capturing some guns, the detachment returned to Buenos Ayres
the same afternoon, having marched thirty miles in fourteen
48 SURRENDBR OP THK imiTISfl.
hours. Colonel Liniers was not long in re-assembling his
army with increased numbei's^ and on the 10th of August he
sent in a flag of truce with a summons to the british general to
surrender the citadel : this was peremptorily refused, and imme-
diate preparation made for a ref&olute defence. The firing soon
commenced, but the enemy's attacks were principally from the
tops of houses, or by hidden parties falling on the picquets. On
the 12th the Spanish force had so greatly increased that it was
reported to exceed 10,000 men, comprised principally of militia.
Thus hemmed in, with their ammunition exhausted, the British
beat a parley; and the terms proposed having been accepted, the
troops marched out with the honours of war to the town-hall,
where they laid down their arms, and were confined as prisoners
until ships could be prepared to convey them to England, the
officers retaining their swords. The loss sustained by the Bri-
tish amounted to 48 killed, 107 wounded, and 10 missing. In
consequence of information reaching the Spanish governor that
a british force was on its way to the river Plata, the prisoners
were removed from Buenos Ayres to the interior, and on the
11th of October the remainder of the army quitted the city ; but
it was not until the 4th of May, 1807, that they reached their
place of destination in the valley at the foot of the Condor
mountains, where they continued until the unsuccessful attack
of general Whitelocke on Buenos Ayres in July 1807.
After the failure of the expedition to Buenos Ayres, or rather
the capitulation of the troops under major-general Beresford,
commodore sir Home Popham remained at anchor blockading
the port, until, by the arrival of reinforcements on the 5th and
12th of October, he was enabled to recommence oiTensive ope-
rations. After making an attempt upon Monte Video, and find-
ing the water too shallow to admit of approaching sufficiently
near with the ships to batter the walls with effect, the commo-
dore on the 29th anchored in the harbour of Maldonado, which
is formed by the island of Goretti, defended by a battery of 20
twenty-four pounders. The troops, including seamen and ma-
ASSAULT OF MONTE VIDEO. 49
rines, amounting to about 1000 men, under brigadier-general
Backhouse, were disembarked without opposition | and after a
slight skirmish obtained possession of the village of Maldonado,
as they did of Goretti on the following day. Thus matters rested
until the arrival of rear-admiral Stirling in the Ardent 64, with
a small convoy, on the 6th of January, 1807, when brigadier-
general sir Samuel Achmuty also arrived to take command of
the troops. Maldonado was evacuated on the 13th, and a small
garrison only was left in Goretti.
An attack on Monte Video was now determined on, and on
the 16th the following ships assembled off the island of Flores:
Diadem, Raisonable, Ardent, and Lancaster of 64 guns ; Leda,
Unicoin, and Medusa frigates, besides sloops and smaller ves-
sels. A landing was effected in a small bay a little to the west-
ward of the Caretas rocks, about eight miles to the eastward of
the town ; the intricacy of the navigation and the strong breeze
then blowing, rendered it very difficult for the large ships to
approach sufficiently near the shore, but the frigate stood close
in, and commanded the beach very effectually.
On the 19th the army, including about 800 seamen and ma-
rines under the orders of captain Ross Donnelly, moved for-
ward ; and in the evening the ships of war and transports dropped
up to Chico bay, near to which, and about two miles from the
town, the troops encamped, after having had a slight skirmish
with the enemy. The water was so shallow in front of Monte
Video, that the ships could lend no effectual co-operation in the
siege beyond landing a pail of their men, guns, and stores, and
cutting off the communication between Colonna and Buenos
Ay res. On the 25th the breaching batteries opened upon
Monte Video, and the lighter vessels of the squadron kept
up a distant fire upon the fortifications.
The siege continued without much appearance of success
until the 2nd of February, when a breach was reported prac-
ticable. In the evening a summons was sent to the governor ;
and on the morning of the 3rd, before day, the place was gal-
VOL. II. B
f)0 SUURBNDEK OF TUE BUITISII ARMY.
laiitly fitonned, and the town and citadel carried. The loss sus-
tained by the army, from its landing to the termination of the
siege, amounted to 192 killed, 421 wounded, and 8 missing.
Of the navy and marines on shore only 6 were killed, 28
wounded, and 4 missing.
In the early part of May, a reinforcement of 5000 troops
arrived under brigadier-general Crawfurd, who superseded sir
Samuel Achmuty ; and on the 16th of June lieutenant-general
Whitelocke arrived in the 64-gun ship Polyphemus, bearing the
flag of rear-admiral George Murray, and these officers took com-
mand of the respective forces. An attempt upon Buenos Ayres
was the immediate object of the expedition, and on the 28th of
June a landing was effected within thirty miles of the place
without opposition. On the 6th of July an attack was made on
the town, and the army, under the command of brigadier-general
Crawfurd being overwhelmed by numbers, were compelled to
surrender with a loss of 2,600 men in killed, wounded, and
prisoners. On the 6th general Liniers, commanding the Spanish
army in Buenos Ayres, offered to deliver up all the prisoners if
the attack were discontinued, and the British consented to eva-
cuate the river Plata in two months. General Whitelocke im-
mediately acceded to these terms, and thus terminated this dis-
astrous campaign, which had excited the attention and expec-
tations of the British public to an unusual degree.
On the 29th of November, 1806, vice-admiral Dacres, com-
mander-in-chief on the Jamaica station, despatched captain
Charles Brisbane of the Arethusa, accompanied by the Latona
38 guns, captain James A. Wood, and the Anson 34 guns, cap-
tain Charles Lydiard, to reconnoitre the island of Cura9oa, and
ascertain how far the inhabitants were disposed to ally them-
selves to Great Britain. Owing to adverse winds and currents,
it was not until the 22nd of December, in the evening, that the
squadron reached the west-end of Aruba island, situated about
a degree to the westward of Cura§oa: here they were joined by
the 38-gun frigate Fisgard, captain William Bolton.
ATTACK UPON CURA^OA. 51
The necessary preparations were made for a vigorous attack
upon the island : each ship having her allotted station, the crews
were divided into storming parties, commanded by their respec-
tive officers, and led by their captains, leaving on board merely
sufficient hands to work the ship. On the 24th the four frigates
weighed and made sail, intending to strike the blow at daybreak
on new year's day, which was considered a favourable moment,
as the previous eve is generally spent by the Dutch in intem-
perate festivity.
1807.
On the 1st of January, at 1 a.m., the frigates hove to when
near the high land of St. Barbery's, on the east-end of Cura§oa ;
and having hoisted out the boats, and made the necessary
arrangements for an immediate attack by storm, bore away
for the mouth of the harbour at 6 A. m., the Arethusa leading,
followed in close order by the Latona, Anson, and Fisgard.
The entrance is only 60 fathoms wide, and is defended by
regular fortifications ; the principal of which, Fort Amsterdam,
standing on the right-hand side, mounts 60 pieces of cannon
in two tiers. Athwart the harbour, (which nowhere exceeds
a quarter of a mile in width,) were the dutch 36-gun frigate
Halstaar, and 20-gun ship Surinam, besides two large armed
schooners. On Middleburg height there was a chain of forts ;
and Fort R^publique, deemed almost impregnable, situated
upon a high hill at the bottom of the harbour, within half gun-
shot distance, enfiladed the whole.
At daylight the Arethusa, with a flag of truce at the fore, en-
tered the port ; but the dutch forts and shipping, taking no no-
tice of the flag, opened a smart although ineffective fire. The
wind suddenly shifting to the north, checked the further progress
of the Arethusa; but in a few minutes it veered back to north-
east, thereby enabling all the frigates, except the Fisgard, a-
ground on the west side, to lay up along the harbour ; and the
three remaining ships anchored in positions for cannonading the
defences of the enemy.
E 2
C2 A8SAULT ON FORT AM8TEUDAM.
The Arethusa was now lying with her jib-boom over the wall
of the town, when captain Brisbane sent the following Bummons
to the governor : — " The british squadron are here to protect,
and not to conquer you ; but to preserve to you your lives, li-
berty, and property. If a shot be fired at any one of my squa-
dron after this summons, I shall immediately storm your bat-
teries : you have five minutes to accede to this determination."
No notice being taken of this summons, the flag of truce was
hauled down, and at 6 h. 15 m. a. m. the british squadron com-
menced the action. After the discharge of the third broadside,
captain Brisbane, at the head of the boarders, carried the dutch
frigate, and the Latona immediately warped alongside and took
possession. In the mean time captain Lydiard, with a division
of men from the Anson, had boarded and secured the corvette.
Captains Brisbane and Lydiard then pulled straight for the
shore, and landing together, proceeded at 7 h. 30 m. a. m. to
storm Fort Amsterdam. The vigour of the assault was irresisti-
ble : whilst some were employed in forcing open the sea-gate,
others escaladed the walls, and althqugh the fort was garrisoned
by 276 regular troops, it was carried in about ten minutes ; and
shortly afterwards the citadel and some minor forts, as well as
the town, were in the possession oi* the British. On the return
of captains Brisbane and Lydiard to their respective ships, a fire
•was opened upon Fort Republique, and 300 seamen and marines
were landed to attack it in the rear ; but without waiting for
such encounter the fort surrendered, and by noon the whole
island of Cura^oa had capitulated to the british arms.
This unparalleled achievement was accomplished with no
greater loss to the British than 3 seamen killed, and 14
wounded. The loss on the part of the Dutch was much more
severe : the Halstaar had her captain and 2 men killed, and 3
wounded ; the Surinam 1 killed, her commander (dangerously)
and 3 wounded ; and the schooner Flying Fish, one killed and
one wounded. Total, — 6 killed, and 8 wounded ; whilst the
killed and wounded on shore amounted to about 200 men.
i
CAPTURE OF THE LYNX. 53
Captain Brisbane, the planner and leader of this gallant enter-
prise, received the honour of knighthood ; medals were conferred
on the four captains; the senior lieutenants of the Arethusa and
Anson were made commanders, and lieutenant George'^Peebles
was promoted to the brevet-rank of captain.
The officers of marines serving on board the squadron were
as follows : —
Arethusa; first-lieutenant Octavius Scott, second-lieutenant
John Fennell.
Latona; first-lieutenant John Hay, second-lieutenant — Hen-
derson.
Anson ; first-lieutenant George Peebles.
Fisgard; first-lieutenant A. Watts, second-lieutenant Hugh
Peregrine.
On the 21st of January, at day-break, the 32-gun frigate
Galatea, captain George Sayer, when cruising off the Caraccas,
on the Spanish main, discovered and chased the french I6-gun
brig Lynx ; but it falling calm, the boats of the frigate under
lieutenant William Coombe, containing 6 officers, 50 seamen,
and 20 marines, were sent to attack her. It was not until 8 h.
30 m. p. M. that the boats, formed in two lines, arrived within
hail of the brig ; instantly cheering they dashed alongside, but
met with such determined opposition, that they were compelled
to sheer off. A second attempt was equally unsuccessfiil ; but
the third attack enabled the gallant assailants, after a severe
struggle, to obtain possession of their hard-earned prize. Lieu-
tenant Henry Walker, 5 seamen, and 3 marines were killed;
lieutenant Coombe, 2 midshipmen, 15 seamen, and 4 marines
wounded. Total, — 9 killed, and 22 wounded.
The Lynx, out of a crew of 161 men, had 14 killed and 2Q
wounded.
54
CHAPTER II.
From the year 1807 to 1809.
The troops of Napoleon continued achieving fresh victories
over the armies of Prussia and Russia, until these powers were
brought to terms by the double treaty of Tilsit ; and in the early
part of this year the fortified city of Dantzic, seated on the
western branch of the Vistula near its entrance into the Baltic,
became the scene of active operations, and a british naval force
co-operated with the garrison in their endeavours to repel the
invaders. The bombardment of the city commenced on the
24th of April, and on the 29th the French were repulsed in an
attempt to carry it by storm.
On the 21st of May the garrison capitulated, being reduced
from 16,000 to 9000 men. The battle of Friedland was fought
on the 14th of June; an armistice between Russia and France
was agreed upon on the 25th at Tilsit, and on the 7th and 9th
of July treaties were concluded between France, Russia, and
Prussia. In the mean time the french emperor had been not
inattentive to his naval force ; the united ports of France and
Spain contained forty-five ships of the line ready for sea, exclu-
sive of three sail of the line in the West Indies and America.
Buonaparte also relied upon having nine portuguese sail of the
line in the Tagus, and five russian in the Mediterranean, at his
disposal. While these sixty-two sail of the line required nearly
an equal number of british ships on the coast, a considerable
force occupied their attention in the northern seas. In the port
of Flushing and at Antwerp were eleven new ships of the line,
and others in a forward state on the stocks, and three Dutch
CONFEDBRAOV AGAINST ENGLAND. 55
were lying in the Texel : making a total of fourteen in that
quarter.
Besides the grand army in the neighbourhood of Tilsit, Napo-
leon had 70,000 men on the borders of Swedish Pomerania, and
he meditated sending another army to occupy the danish mo-
narch's newly-acquired territory of Holstein ; and by that means
possess himself of eleven sail of the line belonging to Sweden,
and sixteen danish ships of the same force. It was also be-
lieved that one of the secret articles of the treaty of Tilsit placed
at the conqueror's temporary disposal nineteen new ships, which
the emperor of Russia had, nearly ready for sea, at Cronstadt
and Revel. Admitting the plan to have been realized, to one-
half the extent of the french emperor's contemplation, thirty
ships of the line and a proportionate number of transports would
have conveyed a powerful army to Ireland ; and Napoleon not
only possessed a military force ready to act, but he would soon
have leisure personally to direct its energies towards the fulfil-
ment of his oft-repeated threat, — the humiliation of the most con-
stant, the most formidable, and the most dreaded of his enemies.
In this state of things, England was naturally attentive to the
naval movements in the north ; and relying upon the firmness
and continued friendship of the king of Sweden, she sent some
troops to his assistance; but by the time the first division had
landed, the Swedish monarch was compelled to retire with the
remnant of his army to the fortress of Stralsund.
It was during the conference of the emperors on the Nie-
men, preparatory to the peace at Tilsit, that England became
apprized of the confederacy that was forming against her in the
north ; and it was about that time she learnt, that the weakness
of Denmark was a second time to operate as an excuse for fa-
vouring the views of France, by shutting up the Sound against
the commerce and navigation of England, and lending the Co-
penhagen fleet to assist in the attempt to subjugate a power,
whose friendship it was the interest both of Denmark and
Russia to have cultivated. With these considerations Great
i
66 EXPEDITION TO COPENHAGEN.
Britain on the 19th of July, came to the determination to de-
mand of Denmark the temporary possession of her fleet, under
a solemn promise to restore it at the conclusion of a general
peace ; and in case of refusal to take it by force of arms. As
it was now late in the season, the utmost despatch was re**
quired in preparing the expedition before the winter closed the
navigation of the Baltic; and on the 26th of July admiral J.
Gambier, with the following seventeen sail of the line, twenty-
one frigates and smaller vessels, set sail from Yarmouth roads :
98-gun ship. Prince of Wales ; 74-gun ships, Pompee, Centaur,
Ganges, Spencer, Vanguard, Maida, Brunswick, Resolution,
Hercule, Orion, Alfred, Goliath, and Captain ; 64-gun ships,
Ruby, Dictator, and Nassau. On the evening of the 1st of Au-
gust, when off* the Wingo beacon, at the entrance of Gottenburg,
commodore sir R. G. Keats, with the Granges, Vanguard, Orion,
and Nassau, three frigates and ten brigs, parted company and
steered for the passage of the Great Belt, in order to cut off*
supplies of danish troops that might attempt to cross from Hol-
stein to Zealand. The fleet entered the Sound on the 3rd, and
anchored in the road of Elsineur. On the 5th the Superb joined
the fleet, and on the following morning proceeded after the
Vanguard and squadron, to receive the broad pendant of sir
Richard Keats.
Between the 7th and 12th, the Inflexible, Minotaur, Valiant,
Mars, and Defence, 74 guns, Leyden 64, and several frigates,
including the Africaine with lieutenant-general lord Cathcart to
command the land forces, arrived ; and by the time the trans-
ports from Rugen, under the 64-gun ship Agamemnon, had
joined from England, the expedition consisted of twenty-five
ships of the line, with upwards of forty frigates and smaller ves-
sels ; making a total of sixty-five vessels of war, exclusive of 377
transports, conveying about 27,000 troops, principally Germans
in english pay. On the 8th the british plenipotentiary at the
court of Denmark communicated the proposal of his govern-
ment to the Crown Prince j upon which the latter gave direc-
i
DEFENCE OF THE CITY. 67
tions for putting the city of Copenhagen in the best possible
state of defence, and immediately repaired thither from Kiel, in
Holstein. On the 12th his danish Majesty quitted Copen-
hagen for Colding, in Jutland, leaving the defence of the city
to the care of major-general Peiman, whose force consisted of
6610 men, including 2000 militia : these were exclusive of
sailors, and of 3600 armed citizens, so that their whole armed
forces amounted probably to 12,000 men; whilst the main
danish army, of more than double that amount, was encamped
in Holstein.
The sea defence of the port consisted of the Trekronen pile-
battery in a north-east by north direction from the entrance of
the harbour, mounting 68 heavy guns besides mortars ; a pile-
battery in advance of the citadel, mounting 36 guns and nine
mortars ; the citadel itself, mounting 20, and three mortars ; the
holm or arsenal battery of 60, and 12 mortars: total 174 guns,
and 26 mortars; the guns long thirty-six and twenty-four
pounders, and the mortars of the largest calibre. There were
also around the Trekronen, and in front of the harbour, a block-
ship of 64, a prame of 22, three of 20 guns (twenty-four pound-
ers), two floating batteries, and above twenty-five gun-boats.
The fleet in the arsenal consisted of sixteen sail of the line and
twenty-one frigates, but not in a serviceable state; and there
were three 74-gun ships on the stocks, and three ships of the
line in ports of Norway.
On the night of the 12th, the 32-gun frigate Frederickscoam,
at anchor in Elsineur road, slipped her cable and steered for
Norway ; and on the 13th the Defence 74, with the 22-gun ship
Comus, captain Edmund Heywood, made sail into the Cattegat
for the purpose of capturing the danish frigate. The Comus,
from her superior sailing in the prevailing light wind, came up
with the object of her pursuit about midnight on the 14th, at
which time the Defence was more than thirteen miles astern.
The danish captain refusing to bring to, the Comus fired a
musket athwart her stern ; and instantly receiving a shot from
I
58 I8LB OP ZBALAND BLOCKADED.
one of the latter's stem cbaserSy the british frigate bore up and
conunenced the action within pistol-shot After engaging for
about foily-five minutes, the Dane, from the disabled state of
her rigging and sails, fell on board her opponent : a party of
seamen and marines, headed by two lieutenants, quickly jumped
on board the Frederickscoam, and carried her without further
resistance. The Comus, out of her 145 men and boys, had but
one man wounded ; but the danish frigate, out of a complement
of 226, had 12 killed and 20 wounded.
Early on the 13th the british fleet and transports weighed,
and by 5 p. m. had worked up to the bay of Wedbeck, about
midway between Elsineur and Copenhagen. Here the admiral
with the fleet came to an anchor, while rear-admiral Essington
with a small squadron proceeded higher up the Sound, in order
to make a diversion; and on the morning of the 16th a part of
the troops landed at Wedbeck without opposition. A proclama-
tion, explanatory of the object of the expedition having been
addressed to the Danes by the two commanders-in-chief, the
fleet again weighed, and proceeded towards Copenhagen. On
the same day, the danish king at Gluckstadt, and his general
in the capital, issued a proclamation, directing all english ves-
sels and property to be seized and detained.
On the 17th, the danish gun-boats stationed off the harbour
set fii'e to an english bark laden with timber ; they also attacked
with round and grape the picquets on the left of the british
army; but after receiving the fire of some british bombs and
gun-brigs, they retired into the harbour. In consequence of
the attack made upon the english merchant-vessel, admiral
Gambier issued orders to the cruisers to detain all danish ships ;
and on the same evening, with sixteen sail of the line, anchored
in Copenhagen road. On the 21st the circumvallation of Zea-
land by the british ships being complete, the admiral declared
the island to be in a state of close blockade. A battery of 13
twenty-four pounders had been erected at Svane Moelle to pro-
tect the leilt of the anny from the annoyance of the danish gun-
BOMBARDMENT OF TUB CITY. 59
boats ; and the last division of the troops, lord RosslynV corps
from Stralsundy disembarked in the north part of Keoge bay.
Between the 22nd and the 1st of September there were fre-
quent sharp skirmishes between the danish prames and gun-
boats, and the british sloops and bombs ; in which the batteries
on both sides took part, and occasioned a severe loss of killed
and wounded. In order to prevent reinforcements being sent
from Stralsund to Zealand, that port was declared to be in a
state of blockade, and commodore Keats was directed to main-
tain it The numerous gun and mortar batteries around the city
being nearly completed by the army, (48 mortars and howitzers,
and 20 twenty-four pounders were mounted,) the two british
commanders-in-chief on the 12th of September summoned ge*
neral Peiman to surrender the danish fleet ; pledging the faith
of their government that the ships should be held merely as a
deposit, and be restored at the conclusion of a general peace.
A negative was returned to this message, but the danish general
requested time to communicate with his sovei*eign upon the
subject. His Majesty having declined tlie proposal, all the
british batteries and bomb-vessels opened at 7 h. 30 m. p. m. on
the 2nd, and very soon set tlie city on fire ; the bombardment
continued until 8 a. m. on the 3rd, and being resumed in the
evening, lasted all the night. At 7 p. m. on the 4th the can-
nonade was renewed with great fury, and in a short time the
timber-yard, extending a quarter of a mile in length, was set on
Are by red-hot shot, and the steeple of the metix>politan church
was soon observed to be in flames.
The conflagration, as well as the bombardment, continued
until the evening of the 5th, when major-general Peiman sent
out a flag of truce, requesting an armistice of twenty- four hours
to prepare terms of capitulation. In reply, lord Cathcart
refused to accede to any terms short of the surrender of the
danish fleet.
The governor having consented that the surrender of the fleet
should be the basis of the negotiation, major-general sir Arthur
i
60 CAPITULATION OF COPENHAGEN.
Wellesley, sir Home Popham, and lieutenant-colonel George
Murray, deputy quarter-master general, were appointed to settle
the remaining terms of convention. On the 6th the articles were
drawn up, and on the morning of the 7th, signed and ratified.
The British were to be put in possession of the citadel, and of
the ships of war with their stores ; these were to be removed
within six weeks from the date of the capitulation, when the
citadel was to be relinquished, and they were at that period to
quit the island of Zealand : all hostilities were in the mean time
to cease, and all property and prisoners taken on either side to
be restored.
During the siege several skirmishes, and one or two sorties,
had taken place, in which the army sustained a loss of 4 offi-
cers and 38 men killed, 6 officers and 139 woimded, and 24
missing ; making, with the loss incurred afloat, a total loss to
the British of 56 killed, 179 wounded, and 25 missing. After
destroying the block-ships, all kinds of stores from the arsenal,
embarking the timbers of two of the ships on the stocks, and
rendering the third useless, the danish fleet was moved to the
road, consisting of three ships of 80 guns, fourteen of 74, one of
64, two of 40, six of 46, and two 32-gun frigates, besides several
smaller vessels and 25 gun-boats.
On the 20th of October the last division of the army re-em-
barked, and on the morning of the 21st the fleet, with the prizes
and transports, sailed from Copenhagen road in three divisions.
In going down the Sound, the danish 80-gun ship Neptunos,
having grounded on a sand-bank near to the isle of Huen, was
destroyed ; and on entering the Cattegat the weather became
boisterous, which led to the destruction of all the danish gun-
boats but three : no further casualty occurred, and the fleet
reached Yarmouth and the Downs in safety at the end of the
month.
Although this enterprise had been conducted with great zeal
and ability, it was not an aflair that added much glory to the
british aruis. The attacking force was greatly superior, and
i
HONOURS CONFERRED. 61
except the skirmishes with the gun-boats and batteries^ they
had no contest to maintain ; and dming the bombardment, all
the loss fell upon the besieged, for not a man was hurt on the
side of the British during the three nights and one day that the
firing lasted.
The successful result of the expedition, nevertheless, gained
the same honomry rewards for the army and navy usually
bestowed for the most brilliant victory, and they also obtained
the thanks of both houses of Parliament. Admiral Gambier
was raised to the peerage, lord Cathcart made an english peer,
vice-admiral Stanhope, lieutenant-general Burrard, and major-
general Bloomfield created baronets, and captain R. Collier,
the bearer of the despatches, received the honour of knighthood.
The british public was for a long time divided in opinion on
the merits of the expedition, morally and politically considered :
at length the necessity of the measure became generally ad-
mitted, and both branches of the legislature voted their appro-
bation of the conduct of ministers on the occasion.
The probability of a rupture between Turkey and Russia,
through the influence of France, induced the british government
to send a squadron to reconnoitre the situation of the forts of
the Dardanelles and the fortifications adjacent, in case cir-
cumstances should call for an attack upon them by a british
force. Rear-admiral sir Thomas Louis in the Canopus, with
the Thunderer and Standard, anchored off the island of Tenedos
on the 2 1st of December, 1806, and having taken on board
pilots, steered towards the strait. Leaving the Thunderer and
Standard in Azire bay, the rear-admiral in the Canopus pro-
ceeded to Constantinople, and at 6 p. m. on the 28th anchored
off Seraglio point, in company with the Endymion frigate. The
Turks, intimidated by the firmness of the russian ambassador,
had acceded to all his demands ; and a powerful russian army
having entered Moldavia, the aspect of affairs became so mate-
rially changed, that on the 26th of December the ambassador
embarked on board the Canopus. On the 28th, the rear-admi*
62 EXPEDITION TO THE DARDANELLES.
ral weighed and steered for the Dardanelles, leaving the Endy-
mion to attend upon Mr. Arbuthnot, the british ambassador.
On the 2nd of January, 1807, the Canopus joined the squadron
in Azire bay, and on the 4th the russian ambassador proceeded
in the Active to Malta. The Endymion, having embarked Mr.
Arbuthnot and the whole of the british merchants^ quitted
Constantinople, and on the 31st the frigate arrived in Azire
bay : the squadron weighed on the following morning, and soon
afterwards anchored off Tenedos.
Anticipating a rupture of the negotiations with the Sublime
Porte, the Admiralty directed lord Collingwood to detach a
force to the Dardanelles; and on the 16th of January sir John
Thomas Duckworth was instiiicted to proceed in the Royal
George to the straits of Constantinople, and to bombard the
city in case of a refusal to deliver ttp the turkish fleet, (consist-
ing of twelve ships of the line and nine frigates,) with the stores
necessary for its equipment; but the vice-admiral was not at
liberty to commence hostilities without the approval of the bri-
tish ambassador. Sir John, after touching at Gibraltar, arrived
at Malta on the 30th of January, and sailing thence for the
Archipelago on the 4th of February, accompanied by the Wind-
sor Castle, Repulse, Ajax, and Pomp^e, anchored off* the island
of Tenedos on the 10th, in company with the ships already
mentioned, and the Lucifer and Meteor bombs. It was now
ascertained that the batteries of the Dardanelles were in a dila-
pidated state, the guns badly mounted and weakly manned ;
and that the fleet, with the exception of a 64-gun ship and four
frigates near Pesquies point, was not equipped, although in a
preparing state. On the 11th, at 1 1 a.m., the squadron weighed;
but as the wind was not fair for passing up the channel, the
ships came to an anchor off* Cape Janizary.
On the 14th, at 9 p. m., the Ajax was discovered to be on fire
in the after-cockpit ; the flames spread so rapidly that it be-
came impossible to hoist out the boats, and bursting up the
main hatchway, divided the fore from the after-part of the ship.
i
MABIMfi 0FFI0JBR8 OP THB BQUADBON. 63
It was with the greatest difficulty that captain Blackwood and
about 381 of the officers and crew effected their escape, chiefly
by jumping overboard from the bowsprit, or dropping into the
few boats that were enabled to approach in time to be useful.
The Ajax burnt during the whole night, and the wind blowing
fresh from the north-east, she drifted on the island of Tenedos,
where, at 6 a.m. on the 16th, she blew up with an awful explo-
sion, and about 250 souls perished.
The wind having shifted to south-south-west, on the 19th
the squadron weighed, and steered for the entrance of the Dar-
danelles, formed thus —
Canopus, 80 guns, rear-admiral sir T. Louis, captain G. T. Short-
land, 3 killed, 12 wounded. Captain of marines R. Kent,
second-lieutenants O. H. Coryton, Alexander Cameron.
Repulse, 74 guns, captain the hon. A. K. Legge, 3 wounded.
Captain of marines M.Wy bourn, lieutenants Edward Mar-
shall and Henry Doswell.
Royal George, 100 guns, vice-admiral sir.T.T. Duckworth, cap-
tain R. D. Dunn, 3 killed, 29 wounded. Captain Jackson,
lieutenants Fleming, Wright, and Campbell of the marines.
Windsor Castle, 98 guns, captain Charles Boyles, 7 wounded.
Captain of marines G. Dunsmuire, lieutenants Wills and
Bennett.
Standard, 64 guns, captain Thomas Harvey. Captain of marines
Edward Nicolls, lieutenants W. Fynmore and John Love.
Pomp^e, 74 guns, rear-admiral sir S. Smith, captain Richard
Dacres. Captain of marines Matthew Horlock, lieutenants
Wm. Laurie, Mark Oates.
Thunderer, 74 guns, captain John Talbot. Captain of marines
Gilbert Elliott, lieutenants Hockley and John Lister.
Endymion, 40 guns, captain Thomas B. Capel. Lieutenants of
marines John M*Callum and — Goode.
Active, 38 guns, captain R. H. Moubray. Lieutenants of ma-
rines David Holt and John Morrison.
Total — 6 men killed, and 61 wounded.
i
64 SQUADRON FORCE THK DARDANELLES.
The Meteor bomb was in tow of the Standard, and the Luci-
fer of the Thunderer. Lieutenant G. E. Balchild was in the
former, and lieutenant John Lawrence in the Lucifer.
About 8 A. M., the Canopus having arrived abreast of the outer
castles, both opened their fire upon her and the ships as they
successively passed ; but at the suggestion of Mr. Arbuthnot
no return was made, except some shells thrown by the bombs.
At 9 h. 30 m. a. m. the leading ship of the squadron amved
abreast of the inner castle, which opened a fire within point-
blank range, and the ships in succession returned the cannonade
with some effect. The damage sustained by the squadron was
very trifling, not a mast or yard shot away; and the casualties,
as already enumerated, amounted to a total of 6 killed and 51
wounded.
A little above the castle of Abydos, and stretching on towards
Point Pesquies on the asiatic side, the turkish squadron was
lying at anchor, consisting of one 64-gun ship with a rear-
admiral's flag, a 40-gun frigate with the flag of the capi tan-
pacha, two frigates of 36 and one of 32 guns, four corvettes
from 10 to 20 guns each, two brigs, and two gun-boats. As
the british van arrived abreast of the turkish ships, they opened
their fire, which was returned by the Canopus, Repulse, Royal
George, and Windsor Castle ; and these ships then stood on to
an anchorage about three miles above the point, while sir
Sidney Smith, according to a previous arrangement, with the
Pompee, Thunderer, Standard, and frigates, anchored within
musket-shot of the turkish squadron, as well as of a redoubt
on the point mounting 31 heavy guns.
After engaging for about thirty minutes, the 64 ran on shore
on the asiatic side at 10 a.m.; and in a few minutes the rest
of the ships, with the exception of one frigate, a corvette, and
a gun-boat, did the same. The two latter were captured, but
the frigate having cut her cable ran aground, and was destroyed
by the boats of the Active, under lieutenant G. W. Willes.
As the redoubt continued its fire, and the turkish ships on
TURKISH SQC7ADRON DESTROYED. 65
shore under it kept their colours flying, while part of their
crews and a considerable body of armed men appeared on the
beach and on the hills, the British were under the necessity of
continuing the cannonade. A few shells thrown from the Pom-
pee among the Turks, soon dispersed them ; and lieutenant
Mark Oates, with the marines of that ship, landed and brought
off the green standard : meanwhile the boats of the Thunderer
and Standard boarded and destroyed the turkish frigates on
the asiatic side ; and captain Edward NicoUs of the marines,
to whom the duty of burning the 40-gun frigate had been
assigned, struck and carried off the flag of the capitan-pacha.
Profiting by the consternation of the Turks from the explosions
on all sides of them, captain Nicolls, accompanied by lieutenant
William Fynmore, entered the redoubt, which the Turks had
quitted on their approach. He then set fire to the gabions and
spiked the guns; but the explosion of the line-of-battle ship
being momentarily expected, the party were compelled to retire
from the shore before they had destroyed the redoubt. Lieu-
tenants David Holt and William Laurie of the marines as-
sisted, in the boats of the Repulse and Pom pee, in effecting the
destruction of the turkish ships.
The loss sustained by the British in their engagement with
the enemy's squadron, and with the redoubt, amounted to 4
killed and 26 wounded, making, with the previous loss, 10
killed and 77 wounded.
At 5 p. M., having accomplished the destruction of the turkish
force, sir Sidney Smith left the Active to complete the demo-
lition of the battery, and with the remainder of his division got
under way at the same time as the vice-admiral, who with the
whole squadron proceeded towards Constantinople. Carrying
but little sail during the night, and the wind having consider-
ably lessened, they did not cast anchor off the Prince's islands
until 10 P.M. on the 20th.
On the 21st, at day-break, there was a moderate breeze from
the south-east, and eveiy one anxiously looked for the signal
VOL. II. F
66 ATTACK ON THE ISLAND OF PBOTA.
to weigh, expecting the ships would take a position to bom-
bard the city ; but the Endymion alone made sail, with the
ambassador's despatches, and at 11 h. 3 m. a.m. she anchored
within four miles of the town. The flag of truce not being per-
mitted to land, a succession of correspondence took place, ac-
companied by threats from the vice-admiral ; nevertheless, he
continued at the same anchorage. On the 27th, in the morn-
ing, a body of turkish soldiers was discovered on the island of
Prota, one of the Prince's islands, and the point nearest to
the british squadron, and that they were erecting a battery to
annoy them. Immediate preparation was made for landing the
marines, under the command of captain R. Kent ; and the Re-
pulse and Lucifer, being ordered to cover the boats, they pro-
ceeded towards the shore. On their opening a fire of gi'ape, a
number of Turks quitted the island ; and one boat, containing
eleven men, supposed to comprise the remainder of those who
had landed, was captured. In the afternoon it was discovered
that some Turks still remained on the island of Prota : the ma-
rines of the Canopus immediately landed, and pursuing the Turks
to a monastery with loop-holes for musketry, they got worsted,
and captain Kent with several of the party were killed. The
signal having been made for assistance, the marines and armed
boats' crews of the Royal George, Windsor Castle, and Stan-
dard, hastened to assist their comrades on shore ; a smart skir-
mish ensued, and when at its height an oflScer arrived from the
admiral with orders for the detachment to return on board.
The boats reached their respective ships soon after dark, with
the loss of 7 killed, and 19 wounded.
The squadron remained inactive at their anchorage until the
1st of March, when the wind having shifted to the north-east,
the whole of the ships were under sail at 8 h.30 m. a.m., formed
in line of battle. By this time the Turks had succeeded in
equipping five sail of the line and four frigates, and these were
anchored in the road, when the british squadron stood on and
off Constantinople during the day. At night they bore up for
BRITISH LOSS. 07
the Dardanelles^ and at 5 p.m. on the 2nd came to anchor six
miles above Pesquies Point, where they were joined by the
Active frigate. On the 3rd, at 7 h. 30 m. a.m., the squadron
again weighed, and at 8 h. 15 ra. bore up, under top-sails, with
a fresh breeze from the north-east, proceeding down the chan-
nel in the same order in which they had sailed up, except that
the Active preceded the Endymion, and that the Meteor was
towed by the latter, instead of by the Standard. On approach-
ing the castle of Abydos, the Royal George fired a salute of 13
guns, which produced an immediate discharge of shot and
shells from the two castles, and from the battery on Point
Pesquies, where the guns had been remounted. The other
batteries, on both sides, opened their fire as the ships succes-
sively arrived abreast of them, and a heavy cannonade was
maintained by the squadron until 11 h. 40 m. a.m. At a little
before noon the ships anchored off Cape Janizary, out of the
reach of further molestation, and here they were joined by a
russian squadron of eight sail of the line.
Several ships were struck by the enormous stone-shot thrown
by the Turks, some weighing as much as 800 lbs. ; and the loss
sustained by the squadron in repassing the Dardanelles was as
follows: Canopus, 3 wounded; Repulse, 10 killed, 10 wound-
ed ; Royal George, 3 killed, 27 wounded ; Windsor Castle, 3
killed, 13 wounded; Standard, 8 killed, 46 wounded; Thun-
derer, 2 killed, 14 wounded; Active, 8 wounded; Endymion,
3 killed, 9 wounded ; Meteor, 8 wounded : making a total of
29 killed, 138 wounded : and the total loss in this expedition
amounted to 46 killed and 235 wounded. Captain Rodolphus
Kent of the marines was among the killed ; lieutenants Ed-
ward Marshall, William Fynmore, and George E. Balchild
(artillery), wounded.
The attack by a british squadron on the capital of Turkey
was followed by the departure of an expedition against Alex-
andria, in Egypt, consisting of the 74-gun ship Tigre, captain B.
Hallowell, Apollo frigate, and thirty-three sail of transports,
F 2
68 EXPEDITION TO ALEXANDRIA.
conveying 6000 troops, under major-general Fraser, which
sailed from Messina on the 6th of March ; and part of the con-
voy anchored oflF the old, or western harbour. On the 16th, the
governor having refused to surrender the place, 700 men with
5 field-pieces were disembarked on the evening of the 17th
without opposition, near the ravine that runs from lake Ma-
reotis to the sea; and on the 18th 300 more men were safely
landed. In the evening the brigade moved forward, attacked
and carried the enemy's advanced work, with the loss of 7
killed and 10 wounded. The remainder of the transports, under
charge of the Apollo, arrived on the 19th, and on the following
day the troops safely debarked in Aboukir bay. This formi-
dable reinforcement induced the turkish governor to offer tenns
of capitulation; and the proposal having been accepted, imme-
diate possession was taken of the city of Alexandria, the gar-
rison of which amounted to 467 troops and sailors.
On the 22nd, vice-admiral Duckworth with a part of his
squadron arrived on the coast, and their appearance induced
major-general Fraser to attack Rosetta and Rhamanieh, chiefly
to obtain a supply of provisions for the garrison. In attempt-
ing to possess themselves of the town, the troops were com-
pletely defeated, and they returned to Alexandria with the loss
of 400 killed and wounded, including among the slain the gal-
lant major-general. The British, being overpowered by supe-
rior numbers, and having lost upwards of 1000 men in killed,
wounded, and prisoners, were compelled, in the middle of
September, to evacuate Egypt, by a convention with the go-
vernor of the province.
On the 1st of March the boats of the 60-gun ship Glatton,
under the orders of lieutenant Edward Watson, assisted by
lieutenants of marines Charles A. Trusson and George Augustus
Edward Sandwith, covered by the 14-gun brig Hirondelle, at-
tacked a turkish ship mounting 10 guns, anchored in the pott
of Sigri. The enterprise fully succeeded, but with the loss of
lieutenant Watson and 4 men killed, and 9 wounded.
nVDRA AT BEGUK. 69
On the 16th of March the 22-gun ship Comus, captain Con-
way Shipley, cruising off Grand Canaria, sent her boats under
the orders of lieutenant George E. Watts, assisted by lieutenant
of marines George Campbell, to bring out some vessels in the
Rierta de Haz. Although the vessels, which consisted of six
brigs, were moored under the protection of three batteries, they
were brought out without incurring any greater loss than one
person (lieutenant Campbell) wounded.
On the 6th of August the 38-gun frigate Hydra, captain
Geoi^e Mundy, when cruising on the coast of Catalonia, late
in the evening chased an armed polacre ship and two brigs
into the port of Begun Early on the following morning, the
7th, the vessels were discovered lying in a naiTow harbour
strongly defended, under the close protection of a battery and
a tower upon a cliff on one side, and of rocks and bushes cal-
culated for musketry on the other: it was nevertheless resol-
ved to attempt their capture.
The Hydra came to an anchor, with springs on her cables, at
the entrance of the harbour about 1 p.m., and opened her broad-
side upon the battery and shipping; the fire was immediately
returned, and continued for nearly an hour, when finding that
it began to slacken on the part of the enemy, the boats were
despatched under the command of lieutenant Edward O'Brien
Drury, assisted by lieutenants John Hayes and Edward Pen-
gelly of the marines. On their approach they were received by
a smart fire of langridge from the shipping and fort, and of
musketry from the rocks : heedless of this resistance the party
landed, and having with difficulty ascended the cliff, they at-
tacked the fort with so much intrepidity, that the enemy, after
spiking the 4 long twenty-four pounders, rushed out on one side
as the British entered at the other. Lieutenant Hayes with the
marines remained in charge of the battery, which commanded
the decks of the vessels as well as the opposite side of the har-
bour ; whilst lieutenant Drury with the remainder of the party
advanced towards the town, which having been gained, the
70 NAVAL FORCE IN THE BALTIC.
French crews quickly landed, and forming in numerous groupes
among the rocks, fired upon the seamen as they were board-
ing the vessels. Notwithstanding this determined opposition,
the prizes were safely brought out, and the marines re-embark-
ed under a smart fire of musketry, without sustaining a greater
loss than 1 man killed, and 3 wounded.
1808.
Shortly after the british armament had quitted the Sound, the
season was so far advanced as to render the Baltic unsafe for
any operations of the british navy. The emperor Alexander,
shielding himself under that protection, assumed a tone of de-
fiance, and the imperial declaration issued at St. Petersburg on
the 31st of October, which reached London the 3rd of Decem-
ber, was replied to by a counter declaration, clearly and forcibly
drawn up. On the same day reprisals were ordered against
russian ships, but the time of the year prevented the immediate
undertaking of any active measures.
Sweden, as the ally of England, became necessarily involved
in war with Denmark and Russia ; but happily for Sweden the
former had only two ships of the line, whilst the russian fleet in
the Baltic consisted of twenty new ships of the line and fourteen
frigates. At this period the Swedish fleet comprised twelve
line-of-battle ships and six frigates, but not more than six of the
former were in an effective state. The british naval force as-
sembled in the Sound, Great Belt, and Baltic, under the com-
mand of sir James Saumarez, in the latter part of May, amount-
ed to eleven ships of the line, five frigates, besides sloops, etc.
Upwards of two hundred sail of transports, having 14,000 men
under sir John Moore had accompanied the fleet, but from some
misunderstanding relative to the particular service allotted to
these troops, they returned to England without having been
disembarked.
The Swedish squadron of seven sail of the line was lying at
anchor in Oro roads on the 20th of August, when the Centaur
CENTAUR AND IMPLACABLE. 71
74, bearing the flag of sir Samuel Hood, and Implacable 74,
captain Thomas B. Martin, joined them; and on the evening of
the 2l8t nine russian sail of the line, three 50-gun ships, and
eight frigates appeared off the road. On the 22nd the Swedish
squadron was augmented to eleven ships of the line, but their
crews were so sickly that upwards of a third of the men were
confined in bed with the scurvy. The russian fleet still hovered
on the coast, and on the 25th, at 6 a. m., the Swedish squadron,
accompanied by the Centaur and Implacable, got under way,
and with a fresh breeze at north-east made sail in pursuit of
them. A Swedish ship having parted company for Carlscrona
with sick, the combined fleet now consisted of ten ships of 74
guns, and two of 64, so that the force on both sides was nearly
equal. At daylight on the 26th the russian fleet was to wind-
ward, in a scattered state, and a seventy-four considerably to
leeward of the rest. At this time the British were much to
windward of the Swedes, when the Implacable, being still
nearer to the enemy than her consort, was enabled, at about
6 h. 45 m. A.M., to bring the Sewolod to action; and having
tacked, she closed within pistol-shot to leeward, and engaged
the russian ship with such decided eflect, that in less than an
hour the Sewolod surrendered.
The russian admiral, who with his fleet had bore up since the
commencement of the conflict, was now within two miles of the
Implacable; consequently the latter, having been recalled by
sir Samuel Hood, made sail to close the british admiral, then
about a mile and a half to leeward, and both british seventy-
fours ran down towards the Swedish fleet, who were more than
eight miles distant. In this smart engagement the Implacable
sustained a loss of 6 killed and 26 wounded. On board the
Sewolod, 48 were killed and 80 wounded.
A russian frigate having taken the disabled Sewolod in tow,
the fleet again hauled to the wind, pursued by the two british
ships, who soon compelled the frigate to relinquish her charge ;
but the Russians again boldly bore up, and having rescued their
72 CAPTURE OF THE SEWOLOD.
friend, a change of wind enabled the russian admiral to reach
Roger wick, where the fleet anchored, leaving the Sewolod
aground on a shoal not far from the entrance of the harbour.
The Sewolod soon after got afloat, and the wind moderating in
the afternoon, a division of boats was sent out to tow the disa-
bled ship into the road. Observing this movement, the Centaur
and Implacable immediately bore up, and at 8 p.m. the Centaur
ran the Sewolod on board; and as her bow gradually swept
along the Centaur's starboard side, the guns were discharged
as the russian ship successively pressed against the muz-
zles. As soon as she had dropped so far astern as the mizen
rigging of the Centaur, the bowsprit of the russian ship was
lashed, by the joint exertions of captain Webly, lieutenant
Lawless, and Mr. Strode the master, although exposed to a
heavy fire of musketry. Much valour was here displayed on
both sides, and several attempts were made to board ; but the
deliberate fire of the marines under captain Baile, and the stem
chase guns, defeated the gallant attempts of the Russians. The
arrival of the Implacable, who anchored within musket-shot,
soon compelled the Sewolod to haul down her colours, and this
nobly-defended ship, after receiving a reinforcement of 100 men
to supply the place of those killed or wounded in action with
her first opponent, lost 180 in killed and wounded in her contest
with the Centaur, making her total loss amount to 303. Both
the Centaur and her prize took the ground shortly after the
action, which being observed by the russian admiral, two sail
were detached to recover the captured ship ; but by the prompt
exertions of the Implacable, the Centaur was soon hove into' deep
water, and the Russians returned to their anchorage, whilst the
Sewolod was set on fire and destroyed. The Centaur lost 3
killed, lieutenant Lawless and 26 wounded.
During the early part of August rear-admiral Keats in the
Superb, with the Brunswick and Edgar of 74 guns, and six
smaller vessels, were actively employed in removing the Spanish
troops, under the marquis de la Romana, from the island of Zea-
ARMY UNDER ROMANA. 73
land. This army had been withdrawn from Spain by Napoleon,
under the pretence of securing Hanover ; but no sooner had they
arrived in Germany, than they were transferred to the danish
islands in the Baltic. These gallant patriots, on learning the
aggression which Spain was enduring, instantly formed a circle
round their colours, and swore to be faithful to their country.
On the 9th of August, in conformity with a plan concerted
between the rear-admiral and the Spanish marquis, 6000 Spanish
troops took possession of the fort and town of Nyborg, in the
island of Funen; and on the morning of the 11th the embarka-
tion was completed, under the protection of the british squadron
anchored off the island of Sproe. In the course of the same day
more than 1000 Spaniards joined by sea from Jutland, whilst
another 1000 were thrown into Langeland, to strengthen the
fort held by the Spanish troops on that island. The force em-
barked at Nyborg, and those that escaped to the squadron from
Jutland, were landed at Langeland, whence the whole, number-
ing about 10,000 men, were conveyed to England, and subse-
quently to Spain.
On the 8th of February the 36-gun frigate Meleager, captain
J. Broughton, cruising off San J ago de Cuba, discovered a fe-
lucca anchored near the shore, which proved to be the french
privateer Renard, armed with a long six- pounder and 47 men.
In the evening, the barge, cutter, and jolly-boat, under the or-
ders of lieutenant George Tupman, assisted by lieutenant Sain-
bum and lieutenant of marines James Deane, attacked the pri-
vateer and carried her, without sustaining any loss ; whilst 18
of the felucca's crew jumped overboard, and swam to the shore.
The 38-gun frigate San Fiorenzo, captain George N. Hardinge,
cruising off Pointe de Galle, Ceylon, on the 4th of March
chased the french 40-gun frigate Pi^montaise, and at 11 h. 40 m.
P.M. brought her to close action, which lasted only ten minutes,
when the french frigate made sail, pursued by the San Fiorenzo,
who had 5 men wounded. At daylight on the 7th, the enemy
finding an action unavoidable, hoisted her colours and wore
i
74 SAN FIORENZO AND PI&MONTAISE.
round to await the attack. At 6 b. 20 m., being witbin balf a
mile of the San Fiorenzo, the Pi^montaise fired ber broadside,
and the two frigates were warmly engaged as tbey gradually
closed to the distance of a quarter of a mile; a constant
and well-directed fire was maintained on both sides until
8 h. 15 m., when the Pi^montaise bore up and made sail before
the wind, leaving the San Fiorenzo with ber sails and rigging
so mucb disabled as to be incapable of immediate pursuit, and
ber loss amounted to 8 killed and 14 wounded.
At daylight on the 8tb the french fiigate was seen to leeward
about four leagues distant, but it was not until 9 a. m. that the
San Fiorenzo, being perfectly refitted, bore up under all sail in
chase; nor did the Piemontaise avoid her pursuer, until the
british frigate hauled across her stem, in order to obtain the
weather-gage. The french ship then hauled up also, and made
sail ; but as the superior sailing of the San Fiorenzo rendered
her escape improbable, the Piemontaise tacked, and at 4 p.m.,
when passing within musket-shot, both ships renewed the en-
gagement. In the second broadside from the french frigate a
grape-shot killed captain Hardinge, and the command of the
San Fiorenzo devolved upon lieutenant William Dawson. As
soon as the Piemontaise got abaft the beam of her opponent,
she wore round ; and at 5 h. 49 m. p. m., after a close action of
one hour and twenty minutes, with all her masts, rigging, and
sails disabled, and having sustained a loss of 48 killed and 112
wounded, out of a crew of 366 Frenchmen and 200 lascars, the
french frigate hauled down her colours. Of the 186 men and
boys at quarters on board the San Fiorenzo, her captain and 4
men were killed; 1 lieutenant and 8 men wounded: making her
total loss 13 killed and 28 wounded.
Soon after daylight on the 9th the three masts of the Pie-
montaise fell over the side ; and on the 13th both frigates an-
chored in Columbo, island of Ceylon. Lieutenant Dawson, in
his official letter, mentions in high terms the conduct of lieute-
nant Samuel Ashraore, in command of the marines.
EMERALD AT VIVERO. 75
On the 13th of March the 36-gun frigate Emerald, captain
F. L» Maitland, being off the harbour of Vivero, in Spain, at
6 P.M. discovered lying there a french armed schooner, and
immediately stood in with a view to attempt her capture. The
frigate was fired upon by a battery of 8 twenty-four pounders
on the right-hand side of the harbour ; and shortly afterwards
another fort, situated about a mile further in on the left,
mounting 6 twenty-four pounders, also opened upon her. A
detachment of seamen under lieutenant Charles Bertram, and
the marines under lieutenants Giles Meech and John Husband,
proceeded to storm the outer fort, while the Emerald stood in as
near as the depth of water would admit, and cannonaded the
other. The Spaniards were soon driven out of the right-hand
fort, and the guns spiked. In the mean time lieutenant Smith,
with another party of men, proceeded to attack the other bat-
tery, and were opposed by a party of soldiere, who retreated
after sustaining some loss. As soon as the right-hand fort was
subdued, the party under lieutenant Bertram moved round to
where the schooner had run on shore, and presently meet-
ing the principal part of the vessel's crew, the marines, after an
exchange of musketry, drove the enemy at the point of the
bayonet.
The schooner, which was the A-propos, of 8 twelve-pounder
carronades, and a complement of 70 men, from the Isle of
France with despatches, having gone on shore at high water,
the efforts of the British to get her afloat were unavailing ; but
notwithstanding they were exposed to a galling fire of mus-
ketry the schooner was set on fire, and at 1 a.m. on the 14th
she exploded. This enterprise was unfortunately attended with
a serious loss : 9 of the Emerald's seamen and marines were
killed ; lieutenant Bertram, lieutenants Meech and Husband
of the marines, a master's mate, and 1 1 seamen and marines
wounded. Lieutenant Bertram's conduct on this occasion very
deservedly obtained him promotion to the rank of commander ;
but although the oflScers of marines distinguished themselves,
76 DAPHNE AT FLODSTRAND.
and were both wounded, we find no mention of them in captain
Maitland's official letter ; nor should we have the gmtification
of recording their gallant services, but for the surgeon's report
of their names in the return of the killed and wounded.
On the 22nd of March the 64-gun ships Stately and Nassau,
captains George Parker and Robert Campbell, when about forty
miles to the southward of Greenall on the coast of Jutland, at
4 p. M. fell in with and chased the danish 74-gun ship Prindts
Christian Frederic ; and at 7 h. 40 m. p. m. the Nassau got suffi-
ciently near to open her fire, in which she was soon joined by
the Stately. A running fight was maintained until 9 h. 30 m.,
when the danish ship struck her colours. At this time the prize
was within 600 yards of the shore of Zealand, where she shortly
afterwards grounded, and was burnt by the captors.
The Stately sustained a loss of 2 seamen and 2 marines killed,
one lieutenant and 25 wounded. The Nassau 2 killed and 16
wounded. Out of a complement of 676 men, the Prindts Chris-
tian Frederic had 66 killed and 88 wounded.
On the 2oth of April, in the evening, five boats of the 20-gun
ship Daphne and Tartarus sloop, under the orders of lieutenant
William Elliott, assisted by lieutenant Richard Roger of the
marines and several other officers, were sent to attack a convoy
lying at Flodstrand, destined for the relief of Norway, consist-
ing of seven brigs, three galliots, and two other vessels, moored
close under the fort of a castle mounting 10 guns, and made
fast to the shore by hawsers. As soon as the alarm was given
by some of the danish boats, the crews abandoned their ves-
sels, and the moment the British set foot on board, a heavy fire
of round and grape was opened upon them from the castle and
another battery of three guns, as well as from the crews assem-
bled on the beach ; but the vessels were brought out, with so
slight a loss as five wounded.
On the 19th of May the 38-gun frigate Virginie, captain Ed-
ward Brace, in latitude 46® north and longitude 14*^ west, fell in
with the dutch 36-gun frigate Guelderland, and after a chase
VIRGINIE AND GUELDERLAND. 77
of three hours brought her to action at 9 h. 45 m. p. m., during
which the dutch frigate wore three times, and in attempting to
do so the fourth time, fell on board the Virginie; but the dark-
ness of the night and the heavy swell prevented her being
boarded by the British. After an hour and half's defence,
during which she had her three masts and bowsprit shot away
by the board, and having 25 killed and 50 wounded, the Guel-
derland struck her colours. The Virginie had only one man
killed, and two men wounded. Captain Brace, in his laconic
report of the action, says, " If any credit is attached to this tran-
saction, I entreat you to bestow it on the oflScers and men, who
under every circumstance in service merit my warmest com-
mendation ; in this I include lieutenant John Campbell of the
Royal Marines, and the gallantry of his party." Second-lieu-
tenant Peter M^Intyre was also serving on board.
On the 4th of April, as the 38-gun frigate Alceste, captain
Murray Maxwell, 28-gun frigate Mercury, captain J. A. Gor-
don, and 18-gun brig Grasshopper, captain Thomas Searle, lay
at anchor about three miles to the north-west of St. Sebastian
light-house, near Cadiz, a large convoy, under the protection of
twenty gun-boats and a numerous train of flying artillery on
the beach, was observed to come down close along-shore from
the northward. At 3 p.m., the convoy having arrived abreast
of Rota, the Alceste and squadron got under way, and stood
in for the body of the enemy's vessels, with the wind at west-
south-west.
At 4 p. M. the british ships opened their fire, and by this time
the shot and shell from the batteries and gun-boats were pass-
ing over them, — the frigates devoting their principal attention to
the gun-boats, whilst the brig, drawing much less water, sta-
tioned herself upon the shoal to the southward of the town, and
so close to the batteries that she drove the Spaniards from their
guns by the discharge of grape from her carronades. The
situation of the frigates was also i-ather critical, having to tack
every fifteen minutes close to the end of the shoal. In the heat
i
78 DEFEAT OF FLOTILLA AT CADIZ.
of the action lieutenant Allen Stewart proposed to board the
convoy with the boats ; and among other officers employed in
the enterprise, lieutenants Philip Pipon and Richard Hawkey
of the marines volunteered their services. They were soon fol-
lowed by the Mercury's boats under lieutenant W. O. ^Pell,
accompanied by several naval officers, and by lieutenant James
Whylock of the marines. The British dashed on in the most
gallant manner, and boarded several tartans, which were brought
out from under the very muzzles of the enemy's guns, and pro-
tected by the barges and pinnaces of the combined fleet, who
had by that time joined the gun-boats. Exclusive of the seven
tartans captured, two of the gun-boats were destroyed, and seve-
ral compelled to run on shore by the fire from the frigates and
brig, which did not entirely cease until 6h. 30m. p.m. The
zest of this gallant enterprise was greatly heightened by its
having been performed at the mouth of Cadiz harbour, and in
the teeth of eleven sail of the line. All this was effected with
so slight a loss as one man mortally, and two slightly wounded
on board the Grasshopper.
On the 12th of May the 32-gun frigate Amphion, captain
William Hoste, being on her way to the island of Majorca, dis-
covered lying in Rosas bay the french frigate Baleine, armed as
a store-ship and mounting 28 guns, with a crew of 160 men.
At 10 h. 30 m. A.M. the Baleine opened her fire on the Amphion,
as did a battery of eight twenty-four pounders at the starboard
entrance of the bay ; and the british frigate engaged with such
effect as she crossed on different tacks while working up, that
at 11 A.M. the Baleine, finding the fire of her opponent getting
too warm, slipped her cables and ran on shore close under the
protection of Fort Bouton, and the battery on the right.
At 1 1 h. 30 m. the Amphion anchored with springs in-shore of
the spot on which the Baleine had been riding ; and veering to
a whole cable, opened a smart fire within point-blank shot
upon the ship and the batteries ; this they returned, and some
of the enemy's red-hot shot took effect. At 1 h. 20 m. p.m. the
i
MARINES AT ROSAS. 79
Baleine was obsenred to be on fire, and the crew having quitted
her, the Amphion at 2h. 20 m. p.m. cut her cable and made
sail out of the bay, with no greater loss than one man killed,
and a few wounded. Lieutenant Thomas Moore was serving on
board the Amphion.
On the 31st of July, lieutenant James Bivers Hore landed
with his detachment of marines from the 38 -gun frigate Imp6-
rieuse, and took possession of the castle of Mongal, an important
post, commanding a pass on the road from Barcelona to Gerona,
then besieged by the French, and the only position held by the
enemy between these towns. Having destroyed the castle, and
with the ruins rendered the road impassable for artillery, the
British re-embarked, taking with them 71 prisoners.
On the 7th of November a body of about 5,000 troops occu-
pied the heights around the bay of Rosas ; and at noon on the
same day, a small detachment having entered the town, the in-
habitants fled to their boats, or to the citadel. The 74-gun
ship Excellent, captain John West, and Meteor bomb, captain
James Collins, anchored within point-blank shot of the town,
and by a well-directed fire compelled the enemy to make a pre-
cipitate retreat towards some houses and ruins in rear of the
place, which they occupied as an advanced post. During the
night captain West landed with a party of seamen and a part
of the marines under captain James Nicholson, accompanied by
lieutenants H. J. Gillespie and George Pattoun, and occupied
the citadel ; whilst lieutenant Thomas How and 25 rank and
file were placed in Fort Trinidad, with the same number of
Spaniards under captain Fitzgerald of that service. On the 8th
at noon, captain West made a sortie with his force from the
citadel, but the superior numbers of the enemy compelled the
British to retire within the fortress, with the loss of seveml
wounded.
On the 15th, at 8 a.m., the French made a resolute attack
upon Fort Trinidad with about 200 men, having a force of 2,000
in reserve ; and after some sharp firing they were repulsed, with
80 HEROIC DEFENCE OF FORT TRINIDAD
the loss of many killed.aad wounded. In a second assault they
came on with equal determination, but not a shot was fired
from the fort until the outer gate was forced, and then such a
steady and well-directed fire of musketry and hand-grenades
was opened upon them by the marines under lieutenant How,
that they were again compelled to retreat, leaving their leader,
a chef-de-brigade, and several officers and men, dead under the
walls. Expecting a third assault, captain West, by the means
of a rope ladder, threw in a reinforcement, consisting of captain
Nicholson and lieutenant Pattoun, with 30 rank and file ; and
although the party had bravely entered the fort during an in-
cessant fire of musketry from the besiegei's, one man only was
slightly wounded. On the 20th the enemy opened a battery of
four guns from a height commanding the fort, without making
any serious impression ; but they succeeded in driving away
the Lucifer bomb-vessel, who had been throwing shells during
the two preceding days, impeding them in their construction of
works ; and shortly afterwards another battery, ei'ected nearer
to the citadel, compelled the Excellent also to move further
from the shore. The loss sustained by the Excellent and Me-
teor in these difierent attacks, amounted to 21 seamen and
marines wounded.
On the 21st the Excellent was relieved by the 74-gun ship
Fame, captain Richard H. A. Bennet; and a party of marines
from that ship, under lieutenant Henry Wall, supplied tlie place
of those of the Excellent, who had been withdrawn from Fort
Trinidad ; but lieutenant Thomas How, in compliance with tlie
following order, remained in command of the detachment in
that fortress.
''Rosas Bay, 19 th November, 1808.
'' Captain West acquaints lieutenant How of the Royal Ma-
rines, that captain Bennet of H.M.S. Fame, has requested
that lieutenant How may remain in the castle of Trinity ; having
learnt the gallant manner in which he defended it against the
assaults of the enemy, who were repulsed with great loss."
BY LIEUTENANT THOMAS HOW. 81
On the following day lieutenant How received a letter from
captain Bennet^ of which the subjoined is a copy :
" Fame, 20th November, 1808.
Sir,
The admiration which your conduct excited in
every one who was witness to the attack of the French on Fort
Trinidad, makes me very happy in confiding to your charge the
division of marines landed in that fortress.
" Hoping that such energy and courage will meet with ade-
quate reward,
I subscribe myself, sir,
Your very humble servant,
(Signed) R. H. A. BENNET."
Extract from a letter written to Captain West by general
Vives, captain-general of Catalonia :
" I have seen, by the report sent me by the commandant of
Fort Trinidad, how much he was assisted by, and how bravely
behaved, the English soldiers who were in it under the com-
mand of lieutenant Thomas How, in the attacks of the enemy
made on the 16th instant.
" I beg you to give them the most expressive thanks from me,
and tell them I recommend their merit to admiral lord Colling-
wood."
Captain Fitzgerald, the commandant of Fort Trinidad, alluded
to in the letter of the captain-general, thus expresses himself to
captain West :
** Permit me to express the high sense I have of the courage
and spirited conduct of lieutenant Thomas How, and the party
of Royal Marines under his command. His attention in every
particular circumstance prior to the attacks, made me confident
that I should receive every assistance from him; and I hope
that every report you may be pleased to make, will be attended
with future advantage to him.
VOL. IT. G
82 TRINIDAD RKINIOItCKD.
'^ It is impossible for me to comment on the condact of any
one of the marines individually ; all seemed animated with the
same courage, and to their incessant and well-directed fire I
attribute, in a veiy great degree, the defeat of the enemy. If
they had a fault, it was in rather too wanton an exposure of
their persons to get at the force opposed to them. I regret
that some were severely wounded, but hope they will do well.
I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) LATIUS FITZGERALD."
On the 2'2nd both Fort Trinidad and the citadel of Rosas
were half invested, a breach nearly effected in Trinidad, and the
Spanish garrisons were in such deplorable condition, that it was
deemed necessary on the following day to withdraw the ma-
rines ; and shortly afterwards the Fame sailed from the coast.
On the 24th the 38-gun frigate Imp^rieuse arrived in the bay,
and joined the Lucifer and Meteor bombs. Lord Cochrane
went immediately to examine the state of the defences of Rosas,
which he described to be in a most wretched condition, both
without and within; having neither measures for their powder,
or saws for the fuses of the shells: hats and axes supplied
their place. The castle of Trinidad, situated on the side of an
eminence, but commanded by the heights, was closely invested :
3 twenty-four pounders battered in breach, to which a fourth
gun was afterwards added, and a passage through the wall to
the lower bomb-proof was nearly effected, when the marines of
the Fame were withdrawn, as we have related, on the 23rd.
As the safety of the citadel mainly depended on the retention
of this post, lord Cochrane determined on throwing a reinforce-
ment into it; and he immediately landed with thirty seamen,
accompanied by thirty marines commanded by lieutenant James
Rivers Hore. At this time the garrison consisted of eighty
Spaniards, who were on the point of surrendering the fort; but
the resources of lord Cochrane's active mind soon gave fresh
energy to the desponding troops : among other substitutes made
CAPITULATION OF ROSAS. 83
use of, 1000 bags^ besides barrels and palisadoes^ supplied the
place of walls and ditches ; so that when the French assaulted
the castle on the 30th with 1000 men, they were repulsed with
the loss of their commanding-officer, and all who attempted to
mount the breach. This gallant exploit was effected without
any loss on the part of the British. On the 6th of December
the citadel of Rosas capitulated ; and as further resistance in
Fort Trinidad was considered impracticable, lord Cochrane,
after firing the trains for exploding the magazines, re-embarked
the force under his command.
His lordship thus expresses himself in his official letter : '^ As
to the officers, seamen, and marines of this ship, the fatigues
they underwent, and the gallant manner in which they behaved,
deserved every praise."
Lieutenant George E. Balchild of the marine artillery was
serving on board the Meteor, and lieutenant John Lawrence in
the Lucifer, during the bombardment of Rosas.
His Majesty Ferdinand VIL conferred a cross of honour on
the defenders of Rosas ,* and in addition, a pension of a dollar
a-month for life was given to those who were in Fort Trini-
dad during the attack by the French in November 1808. This
reward was also intended for the detachment under lieutenant
How, in order to mark the estimation in which his Catholic
Majesty held the heroic services of the marines on that occasion.
On the 9th of July, at day-break, the 22-gun ship Porcupine,
captain the hon. Henry Duncan, was lying becalmed off Monte
Circello, on the coast of Romania, when two french gun-boats
with a merchant vessel were seen passing along shore to the
westward. The boats of the frigate, under the orders of lieu-
tenant G. Price, assisted by several officers, and among them
lieutenant James Renwick of the marines, were immediately
sent in pursuit. After a pull of eight hours, the merchant
vessel was driven ashore, and the gun-boats compelled to take
shelter under the batteries of Port Dango. On the morning of
the 10th a large polacre ship was observed lying at the entrance
g2
84 DEATH OF LIEUTENANT RENWICK.
of the harbour ; and as soon as it grew dark, the boats, com-
manded as before, were despatched to cut her out.
Although the polacre mounted 6 long six-pounders, with a
crew of 25 men, expecting to be attacked was moored close
to the beach lined with soldiers, and lay within pistol-shot of
two batteries, and a tower and three gun-boats, she was gal-
lantly boarded and carried. Owing to the light and baffling
winds, it was an hour and twenty minutes before the prize was
got beyond the range of grape ; but she was at lei^th safely
brought out, with no greater loss than eight wounded, including
lieutenant Price, severely.
On the 8th of August the Porcupine chased another polacre
ship into a harbour in the island of Planosa, near Elba, which
was defended by a tower and a battery. In the evening the
boats under lieutenant Francis Smith, accompanied by lieute-
nant James Reuwick of the marines, rowed into the harbour
with muffled oars, and boarded the vessels without sustaining
any loss. Notwithstanding the ship was moored within thirty
yards of a battery mounting eight guns, which immediately
opened on the boats a heavy fire of round and grape, and that
they were also exposed to the musketry of several french sol-
diers on the beach, and one of the polacre's guns which had
been landed for her defence, the vessel was safely brought out.
She proved to be the Conception, mounting four guns, bound
to the island of Cyprus from Genoa. This daring exploit was
attended with the loss of that promising and gallant officer,
lieutenant James Renwick of the marines, 1 seaman killed, and
7 men wounded.
On the 26th of June, at daylight, the 64-gun ship Standard,
captain Thomas Harvey, cruising off the island of Corfu, chased
an italian gun-vessel and a fi*ench despatch-boat. At 9 a.m.,
it falling calm, the pinnace with lieutenant Call, and the cutter
with captain Edward NicoUs of the marines, were sent to at-
tempt their capture. After rowing two hours in very hot wea-
ther, the boats received a fire of musketry from the gun-vessel
CAPTURE OF VOLPE BY CAPTAIN MC0LL8. 85
which they returned ; and on drawing near, the gun-vessel
pulled short round and fired her long 4-pounder at the cutter,
which happened to be the leading boat. Captain Nicolls
instantly dashed alongside^ and carried the italian gun-boat
Volpe^ commanded by an enseigne-de-vaisseau, and mounting
one long four-pounder^ with 20 well-armed men. No loss was
sustained on the part of the British in this affair.
On the 6th of July the 38-gun frigate Seahorse, captain John
Stewart^ cruising in the Archipelago^ at 5 h. 45 m. p.m. des-
cried the Badere-Zaffer, mounting 30 brass guns on the main-
deck, of three different calibres ; consisting of 2 thirty-six
pounders amidships, then 8 twenty-four pounders, and the re-
maining 20 were eighteen-poundera, placed at the two extre-
mities of the ship : on the quarter-deck and forecastle she
carried 22 long twelve-pounders, making in the whole 62 guns,
with a crew of 643 men. The other ship was the Alis-Fezan,
mounting 24 long brass twelve-pounders, and two mortars in
the centre of the ship, with a complement of 230 men.
At 9 h. 30 m. p.m. the Seahorse, having arrived abreast and
to windward of the turkish frigate, ordered her to surrender;
which being refused by her commander, the Seahorse poured
into her a double-shotted broadside, and the Badere-Zaffer in-
stantly returned the fire. The frigates became warmly engaged,
both steering free with a light wind, about two points abaft the
starboard beam. This course enabled the corvette to join in
the cannonade, and when the Badere-Zaffer had run sufficiently
to leeward for that purpose, she put her helm a-port to lay the
british frigate on board. To avoid this, the Seahorse hauled
close to the wind, leaving her opponent with her sails all aback,
and in great confusion : she then tacked, and stood for the
Badere-Zaffer, who had worn round and was running nearly
before the wind. Just as the Seahorse was about to close on
the weather-quarter of the turkish frigate, the Alis-Fezan inter-
posed ; whereupon the british frigate sheered towards this new
antagonist, and poured in a well-directed broadside at the dis-*
i
\
86 SEAHORSE AND BADEUE-ZAFFBR.
taiice of not wore than two hundred yards : after engaging her
a short time, the corvette at 10 h. 15 m. luffed under the stern
of the British ship, and stood away in the direction of the island
of Pelagnisi. The breeze having freshened, the Seahorse was
enabled to overtake the Badere-Zaffer, and at 10 h. 35 m. to
renew the engagement with her starboard guns, both ships
running before the wind. At 11 p.m. the Turks made another
attempt to board, and the action continued until the turkish
frigate became completely disabled. Having repeatedly hailed
without obtaining a reply, the Seahorse at 1 h. 15 m. a.m. on
the 6th, ranged up on the larboard-quarter of her opponent,
whose fore and main top-masts were over the side ; upon which
the Badere-Zaffer fired some of her aftermost guns, and in-
stantly received the broadside of the british frigate, who then
hauled off and brought to until daylight, at which time the
Badere-Zaffer was about a mile distant, steering before the
wind under her shreds of courses^ The Seahorse soon came up
with her antagonist, and passing athwart her stem^ discharged
a well-directed broadside, which quickly induced the Turks to
haul down the colours from the stump of her mizen-mast.
Lieutenant Downie, accompanied by lieutenant John Cook of
the marines, took possession of the prize, whose loss amounted
to 170 killed and 200 wounded ; while the Seahorse, out of 251
men and boys, had only 5 men killed and 10 wounded. In
the official letter of captain Stewart, detailing this determined
and gallant affair, the name of the officer of marines is not even
mentioned !
On the 20th of October the 64-gun ship Africa, captain John
Barrett, having accompanied a convoy of 137 sail from Carls-
crona, in Sweden, and then safely into the channel of Malmo>
the british ship, for their better protection, anchored about eight
miles to the southward of the town of Drago, on the danish
island of Amag. At about 40 minutes past noon, a flotilla of
gun-boats was observed advancing towards the convoy; upon
which the Africa immediately got under way, and stood to meet
AFRICA AND DANISH GUN-BOATS. 87
them; but at 1 p.m. the light wind died away^ and it soon fell
perfectly calm. The flotilla were now seen making towards
the Africa, consisting of 25 large gun and mortar-boats, and
7 armed launches; mounting between them about 80 heavy
long guns, with crews amounting to upwards of 1600 men.
At 2 h. 55 m. p.m. the gun-boats having taken positions on
the Africa's bow and quarter, commenced an animated fire of
round and grape, the british ship returning the fire with such
guns as she could bring to bear ; and in this way the engage-
ment continued without intermission until 6 h.45 m. p.m., when
the darkness put an end to the contest. During the action the
colours of the Africa were twice shot away, and each time the
Danes advanced cheering, in the persuasion that they were
victorious ; but the british crew, rehoisting their colours cheer-
ed in return, and gave them such a reception as made them
hasten back to their friends. The Africa's lower masts and
yards were badly wounded, and her rigging and sails cut to
pieces: her loss amounted to 9 killed; captain Dougal Stewart
of the marines had a leg shattered and a finger amputated,
lieutenant Thomas Buttle wounded in the arm, and lieutenant
John George Richardson in the leg, arm, and mouth, besides
one midshipman, and 49 men wounded. The Africa was so
much disabled, that she returned to Calscrona to refit.
On the 10th of November the 36-gun frigate Amethyst, cap-
tain Michael Seymour, at 6 h. 42 m. p.m., when standing from
the north-west point of the isle of Groix towards the main land,
with the wind at east-north-east, discovered a vessel on her
weather-quarter; she immediately wore round in chase, and
presently closed with the french 40-gun frigate Thetis, from
I'Orient bound to Martinique. At 9 p.m. the Amethyst and
the stranger exchanged some shot, and captain Seymour ap-
prized the 74 gun-ship Triumph of the enemy's presence. The
two frigates were now running before the wind with studding-
sails set ; but shortly after the firing commenced, the Amethyst
took in her studding-sails and royals. At 9 h. 15 m. the Thetis
88 AMETUYST AND THETIS.
luffed to on the starboard tack; upon which the Amethyst, to
avoid being raked, put her helm a- starboard, and the instant
the Thetis had dischai^ed her starboard broadside, the british
frigate, just clearing the french ship's starboard-quarter, shot
up in the wind abreast of her to windward. A sharp action
was now maintained on both sides, until the two ships, on
losing their way, fell off and stood again to the westward,
furiously engaging. At 9 h. 40 m. the Thetis, in attempting
to cross her opponent's stem, ran her jib-boom between the
Amethyst's main and mizen rigging. In a few minutes the two
ships separated and went off, steering the same course as before,
warmly engaging. At 10 h. 5 m. p.m. the Amethyst, having
crossed her opponent's hawse, placed herself a little abaft her
larboard beam, still running with the wind on the starboard-
quarter. At 10 h. 20 m. P.M. the mizen-mast of the british
ship was shot away, which falling in-board, damaged the wheel
and encumbered the whole quarter-deck ; and nearly at the
same time the mizen-mast of the Th6tis fell over the side.
At 11 P.M., the french frigate having made an attempt to lay
the Amethyst on board, the two ships met at the bow, and the
Thetis then dropping alongside, received the broadside of her
opponent. Soon afterwards the Amethyst's bower-anchor hook-
ed the foremost main-deck port of the Thetis, and in this way
the action continued, with destructive effect on both sides,
until twenty minutes past midnight; when, having completely
silenced her antagonist, the Amethyst boarded and carried the
french frigate* About 1 a.m. on the 11th the fore and main-
masts of the Thetis fell over the side, and shortly afterwards
the Triumph was seen coming up under a press of sail. In about
another quarter of an hour the Shannon joined from the west-
ward, and after receiving on board several prisoners, took the
dismasted frigate in tow.
The loss sustained by the Amethyst, out of a crew of 261 men
and boys, amounted to second- lieutenant Bernard Kendall of
the marines, 10 seamen, and 8 marines killed ; first-lieutenant
k
CAPTAIN REA AT NOLI. 89
of marines, Samuel John Payne (dangerously ), 2 midshipmen,
her boatswain, captain's clerk, 32 seamen, 12 marines, and 2
boys wounded. Total 19 killed, and 51 wounded. The Thetis,
out of a crew of 436, had her captain and 134 men killed, and
102 wounded.
On the 1st of August the 74-gun ship Kent, captain Thomas
Rogers, and Wizard sloop, captain William Ferris, running along
the coast near Genoa, discovered ten sail of vessels anchored
close to the beach abreast of the town of Noli, and protected
by a gun-boat. The boats of both ships were despatched under
the orders of lieutenant William Cashman, with four other lieu-
tenants, assisted by captain Henry Kea, and lieutenants John
Hanlon and Patrick Grant of the marines. The boats, towed in
by the Wizard, got close to the vessels, and finding it impos-
sible to bring them out without landing, (as most of them were
fastened to the shore by ropes from their keels and mast-heads),
they pulled towards the beach with great resolution, exposed
to the fire of two guns in the bow of the gun-boat, two field-
pieces placed in a grove which flanked the beach, and of a gun
in front of the town, whilst a heavy fire of musketry was kept
up upon them from the houses. But these obstacles were no
check to the ardour and intrepidity of the british seamen and
marines, who leaped from the boats and immediately rushed
upon the enemy with the bayonet. The guns were soon taken
by lieutenant Cashman, and lieutenant Hanlon of the marines ;
whilst the enemy, who had drawn up a considerable force to
defend the field-pieces, were dislodged by captain Rea and
lieutenant Grant of the marines, who took possession of the
guns and brought them off. In the mean time the other offi-
cers, having equally distinguished themselves in driving the
enemy from the beach, captured the gun-boat and her convoy,
and the whole were brought out under the protection of the
Wizard. This dashing enterprise was effected with so slight a
loss as one man killed, and one mortally wounded.
90 RBDUCTION OF CAYIiNNK.
1809.
In the early part of December 1808, a small expedition, fitted
out at the Brazils, consisting of the 20-gun ship Confiance, cap-
tain J. L. Yeo, two Portuguese brigs, and some smaller vessels,
having on board 550 portuguese troops, took possession of the
district of Oyapok in french Guyane ; and this success induced
captain Yeo to attempt the capture of Cayenne. On the 6th of
January, 1809, the portuguese troops, with 80 seamen and ma-
rines from the Confiance, having been embarked in the smaller
vessels, entered the river Mahuy, captain Yeo with 250 men
proceeded to attack some forts, and landing in a bay between
Fort Diamant and the battery named D^gras des Cannes, he
directed the portuguese major to move to the left and take the
battery, whilst the captain, accompanied by lieutenants Mul-
caster and Blyth, lieutenant of marines John Read, and some
other officers, with a strong party of the Confiance's seamen and
marines, marched to Fort Diamant. Both forts were promptly
carried, and in the attack of the Diamant, which mounted two
long twenty-four pounders, and one brass eight, the british loss
amounted to lieutenant John Read of the marines (mortally),
1 seaman, and 5 marines badiy wounded. On the part of the
French, the commandant and 3 men were killed, and 4 wound-
ed. Leaving lieutenant Mulcaster with a party of men in Fort
Diamant, captain Yeo, with the remainder of the detachment,
attacked two batteries on the creek leading to Cayenne. On
the 8th, the allied forces assaulted the post which Victor Hughes
had made his head-quarters, defended by a field-piece and 100
of his best troops. These were speedily attacked with the pike
and bayonet, and the British, cheering as they rushed on, drove
the enemy and captured the field-piece. The town of Cayenne
surrendered on the 14th, when the french troops, amounting to
400 men, together with 800 militia and blacks who were incor-
porated with the regular troops, delivered in their arms.
In thus acquiring the whole of the french settlement of Cay-
enne, the British sustained the comparatively trifling loss of
CAPTURB OF TOPAZE. 91
lieutenant Read of the marines killed^ and 23 men wounded.
The Portuguese had 1 killed and 8 wounded ; and the French
16 killed and 20 wounded.
On the 22nd of January, 1809, at 7 a.m., the french 40-gun
frigate Topaze, from Brest, bound to Cayenne, finding the port
blockaded, was steering for Guadaloupe, when she fell in with
the Hazard sloop, captain H. Cameron. The Jason 38, captain
William Maule, and Cleopatra 32, captain S. J. Pechell, soon
afterwards made their appearance ; and the Topaze, having no
alternative, ran close in-shore, and at 11 a.m. anchored with
springs on her cables. The Cleopatra arrived within pistol-shot
of the Topaze at 4 h. 30 m. p. m., and both ships were warmly
engaged until 5 h. 20 m. ; when the Jason and Hazard coming
up, and about to open their fire, the french frigate hauled down
her colours. The Cleopatra had 2 men killed and 1 wounded ;
the Topaze, out of 430 men, had 12 killed and 14 wounded.
On the 10th of February the french 40-gun frigate Junon,
when off the Virgin Islands, was chased by the 16-gun brigs
Asp and Sup^rieure. The latter, by her superior sailing, kept
close to the enemy until the 38-gun frigates Latona and Horatio
hove in sight and joined in the chase. At 36 m. p. m. the Ho-
ratio ranged up alongside to windward of her antagonist, and
the two ships running free on the starboard tack, became close-
ly engaged. Shortly after 1 p.m. captain Scott and lieutenant
Manley H. Dixon were severely wounded, and the command
devolved on the honourable George Douglas. At 1 h. 25 m. the
Horatio had her main and mizen top-masts shot away, and at
that moment the Latona was descried about eight miles on the
larboard quarter, using every effort to close. The Junon then
ranged a-head out of shot, and put before the wind. The Latona,
at 3 h. 25 m., when within pistol-shot, fired her broadside, and
the Driver now took part in the action. Notwithstanding this
overpowering force, the Junon continued to defend herself until
her main and mizen-masts went over the side, and immediately
afterwards, at 3 h. 40 m. p.m., her fore-mast fell over her bows.
92 CAPTURE OF JUNOM.
The Horatio had 7 killed; her captaiD, first-lieutenant^ lieute-
nant Richard Blakeny of the marines^ and 8 wounded ; and the
Latona 7 wounded.
On the 8th of February the boats of the 32-gan frigate Am-
phiouy and Redwing brig, landed in a small creek in the island
of Melida and brought off three guns, although the place was
defended by 400 french soldiers. Lieutenant Thomas Moore
commanded the marines on this occasion.
On the 14th of February, in the morning, the 38-gun frigate
Belle Poule, captain James Brisbane, chased a suspicious sail,
evidently intending to enter the gulf of Velona; and at day-
break on the morning of the 16th, the frigate-built store-ship
Var, mounting 26 guns, was discovered moored with cables to
that fortress. At 1 p.m. the Belle Poule anchored and opened
her broadside upon the frigate, who finding that the forts made
no effoil to assist her, fired a few random shots, and then
hauled down her colours.
On the 15th of March the 38-gun frigate Arethusa, captain
Robert Mends, cruising off the north coast of Spain, detached
her boats at an early hour in the morning, under the orders of
lieutenant H. Pearson, and lieutenant of marines Octavius Scott.
At daylight these officers, with a party of seamen and marines,
landed and destroyed upwards of twenty heavy guns on the bat-
teries of Lequito, defended by a detachment of french soldiers,
a Serjeant and twenty of whom threw down their arms when the
British forced their way into the principal battery, while several
others took to their heels and escaped. This gallant exploit was
performed with so slight a loss as 3 men wounded.
On the 20th of March a party of seamen and marines, under
lieutenant E. Steele, and lieutenant John Fennell of the marines,
landed and destroyed the guns at Baigno, and captured a mer-
chant vessel. Lieutenant Fennell with a party in the mean time
ascended the mountain, and burnt the signal-posts. The same
evening lieutenant Pearson, and lieutenant Octavius Scott of the
marines, took possession of the town of Paissance and destroyed
i
AMETHYST AND NI1&MEN. 93
the guns; the small force stationed there retiring as the British
approached.
On the 5th of April the 36-gun frigate Amethyst, captain
Michael Seymour, when about forty leagues to the westward of
Cordouan light-house, cruising in company with the 36-gun fri-
gate Emerald, at 11 a.m. descried in the east-south-east a ship
steering to the westward. Both frigates immediately made sail
after the stranger, who proved to be the french 40-gun frigate
Niemen, captain Dupotet, two days from Verdon road, bound to
the Isle of France. At 7 p.m. the Amethyst lost sight both of
the Emerald and the object of their pursuit ; but captain Sey-
mour, concluding that the stranger would resume her course to
the westward, at 9 p.m. bore away south-west, and at 9 h. 40 m.
P.M. the Ni6men was discovered on the weather-beam, running
with the wind on the larboard quarter. At 11 h. 30 m. the fri-
gates commenced firing their chase guns, and about 1 h. 20 m.
on the 6th, the Amethyst having closed upon her opponent's
larboard quarter, they exchanged broadsides; and then the Nie-
men, after wearing round on the starboard tack, steered north-
west, followed by the Amethyst, who at 1 h. 45 m. ranged
alongside of her to windward. After a mutual cannonade of a
few minutes, the Amethyst having passed a-head, bore round up,
raked her opponent, and then hauled up on the same tack. At
2 h. 45 m. the Niemen fell on board the Amethyst; but in a few
minutes, the latter shooting a-head, the french frigate bore away
south-west. At about 3 a.m. the Amethyst, having crossed over,
got upon the larboard and weather-beam of her opponent, who
shortly afterwards caught fire in her larboard hammock-netting;
and her mizen-mast and main top-mast having fallen, the Ame-
thyst at 3 h. 25 m. bore up under the Niemen's stern, and in
bringing to the wind under her lee the main-mast fell over the
side, carrying the mizen-mast with it ; and almost at the same
time the main-mast of the french ship also came down.
At this moment the 38'gun frigate Arethusa was seen ap-
proaching from the eastward, and at 3 h. 45 m. a.m. the Niemen,
94 DESTRUCTION OF FRENCH FRIGATES.
after receiving a few shot from the Arethusa, lowered her light
and surrendered. Of the 222 men and boys on board the Ame-
thyst, 6 seamen and 2 marines were killed ; first-lieutenant Henry
Waring and second-lieutenant Samuel Pry therck of the marines,
25 seamen, and 10 marines wounded. Captain Seymour was
created a baronet, and lieutenant William Hill (the only lieu-
tenant on board) was made a commander. The Ni^men had 47
killed and 73 wounded, out of a crew of 319 men and boys.
On the 23rd of February the french 40-gun frigates Italienne,
Calypso, and Cybele, sailed from TOrient, and on the 24th, when
off the isle of Oleron, fell in with a squadron of three ships of
the line and a frigate, under rear-admiral Stopford ; the french
commodore finding it impossible to reach Basque roads, steered
for the Sables d'Olonne, closely followed by the Amelia frigate
and Dotterel sloop. At 9 h. 20 m. a.m. the Amelia, having
wore round, hauled under the stem of the Cybele, gave her
a broadside in passing, and then tacked and steered for the ene-
my, followed by the Ceesar 80, Defence and Donegal 74 guns,
under rear-admiral Stopford. The three french frigates had just
anchored in line of battle, close under the powerful batteries of
the town of Sables d'Olonne, when the Defiance, dmwing less
water than the other line-of-battle ships, having anchored at 11
A.M. within 600 yards of the frigates, opened her fire, receiving
in return the fire of the three frigates, as well as of the batteries
on shore. In another twenty minutes the Ceesar and Donegal,
and shortly afterwards the Amelia, joined in the cannonade.
Unable to withstand the destructive fire of the british squa-
dron, the Italienne and Cybele cut their cables, and at 1 1 h.
60 m. ran on shore. The Defiance again brought her guns to
bear with effect, joined by the Donegal and Amelia, while the
Ceesar, to get into deep water, wore to the south-west. In a few
minutes the Calypso veered her cable and soon drove on shore,
stem foremost. The-ebb tide making, and the water falling fast,
the ships were signalled to withdraw; and about fifteen minutes
past noon the Defiance cut her cable and joined her consorts,
\
LORD COCHRANE IN BASQUE ROADS. 95
then about two miles to the southward. The CsBsar and Done-
gal suffered in their masts and rigging, and the latter had 1 man
killed and 6 wounded. The Defiance, who bore the brunt of the
action, had all her masts badly wounded, her rigging cut to
pieces, and sustained a loss of 2 men killed and 25 wounded.
Of the french frigates, the Italienne had 6 killed, 17 wounded ;
the Calypso 10 killed, 18 wounded ; and the Cybfele 8 killed and
16 wounded. Having taken the ground at high water, the three
frigates could not be got olBT, and were consequently wrecked.
On the 26th the squadron of rear-admiral Willaumez weighed
from Basque roads, and stood for the anchorage inside the Isle
d'Aix, but in proceeding thither the 74-gun ship Jean Bart
grounded on the Palles shoal, near Isle Madame, and was
wrecked. The french squadron in the road of Aix now con-
sisted of one ship of 120 guns, two of 80, seven of 74, one of 60
guns, and two frigates.
On the 17th of March admiral lord Gambier had assembled
in Basque roads thirteen sail of the line, consisting of the Cale-
donia 120, Caesar and Gibraltar 80, Hero, Donegal, Resolution,
Theseus, Valiant, Illustrious, Bellona, and Revenge, of 74 guns,
stationing his frigates about a mile in advance. The Admiralty,
conceiving that the french fleet might be destroyed by fire-ships,
ordered several to be prepared; and on the 19th lord Gambier
was apprized by their secretary that twelve transports were fit-
ting as fire-ships, and five bomb-vessels would immediately
proceed to join his fleet. Lord Cochrane, who had just arrived
in England in the Imp6rieuse frigate from the Mediterranean,
was selected by the Admiralty as the officer to take charge of
this important and difficult service, and on the 3rd of April the
Imp6rieuse arrived in Basque roads. As the fire-ships were
still waiting in the Downs and at Plymouth for a fair wind, lord
Gambier ordered eight of the largest transports of the thirty
then in company to be fitted as fire-ships in their stead, as also
the Mediator frigate store-ship, and three explosives were also
equipped under the immediate inspection of lord Cochrane. On
96 PREPARATIONS FOR THE ATTACK.
the 10th of April the twelve fire-ships arrived from the Downs,
accompanied by some sloops of war, and a transport with con-
greve rockets.
The french fleet was moored in two lines, the ships in the in-
ner one opposite the intervals of the outer, forming an indented
line, with the three frigates in advance; and about a hundred
yards in front of the frigates a boom, half a-mile in length and
composed of cables secured by enormous anchors, and floated
by buoys, was thrown across the channel leading from Basque
to Aix road. The batteries on Isle d'Aix, which protected the
anchorage, mounted about 30 guns, thirty-six-pounders, and
several mortars of the largest dimensions, and it was garri-
soned by 2000 conscripts. On the island of Oleron were several
batteries ; and besides these artificial defences the road of Aix
had a shoal at a short distance in its rear, and another (the
Palles) stretching along its southern extremity.
On the 11th, in the afternoon, the smaller vessels moved to
the stations assigned to them, and the Imperieuse, having an-
chored close to the inner end of the Boy art shoal, was about
two and a-half miles from the centre of the french fleet. The
Aigle, Unicorn, and Pallas frigates lay at a short distance to
the north-west of the Imperieuse, in order to receive the crews
of the fire-ships on their return, and to render any assistance that
might be required. The Indefatigable, Emerald, and several
brigs were also at their stations in the advance ; and two brigs,
with lights hoisted, were placed to indicate the position of the
shoals, in order to direct the fire-vessels in their course to the
attack. The eleven british ships of the line anchored at the
distance of nine miles from the enemy's fleet, unmoored to be
in readiness to co-operate if necessary ; but they were obliged
again to moor when the weather-tide made.
About 8 h. 30 m. p. m., the night extremely dark, the wind
very fresh, blowing right into the roads, and the tide running at
the rate of more than two knots an hour; the Mediator and the
other fire-ships that had anchored round her cut their cables
THIRTEEN SHIPS AGROUND. 97
and made sail. Several of the fire-ships were ignited and aban-
doned much too early, but others, and especially the Mediator,
were admirably conducted. The sky soon became illumined by
the glare of so many bumiag objects, — the flashes of the guns
from the forts and enemy's ships, and the flights of shells and
rockets from the fire- vessels, forming a scene of awful grandeur.
At about 9 h. 30 m. two of the fire-vessels exploded close to
the boom, and shortly afterwards the Mediator having forced her
way through, was instantly fired at by the french ships. Some
other fire-vessels got into the inidst of the enemy's fleet, and
such was the terror created by the approach of those flaming
bodies, that every ship, except the Foudroyant, cut or slipped
their cables. About midnight thirteen french ships were a-
ground, all upon the heel, and most of theni in a very desperate
situation. The falling of the tide obliged the Imp^rieuse at
daylight to weigh and stand out, and lord Cochrane made the
following signals to the admiral: — ^at 6 h. 48 m. a.m., ''Half
the fleet can destroy the enemy : seven on shore.':; At 6 h.
40 m., ''^ Eleven on shore." At 7 h. 40 m., " Only two afloat."
At 9 h. 30 m., " Enemy preparing to heave off!" As soon as
the tide would permit, the Imperieuse resumed her station close
to the Boyail shoal.
At 10 h* 45 m. the british fleet, by signal from the admiral,
got under way, but at 11 h. 30 m. a.m. re-anchored at the dis-
tance of three miles from the Isle d'Aix, and about six miles
from the grounded ships. The Valiant, Bellona, and Revehge,
with the frigates and sloops, were then ordered to anchor as
close as possible to the Boyart shoal. Observing this, the
Foudroyant and Cassard cut their cables, and made sail for the
Charente ; but both ships ran aground near the castle of Fouras.
As the flood-tide made, all the grounded ships righted, and
lord Cochrane observing that many were getting afloat, and
that the Aquilon, Varsovie, and Calcutta were canying out
anchors, got under way in the Imperieuse, and dropped down
with the tide towards the enemy; and at 1 h. 30 m. the frigate
TOL. II. H
98 SURRENDER OF FOUR 8HIPS.
set her top-sails, and steered for the grounded ships on the
Palles. His lordship, conceiving that no serious attack was in-
tended to be made upon these ships, who were setting sail to
assist in forcing them off the shoal, made the signal to the ad-
miral, ''The enemy is getting under sail;'^ and ten minutes
afterwards, finding no attention paid to it, he caused to be
hoisted No. 378, '' The enemy is superior to the chasing ship/'
This was followed, at 1 h. 46 m., by No. 364, ** The ship is in
distress, and requires immediate assistance."
At 2 p. M. the Imp^rieuse anchored on the Palles shoal in five
fathoms, with springs on her cables, and opened a fire upon the
60-gun ship Calcutta'^s starboard quarter, whilst her bow guns
were directed at the Varsovie and Aquilon, of 74 guns. About
2 h. 16 ro. P.M. the Indefatigable frigate got under way by
signal, and steered for the Imp6rieuse ; shortly afterwards the
remaining frigates and smaller vessels stood after her, and at
about 2 h. 30 m. the Valiant and Revenge also weighed, and
proceeded in the direction of the firing. The Imp^rieuse con-
tinued engaging the Calcutta until 3 h. 20 m., when the french
ship surrendered and was taken possession of. Before 4 p.m.
the following ships had come to an anchor : Pallas 32, Aigle 36,
Emerald 36, Unicom 32, Indefatigable 44, Valiant 44, Imp6-
rieuse 38, Revenge 74, who ranged nearly in the form of a
crescent around the grounded french ships. The Aquilon and
Varsovie, after sustaining the heavy cannonade opposed to them
without the means of using more than their stem guns, dis-
played a union jack in token of submission at 6 h. 30 m. p.m.
Just at this period the 74-gun ship Theseus anchored between
the Revenge and Valiant. At 6 p.m. the Tonnerre 74, lying
just out of range of the nearest british ship, the Revenge, was
set on fire by her crew, who landed safely on Isle Madame at
7 h. 30 m., just before the ship exploded. At 8 h. 30 m. the
Calcutta also blew up with a tremendous explosion.
The Revenge, in the attack upon the grounded ships, had two
marines killed, 1 lieutenant, 6 seamen, and 9 marines wounded.
\
ACQI7ITTAL OF LORD QAMBTBR. 99
The Imp^rieuse had 3 men killed, and 11 wounded. These
were the only ships that sustained any loss in killed or wound-
ed ; and it is remarkable, that although they were exposed to a
constant fire of shot and shells from the batteries of Isle d'Aix,
and of Saumonard on the isle of Oleron, the Revenge and Inde-
fatigable were the only british ships, out of the fourteen en-
gaged, that suffered from it ; and the damage to the latter was
merely a wounded top-mast
As the Ocean 120, Cassard, Regulus, Jemappes, and Tour-
yille, 74, and Indienne frigate, were all lying aground at the en-
trance of the Charente, rear-admiral Stopford in the Csesar got
under way, and at 6 h. 30 m. p.m., accompanied by three fire-
shipd and the launches of the fleet to throw rockets, stood to-
wards Aix roads, receiving a heavy but ineffectual fire from
the batteries on both sides. At 7 h. 40 m. the Csssar took the
ground on the extremity of the Boyart shoal ; the Valiant had
previously grounded, and these ships did not get afloat again
until 10 h. 30 m. p.m. The Revenge, with the frigates (except
the Imp^rieuse) and brigs, had weighed at 8 p.m., and anchored
in the Maumusson passage. The wind becoming favourable, at
2 A.M. on the I3th the C»sar got under way and anchored in
Basque roads. During the night the french ships Aquilon
and Varsovie were set on fire; and at 5 a.m. the Valiant, The-
setis, Revenge, Indefatigable, Aigle, Unicorn, and Emerald,
quitted Aix roads by signal from the Csssar: on the 14th the
Imp^rieuse and some brigs, which had continued to annoy the
enemy *s ships, joined the admiral in Basque roads.
Lord Cochrane, for the gallant part he had performed, was
invested with the order of the Bath. Shortly afterwards his
lordship intimated to the Admiralty his intention of opposing the
vote of thanks in Parliament to lord Oambier for his conduct in
Basque roads. In consequence of this communication, lord
Ghimbier was tried by a court-martial at his own request ; and
"most honourably acquitted" of the charges preferred against
him, of not doing his utmost to destroy the enemy's ships.
h2
100 GALLANTRY OP LIEUTENANT CORYTON.
In the night of the 9th of March three boats^ under the com-
mand of lieutenant Charles Fraser, were detached from the 44-
gun frigate Argo by captain S. T. Digby, to attempt the cap-
ture of the french national felucca Joseph, mounting 1 nine-
pounder and 2 three-pounder guns, with a crew of 63 men.
Lieutenant John Rawlins Coryton of the marines, commanding
the gig, was considerably in advance of the cutter and yawl
when the felucca was discovered close under the batteries of
San Domingo. Without waiting for the arrival of the other
boats, lieutenant Coryton immediately dashed alongside just
abaft the gangway, and with his crew of six men succeeded in
gaining the deck after a sharp struggle, in which he received
two severe wounds. The enemy fled to the forecastle ; but on
perceiving the inferiority of the assailants, they quickly rallied,
and compelled the gallant leader of the attack to retreat against
the main shrouds, where he was nobly defending himself, single
handed, against nine frenchmen, when lieutenant Fraser arrived
to his assistance. After some further resistance on the part of
the enemy, ip which several were killed or wounded, the re-
mainder saved themselves by running below, or by jumping
overboard. Notwithstanding, the felucca was fastened to the
shore by two hawsers, and protected by a heavy discharge of
grape and musketry, she was safely brought out, with no greater
loss than 7 men wounded, and among that number lieutenant
Coryton in nine places.
On the 12th of April, in the evening, the boats of the 28-gun
ship Mercury, captain the hon. Henry Duncan, were detached
under the orders of lieutenant W. O. Pell, assisted by several
officers, including lieutenant James Whylock of the marines, to
cut out two gun-boats moored close to two heavy batteries in
the port of Rovigno, on the coast of Istria ; the entrance to
which is not more than 100 yards across.
After dark the boats pulled into this narrow harbour, and
under a heavy fire of grape and musketry, boarded and carried
the gun-boat Leda, mounting 1 long twenty-four pounder and 6
MBLPOMl^NE IN TUB QBEAT BBLT. 101
large swiyelSy having her boarding-nettings triced up to her
mast-head. A fog suddenly came on, which deranged the plan
of attack, and the prize was towed out under the additional fire
of five guns on an island, that was intended to have been
stormed by the marines. In this gallant affair 1 seaman was
killed; lieutenant Pell and 3 men wounded.
On the 11th of May the 38-gun frigate Melpomene, captain
Peter Parker, having chased a danish cutter of 6 guns on
shore at Huilbo harbour, in Jutland, the boats, covered by the
fire of the frigate, were detached, and succeeded in destroying
the cutter ; but with the loss of a lieutenant, 2 seamen, and
3 marines severely wounded.
On the 16th of May, the 28-gun frigate Mercury anchored
near the town of Rotti ; and after firing a few broadsides, the
boats under lieutenant Gordon, assisted by lieutenant James
Whylock of the marines, landed and destroyed seven trabac-
colos. The party then retired, with no other loss than lieute-
nant Gordon, wounded by an explosion in burning the vessels.
On the 23rd of May the 38-gun frigate Melpomene, captain
Frederick Warren, lying at single anchor ofi* Omoe island, in
the Great Belt, nearly becalmed, at 10 h. 30 m. p.m. perceiving
20 large danish gun-boats standing towards her, imm^iately
cut her cable and made sail to meet her opponents. The action
commenced about midnight, and was maintained with great
spirit on both sides until 1 h. 16 m. a.m. on the 30th, when
the gun-boats pulled away beyond the reach of the Melpo-
mene's guns, who was unable, from the calm that prevailed,
to pursue them. The long heavy guns of the Danes <eighteen
and twenty-four pounders) had produced a serious 'effect upon
the frigate : her sails and rigging were cut to pieces, and her
hull, both below and above water, greatly shattered. Her loss
amounted to 4 seamen and 1 marine killed; lieutenant C.J.
Pater of the marines (so dangerously that he died in July fol-
lowing), and 28 men wounded. Lieutenant Robert Gilbert' of
the marines was alsp-on board the Melpomene.
.!.<
d
102 BOATS OF BELLBROPHON.
On the 19tb of June the 74 gun-ship Bellerophon, cap-
tain Samuel Warren, whilst cruising on the coast of Finland,
detached her boats to attempt the capture of a lugger and two
other vessels at anchor within the islands near Hango. The
party was commanded by lieutenant R. Pilch, assisted by se-
veral officers, including lieutenant Alfred Octavius Carrington
of the marines. The vessels were boarded without opposition,
and being of no value were abandoned ; but as it was now
discovered that on their return the boats would be opposed by
four strong batteries and several gun-bpats, it was determined
to dash at the nearest fort, mounting 4 twenty-four pound-
ers, garrisoned by 103 men. After a very obstinate resistance,
this battery was carried in the most gallant manner, the Rus-
sians retreating to some boats on the opposite side of the island.
Having spiked the guns and destroyed the magazine, the Bri-
tish got back to their ship, with the comparatively slight loss of
6 men wounded.
On the 7th of July a british squadron, consisting of ^e 74
gun-ships Implacable and Bellerophon, 38-gun frigate Melpo-
mene, and Prometheus sloop, were cruising on the coast of
Finland, when a russian flotilla of gun-boats and merchant ves-
sels were observed at anchor under Percola Point. The eight
gun-boats, armed with pne long twenty-four and one thirty-
pounder each, and manned with 46 men, were in a position of
extraordinary strength, lying between two rocks which served as
a cover to their wings, and whence a destructive fire could be
poured upon the boats as they approached them. It was never-
theless resolved to make the attack, and seventeen boats were
placed under the command of lieutenant Joseph Hawkey, first
of the Implacable, who was assisted by several officers of the
squadron, including lieutenants George Kendall, Thomas Crack-
nell, James Clarke, Alfred Octavius Carrington, and Robert
Gilbert, of the marines. At 9 p.m. the party proceeded on this
service, and regardless of the heavy fire opened upon them,
pushed on, not firing a musket until close alongside the ene-
CAPTURE OF SIX GUN-BOATS. 103
my's boats, which they boarded, and after a determined resist-
ance carried all before them. Six gun-boats were captured,
one sunk, and the other escaped: twelve vessels laden with
powder and provisions for the russian army were also brought
out, and an armed ship was destroyed. This dashing enter-
prise was not accomplished without a very severe loss. Lieu-
tenant Hawkey, having taken one gun-boat, was killed by a
grape-shot in the act of boarding a second ; and the last words
of this gallant officer were, '^ Huzza ! — ^push on : England for
ever ! " The British had 2 lieutenants, a second-master, 8 sea-
men, and 5 marines killed; a boatswain, 26 seamen, and 11
marines wounded : total, 16 killed, 37 wounded. The Russians
had 63 killed, whilst many perished in attempting to reach the
shore; and of the 127 prisoners taken, 51 were wounded.
On the 25th of July the boats of the 74-gun ships Princess
Caroline and Minotaur, the Cerberus frigate, and Prometheus
sloop, under command of captain Thomas Forrest of the latter,
proceeded to the attack of four russian gun-boats and an armed
brig lying at Fredericksham, near Apso roads, in the gulf of
Finland. As soon as it became dark, the boats pushed off
from the squadron, and at 10 h. 30 m. p.m. commenced the
attack. After a desperate and sanguinary conflict, three of the
gnn-boats, each mounting two long eighteen-pounders, having
among them 137 men, and an armed transport with 23 men,
were captured and brought off. The british loss on this occa-
sion was extremely severe : lieutenant John J. Callenan of the
Minotaur, lieutenant William Wilkins of the marines, 1 mid-
shipman, and 16 seamen and marines were killed; captain
Forrest, 1 lieutenant, 3 midshipmen, and 46 seamen and ma-
rines wounded. The Russians had 28 killed, and 59 wounded.
One of the gun-boats was so obstinately defended, that out
of her crew of 44 men, 24 were killed, and every other man
on board wounded. For the gallantry he had shown in lead-
ing this desperate service, captain Forrest was deservedly pro-
moted to post rank.
104 RBDICTION OF 8£N£GA1«.
Captain Edward Chaniberlayne, of the 32-gun frigate. Sole?;
bay, having, with major C. H. Maxwell of the African corpQ,.
concerted a plan for the reduction of Senegal, on the 4 th qC
July a detachment of the garrison of Goree, con^sting of \6Q^
officers and men under the major's command, .embarked jqq
board a transport ; and in company with ,the Solebay, 18-gun.
brig Derwent, 12-gun brig Tigris, and several smaller, vessels,
immediately got under way, and sailed from Goree* ,
On the 7th, in the evening, the expedition, amounting to
fourteen sail of vessels, anchored off the bar of Senegal ; and on.
the 8th, 160 of the african corps, with 50 marines under lieuter.
nant Lewis Buckle Reeves, and 120 seamen, were got over the
bar, through a very heavy surf; but this difficult service was
unfortunately attended with some loss : captain Parker, pf .the
Derwent, and some men were drowned, and two vessels wreck-
ed in attempting the passage. . .
It was now discovered that the (irench .force, consisting of
160 regulars and about 240 militia and volunteers, had assem-
bled at Babagu^, situated about five miles below the town of
St. Louis, and ten above the bar. Major Maxwell, with, the
troops and marines, numbering altogether 210. n^en,. .landed
without much opposition on the left bank 9f the river, and im-
mediately took up a position with the intention of waiting un-
til provisions could be passed from the shipping. On the 9th
the French attacked the british force with very superior num-
bers, and their left was hardly pressed, when lieutenant Reeves
with the marines gallantly attacked the enemy with the bayo-
net; and the british line advancing, drove their opponents be-
fore them for several miles until they got into their boats, after
having sustained a severe loss, whilst the casualties on the
part of the British wer^ but trifling. The position to which the
French had retired, consisted of a formidable line of defence at
Bahagu^, a battery on the south point of an island, command-
ing the passage of the river, and this post was further defend-
ed by a chain secured to anchors on each shore, and floated
%
THE 80LBBAY WRECKED. 105
across the stream by large spars. In the rear of this boom
lay a flotilla of seven armed vessels, mounting altogether 31
guns.
On the 11th the Solebay and Derwent took up a position
close to the narrow neck of land that divides the river from
the sea, and cannonaded the fort of Babagu^ with considerable
effect; but in the course of the ensuing night, the frigate, in
shifting her b^rth, went on shore,, ^d became. );(),tally wrecked.
The troops, having re-embarked on the 12th, moved up the
nfsroiditil within gun-shot, of fort Babagu^^' and wheb^i^^i^
'thing.wa^ in readiness for a night attack, the french'cdtntUan-'
cEan£ proposed to capitulate. i ''
- ;0n. the I3th Fort St. Louis surrendered, and the marines,
with a detachment of the african corps, took possession. The
object of the expedition b^ing accomplished, captain CSolum-
bine, in the Derwent, sailed for England on the '23rd, leaving
lieutenant Reeves with the marines, lyho continued seven
months in Fort St. Louis, during which periqd nearly half the
men fell a sacrifice to that pestilential climate.
^
106
CHAPTER III.
From May 1809, to January 1811.
It will be recollected that in the year 1807 considerable na-
val preparations were making on the river Scheldt by order of
Buonaparte : those arrangements were prosecuted with such vi-
gour, that in the summer there were ten sail of the line an-
chored to the south-east of the Calot Sand, ready to put to sea.
Finding there was not sufficient depth of water in the port of
Antwerp to float an 80-gun ship with her guns and stores on
board. Napoleon compelled his brother Louis, the king of Hol-
land, to cede the port of Flushing to France ; by this acquisi-
tion the emperor became entire master of the Scheldt, and pos-
sessed a basin capable of containing twenty sail of the line fully
equipped. In addition to the ten sail of the line, that only
waited for the absence of the british blockading force to put to
sea, there were nine ships of the line on the stocks at Antwerp,
and one at Flushing ; two of these were ready to be launched,
and several others were in a forward state.
Nothing could exceed the eligibility of the port of Antwerp
for an arsenal of magnitude, as the resources for building, which
were almost inexhaustible, might easily be conveyed thither
from the Black Forest. There were already nineteen slips
calculated for ships of the largest size ; and some idea may be
formed of the extensive operations in f rthering this grand na-
tional undertaking, when it is stated, that previous to the year
1804 the site of the arsenal was occupied by 1500 houses, all of
which Napoleon had removed, in order that he might carry on
his ambitious projects against England ; and since the summer
EXPEDITION TO THE SCHELDT. 107
of 1806, the emperor had expended the sum of £2y640|000 ster-
ling upon the fortifications and other works in the Scheldt.
Expedition to the Scheldt.
In the latter part of May, the British government projected an
expedition against the french naval force in the Scheldt ; but it
was not until the 28th of July that this immense armament
sailed from the Downs. It consisted of thirty-seven sail of the
line (four-fifths with the lower^deck guns out), two 60-gun ships,
twenty*seven firigates, thirty-one sloops, and about one hundred
and twenty hired cutters, gun-boats, etc. ; making in all two
hundred and forty-five vessels of war, accompanied by four
hundred transports : the fleet under the command of rear-
admiral sir Richard Strachan, and 39,000 troops, including
3000 cavalry^ commanded by lieutenant-general the earl of
Chatham* The main object of the expedition was to capture
or destroy the fleet, demolish the dock-yards and arsenals, and^
if possible, to render the Scheldt no longer navigable for ships
of war. To facilitate the passage up the western Scheldt, Cad-
zand, with the islands of Walcheren and Zuid Beveland, were
to be occupied by divisions of the british troops.
In the evening of the 29th, and on the following morning, the
whole force had anchored in safety between the islands of Noord
Beveland and Schouwen, and nearly opposite the town of Zierk-
zee. A strong westerly gale sprang up on the 29th, which con-
tinuing on the 30th, the men-of-war and transports were com-
pelled to seek shelter in the Roompot ; and in course of the
forenoon the fleet anchored in the Veer Gbt. In the mean time
three divisions of the army had arrived in the Wieling passage,
preparatory to the disembarkation of part of that force on the
coast of Cadzand, whilst the remainder proceeded to attack the
forts of Lillo and Lief kenshoeck, and finally of Antwerp. On
the 30th the left wing landed on the Breed Zand, with a slight
opposition; and on the same evening the bomb-vessels and
gun-boats proceeded up the Veer Gat. On the morning of the
1
108 SQCJADBOK PASSB8 FLUSHING.
31 St a cannonade was opened upon the fort of Veer, garrisoned
by 600 men, and mounting 38 guns. The firing, which conti-
nued until the evening, was returned with much spirit from the
fort, and three gun-boats were sunk. In the course of the night
several oases of congreve rockets were thrown into the town of
Veer, which being closely invested by a division of troops under
lieutenant-general Eraser, capitulated on the morning of the 1st
of August. The army now moved forward towards Flushing,
an,d on the sun-ender of Fort Rammekens on the 3rd, was
enabled completly to invei^t the town. Meanwhile the division
under lieutenant-general Hope had landed without opposition
on th^ island of Zuid Beveland ; and on the following night the
important fortress of Bathz was evacuated by the enemy.
On the mopiing of the 29th, as soon as the signal-posts an-
nounced the appearance of the British off the coast, the french
squadron, quitting their anchorage off the Calot, withdrew up
the Scheldt ; and a short time ^previous to the surrender of the
fortress of Bathz, the whole of the enemy's ships had passed
the boom of Lillo.
The surrender of Fort Rammekens having opened the pas-
sage of the Sloe channel, immediate measures were taken to
get the flotilla that had acted against Veer into the western
Scheldt ; but the unfavourable state of the weather made it the
7th of August before the searblockade pf Flushing, by means of
the flotilla, could effectually be established. On the 10th the
Beerlandt channel was sounded, and buoys placed to enable the
larger ships to advance; and on the Uth, in the afternoon, a
division of frigates under captain lord William Stuart, formed in
line of battle a-head thus, — Lavinia, Heroine, Amethyst, Rota,
Nymphen, Aigle, Euryalus, Statira, Dryad, and Perlen, forced
the passage between the batteries of Flushing and Cadzand.
Although, from the lightness of the wind and an adverse tide,
the ships were exposed to the enemy's fire during two hours,
no greater loss was sustained than 2 men killed and 9 wounded.
On board the Aigle one marine was killed ; lieutenant Henry
BOMBARDMBKT OF FLCJ8HINO. 109
Loveday Vine of the marines^ and 3 men were wounded. This
ship was the only one of the ten frigates that sustained any
material damage, which was occasioned by a shell that fell
through the decks into the bread-room, and exploding there,
shattered her stem frame considerably. On the 13th the bat-
teries, mounting 52 pieces of heavy ordnance, and increased in
the evening by 6 additional twenty-four pounders, opened a fire
upon Flushing ; at the same time the division of bomb and
gun-vessels kept up an incessant cannonade.
Owing to the scantiness of the wind, the squadron under rear-
admiral sir Richard Strachan could not get under way from the
Deurloo passage until the 14th, at 10 a.m. ; they then proceeded
in the following order : — St. Domingo, Blake, Repulse, Victo-
rious, Dannemark, Audacious, Venerable. Soon after the St.
Domingo had opened her fire, she grounded on the inner edge
of the Dog-bank, and the Blake, not aware of the accident that
had befallen her leader, took the ground just inside her : the
remaining ships then hauled off and anchored, when they were
joined by the St. Domingo and Blake. At 4 p.m., the fire of the
garrison having ceased, a summons was sent in ; but no satis-
factory answer being returned, the bombardment recommenced
at night, and continued without intermission until 2 p.m. on
the 15tb, when general Monet offered to capitulate; and on
the 16th the terms were ratified. The St. Domingo and Blake,
from having grounded, were by far the most exposed, and the
only ships of the squadron that suffered any loss, which amount-
ed to only 2 men killed, and 18 wounded.
In the different skirmishes, the army had 103 killed, and 443
wounded ; the navy 9 killed, and 65 wounded : making the total
loss, up to the surrender of Flushing, 112 men killed, and 498
wounded.
On the 21st the earl of Chatham removed his head-quarters
from Middleburg to Veer, and crossing the Sloe, arrived at the
head-quarters of sir John Hope, at Goes, on the 23rd. The
accumulating force at Cadzand made it necessary to leave as
110 EVACUATION OP WALCHEREW.
many as 10^000 men in possession of Walcheren; consequently
there were about 28,000 troops applicable to the remaining
objects of the expedition.
It was now ascertained that the french forces in the forts of
LillO; Liefkenshoeck^ Berg-op-zoom, and Antwerp, amounted to
upwards of 36,000 men, and that the latter place had approaches
which could be inundated, whilst it was strongly fortified with
a citadel entirely commanding the arsenal and dock-yard : the
ships of war with their guns on board could ascend some miles
above the city ; and being lightened, might retire to Dender-
monde, a fortified town fifteen miles beyond it* At this time an
alarming sickness prevailed in the britiph camp, which was
probably occasioned by the inundation of the country by the
French, who had cut a dike to the right of the town, lliese
and other causes led to a council of war on the 26th, which
determined on the immediate evacuation of Zuid Beveland; and
by the 4th of September not a sail was to be seen in the road
of Saeftingen. The island of Walcheren was still occupied by
a division of the army, which was withdrawn in the month
of December : the basin, arsenal, and sea-defences of Flushing
having previously been blown up and destroyed, together with
three vessels on the stocks.
Thus terminated this ill-fated expedition, which not only
brought disgrace upon the british military character, but was
the occasion of above 14,000 officers and men being visited with
a malignant fever, of which nearly one-fourth part died, and
scarcely one who survived but carried in his frame some unsub-
dued portion of the malady, some periodical ague-fit or rheu-
matic affection, forcing upon his recollection the share he had
in that campaign, which, for the honour of the nation, it would
be well were it buried in oblivion ; for it appears, from the
report of the examination before the House of Commons, the
earl of Chatham admitted, that at the time of his departure from
England he did not know to what extent Antwerp was for-
tified, that the citadel commanded the dock-yard ; nor, in
BATTALION OF MARINES. Ill
shorty any thing of the place he was going to attack ! The ex-
pedition, moreover, was ill-timed, because the sickly season
had actually commenced before the armament sailed from the
Downs ; and ill-executed, as evinced by the tardiness of the
military commander-in-chief.
A battalion was formed by detachments of marines from the
fleet, and served at Fort Veer, in the island of Walcheren, dur-
ing the months of August and September, consisting of 706
rank and file, under the following officers : —
Captain Frederic Liardet, commandant.
Captains— R. P. Boys, F. Wemyss, W. B. McMillan, F. Hole,
T. M. Bagnold, B. Clarke, R. Owen, J. Parry, and W. S. Car-
ruthers.
First-lieutenants — ^T. Reeves, H. Perham, Donald Campbell.
Second-lieutenants — J. T. Tucker, A. Thwaites, J. E. H. Miss-
ing, F. Graham, W. Haig, R. Barry, G. Magill, C. Clapperton,
R. Edwards, J. Yates, E. J. Milbume, J. W. Bullock, K. S. Par-
ker, James Flaxman, P. Dusantoy, and George B. Puddicombe.
Adjutant, Donald Campbell. Acting-paymaster, K. S. Parker.
Quarter-master, James Flaxman.
The following is an extract from the battalion orders of the
30th of August, 1809 :—
'* The commanding officer is desirous of communicating to
the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the
Royal Marine battalion, that lieutenant-general sir Eyre Coote
has expressed the highest approbation of their soldier-like con-
duct during their being on duty in the garrison of Terveer.
*' The commanding officer thinks it a duty incumbent upon
him to avail himself of this opportunity of returning to the offi-
cers his warmest thanks for their strict attention to their duty ;
and he highly approves of the steady conduct of the non-com-
missioned officers and privates while under his command*
(Signed) FREDERIC LIARDET, Capt.
COMMANDANT."
112 LETTERS OF APPROBATION.
The following letters are from the david commander-in-
chief: —
gj^ " H. M. S. St. Domingo, 12th Sept. 1809.
I have the honour of your letter of the 6th of
September, enclosing a return of the battalion of Royal Marines
under your command ; and it was with great pleasure I heard
of the encomium of sir Eyre Coote on this battalion. It reflects
the greatest honour on you, and the officers under your com-
mand^ that this .valuable corps has been preserved in health,
when others have been afflicted with the prevailing disease. It
is to your excellent management and discipline, and the exam-
ple set by your officers, and the orderly disposition of your men,
that I attribute this fortunate circumstance* It gives me great
satisfaction to have this opportunity of assuring you, that I am
fully sensible of your meritorious conduct, and you will oblige
me by accepting my thanks, and conveying the same testimony
of my approbation to captains Boys, Wemyss, Parry, Hall, and
Clarke, and the officers and private marines serving under you,
and assure them how much I admire their <ronduct.
I have the honour to be, sir, with the greatest esteem,
Your very humble servant,
(Signed) RICHARD J. STRACHAN/'
" To Captain Liardet,
Sib, " St. Domingo, off Bathz, \st Sept. 1809.
Having yesterday observed the gallant conduct of
the gun-vessels, in closing with the battery off Doel, and aiding
the bombs Hound, Thunder, and ^tna in silencing it, I re-
quest you will make known to captain Carteret, who com-
manded the gun-vessels, and to captains Janverin, Lyford,
Lowe, Abercom, and Buck, commanding divisions under him,
and to the officers of the Royal Marines and seamen, that I
admire and approve of their heroic conduct upon this, as well as
upon all oc(5asions when under the fire of the enemy. I request
ATTACK OF AKHOLT. 113
yoQ to inform captains Lockyer, lawless, and Bowker, who
commanded the bombs, that I am much pleased with the skil-
ful manner in which those vessels were generally placed ; and
to assure the officers of the Royal Marine Artillery serving on
board them, I had much pleasure in observing the precision and
judgment with which the shells were thrown, which does the
officers directing the mortars infinite credit.
I havethe honour to be.
Your obedient servant,
RICHARD J. STRACHAN."
" To Captain Cockhum,
commanding the Flotilla.^'
In the early part of May, the 64-gun ship Standard, captain
A. P. HoUis, with the 36-gun frigate Glendower, three sloops,
and a brig, were detached from the british squadron in the Baltic
by vice-admiral sir James Saumarez, to effect the reduction of
the island of Anholt. On the 18th the marines, amounting to
120 rank and file under captain Edward Nicolls, with lieute-
nants Robert Henry and R. 6. Atkinson, embarked in the
boats of the squadron ; and whilst the ships cannonaded the
battery on the south beach, the detachment landed about three
miles to the south-east of them, but owing to the heavy surf
the boats were swamped, and the men's ammunition conse-
quently destroyed. Notwithstanding these obstacles the attack
was persevered in, and the never-failing alternative of british
soldiers — the bayonet, accomplished all that could have been
desired ; for the party, dashing forward, captured a field-piece,
which had kept up a galling fire ; and then pursuing a force,
consisting of about 200 men, right into the light-house, com-
pelled them to haul down the danish colours. Soon afterwards
the battery that had annoyed the Standard was silenced, and
the garrison, amounting to 250 men of the king of Denmark's
regiment, and 300 well-organized militia, surrendered at discre-
tion. The loss of the British was confined to one corporal killed,
and two privates wounded.
VOL. II. I
114 OAPTAIM NIC0LL8 . APPOINTED GOVERNOR.
A reinforcement of marines under captain Peter Jones, from
the ships in the offing, had been ordered to support captain
NicoIIs ; but as they did not arrive until the island was in quiet
possession, that gallant officer, assuming the authority with
which he had been furnished in anticipation of success, dis-
pensed with any further assistance from the marines and sea^
men sent to co-operate with him in this enterprise, and they
returned to the squadron.
Having been confirmed in his appointment as governor of
Anbolt, captain Nicolls was indefatigable in his exertions to
put the island in a proper state of defence; and during the ab-
sence of the british fleet in the winter months, the boats be-
longing to the island captured fifteen sail of laden vessels. On
the return of the squadron to the Baltic in 1810, the governor
was honoured by receiving a letter of thanks from the comman-
der-in-chief on the station ; but notwithstanding this flattering
mark of approval, the board of Admiralty thought proper to
remove captain Nicolls from his command, to make room for a
naval officer, and the island of Anholt was henceforward placed
on the establishment of a 50-gun ship.
On the 14th of April a division of british troops, under major-
general F. Maitland, gained possession of the Saintes islands,
near Guadaloupe; and having posted themselves on Mome
Russel, which completely commanded the harbour, a fire was
opened upon the french 74-gun ships Courageux, Polonais,
and d'HaupouIt, that compelled them to put to sea. They
were discovered at 10 p.m. by the 74-gun ship Pomp6e, cap-
tain W. C. Fahie, who endeavoured to stop the progress of the
Btemmost by the discharge of two broadsides; bat having a
strong breeze in their favour, the french ships continued their
course to the westward without returning a shot. At 10 h.
15 m. the Recruit brig opened a fire upon the enemy, and on
the 16th captain Charles Napier again very gallantly renewed
the attack, and received a fire from the d'Haupoult which
wounded the Serjeant of marines. The 74-gun ship Neptune
ATTACK OF CONVOY AT PKSARO. 115
had now joined in the chase, and at 8 h. p.m. the Trench ships
separated; the d'Haupoult altering her course to north-west.
The Pomp6e immediately hauled up after that ship, and on the
16th, at daylight, the d'Haupoult was about three miles dis-
tant. In the course of the forenoon the Latona and Castor fri-
gates took part in the pursuit, and on the 17th the latter veiy
gallantly brought the French ship to action, which enabled the
Pomp^e at 4 a.m., to close with the d'Haupoult until 5 h. 15 m.
A.M.; the french ship then ranged a-head, and continued engag-
ing the Castor until the Pomp6e was again in a position to dis-
charge her broadside with effect; when the d'Haupoult, being a
complete wreck in rigging and sails, lowered her top-sails and
surrendered. The Pomp6e had 9 killed ; her captain, first-lieu-
tenant, lieutenant of marines Charles Edward Atkins, 22 seamen,
and 5 marines wounded. Captain Charles Napier was deserv-
edly promoted to the command of the prize, which was commis-
sioned under the name of Abercromby.
On the 23rd of April the 38-gun frigate Spartan, captain J.
Brenton, with the 32-gun frigate Amphion, and 28-gun frigate
Mercury, cruising off the town of Pesaro, in the gulf of Venice,
anchored within a mile and a half of the town, in order to cover
an intended attack by the boats of the squadron on a number of
vessels lying in the mole. Having made the necessary prepa-
rations, captain Brenton sent a summons to the governor of the
town, demanding the surrender of all the vessels. Not receiving
a reply to this proposal, the ships, with the boats, opened their
fire upon the town ; but at 30 m. past noon, the enemy having
hung out several flags of truce, the squadron ceased firing, and
lieutenant Q. W. Willes of the Spartan pulled into the harbour,
where he was informed that the commandant had withdrawn,
with all the military. The marines of the frigates, under lieu-
tenant Thomas Moore, accompanied by lieutenants James Why-
lock, Charles Fegan, and Christopher Fotterell, were immediate-
ly landed to protect the boats, as they boarded and brought out
thirteen vessels deeply laden. At 7 p. m. the castle at the en-
I 2
116 TOPAZE AND FRENCH FRIGATES.
trance of the harbour was blown up, under the direction of lieu-
tenant WilleSy and the British returned to their ships without a
casualty.
On the 2nd of May the Spartan, having chased two vessels
into the harbour of Cesenatico, the narrow entrance of which
was defended by two twenty-four pounders and a castle ; and
observing several other vessels also lying there, captain Brenton
determined to attempt their capture. About noon the Spartan
and Mercury anchored sufficiently near to open their broadsides
effectually, and silenced the battery. The boats then pushed
off, and having taken possession of the fort, turned the guns
upon the castle and the town, which were soon deserted.
Twelve vessels were brought off, the castle and magazine blown
up, and the guns spiked.
On the 12th of March, at 6 h. 30 m. a.m., the 36-gun frigate
Topaze, captain A. J. Griffiths, cruising off the island of Anti-
Paxo, in the Adriatic, in company with the 18-gun brig King-
fisher, discovered the two french 40-gun frigates Dana6 and
Flore, and immediately bore away in chase. At 2 h. 10 m. p.m.
she was sufficiently near to exchange broadsides with the two
frigates while passing on opposite tacks, and at 3 h. 30 m. the
frigates, while crossing each other, again engaged as before.
The firing recommenced at 4 h. 30 m., and continued as they
passed on opposite tacks until 5 h. p.m.; when the Danae and
Flore tacked out of gun-shot, and stood up the passage to Corfu
under all sail, leaving to a single british frigate the credit of
compelling them to withdraw ; for at this periodthe Kingfisher
was six or seven miles to leeward.
On the 31st of May, when cruising off the coast of Albania,
the Topaze observed nine vessels anchored in the road of Der-
nata, situated behind the rocks, under the fortress of Santa
Maura. The boats were soon despatched to attempt their cap-
ture, under the orders of lieutenant Charles Hammond, assisted
by lieutenants Edward Smith Mercer and William Halstead of
the marines, and other officers. Having to row along the outer
CYANfi AND FLOTILLA. 117
edge of the reef, the boats were exposed to a galling fire of
musketry, and again as they pulled round it ; nevertheless, they
pushed gallantly on, boarded, and brought out the whole nine
vessels, with the comparatively trifling loss of one marine killed,
and one seaman wounded. Among the captured vessels were a
xebec of eight carriage-guns, six swivels, and 26 men, a cutter
of four guns, a felucca mounting three guns, and two gun-boats
of one gun each.
Rear-admiral Martin, in the Canopus 80, with the 74-gun
ships Spartiate and Warrior, 22-gun ship Cyane, captain Tho-
mas Staines, and 18-gun brig Espoir, accompanied by a nume-
rous flotilla of british and Sicilian gun-boats, and a fleet of
transports with troops, anchored on the 24th of June to the
northward of the islands of Ischia and Procida, preparatory
to an attack upon them. In the course of the evening the
Cyane, Espoir, and twelve gun-boats were detached to the
southward, to prevent supplies or reinforcements being thrown
into the islands from the main. On the 25th, at 8 h. a.m.,
when lying at anchor two miles to the south-east of Procida
in company with the gun-boats, the Cyane and Espoir dis-
covered the french 40-gun frigate C6r&s, 30-gun corvette Fama,
and several gun-boats coming out of Pozzuoli bay. The british
squadron immediately got under way with a light air from the
north-east, and haying sufficiently approached the enemy, at
8 h. 30 m. fired several broadsides at the french frigate and her
consorts, which they returned, and then stood in for the land.
At 9 h. 40 m. the firing ceased, with no great eflect on either
side; and the Cyane and consorts, after cruising all day be-
tween Procida and the main, re-anchored ofl* the island at
9 P.M. On the same day Procida surrendered, as did Ischia
on the following morning, with the exception of a castle on the
south-east point of land, which did not capitulate until some
days afterwards.
On the 26th, at 6 h. 25 m. a. m., the Cyane, Espoir, and gun-
boats began engaging the enemy's flotilla just as they rounded
118 CYANE AND cilR^S.
the point of Baia; and by the prompt and vigorous attack
made upon them and the batteries, the british and Sicilian
gun-boats were enabled to bring their opponents to close ac-
tion ; and before 10 a.m. to capture eighteen, and destroy four,
french gun-boats. In this smart affair the Cyane received
twenty-three shot in her hull, was much cut up in her masts and
rigging, and she had two killed ; a master's mate (mortally), and
6 men wounded. At 7 p.m. the Cyane and Espoir, accompanied
by twenty-three Sicilian gun-boats, stood into Pozzuoli bay,
where the Cer^s, Fama, and twelve gun-boats were lying at
anchor. At 8 a.m. on the 27th the british frigate was becalmed
within reach of a battery of 4 guns, which, having opened with
some effect, captain Staines, leading the boats to the attack,
gallantly carried ; and having spiked the 4 thiily-six pounders,
destroyed the carriages, and thrown a ten-inch mortar into the
sea, he returned to the ship without a casualty.
The Cyane and Espoir were lying becalmed in the ofBng at
6 P.M., when the C^r^s, Fama, and twenty gun-boats weighed
and put to sea, bound to Naples. The british vessels made all
sail, and at 6 h. 60 m. the Cyane, being considerably a-head of
the Espoir and the Sicilian gun-boats ; and observing that the
french frigate was nearly a mile and a-half astern of the cor-
vette, and about the same distance from the french gun-boats,
the Cyane manned her sweeps and stood towards the C6r^s,
then not more than three miles from the mole of Naples. At
7 h. 20 m. the Cyane, having arrived within pistol-shot of the
frigate, opened her fire upon her, which she instantly returned,
assisted occasionally by the corvette, the gun-boats, and batte-
ries of Naples ; and shortly afterwards a reinforcement of men
was conveyed to the frigate from the shore. Notwithstanding
this assistance, the C^r^s at 7 h. 45 m. hauled down her colours,
but rehoisted them on obtaining a second reinforcement of men
from Naples. At 8 h. 25 m. the fire of the french frigate slack-
ened considerably, and at 8 h. 30 m. it entirely ceased. At this
time the Cyane had nearly expended all her powder, and was so
LIEUTENANT MOOKB AT CORTELAZZO. 119
completely riddled in her sails and rigging, that it became ne-
cessary to haul off from the shore, being then within a mile and
a-half of the mole-head of Naples: she had received forty-
five round shot in her hull, and her loss amounted to 1 sea-
man and 1 marine killed ; the captain and first-lieutenant (dan-
gerously), her second-lieutenant, 1 midshipman, 11 seamen, and
4 marines wounded.
The Espoir, who had some share in the latter part of the en-
gagement, sent the gun-boats to the Cyane*s assistance, and
they towed their crippled consort out of the bay. The officer
of marines serving on board the Cyane in this very gallant ser-
vice, as well as the several other enterprises in which that ship
had borne a conspicuous part, was lieutenant William Stuart.
On the 24th of August the 32-gun frigate Amphion, captain
William Hoste, discovered in the port of Cortelazzo, between
Venice and Trieste, six french gun-boats and a convoy of mer-
chant trabaccolos, moored in a strong position, under a battery
of 4 twenty-four pounders at the mouth of the river Piavie. To
prevent suspicion, the Amphion stood out of sight of land until
the evening of the 26th; then crowding all sail towards the
shore, she anchored off the entrance of the Piavie at 1 a. m. on
the 27 th.
At 3 A.M. a detachment of seamen commanded by lieutenant
Phillott, and the marines under lieutenant Thomas Moore, land-
ed about a mile to the southward of the battery, whilst lieute-
nant Slaughter with the boats was ready to push forward the
instant the battery was carried. At 3 h. 15 m. a.m., the alarm
having been given, the fort was immediately attacked ; and so
vigorous was the assault, that although surrounded by a ditch
and chevaux'de-frise, the post was stormed, and in less than ten
minutes in possession of the British. The 4 twenty-four pound-
ers were then turned upon the gun-boats, which were also
attacked by a sharp fire .from the marines under lieutenant
Moore: thus assailed, they were carried by the Araphion's
boats, after a slight opposition ; two trabaccolos were also cap-
120 CAPTURE OF FRENCH CONVOY.
tured and five burnt. Having spiked the e^uns, and totally de-
stroyed the battery with the barrack adjacent, the detachment
re-embarked at 1 p.m., with so slight a loss as one marine
wounded by the explosion of the fort. Captain Hoste, in his
letter, observes, — ''The judicious disposition of the marines
by lieutenant Moore, is highly praiseworthy. In the variety
of boat service we have had, these officers have particularly
distinguished themselves, and some time back both severely
wounded."
On the 28th of May the 74-gun ship Excellent, captain
John West, observing an enemy's convoy standing along shore
towards Trieste, immediately stood in, anchoring as close as
safety would admit, to cut them off; and thus compelled the
convoy, consisting of six gun-boats and several vessels laden
with grain, to take refuge in the harbour of Duin, a port four
leagues north-west of Trieste. Conceiving it practicable to cap-
ture or destroy them, captain West detached the Acorn and
Bustard sloops, with all the boats of the Excellent under the
direction of lieutenant John Harper, to make the attempt. A
party of marines under captain Cummings landed, and by keep-
ing the enemy in check, prevented any annoyance from the rug-
ged precipices surrounding the port ; whilst the other boats, led
by lieutenant Smith, who was assisted by lieutenant Thomas
How of the marines, Mr. W. Prowse, midshipman, and some other
officers, pulled for the gun-boats. About midnight they had
approached within grape-shot, when the enemy opened a heavy
fire, but the British, instantly cheering, dashed alongside; and
although lying moored under the protection of the fire of a
castle and the pier-head lined with musketry, the six gun-boats
were gallantly carried, and, together with ten laden trabac-
colos, safely brought out. The loss on the part of the British
was so comparatively small as 3 men killed, and 4 wounded.
On the return of lieutenant Thomas How to head-quarters,
. he was particularly recommended by lieutenant-general Bell,
commandant of the Chatham division, to the notice of Mr.
LIEUTENANT HOW REWARDED. 121
Yorke, then first lord of the Admiralty, reminding him that
lord CoUingwood had recommended lieutenant How to the
favourable consideration of their lordships, for his heroic de-
fence of Fort Trinidad in November 1808. No notice was how-
ever taken of this application, nor was the gallant o£Bcer more
fortunate in his appeal to lord Melville, the successor of Mr.
Yorke.
After the reduction of the corps in 1814, lieutenant How, de-
spairing of obtaining redress from those to whom he had a right
to look for protection, reluctantly quitted the profession in which
he had served with so much honour. At length, a patriotic no*
blemen advocated the claims of this deserving officer, and we
have the gratification of annexing an extract of a letter from the
duke of Northumberland, announcing the appointment of Mr.
How to a situation in the customs, with a salary of £400 per
annum.
"Your meritorious services in the marines justly entitle you
to expect some little mark of the approbation of your Sovereign,
and I am happy that I at last got the better of all the impedi-
ments which were endeavoured to he flung in the way of your ap-
pointment ; but I was compelled, in order to carry my point, to
apply to the Prince Regent himself, in person, and lay before his
royal highness the different documents in your favour. This
had the desired success, and it was by his own immediate com-
mand that the appointment was given to you.
Accept my congratulations upon the occasion,
And believe me your sincere friend,
(Signed) NORTHUMBERLAND.
Lieutenant Tliomas HoWy
Royal Marines**
On the 7th of September the boats of the 28-gun firigate
Mercury, under the orders of lieutenant W. O. Pell, assisted
by several officers, including lieutenant James Whylock of the
marines, entered the harbour of Barletta, near Manfredonia,
122 CAPTURB OP NISU8.
where they boarded and carried the French national schooner
Pugli^sC; mounting 5 six, and 2 eighteen-pounders, with 31
men on board, lying close to the mole, which was lined with
musketry, and within musket*shot of a castle mounting 8 guns.
Although the Pugli^se was towed out under a fire from the
batteries, not a man was hurt of the attacking party.
On the 12th of December the marines of the 38-gun frigate
Thetis; Pultusk, Achates, and Attentive brigs, and Bacchus
schooner, under lieutenants John Godfrey Ruel and Jervis
Cooke, were sent with a party of seamen in the boats, under
the orders of captain Elliott of the Pultusk, to attempt the
capture of the french 16-gun brig Nisus, anchored in the har-
bour of Hayes, Guadaloupe, under the protection of a fort. In
the evening the party landed without opposition, and proceeded
with considerable difficulty through a thick wood and over a
high hill, until they reached the rear of the fort; which they
attacked with great gallantry, and compelled the french gar-
rison, amounting to 300 men, to retreat. Leaving a division of
men to dismantle and destroy the battery, captain Elliott, sup-
ported by the squadron, boarded and carried the french brig.
The loss on the part of the British was only four men wounded.
Commodore Josias Rowley, commanding the biitish forces
cruising off the Isle of France, and lieutenant-colonel H. Keat-
ing, commanding the troops at the adjacent small island of
Rodriquez, having concerted a plan for attacking the harbour
or bay of St. Paul, Isle of Bourbon, by first carrying the bat-
teries, and then the shipping lying in the road, on the 16th of
September 368 officers and men embarked at Fort Duncan, in
the island of Rodriquez, on board the 36-gun frigate N^r^ide,
Otter sloop, and a schooner. When off Port Louis, on the
18th, the commodore in the Raisonable 64, the 36-gun frigate
Sirius, captain Pym, and 38-gun frigate Boadicea, joined the
expedition; and early on the following morning 100 seamen
and 136 marines, forming with the troops already mentioned
604 officers and men, were put on board the Ner6ide. In the
ATTACK UPON I8LB BOURBON. 123
evening the squadron stood towards Bourbon^ and on the fol-
lowing morning arrived off the east-end of the island.
On the 21st, at 5 a.m., the ships anchored close to the beach,
and the troops were disembarked a little to the southward of
Point du Galet, distant about seven miles from St. Paul ; ac*
companied by the seamen under captain Willoughby, they im-
mediately moved forward to get across the causeways that
extend over the lake, before the French could be apprized of
their approach. This important object was fully accomplished,
and the British passed the strongest position before the enemy
had time to form in any force to oppose them. By 7 a.m. the
troops were in possession of the batteries of Lambousi^re and
La Centi^re ; and captain Willoughby with his detachment of
seamen immediately turned the guns upon the shipping, from
whose well-directed fire, within pistol-shot of the shore, the
troops had suffered considerably. A detachment from the bat-
tery of La Centi^re took possession of a third battery, that of
La Neuve, whence the British immediately opened a fire upon
the Caroline frigate, and the other shipping in the road. The
fourth and fifth batteries were soon gained, and by 8 h. 30 m.
A. M. the town and its dependencies, with eight field-pieces, 117
new and heavy guns of different calibres, and all the public
stores, were in possession of the british troops. In the mean
time the squadron had stood into the bay, and commenced a
smart cannonade upon the french frigate, the two captured
Indiamen, and other armed vessels in her company ; also upon
those batteries which, owing to their distance from the point
of attack, were enabled to continue their fire. As the british
squadron came to an anchor close off the town of St. Paul,
the Caroline and the rest of the french ships cut their cables
and drifted on shore; but they were afterwards got off without
sustaining any material injury. Thus was effected, in the course
of a few hours, by a small british force, the capture of the
only safe anchorage at Isle Bourbon, with its strong defences
and shipping* The loss sustained by the navy amounted to 2
124 REDUCTION OF BOURBON.
seamen killed ; lieutenant Edward Lloyd of the Raisonable,
and 2 seamen wounded, and 1 missing. Of the troops 8 were
killed, 40 wounded, and 2 missing. The marines had 5 killed;
lieutenants Thomas Robert Pye and Matthew Howden (the
latter mortally), and 13 wounded. Total loss, 15 killed, 68
wounded, and 3 missing. The captured ships were the french
40-gun frigate Caroline, the 14-gun brig Grappler, Streatham
and Europe indiamen, and six smaller vessels. By evening
the demolition of the different batteries was complete, and
the whole of the troops and seamen returned on board their
respective ships.
On the 22nd, in the evening, the appeai*ance of a fresh force
collecting on the hills, induced the commodore to reland the
marines, with a few seamen under captain Willoughby, when
an extensive government store, containing all the raw silk which
had been landed from the Indiamen, and of the value of more
than half a-million sterling, was destroyed. This service
effected, the detachment re-embarked without incurring the
slightest casualty.
On the 23rd, at day-break, the troops and marines were in the
boats, ready again to land, when it was discovered that the go-
vernor of Bourbon in the course of the night had retreated across
the island to St. Denis. The commandant of the town now pro-
posed to negotiate for the delivery of all public property to the
British, and terms were accordingly drawn up ; but general Des-
brusleys, the governor, having shot himself through chagrin at
the loss of the colony, the armistice was prolonged for five days.
On the 28th, the truce having expired, the troops and seamen
were employed embarking the various kinds of stores, and the
captured shipping having been refitted, commodore Rowley
withdrew the whole british force, and made sail from the bay of
St Paul.
In December lieutenant Thomas Moore, with 30 marines,
landed at Gillio Nuovo from the 32-gun frigate Amphion,
captain William Hoste, to cover the boats of that ship in
CAPTURB OF JUNON. 125
bringing out some vessels that had run on shore, and were
under the protection of more than 300 militia and a detach-
ment of troops of the line, with one field-piece. Lieutenant
Moore and his small party gallantly attacked this force with
the bayonet, and having dispersed them, the vessels were safely
brought oflP.
On the 13th December, at 1 p.m., the 38-gun frigate Junon,
captain John Shortland, in company with the 18-gun brig Obser-
vateur, were in latitude 17® 18' north, and longitude 67" west,
when four large ships were discovered to leeward. These were
the french 40-gun frigates Renomm^e and Clorinde, with the
40-gun frigates Loire and Seine, armees en flute, each mounting
20 guns, laden with troops and military stores for Guadaloupe.
The Junon and the brig immediately bore away in chase, and at
5 p. M., having made the private signal, the french squadron
hoisted Spanish colours, but showed no disposition to bring to.
The british frigate still bearing down, made the Spanish private
signal, which being consistently replied to by the Renoram^e,
the Junon, thus deceived, continued to approach the four french
frigates, until the latter, at 5 h. 30 m. p. m., hauled their wind in
order of battle on the larboard tack. The Junon immediately
shortened sail, and when about a quarter of a mile to windward
of the french squadron, the Renomm^e, who was the leading
ship, hauled down the Spanish, and hoisting french colours,
poured a destructive broadside into the starboard bow of the
british frigate. Finding it impossible to effect her escape to
windward, the Junon ran under the stem of the Renomm^e and
raked her. The Observateur at the same time discharged her
starboard broadside at the french frigate's bows, but at too gi'eat
a distance to do any execution. In the mean time the Clorinde,
the second astern to the french commodore, having hauled close
to the wind, ran nearly foul of the Junon on her starboard side.
A spirited cannonade ensued for about ten minutes, when the
Renommee, who had wore round, ran foul of the Junon on her
larboard side. The Seine and Loire had placed themselves
126 SEINE AND LOIRE.
a-head and astern of the british frigate, and the troops on board
of each, particularly of the Loire, (who lay with her bowsprit
over the Junon's larboard quarter,) kept up a destructive fire of
musketry. About this time captain Shortland had his leg broken
by a grape-shot, and the command devolved on lieutenant S. B.
Decker. The Clorinde now attempted to board the Junon on
the starboard quarter, but was repulsed by a few men gallantly
led on by lieutenant John Green of the marines, who nobly fell
in the struggle. The Junon, dropping her foresail, shot a-head
clear of her opponents ; but the latter soon regained their posi-
tion, and boarding the british frigate simultaneously, one on each
side, took possession of the nobly defended Junon, who had
fought her four formidable opponents more than forty-five mi-
nutes, and the two frigates of her own force yard-arm and
yard-arm nearly the whole time. The Junon was so shattered,
that her captors, despairing of getting her into port, quickly re-
moved the prisoners and set her on fire. Out of her crew of 224
men, she had 20 killed and 40 wounded. The loss on board
the french frigates, as stated by captain Roquebert of the Re-
nommee, amounted to 21 killed and 18 wounded. The Obser-
vateur, who had hauled her wind as soon as she saw what would
be the probable fate of the Junon, arrived oflP Basse-terre, Gua-
daloupe, on the 15th, and having communicated to captain V. V.
Ballard the approach of the enemy, the 38-gun frigate Blonde,
accompanied by the 38-gun frigate Thetis, with the Hazard and
Cygnet sloops, made all sail for the channel between the Saintes
and Guadaloupe, where they were joined by the 32-gun frigate
Castor, with Scorpion and Ringdove sloops. At daylight on the
17th the Blonde and squadron, when nearly abreast of Basse-
terre, descried two strange ships to the northward. These were
the Seine and Loire, who had separated from the Renomm^e
and Clorinde on the 15th, and were now making the best of their
way to Basse-terre. Perceiving themselves pursued by the bri-
tish squadron, they entered a cove named Anse la Barque, situ-
ated about three leagues to the north-west of Basse-terre, where
. ATTACK OF BBSIGLIO. 127
they anchored at 10 a.m. with their broadsides to the sea, and
protected by a battery on each side of the inlet. At 2 h. 40 m.
captain Dowers, of the Ringdove, landed with a party, stormed
a fort which had annoyed the squadron, spiked the guns, and
destroyed the works.
On the 18th, the 74-giin ship Sceptre, captain S. J. Ballard,
with the 36-gun frigate Freija, having joined company, orders
were given for an immediate attack upon the french frigates.
The Blonde and Thetis were to lead in, but owing to the light
winds they did not reach their position until nearly 3 p. m., when,
being within half pistol-shot of the fort, and about a quarter of
a mile from the frigates, the Blonde anchored with springs, and
opened her starboard broadside. At 3 h. 20 m. p. m. the Thetis,
having also anchored, joined in the cannonade; and in another
ten minutes the northern-most french frigate, after losing her
three n\asts, hauled down the french colours. The action con-
tinued until 4 h. 20 ra. p. m., when the other frigate also surren-
dered, and both ships were eventually destroyed.
Captain Hugh Cameron of the Hazard, after being wounded
in the act of hauling down the french colours from a fort which
had been stormed by the party under his command, was unfor-
tunately killed when stepping into the boat to return to his
ship. The Blonde had one lieutenant, a master's mate, and 6
killed ; one lieutenant and 14 men wounded. The Thetis 6
seamen wounded.
1810.
On the 18th of January, the boats of the32-gun frigate Am-
phion attacked a convoy in the port of Besiglio, in the Adriatic,
and the marines under lieutenant Thomas Moore having landed
to the left of the mole, advanced in the most gallant manner,
took the castle, and destroyed the guns. In the mean while
the boats succeeded in capturing six vessels, which were safely
brought out.
Captain Hoste, in speaking of this affair, observes, — ''The
128 N&R&IDB AND RAINBOW.
marines were led on with their usual gallantry by lieutenant
Moore, whom I have had frequent occasion to mention for his
bravery and conduct/'
On the 27th of March an attack was made on the tower and
batteries of Umago, on the coast of Istria. Lieutenant Moore
with the marines having landed to the right of the town, defeated
a very superior force of the enemy's troops : several vessels were
destroyed, and some brought out.
Very early in the morning of the 9th of February, the french
40-gun frigate Nereide, captain Lemaresquier, arrived off Basse-
terre, Guadaloupe, not aware of the island being in possession of
the British ; and as soon as she was discovered, was chased by
a squadron consisting of the 74-gun ship Alfred, three frigates^
and a brig. The pursuit continued until 8 p. m. on the 10th,
when the Nereide, having lost sight of the enemy, hauled to the
northward, intending to make her voyage back by the wind-
ward passage, or that between the islands of St. Domingo and
Cuba. On the 13th, at daylight, when within ten leagues of
Pointe Abacou, St. Domingo, she fell in with the 22-gun ship
Rainbow, captain James Wooldridge, who immediately gave
chase, and at 8 h. 30 m. the french frigate brought to for a short
time to reconnoitre, and then bore away under all sail. The
pursuit continued during the day and through the night ; and
at 4h. A.M. on the 14th, when the Rainbow was within a mile
of the Nereide, she exchanged numbers with the 18-gun brig
Avon, then about six miles north-west by north, off Cape Tibu-
ron, and consequently to leeward of both ships. At 1 h. 15 m,
P.M. the N^r^ide commenced firing her stem guns, and having
gradually hauled to the southward, at 3 h. 30 m. opened her
broadside upon the Rainbow, who hauling up also, became
waimly engaged with her powerful adversary until 4 p.m. ; the
Avon having now closed, raked the N6r6ide, who by her heavy
fire had so disabled the Rainbow, that at 4 h. 6 m. the french
frigate wore, and engaged the brig until 6 p. m. ; when having
reduced her to even a worse condition than her first opponent.
EXPEDITION TO THE MOLUCCA ISLANDS. 129
the French frigate bore away under courses, top-sails, and lop-
gallant sails.
The Rainbow suffered considerably in her masts and rigging,
but owing to the high firing of her antagonist, her loss, out of
a crew of 166 men and boys, was so comparatively slight as 10
men wounded. The Avon had 2 men killed ; a lieutenant, a mid-
shipman, and 5 men severely wounded. Lieutenant John Hewes
was serving on board the Rainbow in this smart affair.
In the early part of February an expedition was formed for an
attack on the dutch Molucca islands, and entrusted by rear-
admiral W. O'Brien Drury to the command of captain Edward
Tucker, in the 38-gun frigate Dover ; and on the 9th that ship,
with the 44-gun frigate Cornwallis and 18-gun sloop Samarang,
anchored in LsBtitia bay, in the island of Amboyna, to examine
the defences of the place. The castle of Victoria and the bat-
teries adjoining mounted together 216 pieces of cannon of dif-
ferent calibres, with a strong sea-face ; to the right of the fort
was the Waggoo battery of 8 guns, and another, mounting
9 long twelve-pounders, extending out to the sea on piles.
There were also two batteries on the heights ; one named Wan-
natoo, mounted with 9 guns and 2 howitzers, and the other
Batto Gautong, mounting 6 guns, both of which commanded
the town of Amboyna, with the castle and anchorage of Vic-
toria and that of Portuguese bay. The several forts were gar-
risoned by 130 European, and upwards of 2000 Javanese and
mandurese troops, exclusive of above 200 seamen. On the 16th,
at 2 P.M., the ships weighed and stood across the bay, having
the boats on the side not seen by the enemy. Upon a nearer
approach, the three bore up together with a fine breeze, and
passing within a cable's length of the landing-place, slipped
all the boats at the same moment. A fire was then opened, and
a smart cannonade was kept up between the ships and the bat-
teries. The party in the boats, consisting of a detachment of
46 officers and men of the honourable company's artillery, 130
officers and privates of the Madras regiment, and 226 officers,
VOL. II. K
130 8UREENDER OF AMBOYNA.
seamen^ and marines belonging to the ships, — in all 401 men,
under captain Major Henry Court, having landed without oppo-
sition, an immediate attack was made upon the battery at Wan-
natoo by 180 men under captain Phillips of the Madras regi-
ment, which after a determined resistance was carried, with a
loss to the garrison of two officers killed, and one desperately
wounded.
Captain Court, with the remaining force, then proceeded along
the heights to turn the enemy's position at Batto Gautong, and
after a fatiguing march over very steep hills, the British, a little
after sunset, reached an eminence that commanded the battery ;
whereupon the enemy, after spiking the guns, retreated, and the
fort of Batto Gautong was entered without opposition.
The ships and batteries continued the cannonade for two
hours and a half, and then the former, taking advantage of a
breeze off the land, anchored in Portuguese bay. During the
night 40 seamen were landed with two field-pieces, which with
much exertion were dragged to the heights; and these, with some
guns in Battoo Gautong that had been unspiked, were brought
to bear on Fort Victoria on the following day, when the enemy
were driven from the Wagoo and the water battery, and were
finally compelled to capitulate for the surrender of the whole
island of Amboyna.
This important capture was effected with the loss to the Bri-
tish of only 2 privates of the Madras regiment, 1 marine, and 1
seaman killed ; 1 lieutenant of artillery, 5 soldiers, and 4 seamen
wounded.
On the 17 th of January the 36-gun frigate Freija, captain
John Hayes, cruising off Guadaloupe, obtained information of
some vessels being at anchor in Baie Mahaut, situated on the
north side of the neck of land connecting Basse-terre with
Grande-teiTe ; and on the 21st, after two days' search in a most
intricate navigation, the frigate discovered three vessels lying at
anchor. At 9h. 15m. p.m. four boats, containing 50 seamen
and 30 marines, under the direction of lieutenant David Hope,
LIEUT. SHILLIBEER AT BAIE MAHAUT. 131
assisted by lieutenant John Shiliibeer of the marines^ and other
officers, pushed off from the frigate. At a few minutes past 1 1
p. M., after experiencing much difficulty in finding the passage,
lieutenant Hope detained a fisherman, from whom he learnt that
a troop of cavalry and a company of native infantry had arrived
at Baie Mahaut that evening from Pointe k Pitre. Undismayed
by this information the boats moved immediately forward, and
as soon as they arrived within gun-shot, a signal-gun was fired,
which was quickly followed by a discharge of grape from a bat-
tery on the north-east point, and from another at the head of
the bay ; while a brig, which had her six guns mounted on one
side, also opened upon the boats. In the face of this heavy fire
the boats pulled alongside, and as the British boarded on one
quarter, the enemy fled from her on the other. Leaving an offi-
cer and a few hands in charge of the brig to cover the landing,
lieutenant Hope pushed for the shore ; but the boats grounded
at so great a distance, that the officers and men had to wade up
to their middle to get to the beach. Dashing instantly forward,
the British drove the enemy from the first battery ; and then
closing with the bayonet, the marines compelled them to aban-
don a position they had taken in rear of a brick breast-work.
Having throvni a twenty-four pounder over the cliflT, and buried
six howitzers in the sand, the party again advanced and car-
ried a battery mounting 3 twenty-four pounders, having a
ditch all round, with a small bridge and a gateway entrance.
After destroying the guard-house and spiking the guns, lieute-
nant Hope and his party returned to the brig, and by great
exertions got her afloat. Near to the brig a large english ship
under repair, and a national schooner pierced for 16 guns (hav-
ing twelve on board), lay fast aground; as these vessels could
not be got afloat, they were destroyed, and the brig was safely
brought out. This gallant service was performed with the slight
loss of 2 seamen wounded.
Lieutenant Hope, in his official report of this exploit, parti-
K 2
132 BOAT ATTACK IN BASQUE ROADS.
cularly notices the gallant manner in which lieutenant Shillibeer
led the marines to the charge, as well as their steady discipline
in keeping possession of the heights while the seamen were
destroying the batteries.
On the 13th of February, three boats from the 80-gun ship
Christian the Seventh, captain sir Joseph Yorke, three from the
38-gun frigate Armide, and two from the 32-gun frigate Seine,
were detached from these ships, lying at anchor in Basque
roads, under the orders of lieutenant G. H. Guion, for the pur-
pose of destroying three laden chasse-marees, grounded on the
reef which projects from the point of Chatelaillon, between Aix
and Rochelle. As the eight boats advanced towards the
grounded vessels, nine french gun-boats, each carrying a twelve-
pounder carronadc and six swivels, rowing from twenty to thirty
oars, pulled out to meet the british division, and prevent them
from fulfilling their object. Lieutenant Guion made a feint of
retreating, to decoy the french boats from their shore defences,
and this having produced the desired effect, they came on cheer-
ing in pursuit, until the headmost boat had arrived within pis-
tol-shot; then suddenly pulling round, lieutenant Guion in the
barge of the Christian the Seventh dashed alongside the enemy's
leading boat and carried her, after a shoil struggle, in which
she had 2 men killed and 3 wounded, including her commander
(severely). Seeing the Christian the Seventh's barge heave
round in pursuit of the enemy, the other boats did the same,
and almost at the same moment the french flotilla put about,
and pulled away towards the Fouras passage. As there was a
heavy swell setting in, the british boats were soon recalled, but
lieutenant S. Roberts, assisted by lieutenant P. H. Nicolas of
the marines, in the barge of the Armide, pursued two of the
gun-boats, keeping up a steady fire within pistol-shot. Not
being able to overtake them, lieutenant Roberts proceeded to
execute the service for which the boats had been detached, and
under a fire from the battery on point Chatelaillon, the chasse-
TRIBUNE AT MAMDAL. 133
marges were set on fire and destroyed. For this exploit, and
some former boat attacks, lieutenant Guion was promoted to
the rank of commander.
On the 12th of May, at 1 h. 30 m. p.m., the 36-gun frigate
Tribune, captain George Reynolds, cruising in the Naze of Nor-
way, chased two brigs, who made sail and proceeded for the port
of Mandal, and at 2 h. 30 m. hove to within the rocks. The
Tribune having stood in, gave the brigs her broadside, and then
hauled off under easy sail. Several gun-boats now pulled out
from behind the rocks, while two other large brigs joined the
two first seen, and at 3 li. 15 m. this united force was observed
coming out, as if intending to attack the frigate ; whereupon the
Tribune immediately wore towards them, and at 3 h. 40 m. hove
to, whilst the four danish brigs (two of which mounted 20, one
18, and the other 16 guns) tacked, and stood towards the fri-
gate in line of battle. At 4 p.m. the Tribune filled on the star-
board tack, and at 4 h. 30 m. wore round and discharged her
larboard broadside at the four brigs, then about half a mile to
windward. A smart engagement was maintained until 6 h.
46 m., when the brigs ceased firing, and made sail to regain the
port of Mandal, pursued by the Tribune until they reached the
harbour in safety. The Tribune suffered severely in her masts,
sails, and rigging, and her boats were rendered useless. Her
loss amounted to 4 seamen, 4 marines, and 1 boy killed ; 15 sea-
men and marines wounded. The officers of marines of the Tri-
bune were Alexander Campbell and John Jackson.
On the morning of the 23rd of July, captain Richard Byron
detached four boats from the 36-gun frigate Belvidera, and three
from the 28-gun frigate Nemesis, under the orders of lieutenant
Samuel Nisbett and several other officers, including lieutenant
James Campbell of the marines, to attempt the capture of two
danish gun-vessels, each mounting 2 long twenty-four pounders
and 6 six-pounder howitzers, with a crew of 45 men ; and a third
gun-vessel of one long twenty-four pounder, with 25 men. As
the boats approached, they were received by a heavy fire from
134 ATTACK OF SANTA MAURA.
the Danes, replied to by the carronades in the bows of two
launches. In a short time the two gun-vessels hauled down
their colours, and were taken possession of without any loss ;
but the Danes on board them had 4 men killed. The other
gun-boat ran up a creek, and having been abandoned by her
crew, was burnt by the British.
On the 22nd of March the detachments of marines of the 74-
gun ships Montagu and Magnificent, and 38-gun frigate Belle
Poule, under the following officers : captains W. H. Snowe and
Stewart; lieutenant E. A. Chartres, Philip LafFer, Robert
Leonard, Arthur Morrison, Geoi*ge Gunn, and J. A. Philips,
landed, in conjunction with a division of the army under the
command of brigadier-general Oswald, to attack the town and
citadel of Santa Maura.
The island of Santa Maura is about forty miles in circum-
ference, and is situated between Corfu and Cephalonia. In the
early ages it was joined to the main land on the coast of Epi-
rus; but the isthmus was cut through by the Carthaginians, and
the island is at present divided from the continent by a channel
about fifty yards in width. " The fortress," says sir John Stuart,
'^ is situated on a narrow sandy isthmus of three miles in length,
which joins it to the island; and it has besides a direct commu-
nication with the town by a singularly narrow causeway, nearly
a mile in length. The neck of land is defended by two strong
redoubts and an entrenchment regularly constructed, and capa*
ble of such resistance, as led the enemy to declare they would
arrest our progress for a month at least."
The advance was composed of 160 men of the regiment of
De Rolls on the right under major Bosset, 240 marines in the
centre under captain Snowe, and the left of 216 men of the Ca-
labrian free coips under major Oswald; having a reserve of 100
men of the Calabrese in rear of each flank, ready to act as cir-
cumstances might require. This force, commanded by major
Clark, formed at an early hour preparatory for the assault.
The line to be attacked extended from across the isthmus,
GALLANT CONDUCT OF THE MARINES. 135
mounted with four pieces of cannon, well flanked, and manned
by about 600 infantry, having a wet ditch with an abatis in
front, and so well protected on the sea side as to render it al-
most secure from the fire of shipping. The Imogene brig and
three gun-boats covered the landing of the troops, and drove the
enemy from three batteries that commanded the entrance, to a
large lake that extends to the town and citadel. As soon as the
disembarkation was effected, the troops marched towards the
town, which was given up without opposition, and taken posses-
sion of by a division under colonel Lowe, while the main body
continued its route towards the citadel. On reaching the north-
em shore, it was discovered that the enemy had constmcted two
strong redoubts upon the neck of land at a considerable distance
in advance, whence it was necessary to drive them before any
thing could be undertaken against the principal work. The
Leonidas frigate took up a position to cannonade the redoubts,
and the troops, headed by the brigadier-general, advanced under
a heavy fire ; drove the enemy from their entrenchments at the
point of the bayonet, and followed them so closely, that they
had not time to rally at the second redoubt, but fled through it
without stopping, and were pursued close to the walls of the
citadel. As the column advanced left in front, the Calabrian
free corps became the leading division of the battalion under
major Clark; but at the first discharge of a well-directed fire
of grape and musketry from the enemy, the Calabrese instantly
threw themselves on the ground, and remained immovable in
spite of every effort to rally them, and the indignant treatment
they received from the marines ; who, now cheering, passed over
their bodies, and dashing forward broke through the abatis:
then rushing into the intrenchments, pursued the enemy, until
their gallant progress was arrested by an order for them to fall
back to the redoubts they had so nobly carried.
The conduct of the marines elicited the admiration of the
army, and the following appeared in the orders issued on the
occasion : —
136 BRIGADE ORDERS.
'' Head Quarters, Santa Maura,
PAROLE CEPHALONiA. 23rrf Marchy 1810.
" Brigadier-general Oswald has to acknowledge the gieat gal-
lantry displayed by the troops who accomplished the storming
of three of the enemy's entrenched batteries. The intrepid
manner in which the Royal Marines performed that service,
claims the highest admiration. He requests that major Clark,
who led them on, also captains Snowe and Stewart, and the of-
ficers and non-commissioned officers, will be pleased to accept
his tribute of approbation. He laments the brave officers and
men lost on this occasion, but it is some consolation to think
that their gallantry was rewarded by success.
(Signed) A. CUST, a.a.g."
" Major Clark begs the continuance of that assistance and
support which he has hitherto experienced from the officers
commanding the detachments composing the battalion he has
the honour to command, without which he can never hope to
establish that system of order, regularity, and combination so
essentially necessary to the creditable existence of the corps.
" The conspicuous good conduct of the battalion since its for-
mation renders it a pleasing anticipation to the commanding
officer, that as their bravery in the field has already acquired
them the flattering notice of the brigadier-general commanding,
so will their future steady adherence to the same line of conduct
secure them the approbation of that respectable authority, for
steadiness and exemplary good conduct.
(Signed) C. W. CLARK,
MAJOR COMMANDING."
On the 25th ten guns were landed from the Magnificent, and
captain Mowbray succeeded to the command of the naval force,
in consequence of the severe wound which captain Eyre had
sustained. As the only way by which the cannon could be
brought against the citadel was across the narrow neck of land,
composed principally of loose gravel thrown up by the sea, the
CAPITULATION OF THE CITADEL. 137
difficulties in erecting the batteries were very considerable ; but
the ardour and energies of the soldiers and sailors rose in
proportion as obstacles presented themselves. On the 8th of
Apiil the british batteries opened their fire, which was returned
by the citadel until the night of the 15th; when a detachment
under colonel Moore drove the enemy from an advanced en-
trenchment, and lodged itself in their place.
Extract from brigade orders of 1 6th April, 1818: — "Briga-
dier-general Oswald has great satisfaction in noticing the gal-
lantry with which the detachments under the orders of and led
by lieutenant-colonel Moore last night stormed the enemy's en-
trenchments close to his walls, intrepidly converting those lines
into a post of defence for themselves and annoyance to the
enemy. The lieutenant-colonel, with the officers, non-commis-
sioned officers, and soldiers of the detachments, are requested
to accept the brigadier-generars acknowledgments for their
meritorous conduct on this occasion."
The out-lying picquet consisted of 4 captains, 7 subalterns,
16 Serjeants, 4 drummers, 300 rank and tile, and 20 rifles. A
heavy fire from the fort was opened upon them for several hours,
but finding that the british troops were immovable, and that their
own men were picked off in the embrasures, the enemy sent out
a flag of truce, offering to capitulate. Shortly afterwards the
terms were agreed upon, and the gates were in possession of the
British on the same evening. The loss sustained by the marines
amounted to 6 rank and file killed ; captain W. H. Snowe and
16 rank and file severely, lieutenant Arthur Morrison and 6
rank and file slightly wounded.
The 38-gun frigate Spartan, captain Jahleel Brenton, in com-
pany with the Success frigate, when off" Ischia, on the Ist of
May discovered the french 40-gun frigate C6tbs, 30-gun cor-
vette Fama, 8-gun brig Sparvi^re, and Achille cutter; and
having made sail in pursuit, chased them into the mole of
Naples, As an inducement for the french commodore to put to
sea, captain Brenton on the 2nd detached the Success, and the
/
138 SPARTAN WITH Ci^lR^S AND SQUADRON.
Spartan stood back into the bay. At 5 a.m. on the 3rd, when
the british frigate was midway between cape Mismao and the
island of Capri, the french ships were observed standing out of
the bay of Naples on the larboard tack, accompanied by seven
gun-boats.
It appears that they were sent out for the express purpose of
attacking the british frigate ; and to ensure her capture, 400
Swiss troops were distributed in the squadron. At 7 h. 58 m.
the C6r^s, when within pistol-shot on the Spartan's lee bow,
discharged her larboard guns in quick succession ; and the latter,
as soon as she could bring her guns to bear with effect, opened her
broadside treble-shotted, which made dreadful carnage on board
the french ship, particularly among the swiss troops, who were
drawn up from the cat-head of the taffrail in readiness for
boarding. The british frigate then engaged the Fama and
Sparvi^re, as they passed slowly on in the wake of their com-
modore. The Spartan now luffed-up, in order to cut off the
cutter and gun-boats; and heaving hove in stays, gave them
a broadside as she came round : her starboard guns were then
directed at the Sparvifere and the two ships a-head of her. This
was an opportune moment for the C^rfes to have supported the
flotilla ; but instead of tacking to meet the Spartan, the french
frigate wore, and stood towards the batteries of Baia, followed
by her opponent.
About 9 A. M. the breeze suddenly died away, and left the
Spartan with her head exposed to the starboard broadside of
the C^r^s, having also on her larboard bow the corvette and
brig, whilst the cutter and gun-boats were sweeping astern of
her. A heavy cannonade was now opened upon the Spartan
from every side, and the long eigh teen-pounders of the gun-
boats kept up a galling fire on her stem and quarter. At
this moment captain Brenton was standing on the capstan,
when a grape shot struck him on the hip, which compelled him
to resign the command to lieutenant G. W. Willes, just as a
light breeze enabled the Spartan to place herself on the star-
ALCESTE AT AQAYE. 139
board-quarter of the C^rfes, and on the bow of the corvette,
whilst the brig and flotilla were nearly astern of the british ship.
Taking advantage of the disabled state of their opponent's rig-
ging the C6r^s and Fama hauled in-shore under the batteries
of Baia; but the raking Are of the british frigate knocked away
her fore top-mast, whilst her starboard guns compelled the brig,
with loss of her main top-mast, to haul down her colours. This
was at 10 A.M., and the gun-boats gallantly came down, and
rescued the Fama from the fate of the Sparvi^re.
The Spartan, out of 258 men and boys, had a master's-mate,
6 seamen, and 3 marines killed ; her captain (severely), lieute-
nant Willes, 15 seamen, and 5 marines wounded. Total, 10
killed, 22 wounded. The French acknowledged a loss of 30
killed and 80 wounded; and 11 killed on board the captured
brig.
Captain Brenton speaks highly of the conduct of lieutenants
Charles Fegen and Christopher Fotterell of the marines. Lieu-
tenant Willes, for the distinguished part he took in the action,
was deservedly promoted to the rank of commander.
The 38-gun frigate Alceste, captain Murray Maxwell, having
chased several french vessels in the bay of Agaye, near the gulf
of Frejus, where they were protected by two batteries, one on
each side of the entrance ; in the evening of the 22nd of May
two strong parties were detached to endeavour to carry the
forts by storm. The detachment under lieutenant Andrew Wil-
son, that landed on the right of the bay, in marching through a
thick wood to get in the rear of the fort, was attacked by one of
the enemy's picquets, who were soon repulsed by the marines
under lieutenants Walter Griffith Lloyd and Richard Hawkey,
without sustaining any loss; but the guide having made his
escape, lieutenant Wilson was obliged to relinquish the enter-
prise, and return to the ship. The attack on the opposite bat-
tery was more successful: 2 twenty-four pounders were ren-
dered useless, and the magazine destroyed.
The 38-gun frigate Armide, captain L. F. Hardyman, with
140 BOATS OF ARMIDE AND SQUADRON.
the 18-gun brig Cadmus, and gun-brigs Monkey and Daring,
were detached by rear-admiral Stopford from Basque roads on
the 2nd of May, to attempt the destruction of a french corvette
moored in a creek in the upper part of the Pertuis Breton.
On the arrival of the Armide and the brigs off the town of Ars
in the Isle of Rh6, on the afternoon of the 3rd, a large convoy
was discovered in the harbour of Fosse de TOye ; when the pro-
bable capture of so many vessels, deeply laden from Bordeaux,
induced captain Hardyman to delay the attack upon the cor-
vette ; and giving orders for immediate preparation to make the
attempt on the convoy, the squadron came to an anchor off the
port. The attacking force was ordered to rendezvous on board
the Monkey; and at 10 p.m. eight boats under the orders of
lieutenant Samuel Roberts, accompanied by several officers, in-
cluding lieutenant of marines Paul H. Nicolas, repaired along-
side the brig. Although the wind had become less favourable
for bringing out the vessels, it was still determined to make the
attempt, and at 11 h. 30 m. p.m. the boats proceeded towards
the harbour; but on arriving within range of the battery on
the right-hand side, the headmost unfortunately grounded on a
shoal, and this accident producing some confusion, it gave the
enemy an intimation of their approach. Lights appeared in
every direction, while the batteries opened on both sides of the
shore, and a discharge of musketry from the shipping ; but the
boats dashed on, and gained possession of seventeen vessels.
The wind having become more unfavourable, combined with the
rapidity of the current, made it impracticable to bring the prizes
out of the harbour, consequently many were set on fire. At
daylight the boats returned to their ships, having sustained the
loss of lieutenant P. S. Townley of the Armide, (a gallant and
promising officer, who fell in defending a captured vessel against
the attack of a row-boat), and 2 seamen killed ; and three men
wounded.
In the month of June the 32-gun frigate Amphion, 38-gun
frigate Active, and 32-gim frigate Cerberus were cruising in the
MARINES AT GROA.
141
gulf of Trieste. On the morning of the 28th a convoy having
been chased into the harbour of Groa by the boats of the Am-
phion, captain Hoste, notwithstanding the absence of the Active
in the offing, determined to attempt their capture with the boats
of the two frigates. Lieutenant Slaughter, accompanied by
several officers, including lieutenants Thomas Moore and Jere-
miah Brattle of the marines, pushed off after dark ; and before
daylight on the morning of the 29th landed a little to the right
of the town without opposition. Advancing immediately to the
attack of the place, above which the vessels lay moored, the
British, just as the day dawned, were met by a body of veteran
french troops and armed peasantry, who opened a sharp and
destructive fire, which compelled the attacking party to retire
to the shelter of some hillocks. The French, supposing that
their opponents were retreating to the boats, quitted their advan-
tageous position, and advanced with the bayonet. They were
received with the bravery and steadiness so characteristic of
british seamen and marines, and a lieutenant, a serjeant, and
38 privates of the 81st regiment of french infantry were made
prisoners.
The British now entered the town, and took possession of
twenty-five vessels; and at about 11 a.m., a lieutenant and 22
men having entered Groa from the village of Maran, they were
attacked by the force nearest them, under lieutenants Moore
and Meares of the marines, the latter from the Active (whose
boats had just landed), and the french detachment immediately
laid down their arms. It was not until 8 p.m. that the whole
party returned to their ships, accompanied by the prizes.
The loss sustained in performing this gallant service amount-
ed to 4 marines killed ; lieutenant Jeremiah Brattle, 3 seamen,
and 4 marines wounded. On the part of the French 10 were
killed, (eight of that number by bayonet wounds,) and 8
wounded. Eleven of the captured vessels were burnt, because
too large to pass the bar, and five were brought out.
Captain Hoste, in concluding his letter, thus expresses him-
142 EXEMPLARY CONDUCT OF LIEUT. MOORE.
self : — " It is hard to particularize where all distinguish them-
selves, but the conduct of lieutenant Moore, who commanded
the marines, is spoken of in such high terms by all, that I feel
it a duty to mention him ; and I do it in that confidence of his
worth, which his exemplary behaviour, during five years' ser-
vice together, has long insured him. Opportunities do not often
offer where officers are personally engaged ; but in the one I
have endeavoured to describe, the commanding lieutenant, and
his two gallant associates Moore and Dickenson, owe their
lives to their own individual bravery and strength : indeed,
the conduct of all merits the warmest encomiums, and I regret
I cannot have it in my power to particularize them."
Lieutenant Moore, for his conspicuous gallantry on this and
other occasions, obtained the brevet rank of captain on the 2l8t
of November, 1810. During the period lieutenant Moore served
in the Amphion, he had the proud satisfaction of saving the
lives of two fellow-creatures, by rescuing them from drowning.
In one instance, whilst the ship was in action against the town
of Peran, this gallant officer jumped overboard on the engaged
side, and saved a man; and the other, when it was blowing
extremely hard, and immediate assistance could not be pro-
cured, he had much difficulty in supporting, for a considerable
time, a person who could not swim, and both were taken up in
an exhausted state.
As the 32-gun frigate Thames and 18-gun sloop Pilot were
standing along the coast of Naples, at day-break on the 25th of
July, the 18-gun sloop Weazle appeared off Amanthea, with
the signal flying for an enemy's convoy; which consisted of
thirty-two transports laden with stores for Murat's army at
Scylla, escorted by seven heavy gun-boats and four scampavias.
On the approach of the british ships, the transports ran upon
the beach under the town of Amanthea, where they were
flanked by two batteries, while the gun-boats formed in line
for their protection. The frigate and brigs stood close in, and
opened a heavy fire of grape, which soon drove the Neapolitans
THAMES AT AMANTHEA. 143
from their vessels. The boats then pushed for the shore^ and
lieutenant David M^Adam^ with the marines, landed to cover
the seamen, while launching the vessels, from the fire of the
troops and armed inhabitants, who were protected by an em-
bankment; after being driven from that shelter, they greatly
annoyed the British from the walls of the town, but every
difficulty was surmounted, and at 6 p.m. most of the vessels
were brought off. This gallant and important enteiprise was
accomplished with so slight a loss as 1 marine killed ; 6 sea-
men and marines wounded.
On the 30th of April, while the 36-gun frigate N^reide, cap-
tain N. J. Willoughby, was reconnoitring the south-east coast
of the Isle of France, a large merchant ship was discovered
lying at the anchorage of Jacotel, within pistol-shot of two bat-
teries commanding the entrance of the harbour. Having re-
solved to attempt the capture of the ship, captain Willoughby
embarked in the boats at midnight, taking with him his three
lieutenants, and lieutenants of marines Thomas S. Cox and
Thomas H. W. Desbrisay, together with 50 seamen and 60
marines. After much difficulty in approaching through an in-
tricate passage, they had reached the landing-place, when a
small national schooner gave the alarm. Both batteries, as-
sisted by two field-pieces, immediately opened upon them; and
as the party formed upon the beach, they became also exposed
to a sharp fire of musketry. The British instantly pushed for-
ward, and in less than ten minutes got possession of the nearest
battery, mounting 2 long twenty-four pounders. Whilst this
service was performing, a detachment, consisting of 40 soldiers
of the 18th regiment of the line, 26 artillery-men with 2 six-
pounders, and a strong force of militia, had driven the small
division left in chaise of the boats into the centre of the har-
bour: this party now opened a fire upon the British, who im-
mediately attacked them with the bayonet, put them to flight,
and captured the field-pieces, with their commanding officer,
who was in the act of spiking the guns. The return of day-
144 N^R^IDE AT JACOTEL.
light exposed to the enemy the small force by which they were
assailed^ and as the principal battery was now to be attacked, it
became necessary to pass the river Galet, which was so swollen
by the heavy rains that it was difficult to wade across; but this
was accomplished, although exposed to a heavy fire from 2
twelve-pounders, and a strong body of militia posted on a hill
on the right. Having reached the opposite bank they quickly
formed, and giving three cheers rushed up the hill : the two
guns and the battery, with its colours, were carried in the most
gallant style, and the commandant, colonel Colgard, made
prisoner.
Having spiked the guns and a mortar, burnt and destroyed
the carnages, also the works and magazine, and embarked the
two field-pieces, with some naval and military stores ; captain
Willoughby was on the point of returning to the Nereide, when
the party which had been driven from the first battery, strongly
reinforced by the militia, were observed drawn up on the left.
To prevent the enemy from making the precipitate retreat they
had already practised, captain Willoughby endeavoured to get
into their rear ; but as soon as this movement was perceived,
the french militia, followed by the regulars, took to their heels,
and a second time beat the british seamen and marines in run-
ning after them. On their way back to the boats, after again
crossing the river, the invaders burnt the signal-house and flag-
staff, situated about a mile from the beach. Having well
sounded the harbour, captain Willoughby took with him the
schooner Estafette, mounting 4 brass four-pounders and 14
men; but as the ship proved to be an american of 400 tons,
she was left at her anchors. The loss sustained by the British
was comparatively trifling: 1 marine was killed; lieutenant
Deacon, 4 seamen, and 2 marines wounded.
In the month of July it was determined to make an attack
upon the Isle de la Passe, a small rocky island situated four
miles to the eastward of Port Imperial, or Sud-est, and captain
Willoughby embarked a detachment of 100 soldiers on board
ATTACK OF THB ISLE DE LA PASSE. 145
the Ner^ide for that purpose. On the 10th of August the
38-gun frigate Sirius, captain Pym, with the 36-gun frigate
Nereide, and Staunch gun-brig, arrived off Grand Port, and
on the same evening the boats, containing 400 seamen, marines,
and soldiers, taken in tow by the Staunch, proceeded to the
attack of the island. The night became very dark and bois-
terous, which occasioned the dispersion of the boats; but at day-
light on the 11th, they were picked up by the frigate and brig.
In order to lull suspicion of a meditated attack, the ships
bore away round the south-west end of the island, and joined
captain Lambert in the 38-gun frigate Iphigenia off Port Louis;
and to further the stratagem, it was arranged that the two fri-
gates should return by different routes, so as to arrive off
Grand Port nearly at the same time. Before their departure,
two boats from the Iphigenia, under lieutenant H. D. Chads,
came on board the Sirius to assist in the intended attack, and
on the 13th that ship arrived off the Isle de la Passe; but
the Nereide and Staunch, having to beat up from the south-
west end of the Isle of France, were still at a great distance to
leeward. Apprehensive that the French might be aware of his
intention, captain Pym resolved to avail himself of the favour-
able state of the weather ; and ordering an immediate attack,
five boats, including those of the Iphigenia, containing between
them 71 officers, seamen, and marines, commanded by lieute-
nant George R. Norman, assisted by lieutenants J. W. Watling
and H. D. Chads, and lieutenants of marines James Cottell and
William Bate, pushed off from the Sirius. The guns mounted
upon the island consisted . of 4 twenty-four and 9 eighteen-
pounders, with 3 thirteen-inch mortars and 2 howitzers; and
the garrison on the fortress, of two commissioned officers and
about 80 regular troops. The landing-place, situated on the
inner or north-west side of the island, was defended by a che-
vauX'de-frise and the two howitzers ; but to arrive at this place
it was necessary to pass a battery, on which most of the guns
were mounted.
VOL. II. L
146 SURRENDER OF THE ISLAND.
The five boats moved on in close order, the launch with her
eighteen-pounder carronade taking the lead ; and fortunately,
as they approached the island the moon was obscured, which
prevented their being discovered until they had neared the
shore, when the enemy opened a fire which killed two men and
wounded several others in the launch, and did nearly as much
execution in the pinnace : nevertheless, the boats dashed on,
and effected a landing without further loss. Lieutenants Norman
and Watling now attempted to scale the works, but having failed,
the former was in the act of turning away to try another spot,
when the sentinel shot him through the heart. Another effort
to scale the walls proved successful ; but after this was accom-
plished a stout resistance was made, and it was not until the
British had suffered a loss of 7 killed and 18 wounded, that they
succeeded in driving the enemy from the works. Lieutenant
Watling next proceeded to attack the batteries on the south-east
side; when he was met by lieutenant Chads, who had landed on
another point of the island, and in a very gallant manner stormed
the fort in that direction, without sustaining any loss. The
concentration of the british force induced the french comman-
dant to surrender at discretion, and in such haste, that he forgot
to destroy the signals, which were secured by the victorious
party.
Captain Willoughby, having charge of the isle of Passe, after
anchoring the Nereide at the back of the island, placed 50 gre-
nadiers of the 33rd and 69th regiments as a garrison, with cap-
tain Todd as commandant of the island. On the 17th, 60 men
of the 33rd and 69th regiments under their officers, 12 artille-
rymen, and 50 marines under lieutenants Thomas Robert Pye
and Thomas S. Cox of that corps, with 50 seamen under lieute*
nant H. C Deacon, making a total of 170 officers and men, hav-
ing embarked in the boats, captain Willoughby proceeded to
attack the fort on Pointe du Diable, commanding the small or
north-eastern passage into Grand Port. The party landed be-
fore daylight at Canaille du Bois, and after a march of six miles
ATTACK ON POINTE DU DIABLE. 147
reached the fort, which they immediately stormed and carried
without sustaining any loss ; although the french commanding
officer and 3 men were killed, and 3 gunners taken prisoners.
Having spiked 8 twenty-four pounders and 2 thirteen-inch mor-
tars, destroyed the carriages and blown up the magazine, captain
Willoughby moved on to the old town of Grand Port, a distance
of twelve miles. On their way along the coast the party was
attended by three boats of the Nereide, fitted as gun-boats, who
so effectually covered the road of march, that the only time any
attempt was made to impede their advance, the enemy was de-
feated with the loss of 6 men killed and wounded : in the even-
ing, the party returned on board the N6reide. The same detach-
ment, supported by the Staunch gun-brig, landed on the morning
of the 1 8th and destroyed the signal-house at Grande Riviere ;
then returning to Pointe du Diable, and demolishing the re-
maining works, the captain and his party moved on to Canaille
du Bois, whence they embarked at sunset. During this march
of nearly 22 miles in an enemy's territory, they sustained no
greater loss than lieutenant Davis of the Madras artillery and
one private wounded, and one missing.
On the 19th and 20th the party again landed, and while at
some distance from the ship, five large sail having been observ-
ed standing down under easy sail for the Isle de la Passe, cap-
tain Willoughby hastened away in his gig, and arrived about
noon on board the N6reide.
Having, as before mentioned, obtained possession of the french
signals, the Nereide hoisted french colours, which were also dis-
played at the fort on the island ; and further to induce the stran-
gers to run into Grand Port, she hoisted the french signal, " The
enemy is cruising off the Coin de Mire." To this, the french
frigates replied by making the private signal, which being duly
answered by the island, the enemy's ships made their numbers
as the Bellone and Min^rve frigates, Victor corvette, and two
prizes, the Wyndham and Ceylon, which had been captured on
the 4 th of July.
L 2
i
148 ENEMY ATTACKED IN GRAND PORT.
The French ships then stood away for the anchorage, and at
1 h.30m. P.M. the Victor, leading, having arrived within pistol-
shot of the Nereide, the latter, substituting the british for the
french colours, opened her fire with such effect, that the corvette
hailed to say she had surrendered, and immediately anchored on
the Nereide's starboard quarter. The Minerve next entered the
channel, and after exchanging broadsides with the Nereide, she
ordered the Victor to rehoist the french colours and follow her :
the corvette was immediately under sail in the wake of the
Ceylon, steering for Grand Port. At about 2 h. 40 m. the Bel-
lone, after exchanging a few shot with the battery, and tiring
a broadside at the Nereide, entered the harbour with her
consorts.
The Nereide was now in a critical position, surrounded by
a very superior force of the enemy; consequently, captain Wil-
loughby despatched a lieutenant in the launch to apprize captain
Pym of the enemy's arrival in Grand Port, and offered to lead
in and attack the enemy's ships at their anchorage with one
frigate besides the Nereide. On the 22nd the Sirius made her
appearance, and having exchanged numbers with the Nereide,
still at anchor under the island, captain Willoughby made the
signals, — " Ready ibr action," " Enemy of inferior force." The
Sirius soon afterwards bore up for the passage, and at 2 h. 40 m.
P.M. the Nereide got under way with her stay-sails only, fol-
lowed by the Sirius. At 4 h. p. m. the Sirius grounded on the
point of a shoal on the left-hand side of the channel, and hav-
ing much way on her at the time, w^as forced a considerable dis-
tance on the bank. The Nereide immediately anchored close
to her, and by great exertion the Sirius was hove into deep
water. Here the frigates remained for the night, and on the
morning of the 23rd, the Iphigenia and Magicienne, captains
C. H. Lambert and Lucius Curtis, having joined company, the
four frigates bore up at 4 h. 40 m. p.m., and stood down the
channel towards Grand Port. The Nereide, under her stay-
sails, jib, and spander, cleared the winding passage, and steered
SIRIUS AND MAOICIENNE AOROUNB. 149
safely along the edge of the reef which skirts the anchorage;
but the Sirius, keeping too much to starboard, ran over the
edge of one shoal, and remained fast on a coral rock. The Ma-
gicienne and Iphigenia successively cleared the channel, but the
former grounded on a bank when within 400 yards of her sta-
tion in such a position, that only three of her foremost guns
would bear on the enemy. The Iphigenia taking warning,
dropped her stream anchor, and brought up by the stem in six
fathoms; then letting go a bower under foot, brought her star-
board broadside to bear oh the Min^rve.
The Ner6ide had commenced firing, and was about to anchor,
but captain Willoughby perceiving the accident to the Sirius,
gallantly pushed on and took the station intended for that ship
abreast of the Bellone, at the distance of 200 yards. The action
was now furiously maintained on both sides; and at 6h. 15m.
the Ceylon having hauled down her colours, cut her cable and
made sail for the shore ; but in endeavouring to effect this, she
ran foul of the Bellone, when that ship also cut her cable and
ran aground. The Min^rve about the same time, having had her
cable cut by a shot, made sail in the direction of the Bellone,
and grounded close to her. At 7 h. p. m. the N^reide's spring
was carried away, and as she swang with her head in-shore, she
became exposed to a severe raking fire, until she was again en-
abled to bring her starboard broadside to bear upon the enemy.
Captain Willoughby was severely wounded in the early part
of the action by a splinter, which tore his left eye completely
out of the socket. The first-lieutenant, John Bums, was mor-
tally wounded, the second dangerously ; lieutenant of marines,
Thomas S. Cox, and the greater part of the crew, were either
killed or disabled. Most of the quarter-deck and many of the
main-deck guns were dismounted, and the shattered hull of the
ship was striking the ground abaft at every heave of the swell.
Five hours having elapsed since the commencemmt of the
action without assistance arriving from any ship of the squa-
dron, captain Willoughby ordered all further resistance to cease^
i
160 SURRENDER OF N^R^JDE.
and desired the remnant of his gallant crew to shelter them-
selves below from the enemy's heavy fire. The Bellone con-
tinued the cannonade, and at a little past midnight the N^reide's
main-mast was shot away ; but it was not until 1 h. 60 m. that
the french frigate ceased firing.
At daylight on the 24th the Bellone renewed the action,
although the french colours were displayed in the fore-rigging
of the N6r6ide; but as this attack upon a defenceless ship
might probably be attributed to the circumstance of a union-
jack still flying, which could not be removed from the mizen
top-gallant mast-head, the top-mast was cut away, and then
the firing ceased.
Out of 281 officers and men on board the Nereide, lieutenant
Bums, lieutenants Morlett (of the 33rd) and Aldwinkle (of the
Madras artillery), one midshipman, and 88 men were killed ;
captain Willoughby, lieutenant H. C. Deacon, the master, lieu-
tenants Thomas S. Cox of the marines, and — Needhall of the
69th, the boatswain, one midshipman, and 130 seamen, marines,
and soldiers wounded. Total : 92 killed, and 137 wounded ;
leaving just 62 unhurt.
The Iphigenia had 6 killed ; her first-lieutenant and 12 men
wounded. The Magicienne 8 killed, and 20 wounded. The
Sirius sustained no loss whatever. On board the french ships
the total loss is stated at 37 killed, and 1 12 wounded.
As the Magicienne remained immovable, she was set on fire
and blew up, with her colours flying, on the 24th at 11 h. p.m.
Every effort to get the Sirius afloat proving of no avail, her
crew, with those of the Magicienne and a quantity of her stores,
were removed to the Iphigenia, and at 11 h. a.m. on the 26th
the Sirius exploded. After great exertion the Iphigenia was
warped out of the channel, and on the 26th, at 8 h. 30 m. p.m.,
she anchored off the Isle de la Passe. On the following morn-
ing three strange french frigates were discovered working up to
the island ; and at this time all the ships in Grand Port were
again afloat.
ISLE BE I4A PASSE CAPITULATES. 161
The Iphigenia now cleared for action, and sent to the island
as many men as left her with a crew of between 400 and 600,
enabling her to fight both sides at once. At 1 p. m. the Venus,
Astree, and Manche, lay to off the Isle de la Passe, and at 6 h.
p. M. commodore Hammelin summoned captain Lambert to sur-
render both his frigate and the island. This was refused, but
the captain offered to submit, provided the Iphigenia with her
crew were allowed to retire to a british port. On the 26th, at
7 h. 30 m. A.M., a second flag of truce came from the frigates,
by which the commodore urged his former demand, and at 9 h.
A. M, a summons arrived from general Decaen. After some fur^
ther negotiation, captain Lambert was threatened, that if he per-
sisted in refusing to surrender the frigate and the island, a joint
attack would be made by the french ships, and then the crew
and garrison should be put to the sword. Under these circum-
stances there was no alternative, and consequently the british
colours were hauled down.
On the 11th of September, the 38-gun frigate Africaine, cap-
tain Robert Corbett, when off the isle Ronde of France, chased
an armed schooner on shore in a small creek off the Poudre d'Or
coast. The jolly-boat and barge were sent to attempt her de-
struction, but on their arrival in the creek they found the rocks
and beach lined with soldiers, who opened a smart fire of mus-
ketry; and as the enemy were sheltered from the fire of the
marines, the schooner was abandoned with a loss of two men
killed ; lieutenant of marines James Jackson (2), one midship-
man, and 8 men wounded. On the return of the boats, at 1 h-
30 m. p. M., the Africaine bore up for the Isle of Bourbon.
At 6 h. A.M. on the 12th, when off that island, two sail were
seen in the offing; and at 10 a.m. the two strangers, which were
the french 40-gun frigates Iphigenie and Astree, stood towards
the Africaine. About noon the 38-gun frigate Boadicea, accom-
panied by the Otter sloop and Staunch gun-brig, which had
weighed from St. Paul, Bourbon, in chase of the french frigates,
were also seen by them in the offing to windward ; and as soon
i
152 AFRICAING AND FRENCH FRIGATES.
as the Boadicea cleared the bay of St. Paul, she exchanged num-
bers with the Africaine, from whom the enemy's frigates bore
north, distant eight miles. Having embarked two officers and
26 soldiers of the 86th regiment to replace her wounded, the
latter made sail towards the enemy. The Africaine soon lost
sight of the Boadicea and her consorts, and gained so much upon
the french frigates, that at 7 h. 30 m. p.m. she had reached
within two miles on their weather-quarter, and kept under easy
sail to allow the Boadicea time to get up, to whom she sig-
nified her position by firing rockets and burning blue-lights.
At 1 h. 50 m. A. M. on the 13th, the french frigates in the midst
of a squall bore away, pursued by the british ship ; but at
2 h. 10 m. the Iphigenie and Astree again hauled up on the
same tack, and the Africaine following the manoeuvre, found
herself within less than musket-shot on the Astree's weather-
quarter: at this time the Boadicea was more than four miles
distant on the lee-quarter of the Africaine.
At 2 h. 20 m, the Africaine discharged a double-shotted
broadside into the starboard and weather-quarter of the Astree,
who immediately returned the fire, and the second broad^idte
of the latter mortally wounded captain Corbett ; consequently
the command devolved upon lieutenant J. C. Tullidge. At
2 h. 30 m. the Astree, having had her jib-boom and the weather
clue of her fore top-sail shot away, ranged a-head clear of her
opponent's guns. The wind now dying away, the Africaine had
scarcely steerage way through the water, when the Iphigenie
bore down to close her consort ; but the breeze freshening a
little, the Africaine ran alongside the Iphigenie to windward
and recommenced the action, having the Astree on her weather
bow; and thus the british ship had to contend with two of equal
force, — one within half pistol-shot on her larboard beam, and
the other on her starboard bow, raking her with a destructive
fire of round and grape.
At 3 h. 30 m. a.m. the Africaine had her jib-boom and fore
mast shot away, and shortly afterwards her mizen top-mast:
SURRENDER OP THE AFRICATNE. 163
by this time lieutenants Tullidge and Forder had been danger-
ously wounded, and at 4 a. m. the master had his head carried
away by a round shot. The Africaine still continued the action,
which lasted until 4h. 45 m. a. m., and being now entirely dis-
abled, and from the calm state of the weather having no chance
of relief from the Boadicea, who was between four and five miles
off*, the Africaine about 5 h. a. m. struck her colours ; neverthe-
less, the enemy continued firing into the british frigate for more
than ten minutes, whereby captain Elliott of the army and
several men were killed. Out of her complement, including the
detachment of soldiers, of 295 men and boys, the Africaine had
her master, captain Elliott of the army, 28 seamen, 14 marines,
and 6 soldiers killed ; her captain (mortally), first and second
lieutenants, lieutenants of marines James Jackson (2) severely,
two master's-mates, two midshipmen, lieutenant Home of the
army, 76 seamen, 12 marines, and 17 soldiers wounded. Total :
49 killed, and 114 wounded.
The Iphigenie, out of a complement of 250, had 9 killed and
32 wounded ; and the Astree one man killed, and two wounded.
Tottil : 10 killed, and 35 wounded. The wounded masts of the
captured ship were seen to fall one after the other, so that by
8 h. A. M. she lay a totally dismasted hulk.
Soon after the surrender of the Africaine, the Boadicea tacked
and stood to windward of the french frigates, to look for the
Otter and Staunch, who having joined her at 40 m. past noon,
the three bore up with a fine breeze at south-east for the two
enemy's ships and their prize. At 3 h. 10 m. the Astree, taking
the Iphigenie in tow, abandoned the captured ship, and made
sail to windward. At 5 h. p. m., the Boadicea having arrived
close abreast of the Africaine, the latter fired two guns and
hauled down the french colours.
On the 17th of September the 32-gun frigate Ceylon, captain
Charles Gordon, arrived off* Port Louis from Madras, and not
finding the Boadicea, she made sail towards Bourbon. Soon
afterwards the french 40-gun frigate V^nus, accompanied by
i
164 BOADICEA CAPTURES THE vfeNUS.
the 16-gun corvette Victor, weighed from Port Louis, and made
sail in pursuit of the Ceylon. The british frigate continued her
course, hoping to fall in with the Boadicea ; but the Venus was
enabled to overtake the Ceylon soon after midnight, and en-
gaged her until 1 h. 16 m. a.m. on the 18th, when the french
frigate wore round and dropped astern. At 2 h. 10 m. the V^nus
again ranged alongside her opponent, and the action was main-
tained with vigour on both sides until 4 h. 30 m., when being in
an unmanageable state, with the Victor in a raking position on
her bow, the Ceylon hauled down her colours, having 6 seamen
and 4 soldiers of the 69th killed ; her captain, captain Ross of
the 69th, and 29 wounded. The Venus lost her mizen-mast,
and fore and main top-masts, and had many men killed and
wounded.
On the same day, at 7 h. 30 m. a.m., commodore Rowley in
the Boadicea, with the Otter and Staunch, discovered the two
french ships and their prize abreast of St. Denis. After receiv-
ing fifty volunteers from the Africaine, the Boadicea and her
two consorts weighed from the road of St. Paul, and made sail
in chase. The Victor, having the Ceylon in tow, and the Venus
under her courses and a small sail on the stump of her mizen-
mast, made the best of their way towards the Isle of France.
At 3 h. 30 m. p. m. the Victor, finding herself impeded by tow-
ing the prize, cast off the hawser and joined her consort; who
wore round with her head towards the Boadicea, and directed
the corvette to make sail to the eastward. At 4 h. 40 m. p.m.
the Boadicea ran the Venus alongside, and after an action of 1
minutes, in which the latter had 9 men killed and 16 wounded,
the french frigate hauled down her colours. The Boadicea,
who had only 2 men wounded, repaired to the bay of St. Paul,
accompanied by her prize and the recaptured Ceylon; and in
commemoration of the gallant defence of the Nereide at Grand
Port, vice-admiral Bertie named the Venus after that ship.
On the night of the 27th of September, the boats of the 120-
gun ship Caledonia and 74-gun ship Valiant, lying at anchor in
MARINES AT POINTS DU CBk. 155
Basque roads, were detached under lieutenant A. P. Hamilton
to destroy three brigs lying under the protection of a battery at
Pointe du Che ; and as the enemy had a strong detachment of
troops in the adjoining Tillage of Angoulin, a party of 130 ma-
rines under captains Thomas Sherman and Archibald M'Lach-
Ian, lieutenants John Coulter and John Couche, and lieutenant
Robert John Little of the marioe artillery, were added to the
division of seamen from the squadron.
At about 2 h. 30 m. a. m. on the 28th the marines were land-
ed under the Pointe du Che, and the alarm having been given
by the brigs, an ineffectual fire was opened from the enemy's
gims. Lieutenant Little, with his detachment of artillery-men,
pushed forward with the bayonet to the assault, supported by
captain M'Lachlan*s division, and by a detachment under lieu-
tenants Coulter and Couche ; and having gallantly carried the
battery, spiked the guns. Lieutenant Little, in leading his men,
on entering the fort received the contents of the french sentry's
musket in his right hand as he was in the act of cutting him
down, and the wrist was so much shattered as to render ampu-
tation necessary. Whilst the attack was making on the fort,
captain Sherman, with his division, took post on the main road
by the sea side, having his front to the village, and his right
protected by a launch with an eigh teen-pounder carronade. A
party of the enemy succeeded, under cover of the night, in
bringing a field-piece to bear with some effect, but the marines
instantly charged, and captured the gun. Two of the brigs
were brought off, and the third destroyed ; and the marines
were now re-embarked, having susta'med no greater loss than
lieutenant Little and one private wounded. In the defence of
the battery on Pointe du Che, the enemy had 14 men killed.
On the 21st of November, the different divisions of the expe-
dition intended for the attack of the Isle of France, except that
expected from the Cape of Good Hope, had assembled at the
anchorage of the island of Rodriguez ; and it being considered
advisable, on account of the lateness of the season, not to delay
156 8tJRR£KI)£R OF Tllfi ISLfi OP FRANCfi.
the departure, the squadron under the command of vice-admiral
Bertie, with the troops under major-general Abercromby, set
sail on the 22nd for the Isle of France ; but owing to light and
baffling winds, they did not arrive in sight of the island until the
28th. The naval force consisted of the Illustrious of 74 guns,
twelve frigates, and some sloops ; and the troops numbered
about 10,000 men.
On the morning of the 29th the men-of-war and transports,
amounting to about seventy sail, anchored in Grand e-baie,
about twelve miles to the north-east of Porte Louis ; and in the
course of the day, the army, with its artillery and ammunition,
the several detachments of marines serving in the squadron,
under the command of captain F. Liardet, and a large body
of seamen under the orders of captain W. A. Montagu, disem-
barked without opposition. On the 2nd of December a corps
of the enemy, with several pieces of artillery, was attacked and
overpowered by numbers, routed with the loss of their guns,
and many men killed and wounded. The loss on the part of
the British amounted to 28 killed and 94 wounded, and 45
missing.
Soon after the termination of this battle, general Decaen pro-
posed to capitulate ; and on the following morning, the 3rd, the
terms were ratified, surrendering the colony to Great Britain.
The garrison of the Isle of France consisted of 1300 regular
troops, and the militia amounted to upwards of 10,000 men :
upon the numerous batteries were mounted 209 guns, in excel-
lent order, completely equipped with every requisite for service.
Major-general Abercromby, in his official despatch dated 6th
December, 1810, thus expresses himself, " The battalion of ma-
rines, under the command of captain Liardet, supported the
reputation of this distinguished corps.*'
On the 13th of December 360 seamen and 250 marines, with
two field-pieces, were landed from the Kent and Ajax, 74, and
Cambrian frigate, to attempt the capture of three armed, and
eight laden vessels, lying in the mole at Palamos, protected by
MARINES AT PALAMOS. 157
One twenty-four pounder over the mole, with a twenty-four
pounder and a thirteen-inch mortar in a battery on a very com-
manding height, and defended by about 260 soldiers. The de-
tachment landed in perfect order, without sustaining any loss ;
and on their advancing to attack the town and batteries in the
rear, the enemy withdrew to a windmill on a hill, where they con-
tinued almost harmless spectators of our men possessing them-
selves of the batteries and vessels. The mortar was spiked and
the cannon thrown into the sea, the magazines destroyed and
the vessels, except one which was brought out, destroyed. At
this period very little loss had been sustained ; but in withdraw-
ing our post from a hill, which was occupied to keep the enemy
in check, the men retired in such disorder, that the french
troops, who being reinforced from St. Felice, were encoumged
to advance upon them; and the British having injudiciously
retreated through the town down to the mole, became ex-
posed to such a destructive fire from the houses and the troops,
that their loss amounted to 33 killed, 89 wounded, 86 missing,
and 1 deserted. Captain Fane of the Cambrian was among the
prisoners.
Kent, 7 marines killed, 19 wounded, 21 missing.
Ajax, 4 „ „ 6 „ 18 „
Cambrian, 1 „ „ 7 „ 4 „
Total, — 12 killed, 22 wounded, and 43 missing.
168
CHAPTER IV.
Fkom February 1811, to December 1812.
The 32-gun frigate Cerberus, captain H. Whitby, and the 38-
gun frigate Active, captain J. A. Gordon, cruising oflP the north-
east coast of Italy, on the 12th of February discovered several
vessels at anchor in the harbour of Ortona ; formed by a large
pier running into the sea, and connected with a range of hills
leading into the town, which stands on one of the most ele-
vated, commanding the vessels in the harbour and the road.
The boats of the two frigates, under the orders of lieutenant
James Dickinson, assisted by several officers, including lieu-
tenant John Meares of the marines, were despatched to attempt
their capture ; and at 10 a.m., on the near approach of the boats,
a fire was opened from an armed Venetian trabaccolo, and from
the soldiers posted on the beach and hills. The British instantly
cheered, and dashing on, carried all before them. The trabac-
colo, mounting six guns and well manned, was boarded and
taken possession of by lieutenant Dickenson, who then landed
with the marines under lieutenant Meares, and the small-arm
men under Mr. Rennie. This party had to climb up the rocks
with great difficulty, and at length the strong post was attained;
and while the launches, with their carronades, kept the soldiers
and inhabitants in check, the marines planted the britlsh colours
at the very gates of the town. The trabaccolo and ten laden
vessels were secured, and the two large magazines with military
stores destroyed. By 3 p.m. the whole of this important service
was completed, and the boats got back to their ships with the
comparatively slight loss of four men wounded.
Early on the morning of the 13th of March, a franco-venetian
BATTLE OF LISSA. 159
squadron, under commodore Dubordieu, consisting of the french
40.gun frigates Favorite, Danae, and Flore, Venetian 40-gun fri-
gate Corona, 32-gun frigates Bellona and Carolina, french 16-
gun brig Mercure, a schooner, and a xebec, having on board
between 400 and 500 troops, appeared off the island of Lissa ;
and there fell in with a squadron under captain William Hoste
in the 32-gun frigate Amphion, consisting, besides that ship, of
the 38-gun frigate Active, captain J. A. Gordon, Cerberus 32,
captain Henry Whitby, and Volage 22, captain Phipps Hornby.
The enemy's squadron was discovered at 3 a. m. by the Active,
then to windward of her consorts, and at daylight their whole
force was clearly made out by the british ships, who were soon
under sail in chase. At 6 a.m. the enemy bore down to the
attack in two divisions, the starboard one consisting of the
Favorite, Flore, Bellona, and Mercure ; and the larboard of
the Dana6, Corona, Carolina, and small craft.
The british ships immediately formed in line a-head, having
besides red ensigns at their peaks, ensigns and jacks at their
fore-mast heads and their diflPerent stays. Just before they ar-
rived within gun-shot, captain Hoste telegraphed to the squa-
dron, " Remember Nelson." This injunction, so admirably cal-
culated to inspire the officers and men with the confidence and
valour necessary to meet such an apparently overwhelming force,
was received with loud hurrahs from every ship as they stood on
in close order on the starboard tack, the Amphion taking the
lead, followed by the Active, Volage, and Cerberus, under top-
sails and top-gallant sails. At 9 a.m. the Amphion opened her
fire upon the Favorite, in which she was immediately joined by
the Active ; and so powerful was this reception, that the french
commodore was frustrated in his gallant attempt to pass be-
tween those ships. The Favorite then evinced a disposition to
board the Amphion upon the quarter; but the discharge of
grape and musket-balls from a 5J-inch howitzer made such
havoc among the troops and boarders assembled on the french
ship's forecastle, that this intention was not repeated.
i
160 BATTLE OF LISSA.
As the british ships were advancing at the rate of three knots
an hour, the course which the French were steering became
more oblique, and consequently the Danae, Corona, and Caro-
lina brought their larboard guns to bear upon the Volage and
Cerberus, who returned ,the fire with spirit as they arrived within
range. The Favorite, foiled in her endeavour to pass under the
stern of the Amphion, stood on engaging her, with the intention
of rounding her bows, and placing the british squadron between
two fires. At 9 h. 40 m., being within a half-cable's length of
the shore of Lissa, the british ships wore together by signal
from the Amphion, and just as they were gettmg round, the
Favorite made an attempt to wear and get to leeward of the
british line; but she had scarcely put her helm up, ere she
struck on the rocks in the utmost confusion. While the Cer-
berus was in the act of wearing, her rudder became choked by
a shot; consequently the Volage got round before her, and that
ship took the lead on the larboard tack. The Flore, the second
ship in the enemy's line, shortly afterwards passing under the
stern of the Amphion, closed upon her lee quarter; almost at
the same moment the Bellona hauled up on the Amphion 's
weather-quarter, and both ships kept up a smart fire. By this
time the Danae, to avoid the heavy fire of the Active, braced up
on the larboard tack, followed by the Carolina and Corona, and
thinking to overpower the Volage, the Danae placed herself
abreast of the little ship ; but feeling the effect of the latter'^s 32 lb.
carronades, she hauled off to where her long eighteens could
produce their full effect. The Volage in endeavouring, by an
increase of powder, to reach her opponent, had most of her
guns disabled, and could therefore make but little return to the
heavy fire of the Danae. The Cerberus, with 90 men short of
her complement, was but ill calculated to cope with the Corona
and Carolina ; but she nobly did her best, although she became
much disabled in the contest. At length the Active, who had
been striving to get to the assistance of her two friends in the
van, came up under a press of sail; and the moment the Dana6,
BATTLE OF LI88A. 161
Corona, and Carolina saw her approaching, they made off to the
eastward. The Amphion, suffering from her position between
the two frigates, gradually bore away to close her heaviest and
most annoying opponent ; and passing close a-head of the Flore,
at 11 h. 15 m. came to the wind on the same tack as before,
with her larboard broadside bearing upon the french ship^s star-
board and lee bow. In this situation the Amphion kept up so
powerful a fire, that in less than ten minutes the Flore struck
her colours. The Bellona bore up at the same time as the Am-
phion, and placing herself across her opponent's stem, kept up
a destructive fire, and some of her shot unintentionally struck
the Flore, who had fore-reached upon the british frigate. The
Amphion, without taking possession of the Flore, wore round on
the starboard tack, and having placed herself on the Bellona's
weather bow, compelled the latter, a few minutes before noon, to
haul down her colours. The Amphion now wore, and making
the signal for a general chase, brought to to leeward of the Cer-
berus and Volage, whose disabled state had obliged them to
bear up. At this time the Flore, who had struck to the Am-
phion, was observed out of gun-shot on her weather bow, mak-
ing sail for the island of Lessina, followed by the Dana6 ; and
the disabled condition of the Amphion rendered her incapable
of taking revenge upon this unworthy conduct on the part of
the Flore's commander. The Active having suffered but little
in her masts and rigging, passed to windward of the Cerberus
in pursuit of the Corona, and at 30 m. p.m., when just in the
mid-channel between Lissa and Spalmadon, having for some
time received the fire from the stem-guns of the Venetian frigate,
the Active at length closed with her to leeward at about 1 h.
45 m. p. M. A spirited action was maintained between these two
frigates, which continued until 2 h. 30 m. p.m.; when, after an
honourable defence which she had protracted until within reach
of the batteries of Lessina, the Corona hauled down her colours.
At this time the Danae and Carolina were safe under the guns
of those batteries, and just about entering the road. The Am-»
VOL. II. M
162 CASUALTIES AT BATTLE OF LISSA.
phioQ had all her masts badly wounded^ and was much cut up
in her sails and rigging. Out of 251 men and boys, she lost her
boatswain, 2 midshipmen, 7 seamen, and 5 marines killed ; her
captain, lieutenant Dunn, captain Thomas Moore of the ma-
rines, and 44 men wounded. Total, 15 killed and 47 wounded.
The Active, out of her complement of 300, had 4 killed ; lieu-
tenant John Meares of the marines, 1 8 seamen, and 5 marines
wounded. Total, 4 killed, 24 wounded. The Cerberus was se-
verely cut up; and out of a complement of 160 men and, boys,
she had 13 killed and 41 wounded. The Volage was also much
disabled, and of 175 men and boys, she had 12 killed ; lieutenant
William Stephens Knapman and 32 men wounded. Lieutenant
Jeremiah Brattle of the marines was serving on board the Cer-
berus. The Favorite, who had run on shore at the commence-
ment of the actioa, was set on fire by her crew, and blew up at
4 P.M.
It will be recollected, tbat the small island of Anholt, in the
Cattegat, was captured from the Danes in May 1809, by a de-
tachment of marines under captain Edward Nicolls, and a party
of seamen from the 64-gun ship Standard. This island was
subsequently garrisoned by 350 marines, and 31 marine artil-
lery, comprising the following officers ; the whole being under
the command of captain James Wilkes Maurice of the navy,
the governor of the island :—
Captain Robert Torrens, commandant.
Captains — William Holtaway, William Steele.
Lieutenants — ^T. N. Fischer, Robert Steele, Robert Turabull,
Richard C. Steele, W. Gray, William Ford, John Bezant, E. H.
Stewart, J. Jellicoe, R. G. Atkinson, and John Curtayne.
in the distressed state of commerce, occasioned by the ri-
gorous edicts of Buonaparte, the island of Anholt was found
useful to England as a d6p6t, and as a point of communication
with the continent. The Danes, probably instigated by Napo-
leon, had for some time been preparing a force for the attack
of this coveted possession ; but so long as the sea remained
^
ISLAND OF ANHOLT ATTACKED. 163
open^ the british cruisers continued to hover round the island ;
and the same inclemency of the weather which at length drove
the ships into a southern latitude, shut up the danish gun-boats
and transports in their lakes and harbours.
With the return of spring, the Danes were early in renewing
their preparations for the invasion of Anholt ; and on the 23rd
of March a flotilla, consisting of twelve gun-boats, each mount-
ing 2 long twenty-four or eighteen-pounders, and 4 brass
howitzers, with from 60 to 70 men, having under their protec-
tion twelve transport vessels, resembling the gun-boats in ap-
pearance, and containing between them about 1000 troops, in-
cluding an organized body of 200 seamen, assembled in Gierrild
bay. On the 24th lieutenant Holstein, of the danish navy,
visited the island in the sacred character of a flag of truce, but
evidently for the purpose of ascertaining the strength of the
garrison, which he soon learnt consisted of 400 men ; that the
light-house fort was the only fortification of importance, and
that the sole vessel of war cruising ofl* the island was a small
armed schooner. With this satisfactory report the expedition
was so hastened in its departure, that on the 26th of March the
flotilla set sail from Gierrild bay ; and on the 27th at 4 a.m., in
a dense fog, the danish troops disembarked in perfect order at
a spot distant about four miles to the westward of Fort Yorke,
the head-quarters of the garrison, and as they were undisco-
vered, without opposition. Captain Maurice had been ap-
prized on the 10th of February of the intended attack ; conse-
quently every resource in his power was resorted to, to com-
plete the works and give a proper reception to the assailants.
It was just before dawn on the 26th that the out-picquets
on the south-side of the island made the signal for the flotilla
being in sight : the garrison was immediately under arms, and
the brigade of four howitzers, with 200 infantry under the orders
of captain Torrens, accompanied by the governor in person,
quitted the lines to oppose the landing. On reaching an ele-
vation on a ridge of sand-hills to reconnoitre, it was discovered
m2
164 THB DANES BFFECT A LANDING.
that the Danes had landed, and were then proceeding along the
beach beneath. As the danish wings out-flanked the british,
and if the latter continued to advance would get between the
islanders and their works, a retreat was made in good order,
and without loss. The enemy was now within pistol-shot of
the british rear, threatening to enter the batteries by storm
and 200 danish seamen under lieutenant Holstein were ad-
vancing with rapidity, cheering the retreat of the howitzers;
but a heavy fire from the south-west angle of the Massarene
battery obliged them to retire in great haste to the beach, and
soon afterwards to abandon a one-gun battery they had gained,
on which they had hoisted their colours. Two houses were
then taken possession of, but as the Danes were quickly driven
from them by the fire of the Yorke and Massarene batteries,
they sheltered themselves behind the neighbouring sand-hills.
In the mean time the marines and the brigade of howitzers had
regained the works in good order, and without sustaining any
loss.
As the day opened, the danish flotilla was observed to have
taken a position on the south side of the island, within point-*
blank shot of the works. A signal was then made to the 32-
gun frigate Tartar, captain Joseph Baker, and Sheldrake sloop,
captain J. P. Stewart, who were on the north side of the island,
(where they had arrived on the previous day from England), and
both immediately got under way, using every effort to beat
up to the southward ; but the brig was afterwards directed by
signal to remain on the north side ; and as captain Baker con-
sidered that by running round to leeward he should reach the
enemy more speedily, the Tartar bore up round the shoal of
Knoben, under all sail. The gun-boats now opened a heavy
fire upon the works, while a column of about 600 men, under
the commander of the expedition. Major Melstedt, crossed the
island to the westward, and took up a position on the northern
shore, covered by the hillocks of sand. A detachment from this
division, of about 150 men, advanced with great bravery to the
SURRENDER OF THE DANISH TROOPS. 166
assault; but the discbarge of grape and musketry from Fort
Yorke and the Massarene battery obliged them to approach cau-
tiously, under cover of the sand-hills; and although they rallied
several times, they were at length beaten back. Lieutenant
Holstein's division on the south side had by this time succeed-
ed in bringing up a field-piece, which enfiladed the Massarene
battery; and this apparent success induced major Melstedt to
order a general assault. Just at this time captain William
Holtaway, who had commanded at the advanced post, joined
the garrison : this officer, after several gallant attempts to force
his way to head-quarters by land, had with great presence of
mind launched a boat, and by that means landed his party
under Fort Yorke, amidst the acclamations of the garrison.
The danish troops now pushed foi'ward, supported by a fire
from the gun-boats, but the destructive discharge of grape
and musketry from the british batteries was irresistible : major
Melstedt was killed by a musket-ball, when gallantly leading
his men to the assault ; the next in command, captain Reydez,
had both his legs carried away by a cannon-ball, and another
«hot put an end to the life of lieutenant Holstein. Dismayed
by the loss of their chief officers, the enemy again fell back,
and sheltered themselves behind the sand-hills. Fortunately, at
this crisis the Anholt schooner, manned by volunteers under
lieutenant Henry Loraine Baker of the navy, and lieutenant
Richard Tumbull of the marines, anchored close to the nor-
thern shore on the flank of the besiegers. The sand-hills being
no longer a protection, and finding it impossible to advance or
retreat, the assailants hung out a flag of truce, and offered to
capitulate; but the governor refusing to accede to any other
terms than an unconditional surrender, the Danes, after a short
deliberation, laid down their arms.
In the mean time the gun-boats on the south side, observing
the approach of the Tartar, got under way and steered to the
westward. Thus abandoned, and having no means of retreat,
the Danes on this side also hung out a flag of truce. An officer
166 IiETTER OF SIR JAMES SAUMAREZ.
from the works went to meet it, and to his astonishment found
it was a summons to the British. The Danes, however, soon
withdrew their pretensions, and consented to an immediate sur-
render ; and this force, with those captured on the north side,
formed a total of 520 officers and men, exclusive of 23 wounded*
Captain Maurice, accompanied by captain Torrens, with the
brigade of howitzers under lieutenants Richard C. Steele and
John Bezant of the marine artillery, and part of the light com-
pany commanded by lieutenant Richard Tumbull, now moved
out from the works towards the west-end of the island in pur-
suit of the remainder of the danish force, who were formed on
the beach and protected by fourteen gun-boats, drawn up close
to the shore. The formidable appearance of the Danes preserved
them from further molestation ; and having embarked, they took
final leave of the island, but the flotilla was soon afterwards pur-
sued by the Tartar and Sheldrake, who succeeded in capturing
two gun-boats and two transports. The biitish loss in this gal-
lant defence amounted to no more than 2 men killed ; captain
Torrens and 30 wounded. On the part of the Danes, their loss
was considerable : about 40 were found dead on the field, and
23 wounded.
In a letter addressed to governor Maurice from sir James Sau-
marez, that distinguished officer thus expresses himself: '^ I most
heartily congratulate you on the brilliant success of the brave
garrison under your command, in having repulsed an attack of
the enemy's select troops, consisting of as many thousands as
the whole force opposed to them amounted to hundreds ; and by
the gallantry and intrepid conduct of your valiant heroes, suc-
ceeded in taking a greater number of prisoners than their whole
collective force. I can only assure you that this gallant afiair is
the theme of every one's praise, and has excited the admiration
of all."
For their gallant conduct in defence of Anholt, captain Tor-
rens obtained the brevet-rank of major ; and the senior subaltern,
J. N. Fischer, the rank of captain.
AdTREA AND CONSORTS. 167
The three french 40-gun fr^ates Renommeey commodore F.
Roquebert^ Clorinde, and N^reide, each having on board 200
troops, sailed from Brest on the 2nd of February, bound to the
Isle of France : and on their arrival off the the Isle de la Passe,
Grand Port, on the 6th of May, they ascertained that the Isle
of France was in possession of the British. The three frigates
then tacked to the eastward, followed by the british 36-gun
frigates Phoebe, captain James Hillyar, and Galatea, captain
Woodley Losack, with the 18-gun brig Racehorse, captain
James de Rippe. On the 8th the squadrons were in sight of
each other, the french being more than four miles to windward,
and they were distantly seen by each other on the following
day ,* but at noon the british ships bore away for Port Louis,
where they anchored on the 12th. Commodore Roquebert re-
solved to make an attempt upon the Isle of Bourbon, and arriv-
ing off the island on the 1 1th, the troops were in the boats ready
for disembarkation, but were prevented by the heavy surf. Thus
disappointed, the commodore stood across to the coast of Mada-
gascar, to obtain a supply of provisions. On the 19th they sur-
prised the small garrison of Tamatave, consisting of about 100
men of the 22nd regiment.
On the 20th, at day-break, captain C. M. Schomberg in the
36-gun frigate Astrea, accompanied, by the Phoebe, Galatea,
and Racehorse, who had sailed from the Isle of France on the
14th for this place, discovered the french squadron directly to
windward ; and at noon the commodore formed his thre^ frigates
in line of battle, the Clorinde a-head and the N^r^ide astern of
the Renomm6e. The British were now under all sail, in the fol-
lowing order : — Astrea, Phoebe, and Galatea in line a-head, and
the Racehorse on the lee>beam of the centre ship.
At 3 h. 50 m. the french squadron wore round on the larboard
tack, and as soon as the Astrea, (who was approaching on the
opposite tack,) arrived abreast of the Renomm^e, the latter dis-
charged her broadside ; and in another five minutes the Astrea
returned the fire, as did the Phoebe and Galatea as they succqs-
168 CAPTURE OF REKOMM^E.
sively advanced. Having passed on out of gun-shot astern of
the french line, the Astrea prepared to tack to renew the action ;
but owing to the lightness of the breeze she missed stays, and
then with difficulty wore round as it fell calm. The french ships
did not lose the breeze until the Clorinde and Renomm^e had
placed themselves across the stems of the Phcebe and Galatea ;
and the N^r^ide was at some distance on the Phoebe's starboard
bow, while the Astrea lay also becalmed at the distance of nearly
two miles a-head of her two consorts.
At 6 p. M. a light air enabled the Phcebe to close the N^r^ide
in a raking position, and after engaging her for twenty-five
minutes to the great disadvantage of the latter, she was com-
pelled to haul off by the approach of the Renomm^e and Clo-
rinde, who had been enabled, by the aid of their boats, to make
such havoc on the Galatea, that she was glad to avail herself of
the light air that had sprung up to stand away towards the
Astrea and Racehorse ; and soon afterwards, at about 8h. 30 m.
P.M., her fore and mizen top-mast came down. Captain Schom-
bergy on learning from captain Losack that the Galatea was in-
capable of again meeting the enemy, ordered the Racehorse to
follow him closely, as he intended to renew the action as soon
as the Phoebe was in a state to give him support; and at about
8 h. 25 m. P. M. the Astrea, Phcebe, and Racehorse bore up to-
wards the enemy. The N6r6ide, in consequence of her disabled
state, was ordered to make for the land ; whilst commodore Ro-
quebert, supported by the Clorinde, renewed the action with the
Astrea at 9 h.50m. p.m., and attempted to lay her on board;
but this was avoided by the british ship, and after a sharp ac-
tion of twenty-five minutes the Renomm^e struck her colours.
Lieutenant C. Royer and lieutenant John Drury were sent on
board to take possession of the prize, and the Astrea and
Phoebe made sail after the Clorinde; who having dastardly
kept aloof during her commodore's gallant defence, was now so
far to windward under a press of canvas, that she made her es-
cape. At 2h. A.M. on the 21st, the Astrea with the Phoebe
i
8URBEN]>BR OF utRtlDE. 169
wore, to cover the captured ship, and at this moment the fore
top-mast of the Phcebe fell over the side. The Astrea, out of
271 men, had 2 killed and 16 wounded.
The Phoebe had 7 men killed and 24 wounded. Officers of
marines serving on board, lieutenants J. S. Haswell and Richard
Pascoe.
The Galatea lost her first-lieutenant of marines Hugh Pere-
grine, 8 seamen, and 6 private marines killed ; her captain, se-
cond-lieutenant of marines Henry Lewis, 14 seamen, 6 marines
severely, lieutenant Bevis, 2 midshipmen, 17 seamen, 4 marines,
and 3 boys slightly wounded. Total, — 16 men killed, and 46
wounded.
The Renomm6e, out of 470 men, had 93 killed and wounded ;
among the former her gallant captain. The Ner^ide had also
her captain and 24 killed, and 32 wounded.
The N6r6ide reached Tamatave; and on the 26th captain
Schomberg, with the Astrea, Phcebe, and Racehorse, having
sent a summons to the french commanding officer, the island,
together with the N6reide, surrendered to the british flag.
The preparations for the expedition destined for the conquest
of the dutch island of Java having been completed, the first di-
vision of the troops, commanded by colonel Robert R. Gillespie,
sailed from Madras on the 18th of April, and anchored at Pe-
nang, the first point of rendezvous, on the 18th of May, where
the second division under escort of the Pheeton frigate arrived
on the 21st. Both divisions, accompanied by the Pheeton and
Caroline frigates, sailed again on the 24th, and the 1st of June
reached Malacca. Here they were reinforced by the Illustrious
74, with a division of troops from Bengal under sir Samuel
Achmuty ; and the whole military force thus assembled a-
mounted to 12,000 men, nearly half of whom were Europeans.
Leaving behind 1200 sick, the expedition sailed on the 11th of
June ; and after remaining a week at the High Islands, which
they quitted on the 1 0th of July, they anchored at Point Sam-
bar, on the south-west coast of the island of Borneo, on the 20th.
170 EXPEDITION TO JAVA.
On the 2l8t the fleet was again under sail, and on the 30th the
expedition arrived off Boompie's island^ on the Java coast.
On the 23rd of May, while the 32-gun frigate Sir Francis
Drake was cruising off the Java coast, waiting the arrival of the
expedition, fourteen dutch gun-vessels, nine of them feluccas,
and the remaining four prow-rigged, were discovered at anchor
about 13 miles to the north-east of the port of Rembang. On
the approach of the frigate, the gun-vessels weighed and stood
for Rembang; but being closely pressed, five of the feluccas
were captured, whilst the others, finding themselves cut off from
the port, pulled directly for the shore. Six boats were imme-
diately sent in pursuit under two lieutenants and several other
officers, including lieutenant George Roch of the marines. The
gun-boats were boarded under a sharp fire of grape, and the re-
maining feluccas captured without the loss of a man ; the crews
jumping overboard, or hurrying to the shore in their boats, as
the British were ready to spring on board.
Having waited until the 2nd of August for the arrival of rein-
forcements, the expedition had set sail, when the frigates hove
in sight from reconnoitring the coast The fleet then pro-
ceeded to the village of Chillingching, about 12 miles to the
eastward of Batavia, where they arrived at 2 p.m. on the 4th ;
and so complete had been the arrangements, that before dark
the whole of the effective portion of the british infantry, amount-
ing to upwards of 8000 men, were landed without loss or oppo-
sition.
The dutch army, commanded by general Janssens, amount-
iag to about 9000 effective troops, native and European, was
now shut up in the strong-hold of Meester Cornelis, an en-
trenched camp situated about nine miles from the city of Bata-
via, and defended by two rivers ; one on the east, the other on
the west, with a number of redoubts and batteries guarding each
pass. The circumference of these lines was nearly five miles,
and there were mounted on the various batteries 280 pieces of
qannon^
\
TH£ DUTCH DBFBATBD. 171
On the 6th the light cruisers proceeded to the entrance of the
river Anjole, distant about two miles from the capital, while the
fleet anchored off Tonjong Prioch, where in the course of the
day the advance of the british army, under colonel Gillespie,
took post. A bridge of flat-boats having been prepared by the
navy, the advance crossed the river Anjole in course of the
night. On the 8th a flag of truce was sent into the city of Ba-
tavia ; upon which a deputation from the inhabitants came out,
requesting to surrender at discretion and place themselves under
the protection of the British. The lieutenant-general and com-*
modore having agreed to respect private property, the advance,
under colonel GKUespie, took immediate possession of the city,
and the fleet removed to the anchorage before it.
On the 9th, rear-admiral the honourable Robert Stopford
joined, and superseded commodore Broughton in the command
of the fleet, which now consisted of the 74-gun ships Scipion,
Illustrious, and Minden ; Lion 64 ; frigates Akbar, Nisus, Presi-
dent, Hussar, Phseton, Leda, Caroline, Modeste, Phoebe, Bu-
cephalus, Doris, Cornelia, Psyche, and Sir Francis Drake ; seven
sloops, and eight company's cruisers ; making, with the trans-
ports and captured gun-boats, nearly a hundred sail.
On the 10th a smart skirmish took place between the ad-
vanced division of each ai*my,in which the Dutch were defeated ;
and the British took possession of the important post of Wel-
terveeden, on the road to Cornelis, distant about six miles from
the city, and a league from the entrenched camp of general
Janssens. Preparations were now made for the attack of that
position, and on the night of the 20th the British broke ground
within 600 yards of the enemy's works.
On the evening of the 21st the batteries, mounting 20 long
eighteen-pounders, 8 howitzers and mortars, were nearly com-
pleted by the assistance of 600 seamen, landed from the squad-
ron under the orders of captain Sayer, assisted by captains
Festingy Maunsell, Reynolds, and Stopford.
A battalion of marines, commanded by captain F. Liardet,
4
172 MARINE BATTALION.
having under his orders, — captains Richard Bunce and G. T.
Welchman ; lieutenants J. S, Haswell, George Roch, J. H.
Harrison, Samuel Garmston, George Lloyd, George Gill, John
Weaver, John Balhatchet, Henry Ward, Charles Stewart, D.
Ban*ow, W. Allen, Henry Elliott, R. C. Steele, W. Remfry,
Richard Pascoe, William Calamy, James Orr, — Penny, John
Elliott, J. Field, and probably some others, was formed from
the ships, and brigaded with the army.
Early on the morning of the 22nd, the Dutch made a sortie
with such resolution, that they obtained a momentary posses-
sion of the batteries ; but the assailants were at length repulsed,
and driven within their own lines. Being thus foiled, the Dutch
opened a heavy fire from their redoubts, keeping up an incessant
cannonade from 34 guns, eighteen, twenty-four, and thirty-two
pounders. On the 23rd there was a cessation of the firing on
either side ; but it was resumed with great vigour on the 24th,
and continued throughout that and the following day with
much slaughter on both sides, and to the evident disadvantage
of the Dutch : many of their guns being dismounted, and their
front line of defence considerably injured. In this state of
things an assault was resolved upon, and colonel Gillespie was
entrusted with the command of the principal attack.
The troops suffered much from dysentery, and among the vic-
tims to that fatal disease was the lamented and gallant officer
captain F. Liardet ; consequently the command of the marines
devolved on captain Bunce, and the battalion was stationed
between the 89th regiment and the 4th Bengal native infantry,
fi>rming pait of the advance of the army under colonel Gillespie.
At midnight on the 25th the troops moved forward, and after
a desperate struggle, in which the seamen and marines bore a
distinguished part, they carried all before them. Three general
officers, 34 field-officers, 70 captains, 150 subalterns, and nearly
5000 soldiers were taken prisoners ; more than 1000 were found
dead about the works, and many others must have fallen during
this sanguinary contest. General Janssens made his escape
PUBLIC OKDSBS. 173
during the action, accompanied by a small detachment of ca-
valry, the sole remains of his army. The loss sustained by the
british army from the 4th to the 27thy including the native
troops, amounted to 141 killed, 733 wounded, and 13 missing.
On the part of the navy, 11 seamen and 4 marines were killed ;
captain Stopford (loss of right arm), lieutenant Francis Noble,-,
lieutenants of marines Henry Elliott and John Stepney Haswell,
two master's-mates, 29 seamen, 20 marines wounded, and three
seamen missing: making the toted british loss, 156 killed, 788
wounded, and 16 missing.
BRIGADE ORDERS. August the 26th, 1811.
'* Brigadier-general Gillespie has again the satisfaction to
express his thanks to the advance, whom he has bad the honour
to command, for the braveiy and gallantry they displayed in
the action of yesterday, in storming Fort Comelis. The high
sense and admiration he entertained of their conduct in the ac-
tion of the 10th, was fully upheld in that of yesterday. He has
made a faithful report of their heroic conduct to the comman-
der-in-chief. Where all have behaved with such distinguished
bravery (and praise is equally due), it is difficult to mention
individuals; general Gillespie therefore requests every officer
commanding corps and detachments belonging to the advance,
captain Bunce commanding the Royal Marines, and captain
M'Leod commanding the grenadier company of H. M, 78th
regiment, to accept his warmest thanks for the zeal and gal-
lantry which has been displayed by them all ; and to communi-
cate to the officers and men under their respective command,
the grateful sense he entertains of their merits. General Gil-
lespie begs they will accept a soldier's tribute, * his sincerest
thanks and heartfelt gratitude.' "
Sir Samuel Achmuty thus addressed the marines : —
^* I have halted you to express my high opinion of the
zeal and gallantry displayed by the Royal Marines, who
were attached to the advance under general Gillespie in the
174 unitIc at port hbrcule.
action of the 25th. I cannot sufficiently express my gratitude
for their exemplary good conduct. I beg you therefore to accept
my warmest thanks, and to communicate the same to the offi-
cers and men under your command. You are now ordered for
embarkation with a part of the army going on a separate service,
and I hope soon to meet you again.''
On the 4th of July, at day-break, the 3&-gun frigate Unit^,
captain E. H. Chamberlayne, being off Port Hercule, on the
roman coast, sent her boats to cut out an armed brig, under
the orders of lieutenant J. W. Crabb, assisted by lieutenant of
marines George Victor, and three midshipmen. On approach-
ing the shore the boats were shaiply attacked by the brig,
which was the St. Francis de Paule, mounting ten guns, and
a battery of 2 eight-pounders on the beach. The brig was gal-
lantly boarded and carried, and although she was « materially
injured in her masts and rigging by the fire of the battery when
towing out, she was safely alongside the Unite by 7 a.m., with-
out any one being hurt. The Unit^ having been joined at 9 a. m.
by the 18-gun brig Cephalus, the frigate and brig stood along
the coast, and at 5 p.m. discovered several vessels at anchor
between Civita-Vecchia and the mouth of the Tiber. Captain
Clifford in the Cephalus led in, followed by the Unite ; and
having shortly afterwards anchored, the French were driven
from their guns in the battery which protected the vessels.
The boats of the Unit6, under the same officers who had dis-
tinguished themselves in the morning, joined by those of the
brig, then pushed off for the vessels ; and although exposed to
a sharp fire of musketry from their crews, and from a party of
soldiers drawn up on a height, three merchant vessels were
brought out without the slightest loss.
On the 20th of July the 18-gun brig Cephalus chased a con-
voy of twenty-six sail, and compelled them to take shelter in
Porto del Infreschi ; and on the following morning, being joined
by the 32-gun frigate Thames, captain Charles Napier, the two
ships stood in, and having anchored, opened a heavy fire upon
\
ACTIVE AT RAGOMIZA. 176
eleven french gun-boats and a felucca, mounting between them
13 guns and 280 men, moored across the port for the protection
of fifteen merchant vessels, and 36 spars for the line-of-battle
ship and frigate building at Naples. The fire of the gun-boats,
as well as of a round tower and a body of musketry on the
adjacent hills, was soon silenced; and while the force under
captain Clifford took possession of the gun-boats and merchant-
men, the marines under lieutenant David M'Adam having land-
ed, they gallantly stormed and carried the round tower, making
an officer and 80 men prisoners. All the vessels with the
spars were brought out, without any greater loss than four men
wounded.
On the 27th of July the 38-gun frigate Active, captain J. A.
Gordon, anchored off the town of Ragoniza, in the Adriatic, and
despatched her boats with a party of seamen under lieutenant
James Henderson, and the marines under lieutenant John Meares^
with several other officers of the ship, to attack a convoy of
twenty-eight vessels, laden with grain for the garrison of Ra<^
gusa. As these vessels had run up above the island and taken
shelter in a creek on the main, which was protected by three
gun-boats, and by an armed force on each point of nearly 300
men; the marines, with the small-arm men, landed and took
possession of a hill on the right, driving the enemy who had
opposed them on their landing, and having gained the summit
found themselves immediately above the gun-boats and the
convoy. A preconcerted signal was then made^ and lieutenant
Gibson boarded the gun-vessels after the marines had fired two
volleys into them. Being thus warmly attacked, the crews of
the gun-boats, except three men and several otliers that were
wounded, jumped overboard, and reached the shore just as the
frigate's boats got alongside. The guns in the vessels were
immediately turned upon the flying enemy, and the British,
without experiencing any further resistance, took possession of
the whole convoy. Ten vessels were burnt, and the remaining
eighteen, along with the gun-boats, were safely brought ottt«
176 MARINES AT PARENZA.
The only loss experienced by the British in this dashing enter*
prise, was four men wounded.
The 38-gun frigates Belle Poule and Alceste, captains James
Brisbane and Murray Maxwell, having chased a frencb 18-
gun brig into the harbour of Parenza, on the coast of Istria,
on the 4th of May, at 10 a.m., the two frigates stood in within
a cable's length of the rocks at the entrance of the harbour,
and opened their fire upon the brig and a battery under which
she was moored. After an hour's cannonade, the brig was
compelled to haul on shore under the town, out of gun-shot, and
it was then determined to take possession of an island in the
mouth of the harbour, within musket-shot of the town. Accord-
ingly, at lip. M. the boats of the two frigates, containing 200
seamen and the whole of the marines (about 100), under the
orders of lieutenant J. McCurdy, assisted by several officers^
among whom were lieutenants E. A. Chartres, Arthur Morris
son, Richard Hickman, and Walter Lloyd of the marines, took
quiet possession of the island. By 5 a. m. a defence was thrown
up, and a battery of 2 nine-pounders and 2 howitzers mounted
on a commanding position. A field-piece was also placed at
some distance on the left, to divide the attention of the enemy,
who had been employed during the night in planting guns in
various parts of the harbour. Soon after 6 p.m. the French
opened a cross fire from four different positions, which was im-
mediately returned, and a mutual cannonade was maintained
during five hours. By this time the brig was cut to pieces and
sunk; and the object of the attack being thus accomplished, the
British re-embarked with their guns and ammunition, having
sustained a loss of 2 seamen and 2 marines killed, and four
wounded*
On the 24th of August the Diana and Semiramis frigates,
captains William Ferris and C. Richardson, having observed the
french gun-brig Teaser with five sail of convoy, anchored under
the batteries of Verdon and Royan, at the entrance of the
Oironde, a stratagem was had recourse to, by which their
i
SEMIRAMIB AND DIANA IN THE GIRONDE. 177
capture was effected. At 4 h. 30 m. p. m., the frigates under
french colours having stood boldly in towards the mouth of the
river, the Teaser on their approach fired a gun to leeward in
token of recognition ; and the british ship, repeating the gun,
tacked at 6 p. m. A few shots were now fired from the battery
on Pointe de la Coubre ; but the captain of the Teaser as she
ran past the battery hailed the officer, and having informed
him that the strangers were the Pallas and Elbe from Roche-
fort, the firing was discontinued, and soon afterwards a french
pilot-boat came alongside of the Diana. At 7 p. m. the frigates
anchored off Pointe de Grave, between the Cordouan and
Royan, under the batteries of which latter place and Verdon
lay the Teaser, in company with the 16-gun brig Pluvier: the
convoy having anchored four miles up the river, seven boats
were despatched to attempt their capture.
On the morning of the 25th, while the boats were still up the
river, the frigates got under way and steered for Verdon road,
when the captain of the port, in the full persuasion of their being
french ships, pulled alongside, nor did he discover his mistake
until he reached the Diana's quarter-deck. While the Semiramid
stood towards the Pluvier, the Diana laid the Teaser on board, the
frigate's lower yards carrying away the brig's top-gallant masts.
In an instant lieutenant R. W. Parsons, accompanied by lieute-
nant Lewis Pryse Madden of the marines and about thirty men,
sprang on board, and without sustaining any loss on either
side, carried the Teaser. The moment the Pluvier perceived
this occurrence, and saw the Semiramis approaching, she cut
her cable and ran on shore under the battery of Royan. The
frigate then anchored, and directed her fire at the corvette and
battery, when the three boats that had been detached after
the convoy rejoined, were immediately sent to attack the brig ;
which they carried without sustaining greater loss than lieute-
nant Grardner and 2 men wounded. As the tide was ebbing
fast, the crew was removed from the corvette, and she was set
on fire and destroyed. The Semiramis then joined, the Diana,
VOL. II. N
178 ATTACK OF SAMANAP.
who had anchored out of gun-shot^ in company with the Teaser
and the five captured vessels.
In the month of August, the Sir Francis Drake and Phaeton
frigates were lying anchored o£f the east-end of Madura, when
captain Harris on the 29th, having resolved to attack the fort
of Samanap, the capital of the island, sent the Dasher sloop
round the south-end of Pulo-i-Lanjong, to gain an anchorage
as near as possible to the fort and, in the evening proceeded
with the boats of the frigates in two divisions. On the 30th, at
daylight, the boats sailed through the channel formed by the
east-end of Madura and Pulo-i-Lanjong, and by thirty minutes
past midnight effected a landing, undiscovered, at a pier head
about three miles from the fort.
At 1 h. 30 m. A.M. on the 31st, two columns, composed each
of 60 bayonets and 20 pikemen, flanked by three field-pieces,
having in reserve the marines of the Hussar, began their march
in perfect order towards the fort, and so silent was the assault,
that they had passed the outer gate before their approach was
discovered; the rush towards the inner gate prevented the Dutch
from securing it, and only allowed time for the discharge of two
or three guns in the south-west bastion. The attack was as
sudden as it was resolute ; and by 3 h. 30 m. a.m., after a feeble
struggle of ten minutes with above 300 Madura pikemen, who
with their chief were made prisoners on the ramparts, this regu-
lar fortification, mounting 16 six-pounders, was in possession of
the British.
At daylight the french colours were observed flying at the
east end of the town, and as considerable numbers of the natives
were assembling, captain F. B. Pellew, at the head of 100
bayonets and one field-piece, was despatched with a flag of
truce to summon the governor, who in reply required an im-
mediate evacuation of the fort. Captain Pellew therefore sent
an officer to acquaint captain Harris with the result of his mis-
fiion^ and that the dutch force appeared to amount to 2000 men,
who were posted on a bridge protected by four field-pieces in
GALLANT CONDUCT OF LIEUTENANT ROCH. 179
front, bearing upon a narrow road, which for a quarter of a
mile was the only approach to their position. Captain Harris,
after sending orders to captain Pellew to advance when the first
gun was fired from a column which the latter would lead out of
the fort, (and with which he meant to turn the left wing of the
enemy,) moved forward with 70 muskets and 20 pikemen, sup-
ported by a four-pounder. He soon had the satisfaction to
observe the dutch governor (whose force consisted of 300 mus-
kets, 60 artillery-men, and about 1600 pikemen, each armed
with a long pike, a pistol, and a creese) break his line and draw
off two field-pieces, in order to oppose the small but resolute
column advancing on his left. Both british detachments open-
ed their fire nearly at the same time, and after some rounds on
both sides, the enemy gave way, and an animated charge left
the assailants masters of the field, and in possession of the
dutch colours and guns. The governor with the dutch inhabit-
ants were made prisoners, and a tlag of truce from the rajah of
Samanap was accepted by captain Harris, on condition that the
inhabitants of the district should not arm themselves against
the British. This success, which overthrew the french au-
thority in Madura and the adjacent isles, was achieved with the
loss of 3 men killed, and 28 wounded. Among the wounded in
storming the town of Samanap was lieutenant Roch of the ma-
rines, who was speared twice by two natives, while resolutely
endeavourincr to wrest the colours out of the hands of a french
officer. During the time that captain Harris was negotiating
with the governor of Madura, lieutenant Roch with a party of
marines destroyed a fort at the mouth of the river leading to
Samanap, mounting 12 nine-pounders.
On the 1st of August the 32-gun frigate Quebec, captain
C. S. J. Hawtayne, 16-gun brig Raven, gun-brigs Exertion and
Redbreast, with two hired cutters, were cruising near the Texel,
when information was obtained that a division of gjun-boats lay
at anchor within the island of Nordency. It was resolved to cut
them out, and ten boats under the orders of lieutenant Samuel
N 2
180 REDUCTION OF CHBRIBON.
Blyth, assisted by several officers, including lieutenant of ma-
rines Humphrey Moore, conveying altogether 117 men, shaped
their course towards the coast of East Friesland. On the 2nd,
in the afternoon, they came in sight of the four gun-boats, each
armed with a long twelve and 2 long six or eight-pounders, and
25 men ; and as soon as the British arrived within gun-shot, the
enemy opened a fire of grape and canister, but in a few minutes
the headmost boat was boarded and carried. Driving the crew
below, the assailants turned the twelve-pounder upon the other
three gun-boats ; but having incautiously spilt some powder on
the deck, and for want of a match fired the primmg by the dis-
charge of a pistol, the train ignited, causing an explosion which
killed or wounded 19 persons, and among the latter lieutenant
Moore of the marines. Notwithstanding this disaster, the
other three gun-boats were compelled to surrender, with the
loss of 2 men killed and 10 wounded. In this attack the
British had 2 killed and 9 wounded, including lieutenants Blyth
and Slout among the latter.
In order to intercept the retreat of general Janssens from
Cornelis to the eastward, the Nisus, President, and Phoebe
frigates, and Hesper sloop, were detached on the 31st of August
to Cheribon, a sea-port about 35 leagues to the eastward of Ba-
tavia. On the evening of the 3rd of September the three frigates
anchored off the port; and at daylight on the 4th captain War-
ren, having moved them close to the shore, and sent a summons
to the commandant of the fort, the french colours were hauled
down and the british hoisted in their stead. The marines of
the three frigates, and those of the 64-gun ship Lion, amounting
to 180 men, were landed under the command of captain 6. T.
Welchman and took possession of the fort, making general Jan-
ville, commander-in-chief of the french troops, and two other
officers prisoners. Learning that 350 infantry and the same
number of cavalry were hourly expected to arrive at Cheribon
from Buitenzorg, captain Beaver landed 150 seamen to garrison
the fort, leaving the marines to prepare for offensive operations
DUTCH DEFEATED BY CAPTAIN WHITE. 181
in the field, and placed three launches with carronades on the
river, to enfilade the chief approaches to the place. Captain
Welchman with his detachment made a forced march to Ca-
rang Samborg, about 35 miles in the interior, when the fort,
containing several officers and men, capitulated, and a quantity
of treasure and valuable stores were captured. On the 11th the
seamen and marines re-embarked, having taken about 700 pri-
soners, including 237 Europeans. The Nisus and Phcebe now
steered for Taggal, a port about 25 miles further to the eastward,
and on the 12th took possession of the fort and public stores.
The ships next proceeded to Panca, about 30 miles from Soura-
baya, and having disembarked the marines, the place surren-
dered, and a regiment of infantry and some cavalry laid down
their arms.
A detachment of marines under the command of captain Ro-
bert White landed from the 74-gun ship Minden, to keep open
the communication with Pangorah and procure supplies for the
squadron, and when acting in conjunction with a detachment
of the 14th regiment, was unexpectedly attacked on the 5th of
June by a considerable body of the enemy, who were repulsed
after a sharp contest of fifteen minutes. At the close of this
gallant affair, the remainder of the detachments of the 14th and
89th regiments with a party of small-arm men arrived up ; and
they had scarcely joined, when the British were again attacked
by a force of 500 men with 2 field-pieces ; and after a severe
struggle the Dutch were defeated, with the loss of 1 captain,
3 lieutenants, and 44 men. The British sustained a loss of 25
killed and wounded.
Captain E. W. Hoare of the Minden, in addressing captain
Sayer the senior officer of the squadron off Batavia, observes : —
" I feel it my duty to report the conduct of captain Robert
White of the Royal Marines, who commanded at the first at-
tack, assisted by two officers of the 14th regiment. I was
astonished at the bravery and coolness displayed by those
officers and their men.*'
i
182 KAIAD AND FRENCH FLOTILLA.
The 38-gun frigate Naiad, captain P. Cailaret, was at anchor
in Boulogne road on the 20th of September, when rear-admiral
Baste, with seven french prames, each mounting 12 long twenty-
four pounders and 112 men^ got under way at 1 p.m. and
steered for the frigate, who remained at anchor with springs on
her cable. About 1 h. 40 m. the leading prame opened her fire
as soon as she reached within gun-shot, and having received the
frigate's in return, tacked and stood off. The six succeeding
prames did the same, and at about 2 p. m. ten brigs, mounting
each 4 long twenty-four pounders, joined ia the cannonade. At
3 h. 30m. P.M., it being slack water, the Naiad got under sail
and stood off on the larboard tack ; but as the enemy's vessels
had returned to the shore and anchored under the batteries, the
frigate resumed her former position.
On the 2 1st, at 7 a.m., when the weather-tide made, the seven
prames, ten brigs, one bomb-sloop, and several luggers, each
mounting one gun, got under way and stood to the westward on
the larboard tack, formed in two lines. At 8 h. 30 m. the Naiad
was joined by the 18-gun brig Castilian, 10-gun brigs Rinaldo
and Redpole, with the 8-gun cutter Viper, and the squadron
hove to with their heads off shore, in the hope of drawing the
french vessels from the protection of their numerous batteries.
At 9 h. 30 m. the leading prame of the weather-line, bearing
the rear-admiral's flag, tacked in-shore, and on coming round
fired her broadside. The british line at the same instant wore
together by signal and bore up in chase, while the six other
prames having come round, the whole crowded sail to regain
the protection of their batteries. The Naiad now hauled up
for the french admiral, while the brigs, bearing away, passed
the frigate, and stood for the sternmost prame of the lee line.
At lOh. 20 m. the Naiad, being nearly within pistol-shot be-
tween the two lines, opened her fire on both sides, and the Ri-
naldo and Redpole engaged the Ville de Lyon, the sternmost
prame of the lee line. Finding it impossible, owing to the shoal
water, to reach the admiral's prame, the Naiad, being then on
IMp6r1EU8B at P088ITAKO. 183
the starboard and weather-bow of the Ville de Lyon, bore up,
and wearing round, ran her on board ; and carried her after an
obstinate resistance, with a loss on the part of the enemy of
more than 30 in killed and wounded. The brigs, after engaging
the flotilla under the batteries, wore round and joined the Naiad.
The loss on board the Naiad amounted to 2 seamen killed, lieu-
tenant William Morgan of the marines, 1 midshipman, and 12
men wounded. The Castilian had her first-lieutenant Charles
Cobb killed, and 1 seaman wounded. The defeat of the flotilla
must sadly have humbled the pride of Napoleon, who with all
his generals were on the heights of Boulogne, anxiously waiting
the result of this gallant exploit.
On the II th of October, in the morning, the 38-gun frigate
Imp^rieuse, captain the hon. Henry Duncan, being off Possitano,
in the gulph of Salerno, discovered three gun-vessels of I eigh«>
teen pounder and 30 men each, moored under the walls of a
strong fort. Having anchored within range of grape at 11 a. m.,
the Imp^rieuse, after sinking one of the gun-boats, silenced the
battery ; but as this fort was walled all round, it was found im-
practicable to dislodge the crews of the gun-vessels who had
sheltered themselves in it; and as that measure was necessary
before possession could be taken of the remaining gun-vessels,
the boats of the frigate were despatched under the orders of lieu-
nant Eaton Travers, assisted by lieutenant Philip Pipon of the
marines. These gallant ofHcers, at the head of a party of sea-
men and the whole detachment of marines, forced their way
into the battery under a heavy fire of musketry from treble their
numbers, and soon drove the enemy, who left only 30 men with
50 stand of arms. The twenty-four pounders mounted on the
battery were then thrown over the cliff, the magazines destroyed,
and two gun-vessels brought out. The only loss sustained in
the execution of this dashing exploit was 1 marine killed, and 2
wounded. On the 21st of November the Imp^rieuse and Thames
discovered ten neapolitan gun-boats in the port of Palinuro, to-
gether with a number of merchant-vessels, also a quantity of
i
184 THB ElfEMY DEFEATED.
spars hauled up on the beach. Captain DuDcan, considering
that he bad not sufficient force to make the attack, sent the
Thames to Sicily, requesting that lieutenant-general Maitland
would assist him with a detachment of soldiers. On the 28th
the frigate returned with 260 men of the 62nd regiment, under
major Darby ; but as a south-west gale had just set in, it was
not until the evening of the 12th of November that the troops,
with the marines of both frigates under lieutenants Pipon and
McAdam, and a detachment of seamen commanded by lieute-
nant Travers, and the whole directed by captain Charles Napier,
were disembarked from the Thames at the back of the harbour.
The detachment immediately moved forward and carried the
height in gallant style under a smart fire from the French, who
had assembled in force to oppose them ; and who, soon after
dark, made an effort to regain their position, but were com-
pelled to retire under the heavy fire of the british troops.
Captain Duncan, finding that nothing could be done against
the battery on the land side, and that a strong tower protected
the vessels on the beach, captain Napier rejoined the Thames;
and on the morning of the 2nd the frigates bore up at the
commencement of the sea-breeze ; and running along the line of
gun-boats within half musket-shot, sunk two and compelled
the rest to suiTender. The ships then anchoring close to the
fort, silenced it in less than 15 minutes, and soon compelled
them to haul down their colours. The fort was almost imme-
diately taken possession of by lieutenant Travers with a party
of seamen and marines, who had gallantly pushed down the hill
on seeing the ships stand in.
The guns of the fort (twenty-four pounders) being thrown
into the sea, and the gun-boats secured, the crews of the frigates
proceeded to launch the vessels and the spars. This was not
accomplished until the 3rd, when the troops, who had remained
in undisturbed possession of the heights, re-embarked ; and the
marines having been withdrawn, the tower was blown up, toge-
ther with two batteries and a signal-tower on the hill. Four
ALCE8TB AND 8QUADR0N. 1H5
giin-ve88e1s were destroyed ; and six, mounting 1 long eighteen-
pounder each, twenty-two feluccas laden with valuable cargoes,
and twenty large spars having been brought off, the frigates
then put to sea. In effecting this dashing enterprise the British
sustained the loss of lieutenant Kay of the 62nd and 4 men
killed ; lieutenant Pipon of the marines and 1 men wounded.
On the 28th of November the 38-gun frigates Alceste and
Active, captains Murray Maxwell and James A. Gordon, and
36-gun frigate Unit^, captain E. H. Chamberlayne, put to sea
from the island of Lissa, in pursuit of three suspicious sail ; and
on the 29th, at 9h. 20 m. a.m., the island of Augusta in sight,
discovered the french 40-gun frigates Pauline and Pomone, and
the frigate-built store-ship Persanne of 26 guns, from Corfu
since the 16th, bound to Trieste, having a quantity of iron and
brass ordnance on board. As soon as they ascertained that the
strangers were british ships, the french squadron bore up to the
north-west under all sail, followed by the Alceste and her two
companions ; but the Persanne finding that she could not keep
up with her consorts, at 11 a. m. stood away to the north-east,
and the Unit6 was detached in pursuit.
At 11 h. 60 m. the Alceste telegraphed, " Remember the bat-
tle of Lissa ;" and at about thirty minutes past noon, when the
island of Pelagosa bore from that ship south-west, distant five
leagues, the Persanne and Unit6 exchanged some firing from
their chase guns. At 1 h. 20 m. the Alceste, then running above
nine knots, with the wind abaft the larboard -beam, fired a shot,
which struck the Pomone's larboard-quarter. The french ship
immediately hoisted her colours and fired a single shot, which
splintered the Alceste's main top-gallant mast. At this time
the Pauline was close a-head of her consort, and in another five
minutes the Alceste opened her broadside upon the Pomone,
who immediately returned the fire. At 1 h. 40 m., when directly
a- beam of the Pomone, with the prospect of soon reaching the
french commodore, a shot earned away the main top-mast of
the Alceste just above the cap, and as the wrecks with top-
i
186 CAPTURE OF POMONfi AND PERSANNE.
gallant and royal studding-sails, fell over the starboard side,
cheers of ''Vive I'empereur V* resounded from both the enemy's
ships. At about 2 p. m. the Active came up under all sail, and
having gained a station on the lee-quarter of the Pomone,
brought that ship to close action. At about 2 h. 20 m. p. m. the
french commodore, setting his royals, braced up, and having
presently tacked, stood for the Alceste, and the two ships be-
came closely engaged. At about 3 h. 5 m. p. m., observing the
approach of the 18-gun sloop Kingfisher, the french commodore
set all sail, and stood to the westward. Soon aflerwards the
Active unavoidably shot a-head of her antagonist, and the firing
ceased. At 3 h. 40 m. p. m., just as the Alceste had arrived up
and opened her starboard broadside, the main and mizen-masts
of the Pomone came down by the board, and the french frigate
hoisted an english jack to signify that she had surrendered.
Neither of the british frigates being now in a condition to make
sail in pursuit, the Pauline escaped.
The Alceste, out of 218 men and boys, had 7 killed and 13
wounded. The Active, out of the same number of men, lost 8
killed ; her captain (leg amputated), lieutenants W. B. Dash-
wood and George Haye, and 24 wounded. The Pomone, (whose
fore-mast had now fallen,) out of 332 men and boys, had 50
killed and wounded.
Lieutenant John Meares was on board the Active ; but the
officers of marines of the Alceste were on shore at Hoste island,
defending Lissa.
The Unite and Persanne maintained a running fight until 4
p. M., at which time the Unit^ got sufficiently near to open a
part of her broadside. The Persanne fired hers in return, and
then hauled down her colours. The Unity's sails and rigging
were much cut up by the galling stern-fire of her opponent, but
her loss was not greater than one seaman severely wounded.
Lieutenant George Victor was sei*ving on board the Unit6 in.
this action.
NORTHUMBERLAND AND FRENCH FRIGATES. 187
1812.
The two French 40-gun frigates Arienne and Andromaque, and
16-gun brig Mamelouek, sailed from Nantes on the 9th of Jan-
uary ; and having successfully cruised, were on their return to a
french port, when on the 22nd of May, steering under all sail for
I'Orient, they were discovered by the 74-gun ship Northumber-
land, captain the honourable Henry Hotham, who endeavoured
to cut them off to windward of the Isle of Groix. Finding
that measure impracticable, the Northumberland made sail
round the east end of the island, and hauling close to leeward
of it, was enabled to fetch to windward of TOrient before the
fronch squadron could reach that harbour. Thus cut oflP his
port, the french commodore hauled up on the larboard tack to
windward of Pointe Taleet, whilst the Northumberland, beating
up between Groix and the main, was occasionally fired at by
the batteries on either side. At 2 h. 49 m. p.m., the wind hav-
ing freshened, the french ships, formed in close line a-head, bore
up under a press of sail, with the intention of passing between
the Northumberland and the shore.
Standing as close as possible towards Pointe de Pierre la
Laye, the Northumberland, with her head to the shore and her
main-top sail shivering, awaited the approach of the enemy's
squadron : then bearing away parallel with the frigates, and
within 400 yards, she opened her broadside, receiving in return
an animated and well-directed fire from the ships, as well as
from three batteries on the coast. The great object now was to
prevent the french frigates from hauling outside the Graul rock,
and this was skilfully accomplished by Mr. H. Stewart, the
master, who ran the british ship within the distance of her own
length on the south-west side, and thus compelled the french
squadron to steer inside the rock. With this alternative the
frigates attempted the passage, and at 3 h. 45 m. p.m. they
both grounded ; and in another five minutes the brig was also on
the rocks, with every sail set. Leaving the enemy's ships to the
effects of the falling tide, the Northumberland, after a twenty
4
188 DESTRUCTION OF THE ENEMY.
minutes' cannonade, hauled off to repair her rigging and shift
her top-sail. At 5 h. 25 m. p. m., just as the main-mast of the
Arienne went by the board , the Northumberland anchored at
the distance of 400 yards to the southward of the Graul rock,
and by the means of a spring, brought her broadside to bear
upon the two french frigates and brig, who were lying on the
rocks with their copper exposed to view. In this position the
Northumberland opened her starboard broadside, receiving in
return a fire from three batteries ; but only one of these, in the
judicious station chosen by captain Hotham, could reach the
ship. At 6 p. M. the Andromaque caught fire, and at 6 h. 45 m.
her main and mizen-masts went by the board. The british ship
kept up a constant and well-directed fire until 6 h. 50 m. p. m.,
which was near the time of low water, and she then got under
way and stood out of gun-shot, having sustained a loss of 5
killed, a lieutenant and 27 men wounded.
At 8 A.M. the Andromaque blew up ; but it was not until 10
P.M. the Arienne was observed to be on fire, and the flames
soon burst forth from every port of the hull with unextinguish-
able fury. The brig was at that time on her beam ends ; and
as nothing further remained to be done, the Northumberland at
30 minutes past midnight stood out to sea. The officers of ma-
rines of the Northumberland were captain Nathaniel Cole, with
lieutenants Mountford and Smithwick.
On the 29th of December the united states 44-gun frigate
Ck>nstitution, at 2 p.m., in latitude 13^ 6' south, longitude 30**
west, descried the 38-gun frigate Java, captain Henry Lambert,
with an american prize in tow. Casting off the ship, the Java
at 8 A.M. bore up in chase of the Constitution, who at 10 h.
45 m. tacked and stood towards the stranger, supposing her to
have been her consort the Essex ; but finding the private signal
unanswered, she wore from the Java, and setting her main-sail
and royals, kept away free, followed by the british frigate, who
at 1 h. 40 m. had closed to within two miles ; when the Con-
stitution, having shortened sail to top-gallant sails, jib, and
JAYA AND CONSTITUTION. 189
spanker^ luffed to the wind. The Java, placing herself under
the same canvas as her opponent, stood directly for her ; and
at 2 h. 10 m. p.m., when within half a mile, the Constitution
opened a fire from her larboard guns, and a second broadside
was discharged before the Java returned the fire from a position
close upon the larboard-bow of her antagonist. After a third
broadside the Constitution bore up, followed by the Java ; but
having hauled upon the larboard tack, at 2 h. 25 m. the action
was renewed, the American occasionally bearing away, evidently
with a desire to take advantage of her long guns. Finding him-
self closely pursued, captain Bainbridge at 2 h. 43m. p.m. haul-
ed up for his opponent, and bringing to, close to leeward of her,
both ships were warmly engaged for a short time, and the Con-
stitution again bore up. The Java, having had the head of her
bowsprit shot way, and consequently no head-sail set, hove in
stays with the intention of pursuing her antagonist. Seeing this,
the Constitution hauled up and raked her astern ; but as the Java
paid off, both ships bore away, and she was enabled very shortly
to range up alongside to windward, and within pistol-shot of her
opponent. In another ten minutes the Java had suffered so
considerably, that captain Lambert, as a last resource, deter-
mined on boarding : at 3 h. 8 m. p. m. the british ship bore
up for that purpose, and would have laid the Constitution on
board at her larboard main-chains, had not the fore-mast at that
instant fallen forward, and crushed the forecastle. The remains
of the Java^s bowsprit passing over the american's stern, caught
in her starboard mizen-rigging and brought the ships up on the
wind. In this situation the Java lay at the mercy of her an-
tagonist, who at 3 h. 16 m. wore across her bows, and pouring
in a heavy fire, shot away her main top-mast, the wreck disabling
the greater part of her larboard guns. The Constitution, after
passing her almost defenceless opponent, luffed up and raked
her on the starboard quarter ; then wearing round and resuming
her former position, poured in a destructive broadside from her
larboard guns. At 3 h. 30 m. captain Lambert was mortally
i
190 SURRENDER OF JAVA.
%
wounded by a mu&ket-ball, and the command devolved upon
lieutenant H. D. Chads, who, although wounded in the early
part of the action, still remained at his post. Shortly after
4 P.M. the Java's mizen-mast was shot away, but the engage-
ment was still maintained with great spirit until 4 h. 25 m. p.m.
At that time the Constitution, having reduced her antagonist to
a very feeble resistance, made sail a-head to repair her damages,
leaving the Java a perfect wreck, rolling her main-deck guns in
the water, with only her tottering main-mast standing. At 5 h.
45 m. p. M. the commodore placed his ship athwart the bows of
her defenceless opponent, whose main-mast had been cut away
to prevent its falling in-board ; and as the greater part of her
guns on the quarter-deck and forecastle, and several of those
on the main-deck, were disabled, the british colours were struck
from the stump of the Java's mizen-mast at 6 h. p. m. Out of
a crew and supernumeraries of 354 men and 23 boys, the Java
had 3 masterVmates, 2 midshipmen, and 17 killed ; her captain
(mortally), her first-lieutenant, master, second-lieutenant of ma-
rines David Davies, boatswain, 4 midshipmen, and 94 wounded.
Total, 22 killed and 102 wounded. The Constitution had 10
men killed and, above 40 wounded. Lieutenant Bobert Mercer
commanded the detachment of marines.
On the 9th of May the 64-gun ships America and Leviathan,
captains Josias Rowley and Patrick Campbell, and 18-gun brig
Eclair, chased eighteen deeply laden vessels, which took shelter
under the town and batteries of Languelia. Considering it prac-
ticable to capture or destroy this convoy, by first taking posses-
sion of the batteries, it was determined to make the attack ; and
accordingly, at day-break on the 10th the marines of both ships,
amounting to about 250 men, under captains Henry Rea and
John Owen, lieutenants John Neame, William Beddeck Cock,
Paul Kyffin Caiden, and John George Hill, were despatched on
this service. An accident occurred in landing of a serious na-
ture, occasioned by a shot sinking the yawl of the America ; and
before assistance could be rendered, 10 marines and 1 seaman
MARINES AT LANGUELIA. 191
were dro.wned. Captain Owen was detached to carry a battery
of 5 twenty-four pounders to the eastward, which service was
accomplished in the most judicious and gallant manner, the
french officer commanding the post falling in its defence. The
main body of the marines in the mean time, rapidly advancing
through a discharge of grape, rushed on with the bayonet and
carried the battery adjoining the town of Languelia, mounting
4 twenty-four and eighteen-pounders, and 1 mortar, protected
by a strong body of the enemy posted in the wood and several
contiguous buildings ; upon which the guns of the battery were
immediately turned with much effect.
The Eclair having swept in close to the shore, opened a smart
fire, which speedily dislodged the french troops from the houses
lining the beach ; and the boats of the squadron, after consider-
able exertion, brought away sixteen laden settees. The marines
were re-embarked, under cover of the fire of the Eclair, without
any molestation from the french troops, although a strong rein-
forcement was approaching them from the town of Allassio.
Exclusive of the casualty in landing, this dashing enterprise
was accomplished with the loss of 1 Serjeant and 3 privates
of marines, and 1 seaman killed; 18 marines and 2 seamen
wounded. Total, killed and drowned 16, wounded 20.
On the evening of the 31st of May, a large division of boats
from the british fleet cruising off Toulon was placed under the
orders of captain Harward, to make an attempt upon the vessels
and batteries in the harbour of Ciotat. About 1 a.m. on the
1st of June, the expedition moved towards the shore in perfect
order, and had arrived so close to the object of attack as to be
hailed by the french sentries. At this moment of excitement,
in expectation of the order to push rapidly forward, the officer
VI command seemed to hesitate, and to the surprise and dis-
appointment of every one the gallant leader pulled back
towards the squadron, directing the other boats to follow his
example. By this time the enemy were apprized of the situation
of the British; and as daylight was now appearing, they were
192 MARINES AT CIOTAT.
exposed to a heavy fire from the batteries as the boats repassed
the Isle Verte on their return to their respective ships.
At 7 h. 30 m. a. m. the detachments of marines of the Furieuse
and MenelauSy (which had formed part of the expedition to La
Ciotat,) under lieutenants James Whylock, George Benyon,
William Davis^ and John Wilcocks, were ordered to land on the
Isle Verte, to attack a demi-lune battery which the French had
partly completed. This object was soon accomplished, for the
det^hment on landing immediately drove out the enemy, and
then pursued them over the brow of a hill, until they were as-
sailed by the fire of a battery at Ciotat ; notwithstanding this
opposition, the marines held their position until a party of seamen
had demolished the battery on the island. Having fully accom-
plished this service, the British re-embarked; having sustained
the loss of 1 lieutenant of the navy killed, and 4 men wounded
by the fire of the battery at Ciotat ; lieutenant W. Davis of the
marines wounded by a musket-ball in his right thigh, and 2 pri-
vates slightly.
A large convoy of eighteen square and latteen-rigged vessels
having assembled at Langulia and Alassio, captain Patrick
Campbell, with the Leviathan 74, Imp^rieuse and Curagoa
frigates, and Eclair brig, proceeded to attack the place ; and
on the 27th of June the marines of these ships, numbermg
about 180 men, under the command of captain John Owen,
with lieutenants William B. Cock, John Neame, Henry Ivatt
Delacombe, George Gunn, and G. Nelson, were landed, just
before day-break, between the towns of Alassio and Languelia.
Here they were opposed by a strong picquet of the enemy who
kept up a galling fire ; by which 2 seamen were killed, and lieu-
tenant Walpole of the Imp6rieuse, who had charge of landing
the marines, severely wounded.
Having rapidly formed on the beach, captain Owen detached
60 men to the right, under lieutenant Cock, who was soon seen
gallantly skirmishing with the enemy towards Alassio. In the
mean time, the captain had moved with the main body to the
MARINES AT LANGUELIA. 193
lefl^ and being annoyed by a fire from a wood, sent out a small
party to cover his right flank. After advancing about a mile,
the British were opposed by about 260 men of the french 52nd
regiment^ supported by a strong body of national guards posted
in front of the town of Languelia. Having formed up and fired
a volley^ the marines dashed at the enemy with the bayonet;
and the French, on giving way, fled into a barrack in their rear,
where they were instantly pursued, the building stormed, and an
officer and a considerable number of men made prisoners. Cap-
tain Owen then attacked and carried a battery mounting 5 guns
and a mortar, which position was maintained for several hours ;
and having spiked the guns and destroyed their carriages, the
detachment re-embarked under cover of the Leviathan^s fire.
Notwithstanding the three ships had anchored within musket-
shot of the two towns, and the Eclair had kept sweeping when
she could be of the most eflect, the French could not be expelled
from the houses ; and as the vessels were eflectually moored to
the shore, with their sails unbent and rudders removed, all fur-
ther attempts to bring them off* were relinquished. The total
loss incurred by the British in this gallant enterprise, amounted
to 9 killed and 21 wounded.
The 64-gun ship Dictator, captain James P. Stewart, cruising
off* the coast of Norway, in company with the 18-gun brig
Calypso, 14-gun brig Podargus, and gun-brig Flamer, was off
Mardoe on the evening of the 6th of July, when the mast-heads
of a danish squadron were seen over the rocks, who proved to
be the 40-gun frigate Nayaden, carrying 20 four-pounders
on the main deck, with the 18-gun brigs Laaland, Samsoe, and
Kiel. The british ships immediately stood in to attack them,
led by the Podargus; who having unfortunately taken the
ground just as she had entered the passage, the Flamer was
left to attend her, whilst captain Stewart continued to stand on
with the Dictator and Calypso. At about 7 h. 30 m. p. m., the
two vessels had arrived within a mile of the danish frigate and
her consorts, who were running under a press of sail inside the
VOL. II. o
194 DlCTAtOB AHD DAMIBH SQUADRON.
rockS; and at about 8 p. m. the Dictator, followed by the Calypso,
became trarmly engaged with the danish squadron and several
gun-boats who had joined them. After having run twelve
miles through a passage in some places scarcely wide enough to
admit the studding-sails to be run out, the Dictator grounded at
9h. 30 m. P.M. within pistol-shot, with her broadside bearing
upon the danish frigate and the three brigs, who had anchored
close together, with springs on their cables, in the small creek
of Lyngoe. The action was so well maintained by the two
british ships, that the Nayaden was literally battered to pieces,
the three brigs compelled to haul down their colours; and such
of the gun-boats as were not sunk, to seek their safety in flight.
The Dictator was no sooner afloat than she was again attacked
by the gun-boats, but the Calypso quickly drove them from
their position. In the mean time the Flamer having also
grounded near the Podargus, both vessels were warmly en-
gaged by another division of gun-boats, as well as the bat-
teries ; but at length, by the exertion of their crews, the brigs
got afloat. At 3 A. M. on the 7th, as the Dictator and Calypso
were returning, accompanied by two of the danish brigs, they
were so shaiply assailed from behind the rocks by a division of
gun-boats, that the prizes were abandoned. In this bold enter-
prise the Dictator had 5 killed and 22 wounded ; Podargus 9
wounded ; Calypso 3 killed and 1 wounded ; Flamer 1 killed and
3 wounded. Total, 9 killed, 86 wounded, and 2 missing. Cap-
tain Joseph Triscott, with lieutenants James Baker and F. M.
M^Namara, were serving on board the Dictator.
On the 1st of August the 38-gun frigate Horatio, captain
lord George Stuart, in latitude 70*40' north, running down the
coast of Norway, discovered a cutter close in-shore. Four boats
were despatched to attempt her capture, under the orders of lieu-
tenant A. M. Hawkins, assisted by lieutenant T. J. P. Masters,
and lieutenant George Syder of the marines. Having obtained
information that the cutter had gone to a village on an arm of
the sea, about thirty-five miles distant overland, lieutenant
^
DEATH OF LIBOTENANT STDBR. 195
Hawkins detached one of the boats to disperse some small-arm
men collected on the shore, and with the other three proceeded
for the creek where the vessel was lying.
On the 2nd at 8 a.m. the cutter, mounting 4 six-pounders and
a crew of 22 men, was discovered at anchor, in company with a
danish schooner of 6 six -pounders and thirty men, and an ame-
rican ship of 400 tons their prize. Although the danish vessels
wei*e moored with springs on their cables in an excellent posi-
tion of defence, the British boldly advanced to the attack, and
having gallantly boarded both vessels under a heavy fire, they
succeeded, after a sanguinary combat, in gaining possession of
them. In this affair the British sustained a severe loss : lieu-
tenant Syder of the marines, 7 seamen, and 1 marine were killed;
lieutenants Hawkins and Masters, and an assistant-surgeon,
a midshipman and the boatswain, 9 seamen, and 2 marines
wounded. Total, 9 killed, 16 wounded. The Danes had 10
killed, and 13 wounded.
On the 31st of August, while the 38-gun frigate Bacchante,
captain William Hoste, was lying at anchor at Rovigno, on the
south-west coast of Istria, information was brought that several
vessels laden with ship-timber were at Port Lemo. On the
same day captain Hoste despatched five boats, containing 62
officers and men, under lieutenant D. H. O'Brien, assisted by
several officers, including lieutenant of marines William Haig.
Having captured two vessels at the entrance of the harbour, it
was ascertained that the seven timber-vessels were lying under
protection of a french xebec of four guns and 28 men, and two
gun-boats of 22 men each. Leaving one of the boats in charge
of the captured vessels, the remaining four boats dashed on to the
attack, and carried all before them, without incurring any loss.
On the 18th of September, when off the coast of Apulia, the
Bacchante at day-break discovered an enemy^s convoy between
the islands of Tremitti and Vasto, standing along shore to the
north-west. Baffling winds preventing the frigate from closing,
captain Hoste despatched six boats under the orders of lieute-
o2
196 BACCHANTE ON THB COA8T OF AFRICA.
nant O'Brien^ again assisted by lieutenant Haig of the marines.
On the approach of the boats, the eighteen merchant vessels
were hauled on shore, having outside of them eight armed ves-
sels, mounting together 8 long twelve-pounders, 6 swivels, with
104 men. Besides this force, the crews of the merchant vessels
lined a thick wood with musketry, completely commanding the
coast. Nothing daunted by this formidable preparation, the
boats, dashing on under a tremendous fire of grape and mus-
ketry, boarded and carried the vessels ; while the marines
headed by their intrepid leader having landed, lieutenant Haig
forced the fugitives from the wood, and secured the possession
of the whole convoy, with the armed vessels protecting it. To
enhance the value of this second exploit, it was achieved with
the trifling loss of 2 men wounded.
On the 21st of February the 74-gun ship Victorious, captain
John Talbot, in company with the 18-gun brig Weasel, when
ofl* Venice, at 2 h. 30 m. p.m. descried a brig in the north-east,
and shortly aflerwards a large ship, with two more brigs and
two settees. The strangers proved to be the irench 74-gun
ship Rivoli, with the Jena and Mercure of 16, the Mamelouck of
8 guns, and two gun-boats, on their way from Venice, bound
to the port of Pola, in Istria. The Victorious and Weasel were
soon under all sail, and gained so rapidly on the enemy, that at
4 h. 15 m. P.M. the Weasel brought the stemmost brig, the
Mercure, to action, and in a short time the Jena closed to sup-
port her consort. After a close and well-directed fire upon the
Mercure for twenty minutes, the fi^nch brig blew up. In the
mean time the Victorious closed with the Rivoli, and at 4 h.
30 m., having a light air of wind on her larboard bow, she open-
ed her starboard broadside, and instantly received the fire of the
french ship. A furious engagement now ensued between the
two ships, as they continued standing on towards the gulf of
Trieste, with courses brailed up and royals set. In the early
part of the contest captain Talbot received a severe contusion
from a splinter, which nearly deprived him of his sight, and the
VICTORIOUS AKD RIVOLl. 197
command devolved upon lieutenant Thomas Ladd Peake. After
three hours' mutual cannonade, the Rivoli was nearly silenced,
when the Weasel arrived up, and placing herself across the
seventy-four's bows, poured in a destructive raking fire. At
8 h. 45 m. the Victorious shot away her mizen-mast, and a
short time before 9 h. p.m. the Rivoli fired a lee gun, and hailed
that she had struck. The Victorious, out of a crew of 506, sus-
tained a loss of lieutenant Thomas H. Griffiths of the marines,
and 25 seamen and mar'mes killed ; her captain, lieutenant
Robert S. Ashbridge of the marines (mortally), and 97 wounded.
Captain Talbot speaks most favourably of the conduct of cap-
tain Robert Stevens of the marines.
On the 19th of August the 88-gun frigate Guerri^re, captain
James Richard Dacres, in latitude 40^ 20', north longitude 55^
west, being on the starboard tack under easy sail, at 2 p.m. dis-
covered the united-states 44-gun frigate Constitution, bearing
down towards her with a fi-esh breeze from the north-west ; and
when she had arrived within about three miles of the british ship,
shortened sail to double-reefed top-sails. At about 4 h. 50 m. the
Guerri^re discharged her broadside at too great a distance to
take any effect, but the fire of the Constitution, reserved until
5 P.M., was not thrown away. The Guerri^re, to avoid being
raked, wore several times, while her opponent kept up a steady
and destructive cannonade, and at 5 h. 45 m. she brought the
british frigate to close action. At 6 h. 5 m. the Guerri^re's
mizen-mast was shot away by the board, which falling over the
starboard quarter, brought the ship up in the wind. The Con-
stitution then bearing up, placed herself on her opponent's lar-
board bow, and a sweeping and destructive fire was poured into
the british frigate, whose bow-guns were all she could get to
bear. At 6 h. 15 m. the two ships fell on board each other, the
Guerri^re's bowsprit foul of her opponent's mizen-rigging, and
an attempt was made by the Americans to board; but the
steady fire of the british marines having killed several of the
leaders, it prevented the enemy firom making any further effoi*t
198 GUERRliRE AND CONSTITUTIOlT.
to reach the deck, which was so ably defended. In a few
minutes the two ships got clear^ and as the Gaerri^re dropped
astern^ her bowsprit struck on the tafFrail of the Constitution,
which slackened the fore-stay of the british ship ; and the fore-
shrouds on the weather side being mostly shot away, the mast
fell over the starboard side ; and as it crossed the main-stay, the
sudden jerk carried the main-mast along with it, leaving the
Guerri^re a defenceless wreck, rolling her main-deck guns in
the water. The Constitution now ranged a-head, and having
rove new braces, took a position on the Guerri^re's starboard
quarter; and at 6 h. 45 m. the british frigate, being incapable
of further resistance, hauled down the union jack on the stump
of her mizen-mast. Out of 244 men and 19 boys, the Guerri^re
sustained a loss of one lieutenant, 11 seamen, and 3 marines
killed ; her captain (severely), her master, two master's-mates,
one midshipman, 43 seamen, 13 marines, and 1 boy wounded.
The Constitution, out of a crew of 468 men and boys, had 7
killed and 7 wounded. Captain Dacres, in his official report of
the action, says, ** Lieutenant M'Nicol and his party supported
the honourable character of their corps, and they suffered
severely."
On the 12th of October, soon after daylight, the 38-gun fri-
gate Macedonian, captain J. S. Garden, in latitude 29"* north,
longitude 29® 30' west, discovered the american 44-gun frigate
United States, about 12 miles to leeward, and bore aviray in
chase. At about 7 h. 30 m. they had approached within 3 miles,
and both ships hoisted their colours. At 8 h. 45 m. the United
States hauled sharp upon the larboard tack: captain Garden, de-
sirous to keep the weather-gage, hauled up also, and at 9 a. m.,
when abreast of the american frigate on the opposite tack, the
Macedonian received her passing fire ; then, having wore, plac-
ed herself at 9 h. 20 m. on the larboard-quarter of the United
States. The action now began in earnest, both ships steering
free, and the diagonal fire of the American, who kept before the
beam of her opponent, in a short time dismounted every carro-
k
MJLCBDONIAN AND UNITED STATES. 199
nade upon the larboard battery of the british frigate. Having
thus disabled his antagonist, commodore Decatur, at 10 h. 14 m.
A.M., laid her main top-sail to the mast, and allowed the Mace*
donian to come to close action.
About 11 A.M. the mizen-mast of the Macedonian was shot
away by the board, and fell over the starboard and engaged
side ; her fore and main top-masts were also gone, her main-yard
in the slings, her rigging destroyed, two guns on the maia imd
all on the upper-deck disabled, and owing to the heavy sea ai^
her dismasted state, she was rolling her main-deck guns in tb(9
water. In this desperate condition the Macedonian made.aa
attempt to board her opponent, and at 1 1 h. 40 m., when the
crew were all on deck prepared for the assault, and the helm
put up for that purpose, the fore-brace was shot away, and th#
yard swinging round, threw the ship up in the wind. The United
States having expended her powder, now stood across the bowf
of the british ship and ranged a-head, until she was prepaid to
renew the action. She then tacked, and about noon placed
herself in a raking position athwart the stem of her d^encelesf
antagonist ; who, having no means of making a further resist*
ance, struck her colours. Out of 254 men and boys, the Mace*
donian sustained the severe loss of 36 killed and 68 wounded ;
whilst the United States had only 5 men killed and 6 wounded.
Lieutenants John Wilson and — Magill were serving on board
the Macedonian.
During the operations before Cadiz, the cool and determined
courage of a gunner of marine artillery, serving under lieutenant
Beauchamp on board the Hound bomb, saved that ship, and the
lives of all on board, from immediate destruction. A red-hot
shot struck the bomb-vessel on the side of the filling-room, but
being nearly at the extent of its range, it only penetrated half-
way through ; and this occurred at a time when the ship was
engaged with the enemy, and more bursting-powder was in the
filling-room than required. John Collard, with great presence
of mind, overcame the imminent danger of the powder about
200 COURAGE OF AN ARTILLERYMAN.
him taking fire, by drowning it with water, and then proceeded
to extinguish the burning timbers and the shot. For this praise-
worthy conduct, CoUard was immediately promoted to the rank
of corporal.
In consequence of a mutiny that took place on board the 38-
gun frigate Resistance, captain Fleetwood Pellew, while that
ship was lying in Madeline Roads, Sardinia, the ship's company
were turned over to other ships; and first-lieutenant William
Clarke (August 1805) was sent on board the San Josef. On
the 6th of November, 1813, that ship, in company with nine
other ships of the line, became engaged with the french fleet of
fourteen sail of the line off the harbour of Toulon ; but the
enemy, having the weather-gage, were enabled to reach the port
in safety. The casualties on either side were but trifling : one
unlucky shot, which fell on the poop of the San Josef, struck
off the right leg of lieutenant Clarke, and the left leg of mid-
shipman William Cuppage.
Lieutenant Clarke being incapacitated for military duty, ap-
plied to the Admiralty for a stafi* appointment ; but this gallant
and promising officer was placed on the half-pay list on the 1st
of January, 1816.
■^
201
CHAPTER V.
From the tear 1813 to 1815.
As the 38-guQ frigate Bacchante, captain William Hoste, and
18-gun sloop Weasel were lying becalmed on the 6th January,
when about five leagues to the south-east of Cape Otranto, at
the mouth of the Adriatic, five gun-vessels were discovered, —
two in the south-east steering to the eastward, and three in the
south-west sailing towards Otranto. Leaving the Weasel to at-
tend to those in the south-east, captain Hoste detached the boats
of the frigate, under the orders of lieutenant D. H. O'Brien, assist*
ed by several officers of the ship, including lieutenant William
Haig of the marines, in pursuit of the three in the direction of
Otranto* At 8 a. m. the nearest gun-boat, mounting 1 twelve
and 1 six-pounder, with 36 men, was captured ; and her guns
having been tui^ed upon the retreating boats, both surrendered
to the British, without any loss on either side.
On the 14th of February, early in the morning, the barge of
the Bacchante, armed with a twelve-pounder carronade, and
manned with 23 men and officers under lieutenant Hood, as-
sisted by lieutenant William Haig of the marines, chased a ves-
sel steering for Otranto. After a dischai^e of round-shot and
musketry fi-om the barge, the British boarded and carried the
french gun-vessel Alcinous, of 2 long twenty-pounders and
45 men, last from Corfu. Lieutenant Hood, who received a
severe contusion by a fall, was the only loss on the part of the
British ; but the French had 2 men killed and 9 wounded.
On the 15th of May captain Hoste proceeded off the port of
202 BACCHANTE AT GELA-KOTA.
Karlebago, in consequence of information that a convoy was
lying in that channel. As the works of defence of this place
offered excellent protection to the enemy's vessels, it was deter-
mined to attempt their destruction. Accordingly, the Bacchante
anchored within pistol-shot of the battery, which mounted 8
guns, and opened a smart fire, that induced the governor to sur-
render the place at discretion. The marines under lieutenant
William Haig, and a party of seamen under lieutenant Hood,
were then landed, and having taken possession, the guns of the
place were embarked, the public works destroyed, and the castle
blown up. In the execution of this service, 4 seamen were se^
verely wounded. Captain Hoste, speaking of Ae gallant eoa^
duct of lieutenant Haig, observes, ^He lets no opportunity
escape of distinguishing himself.^
On the 12th of June, at daylight, a convoy was discovered
about six miles to windward of the Bacchante, lying under ^b»
town of Grda-Nova, on the coast of Abruxza. The boats were
soon despatched under the orders of lieutenant Hood, assisted
by several officers, including lieutenants of marines Charles
Holmes and William Haig. On approaching the convoy it was
found to consist of fourteen sail of merchant vessels, protected
by seven lai^e gun-boats, each mounting one long eighteen**
pounder in the bow, and three smaller gun-vessels with one
four-pounder each ; moreover, the beach was lined with troops,
having with them two field-pieces. Notwithstanding this vast
superiority of force, the attack was instantly determined upon ;
and, as captain Hoste states, ^ was executed with all the gal-*
lantry and spirit which men accustomed to danger and to de*
spise it have so frequently shown ; and never was there a finer
display of it than on this occasion." The boats dashed on un«-
der a heavy discharge of grape and musketry ; and it was not
until they were fiurly alongside of the gun-boats that the enemy
slackened their fire. The marines having landed, drove the
troops, amounting to aJ>out 100 men, firom the beach, and the
CAPTUBS OF AMSRIOAK SGHOOKERS. 203
two field-pieces were destroyed. In the performance of this
brilliant exploit the British sustained a loss of 2 seamen and 1
marine killed ; 6 seamen and 1 marine wounded.
The 74-gun ship San Domingo, bearing the flag of admiral
sir J. B. Warren, Marlborough 74, rear-admiral Cockbum, with
Maidstone and Statira frigates, and the two brigs Fantome and
Mohawk, arrived abreast of the rirer Rappohannock in their
way up the Chesapeake on the 10th of February, when five
lai^e schooners were discovered and chased into the river by
the smaller vessels of the squadron ; and as it fell calm, the boats
of the several ships, containing 105 officers and men under the
command of lieutenant James Polkinghome, were sent in pur-
suit* After a row of fifteen miles the British came up with the
schooners, who were formed in line a*head, fully prepared for a
resolute defence, consisting of the Arab of 7 guns and 45 men.
Lynx of 6 guns and 40 men. Racer of 6 guns and 36 men, and
Dolphin of 12 guns and 98 men. Nothing daunted by this foi^
midable force, the boats dashed forward to the assault. The
Arab was boarded and carried by the Marlborough's two boats;
the Lynx hauled down her colours as the pinnace of the San
Domingo arrived alongside ; and the Racer was then carried by
lieutenant Polkinghorne, after a sharp resistance. The guns of
this vessel were now turned upon the Dolphin as the boats of
the Statira and Maidstone were approaching, by whom she was
gallantly boarded and carried. In this affair the loss sustained
by the British amounted to one seamen and one marine killed;
lieutenants Polkinghome and Brand, lieutenant of marines Wil-
liam Richard Flint, one midshipman, and 7 seamen and marines
wounded. The Americans lost 6 men killed and 10 wounded.
The captured schooners were fine vessels, measuring from 200
to 220 tons, and two were commissioned as 14-gun schooners^
under the names of Shdbume and Musquedobit.
Rear-admiral Cockbum now proceeded up the river at the
head of the bay, to cut off the enemy's suppUea, and to destroy
the foundries and public works.
On the evening of tfa6 28th the squadron anchored, and the
I
204 MAJUNBS AT FBBNCHTOWH.
rear-admiral, taking with him the brigs and smaller vessels,
embarked 150 marines in the boats under captains Marmadnke
Wyboom and Thomas Carter, with 5 artillery-men onder lieu-
tenant Robertson ; but owing to a mistake in entering the Bohe-
mia, instead of the Elk river, the boats did not reach the destined
place till late in the following morning. This delay enabled the
inhabitants of Frenchtown to make preparations for its defence,
and for their security a six-gun battery had lately been erected,
from which a heavy fire was opened upon the boats as they ap-
proached. Disregarding this reception, the marines quickly
landed, and the american militia fled from the battery to the
adjoining woods. After destroying a quantity of miUtary stores,
together with five vessels near the place, the guns were disabled,
and the marines re-embarked without sustaining any loss.
On the 6th of February, in the morning, the 38-gun frigate
Amelia, captain the honourable Frederick Paul Irby, when
cruising off the Isle de Los, on the coast of Africa, discovered
two french frigates at anchor off the north-end of Tamara, who
were observed to interchange signals ; and at 3 h. 20 m. the 40-
gun frigate Ar^thuse, captain Bouvet, weighed and made sail
towards the british frigate, but in the evening the enemy's ship
was no longer visible. On the 7th, at 6 h. 45 m. a.m., the
Amelia discovered the Arethuse about eight miles distant, and
the weather being calm, it kept both ships stationary until
noon, when a light breeze enabled the french ship to stand to-
wards the Amelia ; whilst the latter also made sail with the
intention of drawing the Arethuse from her consort, the 40-gun
frigate Rubis, whose helpless condition, from having been on
shore, was not then known to captain Irby.
At 5 p. M. the Amelia, having shortened sail to her top-sails,
wore round, and running with the wind on the starboard quarter,
steered to pass, and then cross the stem of the Arethuse, who was
standing under the same canvas, close hauled on the larboard
tack. At 7 h. 20 m. the Arethuse tacked to the south-west, and
at 7 h. 45 m., just as the Amelia had arrived within pistol-shot
upon her starboard and weather bow, the french frigate opened
AMELIA AND ARfrTHUSE. 205
her fire, which was immediately returned. After about three
broadsides had been exchanged, the main top-sail of the Ame*
lia, from the braces having been shot away, fell aback ; and in
consequence of this accident, instead of crossing her opponent
as she intended, the Amelia fell on board of her, the jib-boom
of the Ar^thuse carrying away the Amelia's jib and jib-stay,
and the anchor fluke tearing away part of the british ship's lar-
board forecastle barricade. A heavy fire of musketry now
opened from the tops and mast-heads of the french frigate,
and several hand-grenades were thrown on the Amelia's decks,
while the appearance of several men in the rigging of the Ar6-
thuse showed their intention to board ; but finding that the
steady and well-directed fire of the british marines defeated that
object, the Ar^thuse threw all aback, and dropped clear. The
Amelia, setting her stay-sails, endeavoured to get her head to-
wards her antagonist, and in attempting a second time to cross
her bow, again fell on board her, and the two ships now swang
close alongside each other: this was at 9 h. 16 m. p.m., a fine
moonlight night, with the sea as smooth as a mill-pond. A
scene of mutual slaughter ensued, such as is unparalleled on
board a british ship in the annals of naval warfare, and the heavy
fire of the enemy's musketry nearly cleared the decks of the
Amelia of both officers and men. Among those who fell were the
first and second-lieutenants, J. J. Bate and J. Pope, and lieute-
nant of marines Robert G. Gh^inger. Captain Irby was severely
wounded, and the command devolved upon the third-lieutenant,
George Wells, who shortly afterwards was killed at his post,
when Mr. Anthony De Mayne, the master, took the command.
The concussion of the guns probably forced the frigates apart,
and in the almost calm state of the weather they gradually re-
ceded, with their broadsides still mutually bearing, until lib*
20 m. P.M.; when both combatants, being nearly out of gun-
shot, ceased firing. Both captains claimed the victory : captain
Irby says, ''The Ar^thuse, having the advantage to make sail,
bore up, leaving us in an ungovernable state ;" whilst captain
206 UHDAUHTBD AT CABBI.
Bouvet observes, ''At eleven o'clock the fire ceased cm both
sides ; we were no longer within fair gun-shot, and the enemy,
crowding sail, abandoned to us the field of battle."
Owing to the smooth state of the sea, neither ship lost a
spar; nevertheless the Amelia's masts and yards were all badly
wounded, her rigging cut to pieces, and her hull much shat-
tered. Including the crew of the Daring gun-brig, the Amelia
had at quarters 349 men and boys : of that number her 3 lieu-
tenants (already named), lieutenant Pascoe, late commander of
the Daring, her second-lieutenant of marines, 1 midshipman, the
purser of the Thais (of his second wound), 29 seamen, 7 marines,
and 3 boys killed ; her captain (severely,) lieutenant Reeve (of
the ELangaroo), the master (already named), first-lieutenant of
marines John Simpson, the purser's boatswain, 1 master^s mate, 4
midshipmen, 56 seamen (2 mortally), 25 marines (3 mortally),
and 3 boys wounded. Total, 51 killed and died of their wounds,
and 90 wounded. Out of 340 men, the Ar^thuse had 31 killed,
including 11 officers, and 74 men wounded.
On the 1 8th of March the 38-gun frigate Undaunted, captain
Thomas Ussher, chased a tartan under the battery of Carri,
situated about five leagues to the westward of Marseilles. The
prevailing light winds preventing the approach of the ship, the
boats were despatched under lieutenant A. Tozer, assisted by
several officers, and among that number lieutenant of marines
Harry Hunt The British landed, and in a short time carried a
battery mounting 4 twenty-four pounders, a six-pounder fields-
piece, and a thirteen-inch mortar. The french troops, strongly
posted behind pallisades, stood until the marines advanced with
the bayonet, when the enemy turned and suffered a severe loss.
The guns in the battery were all destroyed, the tartan brought
out, and the boats returned to the ship, having sustained no
greater loss than 2 men killed and 1 wounded.
On the 30th of March the Undaunted, in company with the
38-gun frigate Volontaire, captain the honourable G. 6. Walde*-
grave, and 18-gun brig Redwing, despatched their boats, under
MABIMEfl AT MORGiOK. 207
the orders of lieutenant Isaac Shaw, assisted by lieutenants of
marines William Burton and Harry Hunt, to attempt the capture
of a couToy in the harbour of Morgion, situated between Mar-
seilles and Toulon. On the 3 1st, in the morning, the party
landed at Soarion, and marching over the hills at daylight, at-
tacked two batteries in the rear, which were both carried after a
slight resistance. Five thirty-six pounders in one, and 2 twenty-
four pounders in the other battery, were then thrown into the
sea, a mortar spiked, and all their ammunition destroyed. The
boats in the mean time captured eleven vessels, and the whole
service was accomplished with no greater loss than 1 marine
killed, 2 marines and 2 seamen wounded.
On the 2nd of May the boats of the 74-gun ship Repulse,
Volontaire and Undaunted frigates, were detached, conveying
the marines under the command of captain Edward Michael
Ennis, with lieutenants William Burton, Harry Hunt, and some
other officers, to destroy the newly-erected works in the vici-
nity of Morgion. The marines landed and drove a detach-
ment of french troops to the heights in the rear of the harbour,
where they were kept in check until the boats under lieutenant
J. Shaw, covered by the launches with their carronades, and by
the Redwing sloop, brought out some vessels that were in the
harbour ; and then the batteries, on which were found nine gun-
carriages and a mortar, were destroyed. On this occasion lieu-
tenant Shaw was wounded ; and in the boats, 2 men were killed
and 3 wounded.
On the 22nd of March the boats of the 36-gun frigate Havan-
nah, captain the honourable George Cadogan, under the orders
of lieutenant William Hamley, assisted by lieutemnt of marines
William Hockley, captured a large tmbaccolo, mounting 3 long
french eight-pounders, lying under the town of Vasto ; and on
the 26th the same officers captured five armed trabaccolos and
five feluccas laden with salt, near the town of Fortore. In both
instances the vessels were hauled aground, and were under the
protection of a strong body of musketry and some guns on the
208 APOLLO IN THE ADRIATIC.
beach. Only 2 men were slightly wounded in accomplishing
this enterprise. On the 17th of June, in the morning, the boats,
commanded as before, landed near the town of Vasto, and
brought off ten vessels from under the protection of eight guns.
On the 18th of January, 1813, the 38-gun frigate Apollo,
captain B. W. Taylor, with four gun-boats, having on board
250 troops under lieutenant-colonel Robertson, were detached
by rear-admiral Thomas Freemantle to attack the island of
Augusta, in the Adriatic, and on the 29th the place surren-
dered. Leaving a small garrison there, the frigate and the
gun-boats sailed on the 1st of February for the neighbour-
ing island of Curzola; and on the same night 160 soldiers,
70 seamen, and 50 marines, the latter under lieutenants John
Tothill and Colin Campbell, with a howitzer, landed at Port
Buffalo, and carried a post on an eminence that commanded
the town. Notwithstanding the british troops had taken their
guns to this spot, and their advance was already in possession
of the suburbs, the enemy appeared so determined to hold out,
that captain Taylor recalled the seamen on board the frigate.
On the morning of the 3rd the Apollo attacked and silenced the
sea-batteries, after sustaining a loss of 2 seamen killed and 1
wounded, and this result led to an immediate capitulation.
On the night of the 1 1 th of April three boats from the 38-gun
frigate Apollo, and two from the 32-gun frigate Cerberus, were
detached to take temporary possession of the Devil's island,
near the north entrance of Corfu. On the 14th the two frigates
having chased a vessel into Malero, the five boats immediately
proceeded to attack her, and in the execution of that service
lieutenant Delafosse and Mr. Ullock, purser of the Apollo,
were wounded. Captain Taylor soon afterwards landed the ma-
rines, and after some skirmishing captured the island.
On the 24th, at daylight, observing a felucca run into St.
Cataldo and disembark troops, 30 marines tinder lieutenants
John Tothill and Colin Campbell were landed, and by a reso-
lute advance with the bayonet, dislodged the enemy from a
NARCISSUS IN YORK RIVER. 209
strong position and took 26 prisoners, without sustaining any
loss; but the French had 1 killed and several wounded. In
the mean time the boats brought out the felucca, and the ma-
rines re-embarked.
On the night of the 6th of May the same detachment of ma-
rines again embarked in the boats, and proceeded up the river
Sassafras towards the villages of Georgetown and Frederick-
town, situate on the opposite banks, and nearly facing each
other. Having advanced to within a mile from the towns, and
between two projecting points of land, which compelled the
boats to proceed in close order, a heavy fire was opened upon
them from a field-piece, and from between 300 and 400 militia
divided and intrenched on the opposite side of the river. The
fire was quickly returned, and the rear-admiral pushed on shore
with the marines ; but the american militia fled as soon as the
British had landed, and were neither seen or heard of after-
wards. Four vessels were destroyed, together with some stores
on the banks of the river. On this occasion the only loss sus-
tained was 5 men wounded. On the 12th of June the boats
of the 32-gun frigate Narcissus, captain J. R. Lumley, contain-
ing about 40 men under lieutenant Cririe and lieutenant of ma-
rines Patrick Savi^e, were despatched to cut out the united-
states schooner. Surveyor, mounting 6 twelve-pounder carron-
ades, lying up York river in the Chesapeake. The Americans
opened a sharp fire when the boats arrived within pistol-shot,
but the schooner was boarded and carried, after a very gallant
defence by a crew of only 16 men, 5 of whom were wounded.
The British sustained a loss of 3 men killed, and 6 wounded.
On the 7th of May the 36-gun frigate Furieuse, captain
Mounsey, having chased a schooner into the harbour of Orbi-
tello, discovered a xebec coming fiom the northward. The
wind being light, the boats were sent in pursuit, and compelled
her to haul in for the forts of Orbitello, where she grounded ;
and the crew taking to their boat, joined the party on shore in
keeping up a sharp fire of guns and musketry. The TLebec wa^
VOL. II. P
210 CAPTURE OF CONVOY IN CALVARIE ROAD*
gallantly boarded and safely brought out^ but the British sus-
tained the loss of 1 midshipman and 3 men severely wounded.
Lieutenants James Whylock and William Davis of the marines
were volunteers on this service.
On the morning of the 16th of May, the boats of the 74-gun
ship Berwick, captain Edward Brace, and 36-gun frigate Eury-
alus, captain Charles Napier, under the orders of lieutenant
H. J. Sweedland, containing the marines of the two ships under
the command of captain William T. J. Matthews, were detached
to attempt the capture of a convoy of merchant vessels assembled
in Calvarie road. The marines landed, and having gained pos-
session of the batteries, opened a fire upon the force, which re-
treated from them. In the mean time twenty-two vessels were
captured, and the object of the enterprise was fully accomplished
with no greater loss than one marine killed and one seaman
missing.
In the early part of August captain Ussher, cruising on the
french coast in company with the Espoir brig, discovered a
number of vessels lying in the mole of Cassis, a port situated
midway between Toulon and Marseilles, where they were pro-
tected by five heavy batteries, one of which had a wall 25 feet
high. Leaving the brig to blockade the vessels, captain Ussher
proceeded off Sicie ; and having communicated to sir Edward
Pellew the probability of making a successful attack upon this
strong-hold of the enemy, the Redwing brig, and several boats
with officers belonging to the Caledonia, Hibemia, Barfleur, and
Prince of Wales were placed at his disposal, with 200 marines
from the squadron under the direction of captain Jeremiah
Coghlan of the navy. Owing to an unfavourable wind, the at-
tack was unavoidably deferred for several days, thereby enabling
the enemy to strengthen their means of defence. The light winds
that prevailed on the 18th prevented the Undaunted taking the
position intended ; but the Redwing and Espoir, in spite of a
heavy fire from four batteries that protected the entrance of the
bay, swept in and took up a most judicious position for covering
MARINB6 AT CA8SI8. 211
the marines, under the following oflScers,— captains Thomas
Sherman and Thomas Hussey; lieutenants Harry Hunt, Sa-
muel Burdon Ellis, Robert T. Dyer, William Blucke, John
Maule, Thomas Beeves, Alexander Jarvis, and Edward Mallard.
This detachment, led by captain Coghlan, carried the citadel
battery by escalade : lieutenant Hunt was the first officer who
entered it under a galling fire, and the scaling-ladder broke be-
fore any other person could reach the parapet ; consequently that
gallant officer was left alone to defend himself, until some of his
followers, by the means of another ladder, ascended to his as-
sistance. This battery in possession, the marines drove the
French at the point of the bayonet, and pursued them through
the defences to the heights that command the town. The boats,
under captain sir John Sinclair of the Redwing, then entered the
mole, across the entrance of which two heavy gun-boats were
moored. These, with another gun-boat and twenty-four mer-
chant settees and tartans, were captured. This very dashing
enterprise was not accomplished without a serious loss : 4
marines were killed; lieutenant Aaron Tozer of the navy, and
14 marines wounded.
The 38-gun frigate Shannon, captain P. B. V. Broke, having
detached the Tenedos on the 25th of May, remained cruising off
the port of Boston, watching the Chesapeake of the same force.
On the 1st of June, early in the morning, captain Broke ad^
dressed to the commanding officer of the Chesapeake a letter of
challenge, commencing thus: — ^' As the Chesapeake appears now
ready for sea, I request you will do me the favour to meet the
Shannon with her, ship to ship, to try the fortune of our respec-
tive flags.'' He then describes the Shannon's force, fixes a place
of meeting, providing against all interruption, and concludes
thus : — " I entreat you, sir, not to imagine that I am urged by
mere personal vanity to the wish of meeting the Chesapeake ; or
that I depend only upon your persc^al ambition for acceding to
this invitation. We have bpth nobler motives. You will feel
it as qi compliment, if I 3ay that tiiie result of our meeting may
p2
212 8HAHNON AKO CHESAPEAKE.
be the most grateful service I can render to my country ; and I
doubt not that you, equally confident of success, will feel con-
vinced that it is only by repeated triumphs in even combats, that
your little navy can now hope to console your country for the loss
of that trade it can no longer protect. Favour me with a speedy
reply : we are short of provisions and water, and cannot stay long
here/' Shortly afterwards the Shannon stood in close to Bos-
ton light-house, and hove to with her colours flying in sight of
the Chesapeake, who was lying at anchor in President roads
with royal-yards across, ready for sea ; and in a short time the
american frigate was observed to sheet home her top-sails. At
thirty minutes past noon captain Broke went himself to the
mast-head, and there observed the Chesapeake set top-gallant
sails ; shortly afterwards she was seen under way, running down
with a fair wind, having in her company several pleasure-boats
and a large schooner, on board of which were commodores
Bainbridge and Hall, with several other american naval officers.
The Shannon then filled and stood out from the land, under easy
sail. At 4 p. M. she hauled up her foresail and kept her main-
top-sail shivering, to allow the Chesapeake to overtake her : at
4 h. 50 m. the american frigate took in her studding-sails, top-
gallant sails, and royals, and got her royal-yards on deck. At
5 h. 10 m. p. M., Boston light-house bearing west, distant about
six leagues, the Shannon hauled up with her head to the south-
ward and eastward, and lay to under her topsails, top-gallant
sails, jib, and spanker.
At 5 h. 25 m. the Chesapeake, hauling up her fore-sail, steered
straight for the Shannon's starboard quarter, and at 5 h. 40 m.,
having gallantly lufied up within about 50 yards, she squared
her main-yard and gave three cheers. At 5 h. 50 m. the Shan-
non fired her aftermost gun ; and as the next was discharged,
the Chesapeake's bow-gun went off, and then the remainder on
board both ships as rapidly as they came to bear. At 5 h. 53 m.
p. M. the Chesapeake, to avoid ranging a-head> hauled up a
little; and at 5 h. 56 m., having her jib-sheet and fore top-sail
. CHESAPBARB BOARDED. 213
tie shot away ; tod the helm at that moment not being properly
attended to, the ship came so sharp to the wind as completely
to deaden her way ; and consequently she lay with her stem
exposed to her opponent's broadside, without the possibility of
making any return to the well-directed and destructive raking
fire of the british frigate. The Chesapeake getting stem way,
fell on board the Shannon at 6 p. m., with her quarter pressing
against the latter's side just before the main-chains; and hav-
ing shot a-head a little, was stopped by the Shannon's anchor,
stowed over the chess-tree, hooking her quarter port.
. Captain Broke instantly ordered the ships to be lashed, and
observing that the Americans had deserted the quarter-deck
guns, he called the boarders, and accompanied by about 20
men the captain, at 6 h. 2 m. p. m., stepped from the Shannon's
gangway-rail, just abaft the fore-rigging, on the muzzle of the
Chesapeake's aftermost carronade, and thence over the bulwark
on the quarter-deck. Here not a man was to be seen, but on
the gangway some resistance was made by about 30 Americans,
who were instantly driven off the deck. Lieutenants Watt and
Falkiner with a reinforcement of boarders, and serjeant Richard
Molyneux with the first division of marines, quickly followed
captain Broke ; lieutenant John Law with the remainder of the
marines having now arrived, rushed forward, and while one
party kept down the Americans from ascending the main hatch-
way, another party directed their attention to the musketry
from the tops. After the enemy had submitted on the fore-
castle, captain Broke was in the act of giving some directions
for driving the Americans from the main-top, when he was as-
sailed by three men, one of whom with a blow from the but-
end of a musket, bared his skull, and another cut at him with
his cutlass and brought him down. Captain Broke was soon
rescued by his gallant followers ; and just at that moment lieu-
tenant Watt, having procured an english ensign from the Shan-
non, after hauling down the American colours, bent both on to
the peak halyards; but in the haste and confusion of the mo*
214 CAPTVSS OF CHB8APSAKE.
ment the american stripes were hcnsted aboTe the english flag.
Nearly at this timey owing to the qaarter-gallery of the Chesa-
peake giTing way, the two ships separated a little, and the
people on board the Shannon supposing that the British had
been oTerpowered, again opened their fire np(m the american
frigate. The flags were instantly lowered, bnt not until lieute-
nant Watt and four or fire men were killed. The damages of
the Shannon were trifling, but her loss was Tery severe. Out
of 306 men and 24 boys, she had her first-lieutenant, purser,
clerk, 17 seamen, and 4 marines killed; captain Broke (sererely),
the boatswain (mortally), a master's-mate, and 56 wounded.
Total : 24 killed, and 59 wounded ; and this heary loss was
sustained in the short space of 15 minutes. The Chesapeake,
out of a crew of 386 men and boys, had 47 men killed, and 99
wounded. Captain Lawrence was mortally wounded by a mus-
ket-shot fired by lieutenant Law previous to the boarding, and
died on the 4th of June. Between the discharge of the first
gun and the period of captain Broke's boarding, eleven minutes
only elapsed ; and in four minutes more the Chesapeake had
surrendered.
On the 8th of June the 74-gun ships Eagle and Elizabeth,
having discovered three vessels, supposed to be laden with pow-
der, within the town of Omago on the coast of Istria, attacked
the batteries for some time, and then landed the marines under
captain John Hore Graham, with lieutenants Thomas Price and
Samuel Lloyd, who soon drove the enemy, consisting of more
than 100 french soldiers, out of the town ; while the boats de-
stroyed a two-gun battery, and brought out four vessels.
On the 20th, at day-break, the marines of the Elizabeth un-
der captain John Hore Ghaham and lieutenant Thomas Price,
accompanied by 50 seamen under lieutenants Roberts and Ben-
nett, landed at Digrano, opposite to the Prioni islands, and
assisted by a division of armed boats commanded by lieutenant
Bernard, took possession of the town, making prisoners a body
of french troops stationed there.
MARINB8 AT FIUMB. 215
On the 3rd of July, in the mornings rear-admiral Freemantley
with the 74-gun ships Milford, Elizabeth, and Eagle, captains
J. D. Markland, E. L. Gower, and Charles Rowley, Bacchante
frigate, captain William Hoste, and the Haughty gun-brig, got
under way, with a light breeze at south-west, from an anchorage
about four miles from Fiume, and after detaching the boats and
the marines with the Haughty to storm the battery at the mole-
head as soon as the guns were silenced, the three ships pro-
ceeded to attack the sea-line batteries of the town, mounting 16
heavy guns. A shift of wind to the south-east, aided by a strong
current from the river, broke the ships off, so that the Eagle
could only fetch the second battery ; opposite to which she an-
chored, and after a well-directed fire of a few minutes the fort
was silenced. The signal was then made to storm, and captain
Rowley in his gig, leading the first detachment of marines, took
possession of the fort and hoisted the english colours ; while
captain Hoste, with the marines of the Milford, landed and
spiked the guns of the first battery, which had been under the
fire of the Milford and Bacchante, and was early evacuated*
Leaving a party of seamen to turn the guns of the second bat-
tery against those still in the enemy's possession, captain Row-
ley with the marines, who were headed by lieutenants Samuel
Lloyd and Edmund Nepean, boldly dashed on through the
town, although annoyed by the enemy^s musketry from the
houses, and from a field-piece placed in the centre of the prin«
cipal street. The marines, aided by the seamen from the boats,
moved forward with such firmness, that the enemy retreated
with their field-piece to a square, where they made a stand,
taking post in a large building, until driven from it by the fire
of the boats with their carronades : the French then gave way
at all points, and forsook the town in every direction. The
division under captain Hoste having joined the force under cap-
tain Rowley, the two batteries and the field-pieces, together
with the stores and shipping, were taken possession of. Of
ninety vessels captured, the greater part were restored ,to the
216 MARINES AT PORTO-Rfe.
proprietors ; thirteen, laden with oil, grain, powder, and mer-
chandise, were sent to Lissa, and the remainder destroyed. In
this gallant enterprise, in which the British were opposed to
upwards of 350 troops, besides the armed inhabitants of the
town, the loss was comparatively very trifling. One marine was
killed ; lieutenant Samuel Lloyd of the marines, and 6 seamen
and marines wounded.
On the 5th the squadron moved from Fiume to Porto-R6,
where captains Hoste and Markland landed with the marines,
and found the forts abandoned by the enemy. The boats then
went up to Bocca-R^, and after rendering the guns useless, the
marines returned to their respective ships.
On the 7th, at 11 a.m., the Eagle attacked the fortress of
Farissina, mounting five eighteen-pounders. The works were
stormed, under cover of the ship's fire, by a party of seamen
under lieutenants Greenaway and Hotham, and the marines
commanded by lieutenant Samuel Lloyd. The guns were dis-
abled, and the works laid in ruins ; and at 2 p. m. the party re«
embarked with no greater loss than one midshipman wounded.
On the 2nd of August, in the evening, while the Eagle and
Bacchante were sailing along the coast of Istria, a convoy of
twenty-one sail was seen at anchor in the harbour of Rovigno.
The ships then stood in, and after a sharp fire and some resist*
ance on the part of the enemy, the batteries were abandoned ;
whereupon captain Hoste landed with a detachment of seamen
and marines, and having drawn the enemy out of the town and
disabled the guns, the vessels were captured and pai*t of them
brought of. The only loss sustained in this affair, on the part
of the British, was one marine wounded.
On the 9th of June the british fleet, commanded by sir Ed-
ward Pellew, anchored in the bay of Rosas ; and in order to
attract the attention of the french geneml, and to prevent any
troops being detached from Figueras to join Suchet's division
employed against the british force under sir John Murray, who
was then investing Tarragona, the admiral directed the ships to
MILVORD AT RAOONIZA. 217'
take positions within range of the forts. In the evening prepa-
rations were made for landing a detachment of marines ; and
about midnight the boats^ conveying 200 men under captain
Cummings, with lieutenants Jessop^ Edward Baker, and J. T.
Brown, pushed off from the Royal George and Ocean, and at
day-break the party effected a landing, although exposed to a
galling fire from a body of french infantry, drawn up under the
protection- of some houses about 40 yards from the beach. The
British immediately rushed forward, and after a sharp contest
drove the enemy, who retreated through the town of TEscalle,
leaving 10 men on the field either killed or wounded. Shortly
afterwards the marines re-embarked.
On the 4th of August, in the evening, the boats of the 74-gun
ship Milford, and 18-gun sloop Weasel, under commander Black,
accompanied by lieutenant Grant, and lieutenant of marines
Kenyon Stevens Parker, left the Milford about seven leagues
from the island of Ragoniza. Having passed the sea-battery
within pistol-shot unperceived by the enemy, the boats landed
at the back of the island ; and at daylight on the 6th, a british
cheer from the top of the hill was the first intimation the french
troops received of their approach. The detachment then rapidly
descended, entered the battery at the rear, and carried it with-
out meeting much resistance. Six twenty-four pounders, and
two 7}-inch mortars mounted on the battery were disabled, a
newly-erected signal-tower demolished, and the party safely re-
turned to their ships without sustaining any loss.
On the 5th of September, in the morning, the 74-gun ship
Edinburg, captain the honourable G. H-. L. Dundas, 38-gun fri-
gates Imp^rieuse and Resistance, sloops Swallow, Eclair, and
Pylades, assembled off the port D'Anzo, in which place a con-
voy of twenty-nine vessels was lying under the protection of
two batteries on the mole, mounting each two heavy guns, a
tower to the northward with one gun, and a battery to the
southward with two guns that flanked the mole. The arrange-
ments having been prepared for the attack, the ships bore up at
218 OPERATIONS N£AR TRIESTE.
1 h. 30 m. p. M., and took their stations as follows : — the Imp^-
rieuse and Resistance against the batteries on the mole ; Eclair
and Pylades against the battery to the southward, supported
by the Edinburg ; and the Swallow opposed to the tower. The
ships opened their fire by signal, and shortly afterwards the
marines, commanded by captain Thomas Mitchell and lieute-
nant J. J. C. Rivers, and a party of seamen under lieutenant E.
Travers, landed in the best order, close under the southern
battery, which was instantly carried, the French flying m all
directions. Lieutenant Mapleton having taken possession of
the mole-head, the whole convoy, including twenty vessels laden
with timber for the arsenal at Toulon, were brought out without
sustaining any loss ; and after all the works were demolished,
the British re-embarked.
On the 6th of October rear-admiral Freemantle, with the 74-
gun ships Milford and Eagle, captains Mitford and Rowley,
and some smaller vessels, arrived off the port of Trieste, while
a detachment of austrian troops invested the town on the land-
side. On the 10th the French opened a masked battery upon
the Milford, then lying with her stem towards the shore; but
the ship's broadside was soon brought to bear, and in less than
a quarter of an hour both guns were disabled, and 2 men sta-
tioned at them killed, and 7 wounded, while not a man was hurt
on board the Milford. On the same day captain Markland
landed with the marines, accompanied by two field-pieces. On
the 11th, general Nugent returned from Gorizia, having com-
pelled the viceroy to pass the Isongo. It was then determined
to lay siege to the castle, and by the 16th the British had placed
12 guns in two batteries, which now opened their fire, and the
cannonade continued the whole of the day. Towards evening
the French were driven from the windmill, and the Austrians
possessed themselves of the fort, with two howitzers placed
there. The fire was continued with increased effect until the
29th, when colonel Rabie, the french commanding officer, capi-
tulated. The loss of the British on this occasion amounted to
ATTACK ON THB FORCES AT MARINELLO. 219
10 seamen and marines killed, and 35 wounded. The officers
of marines 'employed in the several operations we bare just re-
lated, were as follows : — Milford, major Joseph Vallack, firsts
lieutenants Kenyon S. Parker and Edmund Nepean. Elizabeth,
captains J. H. Graham, Thomas Price, and Rowland Edwards.
Eagle, lieutenants Samuel Lloyd and 6. A. Woods. Bacchante,
lieutenant William Haig.
On the 14th of October, at 1 p.m., the 36-gun frigate Fu-
rieuse, running along the coast towards the island of Ponza,
discovered a convoy of nineteen vessels, protected by two gun-
boats, a fort of 2 long twenty-four pounders, and a strong, forti-
fied tower and castle in the harbour of Marinello, situated about
six miles to the eastward of Civita-Vecchia. Lieutenants W.
Croker and W. Lester, and lieutenants of marines James Why-
lock and William Davis, gallantly volunteered to cut out the
convoy and storm the fort. This service was promptly exe-
cuted, and after a few broadsides from the Furieuse, the battery
was carried by the marines, and the guns spiked. The french
troops retreated to the strong position of the castle and the
tower commanding the harbour, whence they kept up a con-
stant fire of musketry through loop-holes, without the possibi-
lity of being dislodged ; although the Furieuse weighed and
moved in, to direct her whole fire upon it. Sixteen vessels were
captured under a galling fire from the shore, two sunk at the
entrance of the port, and the remaining fourteen, deeply laden,
safely brought out. In this gallant affair the British sustained
a loss of 2 men killed, and 10 wounded.
On November 9, 1813, the boats of the Undaunt^ frigate were
detached by captain Ussher, under the orders of lieutenant J. R.
Hownam, assisted by several officers, and among that number
lieutenant Harry Hunt of the marines, who on this occasion
commanded 100 marines lent from the Caledonia in addition to
his party. The batteries of Port la Nouvelle were stormed
and carried in the most gallant style, and two vessels were cap-
tured without a casualty. A naval biographer relates the fol-
220 CAPTURE OF CHARLEMAGKE.
lowing anecdote of heroism, which occanred on this occasion :
''Owing to the eagerness of the gallant fellows employed on
this serrice, so many men got on the first ladder at once that
it broke under their weight, and only two were able to obtain
a footing on the wall. These (a boatswain's mate of the Un-
daunted and a marine) were furiously attacked by 40 french
soldiers : the sailor was orerpowered, and the enemy were drag-
ging him towards the oven then lighted for heating shot, when
the brave marine fortunately extricated himself, flew to the as-
sistance of his companion, bayonetted two of the Frenchmen,
and succeeded in releasing the seaman. Notwithstanding their
apparently desperate situation, the two Britons now became the
assailants ; and incredible as it may appear, their forty oppo-
nents not only cried for quarter, but were actually placed in
confinement before a single man mounted the second ladder."
On the 8th of November, at 8 h. 30 m. p.m., the boats of the
74-gun ship Revenge, captain sir John Gore, under the orders
of lieutenant William Richards, assisted by several officers, in-
cluding captain John Spurin of the marines, proceeded to the
attack of a french felucca privateer lying in the harbour of
Palamos. At 1 1 p. m. the party boarded and carried the pri-
vateer, without sustaining any loss.
On the 26th of November the 74-gun ship Swifltsure, captain:
E. S. Dickson, when off Cape Rousse, island of Corsica, de-
tached her boats in pursuit of the french privateer Charlemagne,
of eight guns and 93 men, who was using every exertion, by
sweeping, to effect her escape. On the approach of the boats
the privateer made the necessary preparation for resistance, but
did not open her fire until the attacking party had commenced
the action. The Charlemagne was boarded on the bow and
quarter, and after a determined resistance was gallantly carried ;
but not without sustaining a very serious loss : one midshipman
and 4 seamen were killed; lieutenants R. H. Fuller and J.
Harvey (the latter mortally), lieutenant of marines James Robert
Thompson, 1 midshipman, and 11 men wounded.
MARINES LANDED AT LEGHORN. 221
On the 10th of December the troops of the Italian levy
amounting to about 1000 men^ which had embarked at Me-
lazzo on the 29th of November on board the british squadron
binder the command of captain Josias Rowley of the 74-gun
«hip America^ having been landed at Via Reggio, proceeded im-
mediately to Lucca^ and gained possession of that town. On
the following day captain Henry Rea of the marines^ with 40
rank and file^ was sent to attack a signal-station to the north-
ward ; and that officer threatening to storm^ the fortress surren-
dered without opposition^ although it proved to be a castle of
considerable size and strength^ walled and ditched^ and capable
of containing nearly 1000 men; and being a place of much im«-
portance, it was destroyed by a party _of seamen. Lieutenant-
colonel Catanelli with the italian troops having returned to Via
Reggio on the 12th^ they were attacked by a force of about 600
cavalry and infantry^ with a howitzer and two field-pieces from
the garrison of Leghorn^ and reinforcements that had joined them
from Pisa. The Faench were completely routed by the lieutenant-
colonel, with the loss of their guns, and a considerable number of
killed, wounded, and prisoners ; the remainder retreating in con-
fusion towards Pisa. Information having been obtained of the
weak state of the garrison of Leghorn, it was deemed advisable
to intercept the return of the french detachment by re-embark-
ing the Italians and proceeding immediately with the squadron
to Leghorn. Accordingly, the troops were placed on board
country vessels, and in tow of the ships proceeded to that place,
where they were landed to the northward of the town without
opposition. The detachments of marines, amounting to 270
men, under the command of captain J. Baile, with captains
Henry Rea and Thomas Mitchell; lieutenants John Hewes,
J. J. Delacombe, George Gunn, J. J. C. Rivers, William Davis,
John G. Hill, Lonsdale Brown, Samuel Cox, and Paul R. Car-
den, were also disembarked ; but owing to the unfavourable
state of the weather, the whole did not reach the shore until
the morning of the 14th. On the evening of the 13th colonel
i
222 FR£NC0 TROOPS DEFEATBD.
Catanelli pushed on with the advance of the marines and Italian
levy, and got possession of the suburbs of the town of Leghorn ;
but owing to the extreme darkness of the night, and the almost
impassable state of the roads, the main body of the troops was
prevented joining until the morning; and on their arrival, the
Italians occupied the suburbs and buildings close to the ram*
parts, whilst the marines took up a position on the Pisa road.
Shortly afterwards they were attacked by a considerable body
of french troops, consisting of at least 700 men, cavalry and in*
tantry, supported by two field-pieces. The charge of the cavalry
was received with great firmness by the marines, who opened
and allowed them to pass, killing all but about 14, who with
two officers succeeded in getting through ; but excepting one
officer, they were all killed or wounded by a detachment of the
italian levy formed at the entrance of the suburbs of the town.
After the charge of the cavalry the marines instantly closed,
drove the enemy with the bayonet, and entirely routed them ;
with the loss of the officers commanding their cavalry and in-
fantry, and from 250 to 300 killed, wounded, and prisoners ;
the remainder retreating in the greatest disorder to Pisa.
Cs^tain G* H. L* Dundas, in his official report of this very gal-
lant exploit, thus expresses himself; '* My most particular thanks
are due to captain Baile of the Armada, who commanded the
marines, as also to captains Eea and Mitchell of the America
and Edinburg. To the other officers^ non-commissioned officers,
and privates, all possible credit is due for repelling the attack
and putting to rout the enemy, who were certainly double their
force."
The loss sustained by the marines in this brilliant affair was
only 1 man killed and 7 wounded, including lieutenant William
Davis, who received the cut of a sabre in repelling the charge of
the french cavalry. This officer, whose name appears in our re-
port of several gallant enterprises, and who wa« many ye^rs ad-
jutant of the Portsmouth division, acquitted himself with great
credit in his revision of Torrens'^ regulation for the field move-
CAEOLE AND A8TREA. 223
ment8 of infantry^ which, having been laid before the Board of
Revision, obtained for him the most flattering testimonials from
the geneml commanding-in-chief, the adjutant-general, and se-
veral distinguished officers.
1814.
On the 23rd of January, at 10 h. a.m., the 36-gun frigates
Creole and Astrea, captains George Charles Mackenzie and
John Eveleigh, rounding the south-east point of Mayo, Cape
de Verds, with the wind fresh from the north-west, discovered
the mast-heads of the french 40-gun frigates Etoile and Sultane,
captains P. H. Phillebert and George Du Petit Thouars, who
were lying in English harbour. At noon, when the british fri-
gates were about a mile from the land, the Etoile and Sultane
slipped and made sail, followed by the Astrea and Creole ; and
the latter, at one p.m., ranged up on the lee beam of the Sul-
tane. The Astrea having opened her fire in crossing the Sul-
tane's stern, gallantly passed between the latter and the Creole,
and after exchanging two broadsides, she passed on to the
Etoile, then about half a mile a-head of her consort, with her
mizen top-sail aback. At 2 h. 30 m. the Creole shot away the
mizen-mast of the Sultane, but the action continued between
these two ships until about 3 p. m. ; at which time the Creole
was so much disabled in her masts and rigging, that she with-
drew from the contest and steered towards the island of St«
Jago. At 2 h. 30 m. p.m. the Astrea ranged alongside of the
Etoile to leeward, and after an exchange of broculsides passed
a-head and raked her opponent; but at this moment losing her
wheel, she fell round off, and the Etoile wearing, passed close
astern of her, pouring in a destructive raking fire. Backing
round, the Astrea brought her broadside to bear, and the two
frigates were again closely engaged. About tbi$ time captaiu
Eveleigh was mortally wounded, and the command devolved
upon lieutenant John Bulford, who gallantly continued th«
jaction until 3 h. 30 m., when the Sultane passed her oppoaeat
224 HEBRUS AND £TOILE.
to leeward, and shortly afterwards wearing round, stood before
the wind, leaving the Astrea and the Etoile in close action. At
3 h. 45 m. P.M. the latter came round on the starboard tack,
and in five minutes afterwards the Astrea's mizen-mast went
by the board. The Etoile now ceased firing and stood to-
wards her consort, whose main top-mast had fallen over the
side. At 4 h. 46 m. the Creole anchored in Porto-Praya bay,
where she was joined by the Astrea an hour afterwards. The
former, out of 284 men and boys, amounted to 1 master's-mate,
7 seamen, and 2 marines killed, and 26 men wounded. The
Astrea, besides the loss of her mizen-mast, had her other masts
badly wounded, and was severely cut up in her spars and rig-
ging. Out of the same complement as that of the Creole, her
commander and 8 men were killed, and 37 wounded ; making
the united british loss 19 killed and 63 wounded ; whilst that of
the two french frigates amounted to 40 killed and 60 wounded.
When these two french frigates were about twelve leagues to
the north-west of the Isle de Bas, on the 26th of March, at
9 A.M., they fell in with the 36-gun frigate Hebrus, captain
Edmund Palmer, and the Sparrow brig; and the latter in cross-
ing received several shot from each of them, which killed her
master and wounded 1 seaman. At 10 a.m. the 74-:gun ship
Hannibal was seen coming down from to windward under a
press of sail, and at 11 p.m. the enemy's ships having sepa-
rated, the 74 went in chase of the disabled Sultane, whilst the
Etoile was pursued by the Hebrus and the brig.
The Hebrus continued to gain on the french frigate, and at
6 p. M. she lost sight of both the Hannibal and the brig. About
midnight the Etoile reached the race of Aldemey, when the
wind getting more northerly, the Hebrus came up fast and took
in her studding-sails ; and at 1 h. 45 m. a.m. on the 27th, while
she was following close upon the larboard quarter of the Etoile,
as the latter wore round Pointe Jobourg, the french frigate
opened her fire, and the Hebrus, running athwart her opponent's
stem within pistol-shot, to get between her and the shore.
CAPTURE OF ETOILE. 225
poured in a well-directed broadside. The Etoile, at 2 h. 20 m.,
while crossing the bows of the Hebrus to get again inside her,
shot away the british ship's fore top-mast and fore-yard, be-
sides crippling her main-mast and bowsprit. A light breeze that
sprung up from off the land, enabled the Hebrus at 3 a. m. to
throw some raking broadsides into her antagonist, and at 3 h.
46 m. shot away her mizen-mast by the board. At 4 a.m. the
Etoile ceased firing, and after a close action of two hours and a
quarter, hailed to say she had surrendered. Immediately after
taking possession of the prize, it became necessary to turn the
beads of both ships off shore, as well to prevent them from
grounding as to get beyond the reach of a battery which
had kept up a galling fire; the tide fortunately set the ships
round Point Jobourg, and at 7 a. m. they anchored in Vau-
ville bay, about five miles from the shore. The Hebrus, out
of 284 men and boys, had 13 killed and 26 wounded; while
the Etoile, out of 374, had 40 killed and 73 wounded. Offi-
cers of marines of the Hebrus were lieutenants Charles Griffith
and John M'Lachlan. The Hannibal was not long in over-
taking the disabled frigate, of which she went in chase ; and
the Sultane, at 4 h. 16 m. p.m., discharged her broadside, and
surrendered.
The french 40-gun frigate Clorinde, captain Lagarde, was on
her return to Brest from a successful cruise, when, at 2 p.m. on
the 26th February, she fell in with the 38-gun frigate Eurotas,
captain John Phillimore, who quickly bore up in chase. At 4
P.M., the wind having shifted from south-west to north-west,
the Clorinde, suddenly shortening sail, endeavoured to cross the
hawse of her pursuer: this manoeuvre hastened their junction,
and at 6 p.m. the Eurotas, in passing under the stern of the Clo-
rinde, discharged her starboard broadside, then luffing up under
her quarter, both ships became warmly engaged. At 6h. 20 m.
the mizen-mast of the Eurotas was shot away, and nearly at the
same time the fore top-mast of the Clorinde fell over the side.
The french frigate now endeavoured to cross the bows of the
VOL. II. Q
226 ElIROLAS AND CLORINDE.
Eurotas, but the latter escaped this by luffing up ; and passing
under the stern of her opponent, poured in her larboard broad-
side : the two frigates then renewed the action with great spirit.
At 6 p. M. the main-mast of the Eurotas fell over the starboard
and unengaged quarter, and almost at the same time the mizen-
mast of the Clorinde was shot away. At 6 h. 50 m., the two
ships being nearly in the same relative position, the foi-e-mast of
the british ship fell over the starboard bow, and in a few minutes
the main-mast of the Clorinde shared the same fate. The Eu-
rotas now lay totally unmanageable, and the Clorinde at 7 h.
10 m., availing herself of the helpless condition of her opponent,
set the remains of her fore-sail, and with her fore stay-sail stood
to the south-east out of gun-shot. Captain Phillimore, who had
his arm dangerously wounded by a grape-shot, now consented
to be taken below, and the command devolved upon lieute-
nant Robert Smith.
By great exertions throughout the night, the Eurotas, at 6
A.M. on the 26th, had rigged top-masts for lower-masts, and at
noon the british frigate was in pui*suit of her antagonist under
jury-courses, top-sails, stay-sails, and spanker ; going six knots
with a northerly breeze, and gaining rapidly on the Clorinde,
who had only partially cleared away the wreck of her main and
mizen-masts. At this moment the 36-gun frigate Dryad hove
in sight, and shortly after took possession of the Clorinde. Out
of a complement of 329 men and boys, the Eurotas had 3 mid-
shipmen, 13 seamen, and 4 marines killed ; her commander (very
severely), lieutenant of marines Henry Foord, 1 midshipman, 30
seamen, and 6 marines wounded. Total : 21 killed, 39 wounded.
The Clorinde, out of 344 men and boys, had 30 killed and 60
wounded. Lieutenant Connell was the other subaltern of
marines.
On the 2nd of Februaiy, at 8 a. m., the 66-gun ship Majestic,
captain John Hayes, in latitude 36® 41' north, longitude 22® 11'
west, chased the american privateer Wasp, and continued the
pursuit until the morning of the 3rd, when she fell in with the
PHCEBE AND ESSEX. 227
French 40-gun frigates Atalante and Terpsichore, with a Spanish
ship of 20 guns captured on the preceding day, and a merchant
brig in company. At 11 h. 30 m. the french frigates, formed in
line a-head, with the Spanish ship and brig on their weather-
quarter, seemed inclined to await an attack; but the bold
approach of the Majestic soon altered their resolution, and the
frigates bore up under all sail, while their prizes hauled to the
eastward. The Majestic continued the pursuit until 5 p.m.,
when the Terpsichore, after a slight resistance with her chase
guns, let all fly, and brought to ,* and as captain Hayes deemed
it necessary to remain by the captured ship, the Atalante made
her escape.
In the early part of February the united-states 32-gun frigate
Essex, captain Porter, with the 20-gun armed ship Essex junior
(a captured british whaler), were blockaded in Valparaiso by the
british 36-gun frigate Phoebe, captain James Hillyar, and 24-
gun ship Cherub, captain J. T. Tucker. On the 28th of March
a heavy squall drove the Essex from her anchors, and she was
compelled to engage the british ships. After some manoeuvring
the Essex attempted to run aground, but just as she reached
the breakers the wind suddenly shifted from off the land, and
she was compelled to haul down her colours. About 40 of her
crew escaped to the shore, and many perished in the attempt.
The Phoebe had her first-lieutenant, William Ingram, and 3
seamen killed, and 7 wounded. The Cherub 1 marine killed ;
captain Tucker and 2 men wounded. The Phoebe mounted
46 guns, with a crew of 300 men, and the Cherub 26 guns.
The Essex also mounted 46 guns, with a crew of 265 men
and boys.
On the 30th of August the Menelaus frigate, captain sir Peter
Parker, was anchored off Moor's Fields, in the Chesapeake,
when information was received that 200 american militia were
encamped behind a wood, distant about a mile from the beach.
Dispositions were immediately made for attacking the enemy,
Q 2
228 MENELAUS OFF MOOR FIELDS.
and at 1 1 p. m. captain Parker landed with 104 marines and 20
seamen, in two divisions.
Colonel Ready the commander of the american force, stated
to amount to 170 maryland volunteers, being apprized of the
intended attack, retired to a small open space, surrounded by
woods, distant four or five miles from his first position. The
British having captured a small picquet soon afler their landing,
proceeded forward to attack the main body, drawn up in line in
front of their encampment, and after some firing drove the Ame-
ricans through their camp into the woods. Secure behind the
trees, the enemy levelled their pieces with unerring aim ; whilst
the British, deceived by the apparent flight of their wary foe,
rushed on through the woods until they had sustained a heavy
loss, when they were compelled to retreat, bringing with them
the body of their lamented commander, and all the wounded
but three. The British sustained a loss of 14 killed and 27
wounded, including both lieutenants of marines, George Ben-
yon and George Poe. As a proof how little the Americans ex-
posed themselves, they sustained no greater loss than 3 men
slightly wounded.
Early on the morning of the 12th of September, the 20-gun
ship Hermes, captain the honourable H. W. Percy, having un-
der his orders the 20-gun ship Carron, captain the honourable
R. C. Spencer, 18-gun brigs Sophie and Childers, captains
Nicholas Lockyer and J. B. Umfreville, anchored off the coast
of West Florida, about six miles to the eastward of Mobile, for
the purpose of attacking Fort Bowyer, situated on that point
and mounting 28 guns, including 1 1 long thirty-two and eigh-
teen pounders. The ships having weighed, stood towards Mo-
bile point, but owing to the intricacy of the navigation, they did
not arrive near the fort until the afltemoon of the 16th. The
Hermes took her station within musket-shot distance, the So-
phie, Carron, and Childers anchoring in line astern of her ; but
previously to this, a detachment of 60 marines and 120 indians.
k
ATTACK ON FORT BOWYER. 229
with a SJ-inch howitzer, under the command of major Edward
Nicolls, had landed on the peninsula; and 60 of the indians^
under a lieutenant, were immediately detached to secure the
pass of Bonsecours, 27 miles to the eastward of the fort. The
great distance at which the Carron and Childers had unavoid-
ably anchored, confined the effective part of the fire of the
British to the Hermes and Sophie, and before the former had
discharged many broadsides, she bad her cable cut by a shot
and was carried away by the current; and after receiving a
destructive raking fire, grounded directly in front of the fort.
Every effort to get the ship afloat proving of no avail, captain
Percy removed to the Sophie with all his surviving crew, and
then set the Hermes on fire. That ship had 25 men killed and 24
wounded, and the Sophie 6 killed and 1 6 wounded ; which loss,
with one marine killed on shore, made a total of 32 killed
and 40 wounded ; and among the latter major NicoUs of the
marines.
In relating the proceedings of the third battalion of Royal
Marines, we have remarked that the operations of the british
forces before Baltimore had been abandoned, on account of
some ulterior object which the naval commander had in view;
that consideration, it appears, was an attempt upon the city of
New Orleans, the capital of Louisiana, which is situated on the
left bank of the Mississippi, and 105 miles from the enti-ance
of that river, and whose population in 1814 was estimated at
23,250 persons. The line of maritime invasion extends from
lake Port Chartrain on the east, to the river Teche on the
west, intersected by several bays, inlets, and rivers, which
furnish avenues of approach to the metropolis; but the flat-
ness of the coast is every where unfavourable for the debarka-
tion of troops, and being much obstructed by shoals, no landing
can be effected but by boats, except up the Mississippi; and
that has a bar at the entrance, which shoals to thirteen or four-
teen feet water.
As the cotton crops of Louisiana and of the Mississippi had
i
230 ATTACK OF AMEAICAli FLOTILLA.
been for some years in accumulation, the city warehouses
contained merchandise to an immense amount; and consi-
dering that New Orleans was the emporium of a great por-
tion of the western states of the republic, it is probable that
the enormous sum of £3,000,000 sterling was not an over
estimate of the wealth which, in the CTcnt of even a tempo-
rary possession of the city, would have been shared by the
captors.
On the 8th of December vice-admiral Cochrane, in the 80-
gun ship Tonnant, with several other ships, reached the Chan-
deleur islands, and by the 12th the remainder of the mai-
of-war and troop-ships had arrived. The ships of the line an-
chored off the Chandeleur, and the frigates and smaller vessels
between Cat island and the main, not far from the entrance to
lake Borgne ; the bayou Catalan, or Bienvenu, at the head of
the lake, being the contemplated point of disembarkation. The
distance from the anchorage at Cat island to the bayou, is 62
miles ; and as the principal means of transport is by open boats,
it became necessary to destroy or capture the enemy's gun-ves-
sels on the lake. Accordingly, on the night of the 12th forty-
two boats, armed with twenty-four, eighteen, and twelve-pounder
carronades, with three gigs^ conveying altogether 980 seamen
and marines under the orders of captain Nicholas Lockyer, pro-
ceeded in three divisions in pursuit of the flotilla. On the 14th
the British attacked five american gun-boats, lying moored
athwart the narrow channel called Malheureux-island passage,
on lake Borgne, with springs on their cables, boarding nettings
triced up, and every other preparation for a determined resist-
ance. Having arrived within long gun-shot, after a fatiguing
row of thirty-six hours, a great part of the way against a strong
current, captain Lockyer anchored the boats and the crews were
allowed to take their breakfast. At 10 h. 30 m. the men again
took to their oars, still pulling against a strong current, and ex-
posed to a heavy and destructive fire from the flotilla. About
noon captain Lockyer, in the barge of the Seahorse, closed with
ATTACK ON NKW ORLEANS.- 231
the gun-boat of the american commodore^ mountmg one long
twenty-four pounder on a traversing carriage, 4 twelve-pounder
carronades, and 4 swivels, with a crew of 41 men; and after a
desperate struggle, in which the greater part of the officers and
men were either killed or wounded, succeeded in boarding her,
and, seconded by the other british boats, compelled the gallant
crew to surrender. The remainder of the flotilla were also at-
tacked and soon secured. The loss sustained by the British in
this enterprise amounted to 3 midshipmen, 13 seamen, and 1
marine killed; captain Lockyer, 4 lieutenants, lieutenant of
marines James Uniacke, 3 master's-mates, 7 midshipmen, 50
seamen, and 11 marines, wounded. Total: 17 killed, and 77
wounded.
The obstacle to the passage through the lakes being now
removed, the disembarkation of the troops commenced on the
16th, when the 85th regiment landed at Isle aux Poix, a small
and swampy spot at the mouth of the Pearl river, about thirty
miles from the anchorage, and nearly the same distance from
the bayou Catalan, the intended point of debarkation. Various
causes delayed the arrival of the boats at the fishermen's village
near the entrance of the bayou, until midnight on the 22nd,
when about 2400 men were embarked in the gun-vessels. At
this time the advance, consisting of nearly 1700 men under the
command of colonel Thornton of the 85th regiment, commenced
ascending the bayou Mazaut, which is the principal branch of
the Bienvenu ; and at 4 a.m. on the 23rd landed at the extre-
mity of Villere's canal, running from the Mazaut towards the
Mississippi. The head of this creek is distant about three miles
from that river, about a mile and a half from the high-road to
New Orleans, and six or eight from the city.
About 2 P.M. the army took up a position on the banks of
the Mississippi, having the river on their left, a wood on the
right, and the main road in front. Whilst the boats were de-
spatched for the second division, the troops, fatigued from the
length of time they had been on board, were asleep in their
I
23'2 THE eKehy's entrbnchmbnt attacked,
bivouac; when at 8 p. m. a schooner of 14, and a ship of 16 guns,
commenced a heavy fire of roond and grape, which w^s soon
followed by a vigorous assault on the advanced and right-flank
picquets: the former of the 95th, and the latter of the 86th regi*
ment. The attack was maintained with great firomess, and
being renewed with increased force, the remainder of both bri-
tish regiments was brought up by colonel Thornton; and al-
though the enemy stood their ground well, they were finally dri-
ven back by the determined advance of the British. On the 27th
the schooner was blown up by the fire of our batteries, and on
the following day the army moved to within gun-shot of an
entrenchment thrown up by the enemy across the cultivated
ground from the Mississippi, to an impassable swampy wood on
their left, in extent about 1000 yards. Guns were brought up
firom the shipping, and on the 1st of January, 1815, the batte-
ries were opened ; but as they produced little effect, it was re-
solved to await the arrival of a reinforcement of the 7th and
43rd regiments, under general Lambert.
On the 8th the army, commanded by major-general sir Ed-
ward Pakenham, ^/nas formed for a general attack on the enemy's
works, which had a canal of about four feet deep in their front.
During the preceding night, the 85th regiment under lieute-
nant-colonel Thornton had crossed over to the right bank, as
did a battalion of marines formed from the detachments serving
on board the fleet, commanded by brevet-major Thomas Adair,
consisting of the following officers, and some others whose names
could not be procured :
Captains : John Robyns, Gilbert Elliot, John Wolrige, Hugh
Ross, and Robert Wright. "
First-lieutenants: T. B. Hombrook, J. Hayes, Acheson Cro-
zier, Giles Meech, John Wilson (1), Henry Elliott, and James
Uniacke.
Second-lieutenants: W. Remfrey, H. B. Skinner, James Whit-
comb, J. Drinkwatcr, J. M'Farlane, J. H. Cator, J. Edleston,
G. T. Hinton, and W. H. Sturgeon.
AND GALLANTLY CARRIED. 233
This force, in conjunction with a division of seamen under
captain Rowland Money, attacked the enemy at daylight in
their entrenched position on that side of the river, and as the
column advanced it was supported by the armed boats moving
parallel with it. When they arrived within 200 yards of the in-
trenchment, the British discontinued firing, and moved rapidly
forward with the bayonet. At that moment lieutenant Henry
Elliot, observing that the enemy's right flank was accessible,
ordered his men to oblique to the left ; and having passed the
ditch and an unfinished breast-work, was quickly in rear of
the Americans : lieutenant Crozier with his company, and the
skirmishers of the 86th, closely following, turned the enemy's
flank and captured a field-piece. This part of the operations
having succeeded so admirably, the remainder of the column
rushed into the work, drove the enemy from every position, and
took possession of 17 pieces of cannon.
Among the wounded on this occasion were captain Gilbert
Elliot and lieutenant Henry Elliot, both struck by musket-balls,
and they owed their safety to very singular circumstances:
the former, from wearing a stout tooth-pick case in his waist-
coat pocket, which was smashed to atoms ; and the latter was
hit on the breast-plate, the ball carrying away the tail of the
lion, and passing through the belt.
The principal attack by the troops on the left bank proving
unsuccessful, with the loss of major-generals the honourable sir
Henry Pakenham and Gibbs, and nearly 2000 in killed, wound-
ed, and prisoners, major-general Lambert determined to with-
draw the army ; consequently, lieutenant-colonel Thornton was
directed to retire, after spiking the guns. Immediate prepara-
tions were made for re-embarking the whole force, and on the
27th of January the troops returned on board the squadron.
On the 15th of January, at 6 a. m., the united-states 44-gun
frigate President, commodore Decatur, steering along the shore
of Long Island, fell in with the 60-gun ship Majestic, 40-gun
frigate Endymion, and 38-gun frigates Pomone and Tenedos.
234 ENDYMION AND PRESIDENT.
All sail was made by the british squadron in chase^ steering
east and by north, with the wind north-west and by north. At
6 h. 30 m. the Majestic fired three shots at the President, but at
too great a distance to take efTect. By noon the wind decreased,
and the Endymion began to leave the Majestic and gain upon
the President. At 1 h. 15 m. p. m. the latter commenced light-
ening herself by starting water, cutting away her anchors, throw-
ing overboard spars, boats, and every article that could be got
at. She also kept wetting her sails, from the royals down ; never-
theless the Endymion continued to gain upon the chase, and
the President at 2 p.m. opened a fire from her stern guns, which
the Endymion in a short time returned with her bow chasers.
About 5 h. 30 m. p. m. the Endymion, having for more than a
quarter of an hour maintained a position within half-point blank
shot on her quarter, the President bore away north, to bring her
opponent upon her beam, and then effect her escape to leeward ;
but the Endymion met the manoeuvre by putting her helm a-
weather, and the two ships became closely engaged in a parallel
line of sailing. At 6 p. m. the Americans kept up a smart fire
of musketry from the tops, which was returned by the marines
of the Endymion under lieutenants Walter Griffith Lloyd and
John Baker, the ships not being more than half musket-shot
apart. At 6 h. 45 m., the President having hauled up a little,
the Endymion raked her astern ; again placing herself on her op-
ponent's starboard quarter. From 7 h. 18 m. to 7 h. 25 m. p. m.
the President made no return to the fire still maintained by the
Endymion, but then recommencing, she shot away the Endy-
mion's main top-mast studding-sail. At 7 h. 35 m. the american
frigate again hauled to the wind, which afforded her opponent a
second opportunity to pour in a raking fire ; and in about ten
minutes the President kept more away, firing only at intervals.
At about 8 p. M. she ceased firing, and appeared to show a light :
under the impression that the President had struck, the Endy-
mion also discontinued the action, and began to bend new sails.
While the Endymion was thus occupied, the President continued
SURRENDER OF PRESIDENT. 235
her course to the eastward ; but the Pomone came up with her at
1 1 h. 15 m. p. M., when the american frigate hailed that they had
surrendered. The loss sustained by the Endymion^ out of 319
men and 27 boys, amounted to 10 seamen and 1 Serjeant of ma-
rines killed^ and 12 seamen and 2 marines wounded. Out of
465 men and 4 boys, the President had 3 lieutenants and 32
men killed, the commodore and 69 wounded.
236
CHAPTER VI.
Services of the 1st and 2nd Battalions.
From the year 1810^ to 1815.
On the 29th of November a battalion composed of six compa-
nies of 80 rank and file each, with a company of marine artillery,
embarked at Plymouth under the command of major Richard
Williams, and arrived at Lisbon on the 8th of December. On
the 17th the battalion, together with the detachments of marines
from the squadron in the Tagus, were landed ; and having formed
in the Roscio square with a brigade of light six-pounders on
their right, the british envoy presented a pair of colours to the
battalion, with a highly complimentary address. After passing
in review, the whole of the marines re- embarked.
On the 31st the battalion again landed, and immediately
marched to Loures, where it continued until the 16th of Janu-
ary ; and in consequence of the several detachments serving on
shore from the ships being recalled on board, preparatory to
sailing, it returned to Lisbon, and took up its quarters at St.
George's castle. From the period of their arrival the men were
borne on the books of the Agincourt until October 1811, when
that ship sailed for England, and they were then formally dis-
charged to Lisbon.
On the 12th of November an Admiralty order allowed the
captains to receive the usual annual allowance of £47. 7s. 6d»
for payment of their companies. Major Dickenson returned to
England on the 31st of December, and major Graham took com-
mand of the british troops in Fort St. Julian.
BATTALION EMBARRB FOR SPAIN. 237
1812.
The battalion being ordered to embark, the following appeared
in garrison-orders of the 11th of February: — "Major-general
Peacocke cannot part with the Royal Marine battalion without
expressing the lively concern he feels in being deprived of their
services, and requesting their acceptance of his best thanks for
their uniform good conduct whilst in this garrison ; which, pre-
pared as he was by the high reputation always maintained by the
corps, has exceeded his most sanguine expectations. The major-
general begs to assure major Williams and the battalion, that
wherever their new career may lead them, they will carry with
them his sincere and ardent wishes for their future welfare and
prosperity."
The battalion, which had been increased to eight companies
of 70 rank and file, together with the artillery company, having
embarked on the 16th of February, left the Tagus on the 17th;
and on its arrival in England was billeted in Portsea, where it
continued until the 6th of June. Being then fully equipped for
field-service, it embarked on board the Diadem troop-ship, con-
sisting of 2 majors, 9 captains, 14 first and 4 second-lieutenants,
1 paymaster, 1 adjutant, 1 quarter-master, 1 surgeon, 1 assist-
ant-surgeon, 6 staff-serjeants, 39 Serjeants, 41 corporals, 17
drummers, and 559 privates. Total, 694.
On the 11th of June the Diadem arrived off Santona, and on
the 15th sir Home Popham in the Venerable joined her from
Corunna, and took command of the squadron. On the 19th
preparations were made for an attack on Lequito, and two guns
having been mounted on an island, opened their fire upon the
place ; but the Spanish force, which had invested the town, set-
tled the affair without any further effort on the part of the squa-
dron, and the french garrison, consisting of 296 men under a
chef-de-bataillon surrendered, and weie sent on board the Hot-
spur frigate. Having made several attempts to co-operate with
the Spaniards without any decided result, the ships took up a
position within range of the fort of Castro, and after a few shot
I
238 SURRENDER OF CASTRO.
had been fired from the squadron, the place surrendered. The
battahon having landed, the two companies of French infantry
marched from the citadel and grounded their arms in front of a
detachment of marines, who were formed in line to receive them.
On the following day a division of the Spanish army under gene-
ral Longa arrived ; and on the 10th, the battalion having re-em-
barked, the squadron sailed for Portugalette, where the troops
were landed ; but no sooner on shore, than sir Home Popham,
on the approach of a strong reinforcement of the enemy, ordered
the marines to re-embark and return to Castro, which they occu-
pied under the direction of captain Christian of the Iris. During
the night a strong force of the enemy marched up to the Bilboa
gate, about half an hour after the first company under captain
Johnson had been posted there ; and not expecting the British
had returned to Castro, to their astonishment were received by
a sharp fire of musketry. The French returned a few shot, by
which a private was wounded ; but on the arrival of a reinforce-
ment under lieutenant Graham, the enemy retired from the road,
and sought shelter in a vineyard. The walls of the town were
now manned by two companies of Spaniards and two of the
battalion. Shortly aflerwards the enemy withdrew, leaving one
man near the gate badly wounded ; and it is probable that some
were killed, as the peasantry reported that the French had bu-
ried some men about two miles from the town. Considerable
exeilions were made to put the place in the best state of de-
fence, and on the 30th captain Christian resigned the command
of Castro to major Williams.
An unsuccessful attack was made on Santander by the detach-
ment of marines from the Magnificent 74, Surveillante and Me-
dusa frigates, under the command of captain Noble, with lieute-
nants Cupples and Sturgeon, headed by captains Lake and sir
George Collier of the navy, (who were both wounded). The
enemy was in considerable force, and so effectually protected by
the houses of the town, that the British were compelled to re-
treat, having sustained a severe loss : captain Noble was dange-
ATTACK ON GUITARIA. 239
rously wounded and taken prisoner; besides 9 rank and file
killed, and 15 wounded. Lieutenant Sturgeon, who had taken
post in a convent, remained shut up for twenty-four hours, until
relieved by the guerillas, with whom he continued several days,
and with some difficulty regained his ship.
On the 2nd of August six companies re-embarked, and leav-
ing major Graham with the 7th and 8th, the squadron sailed for
Santander, where the battalion landed on the 4th, and on the
10th it re-embarked, and proceeded with the squadron to attack
Gitaya ; but this operation was relinquished by sir Home, on
learning that the enemy's force was far superior to his own.
The squadron then steered for Portugalette, where it arrived on
the evening of the 12th; and finding that the enemy had eva-
cuated Bilbao and Poilugalette, the sea-defences and a large
fort were destroyed. The marines returned to Santander,
where the second battalion, under the command of major James
Malcolm, had arrived from England. On the 16th both bat-
talions were embarked, and the squadron sailed to the eastward ;
on arriving off Portugalette, a Spanish force under general Longa
joined the expedition, which proceeded to Lequito. Having
anchored off Sumaga on the 18th, both artillery companies, un-
der the command of captain Parke, were landed and marched to
the heights, where they constructed a battery opposite the rock
of Guitaria, mounting 2 long twenty-four pounders, together
with a 6J-inch howitzer in a position below it; which at one
p. M. opened upon the rock, and was replied to by the enemy
from various points. In the mean time, the second battalion
had landed, and joined the Spaniards on the surrounding
heights.
Information having reached the commodore of the approach
of 4000 french troops, orders were issued on the 20th of Sep-
tember for an immediate re-embarkation, and to destroy the
guns. This was partly carried into execution, when it was dis-
covered that the report was unfounded ; and thus terminated
the futile attempt upon Guitaria. This was the fourth time tha
i
240 BATTALION AT CA8TELIX).
british force had appeared off the place^ and in one affair had
to retire with the loss of 2 twenty- four pounders, and 35 men
made prisoners. On the 28th both battalions disembarked at
Santander, and were quartered in the castle. At this period
the town was without any defence, the redoubt on the hill and
the various works having been destroyed by the Spaniards.
On the 17th of October captain Parke, with lieutenant March,
left Santander for Burgos, conveying 2 twenty-four pounders to
the british army before that place ; but the approach of a divi-
sion of the French under marshal Soult having compelled the
marquis of Wellington to relinquish his operations, captain
Parke returned on the 26th. The first battalion having been
conveyed across the harbour, marched for Castello, and was
posted before Santona; which place contained a garrison of
1500 men, under general Lameth. In consequence of informa-
tion that a considerable force of the enemy was marching upon
Santona, sir Home recalled the battalion on the 1st of Novem-
ber; but it had only reached Galizano on its return to Santander,
when the order was countermanded, and it resumed its position
at Castello. A reinforcement of marines having amved at San-
tander, two companies were added to the second battalion, and
another company of artillery formed. The first battalion was
recalled on the 14th of December, and on the 15th major
Williams received the following :
« Sir,
I take the earliest moment, after your return to San-
tander, to express to you my very sincere approbation of the
uniform good conduct which was manifested by the first bat-
talion of marines during the time it was invest'mg Santona ; and
I request you will do me the honour to assure the officers and
men under your command, that I have always felt, and never
failed to promulgate the same sentiment, — that if ever the enemy
ventured to give you a proper opportunity of coming in contact
with them, that the result would be as flattering to the country,
^
RETURN TO ENGLAND.
241
and as honourable to your corps in particular, as any issue
which has taken place in a similar contest during the course of
the war.
1 have the honour to be,
&c. &c. &c.
(Signed) HOME POPHAM."
Thus terminated the expedition to the north coast of Spain.
Castro and Lequito fell into our hands by means of offensive
operations, but the possession of Bilboa and Santander wau
the consequence of the victory of Salamanca on the 23rd of
July.
On the 21st of December both battalions sailed from San-
tander, and arrived at Spithead on the 12th of January, 1813.
Shortly afterwards they were increased to the following sche-
dule, each consisting of, —
Artillery. Batt.
Artillery.
Batt
Maj or- commandant — 1
Assistant-surgeon —
1
Major — 1
StafF-serjeants . —
2
Captains .... 1 8
Serjeants ... 4
40
Subalterns ... 4 16
Corporals ... 4
40
Paymaster ... — 1
Bombardiers . . 6
—
Adjutant .... — 1
Drummers . . 2
16
Quarter-master . . — 1
Gunners ... 60
—
Surgeon .... — 1
Privates ... —
672
Lieutenant Valentine Griffith succeeded to the appointment
of quarter-master, and on the 10th the first battalion, with its
company of artillery, proceeded to Plymouth ; whilst the second
was conveyed to Berry-head barracks. On the 10th of Febru-
ary major Williams was promoted to the brevet-rank of lieute-
nant-colonel, in order to give him the precedence of major Mal-
colm in case of their becoming brigaded with the army, the
latter having senior army rank. Lieutenant Kempster having
returned to his duty as adjutant of the royal marine artillery,
lieutenant Mitten succeeded to the adjutancy of the battalion;
VOL. II. B
242 SAIL FROM PLYMOUTH.
and major Qraham was relieved by brevet-major Mortimer as
regimental major.
Every attention was given by the Admiralty to promote the
efficiency of the battalions, as well as of the artillery brigade
under the command of captain Parke, of which lieutenant
R. C. Steele was appointed acting adjutant; and on the 30th
of March this effective force, accompanied by a detachment of
60 marine artillery under lieutenant G. E. Balchild, trained as
a rocket-corps and attached to the first battalion, embarked on
board the Diadem, Diomede, Romulus, Nemesis, Fox, and Sue-*
cess troop-ships, together with the second battalion, which had
previously arrived at Plymouth from Berry-head. With the
two companies of artillery a brigade of guns was embarked,
consisting of 4 light six-pounders, and 2 light 6 J -inch howitzers.
To these were added 2 ten-inch land-service mortars, and 2
brass eight-inch howitzers on battery carnages, with ammuni-
tion and stores complete.
On the 7th of April the expedition, under the orders of cap-
tain Hanchett of the Diadem, sailed from Plymouth, and ar-
rived at Murray's anchorage, Bermuda, on the 23rd of May,
when both battalions landed and were encamped. On the 28th
sir Sidney Beckwith, who had taken a passage in the Diadem,
was appointed by sir John B. WaiTen to command the troops,
consisting of the marine battalions, detachments of the 102nd
regiment, and two independent companies, composed principally
of prisoners of war who had entered the british service. On the
29th of May the troops were thus brigaded : —
FIRST BRIGADE.
Lieutenant-colonel Charles Napier, of the 102nd regiment.
Second battalion of Royal Marines ; detachment of the 102nd
regiment; first Independent Company. Brigade-major, captain
Piper of the 102nd regiment.
SECOND BRIGADE.
Lieutenant-colonel Richard Williams, of the Royal Marines.
ARRIVAL IN THE CHB8APBAKR. 243
First battalion of Royal Marines ; 2nd Independent Company.
Brigade-major, lieutenant J. Jones, royal marines.
This united force sailed from Bermuda on the 8th of June, and
arrived in the Chesapeake on the 18th, where there were assem-
bled thirteen sail of british ships, consisting of three of 74 guns,
a 64 armee en flutes four frigates, and the rest sloops and trans-
ports : the nearest within seven, and most distant about thirteen
miles irom Craney island. The numerous boats lying at the
stems of the several ships gave such intimation to the people
on shore of some expedition being in preparation, that the com-
manding officer at Norfolk was induced to send 160 of the Con-
stellation's seamen and marines to a battery of eighteen-pound-
ers on the north-west, and about 480 Virginia militia to re-
inforce a detachment of artillery stationed with 2 twenty-four
and 4 six-pounders on the west side of the island ; whilst fifteen
gun-boats were moored in the best position for the defence of
the place.
After two days of preparation, a division of seventeen or
eighteen boats quitted the squadron at daylight on the 22nd,
conveying both brigades, under command of major-general
Beckwith, round the point of Nansemond river, and landed
them without opposition at a place called Pig's-point, near to
the narrow inlet separating the main from Craney island. The
brigade formed upon the beach in open column of sections, left
in front; whilst the boats returned for the naval brigade,
which was to make an attack upon the sea-face of the island.
That force consisted of 200 seamen^ three companies of marines
formed from the detachments of the Marlborough, San Do-
mingo, and Plantagenet, under captain Sterling, (the senior
officer of the two battalions,) four companies of the 102nd r^-
ment, and one company of Canadian chasseurs, under brigade-
major Piper ; the whole being under the orders of captain
Samuel J. Pechell of the San Domingo.
The enemy's shot falling close to the column, sir S. Beck-
with moved forward about half a mile into the wood ; but after
]i2
244 ATTACK UfOK CRA5EY IftLAVD.
a fruitless endeavour to penetrate through it, the brigade re-
formed in sight of the naval force, then advancing to the at^
tack. Captain Hanchett, leading the boats in the Diadem's
launch, was exposed to a heavy fire of round and grape from
the batteries, when his boat took the ground at the distance of
about 100 yards from the enemy's guns. The captain waved for
the boats an^tem to keep afloat ; but this warning being disre-
garded, two of them grounded, and two others were sunk : in
the mean time the Americans, aware of the shoal, poured in
their grape and canister with destructive effect. Captain Han-
chett was severely wounded, while endeavouring to save the
men that were struggling in the water; and for two hours the
boats, thus huddled together, were exposed to the enemy's
fire within canister range, but having at length withdrawn,
the troops re-embarked. A few shot produced some casualties
in the brigades : 1 Serjeant was killed, and 1 private wounded of
the 102nd regiment; captain Steele and 7 privates of the second
battalion of marines were wounded. Of the natal brigade, 62
were officially reported as missing ; and of that number, about
30 of the independent companies gained the shore and deserted.
In order to form a corps to act as light infantry, the 102nd
regiment, with the two companies of chasseurs and a propor-
tionate force of artillery, were placed under the command of
lieutenant-colonel Napier, and the two battalions of marines
under the direction of lieutenant-colonel Williams.
It was now resolved to make an attack upon Hampton, which
is situated upon a low flat ground, pretty generally covered with
)vood. To the right of the town there was a battery of four or
five guns, protecting the entrance to the creeks; and a small
encampment was formed in the rear of the battery, having a
communication with the town by means of a wooden bridge.
On the 25th of June, just before day-break, the advance un-
der lieutenant-colonel Napier landed two miles to the westward
of Hampton, and taking the road which led into the town, halted
, in the wood ; but owing to some misunderstanding in the de-
%
ATTACK UPON' HAMPTON. 245
barkation of the troops, the marine battalions did not join the
iadvance until five o'clock, and then the column moved forward
in sections, left in front. Some slight skirmishing took place
between the independent companies and flank companies of the
102nd, and the enemy; at the same time the gun-boats, with
rockets, under the direction of captain Pechell of the San Do-
mingo, with an eight-inch howitzer, moved along the shore,
taking a position to flank the battery, and they opened a fire as
the column advanced. Lieutenant Wilson, royal marine artil-
lery, directed the howitzer; and captain Parke, with lieutenants
R. C. Steele and Vinicombe, the six-pounder, which in the line of
march was just in front of the first battalion. After advancing
about a mile through the wood, a body of the enemy's troops^,
supported by 2 six-pounders with horses, was observed on the
right flank of the first battalion, endeavouring to form in line in
a ploughed field. After a few discharges from the guns, the
british column debouched from the wood ; and no sooner had
the advance formed into line> than the enemy fled through a
gate-way at the corner of the field, pursued by the first, battalion
in column of sections; but without success, as the Americans
had thrown themselves into the wood. The column continued
its march until it arrived in rear of the town, when it wheeled
into line under cover of a hedge, across which the enemy's ar^
tillery continued a galling fire, and was ably replied to by the
guns under captain Parke. Lieutenant-colonel Williams now
advanced with the 7th and 8th companies, commanded by cap-
tains Smith and Wills, accompanied by captain Powell, assist-
ant quarter-master-general, on either side of the hedge, and
were shortly afterwards followed by the 5th and 6th companies;
under the command of captains Lowder and Andei-son. On en-
tering the town, which was found to have been evacuated, the
7th company, taking through a street to the right, and arriving
at the bridge which suppoiled the communication between th0
camp and the town, came upon a few soldiers and artilleiy-men
with a six-pounder ; these, together with the field-piece, were
246 IWO STAHD OF COLOVB8 TAKEK.
instantly captured. The 6th and 6th companies having tnraed
to the right before entering the place, charged another party
with 2 six-ponnders, which were also taken. In the battery
were found 4 twelve-pounders, on garrison carriages : these re-
mained in possession of the 7th company, and the other conif-
panies of the battalion formed in the town. At about 10 o'clock
A.if. the first battalion was directed to cross the bridge and oc*
cupy the camp, while the second took post in the church-yard
of Hampton. The first brigade, under lieutenant-colonel Napier,
with the artillery, were posted without the town, and the neces-
sary picquets established in that quarter. In their hasty retreat
the enemy abandoned the colours of the 86th regiment of the
old american war, and of the 68th (Jameson's city light in-
fantry), both of which were taken possession of by the first
battalion. The town of Hampton was pillaged by the boats'
crews from various ships, as well as by the independent com-
panies, and the conduct of the latter was such that it was
deemed necessary to get rid of them ; accordingly on the 6th of
July they were embarked on board the Success, and sent to
Halifax. The loss sustained by the British in this affair
amounted to 6 men killed, 33 wounded, and 10 missing. On
the 26th of June the brigade re-embarked, having previously
destroyed the enemy's guns, platforms, and other means of
defence.
The colours taken from the enemy were, by desire of sir Sid-
ney Beckwith, presented to admiral sir John B. Warren, who
was pleased to say that they belonged in right to the first bat-
talion of marines ; and that whenever they thought jHroper to
demand them, they should be given into their custody. Until
the 2nd of July the squadron was employed watering, and
foraging parties were sent to procure cattle* On the 3rd a de-
tachment of the 102nd regiment, under lieutenant-colonel Na-
pier, with the 6th, 7th, and 8th companies of the first battalion
of marines under major Mortimer, three companies of the second
battalion under major Barry, a detachment of marine artillery
SQUAPBON IN THB POTOMAC. 247
under captaia Parke^ with captain Montgomerie of the Ist
artillery company y and a rocket detachment under lieutenant
Stevens, embarked on board the squadron, consisting of the
Sceptre 74, rear-admiral Cockbum, with Nemesis, Fox, and
Romulus troop-ships, and some smaller vessels, and on the 4th
.they dropped down to Lynhaven bay. On the 11th sir John
Warren, with. the San Domingo, Marlborough, Barossa, of
74 gund,.and some smaller vessels, accompanied by the Diadem
and Diomede, and a marine-rocket vessel, quitted James's river
to proceed up the Chesapeake*
• It having been determined to attack the american frigate
John Adams, lying about fifty miles up the Potomac, the Ba-
rossa and Laurestinus frigates, with the Contest and Mohawk
brigs, were selected for that service, conveying the 1st, 2nd,
and 5th companies of the first battalion, with the 2nd artillery
company, and half a brigade of guns. On the 14th the whole
squadron proceeded up the Potomac, and in the evening the
admiral anchored about a league from St. George's island,
whilst the advanced division continued its course up the river.
Two schooners liaving been observed to anchor in a creek,
the boats from the brigs were ordered to attack them. One
schooner escaped, but the other, mounting 1 long eighteen-
pounder, and 2 eighteen-pounder carronades, with 26 men,
was captured, with the loss of 5 killed and 6 wounded on the
part of the British ; and on the part of the Americans, the com-
mander of the schooner and several of his crew were killed, and
several wounded* In the evening the division anchored off
Wincomico xiver, on the left bank of the Potomac. It was
now ascertained that the Adams had moved towards Alexan-
dria; consequently the advanced division was recalled by the
admiral, and in descending the river the boats attacked a
schooner and sloop, protected by the militia, who opened a
fire from the bushes which killed lieutenant Hext of the Ba-
rossa, and wounded 6 men. Brigade^major Jones was em-
ployed on this service. On the 20th two companies of the
A
248 CAPTUfiB OF TAB ANACONDA.
first battalion, with a ligbt six-pounder, were landed on Hoi-
lis's Marsh, on the western side of Nominy bay, to support an
attack on a small sloop lying in a creek : the yessel was burnt,
and the companies re-embarked without a casualty.
The squadron under sir George Cockbum, with the brigade
under lieutenant-colonel Napier, which as we observed were
detached by sir John B. Warren on the 11th, arrived oflF the bar
of Ocracoke on the night of the 12th; and at 2 a.m. on the 13th
the troops were embarked in the boats; and accompanied by the
Conflict, they pulled to the shore in three divisions. Owing to
the great distance and heavy swell, the advance division, com-
manded by lieutenant Westphal of the Sceptre, did not reach
the shoal point of the harbour until considerably after daylight;
consequently the enemy was fully prepared for resistance. The
instant the boats doubled the point, they were fired at by the
Atlas schooner of 10 guns, and the Anaconda brig, mounting
18 long nine-pounders ; both vessels were immediately attacked
by lieutenant Westphal, under cover of some rockets, and just
as he reached the brig's bows, her crew cut the cable and
abandoned her. At the same time the schooner hauled down
her colours, and was also taken possession of. In the course of
the morning the troops were landed, and occupied Ocracoke
and the town of Portsmouth, without the slightest opposition.
After being two days on shore the troops re-embarked, and the
squadron rejoined the commander-in-chief not having incurred
any loss.
On the 26th some frigates were sent forward to occupy the
narrows, and prevent the escape of any troops to the main land ;
and on the 28th the admiral with the remaining ships moved up
the Chesapeake, but owing to the light winds the squadron did
not reach the south-end of Kent island before the night of the
6th of August, when the marines of the Marlborough and fri-
gates, with a detachment of artillery and a light six-pounder,
were landed at a post established at the ferry. On the 7th
the brigades were also landed : the two battalions on the south
LAND ON KBNT ISLAND* 249
side of Kent island, and the 102nd at the ferry. Kent island
is about fourteen miles in length and six in breadth, extending
north-north-east and south-south-west along the eastern shore
of the Chesapeake, forming a part of Queen Anne's county
in the state of Maryland, and is situated about six miles from
-Annapolis, on the western shore. It is flat and low, with a good
road from south to north; that is, from Kent Point to Looe
Point. On the 8th, at break of day, the troops continued their
march to the northward, but the thermometer being so high as
90 in the shade, they were necessarily compelled to move very
slowly. On the 12th the posts of the island having been re-
lieved by detachments from the ships, the first battalion at 6
P.M. proceeded to Looe Point, where boats were. prepared for
embarkation. At 11 p.m. sir Sidney Beckwith, with the 102nd^
2 six-pounders under captain Parke, and the second battalion,
crossed the ferry at the narrows, followed by the first battalion.
Before daylight the advance was engaged with the enemy's pic-
quets; but owing to a mistake of the guide, the first battalion
landed on the opposite side of the creek, and consequently the
troops had entered the town before this battalion had again
disembarked. The enterprise proved unsuccessful, and the fai-
lure may principally be attributed to the nature of the country,
which is extremely woody. The second battalion sustained a
loss of 2 privates killed, and 4 wounded.
On the 13th the troops arrived in camp ; the brigade was in-
spected by sir Sidney Beckwith and the admiral on the 19tb,
and on the 22nd Kent island was evacuated by the British. On
the 24th the squadron removed to the south-end of Kent island,
and receiving information that the enemy had a camp in Talbot
county, about two miles from the island, at 9 p. m. on the 25tb
the 102nd, with the first battalion and one six-pounder, em-
barked in the boats, while the second battalion remained on
board the schooners, in reserve. On the 26th the first brigade
landed without opposition, and after a march of a few miles,
having ascertained that there were no troops of the enemy in
i
250 BATTAUOH8 ABBIVB AT HALIFAX.
that directioQ, the British re-embarked at 5 p.m.. On the 28th
of Augusty the sqnadrcm moved down to Lynhaven bay, where
they anchored on the 2nd of September. Soon afierwanb a
fever broke out, which increased so rapidly, that the admiral,
considering that the troops were no longar required in the
Chesapeake, determined on proceeding to Halifax, Accord-
ingly the San Domingo, bearing the flag of sir John B. War-
ren, accompanied by the troop-ships conveying the brigades,
sailed for that destination; and on the 13th of Sqitember the
squadron arrived at Halifax, when the troops were landed and
encamped near the town ; and <m the 23rd the brigade was in-
spected by sir John Sherbrooke, the lieutenant-gov^nor of
Nova Scotia.
In consequence of an application from sir Greoige PreTOst,
the commander of the forces in the Canadas, to sir John War-
ren for a reinforcement of 400 marines, the second battalion,
under lieuteoantrcolonel Malcolm, with a portion of artillery
under lieutenant Anderson, embarked on the 24th of September
on board the Success, Fox, and Nemesis troop-ships f(nr Quebec
Captain Parke was removed to the artillery company of the first
battalion, vice Montgomerie, who had resigned his commission.
Sir Sidney Beckwith being required to fill his situation as quar-
ter-master-general in Canada, that officer proceeded to Quebec
on board the Nemesis ; consequently the command of the troops
at Halifax devolved upon lieutenant-colonel C. Napier, of the
102nd regiment.
Shortly afterwards an officer arrived with despatches from sir
George Prevost, (having travelled the distance of 700 miles in
seven days,) bringing intelligence of the defeat of commodore
Barclay, who had sailed on the 9th of September from Am-
hersty on Lake Erie, to relieve general Proctor at Sandentry*
On the 8tb of October the first battalion, with the artillery, em-
barked on board the Diadem and Diomede, and accompanied
by the rocket detachment and the marines, sailed on the 9th
from Halifax.
SBCONB BATTALION AT QUEBBC. 261
On the 18th the squadron entered the river St. Lawrence^
and on the 20th anchored, in company with the ships convey-
ing the second battalion, near Green island, about 100 miles
from Quebec ; and on the 24th the right wing of the first bat-
talion was removed on board six schooners, and conveyed to
Quebec. During their passage one schooner was wrecked, but
the men fortunately escaped with the loss of their baggage : the
left wing landed on the 16th, and marched into barracks.
The second battalion reached Quebec on the 24th, and on the
26th one division marched for Montreal ; but the roads were
80 bad, that on the 27th 100 men, with both artillery companies,
embarked in the steam-boat, accompanied by sir Sidney Beck-*
with, and the third division marched from Quebec on the same
day. The left wing having arrived on the 30th, the first batta-
lion was ordered to proceed to Montreal in three divisions ; but
they had scarcely crossed the memorable plains of Abraham,
about two miles from the city, when the troops were recalled, to
be embarked in schooners. The wind becoming again foul, the
first division marched to St Augustin, about fifteen miles from
Quebec, where they remained for the night, and on the follow-
ing day the second and third divisions took the same route. On
the 3rd of November the first division, under lieutenant-colonel
Williams, reached the town of Trois-rivi^res, ninety miles from
Quebec On the 4th the second division, under captain Ander-
son, embarked at Trois-rivi^res on board the steam-boat, and
on the 6th of November landed at Montreal, as the last division
of the second battalion was marching out for Prescott. On the
following day, Sunday the 7th, the battalion was inspected by
sir George Prevost in the Champ de Mars.
Until the loss of the flotilla on lake Erie, and the defeat of
major-general Proctor, the British had been successful in all
their operations : the american army was defeated by major-
general Vincent, when generals Chandler and Winter were taken
prisoners ; whilst the remnant of their force effected its retreat,
with considerable loss, to Fort George, upon lake Ontario, where
262 PIRST BATTALION AT ISLB AUX NOIX.
they had about 4000 men, and at Niagara, on the opposite side
of the river, 2000 : these divisions were watched by the british
force under major-generals De Rottenburg and St. Vincent.
It having been ascertained on the 8th of November that the
american army, under general Wilkinson, was descending the
St. Lawrence, and had already passed the fort of Prescott, about
1 00 miles from Montreal, the first battalion moved forward
about 16 miles to La Chine, on lake St. Louis, where the rocket
company under lieutenant Balchild arrived on the 10th, whilst
lieutenant Stevens with 2 six-pounders proceeded to Coteau du
Lac, on lake St. Francis. The force assembled to oppose the
landing of major-general Wilkinson consisted of the battalion
of marines, three battalions of embodied militia, two troops of
the 19th light dragoons, and a volunteer corps; but the pro-
gress of the american army was arrested by colonel Morrison
of the 87th, who, with the assistance of captain Mulcaster of
the navy, commanding a division of gun-boats, defeated the
enemy on the 11th of November near Cornwall, taking 400
prisoners, and a six-pounder gun.
The second battalion, with the artillery company, were order-
ed from Coteau du Lac to Prescott, whilst the first proceeded
to Isle aux Noix, where it arrived on the 24th ; and lieutenant-
colonel Williams relieved lieutenant-colonel Weller in command
of that garrison, which consisted of the first battalion of marines
with its company of artillery, and a company of the 10th vete-
ran battalion ; amounting altogether to 720 rank and file. Lieu-
tenant John E. Jones, R. M., was appointed fort-adjutant.
Isle aux Noix is a low flat island, 1600 yards in length and
400 in breadth, situated about 260 yards from, the right bank
of the river, and 400 from the left. The passage on the right
side is obstructed by a sliding boom, moored with anchors;
and on the latter by a chevaux-de-frise, sunk across the river
by means of heavy stones. Its main defence consisted of an
irregular fort on the eastern side, close to the river ; of a strong
redoubt on the western, side, and to the southward of these two
GALLAN7RY OF LIEUTENANT BARTON. 253
works was a redoubt which enfiladed the river as far as Mill
Point, where it takes a new direction to the westward. The
banks of the river being low, and covered with wood, the island
was not liable to be attacked by batteries at a less distance
than 600 yards; and near to the island the trees had been
felled, to prevent the approach of troops unperceived.
1814.
On the 30th of March, lieutenanl^colonel Williams having
received infoimation that 1500 of the enemy had crossed the
Province at Odel's town, detached the flank compcmies of the
13th regiment, under captain Holgate, to the Cole Mill, where
that officer learnt that the enemy had advanced with 6000 men
and three field-pieces. In front of the mill, upon the right
bank of the river, there was a space of about 150 yards entirely
cleared of wood ; and just within the wood, and opposite the
gable end of the building, the enemy had planted a twelve-
pounder gun, and near to it a 5i-inch howitzer. On the arrival
of the flank companies of the 13th regiment, they formed on the
side of the river ; then advancing in line, obliqued to the left,
and brought their right fiank opposite the gun, the discharge of
which, accompanied by the fire of musketry, compelled them
to retire with considerable loss. At this moment the grenadier
company of the Canadian fencibles, which was posted at Breton^
ville, arrived, unmolested by the enemy, and entered the block-
house from the rear. Lieutenant Samuel Barton of the ma-<
rines having volunteered to lead a second charge, the flank
companies of the 13th, the company of the Canadian fencibles,
and a company of voltigeurs, were formed in sections ; and al-
though they advanced boldly close to the muzzle of the gun,
they were again repulsed by the destructive fire of the enemy's
musketry. Lieutenant Barton was left senseless close to the
gun, but recovering himself, he, soon after dark, crept through
the wood and regained the mill.
The enemy, from their exposed situation, and under the de-
264 BRAVERY OF J. BROWK.
stnictive Are from a loop-holed building, had suffered consider-
ably. The british force, which resisted the attack of the Ame-
ricans upon this post with 5000 men and a considerable train of
artillery, did not exceed 560 men. Captain Pring of the royal
navy, who had moored a sloop and a gun^boat for the support
of the troops, kept up a galling and destructive fire, and he was
most active and zealous in landing two field-pieces, and getting
them into the block-house.
Lieutenants Caldwell and Barton received the approbation of
the commander-in«chief for their gallant conduct on this occa«
sion. The loss sustained by the British amounted to 10 rank
and file killed ; one captain, one subaltern, 2 Serjeants, 42 rank
and file wounded, and 4 missing.
The detachment of royal marines at La Cole mill was com^
manded by brevet-major Lynch, having under his orders lieute-
nants Barton and Wesley. During the attack of the mill, the
commanding officer was desirous to send a despatch to lieute-
nant^colonel Williams, and as the enemy had cut off the com-
munication with the island by the road, it became very difficult
to forward a message ; under these circumstances a private of
the royal marines, named J. Brown, volunteered his services.
The despatch, enclosed in thin lead, was placed in his mouth,
and the gallant fellow, passing along the side of the river under
a heavy fire from the Americans on the opposite bank, reached
the Isle aux Noix in safety. On the following day the promo-
tion of Brown appeared in the battalion orders.
Apprehensive of a second attack on La Cole, lieutenant-colonel
Williams reinforced the post by placing 3 eighteen-pounder car-
ronades in battery at the block-house, and four gun-boats were
added to the flotilla, on board of which lieutenants Phillips and
Coulter with 50 rank and file were embarked ; but finding the
information incorrect, the flotilla dropt down to the Isle aux
Noix, and the marines disembarked.
On the 8th of May captain Lynch, first-lieutenants Coulter
and Ashmore, 5 Serjeants, 5 corporals, 1 drummer,, and 89 pri-
ATTACK ON THB AMBRICAN FLOTILLA. 255
yates embarked on board the Linnet 18-gon brig; and on the
9th first-lientenant Phillips and second-lieutenant Graham, with
4 Serjeants and 112 rank and file, on board the gnn-boats* At
11 A. ic on that day, the whole of the flotilla imder captain
Pring passed through the boom, greeted by three hearty cheers
from the garrison. On the same evening the gun-boats, which,
with the exception of two sailors and a gunner of the marine
artillery in each, were manned from the battalion, lost sight
of the Linnet and the two armed cutters, and did not see them
again until the 11th. On the morning of the arrival of these
vessels at the head of the lake, the gun-boats had been in action
aboat an hour with a battery mounting 7 guns. After smart
firing on both sides, some of the enemy's guns were dismounted,
and before the gun-boats were recalled by signal from the brig,
the fire of the Americans was reduced to one gun. This battery
was on a point of land at the entrance of a small river, up which,
and about three miles distant, was a dock-yard, where the ves-
sels were fitting out that a short time afterwards defeated our
squadron in Platsburg bay. The object of the expedition was
to sink three sloops at the entrance of the river, and to destroy
the enemy's works ; it is therefore difficult to account for the
recall of the gun-boats at the moment when success had crown-
ed their gallant efforts, and the battery might have been speedily
stormed. As soon as the gun-boats rejoined the commodore,
the whole flotilla returned to the island, which was now rein-
forced by the light company of the 49th, and three companies
of the 13th regiment.
At this period an order was received by lieutenant-colonel
Williams from the Admiralty, directing the second battalion to
be broken up, and divided in the flotilla and squadron as
might be expedient, after completing the deficiencies in the
first battalion.
The want of judgment evinced in this arrangement was not
less conspicuous, than the ignorance exhibited in sendii^ across
the Atlantic to Quebec, and thence up the St. Lawrence to Kings-
256 SECOND BATTALION BROKEN UP. '
ton, the very same timber, now modelled for the construction of
vessels, which a year or two before had descended that river,
instead of forwarding artificers to the Canadas ; who would in
half the time have built a navy on the very borders of the lakes,
that would have maintained, without any hazard, the very so-
vereignty to which we aspired. For although the Admiralty
might regret that they had, for a time, lost the control over
the two battalions, and notwithstanding the impatience of com-
modore sir James Yeo to possess an undisputed command over
the royal marines serving in the Canadas, there were conside-
rations f&r more important for their lordships* attention.
" The breaking up, '' (as the Commissioners of the Admiralty
emphatically termed it) of the second battalion, was most
impolitic ; for whilst that measure dissolved the ties that united
them as a corps, it militated against the respect due from the
men to their officers ; and as the severity of the climate ren-
dered the ships useless during several months in the year, it
became expedient to disembark the crews, and place them in
barracks. Under these circumstances, instead of separating
the corps, a head-quarters should have been established at
Kingston ; whence, in the season for operations on the lakes, a
supply of marines might have been furnished to the flotilla.
Moreover, it would have enabled lieutenant-colonel Malcolm,
and the staff of his battalion, to recruit the various wants of his
force ; and after the services of the summer season had termi-
nated, that officer would have possessed the opportunity to
renew their discipline, which in ships of war is of so mixed and
capricious a nature, as to render it a difficult task to restore it
to its proper medium.
A general order, dated the 6th of May, directed the distribu-
tion of the second battalion ; but fortunately that order did not
reach Kingston before their embarkation, under the orders of
lieutenant-general Drummond, on an expedition which proved
entirely successful, and in which the Royal Marines bore a con-
spicuous part.
GENBRAL ORDBR9. 257
This event was thus announced in general orders :
^* Adjutant-generaTs Office^ Montreal^ \2th May, 1814.
''His excellency the governor in chief and commander of the
forces has the highest gratification in announcing to the troops,
that he has received from lieutenant-general Drummond a de-
spatch reporting a most spirited and successful attack upon the
enemy's fort and position at Oswego, which was carried by
assault at noon on the 6th instant
'' The lieutenant-general reports, that having caused six com-
panies of the regiment De Watteville, and one company of Glen-
garry light infantry, with a small detachment of artillery, to em-
bark on board the squadron, in addition to the second battalion
of Royal Marines, he accompanied sir James Yeo in the Prince
Regent, and on the evening of the 5th the squadron anchored
off Oswego. A violent gale of wind driving the squadron off
the shore, the position was not recovered until noon on the fol-
lowing day, when the disposition for landing was instantly car-
ried into effect.
" The frigates took a position whence they could cannonade
the fort, whilst the brigs, schooners, and gun-boats, in propor-
tion to their respective draught of water, covered the several
points of debarkation, which, owing to the sboalness of the
water, was attended with considerable difficulty. The boats
grounding, the troops were, in many instances, obliged to leap
out and wade through the water up to their middle; and the
enemy, having strongly occupied the favourable position near
the shore, and the woods by which it is surrounded, the dis-
embarkation was attended with some loss. It was nevertheless
effected with the utmost promptitude, under the direction of
lieutenant-colonel Fischer, led by the two newly-formed flank
companies of De Watteville's, under captain Bersey ; the re-
maining four companies, and detachments of royal artillery,
being held in reserve.
'' The second battalion of royal marines, under lieutenant*
VOL. II. s
i
258 GENERAL ORDERS.
colonel Malcolm, supported by a detachment of seamen under
captain Mulcaster of the royal navy, formed a second column
to the right; captain McMillan's company of the Glengarry
light infantry occupied the skirts of the wood to the left, and
supported the advance of the columns to the fort, which was
gained and carried in ten minutes from the advance of the
troops after landing : the enemy's garrison, consisting of Mar-
combe's 3rd regiment of artillery, 400 strong, and a numerous
militia, saving themselves by a precipitate flight.
" Lieutenant-general Drummond speaks in the highest terms
of the cordial, judicious, and able co-operation of commodore
sir James Yeo, and the o£Scers and seamen of his squadron ;
and laments the temporary loss the service has sustained in cap*^
tain Mulcaster of the royal navy, who was severely wounded :
the eminent services of that oflScer, and of captains O'Connor,
Popham, and Collier, are particularly noticed.
" The lieutenant-general bestows the highest pmise on the cool
and judicious conduct of lieutenant-colonels Fischer and Mal-
colm, and the intrepid gallantry displayed by captains Bersey
and M'Millan in covering the advance.
" Lieutenant-colonel Pearson, inspecting field-officer, and
major Smith 103rd regiment, who being passengers in the fleet
volunteered their services, captain Cullenden, royal artillery,
brevet-major Coulston of De Watte ville's, lieutenant Stevens,
rocket company, lieutenant Laurie of the royal marines, who
led the first party that entered the fort, and lieutenant Hewett
of the same corps, who climbed the flag-staff* and pulled down
the American colours, which were nailed to it, are respectively
noticed by the lieutenant-general ; who represents, in the
strongest terms, the zealous and able assistance he has expe-
rienced on this, and on every other occasion, from th^ deputy
adjutant-general, lieutenant-colonel Harvey, and also firom his
aide-de-camp, captain Jarvoise.
'' It is particularly gratifying to his excellency to have to no-
tice, to the high honour of both branches of the service, that
CASUALTIES OP SECOND BATTALION. 259
although surrounded by temptation, there was not a sailor or
soldier missing, nor a single instance of intoxication. The ser-
vice has lost a brave and meritorious officer in captain Holt-
away, of the royal marines.
" Every object of the expedition being accomplished, the
barracks burnt, the fort dismantled, and all the public stores,
which were not brought away, destroyed, the troops re-em-
barked at four o'clock on the following morning, and the
squadron sailed for Kingston.
"The enemy lost 100 killed and 60 prisoners, the greater
part wounded. On the part of the British :
"Second battalion royal marines, 1 captain, 2 Serjeants, 4
rank and file killed ; 1 serjeant, 32 rank and file wounded. De
Watteville's, 1 drummer, 7 rank and file killed ; 1 captain, 1
subaltern, 1 serjeant, 17 rank and file wounded. Glengarry, 9
rank and file wounded. Total, 1 captain, 3 Serjeants, 1 drum-
mer, 11 rank and file killed; 1 captain, 1 subaltern, 2 Serjeants,
68 rank and file wounded.
" Royal navy, 3 seamen killed, captains M ulcaster and Pop-
ham, J. Richardson, master, and 7 seamen wounded.
** Ordnance taken and destroyed : 4 thirty-two pounder, 4
twenty-four pounder, 2 twelve-pounder, and 2 six-pounder iron
guns. Total, IL One schooner and several boats, laden with
ordnance stores, were brought away ; three schooners and other
craft destroyed."
The militia force, which attempted to oppose the landing,
retreated to the Falls, about ten miles higher up the river, to
protect an iron-foundry and d^pot of stores; and they were
followed by the artillery corps, who ran out of the fort when it
was assaulted.
Captain Richard Parry, who now arrived from England to
command the 2nd artillery company, vice Montgomery re-
signed, was ordered to relieve captain Jackson of the royal
artillery at Fort Wellington.
After the return of the flotilla from lake Champlain, it vi^s
s2
260 ATTACK OH 9AHDY CREEK.
moored between the west-end of La Cole river and Ash ishmd.
One captain and a snbaltem were added to the post at La Cole,
and the detachment, as before, consisted of 80 rank and file of
royal marines, and two companies of the 13th regiment. On
board the flotilla there was a captain, 2 subalterns, and 100
men; and on the 13th of Jone lieutenants Wesley and Toby,
5 Serjeants, and 123 rank and file were sent up in batteaux, to
man the gun-boats more efiectually. At this time the enemy's
flotilla was equipped, and having now moved down the river,
was moored across the lake, between the west-end of Isle de la
Motte and Chary. In the early part of July, the reinforcement
mentioned above, under lieutenants Wesley and Toby» returned
to the Isle aux Noix.
On the return of the flotilla to Kingston ai%er the capture of
Oswego, a force consisting of several gun-boats, in which were
embarked lieutenants Thomas Cox and Patrick M'Veagh of
the late second battalion, with 80 men under the immediate
orders of captain Popham, R.N., was detached to intercept the
enemy's vessels passing thence to Sackett's harbour. Having
on the 28th of May chased a small convoy of boats into the
narrow inlet called Sandy Creek, the British imprudently ven-
tured to attack them, and the whole detachment, amounting to
about 180 persons, were captured by a body of the enemy con-
cealed in the woods. On this occasion that gallant and re-
peatedly distinguished officer, lieutenant Cox, was killed ; and
lieutenant M 'Veagh mortally wounded.
Captain Short of the royal marines, having been sent on
shore with a detachment at Pultneyville, by order of sir James
Yeo, to bring ofi* some stores, was fired upon by the enemy and
compelled to re-embark, the captain and several of his men
being wounded.
On the 13th of July lieutenant-colonel Williams received
orders from the Admiralty to consider the first battalion at the
disposal of sir James Yeo, for the service of the squadron upon
the lakes; and he was directed to proceed with the remainder to
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BATTALIONS. 261
Bermuda^ and there place himself under the orders of sir Alex-
ander Cochrane.
The following order was issued by the commander of the
forces : —
" Montreal, Atigust 16th, 1814.
" In compliance with instructions received from his Majesty's
secretary of state, the first battalion of Royal Marines is to be
disposed for naval service."
In consequence of this order, the distribution was as fol-
lows : —
For lake Ontario, — 3 captains, 2 first-lieutenants, 2 second-
lieutenants, 6 Serjeants, 6 corporals, 3 drummers, 310 privates.
For lake Champlain, — 1 captain, 3 first-lieutenants, 8 Ser-
jeants, 8 corporals, 2 drummers, 160 privates.
Total, — 4 captains, 5 first-lieutenants, 2 second-lieutenants,
14 Serjeants, 13 corporals, 5 drummers, and 470 privates ; and
the assistant-surgeon to proceed to lake Ontario.
''The detachments for Upper Canada are to be at Chateaugay
on the 24th instant, to be conveyed in boats to Kingston ; and
on the same day the force for lake Champlain is to be delivered
over to the naval officers on that station.
** Lieutenant- colonel Williams, with the staff and the residue
of the men, which is to comprise the non-effective and less capa^
ble of service, to proceed to Chambly, thence to Quebec to be
conveyed to Halifax.
'' The commander-in-chief of the forces, in complying with
the orders of government in the disposal of the battalions of
Royal Marines, considers it an act of justice to that valuable
and respectable corps, to declare his entire approbation of the
correct conduct and steady discipline that have uniformly cha-
racterized the royal marines since their arrival in Canada.
''The first battalion, under lieutenant-colonel Williams, in
the exact and diligent discharge of the duties assigned to it, in
the occupation of the most critical and important position on
this frontier, has evinced, in a manner highly honourable to the
262 SEPAKATIOBT OF TUB OPFIC£B««
corps, the talents and judgment of the commander, the intelli-
gence and vigilance of the officers, and the tried fidelity and
discipline of the corps.
^^The second battalion, nnder lieutenant-colonel Malcolm,
was afforded an opportunity of manifesting its gallantry and
devotion to the service in the assault of the fort of Oswego.
*^ His excellency desires that lieutenant-colonel Williams will
communicate his sentiments, as expressed in this order, to the
officers and soldiers of the Boyal Marines under his command.
^^ Lieutenants Fennell and Jones are to continue in discharge
of the duties of their present station, until further orders.
(Signed) EDWARD BAYNES,
ADJUTAJfT-GEIIEBAL."
Thus, after four years' assiduous attention to the duties of his
profession, — having by patience and steady perseverance over-
come any laxity of discipline and bad habit acquired in former
periods of service, and established a uniformity that rendered
the battalion efficient for active service in the field, — did the
Admiralty, in their wisdom, destroy all the advantages which
the unwearied zeal of its distinguished commander had accom-
plished ; and the decision of their lordships excited universal
dissatisfaction in the corps.
At this moment there was a general peace in Europe, and it
was therefore most extraordinary that the government should
direct the dismemberment of the battalion of marines, when
there were so many men disposable at the head-quarters of the
divisions in England. On separating, the officers drew lots for
their detachments.
On the 21st of August captains Stuart and Smith, with lieu-
tenants Coulter, Phillips, Toby, and Hinton, marched with the
detachment for lake Ontario ; and on the 24th, captain Ander-
son, with lieutenant Caldwell and the detachment to complete
the flotilla on lake Richelieu, were placed at the disposal of
tlie senior naval officer. The remainder of the battalion, under
FLOTILLA ON LAKE GAMPLAIN. 263
major Mortimer^ embarked on the 26th in batteaux at the Isle
aux Noix for St. John's^ whence they marched by Chambly
and SoiTel for Quebec.
Lieutenant Jones^ at his own request, remained as fort-adju-
tanty and lieutenant Fennell (who had been extremely active in
the advance-posts on the frontier, where he had been stationed
with lieutenant Robinson and a detachment during the entire
winter and spring,) continued at that post. The party of ma-
rines under his orders had been relieved by the militia, and
that at La Cole by the 13th regiment.
The appointment by sir John Borlase Warren of assistant-
surgeon Wilson to that of surgeon, vice Farnden resigned, was
not confirmed by the Admiralty ; and surgeon Richardson, by
their appointment, joined the battalion at St. John's on the
26th of August, on their march down the country. Brevet-
major Lynch and captain D. Campbell, having been surveyed
and invalided, were permitted to proceed to England.
On the 28th of August the battalion continued its march for
WilUam Henry, or Sorrel, at the entrance of the Richelieu ; and
from the latter place it was conveyed in the steam-boat to
Quebec, where it embarked on board the Dover troop-ship.
On the 11th of September the flotilla on lake Camplain, con-
sisting of the Confiance mounting 37 guns, captain Downie,
Linnet 16-gun brig, captain Pring, sloops Cherub of 10, and
Finch of 8 guns, and ten gun-boats, mounting between them 2
long twenty-four, 6 long eighteen-pounder, and 6 thirty-two
pounder carronades, with 294 men, — ^making a total of 86 guns,
and 714 men, attacked the american squadron under commodore
Macdonough, consisting of the Saratoga, mounting 26 guns,
brig Eagle 20 guns, schooner Ticonderoga of 17 guns, sloop
Preble of 7 guns, and ten gun-boats ; making a total of 86 guns
and 981 men. It had been preconcerted by sir George Prevost,
that the army should co-operate by attacking the american
forces under general Marcomb, who were encamped close to the
anchorage of their squadron. In this persuasion captain Downie
I
2fi4 DEFEAT OF BRITISH SQUADRON.
led his ships to the attack ; and although he founds when too
late, that his confidence in the British general was misplaced, he
at 8 h. 10 m. gallantly placed the Confiance abreast of the Sara-
toga, whilst the Linnet and Chubb took their allotted stations ;
but the latter presently had her boom shot away, and drifting
within the enemy's line, was compelled to surrender.
The Finch, in proceeding to her station, had the misfortune
to strike on a reef of rocks off Crabb island, and was compelled
to haul down her colours. Eight of the gun-boats made off
almost as soon as the firing commenced, so that the Confiance
and Linnet had to contend with the whole of the enemy's force.
Captain Downie was killed fifteen minutes after the commence-
ment of the action, when the command devolved on lieutenant
Robertson, who fought the ship until she was reduced to a de-
fenceless state; and at 10 h. 30 m. she hauled down her colours.
Soon afterwards the Linnet also surrendered.
The loss on board the Confiance amounted to 41 killed, in-
cluding captain Downie, and captain Anderson of the marines,
and about 60 wounded. The Linnet had 10 men killed and 13
wounded ; the Chubb 6 killed and 16 wounded ; and the
Finch 2 wounded. Total british loss, 57 killed and 92 wound-
ed. American loss, 52 killed and 58 wounded.
On Sunday the 9 th of November, the Ceylon, conveying the
first battalion of royal marines, and the Queen transport with
american prisoners, and an escort under three subalterns, sailed
from Quebec, and anchored in Halifax harbour on the 25th.
The battalion was then ordered to proceed to the southward,
and to follow the directions of rear-admiral Cockbum.
At this time the first battalion (the eight companies of which
were kept up until the period of its being disbanded at Ports-
mouth in July 1815,) was officered thus : —
Lieutenant-colonel Williams. Major Arnett, for about three
months, (having joined at Cumberland island, vice Mortimer).
Captain T. L. Wills. First-lieutenants George O'Neill, Charles
Robinson, and Samuel Barton. Second-lieutenants S. R. Wes-
ARRIVAL OF THIRD BATTALION. 266
ley and Fortescue Graham (adjutant). First-lieutenant Valen-
tine Griffiths^ quarter-master. First-lieutenant J. Mitten^ bri-
gade-major. Captain Steele, paymaster; with 26 Serjeants,
22 corporals, 11 drummers, and 46 privates.
A corps was now formed of the refugee blacks, incorporated
with the marines, but in distinct companies.
Lieutenant-colonel Malcolm, with the staff of the second bat-
talion, and the officers not required on the naval service of the
lakes, had opportunely arrived in Chesapeake bay before the
debarkation of the troops under major-general Ross. A batta-
lion of marines, about 1000 strong, had aiTived from England
under the command of major George Lewis; and lieutenant-
colonel Malcolm was directed to take command of this force,
which was to be called the second battalion. But previous to
this arrangement, three companies were drafted from it and
added to the corps of blacks, or colonial marines, which was
now called the third battalion, and the command given to
major George Lewis. Some time previously a detachment of
about 80 men, principally non-commissioned officers, had been
sent from Bermuda to the Gulf of Mexico, under brevet-major
Nicolls, on whom the commander-in-chief had conferred the
local rank of lieutenant-colonel, and whose object was to co-
operate with a body of Indians in the vicinity of Mobile.
The total destruction of the flotilla under commodore Barney
in the Patuxent by the expedition under sir George Cockbum,
gave an opening to major-general Ross to push forward to the
city of Washington, and that officer's gallant exertions were
crowned with complete success. But it is to be lamented, that
in a reconnoissance which the major-general afterwards made
on Baltimore, his valuable services were lost to his country. It
appears, that having incautiously advanced in front of the co-
lumn, attended by a detachment of about thirty men, he was
attacked from the woods on the road-side by considerable num-
bers of the enemy, who were finally repulsed ; and general Ross,
hastening to the rear to order forward the troops, had not pro-
266 FIBST BATTALION OFF ST. MABY's.
ceeded two huadred yards before he was mortally wounded by
a musket-ball.
Lieutenant-colonel Malcolm and major Lewis, with the se-
cond battalion and part of the third, accompanied the army
in the advance upon Baltimore. Major Lewis, from ill-health,
was compelled to resign the command of the third battalion to
captain Clements, and the major returned to England. Lieute-
nant-colonel Malcolm, with captain Barrie of the royal navy,
made several debarkations in the Chesapeake, skirmishing with
the enemy's troops, and destroying considerable property.
The Ceylon, with the head-quarters of the first battalion,
arrived at the appointed rendezvous at the entrance of St.
Mary's river, state of Georgia, where she continued to cruise
until joined by the Rota frigate on the 25th of December, from
New Providence, with the flank companies of the 2nd west-
india regiment under the command of captain Bradey.
On the 6th of January the Dragon 74, captain Barrie, arrived,
accompanied by the Severn frigate, Regulus and Brune troop-
ships, and Terror bomb, bringing a detachment of royal marine
artilleiy, with 2 light six-pounders, and a 6 1 -inch howitzer,
under captain Harrison, and the second and third battalions of
marines ; the former commanded by captain Cole, in the absence
of lieutenant-colonel Malcolm, who was with rear-admiral Cock-
bum, and the latter by captain Clements. The black troops,
accustomed to the climate of New Providence, which is five de-
gi'ees to the southward of St. Mary's, felt the cold so severely,
that many had their feet frost-bitten, and several amputations
were performed, although the thermometer in a gale at north-
west was not below 48^ at noon.
As the rear-admiral had not arrived, and the squadron was
much in need of water, captain Somerville of the Rota opened
the instructions of the commander-in-chief; and finding that the
object of the expedition was to possess and permanently occupy
Cumberland island, the whole of the effective force, consisting
of about 960 rank and file, including the artillery, were pre-
ATTACK UPON POINT PITRB. 267
pared to land. . The colonial battalion did not muster aboTe
120 white men, the rest were blacks wretchedly equipped;
some without blankets, others without great-coats, and scarcely
a havresac or a canteen amongst them, and many even without
shoes. In this brigade lieutenant-colonel Williams was the
only field-officer, and there were but seven captains fit for duty.
The first and second battalions numbered conjointly 660, the
flank companies of the west-india regiment 190, and the ships'
marines 120; foiming a total of 938.
On the 10th of January captain Barrie of the Dragon, and
lieutenant-colonel Williams with 150 men, landed at St. An-
drew's High-point ; but the road being almost impassable they
re-embarked, and it was not until 10 p.m. that they effected a
landing with 300, and bivouacked for the night. At daylight
on the 11th they marched towards the south end of the island,
and on their arrival at St. Andrew's sound at 2 p. m., the enemy
fired alarm guns. The squadron was anchored at so great a
distance, that it was not until the second day that 700 men had
landed, and none of the artillery had yet reached the shore.
It was now determined to make an attack upon Point Piti*e,
where the enemy had a battery mounting six or seven heavy
guns, situated at the extremity of a mai^hy point of land. On
the causeway leading to the battery there was a field-piece, and
the barracks for the troops was situated about 500 yards to
the rear of the works.
At midnight the british troops, amounting to 600 men, quitted
the camp, leaving lieutenant Stevens of the 3rd battalion and 100
men at the post of Dungeness. At 8 a.m. the troops landed in
rear of the fort, while the boats made a demonstration on Point
Pitre, and the country being flat and woody, it became neces-
sary to move a strong party in advance. Lieutenant Fraser,
commanding a company of the second battalion, one company
of the 2nd west-india regiment, and a company of the colo-
nials under lieutenant Agassiz, forming a total of 160 men, were
ordered on this service ; the whole commanded by captain Lord
2C8 CUMBBBLAXD I6LAKD.
of the light company of the 2nd west*indta regiment. These
were followed by a midshipman and 6 sailors with rockets, who
preceded the main column, and the resenre consisted of 50 men,
commanded by captain Carter. The road being narrow, the
troops marched in sections of threes ; when, unexpectedly, the
advance was fired upon by a company of rifles and a detach-
ment of the 43rd united-states infantry. Captam Lord pressed
forward into the wood, and after a skirmish of about a quarter
of an hour dispersed the enemy. The british loss in this attack
amounted to 1 killed and 1 wounded of the second battalion,
and 3 wounded of the 2nd west-india regiment. The Ame-
ricans hauled down the colours on the approach of the British,
and quitted the fort Captain Wills of the first battalion, with
150 men, remained at Point Pitre, whilst the column moved
towards St. Mary*8, which they reached at 10 A. m. on the fol-
lowing day. On the 14th rear-admiral Cockbum and lieutenant-
colonel Malcolm landed at St. Mary's, and having determined
on evacuating the place and return to Cumberland island, the
battery at Point Pitre was destroyed, and the detachment under
captain Wills withdrawn on the 23rd, when the troops embarked
on board the Terror and Devastation bombs ; and on the follow-
ing day they were landed and encamped on Cumberland island.
This island is about 1000 yards in breadth, the greater part
marshy and covered with an impenetrable brushwood ; but the
troops occupied a space that had been cleared, of about 1000
yards in length and 350 yards wide. In rear of an extensive
marsh 2500 yards in length, and nearly as broad, bounded on
the south by a wood, a deep creek 40 yards wide runs through
its whole extent, from the south end to the rear of the spot
occupied by the British, on which was a large building call-
ed Dungeness-bouse, very capable of defence, and not easily
destroyed even with cannon. This place was fortified, and the
six guns brought from Point Pitre mounted in front of it; whilst
th<; two bombs and the Erebus rocket-ship were anchored so as
to enfilade the whole face of the work. On the 25th lieutenant
CAPTAIN COLE AT SIMON*S ISLAND. 269
Madden, with the marines of the Lacedemonian, marched to
St. Andrew's high cliff, where the troops first landed, and were
joined by those of the Sui-prise; and captain sir Thomas Coch-
rane of that ship landed 2 twelve-pounders, and placed them in
battery on the cliff. The colonial corps was posted at Sandys's,
where there was a strong guard, and cavalry patroles passed day
and night from one end of the island to the other. Captain
Cole of the second battalion, with 4 subalterns and 80 rank
and file, were detached to St. Simon's island, which is five
miles to the northward of Cumberland, where he landed with-
out opposition; and after remaining three weeks returned,
accompanied by 500 black refugees, who had deserted from
their owners.
On the 28th of July the Charybdis brig arrived from the Mis-
sissippi, bringing brevet-majors Amett and Kinsman, and cap-
tain Epworth, who were appointed respectively to the first,
third, and second battalions. On the 9th of February the He-
brus frigate arrived with intelligence, which she had obtained
from an english schooner, that peace with the United States
was ratified on the 27th of December ; but this account was not
sufficiently credited to induce the British to relax in their exer-
tions to render their position tenable, under the active superin-
tendence of second-lieutenant F. Graham, who did the duty of
assistant-engineer. . : , . •
On the 23rd of February captain Lord of the 2nd west-india
regiment, with lieutenants Fraser of the marines, Dalhousie of
the 2nd regiment, and 48 men of the second battalion, under
the direction of captain Phillott of the Primrose brig, and cap-
tain Bartholomew of the Erebus rocket-ship, embarked in eight
launches and two pinnaces, and ascended 180 miles of the river
St. Mary's without opposition. A heavy fire of musketry was
opened upon them fi*om both sides, and they were compelled
to retreat, pursued by the enemy until it became dark ; having
sustained a loss of 2 marines killed, captains Phillott and Bar-.
tholomew, 9 seamen, and 7 marines wounded. Thus terminated,
270 EVACUATION OP CUMBERLAND ISLAND.
unsuccessfully^ the last hostile act between the troops of Great
Britain and the United States. On the 26th preparation was
made for evacuating the island, the guns were embarked from
the battery, and the companies of the 2nd west-india regiment
conveyed on board the squadron ; and on the 13th of March the
whole british force quitted Cumberland island. The brigade
then consisted of the first, second, and third battalions, with
artillery of the second battalion; 2 lieutenant-colonels, 3 majors,
6 captains, 13 first and 16 second-lieutenants, 3 pay-masters,
3 adjutants, 3 quarter-masters, 3 surgeons, 6 staff-serjeants,
83 Serjeants, 40 drummers, and 1060 rank and file. The ship
detachments varied in point of strength, but the greatest force
of the brigade never exceeded 1250 rank and file.
Lieutenant-colonel Malcolm and the second battalion embark-
ed on board the Dragon ; in the Albion the first battalion, with
the exception of major Amett, 4 subalterns, surgeon, and quarter-
master, who were on board the Ceylon with the heavy baggage
and 51 sick. There were also in the Albion eight or nine officers
of marines who had served in the attack of New Orleans, and
had been ordered to join the force at Cumberland island.
The original object of the expedition to the coast of Georgia
was the attack of Savannah : and it was intended that a force of
4000 or 5000 men should be collected for that purpose from
the army before New Orleans, in the supposition that it would
have proved an easy conquest ; and it was expected that major
Nicolls, with his battalion and the co-operating Indians, by
crossing the country from Apalchicola, would form a junction
with the british troops somewhere upon the Alcamatra.
The Dragon sailed on the 17th of March, followed by the
Terror, Ceylon, and Devastation, and arrived at Bermuda on
the 29th.
Lieutenant-colonels Williams and Malcolm had both the
honour of being included among the knights of the second
class of the Bath on the 2nd of January, 1815.
The following orders were issued by the rear-admiral : —
APPROBATION OF THE ADMIRAL. 271
*' AUnon, Bermuda^ 7th Aprily 1816
Sir,
It affords me much pleasure to have in orders from
the commander-in-chief to communicate to you his entire satis-
faction at the judicious and spirited manner in which, with the
marines and soldiers under your immediate command, you co-
operated with captain Barrie at the capture of Cumberland is-
land, and on the advance to St. Mary's ; and his high approba-
tion of the zeal and exertions manifested by you during the
whole of the operations lately carrying on, under my orders,
against the enemy ; to which he has been pleased to inform me
that he has requested the notice and consideration of my lords'
commissioners of the Admiralty. And I must beg you will
permit me, at the same time, to request your acceptance of my
acknowledgments for the able, ready, and cheerful co-operation
and assistance I so invariably met with from you, during the
time you have been acting with me in the enemy's country.
I have the honour to be, sir,
&c. &c. &c.
(Signed) GEORGE COCKBURN,
REAR-ADMIRAL."
" To Lieut-coL sir Richard Williams, K.C.B.^'
" H. M. S. Albion, Bermuda, 1th April, 181 6.
Gentlemen,
In taking leave of the several captains, field-officers,
commanders, other officers, seamen and marines lately compos-
ing the force acting against the enemy in Georgia, the Chesa-
peake, &c. &c., I have the highest satisfaction in having the
directions of the commander-in-chief to convey to them his en-
tire approbation of their good conduct, and of their invariable
zeal and exertions in their country's service, as set forth in my
reports ; and to which he has informed me he will not fail to
draw the notice and consideration of my lords' commissioners of
the Admiralty.
Whilst promulgating this flattering testimony of the comman-
272 OFFICERS OF THE FIRST BATTALIOK.
der-in-chiePs favourable consideration of the services of the
forces lately acting under my orders, I cannot refrain from
making known to them also, that their invariable cheerful,
gallant, and steady conduct was as gratifying to me as honour-
able to themselves, and for which I must therefore beg to oflFer
them my warmest acknowledgments, and to assure them how
happy it will make me to have again the good fortune of acting
with them, in the event of our country calling for our mutual
services at any future period.
(Signed) G. COC KBURN,
" To the respective Captains^ beab-admibal."
Field-^jfficerSf Commanders, ^c. ^c/'
FIRST BATTALION.
Lieutenant-colonel, — Richard Williams.
Majors, — ^Thomas Abernethie, Richard Graham.
Brevet-major, — George Mortimer.
Captains, — Henry Cox, Robert B. Lynch, James M. Johnson,
Thomas Mould (pay-master), Edward N. Lowder, Dougal Stew-
art, Duncan Campbell, Alexander Anderson (killed on lake
Champlain), Thomas Lake Wills, and James S. Smith.
First-lieutenants, — Henry John Murton, Edward Nay lor, Wil-
liam Pridham, W. H. Kempster, J. C. Steward, W. H. Strange-
ways, Thomas Pollock, Giles Meech, John O'Neal, Archibald
Dunlop, Valentine Griffith (quarter-master), John Mitten (ad-
jutant), Thomas Robert Pye, John Fennell (wounded in Canada),
John E. Jones (brigade-major in Chesapeake, and fort-major at
Isle aux Noix), John Ashmore, W. C. Jones, William Robert
Caldwell, Thomas Rees Thomas, John Coulter, Charles Ro-
binson, Samuel Barton, and John A. Phillips.
Second-lieutenants, — Fortescue Graham, Joseph Childs, W.O.
Atchison, S. Robert Wesley, Isaac Toby, and John S. Hinton.
ARTILLERY.
Captains, — Charles F. Burton, John Montgomery.
First-lieutenants, — W. H. Kempster (adjutant), John Law-
OFFICERS OF SECOND BATTALION. 273
rence, Richard Jeffereys, James H. Harrison, Richard C. Steele
(adjutant), and W. H. Devon.
Second-lieutenant, — Geoi^e Holton.
ROCKET COMPANY.
First-lieutenants, — George E. Balchild, John H. Stevens.
SECOND BATTALION.
Major, — James Malcolm.
Brevet-major, — William Barry.
Captains, — Bartleman, Thomas Sterling, M. R. Glaze, James
Short, William Holtaway, Thomas Weaver (pay-master), George
Peebles, James Jones, James S. Pilcher, William Jordan, Wil-
liam Steel (wounded at Craney island), and Joseph Williams.
Second-captain, — Geoi^e Richards.
First-lieutenants, — William M. Burton (adjutant), John Mor-
gan, James Laurie, H. Miller, Lewis Rooke, Edmund M.Wills,
Charles C. Pratt, John Hewett, Thomas S. Cox (killed at Sandy
Creek), George Lloyd, George B. Puddicombe (quarter-master),
and Alexander Cameron (killed in Canada).
Second-lieutenants, — Charles Edward Atkins, J. H. Mallard,
Patrick M'Veagh (killed at Sandy Creek), Henry G. Stevenson.
ARTILLERY.
Captains, — Thomas A. Parke, Richard Parry.
First-lieutenants, — David Anderson (now Gibsone), John
Wilson, and J. Vinicombe.
Second-lieutenants, — John Marsh (killed at assault of Fort
Erie, 4th September, 1814), and George Fumival (died at
Chambly camp).
Expedition to Holland.
Brevet-major, William Minto. Captains, Charles Frederick
Burton, Thomas L. Lawrence. First-lieutenant, A. A. R. Wolrige.
Second-lieutenants, John Barker, John Lewis, Robert Wright.
VOL. II.
274
CHAPTER VII.
Services of the Third Battalion.
From 1813 to 1827.
The disastrous retreat of the army of Napoleon at the close of
1813, enabled the Dutch to throw off the yoke of France, and
England readily lent her assistance to restore the sovereignty of
Holland to its legitimate monarch. At this period the whole of
the british disposable military force was employed in the Penin-
sula ; consequently a small battalion of the guards, and every
man that could be spared from the divisions of marines, were
ordered to proceed to the coast for embarkation. The sudden
urgency of this movement exhibited in a high degree the spirit
of the corps of marines; for among the detachments composing
this force there were many who had recently returned from fo-
reign service, with long arrears of pay, and who were equally
unprepared in clothing to encounter a severe winter in the
Netherlands; but nothing daunted, their loyalty was again
conspicuous, and in a few hours after the receipt of the order
the embarkation took place, with a cheerful obedience deserving
the highest commendation.
The prince of Orange, accompanied by the earl of Clancarty,
embarked in the Warrior of 74 guns, captain lord Torrington,
and on approaching Scheveling, she was joined by several ships
of war. The reception of his royal highness was most enthu-
siastic, and he was immediately proclaimed sovereign of the
United Netherlands. The guards and part of the maiines, who
were already at the Hague, soon pushed forward to Helvoet-
GALLANT CONDUCT OF LIEUT. WOLRIGE. 275
sluys, Williamstadty and other garrisons then occupied by the
French ; and these places were successively evacuated on the
approach of the British, the enemy falling back upon Antwerp.
The other portion of the marines disembarked on the 17th of
December upon South Beveland, and marched to the village of
Crabben-dyke, at the extreme point of this important island, to
keep in check the garrison of Fort Bathz. The marines of the
74-gun ship Cornwall, under captain Cox, also disembarked,
and the whole were under the orders of major Bartleman ; but
on the 19th a reinforcement of two companies arrived with
major George Lewis, who assumed the command, and cap-
tain Owen of the Cornwall was appointed commandant of the
island.
The cold was now intense, and being in an open village, ill
provided with clothing, huddled together in bams, and sleeping
on 'straw, the men suffered very severely ; whilst the repeated
night attacks of the enemy on the advanced posts, made the
duty extremely harassing.
On the 22nd, at daylight, the French advanced in force, sup-
ported by guns and cavalry, to dislodge the marines from their
post at Crabben-dyke; but after a sharp stmggle and some loss,
they were compelled to retire.
On the 25th, at daylight, the battalion, supported by two
guns, having moved close under the walls of some unoccupied
works in front of Fort Bathz to reconnoitre, became exposed to
a heavy though ineffectual fire of shot and shell ; but during
the preceding days they had sustained a loss of one serjeaut
and two privates killed, one seijeant and two privates missing.
This severe and harassing service continued until the 4th of
January, 1814, when the British were attacked by a very su-
perior force of the enemy, who having surprised the dutch pic-
quets, succeeded in turning their position ; but a small detach-
ment of marine artillery, with a six-pounder gun, under lieute-
nant Ambrose A. R. Wolrige, kept up such a well-directed fire
of grape, that the advanced party was enabled to retire upon a
t2
276 OFFICERS OF THIRD BATTALTOK.
more secure post. Although this officer had been severely
wounded in the ankle, he nevertheless continued to direct his
men, and by causing himself to be placed on the gun-limber
as the party fell back, and taken down when the piece was dis-
charged, his gallant exertions kept the enemy in check until a
reinforcement arrived up; and then, by his able co-operation,
the enemy was compelled to retreat.
Captain E. W. C. R. Owen, the commandant of the island,
thus expresses himself in his official report of this exploit : —
" The conduct of lieutenant Wolrige was highly meritorious,
and his exertions on the occasion did certainly save the party
in advance from heavy loss, if not from capture.'*
A detachment of russian troops having arrived on the 18th,
the marines embarked on board the Diom^e and sailed for
Portsmouth, where they arrived on the 21st; and, together with
the detachments from other islands in the Scheldt, were formed
into a third battalion, under the command of major Lewis, with
the following officers : —
Captains, — N. Cole, M. Timson, Priddle, and Clements.
First-lieutenants, — G. Cull, P. Connolly, A. Stephens, R.
Farmar, Fynmore J. R. Moriarty, Duguid, G. A, E. Sandwith,
P. Bryson, and J. Eraser.
Second-lieutenants, — Bloomfield, R. W. Pascoe, T. Sullock,
W. Allen, L. Agassiz, Young, D. Brisac, J. Colquhoun, Stacey,
H. Walters, and L. De Tliierry.
Adjutant, — Lieutenant J. J. Willes.
Pay and quarter-master, — Adamson.
It was composed of ten companies of 100 men each, with
one company of marine artillery, under the following officers, —
captain James H. Harrison, first-lieutenant J. A. Moore, second-
lieutenant John Lewis. The embarkation of this force took
place on the 29th of March on board the Regulus, Melpomene,
and Bnine troop-ships, and the artillery in the 80-gun ship
Tonnant. The expedition sailed on the 7th of April, and on
the 9th of June the battalion disembarked at Bermuda. By
OFKttATlOHtf IM THE ClULHAVHAHH, 277
the unremitting eflTort* of the ufiicerii it iKK>n arrived at a high
iitate of discipline and efficiency, which wa« zealously promoted
by the commander-in-chief; and on the 19th sir Alexander
Cochrane having reviewed the battalion, tie was pleased to
express his approbation in tlie most flattering terms.
The admiral having determined on a plan for the organiza-
tion of the Indians in ttie neighbourhood of Afmlachicola, under
the direction of brevet^major Edward Nicolls, the following
officers were detached under his command, with su[)erior local
rank:—
Edmund NicoUs, brevet-major lieut-coloneL
Robert lienry, second-lieutenant, ma. arL •••captain*
William Allen, second-lieutenant captain*
J. M'William, „ ,, •••• captain.
J. Ctiapman, serjeant • «.Jieut*andadjt
-^ Ooodser, assistant-surgeon, u.n surgeon*
The further proceedings of major Nicolls and his battalion
will l>e found at the close of this narrative*
The third battalion sailed for the Chesa[>eake on the 30th
of June, where it joined the squadron under rear-admiral sir
Ueorge Ck>ckbum on the 10th of July; and rm tlie 18th en-
tered into a series of active operations, commencing by an at-
tack on Leonard 's-town.
At 3 h* 30 m* a.m. of the 19th, the battalion landed about
seven miles below the town, and as tlie column advanced the
boats of tlie squadron moved parallel with it* On the approach
of the British the enemy evacuated the place, in which a quan-
tity of stores, provisions, and tobacco were captured* On the
following evening the troops re-embarked, having one serjeant
and two privates wounded*
On the 20th the battalion proceeded up the river Nominy,
and having landed and taken up a strong position in advance of
the place, tlie stores were carried off, and the troops, after re-
embarking, moved down the river, near the entrance of which
tliey again landed in the rear of a large building, said to be
278 ENBMY DEFEATED AND A GUN TAKEN.
occupied by a body of militia and some field-pieces. The ene-
my fied on the approach of the British, who after burning the
place returned to their respective ships, accompanied by two
valuable schooners which had been captured. In consequence
of some poisoned spirits having been found, placed in the way
of the men at Nominy, the admiral on his return was induced
to order the destruction of the houses on both sides the river.
On the 23rd the battalion entered a small creek in Clement's
bay, and after some sharp skirmishing brought away four
schooners. Having landed on the 26th a few miles from the
entrance of Machodic creek, they halted at a ferry about two
miles higher up, while the boats captured six schooners, which
with 100 head of cattle were brought off, after some skirmish-
ing with the enemy.
On the 30th they landed, and entered the town of Chaptico,
where they found a quantity of forage and tobacco; and after
passing two nights in the boats, the battalion returned to their
respective ships.
On the 2nd of August the squadron dropped down the Po-
tomac, near to the entrance of the Yocomico river, which the
rear-admiral entered on the 3rd. The battalion landed under
the fire of two field-pieces, and as the men had to wade a con-
siderable distance to the shore, the guns were withdrawn before
the British could reach them ; but the Americans were rapidly
pursued by skirmishers under lieutenant Athelstan Stephens,
supported by the battalion, and after an advance of nine miles
one gun was captured. Several houses, which had been con-
verted into military depots, were burnt ; and on the return of
the marines to the place of debarkation, three companies were
detached to the left, who having entered the town of Kensall,
captured four schooners, together with a large quantity of to-
bacco and other stores. This service was accomplished with
the small loss of one killed and one wounded.
On the 7th the rear-admiral proceeded to the Caan river, a
few miles below the Yocomico. At daylight the battalion
SQUADRON IN THB PATUXBNT. 279
moved towards the shore, and the boats having grounded at
a considerable distance from it, the troops had to wade to the
attack of a battery mounting three field-pieces ; but the enemy
soon fled, leaving a quantity of ammunition behind them, which,
with the battery, was destroyed, and four schooners were
brought ofi*.
Lieutenant-colonel Malcolm, with the stafi* of the late second
battalion, having joined from Canada, that officer took the com-
mand, and the third henceforward became the second battalion.
On the 12th the rear-admiral proceeded up St. Mary's creek,
and the marines landed in various parts of the country about
that extensive inlet.
On the 14th sir Alexander Cochrane, the commander-in-
chief, joined the squadron ofi* the mouth of the Potomac, and
on the 17th, rear-admiral Malcolm having arrived with a di-
vision of the army from France, consisting of the 4th, 2l8t,
44th, and 85th regiments, under command of major-general
Ross, the whole proceeded to the Patuxent, situated about
twenty miles further up the bay. In the mean time captain
J. A. Gordon, in the Seahorse frigate, had been sent up the
Potomac to bombard Fort Washington, situated on the left
bank of the river, and about fourteen miles below the federal
city ; whilst the Menelaus, captain sir Peter Parker, proceeded
up the Chesapeake, above Baltimore, to create a diversion in
that quarter.
It being determined that the expedition should proceed up
the Patuxent in their attack upon Washington, the ships moved
up as high as the water would admit; and on the I9th and 20th
the troops, amounting to about 4000 men, landed at Benedict,
when the battalion was brigaded with the 21st fusileers, and
bivouacked for the night near Nottingham.
On the 21st the army marched to Nottingham, and rear-
admiral Cockburn, taking with him the armed boats of the
fleet, having on board the marines from the ships under cap-
tain Robyns, and the marine artillery under captain James H«
280 ATTACK UPON WASHINGTON.
Harrison, proceeded up the river to attack commodore Barney's
flotilla, and at the same time to afford supplies and protection
to the army as it moved up the right bank. On opening Pig-
point, the flotilla under the american commodore was disco-
vered, and the british boats advanced as rapidly as possible ;
but on nearing the enemy, the headmost vessel, bearing the
commodore's pendant, was observed to be on fire, and she soon
afterwards exploded, as did fifteen out of the sixteen remaining
gun-boats, and the one which was not burnt was captured.
The destruction of this flotilla having been completed, the
army encamped on the 22nd at the town of Marlborough, situ-
ated about four miles up the western branch of the Patuxent,
and not more than eight from the american army under general
Winder, at Long Old-fields, where they had been joined by
commodore Barney and the men from his flotilla. Rear-
admiral Cockburn, having left Pig-point on the morning of the
23rd, crossed over with the ships' marines and the divisions of
seamen to Mount Calvert, and proceeded by land to the british
encampment at Upper Marlborough. The complete success
that had attended the expedition thus far, determined major-
general Ross to make an immediate attempt upon the city of
Washington, distant about sixteen miles.
Early in the morning of the 23rd, the army moved forward in
three brigades ; the light consisting of the 85th regiment, the
light companies of the 4th, 44th, and of the royal marines, a
detachment of guns and rockets under lieutenant John Law-
rence with part of the marine artillery : the whole commanded
by colonel Thornton. The right brigade was composed of the
4th and 44th regiments; and the left of the 21st fusiliers and
second battalion of royal marines ; and 200 seamen, under cap-
tain Wainwright, were attached to the field-guns. According to
one account, the enemy's force amounted to 16,300 men; but
an american writer, in giving the details of that army, states
that, including 600 seamen, the whole force did not exceed 7600
men, supported by 23 pieces of artillery. At 11 h. 30 m. a.m.
DESTRUCTION OF THB PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 281
the British arrived od the heights of Bladensburg, and found
the american army dmwn up in two lines upon a very com-
manding eminence^ on the north side of the turnpike-road lead-
ing from Bladensburg to Washington.
The light brigade was exposed to a heavy fire in crossing the
bridge, but the enemy immediately retired, and fled towards the
capital, leaving 10 pieces of caxmon and 120 prisoners in the
hands of the British, whose loss amounted to one captain, 2
lieutenants, 6 Serjeants, and 56 rank and file killed ; 2 lieute-
nant-colonels, 1 major, 1 captain, 14 lieutenants, 2 ensigns,
10 Serjeants, and 156 rank and file wounded. Total : 64 killed,
and 185 men wounded. As soon as the troops were refreshed,
the major-general moved forward the left brigade; and as the
British entered the city, the american army quitted it on the
opposite side. A little musketry from one of the houses in the
town, which killed the general's horse, was the only resistance
made by the enemy.
The capitol and the secretary of state's office were burnt,
and the extensive rope-walks at some distance from the city
were destroyed, as well as a quantity of small-arms and heavy
ordnance; and the British also demolished the great bridge
across the Potomac. According to the official estimate of
the public property destroyed, it did not exceed the sum of
£365,400 sterling : private property was invariably respected,
and the conduct of the british troops on this occasion was so
very exemplary, that it was favourably commented upon by the
American press. The naval arsenal, with a vast quantity of
stores, and a large frigate ready to be coppered, were set on fire
and destroyed by the natives, to prevent their falling into the
hands of the enemy.
On the 25th the army left Washington by the way of Bladens-
burg, and on the 30th of August the whole force re-embarked.
During the operations of the army against the capital, the
battalion of marines formed from the ships of the fleet, and
commanded by captain Robyns, was actively employed on the
282 ATTACK UPON BALTIMORE.
other bank of the river. Major-general Ross expressed his
warm approbation of the enterprise in general orders, by " as-
suring the troops under his command of his thanks for their
conduct in the brilliant action of the 24th."
On the 4th of September vice-admiral sir Alexander Coch-
rane ordered another third battalion to be formed, by taking
three companies from the second and incorporating vrith them
three companies of blacks, or rather, men of colour, who had
abandoned their masters on the faith of the british proclama-
tions. Major Lewis was appointed to the command, with the
following sta£f: first-lieutenant J. J. Willes, adjutant; first-
lieutenant Adamson, pay-master; and first-lieutenant Salmon,
quarter-master. Those refugee slaves became excellent soldiers,
temperate in their habits, and cheerfully yielding the most
ready obedience to their superiors. Serjeant Hammond, for his
zeal and able management in training these men previous to
their being embodied in battalion, was promoted to the rank of
second-lieutenant.
The next object of attack was the city of Baltimore, situated
at the head of a narrow bay or inlet of the Petapsco river, dis-
tant from its confluence with the Chesapeake about 14 miles,
and containing 50,000 inhabitants. It is nearly surrounded by
hills, and the Clinkapin, situated on its eastern side, commands
the city, and likewise the approach to it by land from the Che-
sapeake. On the river it is defended by the strong fortification
of fort M'Henry, situated about two miles from the city, upon
the point of the peninsula that forms the south side of the bay,
which at its entrance is not more than a quarter of a mile in
width. The success which had attended the operations of the
invading army produced such a panic in the city of Baltimore,
(which is only 35 miles from Washington,) that apprehensive of
an attack in their rear by a march across the country, the inha-
bitants feared the worst results ; but the delay on the part of
the invaders stimulated the american general and commodores
to exertion in strengthening the defences. Upon the hills to the
DEATH OF M AJOK-GEMBRAIi ROM. 283
eastward and northward of the city, a chain of pallisadoed re-
doubts was constructed, connected by breast-works, vrith ditches
in front, and well supplied with artillery ; other works were
thrown up, and guns mounted upon every spot capable of an-
noying an invading force, either by land or by water. The Java
of 60 guns, and two corvettes of 22 guns each, were equipping
in the port, in which there were also several gun-boats, mount-
ing a long thirty-six pounder, besides a carronade. In addition
to the army under general Winder that had retreated from
Washington, volunteers were flocking in from Pennsylvania,
and the seamen and marines from conmiodore Rodgers, and
captains Perry and Porter, had just arrived from the banks of
the Potomac.
On the 6th of September the Royal Oak 74, and the troop-
ships, stood out of the Patuxent, and vice-admiral Cochrane,
quitting his anchorage off Tangier island, proceeded with the
remainder of the fleet up the bay to North-point, near the en-
trance of the Petapsco river. On the 10th and 11th the fleet
anchored, and on the 12th the troops, with the marines from the
fleet under captain John Robyns, and a brigade of 600 seamen
under captain Crofton, were disembarked.
The whole force immediately advanced towards Baltimore,
and on arriving at the enemy's advanced post, about three miles
from the place of landing, where they had formed a line of in-
trenchment, the american dragoons and riflemen fled without
firing a shot. Major-general Ross, accompanied by rear-admiral
Cockbum, having advanced to reconnoitre with a small detach-
ment, were attacked about 10 a. m . by a division of american
riflemen, cavalry, and artillery, numbering about 350 men. A
short skirmish ensued and the enemy fell back, most of them
taking to the woods. Major-general Ross, in moving towards
the main body to order up the light companies, received a mus-
ket-ball through the right arm into his breast, and fell mortally
wounded ; and the expiring general lay on the road unnoticed
until the arrival of the light troops, who had moved up on bear-
2^ OPBBATIOH8 BEFOEE BALTIMORE.
ing the firing* The main body, now ander command of colonel
Brooke of the 44thy advanced two miles further, and about five
from the city, when they came in sight of the american army,
numbering about 4600 men, with a reserve of 8000 more, sup-
ported by batteries in all directions. As the British advanced
to the attack, the enemy opened a fire of musketry from their
whole line, as well as from the field-pieces, and then retreated
to a wood in their rear. From this position they were quickly
expelled, chiefly by the bayonet, leaving all their wounded and
two of their guns in possession of the British. The loss sus-
tained by the army amounted to 1 subaltern, 2 Serjeants, and 35
rank and file killed; 7 captains, including captain Robyns of
the marines, 4 subalterns, 1 1 Serjeants, and 234 rank and file
wounded. On the part of the navy, 1 lieutenant, 1 midshipman,
and 30 seamen were wounded.
Early on the morning of the 13th, colonel Brooke, leaving a
detachment at the meeting-house, (from which the enemy had
been driven), to protect the wounded, moved forward the army ;
and at 10 a.m. occupied a favourable position about two miles
to the eastward of Baltimore. From this point the strong de-
fences of the city became visible, and airangements were made,
with the co-operation of the fleet, for storming the american
entrenched camp during the ensuing night.
In their way up the Petapsco, several of the ships had taken
the ground, and some did not get afloat again until the next day.
On the 12th, at 9 p.m., the Meteor, ^tna, Terror, Volcano, and
Devastation bombs, and the Erebus rocket-ship, took their
positions where they could effectually act upon the enemy's fort
and batteries, the frigates having previously arrived at their sta-
tions outside of them. On the 13th, at daylight, the bombard-
ment commenced upon the forts M'Henry, the Star, and the
water-batteries on both sides of the entrance, and the fire was
replied to from all points. At 3 p.m. the bomb-vessels and the
rocket-ship moved further in, and the latter, to give effect to her
rockets, much nearer the shore than the other vessels. The
RETBBAT OF THE BRITISH. 285
fortB, which had discontinued their fire on account of the ships
being out of range, recommenced a brisk cannonade, which,
although persevered in for some hours, did no injury to the
squadron.
During the night of the 13th a division of twenty boats was
detached up the Ferry branch, to cause a diversion favourable to
the intended assault upon the enemy's entrenched camp on the
other side of the city : it rained heavily, and in the darkness of
the night eleven of the boats pulled, by mistake, directly for
the harbour; but the lights of the city fortunately discovered
to them their error, in time to get back in safety to their ships.
The remaining nine boats, under the command of captain sir
Charles Napier, having passed up the Ferry branch to a consi-
derable distance above fort M^Henry, opened a heavy discharge
of rockets and shot upon the shore; and after drawing the
attention of the enemy to that quarter, they returned to their
respective ships without incurring a greater loss than one
man, mortally wounded by the fire of fort M*Henry on their
return.
In the evening of the 13th, after the boats had been ordered
to make this diversion, vice-admiral Cochrane intimated to co-
lonel Brooke, that as the entrance to Baltimore by sea was en-
tirely obstructed by vessels sunk at the mouth of the harbour,
defended inside by gun-boats, it was found impracticable to un-
dertake a naval co-operation against the city and the enemy's
camp. This circumstance, combined with the unfavourable state
of the weather, (which greatly increased the difficulty in ascend-
ing the steep hill on which the camp was situated,) determined
both commanders to relinquish further offensive operations
against Baltimore. On the 14th, at I h. 30 m. a. m., the british
troops commenced retiring, and halted at three miles distance.
In the course of the evening they retired three miles further,
where they encamped for the night, and the ships and bombs
had also moved down the riven On the morning of the 16th
the whole force reached North Point, and in the course of the
286 KvcAirpirBKT at TAXcrsB.
day the troops re-embarked, withoot hating experienced the
slightest molestatiaQ firom the enemy daring their slow retreat.
Since 7 a.m. on the 14th, the rocket-ship and bomb-ressels
had been called off firom their position before the batteries ; and
notwithstanding this long-continued bombardment^ sustained no
greater loss than 4 men killed, and 24 wonnded.
It is to be regretted that any planof nlterior operations should
have obtmded itself to check the progress of the attack, for there
is little doubt that had the Serem, Euryalus, HaTannah, and
Hebrus been lightened sufficiently to have placed themselres
close alongside fort M'Henry, it would soon have been reduced.
The possessbn of that fortress would have enabled the British
to silence the batteries on the opposite side of the bay ; and the
city, together with the shipping in the harbour, would have been
then at the mercy of the invaders.
The conduct of lieutenant Athelstan Stephens and his skir-
mishers during these operations, drew forth the commendation
of bis superiors, and be was honoured with the confidence of the
officer commanding the force during the retreat.
On the 26th of September the command of the third battalion
devolyed upon captain Clements, in consequence of the severe
illness of major Lewis, who was invalided. The battalion was
encamped in the island of Tangier, and under the impression of
passing the winter there, commenced building barracks for 600
men. This undertaking was accomplished by the most perse-
vering industry ; for it became necessary to cut the timber in a
neighbouring island, and the nails were made from the iron-
work taken from stranded vessels on the shore. During these
exertions the battalion suffered great privations, having bad
water, a short allowance of provisions, and neither wine, spirits,
nor medicine of any kind ; and dysentery prevailed to a great
extent. But all those difficulties were borne vrith cheerfulness ;
and by the zealous efforts of the officers, who relinquished part
of their allowance to extend comfort to the men, every obstacle
was overcome. The barracks were completed, with an hospital
ARRIVAL AT CUMBERLAND ISLAND. 287
for 60 men, fort Albion repaired, a parade and a battery con-
structed ; when an order arrived on the 11th of December for
the marines to embark, and they immediately sailed for the
coast of Georgia.
On the 10th of January the battalion disembarked on Cum*
berland island, having buried the surgeon and 69 men on the
passage round. Here they were brigaded with the first and
second battalions, and two companies of the 2nd west-india
regiment, under the command of lieutenant-colonel Williams of
the marines. On the 12th the brigade crossed the Sound from
Cumberland island, and landing on the opposite side without
resistance, moved forward by a nan'ow path through a wood,
to attack the fort of Point Pitre, which commands the entrance
to the river St. Mary. The garrison of the fort, consisting of
part of the 1st regiment of united-states riflemen, having taken
up a position in the woods, were driven back, and finally expel-
led from the fort itself. Leaving three companies at this place,
the remainder of the brigade crossed another branch of the river,
and entered the town of St. Mary's at midnight on the 13th. A
remarkable incident occurred in passing through the wood : a
Serjeant of the american rifles, who had been severely wounded in
the upper part of his left arm by a marine, was drawn aside and
placed against a tree, where he was found by a private of the
battalion (the son of a surgeon in Devonshire), following in the
rear of the column, and carrying the surgeon's instruments in a
knapsack on his back. This man, without much ceremony, and
only assisted by a drummer, removed the Serjeant's arm from
the socket : the wound healed satisfactorily, and as there was
a great scarcity of medical assistants, the commander-in-chief,
on learning the circumstance, ordered the private to receive the
pay of an assistant-surgeon.
Having compelled the inhabitants to destroy the works of
defence, and embarked every thing valuable in vessels lying
near the town, the brigade returned to Cumberland island; and
major Kinsman, who had arrived from England, took command
288 BATTALION ARRIVES AT BERMUDA.
of the third battalion. Intelligence having reached that peace
between Great Britain and America had been ratified at Wash-
ington, the battalion embarked on board their respective troop-
ships on the 10th of March, and sailed for Bermuda, where
they arrived and disembarked on Ireland island on the 21st.
During the interval that occurred between the period of the
ratification of peace at Washington and its announcement at
the scene of operations on the coast of Georgia, many slaves
deserted from their masters; and on the faith of the proclama-
tions issued by the british admiral, joined the battalions. This
treaty was so artfully framed, that from the date of the ratifi-
cation it established a claim to the restoration of all property,
which of course included slaves ; consequently, many of these
unhappy men were given up to the american commissioners,
after they had worn the british uniform. Although there were
but few instances where this occurred, it was sufficient to cast a
stigma upon the character of the british nation; and it would
have been better to have paid treble their value, than submit
to so disgmceful a transaction.
The three black companies of the third battalion obtained
small grants of land, and proved good settlers iu Trinidad : the
three companies of Europeans arrived in England in the course
of August 1815.
In the month of August 1814, major Edward NicoUs, with
his detachment, as described in the early part of this narrative,
arrived at Mobile at a time when the Indian army had been de-
feated, and a force of 3000 men from the United States, under
the command of general Andrew Jackson, was in possession of
their country. His first object was to distribute arms and am-
munition to the Indians; and to effect this, the major with his
small detachment moved to Penascola, and thence threatening
the enemy's forts on the banks of the Alabama, he drew off the
american general. He then proceeded to arm the Indians, and
soon placed them in such an imposing position, as to cause the
government of the United States to send general Macintosh
ATTACK UPON FORT BQWVER. 289
with 2000 men (which had been intended as a reinforcement to
their Canadian army,) to watch the Indians, and the forts con-
structed on the Apalachicola by major Nicolls. At the same
time general Jackson's force, having been increased to 6000 men,
took post in Mobile, opposite to the small force under the major
in Penascola, which he threatened to attack. To produce a new
diversion, the British proceeded to attack Fort Bowyer, situated
on Mobile point, so as to cut off the communication between
New Orleans and Mobile, by which movement the enemy's forts
on the Mobile, Cosa, and Alabama would be rendered useless :
it would at the same time enable the assailants to subsist at the
enemy's expense, and prevent them from attacking Penascola;
which important service was performed by 60 marines, 12 marine
artillery, and 180 Indians. This small and irregular force, co-
operating with the 20-gun ships Hermes and Charon, and two
sloops of war, who attacked the fort on the sea-side, compelled
a detachment of the 2nd regiment of united-states infantry and
some artillery, amounting to 300 men, under colonel Lawrence,
to withdraw into Fort Bowyer, and on the same night they were
closely invested by the british and indian battalion. Major
Nicolls being so severely attacked by dysentery as to be com-
pelled to resign his command, was conveyed on board the
Hermes the day previous to the attack of the fort. Although
much debilitated, that gallant officer was upon deck as soon as
the ship got under fire : he was twice taken below, but returned
to his post as soon as his wounds were dressed ; which were
so severe as to deprive him of the sight of the right eye, and
he also received some injury in one of his legs.
Sir Alexander Cochrane, in reporting the attack upon Balti-
more, thus expresses himself: — "Captain Robyns, who com-
manded the marines of the squadron on this occasion, and in
the operations against Washington, being severely wounded, I
beg leave to recommend him to their lordships' recollection, as
having been frequently noticed for his gallant conduct during
the services on the Chesapeake, and to recommend him to their
VOL. II. u
i
290 MAJOR NICOLI£ AT PENA8C0LA.
lordships' favour and protection. First-lieutenant J. Lawrence
of the royal marine artillery, who commanded the rocket-bri-
gade, has again rendered essential service, and is highly spoken
of by colonel Brooke."
When this service had terminated, major Nicolls with his
battalion returned to Penascola, and by great exertion on his
own part, and of the detachment under his command, prepared
for its defence; but receiving information of the approach of
sir Alexander Cochrane with a british force to attack New Or-
leans, the major considered it advisable to detain the american
general at Penascola, and by that means eoable the British to
obtain easy possession of New Orleans. Accordingly that offi-
cer retreated from the place, and with such ability a^ to pre*
serve all his stores, causing a loss to the ^lemy of 16 killed,
some officers and many wounded ; and tliis service wf^ per-
formed by 700 men, in the face of the american army of 6000
men, with five pieces of cannon. Falling back upon the river
Apalachicola, the major, by constructing a fort in a strong
position, secured his communication with the sea, and was thus
enabled to send out small parties to distract and annoy the ene-
my on the Georgian frontiers, causing great loss to the United
States, botli erf* lives and property ; and by cutting off their con-
voys, distressed the garrisons on the Mobile^ Alabama, find Cosa
rivers. Despite the strenuous endeavours of the Americsu^s,
that persevering and indefatigable officer i*etained his po^ition
until the close of the war ; and had it not been for the treacher-
ous conduct of persons in the island of Jamaica, who $ent a
schooner to Mobile to apprize the american genei^al of the
intended expedition to New Orleans, the British would have
marched into that city without opposition.
Major Nicolls accompanied the expedition to New Orl^i^,
and being senior major of all the services employed tberei he
urged his right to lead the marines in the intended general
attack ; but this honour was refused by sir Alexjander Cochrane,
on the grounds that, if any accident happened to him, he would
BOMBARDMENT OF ALOIBRS. 291
find it difficult to appoint an officer acquainted with the Indians.
Major Adair^ who led the battalion to the attack of the enemy's
entrenchments, nobly won the decoration of the Bath. Captain
Robyns, who succeeded to the command of the marines of the
squadron, deservedly obtained the brevet rank of major for his
services in commanding the battalion formed by the detach-
ments from the ships in the attack upon Washington, Balti*
more, and other places : yet there was neither honour nor pro-
motion awarded to the senior officer of the corps on the station,
who was employed on a difficult and arduous duty.
1816.
Sombardment of Algiers.
The frequent atrocities committed by the inhabitants of the
Barbary States, determined the british government to take effec-
tual measures for the suppression of those aggressions ; and re-
cent occurrences led to the immediate equipment of an expedi-
tion of suitable magnitude, to act against the forts and shipping
of Algiers. The command of this armament was entrusted to
admiral lord Exmouth, who had a short time before compelled
the Bey of Tunis to sign a treaty for the abolition of Christian
slavery, and to restore 1792 slaves to freedom.
A fleet, consisting of nineteen men-of-war, sailed from Ply-
mouth at noon on the 28th of July, 1816, and arrived at Gib-
raltar on the 9th of August, where they were joined by a dutch
squadron of five frigates and a corvette, under vice-admiral
Cappellen.
The armament quitted the bay of Gibraltar Ga the 14th, and
on the 16th the Prometheus sloop joined from Algiers. Cap-
tain Dashwood brought information that great preparations
were making by the Dey to resist the meditated attack, and that
in addition to 40,000 men marched down from the interior, all
the Janissaries were called in from the distant garrisons. The
forti^cations of Algiers were of considerable strength : npoa
the various batteries on the north side of the city there were
u 2
§n
292 EXTENT OF THE FORTIFICATIONS.
about 90 pieces of cannon, and six or dght very lai^ mortars ;
bat the shoalnesB of the water would scarcely adroit a hea*y
ship to approach within reach of them. Between the north wall
and the commencement of the pier, which ia about 260 yards in
length, and connects the town with the light-house, were about
twenty guns. At the north projection of the mole stood a semi-
circular battery of 44 guns, in two tiers ; and to the southward
of that, and nearly in a line with the pier, was the round or
light-house battery, mounting 48 guns in three tiers. Then
came a long battery, also in three tiers, called the eastern bat-
tery, mounting 66 guns, flanked by four other batteries of two
tiers, each mounting altogether 60 guns ; and on the south head
of the mole were 2 large guns, represented to be sixty-eight
pounders. So that the diffei-ent battenea on the mole-head
mounted above 220 guns, principally thirty-two and twenty-
four, and none less than eighteen-pounders.
South-west of the small pier that projects from the city to
form the entrance of the mole, and bearing at the distance of
300 yards due west fix)m the south mole-head, was the Ash-
market battery of 15 guns, in three tiers : between that and the
southern extremity of the place were two batteries, of 4 or 6
guns each. Beyond it, in this direction, was a castle and two ot
three other forts, mounting between them 70 guns. Besides all
these batteries, which constituted the sea-defences of the port,
there were various fortifications at the back of the city and on
the heights ; we may therefore compute the number of guns
mounted for the defence of Algiers to have exceeded 1000.
On the I6th, when the fleet had arrived within 200 miles ol
the place, the wind shifted to the eastward, and continued in
that adverse quarter until the 24th, when it came round to the
south-west. On the 27tb, at day-break, the ships, as they laj
becalmed, gained a sight of the city, and lord Exmouth tool
the opportunity of despatching lieutenant Samuel Burgess t<
demand of the Dey certain conditions, of which the following
is the substance : — ^The abolition of Christian slavery : the de-
8BIPS TAKE THEIR STATIONS. 293
livery of all Christian slaves in the kingdom of Algiers: the re-
payment of all the money that had recently been exacted for
the redemption of neapolitan and Sardinian slaves : peace with
the king of the Netherlands : and the immediate liberation of
the british consul^ with the two boats' crews of the Prometheus.
The boat arriving abreast of the mole at 11 a.m., was met by
one from the shore with the captain of the fort, to whom the
demand was presented, and an answer was promised in two
hours. In the mean time, a breeze having sprung up, the fleet
stood into the bay, and lay to about a mile from the city until
2 P.M.; when lieutenant Burgess, having intimated that no an-
swer had been returned, pulled out towards the fleet. The
Queen Charlotte immediately asked, by signal, if all the ships
were ready : in a moment every ship had the affirmative at her
mast-head, as the fleet bore up to the attack in the prescribed
order; and at 2 h. p.m. the Queen Charlotte anchored with
springs about fifty yards from the mole-head. Two or three
shot had been fired from the opposite end of the mole at the
Impregnable, and ships near her, when lord Exmouth waved to
the crowd assembled on the parapet of the mole ; and as the
greater part were in the act of leaping through embrasures, the
Queen Charlotte opened her starboard broadside : the action
instantly commenced, each ship taking a part in it as she
brought her guns to bear. Next a-head of the Queen Char-
lotte, and upon her starboard bow, lay the Leander, with her
after-guns on the starboard side bearing upon the mouth of the
mole, and her foremost ones upon the fish-market battery:
a-head of the Leander the Severn was placed, with the whole
of her starboard guns directed at the same object ; and close to
the Severn was the Glasgow. At the distance of 260 yards,
and rather on the starboard quarter of the Queen Charlotte,
was the Superb, opposed to the 60-gun battery next to the
mole-head. It was intended that the Impregnable and Albion
should have taken their stations in succession next to the Su-
perb; but not being sufficiently advanced when the firing com-
294 GRA3VICUS TAKES A POBITIOV III THE USE.
menced, the Impregnable brought up coBsideraibly outside of
the line of beaiing, within which the attacking force had been
ordered to asfiemble: the Impregnable consequently lay ex*
posed, at the distance of 400 yards, to the light-house battery
of three tiers, and to the eastern battery of two tiers. Obserr-
ing the space between the Imjvegnable and her seccMid a-bead
(the Superb), the Minden stood in, and took up a position about
her own length astern of the latter. The Albkm following,
brought to close a-head of the Impregnable ; but finding her-
self too near to the three-decker, she filled, and at about 3 p.m.
came to again within her own length of the Minden ; and the
latter quickly passing her stream-cable out of the larboard gun-
room-port, hove the two ships close tc^^her. In this way the
eight heaviest ships of the fleet took up their stations: the
Queen Charlotte, Superb, Minden, Albion, and Impr^nable
in a north-easterly direction from the mole-head, and the Le-
ander, Severn, and Glasgow in a curved directicm, to the south-
west of the fish-market battery. The five dutch frigates an-
chored gainst the batteries to the southward of the city, their
admiral being close astern of the Glasgow.
The Granicus and Hebrus, with the smaller vessels, except
the bombs, had no particular station assigned to them, but
were to place themselves abreast of any openings they could
find in the line of battle. The Hebrus got becalmed, and was
obliged to anchor a little without the line, on the Queen Char-
lotte's larboard-quarter. The Granicus hove to for the space
of ten minutes, while her companions were taking their stations;
then setting her fore-sail and top-gallant sails, she steered to-
wards the ship of the commander-in-chief, and with great gal-
lantry and skill captain Wise anchored his firigate in a space,
scarcely exceeding her own length, between the Queen Char-
lotte and Superb.
The Heron, Britomart^ Prometheus, and Cordelia sloops re-
mained under way^ and the Mutine anchored on the larboard
bow of the Impregnable. The four bombs were soon in their
THE ALOBItlNE PRIGATB SET OK FIRE. 296
stations, about 2000 yards from the enemy's works, and the
battering flotilla under captain F. T. Michell, consisting of gun
and mortar-boats, and various kinds of ships'-boats, amounting
together to above fifty, began their destructive fire.
The precision of the Queen Charlotte's fire was such, that
her third broadside levelled the south end of the mole to its
foundation. She then sprang her starboard broadside upon
the batteries over the town-gate leading into the mole, and
soon demolished that work also.
About 3 P.M. lieutenant J. H. Stevens of the marine artil-
lery was detached from the Queen Charlotte, in a boat mount-
ing a 68-pounder carronade, and, lashed to a stern warp from
the Leander, was employed in firing carcasses at the disman-
tled fi'igates and vessels in the mole. Towards 4 p.m. the Le-
ander, by order of the admiral, ceased firing, to allow the barge
of the Queen Charlotte to set fire to the Algerine frigate, moor-
ed across the mole at the distance of about 100 yards from the
british ship. The officers embarked on this service were lieu-
tenant Peter Richards, major Gossett of the engineers, lieute-
nant of marines Ambrose A. R. Wolrige, and midshipman H.
M'Clintock. In about ten minutes the barge returned, having
fiiUy succeeded in this gallant enterprise, with the loss of only
two men killed. The blaze was in a manner electrical : lord
Exmouth testified his approbation by telegraphing to the fleet
'^ Infallible"; and the Queen Charlotte, at 4 h. 15 m., shifted
her berth to make way for the burning mass to pass clear of
her. At 4 h. 30 m. rear-admiral Milne sent a message to lord
Exmouth, stating that as the Impregnable had sustained a loss
of 160 in killed or wounded, (including a third of that number
from the bursting of a shell thrown by the enemy,) he requested
that a frigate might be sent to divert some of the fire from the
ship. The Glasgow was ordered upon that service ; but from
the calm state of the weather, after being under way nearly
three quarters of an hour, she was only enabled to place herself
a short distance a-head of the Severn, with her stem towards
296 CESSATION OF THE BATTLE.
that ship, and she became exposed to a severe raking fire from
the fish-market and contiguous batteries. By 7 p.m. the in-
cessant and well-directed fire of the mortar^ gun, and rocket-
boats, all the ships and vessels within the harbour were in
flames. The arsenal, store-houses, and part of the city also,
were set on fire by the shells from the bomb-vessels. About
8 h. 30 m. P.M. the explosion-vessel, under the direction of
captain H. B. Powell, was run on shore under the semi-circular
battery to the northward of the light-house, and at 9 p.m. she
exploded; and having been charged with 143 barrels of powder,
it operated successfully as a diversion in favour of the Im-
pregnable.
The squadron kept up an incessant cannonade until about
10 p.m., by which time the upper tiers of the batteries on the
mole were reduced to a state of dilapidation, the lower tiers
pailly silenced, and the ammunition of the attacking ships
nearly expended. The Queen Charlotte, cutting her cables,
stood out with a light air of wind, which had, fortunately for
the British, sprung up from the land ; the remaining ships also
made sail, and before 2 a.m. on the 28th every british and
dutch ship had got beyond the reach of shot or shell. The
algerine fleet and store-houses, illuminating by their blaze the
whole bay, greatly assisted the squadron in taking up their an-
chorage ; and as if to add to the awful grandeur of the scene,
the elements seemed to begin their war when the strife had
terminated below : for nearly three hours the lightning and
thunder was incessant, and the rain poured in torrents.
British squadron, showing the number of killed and wound-
ed, with the names of the officers of the marines serving on
board the respective ships : —
Queen Charlotte, 1 00 guns, admiral lord Exmouth, O. C. B.,
captain James Brisbane, C. B., 8 killed, 131 wounded.
Captains J. Wright, Charles F. Burton, ma. art. (wound-
ed), lieutenant Patrick Robertson (wounded),^ second-lieu-
OFFICERS OF MARINES IN THE SQUADRON. 297
tenants Hany Hunt, R. C. Holland, A. A. R. Wolrige,
ma. art., J. H. Stevens, ma. art.
Impregnable, 98 guns, rear-admiral David Milne, captain Ed-
ward Brace, C.B., 60 killed, 160 wounded. Captain Wil-
liam Collins, lieutenant Richard Farmar, second-lieutenants
William White, Richard Bunce.
Superb, 74 guns, captain Charles Ekins, 8 killed, 84 wounded.
Brevet-major Joseph Vallack, lieutenant John Norris, se-
cond-lieutenant James Clarke.
Minden, 74 guns, captain W. Paterson, 7 killed, 37 wounded.
Captain John Ridley, lieutenant Gteorge Thomas Welch-
man (wounded), lieutenant Henry Foord.
Albion, 74 guns, captain John Coode, 3 killed, 15 wounded.
Captain A. Gillespie, lieutenants Jonathan Barron, Thomas
R. Morris.
Leander, 50 guns, captain Edward Chetham, C.B., 17 killed,
118 wounded. Captain James Wilson (killed), second-
lieutenant George Baxter (killed).
Severn, 40 guns, captain hon. F. W. Aylmer, 3 killed, 34
wounded. Lieutenant John Humby, second -lieutenant
Samuel Gbrmston.
Glasgow, 40 guns, captain hon. A. Maitland, 10 killed, 37
wounded. Lieutenants Athelstan Stephens ( wounded ),
Duncan M*Nicol.
Granicus, 36 guns, captain W. F. Wise, 16 killed, 42 wounded.
Lieutenant W. M. Morgan (killed), second-lieutenant W.
Remfry (killed).
Hebrus, 36 guns, captain Edmund Palmer, 4 killed, 15 wound-
ed. Lieutenant Thomas Dymock, second-lieutenant James
Fynmore.
Beelzebub, bomb, captain W. Kerapthome, lieutenant Robert
Henry, ma. art.
Fury, bomb, captain C. R. Moorsom, lieutenant John Maule,
mxi. art.
Hecla, bomb, captain W. Popham. Lieutenant F. James,9na.ar^
298 OFFIC BBS PROMOTED.
Infernal, bomb, captain hon.G. PerceTal, 2 killed, 17 woonded.
Lientoiant James P. Bissett, ma. art. (killed).
Total,— 128 killed, and 690 woonded.
Brigs : Heron, Mntine, Britomart, Cordelia, and Jasper.
At daylight on the 28th, lord Exmouth sent a flag of tmce
with a note to the Dey, repeating the demands of the precedii^
ibrenoon, and the bombs were ordered to resume their positions,
preparatory to a renewal of hostilities in case of a non-compli-
ance ; bat in the afternoon the captain of the port, accompanied
by the Swedish consul, came off to acquaint the british admiral
that all bis terms would be agreed to.
On the 29th, after several conferences, it was agreed that up-
wards of 1200 Christian slaves should be delivered up to the
British ; 382,500 dollars restored, for slaves redeemed by Naples
and Sicily ; peace with the king of the Netherlands ; the pay-
ment of 30,000 dollars to the british consul for the destruction of
his effects, and a public apology to him before the ministers and
officers of the palace.
Lord Exmouth was created a viscount; and promotion and
honours were abundantly bestowed on the officers of the squa-
dron. Major Joseph Vallack of the marines was promoted to
the rank of lieutenant<x>lonel, and captains John Wright and
Charles F. Burton obtained the rank of major.
Deserving as these officers undoubtedly were of the rewards
conferred upon them, we cannot but feel surprised that another
gallant officer was not included in the recommendation of the
commander-in-chief. Lieutenant Ambrose A. R. Wolrige of
the royal marine artillery, serving on board the Queen Char-
lotte, first suggested to lord Exmouth the destruction of the
Algerine frigate and other vessels lying in the mole ; nor was it
until that officer was prepared to proceed on the service, that
lieutenant Richards of the navy and major Gossett of the engi-
neers were directed to accompany him. The object was success-
folly effected ; and lord Exmouth, to testify his admiration of
BOATS OF NAIAD AT BONA. 299
the exploit, immediately telegraphed to the .fleet '* Infallible/'
It is therefore unaccountable that the projector of this dashing
enterprise, who also carried the measure into execution, should
not be among those particularly noticed in the admiral's official
report of the bgtttle. Lieutenant Richards and major Oossett
both obtained promotion, but lieutenant Wolrige was not even
mentioned by the commander-in-chief!
On the 23rd of May, at 11 h. 30 m* p.m., the boats of the
38'gun frigate Naiad, captain the hon. R. C. Spencer, were de-
tached under the orders of lieutenant Quin, assisted by several
officers, including lieutenant William S. Knapman of the royal
marines, to attack an algerine brig of 16 guns, moored head
and stern, in addition to a chain cable, fast to the shore, in a
bight within eighty feet of the fortress of Bona, mounting above
forty pieces of cannon, some flanking her on either side, and
none more distant than canister range ; and among them were
the 16 guns from the brig, which the enemy conceived, by being
placed there, would efiectually prevent any attempt to board her,
leaving the vessel so lightened, as to occasion the greatest diffi-
culty in ascending her sides. All these obstacles, and a tre-
mendous fire of cannon and musketry opened upon the boats,
did not prevent the British from gaining possession of the brig ;
nor did they quit her until she was in a complete blaze, in all
parts, which terminated in her partially blowing up; and then
sinking in such a depth, that not a particle of her was to be
seen, her masts having fallen in the flames. A few men hurt by
severe contusions, was the only loss sustained in this gallant
exploit.
1826.
On the 17th of June the 36-gun frigate Sybille, captain G. R.
Pechell, an*ived ofi* the island of Candia in search of some pira-
tical vessels that had plundered a Sardinian merchant-ship, and
ill treated the crew. Being close in with Gozo, on the morning
of the 18th four lai*ge misticos were discovered and chased
under a small island, forming the bay or harbour of Porto Bono,
300 BOATS OF STBILLE AT PORTO BONO.
or Calos-limuonop. The frigate anchored at about half-past
noon^ with a spring on the cable^ and opened her broadside on
the misticos lying moored to the rocks, whilst the five boats
under the orders of lieutenant Gordon, assisted among other
officers by lieutenant of marines J. T. Brown, pulled in to the
attack. They were instantly assailed by a destructive fire of
musketry from above 200 men, protected by a stone breast-work
or concealed behind the rocks. Their pieces, loaded with three
balls each, connected by a piece of wire, were so well directed,
that although lieutenant Gordon succeeded in boarding one of
the vessels, the crew of the bai^e suffered so severely that he
was compelled to abandon her, having 7 seamen and 1 marine
killed ; himself, Mr. Edmonsons, midshipman, and every other
seaman and marine wounded.
Lieutenant E. Tupper, commanding the launch, was mortally
wounded. In the first cutter, commanded by lieutenant P. T.
Brown of the marines, Mr. Lees, midshipman, was severely
wounded, 2 seamen killed and 2 wounded; the other boats
suffered proportionably, and the total loss amounted to Mr.
Knox, midshipman, 10 seamen, and 3 marines killed ; 2 lieute-
nants, 2 midshipmen, 20 seamen, and 6 marines wounded.
Total, killed and died of wounds, 1 8 ; severely wounded, 26 ;
46 killed and wounded.
Presentation of new Colours to the Chatham Division of Royal
Marines, on the 26th of September, 1827.
His royal highness the duke of Clarence, on arriving on the
ground was received, as lord high admiral, with a salute of 19
guns from the brigade of royal marine artillery, and a general
salute from the troops, consisting of a troop of dragoons, two
battalions of the line, and the battalion of royal marines drawn
PRESENTATION OF COLOURS. 301
up in the centre. The marines then foiTned three sides of a
square, and other troops closed on the right and left ; when his
royal highness, with an assemblage of beauty and fashion,
came into the centre of the square. The royal duke then spoke
to the following effect : —
He stood before them, he said, that day by the command
of our gracious sovereign, to present them a new pair of colours.
In so doing, he felt peculiar and very great happiness, both in
his station of lord high admiral and as a general of marines.
He had been intimate with the corps of royal marines now for a
period of nearly forty-nine years, and had been, he might almost
say, bom and bred amongst them. The feelings he therefore
must have, at being made the instrument of the royal approba-
tion of their heroic, glorious, and victorious conduct, he left for
them to imagine, for he could not express them. Having briefly
adverted to several engagements, general and otherwise, in
which the marine corps had distinguished themselves, whether
acting conjointly with seamen, or others of his Majesty's land
forces, in all of which they had displayed the same determined
courage and resolute bravery, his royal highness alluded to the
wars of succession in the reign of queen Anne, during which
they had, by their exertions, contributed to the establishment of
his (the duke of Clarence's) family on the throne of these realms.
For these great and glorious services he felt a particular grati-
tude to them, — a gratitude in which he felt confident he might
say the people of this country participated.
His royal highness then mentioned their conduct in several
engagements against the French, whom he called the natural
enemies of this country ; and during the period of the american
war, particularly at Lexington and Bunker^s hill ; in the latter,
two battalions of marines were engaged, and the fire was so hot,
that a regiment of the line, leading the advance to storm the
american lines had given way, and allowed the marines to take
the front, which they did most gloriously. His royal highness
302 PRBSEKTATION OF COLOURS
enumerated their several exploits in India and during the late
wars, and concluded by adverting to their last achievement at
Algiers. Throughout this entire series of engagements they had
proved not less injurious^ by their gallant services^ to the enemies
of Great Britain, than advantageous to the country they had so
heroically served."
His royal highness then ordered the new banners to be ixur
furled, and directing the attention of the corps to the devices on
them, gave a description of them as follows :-^
*' During the last reign, emblems were unknown in this coun-
try on the colours borne by our regiments. The nations of the
continent, however, were in the habit of using them, and his
Majesty thought the example might be wisely followed in this
country. He had therefore taken this opportunity of presenting
the royal marines with a device, which their achievements had
entitled them to. His Majesty has selected for you (the royal
marines) the badge which I this day, by his permission, present
to you, — a badge which you have hardly and honourably earned.
From the diflGlculty of selecting any number of places to inscribe
on these standards, your sovereign has been pleased to give
them ' the great Globe itself,* as their properest and most dis-
tinctive badge. He also directed that his own name (George IV.)
be added to that peculiar emblem (the anchor) which is your dis-
tinctive bearing, in order that it might be known hereafter that
George the Fourth had conferred on you the honourable and
well-earned badge this day presented to you. The motto, pecu-
liarly your own (per Mare, per Terram), has been allowed to re-
main ; and sunnounting the entire is the word * Gibraltar,* in
commemoration of the important national services you have per-
formed there. And now," concluded his royal highness, ^' in
presenting these colours, the gift of your sovereign, into your
hands, I trust — I am confident, you will defend them with the
same intrepidity, loyalty, and regard for the interests of the
country, that have marked the preservation of your old ones ;
BY THE LORD HIGH ADMIRAL. 303
and if you do, your sovereign and your country will have equal
reason to be satisfied/'
The colours were then presented to the two senior second-
lieutenants, Guy Parsons and Jervis. The former is the survivor
of five brothers who fought and bled in defence of their coun-
try, and in consequence of these claims the late duke of York
promised to promote lieutenant Parsons to a commission in the
line, and the lord high admiral allowed him to retire on full-
pay expressly for that puipose ; but the lamented death of his
royal highness prevented the accomplishment of that gracious
intention.
Memorandum.
" Chatham, September 26th, 1827.
'^ His royal highness the lord high admiral desires to signify
to colonel Savage, and the officers, non-commissioned officers,
and privates of the Chatham division of royal marines, the satis-
faction which his royal highness feels, equally as lord high ad-
miral and as general of marines, in personally having obtained
for the corps the honourable and distinguished marks of his
Majesty's gracious consideration, which they have this morning
received.
^* Conversant as his royal highness is with their meritorious
course of past services, and sensible of their present efficient
state of discipline and good order, his royal highness is further
gratified by being enabled to express his confident belief, that
their future conduct will in no way tarnish the lustre of their
past career; and that the same high discipline, undaunted
courage, and unshaken loyalty will be displayed under their
new colours, as, under their former ones, they so eminently
maintained.
WILLIAM."
Both colours were emblazoned with the device commemorat-
ing the distinguished services of the marines, according to the
304 OLD COLOURS IN GREENWICH HOSPITAL.
custom in the british army at that period ; but the regulation
issued from the Horse Guards in January 1844, discontinued the
practice of placing any regimental record or device upon the
'* royal colour/' more than the number of the regiment, sur-
mounted by the imperial crown.
It is much to be regretted that the colours worn by the seve-
ral battalions of marines, whose gallant services reflect so much
honour upon the corps, should ever have been removed from
their proper guardians, — the divisional head-quarters, to a
remote part of the cupola of the painted-hall in Greenwich
hospital, where they are indiscriminately affixed, without any
indication of their glorious career.
305
CHAPTER VIIL
From the tsar 1827 to 1837.
Battle of Navarino.
SiNCB the memorable victory of Algiers on the 27th of August,
1816, no event occurred to disturb the peace of Europe until
the period of 1827, and then the interference of Great Britain
arose fix>m the same noble motive, — that of affording protection
to the feeble against the tyrannous cruelty of their oppressors,
in which glorious effort she was assisted by the cordial co-ope-
ration of France and Russia.
It will be recollected, that after the massacre at Scio, when
sir James Mackintosh, on the 16th of July, 1822, called the at-
tention of the british Parliament to the state of Ghreece, it was
considered inexpedient to recc^nise their cause, although indi-
vidual aid was afforded, not only by England, but by other
nations. The determination of Ibrahim to desolate the Morea,
called for the interference of the british government, who de-
clared its determination to resist to the uttermost those outrages,
which were alike opposed to humanity and to the usages of all
the European nations.
On the 4th of April, 1826, a protocol was signed at St. Peters-
burg between Qreat Britain and Russia, in which the two powers
agreed to unite in bringing about the arrangements solicited by
the Grreeks to govern themselves, on condition of paying a yearly
tribute to the Porte. While preparations were making to carry
this object into effect, the state of affairs in that unhappy coun-
try became more appalling. At Athens the most revolting scenes
VOL. II. X
306 TURKISH SQUADRON IN NATARINO.
took place ; and in May 1827 the greek army, after a dreadful
slaughter under the Acropolis, was compelled to capitulate to
the Turks.
As the Porte refused to accept any mediation, nor change its
policy towards Greece, a treaty was entered into on the 6th of
July between England, France, and Russia, pledging themselves
to persevere in their endeavours to bring about a conciliatory
airangement. To enforce these measures, squadrons from the
three powers assembled along the coast of the Morea ; and on
the 26th of August an armistice was accepted by the Greeks,
but Ibrahim still continued his career of cruelty.
The admirals repeated their determination to resist the ag-
gressions of the Turks, and impressed upon the Pacha, that as
the Greeks had already accepted the armistice, it rendered all
hostile measures against them most wanton and uncalled for.
Ibrahim replied, that as the orders he had received from the
Porte did not provide for the extraordinary case which now pre-
sented itself, he would send to Constantinople and to Egypt ;
and until the messenger's return, he pledged himself to desist
from hostilities, and that the fleet should not quit Navarino.
Upon the faith of this assurance the greater part of the ships
were withdrawn from before the port, leaving the Armide and
Dartmouth to watch their movements; but scarcely had the
Asia anchored at Zante, when the Dartmouth hove in sight, with
the signal flying that the Turks had put to sea. The Armide
conveyed the same information, and having overtaken the french
admiral before he had reached Milo, both squadrons immedi-
ately directed their course towards the ottoman fleet. Sir Ed-
ward Codrington soon fell in with them, having only one ship
of the line, a frigate, and two corvettes ; yet on his firm remon-
strance the turkish fleet, consisting of seven large frigates, nine
corvettes, two brigs, and nineteen transports, immediately turned
back. On their return, they were joined by six egyptian fri-
gates and eight brigs, and the whole of this armament was
escorted into Navarino, where it arrived on the 4th of October.
OldPOtlTIOlTi FOR TUB ATTACK* 307
Vessels were despatched to order the immediate assemblage of
the allied squadrons; and by great exertions the combined fleets
were united before Navarino by the 16th.
It was proposed to continue the blockade of Navarino through
the winter, but this was rejected as being difficult and expensive ;
and in the event of the squadron's being dispersed by a storm,
Ibrahim would be left free to carry his destroying army to dif-
ferent points of the Morea and the islands.
With these considerations, it was resolved to take up a posi*
tion with the allied force in Navarino, and on the evening of the
19th of October the following instructions were sent by vice*
admiral Codrington to the officers commanding the french and
russian squadrons :— ^^ The egyptian vessels, in which the french
officers are embarked, are those in the south-easterly point of
the port : I desire that his excellency rear-admiral De Rigny will
place his squadron abreast of them. The ship next to them,
bearing the admiral's flag at the main, I propose selecting for
the Asia's opponent, and the Genoa and Albion astern and near
the Asia. I desire l^is excellency the count Heiden will cast
anchor astern of the english ships ; the russian frigates will then
be able to occupy the attention of the turkish vessels near and
astern of the russian ships of the line. The british frigates will
form a line before those of the Turks, which may happen to be
in the west part of the harbour athwart the british ships of the
line; and the french frigates will place themselves in similar
positions with such turkish frigates as may be opposed to the
french ships of the line. If there should be time before hostili-
ties are commenced, the ships are to be moored with springs on
their cables. Not a shot is to be fired by the combined fleet
until the signal is made to that effect ; but should they be fired
upon by a turkish vessel, the fire is to be returned. The cor-
vettes and brigs are placed under the orders of the captain of the
Dartmouth, in order to keep the fire-vessels in check, and con-
tinue them in such position that they can by no means disturb
the combined fleet. Should an engagement take place, in the
X 2
308 OFFICERS OK BOARD THE SQUADRON.
midst of the confusion which is calculated to arise in such a
case, every one will remember the words of Nelson, * No captain
can do wrong in placing his ship alongside that of the enemy.' "
Navarino is one of the finest harbours in Europe, in circum-
ference about six miles, having a straight island across its en-
trance called Sphagia, or Sphacteria : the only navigable passage
into the sea is at the southern extremity, about 600 yards in
width. On the right hand side of this passage, on a bold pro-
montory, stands the town of Navarino, near to which was the
encampment of Ibrahim. On this eminence, as well as on the
opposite shore, there were strong batteries in a perfect state of
defence. At about 1 h. 30 m. p.m. on the 20th of October, the
Asia made the signal to prepare for action, and the combined
fleet, consisting of the following ships, stood for the harbour
of Navarin : —
Asia, 80 guns, vice-admiral sir Edward Codrington, captain Ed-
ward Curzon, 19 killed, 67 wounded. Captain of marines
George A. Bell (killed), lieutenants Thomas B. Gray, Tho-
mas Fynmore, and H. F. Murton. ^
Genoa, 74 guns, commodore W. Bathurst, 26 killed, 33 wound-
ed. Captain Thomas Moore (mortally wounded), first-lieu-
tenant Stephen Giles, second-lieutenant John Miller.
Albion, 74 guns, captain J. A. Ommaney, 10 killed, 50 wounded.
Captain C. J. Stevens (killed), second -lieutenants Thomas
Hurdle and Alexander Anderson.
Dartmouth, 46 guns, captain T. Fellowes, 6 killed, 8 wounded.
First-lieutenants Thomas Scott and Charles Scott.
Glasgow, 60 guns, captain hon. J . A. Maude, 2 wounded. Cap-
tain Thomas Seward, first-lieutenant John Norris.
Cambrian, 48 guns, captain G. W. Hamilton, 1 killed, 1 wounded.
Lieutenants Philip Sturgeon (killed), and A. B. Stransham.
Talbot, 28 guns, captain hon. F. Spencer, 6 killed, 17 wounded.
Lieutenant John Husband.
Rose, 18 guns, captain L. Davies, 3 killed, 15 wounded.
Philomel, 10 guns, capt. viscount Ingestrie, 1 killed, 7 wounded.
TURKISH FORCB. 309
Brisk, 10 guns, captain hon. W.Anson, 1 killed, 3 wounded.
Musquito, 10 guns, captain G. B. Martin, 2 killed, 4 wounded.
Hind cutter, lieutenant J. Robb.
FRENCH SQUADRON.
Trident 80 guns, Breslau 80 guns, Scipion 80 guns, Syr^ne
60 guns, Armide 46 guns, and two brigs.
RUSSIAN.
AzofF 80 guns, Gargoutte 74 guns, Ezekiel 74 guns, Newsky
74 guns, with four frigates.
RBOAPITULATION.
British ... 75 killed ... 197 wounded.
French ... 43 " ... 144 "
Russian ... 69 " ... 139 "
Grand total, 177 480
The turkish ships were moored in the form of a triple crescent,
with springs on their cables, stretching from Fort Navarin along
the low shore to the right, terminating under the southern point
of the island of Sphacteria, and near the fort opposite Navarin.
At the bottom of the harbour were numerous transports ; and
five fire-ships were stationed at the entrance, at the two ex-
tremities of the crescent. The turkish and egyptian force con-
sisted of three ships of the line, six double-banked frigates,
fifteen frigates, twenty-six corvettes, eleven brigs, and forty
transports. Each of the line-of-battle ships was fitted with
four guns on a side, of about ten-inch bore, for the purpose of
throwing marble shot.
The principal force was assembled towards the right on
entering, where four large firigates were moored; and next to
these, two ships of the line, one of which bore the flag of the
Capitan Pacha. Towards the latter the Asia bent her course,
and brought up between the two, with a double-banked frigate
and two corvettes astern. The Genoa following, anchored astern
of her, and abreast of the double-banker of Tahir Pacha, and
the Albion was on her way to her position next to her leader.
310 ACTION COMMSNCBS.
No sign of hostility had yet appeared, and all was quiet : not
a sound was heard, except the dropping of an anchor or the
rustling of the cable, as the ships took up their stations. The
Syr^ne was placing herself abreast of a double-bank frigate
a-head of the Asia, when the Dartmouth, who had just taken
her position at the extremity of the line on the eastern side of
the bay, perceiving some movements on board one of the fire-
ships, sent a boat to request they would shift their berth, and
quit the anchorage occupied by the allies. The Dartmouth's
pinnace had scarcely got alongside, when the Turks opened a
fire upon her, by which lieutenant George W. H. Fitzroy was
killed, and several of the boat's crew killed and wounded. A
fire of musketry was instantly opened from the Dartmouth,
and also from the Syr^ne to cover the boat, which succeeded
in regaining her ship. One of the turkish fiigates having fired
a shot at the Syr^ne, the whole of the allied ships, in a position
to do so, opened their broadsides upon the turkish fleet. It
was now about 2 h. 30 m. p.m. : the Asia was then lying be-
tween the ship of the Capitan Bey and that of Moharem Bey,
but nearer to the latter; and as this ship did not fire at the
Asia, the british admiral also refrained from hostilities. Sir
Edward Codrington was so desirous to convey to Moharem his
solicitude to avoid bloodshed, that he sent a boat with Mr.
Peter Mitchell the pilot, who acted as interpreter, to assure the
Bey of his amicable intentions ; but as the pilot was coming
down the side to return, he was shot by a Turk through a main-
deck port. This treachery was instantly punished by a broad-
side from the Asia, and the action continued until both her
opponents were driven from their stations, and drifted to lee-
ward complete wrecks.
The action now became general : two fire-ships were soon in
flames, and a third blew up ; while a fourth was sunk by the
Philomel. The forts on both sides the entrance joined in the
cannonade, and that of Navarin did considerable execution.
The Asia having disposed of her two immediate opponents, be-
EXPLOSION OF TURKISH SHIPS. 311
came exposed to a severe raking fire from the ships of the
second and third lines, by which her mizen-mast was shot away,
several of her guns disabled, and many of her crew killed and
wounded. Mr. W. Smith, the master, was killed early in the
action ; captain Bell of the marines also fell, and the admiral
had a narrow escape, having had his watch knocked out of his
pocket by a musket-ball.
The Genoa suffered most severely, and the loss sustained by
the marines on the poop was so excessive, that it was consider-
ed prudent to remove the survivors to the quarter-deck. Cap*
tain Bathurst was wounded early in the action by a splinter,
which lacerated his face ; and he was at length mortally wound-
ed by a grape-shot, which passed through his body.
The Albion being next astern of the Genoa, was exposed to
the united fire of a cluster of ships, including one of 74 and two
of 64 guns. About 3 h. 15 m. a turkish ship fell on board the
Albion, and her crew made an attempt to board the british ship,
but they were repulsed with heavy loss : the turkish ship wasf
in turn boarded, and compelled to call for quarter. She was
soon discovered to be on fire, and a short time after, having
been cut adrift, blew up with a tremendous explosion. The
removal of this opponent enabled the two remaining ships to
open with more effect upon the Albion, but the largest of the
two was shortly in flames. The Albion continued the action
until dusk ; then, taking advantage of the breeze off the land,
she got under way, and stood clear of the numerous blazing
ships around her.
The french ships behaved admirably; and the Armide was
most conspicuous in proceeding to the assistance of the Tal-
bot, who had taken a position exposed to the broadsides of
three heavy frigates, with whom she had been engaged for more
than a quarter of an hour, when captain Hugon gallantly placed
the Armide between the Talbot and her formidable opponents.
One of the frigates soon surrendered, and the noble-minded cap-
tain of the french frigate, on striking the turkish flag, hoisted in
3122 RESULT OF THE CONTEST.
its place the french and british flags united ; thereby intimatiBg
that he had terminated the contest, which his brave ally had
begun. In the mean while the second frigate had surrendered,
and was taken possession of by the Talbot.
Although the Russians arrived some time after the strife bad
commenced, they were powerfully instrumental in accomplish-
ing the success of the battle ; and suffered severely from the forts
on the island of Sphacteria, which were eventually silenced.
The scene of carnage and desolation was most appalling : as
the turkish ships became disabled, they drifted out of the line
and were set on fire by their crews ; and scarcely a quarter of an
hour elapsed but a ship was blown into the air, or seen careen-
ing wildly about the bay in flames. Ibrahim had declared that
''his ships might be destroyed, but would never be captured;"
and the events of this engagement have explained the import of
that assertion. With the close of day the battle ceased, and
with the exception of two ships of the line, two frigates, and
some smaller vessels, the whole of that magnificent armament,
which but a few hours past rode so proudly at their anchors,
was either on shore, sunk, or in flames. The wind had died
away, and in the calm night that ensued, a random shot fired
at intervals from the forts rather added to the solemnity; whilst
the momentary burst of light from burning wrecks rendered this
scene of desolation occasionally visible : it was one of awful
gi-andeur which cannot be described.
Early on the morning of the 21st sir Edward Codrington
sent a turkish captain on shore, with a letter expressive of his
desire to refrain from further hostilities; but should a single
musket be fired at a boat or vessel of the allied powers, the re-
mainder of the ottoman fleet would be destroyed. Tahir Pacha
came on board the Asia, and in his interview with the com-
manders-in-chief, he acceded to the arrangements that had been
proposed to him. It was now ascertained that Ibrahim was
not present during the battle : at that moment he was engaged
in persecuting the unhappy Greeks that fell into his hands.
PROMOTIONS IN THB MAftlVES. 313
It will be^teen by the following letters, that a considerable pro*
motion took place in the marines of the squadron, and that soon
after the appointments had actually been notified, they were re-
scinded ; consequently captain Seward was the only oflBcer pro-
moted after the death of captain Moore.
*' Admiralty f \Zth November^ 1827.
** His royal highness the lord high admiral declares it to be his
intention, that in future the vacancies of the royal marine corps
occasioned by officers having been killed in action, shall be
filled tip by the promotion of the senior surviving officers pre-
sent in the battle, provided their characters and conduct be un-
exceptionable, according to seniority.
** And his royal highness therefore directs, that the vacancies
occasioned by captains Bell and Stevens in the battle of the
20th of October, be filled up by the two senior first-lieutenants
present in the battle, and their vacancies again by the two se-
nior second-lieutenants present.^'
" Deputy Adjutant^eneraVs Office, R. M.
** I have further to inform you, that in consequence of the above
orders of his royal highness, commissions will be laid before his
Majesty, and transmitted to the commander-in-chief in the Me-
diterranean, promoting the two senior first-lieutenants to the
rank of captains in the room of captains Bell and Stevens, also
the two senior second-lieutenants to the rank of first. These
commissions will be sent out blank, with directions to the ad-
miral to insert the names of officers entitled to them : to be
dated the 10th instant.
** I have also further to inform you, his Majesty has been gra^
ciously pleased, at the recommendation of his royal highness, to
confer the brevet rank of major on captain Thomas Moore, the
senior captain in the action, to be inserted in public orders.
By command,
(Signed) J. WRIGHT,
" To Col. UPCleverty, ^c. a.-a.-obhsral.^^
Woolwich.^*
314 COURAGEOUS CONDUCT OF GBORGB HYAM.
'' 17 th November, \827.
Sib,
I am commanded by the deputy adjutant-genei-al to
direct you to return to this office immediately the order of the
14th of this month, relative to the promotion of officers at the
battle of Navarino, &c., expunging the whole of the said order
from the books of the division, excepting that part granting
brevet rank to captain T. Moore.
By command,
" To Col. M'Cleverty, ^c. J. WRIGHT,
Woolvnch,*' a.-a.-gbnbral/*
Whilst the Medina steam-vessel was stationed on the coast of
Africa in the year 1831, a boat containing a midshipman, 9 sea-
men, and a marine was despatched on service ; and on ascending
a river, the crew became so mutinous, that the officer was under
the necessity of using violent measures, and ran one of them
through the body. This so exasperated the others, that they
determined to throw the midshipman overboard, and were at-
tempting to put their threat into execution ; when the marine,
named George Hyam or Higam, with great firmness stood be-
tween them, and declared he would shoot the first man who
dared to lay his hand upon the officer, and bayonet the next
who might venture to approach him. This determined act of
courage so overawed the sailors, that they desisted in their mur-
derous intention ; and the midshipman, thus nobly supported,
was enabled to maintain his authority, and rejoin his ship in
safety.
1836.
Operations in aid of Isabella of Spain.
A battalion consisting of seven companies, each composed of
1 captain, 2 subalterns, 3 Serjeants, 2 corporals, 1 drummer, and
74 privates, to which was attached a detachment of marine ar-
tillery, had assembled at Santander in the early part of May
1836, when major John Owen took the command ; and having
BATTALION ON THB COAST OF SPAIN. 316
moved to Bilboa on the 11th, embarked on the 17th on board
the squadron commanded by lord John Hay, which conveyed
them to Sebastian, where they landed and occupied quarters in
that fortress.
On the 28th, at 6 h. 30 m. a. m., the battalion was ordered to
support the third brigade of the british auxiliary legion in the
general advance from the lines of St. Sebastian, and at six a.m.
forded the Urimea, about 300 yards above the old bridge ; and
after taking up such positions as the advanced legion consider-
ed necessary, they eventually occupied one of the hills of the
Ametza range.
On the 6th of June, at 3 a.m., the picquets of the legion in
front of Ametza were driven in by the Carlists ; and at 8 a. m.
a considerable force, supported by two pieces of artillery, at-
tacked the left of the position at the village of Alza, and also
the post of Gbibara on its right, and after a heavy and long-con-
tinued fire, some part of the Spanish troops gave way; but the
marines having moved forward to their support, the Spaniards
rallied and again advanced. When the battalion arrived within
reach of musketry, the three front companies deployed and
commenced file firing. Shortly afterwards the enemy retreated,
and the marines returned to their original post at Ametza« In
this affair captain Garmston (severely), and two rank and file
were wounded.
On the same morning that the battalion moved forward in
support of the legion, lieutenant G. C. Langley landed with the
detachment of marines from the Castor, and took possession
of the eastern heights commanding the harbour of Passages ;
and about 300 yards in front of their position was a '^ Caserio,''
occupied by a picquet of the Saragossa regiments. On the 9th
of June, while the detachment according to their usual custom
was under arms a little after day-break, they were suddenly
startled by some bugles sounding the advance, and a volley of
musketry poured from all sides into the picquet-house in front.
As it was evident, from the weak resistance made by the picquet.
316 uamTKsukST ulsslkt at axeixju
the asgaiiante wodkl sood oivcxMBe dbem if not «g»islpd, la
tenua Lander, mitdi hkpsitrof aboat40 bwii, sdUiedo«t fWwi
tinr vtwfcs and dmged die Gulists ; who^probaUT wnderdie
impiessiaQ of bebi^ mttacked bv m mvch larger fiHce, lelieAted,
lemrbig many dead around the pioqnet-honse. Whilst gaUanthr
leadii^hisBen to the diaige, and haTing aimed infiontof the
house, lieatenant Langlej was sev«rd j woanded by % mt^k^-
ball, which paired throogh his i%ht thi^h. The fcroe attack*
ii^ the pioqnet was aboot 400 men, with two battalions in le*
setre undo- the brow of the hiU; and had the Gailists socceeded
in their fiist attempt, it was their intention to have made a gie-
neiaFattackon theengiifth position, dnTcn them ftxwn the heights^
and compelled the men-of-war to CTacnate the haibonr.
Lieutenant Langley, finr this impoitant service, was presented
by the Qneoi Regent, through sir I>e Lacey Erans^ with the
first da^ of the ocder of San Fernando, and he had the same
honour conferred npcm him a second time, for his geneial ser-
vices on the north coast of Spain.
From the 6th of May to the lOth of July, the battalion had
occnpied the Amehagana, dniing an annsaally wet season, with-
out beds or better shelter fiom the weather than the huts thev
had thonselTes ccmstmcted with grem boughs of trees. At
7 p. M . they qoitted this position tor Passages, and haTin^
biTouacked for the night on the eastern heights, were joined
eariy on the morning of the 11th by some raiments of the bii-
ttsh auxiliary legioD, and a battalion of chapelgoiies. At 4 p.m.
the l^ion, accompanied by the marine battalion, moved along
the crest of the Isqnibel monntain, in the direction of Fonita-
rabia and Iron, whilst a strong force of the enemy made a
parallel movement by the Lesso road on the of^xisite hills; at
8 A. M. halted at the monasteiy of Goadalonpe, and shortly at
terwards general Evans made a recoMmaisumce em force by send-
ing down the 6th and 10th regim«its of the legion, supported by
the marines, to gain possession of the wooden bridge, over which
the Carlists intended pushing reinforcements to the towns. The
TfmSATKMKD iORTIR VUOM FURMTARAIIfA. 317
li»gfon wan ioori isngaged with the imemy'» »kirmuib<mi, and bar*'
ing driveti them acroMi th« bridge, held it (^r %ome time, until
their ammunition wan nearly expended, and their colonel (Beat*
ion; with nome others wounded* Captninn Powell and Pratt
advanced with their companies to an embankment near the ri*
fuUii ; and shortly afterwardn ttie eompanien of captninn Bury
at»d Morgan were ordered to take {>ont in a neighbouring con*
rent tliat commanded the bridge : tliene comfianiefi, under tlie
immediate direction of major Owen, held the enemy in check
during the whole of tlie afternoon, until general Evann decided
on withdrawing ht« force to the height* of iMjuibel for the
night
During the day the comfianiefi of captains Bteele and Horn-
brook were moved to the left, in connequence of a tlireatened
nortie from Puenturabia, and they were fiartially engaged with the
enemy *n nkirminhera* Lieutenant Robert Wright ( 1 ) who had
lieen detached with a aubdiriM:m to the left, wan the meann of
naming an officer and detachment of lancem of the legion, who
were not aware that the main body had retired. In tliin aflTair
tlie battnlion had 2 priraten killed ; necond^lieutenant Lambrick,
1 nerjeant, and 1 1 rank and file wounded^ On the following day
tlie marinea returned to Paanagea,
On the Ut of October the picqueta on the eaatem heighta,
commande/i by Iieut4i;nant Logan, in advance of cajitain Powell,
were attacked at a, m. ; but with the anniatance of the guna of
the fort, the enemy waa speedily repulaed.
On the 10th of March, 1837, at 3 a«m., the battalion under
lieutenant'Colonel Owen marched from ita quartern at Pannagen
by the Ilerrera for Aim, where the britinh auxiliary legion and
npaninh troopa were annembled, and formed in columnn of at-
tacks At 6 A, M« a feint wan made on the townn of Lenno and
Rentirea by colonel Lexama of the npaninh nerrice, covered by
the gunn of fk. Antonio^— a nmall redoubt thrown up by the ma>
rine liattalion. At 6 h, 20 m« the 0th regiment l>ritinh auxiliary
legion carried the pr>nition of Ametxagana, that of the Oabara
318 TUB BATTALIOW AT THB ORIAMBWDI.
being at the 0ame time taken by the Princessa regisneat, sap-
ported by the marine battalion. By the erening the whole of
the lines were secured^ the marine artillery having driven the
enemy from their last hold on St Marco by a well-directed and
destructive fire of spherical case-shot.
On the 11th the battalion was in position on the right bank
of the Urimea, in front of Loyola; and on the 12th, at 4 lu
30 m. P.M., crossed the Urimea over a pontoon-bridge to the
village of Loyola, the picquets of the enemy having been driven
out by a battalion of rifles. During the remainder of the even-
ing, parties were employed loop-holing quarters and throwing
up breast-works. On the evening of the 14th the battalion
supported a forward movement to secure a better position, and
a few prisoners were taken.
The picquets were withdrawn on the 16th, and the battalion
having re-crossed the Urimea, took a direction towards Hemani,
on the San Sebastian road. At 9 h. a.m. they halted at the
windmill-battery on the Ayette lines; and here they were pre-
pared for some work being at hand, by a hint from the lieute-
nant-colonel ^' to keep locked up, to pay strict attention to the
directions of their officers, and not to waste their ammunition
by a careless fire." At 2 p.m. they arrived within the distance
of 800 yards of the Venta of Oriamendi, which was strongly
occupied by the enemy, who opened their battery on the co-
lumn. At 4 p.m. the guns and howitzers of the marine artil-
lery companies, protected by the battalion, were brought into
play with much efiect; and about 6 p.m. the enemy's right
was turned by brigadier Chichester, and a cheer in front de-
noted the surrender of the Venta.
On the 16th, at 7 a.m., the battalion advanced to the plateau
of the Oriamendi, situated about a mile and a half from Her-
nani, overlooking the town, and was there posted with the
6th Spanish division under Jauraguay. At 8 h. 30 m. the
2nd light regiment pushed forward in extended order, over the
ground in front of Santa Barbara heights, followed by the 6th
BEPUL8E OF THB BKEMY. 319
regiment of the british auxiliary legion, in column, whilst the
5th division and marine battalion held the plateau. At this
time a heavy firing on the left denoted that part of the army
was sharply engaged. At 11 ii.if. some Carlist lancers were
observed to sally from the town to attack the legion guns ; but
they were quickly dispersed by the lancers, who captured their
colonel Montegul, and sent him up to colonel Owen for dis-
posal.
At 1 1 h. 30 m. four battalions of the enemy moved round by
the Santa-Barbara heights, and shortly made their appearance
in a gorge, immediately in front of the marines. After a short
rest, they threw forward a cloud of skirmishers, and drove back
the 6th regiment of the legion and 2nd light Spanish regiment
in some disorder. Apprehensive that his position, together with
the guns, were the point of attack, lieutenant-colonel Owen
advanced his column and deployed five companies, which were
moved forward and occupied a natural breast-work. The enemy
first attacked their front, but finding the file-firing too hot for
them, and their men dropping fast, they began to waver, al-
though repeatedly cheered on by their officers. An attempt
was then made to turn the right, but with as Uttle success as
the former attack ; and their final essay, directed towards the
San Sebastian road in rear of our position, was foiled by the
arrangement of colonel Owen, who had placed a company in-
side the wall overlooking the valley. Thus repulsed, the enemy
retired towards Hemani, and subsequently supported the attack
on the left, which was becoming serious, as the queen's troops
evinced a disposition to give way. At 2 p.m. the battalion was
ordered to retire, to cover the San Sebastian road; and at 2 h.
30 m. halted in column, about 800 yards in rear of the Oria-
mendi. Some Spanish troops, intermixed with those of the
legion, appeared over the brow of the hill at 3 h. 20 m., moving
in disorder, hotly pressed by the enemy; but the battalion
having immediately deployed into line, the Carlists made no
further attempt to advance : at this time, some hundreds of the
320 BATTALION RETURNS TO SAN SEBASTIAN.
retreating army passed^ refusing all entreaties to reform. At
about 6 h. 40 m. p.m. the firing generally ceased; and lieute-
nant-colonel Owen, having seen the artillery safely passed into
San Sebastian, retired the battalion towards the HeiTera, but
subsequently countermarched, and quartered the men for the
night in the church of St. Francis, at San Sebastian.
The casualties of the battalion on this day amounted to one
bombardier and 4 gunners of the artillery wounded ; and of the
battalion, 1 rank and file killed ; lieutenant Watson, 3 Serjeants,
and 26 rank and file wounded.
Amongst the wounded, the old battalion dog " Dash'* must
not be forgotten : always foremost in the fight, he had already
been hit severely on the 10th, and on this day, not being de-
terred from heading the column, he was again wounded in
the leg. On the same evening, after a hard day's work, it
was amusing to witness some of captain Bury's company per-
forming the ceremony of knighting " Dash," for his gallantry in
the field, with the drummer'^s sword, and investing him with a
medal made from a carlist bullet, which with mock solemnity
they suspended round his neck.
The french commissioner, count Senhilles, an old officer in
the service of Napol6on, who remained with the battalion nearly
the whole of the day, frequently expressed his admiration of the
steadiness of the men and regularity of their movements, which
he said had more the appearance of a review than a battle.
After the reverses of the 16th, lieutenant-general Evans issued
a general order to his troops, dated the 21st of March, 1837, in
which he thus alludes to the conduct of the marine battalion : —
" The unshaken firmness of the british royal marines under
lieutenant-colonel Owen, in repulsing, as they did, four times
their number, afforded you a noble example of the irresistible
force of military organization and discipline^ which the lieute-
nant-general feels confident, on future occasions, you will be
proud to emulate."
On the 13th of May, at 6 a.m., the battalion, under major
CAPITULATION OF FUENTARABIA. 321
Powell, crossed from Passages, and moved along the Hemani
road to assist in the reconnoissance of that place, encamping
for the night near Fort Poyo, close to the San Sebastian road.
At 6 A.M. on the 14th, the troops having moved forward, some
skirmishing took place in front; and being within range of a
twenty-four pounder in the battery on the Oramiento, it opened
a fire upon the marines, who had just halted in column. At
this moment a loud and general cheer announced the arrival of
lieutenant-colonel Owen, who, from ill-health, had for the first
time been compelled to permit the battalion to march without
him. That respected officer having resumed the command, the
battalion returned to Passages at 4 p. m. on the 16th ; and at
4 a.m. on the 16th, marched over the Isquibel mountain for
Fuentarabia and Irun, in co-operation with the force under lieu-
tenant-general Evans. The latter place was carried by assault
on the 18th, and Fuentarabia having capitulated at 4 p.m. on
the same day, the battalion returned to its old quarters at Pas-
sages in the evening, by the Lesso road.
On the 8th of September, at 3 a.m., the battalion passed over
for the purpose of co-operating with the army of Espartero, and
on the 9th Hemani surrendered. Having remained that night
in the town, the battalion moved on the following morning on
Umietta ; and having ascertained that the enemy had crossed
the river by Andoin, the marines returned by Astigarara to
Passages.
Lieutenant-colonel Owen having received the appointment of
deputy adjutant-general of the royal marines, he resigned the
command of the battalion on the 24th of November to lieute-
nant-colonel Parke, who remained in occupation of Passages
and its outposts until the conclusion of the Carlist war in 1840,
during which time the battalion received considerable reinforce-
ments of officers and men.
Copy of a letter from general Harispe to lieutenant-general
Evans, dated
VOL. II. y
322 LBTTER OF COUNT HARISFE.
** Head-quarierSf Bayonne, March 2l$t, 1837.
'' I have heard of the anfortunate result of the attack on Her-
nani with a feeling of the liveliest regret, which my deep sym-
pathy with the caase you defend, and more particularly yoor
own position, renders it difficult for me to convey to you in
words.
'' I have used my best exertions to set the public mind right
upon an event, unfortunate no doubt, but which the hateful
spirit of party and interested passions have turned to their own
uses by exaggeration and calumny.
*' You will accept, general, the expression of sympathy of an
old soldier, who in the course of a long career has witnessed
many a military vicissitude. A check may be quickly repaired,
and I know that you are neither wanting in resolution, nor that
valuable courage which ill fortune is unable to repress.
" Your own honour, as a soldier, has not suffered : this jus-
tice every one is obliged to render you. The honour of the
british name is untarnished, and the noble conduct of the batta-
lion of british marines sufficiently proves what may be expected
from troops organized, long subjected to strict discipline, and
accustomed to obey the voice of their leaders.
" I hope, then, that in a few days you will resume your opera-
tions. Above all, I hope you will not be left unsupported by
those appointed to co-operate with you. I shall hail with satis-
faction the success that awaits you, and with feelings of the
warmest consideration, I am, &c.
(Signed) COUNT HARISPE."
Extract from a letter from an officer of the royal engineers,
dated
'' St. Sebastian, March 20th, 1837.
'' Saw ten or twelve battalions file out and extend beyond
our right and left ; from this time it began to look serious, and
about 2 P.M., when the Carlists commenced their attack, symp-
LSTTER FROM AN ENGINEER OFFICER. 323
toms of wavering were observed on our left, although they were
not pushed. On the right they began also to grow troublesome,
and lord John Hay considered it time for the marines to open
their fire : they have hitherto done nothing. It was high time ;
and it would have done your heart good to have seen the man-
ner in which they did their work. You must know the system
of fighting here is regular guerilla — every man for himself, —
firing as often as you can behind walls, &c« ; in contrast to this
it was beautiful to see the battalion throw in a regular fire, as
steady as on parade, and colonel Owen just as cool as in the
barrack-yard : it was the admiration of all who saw it, and soon
quieted the Carlists. What a fine example of discipline the
marines gave ! Had they not acted as they did, our right would
have been forced, and the army would have been cut to pieces.
They certainly have added another laurel to their many/*
Copy of a letter from commodore lord John Hay : —
*' H. M. Steam-ship Phanix, Passages, March 18th, 1837.
Sir,
I have very great satisfaction in bearing testimony
to the well-merited praise which your letter of the 17th bestows
on the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the
Royal Marine battalion under your command, for their gallantry
and exemplary conduct on the 16th instant. The service ren-
dered to her catholic Majesty on that day by the royal marine
battalion was of the most important nature, and could only
have been effected by such gallantry, steadiness, and determi-
nation as the battalion displayed at the moment it was ordered
to advance for the protection of the artillery.
A sense of public duty induces me thus publicly to express
to yourself, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates
my admiration of their conduct ; and I add, that since I have
had the honour to guide the co-operation of his Majesty's naval
forces on this coast, the zeal, judgment, and gallantry which
Y 2
324 URTESS VBOX LORD XIMTO.
yoa hare ioTariably carried my orders into effect, Itare been
to me a eoarce of coofid^ice and satisfaction.
I am, &C. &c.y
(Signed) JOHN HAY,
^ Liatty-coUnul John Owemy K.H., coimoDORK.*'
eomrnanding Royal Marine BattaliomJ*
Copy of two letters from the earl of Miuto to lord John
Hav dated
'' Admiralty, Marek IStk, 1837.
Sir,
I feel much pleasure in acquainting yoa with his
Majesty's gracioas intention of conferring the brevet rank upon
captain Powell of the royal marines. I am commanded at the
same time to convey, through your lordship, to lieutenant-colonel
Owen, the officers and soldiers of the royal marines attached to
your squadron, the expression of his Majesty's marked appro-
bation of the exemplary and good conduct and gallantry of that
distinguished corps, in the arduous and necessary duty upon
which they have been employed.
His Majesty was too well aware of the high character and
merits of lieutenant-colonel Owen, not to have anticipated that
the discipline and efficiency of the battalion under his command
would prove such as it has been represented by your lordship,
and that their conduct in the field would sustain the high repu-
tation which that corps has so well established.
I have the honour to be, my lord,
your most obedient servant,
(Signed) MINTO.**
" Commodore the Right Hon. Lord John Hay, C.B-
'' Admiralty, ApHl ]Oth, 1837.
Mt Lord,
The advancement of colonel Wingrove to the rank
of colonel-commandant having made a vacancy for a marine
aide-de-camp to the king, I feel great satisfaction in communi-
LBTTJSBS OF LORD JOUN HAY. 326
eating his Majesty's selection of lieutenant-colonel Owen for
that appointment.
In conferring upon lieutenant-colonel Owen this honourable
distinction, his Majesty has desired me to mark his sense of
the merit and services of that valuable officer, — never more con-
spicuously displayed than in the last action, when on the 1 6th
of March the marine battalion so nobly maintained its position ;
and, with its characteristic steadiness and gallantry, it protected
the retreat of the queen^s army.
Your lordship will have the goodness to communicate this
letter to lieutenant-colonel Owen.
I have the honour to be, &c. &c.,
(Signed) MINTO.''
** Commodore the Right lion. Lord John Hay^ C.B,^
Copy of a letter from commodore lord John Hay, dated
" H. M. Ship North Sfar, Passages, April 29th, 1837.
Sir,
I have the greatest satisfaction in acquainting you,
that the lords commissioners of the Admiralty have desired me
to express their high approbation of the gallantry, zeal, and
judgment displayed by yourself, the officers, non-commissioned
officers, and privates of the Royal Marine battalion under your
command, during the operations of her catholic Majesty's troops
on the 15th and 16th ultimo.
I am, sir, &c. &c.,
(Signed) JOHN HAY."
** Lieut-^olonelJohn Owen, K.H.,
commanding Royal Marine Battalion"
Officers serving on the north coast of Spain in 1836 and 1837 :
Lieutenant-colonel Owen, K.H., commandant.
ARTILLERY OOMPANIBS.
Captain J. B. Castieau. First-lieutenants Hammet Parke,
J. P. N. T. Clapperton. Second-lieutenant A. R. Savage.
326 OFFICBSS COMPOfillfG TB£ BATTALIOH.
BATTALIOV.
Captains, — Walter Powell, George B. Bury, Richard R« C.
Steele^ Richard L. Hombrook, Thomas Stereos, Samoel Garm-
ston, Charles Morgan, and Charles C. Pratt.
First^lieatenaats, — S. Robert Wesley (adjutant), Edwaid
Charchill, G. Logan, Alexander U. Stevens, Robert Wright (1),
George Watson (quarter-master), and Geoi^e Elliott.
Second-lieutenants, — George W. R. Yule, John U. Wright,
Edward P. Snowe, George Lambrick, William B, Langford,
Arthur Molesworth, Charles F. Hockin, and Robert Hockings.
Surgeon, — George Dobbs. Adjutant, — S. Robert Wesley.
Quarter-master, — George Watson.
The decoration of the second class of the Spanish order of San
Fernando was conferred on lieutenant-colonel Owen and major
Powell, the other officers receiving that of the first class.
Flotilla an Lake Ontario^ in 1837.
The continued aggressions on the Canadian fi-ontier by parties
from the borders of the United States, and their seizure of Navy
island on the river Niagara, determined the british government
to send out captain Sandom of the royal navy, to form a flotilla
for the protection of the river-frontier on lake Ontario. That
officer reached Kingston on the 18th of April, 1838, and on the
arrival of the 74-gun ship Hastings at Quebec in the month of
June, with lord Durham as governor-general, the following offi-
cers and men were permitted to volunteer from the squadron : —
2 lieutenants, 8 mates, 1 assistant-surgeon, 83 petty officers and
seamen, with I lieutenant of the royal marines, and 48 rank and
file. This force arrived at Kingston on the 28th of June. Sub-
sequently to the outbreak in 1828 it was increased to the esta*
blishment of a fourth-rate, having the complement of marines
augmented to 1 captain, 2 subalterns, and 90 rank and file. A
portion of this force was detached to lake Erie, and another
arty sent down the river St. Lawrence.
FLOTILLA ON LAKE ONTARIO. 327
On the 11th of November information was received of the
departure of a body of the Americans from the Onondago-lodge
at OswegOy who, after proceeding down lake Ontario to Sackett's
harbour in the steamer United States, received a reinforcement of
two schooners full of men, which the steamer took in tow.
Captain Sandom immediately embarked lieutenant Johnstone
and 44 rank and file of the 83rd regiment on board the Cobourg
steamer, commanded by lieutenant Hooper, royal navy ; and at
11 P.M. left for Sackett's harbour, to ascertain the movements
of the enemy.
On the 12th, at 4 a. m., lieutenant Charles Allan Parker of
the royal marines, with 40 rank and file, embarked on board
the Queen Victoria hired steam-vessel, carrying the pendant of
captain Sandom, and left for Gannanoqui, situate about 24 miles
down the St. Lawrence, where they joined the Cobourg, when
both steamers proceeded on to Prescott, which town is about 62
miles from Kingston, and situated at the head of the first rapids
of the river. They arrived at midnight, and found lying there
the Experiment, commanded by captain Newton Powell, who
had been severely engaged with the enemy on the 12th, in op-
posing a well-armed american force of about 800 men, com-
manded by a skilful officer, who in spite of the captain's gallant
exertions to prevent them, succeeded in landing 300 men and
three guns.
The position occupied by the insurgents consisted of a lofty
and strongly •built windmill, situated on a point of land rising
boldly from the river, having near it a few scattered houses. A
wall was immediately raised round the door of the mill, with
embrasures for their three guns ; at the same time the doors and
lower windows of the adjacent houses, which flanked the en«*
trance to the mill, were walled up to secure them from attack.
At 6 A.M. on the 13th, lieutenant Johnstone of the 83rd regi-
ment, with 44 rank and file, and lieutenant C. A. Parker of the
marines with 30 rank and file, landed and were placed under
the orders of colonel Young, K.H., who formed his small force
328 PREPARATIONS FOR THE ATTACK.
of about 300 infantry and 40 militia cavalry into two colamns of
attack, — ^lieutenant Johnstone's company leading the right, and
lieutenant Parker's division the left \%ing. Lieutenant-colonel
Gowan of the militia assisted colonel Young, and the left was
under the direction of colonel Eraser, an officer who had com-
manded a company of the 92nd regiment in the peninsular war.
The right wing was then directed to advance to the village of
Johnstone, with its right resting on the river St. Lawrence;
while the left wing made a detour inland, and then approached
the village, with its left resting on the river, to cut off the retreat
of the enemy.
The steamers, after landing the troops, proceeded down the
stream, and commenced cannonading the village and windmill ;
but the shot, although well directed, had no effect on that
building, notwithstanding the fire from the enemy's three guns
did some damage to the Queen Victoria, bearing the pendant
of captain Sandom.
Colonel Young having completed his arrangements, the two
columns filed off, — the left wing passing over the hill, which ex-
tended about three quarters of a mile; and on its emerging from
the wood the right wing, which had halted about 200 yards
from the extreme right of the village, advanced and commenced
the attack. The 83rd having extended, were met by a sharp fire
from the enemy, who were behind a stone wall which dauked
their position : but they were soon driven thence by the rapid
advance of lieutenant Johnstone in an attempt to storm the mill,
when that gallant officer was killed, and several of his men
wounded, by the musketry from the Americans, who had re-
treated to a house commanding the object of attack. The
british detachment now fell back, and halted under the protec-
tion of the wall they had just passed.
On the arrival of the left wing on the eminence inland of the
enemy's position, about 150 of the Americans advanced towards
them. Two parallel walls were in front of the British, and a
third ran at right angles from them. The greater portion of
LIEUTENANT PARKER WOUNDED. 329
the enemy having tiled under the shelter of the latter, lieute-
nant Parker with his detachment, and the first company of
Glengarry light infantry, were ordered to attack this force ; and
at the same time colonel Fraser moved forward to turn the ene-
my's right. Arriving within musket-shot, lieutenant Parker
wheeled his companies up into column, and the marines ex-
tended from their right. A smart firing was then kept up on
both sides, until lieutenant Parker advanced rapidly towaixis
the enemy, who fell back to the next parallel wall, still pursued
by the British, until they took shelter in the village ; from the
houses of which they maintained a destructive discharge of
musketry, wounding captain Macdonell, lieutenant Angus
Macdonell of the Glengarry light infantry, and lieutenant
Parker, with several of his men.
Having withdrawn from this exposed situation without mak-
ing any impression upon the enemy, lieutenant Parker was di-
rected to take command of the company of the 83rd, which had
lost its gallant leader, and united to the marines, formed one di-
vision. The steamers continued battering the mill with little or
no effect, until they had expended their ammunition, and colonel
Young decided on withdrawing the whole force, after encircling
the enemy's position with picquets, until the arrival of artillery
from Kingston.
The loss sustained on this day amounted to 1 killed, an offi-
cer, and 14 wounded, of the marines; 4 killed, 2 officers and 7
wounded of the Glengarry light infantry. The enemy suffered
in equal proportion, and 28 prisoners were taken.
Having placed picquets round the village, the detachments
of marines and of the 83rd regiment embarked on board the
steamers and proceeded to Kingston. In the mean time colonel
Dundas, commandant of Kingston, having arrived, reconnoitred
the enemy's position ; and on the 6th a force, consisting of six
companies of the 83rd regiment, a detachment of artillery, with
an eighteen-pounder gun and a twenty-four pounder howitzer,
the whole of the naval force at Kingston, including lieutenant
330 APPROVAL OF THE ADMIRALTY.
Parker of the royal marines^ arrived in four steamers, having in
tow two gun-boats armed with a long eighteen-pounder, and
two with twelve-pounder carronades ; and at the same time the
flank companies of the royal-regiment, and those of the 93rd
regiment, marched from Montreal. With the exception of the
light company of the 93rd, which had not arrived up, the whole
force, accompanied by numerous militia, marched from Prescott
to the village of Johnstone, under the command of lieutenant-
colonel the honourable H. Dundas. The steamers, (on board of
which lieutenant Parker and his detachment were embarked,)
together with the gun-boats, having taken their pasition, under
the direction of captain Sandom, R.N., a heavy fire was opened
upon the mill, and the cannonade was continued for nearly two
hours without producing much effect; but on the bugles sound-
ing for the troops to advance and storm the place, the enemy
surrendered at disci-etion. The loss on this occasion consisted
of captain Drummond of the militia, and one private of the 83rd
killed, and several men wounded.
In the mean while the flames bui*st out from the surrounding
houses, and i-apidly extended until the whole village was con-
sumed, leaving the mill without any visible impression, either
from the bombardment or the conflagration around it. Lieute-
nant Parker and his detachment had the honour of receiving
the approbation of the lords commissioners of the Admiralty,
the thanks of the govemor-genei-al sir John Colbum, and of the
lieutenant-governor of the upper province, sir George Arthur.
As a further mark of their approbation, the local rank of captain
in Canada was conferred on lieutenant Parker by the governor-
general, and he was presented with an unattached commission,
as captain in the militia force of Upper Canada, by the lieute-
nant-governor. A more substantial mark of favour from the
lords of the Admiralty was also extended to lieutenant Parker,
by his being appointed, unsolicited, quarter-master to the Chat-
ham division of royal marines.
331
CHAPTER IX.
Operations on the Coast of Syria in 1840.
Mbhbmbt Ali^ the pacha of Egypt, having virtually thrown off
his allegiance to the Sublime Porte, by retaining possession of
the egyptian fleet at Alexandria, the court of London, acting in
conjunction with Austria, Russia, and Prussia, determined on
taking active measures in support of the Sultan to reduce the
Pacha to subjection. Although there was no positive interrupt
tion to the good understanding between the governments of
France and England, yet it was strongly apprehended that the
Pacha was acting under the influence of that nation ; and it was
therefore reasonable to suppose, that any reverse in the opera-
tions of the allies would have drawn down upon them the whole
french force in the Mediterranean.
In the month of August the british fleet on this station, under
the command of admiral sir Robert Stopford, consisted of four-
teen ships of the line, three frigates, and several smaller vessels.
Commodore Napier was lying at Beyrout, with five sail of the
line, two frigates, two brigs, and two steam-vessels ; and on the
9th the admiral arrived there with the remainder of the fleet,
accompanied by three austrian, and five turkish men-of-war.
Hostilities were then determined upon, and in consequence of
the ill health of colonel sir Charles Smith of the marines, who
had been appointed to command the troops, the direction of the
operations was intrusted to commodore Napier. During the
night the marines of the fleet were ordered to embark on board
the Gorgon, and about 5000 turkish troops were concentrated
in the other steam-vessels. At dawn of day three steamers were
S32 BATTALIONS LANDED.
seen hanging off the cape, with every portion of their decks,
and even their paddle-boxes, covered with a dense mass of sol-
diery. The fleet got under way, and formed a line extending
from abreast of the town towards the cape, a distance of about a
mile. At about 10 a.m. the Benbow anchored, and threw some
shells with great precision on that part where it was presumed
the greatest number of the enemy had assembled ; and shortly
afterwards several other ships also opened their fire. The ope-
ration had the desired effect of drawing the enemy to this point,
in expeX;tation that the disembarkation would immediately take
place ; and about noon, as the sea breeze set in, the signal was
made from the flag-ship for the Castor, Pique, Dido, and Wasp
'* to follow commodore.*' At that moment, as preconcerted, the
steamers crossed to the other extremity of the bay, (distant
about ten miles), followed by the Powerful and some other
ships ; but before the Dido and Wasp arrived, a great portion
of the troops had landed and formed on the beach. The Castor,
with the Hydra steamer, proceeded more to the southward, and
landed some turkish troops at the mouth of the Dog river,
about two miles from Jouni bay, the spot of general disembark-
ation. The troops were for some time kept working night and
day, throwing up sand-banks, felling trees, and other works, to
strengthen their position, and having no shelter, they suffered
much from exposure to the weather, whilst the detachment of
royal artillery landed with every requisite for encampment.
The following are the officers of marines composing the bri-
gade : —
Lieutenant-colonel William Walker.
Captains, R. C. Steele (artillery), C. Fegen, A. Morrison, C.
Robinson, F. Spry, W. Jolliffe, W. Calamy, W. R. Searle, G. H.
Palliser, H. Smith, and J. Childs.
Lieutenants, E. Appleton, J. Land, J. Buchanan, H. G. Mit-
ford, J. K. Willson, J. Miller, S. Fraser, H. Parke (artillery), J.
Phillips, R. M. Curry, B. Varlo, R. C. Spalding, W. W. Lilli-
trap, and T. B. Pleydell.
OFFICERS COMPOSING THE BATTALIONS. 333
Second-lieutenants, A. D. L. Farrant, C. O. Hamley, Henry
Varlo, W. R. Searle, H. A. M'Callum, C. Louis, R. K. Claveil,
J. W. Wearing, R. Y. S. Moubray, R. M. Wemyss (artillery),
L. W. R, Denman, C. W. Adair, W. Jolliffe, R. H. Harrison,
H. W. Brooker, W. B. Mends, J. H. Stewart, and J. A. Stewart.
Acting brigade-major, captain W. Calamy.
Adjutants, lieutenants W. Land and J. K. Willson.
Quarter-master, lieutenant J. Buchanan.
On first landing at D'Jouni, the marines were formed into
two battalions of eight companies ; but previous to the whole
being formed on the beach, two detachments were ordered in
advance, under the command respectively of captain Joseph
Childs and lieutenant Berney Varlo. These parties moved to
the southward, — the first crossing the Dog river, and the latter,
accompanied by about 300 Turkish troops, to a convent on a
hill about three or four miles from the camp, and forming the
advanced posts of the british force. The battalions in camp
were officered as follows : —
First battalion, lieutenant-colonel Walker, captain Morrison.
Second battalion, captains Fegen and Robinson.
These officers continued to do the duty of field-officers, chang-
ing battalions occasionally, as the nature of the service required,
until captain Fegen with his detachment returned on board the
Ganges, and the arrival of further reinforcement from England ;
when the arrangement was necessarily altered as follows: —
Lieutenant-colonel Walker commanding ; — captains Whylock
and Leonard commanding battalions, with captains Morrison
and Robinson acting as majors.
The Carysfort and Dido were ordered to the northward to
open a communication with the mountaineers at the town of
Gebail ; but not meeting with a friendly reception, the Carysfort,
after exchanging some firing with the castle, stood off shore to
await further instructions. On the 12th September the Cyclops
arrived with 220 marines from the camp at D'Jouni, and some
armed peasantry, with orders to reduce the place; and the
3M ATTACK UPOH OEBAIL.
Carysfort, Dido^ and Cyclops were anchored abreast of the
castle and town.
On the passage from the camp^ the marines had been formed
into a small battalion of four companies^ commanded respec-
tively by captain Richard Searle^ lieutenants Robert H. Har-
rison^ W. R. Searle^ and Charles W. Adair^ with lientenant
Richard C. Spalding as acting adjutant : the whole under the
command of captain Charles Robinson. Immediately after
their arrival^ the sea-face of the town and the coast adjacent
was reconnoitred by captain Robinson^ for the purpose of se-
lecting the place best adapted for landings when a bay to the
southward of the castle was fixed upon for that purpose. All
being in readiness^ the troops were put into the boats, and at
1 P.M. the ships opened their fire on the castle, and those parts
supposed to be occupied by the Albanians. The canncmade
having continued above an hour, and apparently with good
effect, the marines, accompanied by some mountaineers, pushed
off from the Cyclops, and the ships, to cover their landing, re-
opened their fire. The space between the place of disembark-
ation and the castle, which was in part covered with mulberry
and fig-trees, intersected by stone walls breast high, having
been first scoured by the fire from the carronades of the launch-
es, the lapding was elBPected in perfect order ; and after the can-
nonade from the ships had continued some time, the Carysfort
made the signal for the troops to advance to the assault.
No opposition was experienced until the marines had arrived
within thirty yards of the defences of the castle, when a most
destructive fire was opened upon them from a crenelled work,
having a deep ditch in its front, and which was completely
masked from the ships. As the men were falling fast, from
being exposed to a galling and well-directed fire through loop-
holes in excavated passages a little above the level of the
ground, captain Robinson withdrew the battalion under cover,
sending forward a serjeant with a section to ascertain the possi-
bility of forcing an entrance, and carrying the place by assault ;
TnOOPB RBPULSBD. 336
but flnding any Turther attempt on the forti^ess itnpractica1)le,
the marines retired in excellent order; and after remaining nearly
three hours on the beach, at the place of debarkation, were
again on board before sunset; having suflfered a loss of ifive men
killed, a lieutenant, C. W. Adair, and sixteen men wounded.
Captain Austen, of the Cyclops, with lieutenant Gifford of that
ship and a gig's crew, accompanied the troops in this affair,
and the latter officer was severely wounded.
The bombardment was resumed, and continued for four hours
without making any visible impression, beyond the falling of the
cupola of a mosque. In the course of the night the Arnaut
troops evacuated the place, which was occupied at daylight by
the mountaineers, who had been armed by the British. On
examining the castle, it was found to be of such strength, that
had the whole fleet been employed against it for the same time,
the troops within might have remained secure. For many feet
upwards the blocks of which the basement was composed were
of the most astounding dimensions, — generally twenty feet in
length and twelve feet in width, with excavated chambers
capable of containing upwards of 500 men. On the side next
the town was a deep and broad fosse.
Admiral Stopford, in transmitting an account of this affair to
the Admiralty, observes, '^ That although the attack made upon
the castle of Gebail by a party of marines under captain Robin*
son was repulsed, which I deeply regret, yet it was successful in
its result, the castle having been evacuated on the following
morning. The possession of that strong-hold is of the most
material importance, as it commands the main road by which
the enemy might advance upon our position from the northward,
and secures a safe point for the mountaineers concentrating and
receiving arms. Fully coinciding in the encomiums bestowed
by captain Martin and captain Austen on the merit of the officers
and men employed on this service, such as must always be con-
spicuous where danger calls them forth, I beg to recommend
them to their lordships' favourable consideration.''
336 ATTACK rP05 TOETOSA.
Captain Robinsoo obtained the breTet rank of major oq tbe
dth of NoTember, 1840.
The battalion of marines and the turk^sh troops remained en-
camped at D'Jooni, under the orders of commodore Napier,
whilst the admiral directed the bombardment of BeTroat. The
firing continoed until the 14th of September, when an alteration
took place in the disposal of the squadron. The Edinborgh,
Hastings, and Bellerophon only remauned before the town. The
Benbow, Piqae, and Castor having received back part of their
complement of marines, the former sailed to the northward with
1700 stand of arms for distribution ; whilst the other two ships
were despatched in an opposite direction, and the rest of the
squadrcHi were brought down to the bay at Jouni.
The Benbow, having been joined by the Carysfort frigate and
Zebra brig off Batroun, arrived at Tripoli on the 18th, and on
the 20th anchored off the island of Ruad near Tcrtosa. As the
latter place contained provisions and stores for the Pacha's
troops, it was deemed advisable* to attempt gaining possession
of the town. Accordingly the ships proceeded thither, and the
Carysfort and Zebra anchored within 500 yards of the shore.
Having received information that the troops had evacuated the
town, captain Stewart, after effecting a breach in the castle, di-
rected the boats, containing 50 marines commanded by lieutenant
Robert H. Harrison, and the whole under the direction of lieute-
nant William Maitland of the Benbow, to storm the place. The
town presented at its sea-front a line of wall, flanked at either
angle by a tower ; and this wall, in which the breach had been
made, was not more than sixteen yards distant from the sea.
About 1 p. M. the enemy opened a sharp tire upon the cutter
of the Benbow, as she landed on the beach ; and the four larger
boats having unfortunately grounded on a ledge of rocks, be-
came exposed to a destructive discharge of musketry from loop-
holes and crevices in the walls. A strong fire was returned from
the boats, and several ineffectual attempts were made to wade to
the shore. In the mean time the other cutter reached the beach.
CA8TOH AND PIQUB AT CAIFFA. 337
and the two officers with their crews^ after breaking open several
stores entered a large cellar^ which to their astonishment was
filled with armed soldiers. A retreat was immediately effected,
under cover of the well-directed fire of the ships. The loss in
this afiair was 2 seamen and 3 marines killed; 13 seamen and 4
marines wounded. Total, 5 killed and 17 wounded.
The Castor and Pique on leaving Beyrout on the 14th of Sep-
tember proceeded to Caiffa^ and arrived off that place on the
16th, accompanied by the ottoman frigate Dewan. On the fol-
lowing morning two boats bearing flags of truce were sent in to
summon the garrison, but they were not suffered to approach
the shore. The ships immediately opened upon the batteries,
mounting eight guns ; but such was the effect of a few well-
directed broadsides, that the troops deserted the town in great
confusion. The forsaken ramparts were then taken possession
of, the guns and stores destroyed, and 2 thirteen-inch mortars
brought off.
On the following morning, the 18th, the Castor took up a
position covering the road which leads into the town of Acre,
distant about ten miles at the other extremity of the bay, a
large body of troops being at the time distinctly seen drawn up
at the distance of a mile from the Acre gate. It was then de-
termined to dislodge the enemy from a castle, mounting five
guns, in rear of and commanding the town, which was still held
by the Egyptians. They were soon driven by the fire of the
frigates ; and as the destruction of the castle was considered
desirable, captain Collier ordered the detachments of marines
of both ships, under lieutenants Bemey Varlo, C. O. Hamley,
and R. Y. S. Moubray, together with a party of seamen under
their respective officers, and the whole under the direction of
lieutenant G. E. Patey of the Castor, to effect a landing for
this purpose. Although in sight of the body of troops we have
just mentioned, the British landed without opposition; and
having thrown the guns over the ramparts and destroyed the
fortifications, they returned to their ships.
VOL. II. z
338 DESCRtlPTION OF d'JOUM.
From Caiffa, the Castor aod Pique sailed on the 23rd for
Tyre, in company with the turkish frigate Dewan ; and on the
24th, about noon^ they took up positions off Tyre, which wa$
in possession of 500 egyptian troops, who were soon driven out
by the fire of the frigates. On the following day the marines
landed, and took possession of the town.
As it will be a matter of interest to understand the posi-
tion of the encampment of the british force at D'Jouni, we
have extracted the following description from the work of Mr.
W. P. Hunter :-T-" When I had before seen the eminence on
which the encampment had been constructed, it was but a
pathless rock, covered with mulberry-trees, amongst which
were discernible the few houses composing the village of JounL
At one angle was a small chapel; at another, the almost co-
vered ruin of an ancient terrace. Great was the metamorphosis
which now presented itself: bristling ramparts extended around
it in every direction, surmounted by nearly 100,000 sand-bags*
It was approached from below by a broad path cut directly
acisoss the rock : it had its parade, and its hospital, tents, sta-
bles, and magazines ; and, in short, every feature of a thorough-
ly-organized and strongly-fortified military position. From the
^chapel, which was occupied by the commodore, a six-pounder
peeped from its only window, ranging an adjacent hill. On
the raised terrace towards the sea, and elevated above the camp,
bad been placed a 6i-inch howitzer, protected with sand^bags.
Within the principal lines were two ijcmer lines, facing the wes-
tern or weakest portion. Farther on the western side, adjoin^
ing the combined english and austrian divisions, were the turk-^
ish quarters ; in front of the latter a field-work had also been
thrown up, extendiiig about ninety yards. The artillery in
position consisted of nine english field-pieces, .three 6J-inch
howitzers, and six small turkish pieces. The camp was slightly
commanded from the range of hills skirting it at distances of
from 900 to 1500 yards ; but the ascent to these heights would
have been very difficult for heavy artillery, and they were at
MARINE AT Tfl£ DOQ SIVEB. 339
the same time within long-range of the ships* The active force
consisted of about 5000 Turks, 1500 marines, 200 Austriaas,
and a company of artillery, including sappers and miners/'
The enemy having taken a position on the left of the Dog
river^ on which they had commenced throwing up fortifications,
commodore Napier, at daylight on the 24th of September,
marched out of the cantonments with four turkish battalions
under Selim Pacha, the second battalion of royal marines under
captain Fegen, and an austrian rocket detachment. The ground
on either side of the Dog river is very high and precipitous,
offering great advantages to the defending, and considerable
danger to the attacking party. To secure against this, a turk*
ish battalion descended, unseen, near the entrance of the gorge
through which the rivers runs, and gained the heights on the
other side ; the marines and the rocket detachment, covered by
this battalion, crossed higher up, crowned the heights, and ad*
vanced on the enemy, who were about two leagues off, while
the Turks remained in position to cover their right, in the event
of Soliman Pacha advancing from Bey rout to disturb these
operations. The three turkish battalions who descended into
the gorge before the marines, pushed their way up the river, and
advanced in a mountain-path to turn the enemy's left ; but on
perceiving this attempt, the latter abandoned their entrench-
ments, and took up another position about a league to the right.
The Turks followed them up with much vigour, and secured
between 400 and 50 prisoners. The marines having advanced
towards the eminence first occupied by the enemy, the work
was entirely done by the Turks. '* The marines,'* observes the
commodore, " were however most anxious to try their strength,
and I hope the opportunity will soon offer." This operation
opened the whole district of Kala, and the mountaineers, who
had been driven from their homes, flocked down in great num-
bers, and were immediately armed.
The allies having established a footing in the country, and
by the strength acquired in their position gained a degree of
z2
340 DESCRIPTION OF SIOON.
confidence that induced them to undertake some achievement
of greater importance, it was determined to attempt the capture
of Sidon by storm, and commodore Napier was appointed to
command the forces to be employed. Accordingly, on the
evening of the 26th of September, a turkish battalion under
Homchild Aga, with the first battalion of marines under cap-
tain Arthur Morrison, embarked in the Gorgon and Cyclops
steam-ships, and proceeded off Sidon. At daylight on the fol-
lowing morning the 84-gun ship Thunderer, 18-gun brig Wasp,
austrian frigate Guerriera joined, as also the Stromboli steamer
from England with 284 marines under captain Whylock, and
the Hydra from Tyre, having on board the Ottoman rear-ad-
miral. Walker Bey.
In order better to explain the proceedings, it may be desira-
ble, to give a short description of Sidon. The town, which is
built upon an eminence rising i-ather abruptly from the sea, is
very circumscribed for the number of houses it contains, and
the streets are narrow, numerous, and confused. It is enclosed
on three sides within a wall of considerable height, but upon
which the interior has so much encroached as to leave little or
no intervening space. The principal gate in the line wall is
towards the north side, near the sea, and is very well defended:
on that side the town is approached by a broad and smooth
beach. Towards the south, Sidon rises from the level countiy
by a short but steep ascent, where there is a small citadel of no
great strength. On the sea-front there is no wall; but the
houses being built in a regular and compact order, offered equal
obstruction to an enemy. The ruins of a mole also prevented
any very near approach, and some entrenchments had been
recently thrown up to oppose a landing. A castellated fort of
considerable size projects at the same part about 100 feet into
the sea, and is connected with the town by a bridge, at the land-
end of which a well-built barrack additionally defends the shore.
The wind being light, the ships were towed to their stations
abreast of the town ; the Wasp and Stromboli anchored more
to the southward to flank it^ mnii th^ iMfHt^m^ i^^X^^^ ^ecuA
Hydra to the northward, close to the ea^MUii^ k ^ct^o^x//^}
summons was then despatched to the ^o^tmfM cA i^^Aff -vH^^*^
being refused, preparations were made al^>«i i^y^ ii^v ^1^ ;m^
sault. The turkish battalion was now pat tiyto tli^ li>'^^, Mwf
having assembled round the Cyclops, a few %hfA wtA ^AitfM "w^rf^
fired from the Gorgon at the castle and barmck* ; »bortly ^^h^st^
wards the whole squadron opened their broaditide*^ to Atn^ fUh^
troops from the houses and the entrenchment^^ The c^aatf/M4^
continued for more than half an hour withoot moeti fmtM tm^
pression ; but at one p. m. a breach was made m the tte^h^M ^4
the fort. The commodore then made the signal for tlie T0fk#
to land, and the boats under the direction of captain AtMteti^ u^
companied by rear-admiral Walker, pulled steadily towardi^ the
shore ; and as they approached, a heavy fire was opened npryn
them from the barracks and buildings, which was returned by
the carronades in the british launches. The landing was effects
ed with some loss, and the castle was taken possession of; but
as the enemy stuck to their entrenchments, the fire of the shipf
was again opened, and the houses in front battered down. Com*
mander Mansel, of the Wasp, was directed to seize the favour-
able opportunity of throwing the marines commanded by cap-
tain Whylock, and the austrian marines, into the castle on the
south-west side of the town. This was accomplished with great
gallantry and skill, and being exposed to a sharp fire from a
steep acclivity, on which were a number of small houses strongly
occupied by the enemy, lieutenant Charles F. Hockin of the
royal marines, a young man of great promise, was killed, and
several men wounded: they were then directed to work their
way to the upper castle, which commanded the town. The first
battalion of marines having landed on the beach to the north-
ward of the town, the whole were ordered to move forward ;
and the turkish troops, led by rear-admiral Walker and captain
Austen, pushed along the causeway and entered in that direc-
tion. In the mean time, the marines broke into the barracks^
342 VAMES OF THE OFFICEKS OF MARIKSS.
and thence proceeding along the line wall to the upper gate,
forced it open and seized the citadel. Learing a guard at this
poet, they descended through scTcral streets, arched OTer ; where
occasional skirmishing took place with detached parties of the
egrptian troops, who finally took refuge in a vaulted barrack.
In this bailding a thousand men were discoTcred, ready (or a
sortie should occasion offer ; but as thev immediately laid down
their arms, the whole garrison, consisting of nearly 3000 men,
were taken prisoners.
This gallant enterprise was accomplished with the compara-
tively trifling loss of lieutenant Hoskin of the marines, and 3
seamen killed ; 2 master'sHoaates, the boatswain of the Cyclops,
6 seamen, and 12 marines wounded. Total, 4 killed and 21
Wounded.
A postscript affixed to the hastily written letter of the com-
modore, states, ^'There wus a complete race between Mr. James
Hunt, midshipman of the Stromboli, and signor Dominica Chinca,
midshipman of the austrian frigate, who should first place the
colours in the part of the town where they landed." This post-
script obtained for Mr. Hunt, by an order in Council (he not hav-
ing served his time) his commission as lieutenant ; but the credit
of first placing the british colours on the walls of Sidon pro-
perly belonged to lieutenant Alexander Anderson of the royal
marines, for it appears that this gallant officer had some time
previously planted a union-jack nearly on the same spot, and
soon afterwards removed the flag to a higher part of the town.
The officers of marines who assisted at the reduction of
Sidon were as follows : —
Battalion commanded by captain James \tliylock : captains
Robert Leonard and James Dowman. Lieutenants Alexander
Anderson, Edward Hocker, J. T. Aslett, Piicaim Onslow, and E.
T. P. Shewen.
Six companies of the first battalion commanded by captain
Arthur Morrison: captains Frederick Spry, G. H. Palliser, and
Joseph Childs. Lieutenants J. K. Willson (adjutant), Simon
PREPARATION FOR THB ATTACK ON ACRE. 343
Fraser, R. M. Curry, J. B. Pleydell ; second-lieutenants A. D. L.
Farrant, Charles Louis, J. W. Wearing, L. W. R. Denman,
William JoUiffe, W. B. Mends, and J. A. Stewart.
On the morning; of the 8th of October, an order was issued
for the marines of the camp to re-embark, and about sunset on
that day the whole were on board their respective ships. On
the 9th the turkish troops, commanded by commodore Napier,
made a successful attack on the force of Ibrahim Pacha occu-
pying the mountains of Lebanon ; and in consequence of their
defeat, the town of Beyrout was evacuated, and on the same
day 2000 Egyptians surrendered as prisoners of war. In the
course of a few days Tripoli, Tortosa, and Letakia were aban-
doned by the Egyptians, and taken possession of by the inhabi-
tants of the country, well disposed towards the Sultan.
Thus the whole line of the Syrian coast, with the exception
of the town and fortifications of St. Jean d' Acre, had fallen ;
and the reduction of that important fortress was the next object
which occupied the attention of the allies. The season of the
year was extremely unpropitious ; for generally about this time
the Syrian coast is visited by heavy gales from the north-west|
rendering the approach to the land extremely dangerous, and
frequently fatal to any ship caught within limits. There was
another consideration not to be disregarded : a powerful french
squadron watched the progress of the British, and there were
some symptoms of a hostile movement on the part of the french
government. Commodore Napier and rear-admiral Walker
Bey urged the immediate attempt ; whilst sir Rober Stopford,
upon whom the sole responsibility would have rested, deferred
the attack until he could, in some degree, ensure success ; and
colonel sir Charles Smith, commander of the military operations,
was not over sanguine as to the result. Despatches arrived
from England on the 27th of October, which afforded a cover
for undertaking the risk ; and the gallant admiral, gladly avail-
ing himself of lord Palmerston*s letter, gave orders for the bom-
bardment of Acre.
344 NAVES OF OFFICERS OF MARINES.
As a preliminary step, the turkish rear-admiral proceeded
under the walls of the fortress in his ship to demand its sur-
render, but without success; and on the morning of the 31st of
October, the force destined for the attack got under way from
Beyrout, having on board 3000 turkish troops.
The squadron was composed of the following ships :
Princess Charlotte, 104 guns, admiral hon. sir R. Stopford,
G. C. B,, captain Arthur Fanshawe, 1 killed. Captain
Morrison, lieutenants J. K. Willson, Simon Fraser, E. T. P.
She wen.
Powerful, 84 guns, commodore Charles Napier, C.B., 4 wound-
ed. Major Why lock, captain Frederick Spry, lieutenants
A. D. L. Farrant, L. W. R. Denman, and William Jolliffe.
Bellerophon, 80 guns, captain Charles Austen. Captain Henry
Smith, lieutenants Edward Appleton and T. B. Pleydell.
Revenge, 76 guns, captain hon. W. Waldegrave, 2 killed, 4
wounded. Captain J. Childs^ lieutenants H. W. Brooker,
J. H. Stewart.
Thunderer, 84 guns, captain hon. M. F. F. Berkeley. Captain
Hugh Palliser, lieutenants A. Anderson, John Phillips,
R. M. Cuny, W. B. Mends.
Edinburgh, 72 guns, captain W. W. Henderson, K.H., 4 killed,
7 wounded. Captain William Jolliffe, lieutenants Henry
Varlo, James A. Stewart, and William Land.
Benbow, 72 guns, captain H. Stewart. Captain Richard Searle,
lieutenants John W. Wearing, Robert S. Harrison.
Castor, 36 guns, captain E. Collier, 4 killed, 7 wounded. Lieu-
tenants Bemey Varlo and R. Y. S. Moubray.
Pique, 36 guns, captain Edward Boxer. Lieutenant Charles
O. Hamley.
Carysfort, 26 guns, captain H. B. Martin. Lieutenant Henry
G. Mitford.
Talbot, 26 guns, captain H. J. Codrington, 1 killed, 2 wounded.
SQUADRON PROCEBOS TO THE ATTACK. 345
GorgoDy steamer^ captain W. H. Henderson. Lieutenant
M* Galium.
Vesuvius, steamer, commander T. Henderson. Captain R.
Leonard, lieutenants J. Dowman and E. Hocker.
Stromboli, steamer.
Phcenix, steamer, commander Robert T. Stopford.
Hazard, brig, 2 wounded.
Wasp, brig, 6 wounded. Lieutenant J. T. Aslett.
Austrian : Medea, rear-admiral Bandeira, 1 killed, 4 wounded.
„ Guemera, captain H. L H. the archduke Frederic, 1
killed, 2 wounded.
Mookad Demoy-i-shire, 74 guns, rear-admiral Walker Bey, 4
killed, 3 wounded.
Total, — 18 killed, 41 wounded.
On the afternoon of the 2nd of November, the expedition
reached the bay of Acre, and anchored about two miles distant
from the town, where the Pique, Talbot, Wasp, and Hazard had
been previously lying. The task of sounding and buoying off
the channels leading to the positions opposite the batteries, had
been performed with much skill under the orders of captains
Boxer and Codrington ; and the night preceding the attack was
also employed, by many officers, in improving their knowledge
of the different localities of the anchorage.
In order better to observe the proceedings of the ships, on
the morning of the 3rd of November the admiral, accompanied
by sir Charles Smith, embarked on board the Phoenix, leaving
commodore Napier to conduct the division appointed to act
against the western and strongest side, consisting of the Pique,
Bellerophon, Thunderer, Princess Charlotte, Powerful, and
Revenge, in line of battle.
At 9 h. 30 m. the ships got under way, but it was not until a
little before 1 p. m., when the sea breeze set in, that they were
under command, and the whole bore up for their stations. The
plan laid down for the mode of attack was formed upon the
346 POSlTlONg OF TRB 8AIPS.
suppoiitioA that the ships would enter by the southern passage;
but the change of wind rendered this impracticable for the ships
of the line^ and, consequently, the squadron was obliged to
round the northern end of the shoal, and enter the channel in
the opposite direction. The Powerful was to hare brought up
abreast of the southern angle of the west front, and the succeed-'
ing ships, passing on the outside, were to have anchored to the
northward of her; but the commodore finding the necessity
of deviating from the course originally laid down, made the
»gnal, ^^ I intend attacking north batteries," meaning that the
ships astern should pass on, and anchor to the southward of
him, thus reversing the original line of attack ; this communica*
tion not being clearly understood, the Princess Charlotte and
her successors, as soon as the Powerful had anchored, brought
up astern and to the northward of her. The consequence was
that these ships, generally, were from 800 to 1000 yards too far
to the northward, leaving a laige proportion of the forts un-
engaged*
About 2h. 15 m., just as the commodore's division had an-
chored and opened their fire, the Castor and Talbot, followed by
the Edinburgh, Benbow, Carysfort, Hazard, and Wasp, ap-
pointed to act against the southern face, came to an anchor
within about 700 yards of the walls, and opened a spirited fire,
while the remaining ships passed on to their respective stations.
The Edinburgh, on clearing the Castor, dropped a stem-anchor
close upon the firigate's starboard bow ; and the succeeding
ships brought up, as convenient, by the head or stem ; and at
about 2 h. 30 m. p. m. the action became general.
The Revenge had been kept under way as a reserve ; but at
8 p. M. she was ordered, by signal from the admiral, to anchor in
the vacant space a-head of the commodore, and was in a short
time admirably placed in the station which had been thus as-
signed to her.
The four war-steamers placed themselves at the angle between
the two lines, and the cannonade was maintained with such
ExpLosioiv OP tnn powDfiit magazine, 847
t^igour, that, to use the words of Mr. Hunter, *' observation was
confounded by the continuous roar of cannon, and by the masses
of smoke which, in many^piled wreaths, began to envelope as
well the ships as the fortress. When the smoke at short inter-
vals cleared away, we got a glimpse of one or more of the em-
brasures ; but for the most part, the only object seen to mark
their locality was the blaze of lurid fire issuing from the pieces
at the moment of discharge."
Thus affairs continued until a little after 4 p. m., when the
east end of the fortress was for a moment in a blaze of light, and
in the next enveloped in a dense and impenetrable cloud. The
principal powder-magazine had exploded, in consequence, it is
supposed, of a shell thrown from one of the steamers : bursting
shells, masses of stone, and fragments of the building were
scattered in all directions.
The cannonade, which for a moment had been stayed, was
succeeded by a loud and continued cheer that resounded from
ship to ship, and the firing was resumed with unabated energy
until sunset, when not more than 20 guns in the battery re-
mained undisabled. At this period the admiral made the sig-
nal to '' cease firing," which was obeyed as soon as the flags
became discernible ; but the ships remained at anchor ready to
renew the action. This preparation was however unnecessai^,
for the devastating effects of the british fire, and of the explo-
sion, had rendered all further efforts of defence ineffectual. Of
the 140 cannon mounted on the two sea-faces, 76 of the em-
brasures had been more or less struck, and 24 of these were ren-
dered utterly ineffective for the working of the guns, and many
of the latter were disabled. The explosion occurred in a portion
of the fortress farthest from the sea, and consequently did not
injure the portion of the works against which the fire of the
squadron was directed ; but it threw down a largeportibn of the
principal inner fosse on the opposite, or land side.
" By the explosion," says colonel sir Charles Smith, in his
despatch, 'Hwo entire regiments, formed in position on the ram-^
348 TRIFLING LOSS SUSTAINED.
partSi were annihilated, and every living creature within the area
of 60,000 square yards ceased to exist ; the loss of life being
variously computed from 1200 to 2000 persons."
No ship sustained any material injury, but all were more or
less struck by shot, and their masts and rigging much cut up.
The Powerful was the only ship that had a spar shot away, and
she lost her main top-gallant mast.
Some writers, in endeavouring to account for the trifling loss
sustained by the fleet, attribute their escape to the ignorance of
the Egyptians, in supposing that the buoys laid down to mark
the shoals were the positions which the ships were to take up ;
and consequently, having pointed tlieir guns at those objects,
blocked up the embrasures so eflectually, that it was impossible
to train the pieces either to the right or left. It would be diffi-
cult to reason ourselves to believe that the skilful and intelligent
engineer, who had been some months in the fortress, could be
ignorant of the depth of water in every part of the bay, or of the
extent and situation of the shoals ; and we are supported in this
view of the case, by the following remark of Mr. Hunter : —
" For the first half hour the united fire of the enemy was
every where sustained. During the whole of that time, how-
ever, their guns had such a high degree of elevation, that but
few shots comparatively struck the ships. It would appear that
in their previous practice at the guns, they had never taken into
consideration the fact that ships might approach so near the
fortress, and before they had time eflectually to correct their
mistake, many of their guns were disabled. After an hour had
elapsed, their fire was far more correct, and continued to improve
during the whole of the action. On the other hand, the em-
brasures from which the fire was most destructive, were the
united aim of every ship in the vicinity, and, one by one, were
disabled.**'
On the 4th, in the morning, all the troops were landed under
the command of colonel sir Charles Smith, and this ancient and
far-famed fortress was taken quiet possession of by the allies.
SECOND EXPJL0810N. 349
On the 6thy a second explosion of shells took place in the
ruins of the magazine, where a party of men were at work; by
which a private of the royal marines was killed, captain Collier
of the Castor had his leg broken, and many others were seriously
injured. Sir Charles Smith thus describes the event : — ** In a
moment we were enveloped in darkness, accompanied by frag-
ments of masonry, with musket-balls, shot, and exploding shells
of every denomination. The exertions of the royal navy and ma-
rines have since been most conspicuous in extinguishing the fire,
and in reducing, by precautionary measures, the risk which turk-
ish evolutions, in the midst of gunpowder, must ever render more
or less probable."
The thanks of Parliament were unanimously voted to the offi-
cers, seamen, and marines of the fleet, and abundant rewards
were bestowed. The commodore was made a knight commander
of the Bath ; the twelve captains present at the bombardment
of Acre, not previously so decorated, were made companions of
the order : ten commanders made post-captains, 23 lieutenants
advanced to the rank of commander, and 50 mates promoted to
be lieutenants; and captains Robert Leonard and Frederick
Spry of the marines, were promoted to the brevet-rank of major.
The fall of Acre terminated the hostile operations of the fleet
on the coast of Syria, and we cannot better convey the sense
entertained by the british nation of the eminent services that
had been rendered, than quoting the sentiments expressed by so
distinguished a warrior as the marquis of Anglesey at Ports-
mouth, on the 5th of August, 1841, at the banquet given by the
corporation to admiral the right honourable sir Robert Stopford :
"Great, glorious, and triumphant indeed those achievements
have been. They are such as it is impossible for the nation at
large too highly to appreciate, or for our most gracious sovereign
too highly to reward. I congratulate the nation that we still
have amongst us such able, such gallant men as many of those
whom I have the happiness to see around me. I congratulate
the brave officers and men who had the good fortune to partici-
350 EULOGIUM OF THE MARQUIS OF ANGLESEA.
pate in all the glories of the East ; I congratulate the navy at
large on the high and noble proofs which have now lately been
given that they have not degenerated ; I congratulate that gal-
lant corps — that useful, that invaluable link in the chain which
connects the two services of the sea and land, and which unites
them in one common baud of union, good-fellowship, and in-
terest, — I speak, as you may well observe, of the royal marines,— r-
I congratulate them on the splendid share they have had in all
those victories. It is a cobps w^ich neyeb appeabed ov
ANY occasion, OB UND^B ANY CIBCUMSTANCES, WITHOUT DOING
HONOUB TO ITSELF AND ITS couNTBY, Many of US here have
lived in times when war has been conducted on a more extended
scale than it has lately been ; but I do not believe, that if we
were to search the page of history we could find one, notwith-
standing the glorious examples which stand recorded on it, — still
I do not believe we could find one in which this service stands
more pre-eminently conspicuous, in which it holds a more com-
manding position, than it does at the present day, as compared
with the same seiTice in other nations.'^ On the same occasion
commodore sir Charles Napier observed, — "As to those who
were placed immediately under his orders, he could say that he
never witnessed, during the whole course of their services, more
zeal, more energy, and mor^ determined perseverance than was
displayed^ not only by the q^c^x^ of the navy, but by the marine
officers in the late e;|cpedition.'^
351
CHAPTER X.
Operations in China, from IWO to 1842.
The commencement of hostilities against the Chinese, was on
the occasion of the british plenipotentiary soliciting captain
Smith, of the 26*gun ship Volage, to get that ship under way
from Macao roads, in company with the Hyacinth sloop, for the
purpose of resisting twenty-nine war j unks, under the command
of admiml Kwan, who were descried bearing down with the in-
tention of attacking the merchant shipping. A sharp action
ensued, in which three of the junks were sunk, and the remain-
der driven on shore. Lieutenant Ayles of the marines was at
that time serving on board the Volage.
On the 4th of July commodore J. J. O. Bremer, in the Wes-
lesley 74, Conway and Alligator frigates, Cruizer, Algerine,
and Rattlesnake sloops, Young Hebe schooner, Atalanta and
Queen steamers, arrived off the town of Chusan, and sent an
officer to summons the Chinese vice-adioiral to surrender the
island. This 1^ to an interview with his excellency on board
the Wellesley, and to a full explanation of the intentions of the
british government. On the 5tb the Chinese troops assembled
in considerable numbers ; and on the temple hill a force was
posted with three guns in position, twenty-one guns in line on
the different wharfs, and on a round tower of solid masonry
they bad five guns. The waj: junks were hauled on shore in
line, and presented thirty-four guns and forty-five large gin^
gals ; and the Chinese continued waving their flags, with every
other demonstration that evinced a jspirit of hostility.
352 RBOUCTIOK OF CHUSAN.
Haying waited until 2 p.m. without receiving any further com-
munication from the Chinese authorities, a shot was fired from
the Wellesley at the round tower. The feeble defences of the
town having immediately answered the fire, the whole squadron
commenced a cannonade, which lasted only seven or eight
minutes, in which short period the Chinese troops had fled, their
battery on the custom-house wharf destroyed, four junks shot
to pieces, and not one person led visible in the town. The right
wing of the 18th, or Royal Irish regiment, under the command of
major Adams, the marines of the squadron, consisting of cap-
tain S. B. Ellis, lieutenants H. Maniott, John Urqubart, and
£. P. H. Ussher, with 128 rank and file forming the advance,
then landed, and were immediately followed by detachments of
the 26th and 49th regiments, the Madras artillery and sappers
and miners, and the residue of the troops ; and before the hour
of 3 p. M. the british colours were seen flying on the first military
position of the Chinese empire ever conquered by her britannic
Majesty's arms.
At daylight on the 6th, 8 nine-pounders, 2 mortars, and 2
howitzers were in battery, within 400 yards of the wall ; and
as the morning dawned, it was discovered that the bridges had
been destroyed and the city evacuated. In the night a tempo-
rary bridge was thrown over the canal and the principal gate
forced, by which the 49th regiment marched in, and the british
colours were soon displayed on the walls of Chusan. The com-
modore thus expresses himself in his report of this attack to
captain Ellis : —
'^ As the royal marines of the squadron, present on the 5th
instant, were landed at Chusan under your command, by my
order, I cannot allow the present moment to pass over without
expressing to you, as their commanding officer, my entire appro-
bation of the conduct of yourself and the officers, non-commis-
sioned officers, and privates forming the detachment on that
occasion.
'' The highly soldier-like appearance of the party, and the
general regularity and sobriety of the men on »bor«, wbeo uiwto'
great temptation, affords me extrei»« mUitt&c^ion, iwd i» bigWjr
creditable to themselves. I have iheretore U> request ih»i you
will convey these sentiments to the officers, mn^<iQmmmmM
officers, and privates of the royal marines accordingly, who m
the present instance have so fully maintained the bigb charac-
ter of their distinguished corps/'
" BRIGADE ORDERS. ChuSUU, Julff l6(/h l^^*
*' As there appears to be no immediate prospect of ulU-
rior operations for the land forces, brigadier Burreil, governor
of Chusan, will no longer delay the expression of bis warm^it
thanks to captain Ellis, and the officers, non-commissioned offi-
cers, and privates of the Royal Marines, who, in conjunction
with the troops, took possession of Chusan on the 6th mstant.
•' The flight of the enemy gave little opportunity of gaining
distinction in the field, for which all were anxious, but governor
Burrell had the satisfaction to observe the cheerful zeal with
which the royal marines entered upon the service, and the stear
diness with which they formed on landing ; and his excellency
considers it highly to the credit of this distinguished corps, that
amongst a considerable body, taken from different ships, not a
single instance of misconduct was laid to the charge of any in-
dividual during their bivouac on shore and re-embarkation.
^* Captain Ellis is requested to make this order known to the
officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, who were un-
der his command on this occasion.
(Signed) A. S. H. MOUNTAIN,
MAJOR, D. A.-O.''
The english residents at Macao having experienced consider-
able annoyance from a strong force of the Chinese encamped
near the '' barrier," they were induced to make application to
the senior officer of the british squadron for assistance. Captain
H. Smith, of the 44-gun frigate Druid, immediately gave direc-
tions for the detachments of marines of that ship, the Lame
VOL. II. 2 A
/^
364 ATTACK UPON V»U BAKBIBB OF HACAO.
msA Hymointh, about 100 stroog, under fiffat-Iieut«iaat W. It-
Maxwell and second-lieutenant James Pickard, tii prepare for
dieembarkation ; and at about 2 p.m. on the 19th of August
this feroe, accompanied by a party of seamen with a field-^iece,
landed on the beach, covered by the Lame and Hyacinth, who
directed their 6re at one of the principal batteries, as w^li as
upon the chinese encampment aad ten war juoks. The marines
moved forward, and on reaching the summit of the bill (hey be-
came exposed to a heavy dischai^e of round and grape from the
fort, and muBketry from a considerable body of infantry, who
advanced with much determination until they were checked by
a well-directed volley, which threw them into confusion, when
they immediately gave way, taking with them a number of
killed and wounded.
Lieutenant Maxwell was then ordered to retire with his d^
tachmeut to the beach, to await the arrival of the Bengal volun-
teers ; and after the lapse of an hour, these troops, commanded
by captain Mee, were landed. That officer, having placed the
marines on the right of the volunteers, and a party of seamen on
either flank of the line, with their field-piece, advanced towards
the fort, which they entered without opposition, the Ohinese
liaving retired to their war junks, and to the portnguese battery
on the Macao side of the " barrier." After a short cannonade
the enemy abandoned their guns, and fled in all directions.
Having destroyed the forts with their stores, and spiked the
gnns, the British returned to their respective ships without
having incurred any loss, beyond a few men wounded by an
explosiMi. The Chinese are estimated to have sustained a loss
of about 60 in killed and wounded.
1841.
N^gotraMofis were carrieci Ofi by th^ pleqipotentiaries, (|q4
|iRfbil?g hQStil^ ^pi^ place until the 7th ofjaquary, 1841, wh^
the 4et9cl)n}eiit6 of ffiari(tes of tl^e aqu^dron. ampiinting tP 3
captains, 9 si^fbaltem^ 17 gerjeautq, \\ fifera, 4^ pjir^ti^} ^^^
ATTACK UPON CUUSNPBfi. 356
6 privates of the 18th regiment^ were formed into a battalion^
under the following officers : — Captain S. B. Ellis^ commanding ;
captains H. J. Gillespie and James Wbitcomb; lieutenants R.
Gordon, R. O. Bridge, A. B. Stransham (adjutant), W. R. Max*
well, F, J. White, E. P. H. Ussher, G. W. Whiting, R. Farmar,
and J. Pickard, were landed without opposition about two miles
below Chuenpee-point, in conjunction with a detachment of
artillery, having one twenty<-four pounder howitzer, and 2 six-
pounder field-guns, aided by a party of seamen, detachments of
the 26th and 49th regiments, the 37tb Madras native infantry,
and a detachment of Bengal volunteers,-^in all 1400 men ; the
whole commanded by major T. S. Pratt, 26th Cameronians.
Captain Ellis was ordered to advance with two companies,
supported by the detachments of the 26th and 49th regiments,
followed in column by the marine battalion, the 37th native in-
fantry, and the Bengal volunteers.
After advancing a mile and a half, on reaching the ridge of
the hill they came in sight of the upper fort, and of a very
strong entrenchment, having a deep ditch outside and a breast-
work round it, which was prolonged upwards, connecting it with
the upper fort; it was also flanked by field batteries, having
deep trenches in rear of the guns for the purpose of shelter ;
the whole was strongly lined with Chinese soldiers, who, cheer-
ing and waving their flags in defiance, opened a fire from their
defences. The guns of the british were quickly placed on the
crest of the ridge, and a cannonade continued on both sides for
about twenty minutes. During this time, the '' advance*' crossed
the shoulder of the hill to the right, driving before them the
Chinese ; then descending into the valley, took possession of
a field battery placed there, and moved forward to dislodge a
large force of the enemy occupying the crest of a wooded hill in
front. Two eompaiiies of the 37th had previously gone round
the bill to the right of the advance, where they encountered the
Chinese, and drove them away with muoh loss. The advance
having eleared the wooded hill in front, the 3rd and 4th eom-.
2 a2
356
CAfiUALTIEB INCURRED.
I-
ni
■J.
31
panies of the marine battalion, under captain Whitcomb, passed
by the valley to the left, and forced an entrance into the enemy's
strongly stockaded work, and by that means gained the upper
fort, the capture of which was accelerated by the right sub-
division of the 4th company, under lieutenant Whiting. Two
privates of the Wellesley, named Bennett and Knight, having
fought their way through one of the embrasures, the latter struck
the imperial banner; and having hoisted the british colours, their
gallant achievement was cheered by the ships lying in the bay.
The lower fort of 16 guns, facing the sea, surrounded by a
high wall, with a battery of 4 guns on its left flank, had been
completely silenced by the ships ; but the lower part continued
in possession of the enemy, until the advance, coming round the
lower side to the gate, forced it by musketry ; and more men
entering by the embrasure on the flank, the british colours were
soon hoisted on this post. The forts and magazines were de-
stroyed : above 300 Chinese were Killed and wounded, and 100
prisoners taken, who were released in the evening. Lieutenant
F. S. White (slightly), 2 Serjeants, and 7 privates of the marines
were severely wounded, and the total British loss amounted to
30 wounded.
Major Pratt, in hi< official report, says, " I must particularly
mention captain Ellis, commanding the marine battalion, an old
and previously distinguished officer, who conducted the advance
during the whole day with the greatest gallantry and judgment
From lieutenant Stransham, adjutant of the royal marines, who
acted as brigade-major, I received most valuable assistance
during the day."
The commodore, in his letter of the 18th of January, observes:
" I avail myself of this occasion to express my hope that their
lordships will be pleased to bestow some marks of their favour
on captain Ellis, royal marines, of this ship. This meritorious
old officer was in sir Robert Calder's action, in Trafalgar, in
the Potomac, and many other brilliant affairs. The order which
he established in the battalion of royal marines, and the gal-
ATTACK ON ANUNQHOY. 367
lantry with which he led the advance of the force on the 7th,
were such as to entitle him to my thanks and admiration, and I
venture to recommend him to their lordships accordingly.*'
On the 11th of June the promotion of major Thomas Simson
Pi-att of the 26th, to be lieutenant-colonel in the aitny, and cap-
tain Samuel Burdon Ellis of the royal marines, to be major in
the army, was officially announced.
On the 26th of February preparations were made for an at-
tack on the formidable batteries at the entrance of the Bocca
Tigris river. In advance of the old fort of Anunghoy, and
partly surrounding it, was a new, well-built battery of granite,
forming a segment of about two-thirds of a circle : on it were
mounted 42 guns. Several strong entrenchments extended to
the southward of this battery, and the ridges of the hills were
crowned with guns, up to a camp calculated for about 1200
men. On the north side was a straight work of modern erec-
tion, mounting 60 heavy guns ; about 1 60 yards of rocky beach
intervened between the end of this battery and the northern
circular battery, on which 40 guns were mounted. All these
works were protected by a high wall, extending up the hill, on
which were steps, or platforms, for firing musketry ; and in the
interior were the magazines and barracks.
On the east side of the island of North Wangtong was a
battery, with a double tier of guns, defending the passage on
that side, and also partly flanking a number of rafts, constructed
of large masses of timber, moored across the river (about twelve
feet apart) with two anchors each, connected by and support-
ing four parts of a chain cable, the ends of which were secured
under masonry work, — one on South Wangtong, the other on
Anunghoy. On the western end of North Wangtong was a
strong battery of 40 guns, flanked by a field-work of 17 ; in
fact, the whole island was a continued fortification.
On the extreme western side of the channel was a battery of
22 guns, and a field-work of 17, protecting an entrenched camp,
containing about 1600 or 2000 men. South Wangtong was not
368 SUBHBMDBR OF THB FORTS.
occupied by the enemy^ and being an excellent position, a work
was thrown up upon it by the british, during the night of the
25th^ mounted with 2 eight^inch iron, and 1 twenty-four pounder
brass howitzer. At daylight on the 26th this battery was opened
with admirable effect by captain Knowles of the royal artillery,
throwing shells and rockets into North Wangtong, and occar-
sionally into Anunghoy.
At 11 A.M., the breeze springing up, the fleet stood in, the
74-gun ships Blenheim and Melville, 2 war-steamers, and four
rocket-boats attacking Anunghoy ; whilst the 74-gun ship
Wellesley, frigates Druid, Calliope, Samarang, Herald, Alliga-
tor, and M odeste were opposed to the batteries on the south,
south-west, and north-west of Wangtong, and the forts on the
western side of the channel. In less than an hour the batteries
on Wangtong were silenced, and the troops under the command
of Major Piutt of the 26th regiment, which had previously em-
barked in the Madagascar and Nemesis steamers, were landed,
and in a few minutes became masters of the island, without any
loss, and 1300 Chinese troops surrendered.
The Anunghoy batteries having been silenced by the Blen-
heim, Melville, and Queen, sir F. Senhouse landed on the
southern battery at the head of the marines, under captains
Gillespie and Whitcomb, with a party of small-arm men ; and
having driven the Chinese in all directions, before one p. m. the
british colours were flying on the whole chain of those cele«
brated works. To use the words of the commodore, ''The
individual gallantry displayed by the whole force, convinces me
that almost any number of men the Chinese can collect would
not be able to stand before them for a moment.'' The loss sus*
tained by them at Wangtong amounted to about 250 killed and
wounded, and about the same number in Anunghoy, at which
place Admiral Kwan, and several other mandarins of rank fell.
On the morning of the 27ih, the light squadron proceeded up
the river under the command of captain Herbert, who, on hia
arrival off the first bar» found the e»emy strongly fortified on
I
VHAMPOo battbhibs stormed. 369
the left baiik of the river, clofie to Whampoo reaob^ with up-
wards of forty war-junks, aikl the Cambridge mounting 34 guns*
On the approax^h of the Madagascar and Nemesis steamers, the
Chinese opened a heavy fire, but the ships arriving up, soon
eilenced the enemy's vessels and batteries. The marines and
small-arm men then landed and stormed the works^ driving be^
fore them upwards of 2000 of the Chinese troops, and killing
nearly 300. All the defences were carried, and the Cambridge
blown up^ Only one man was killed on the part of the British,
and 8 wounded.
Captain Herbert thus expresses himself in his official report :
** To lieutenant A. B. Stransham of the marines, of the Calliope,
I have to acknowledge my sense of his services in arranging
and directing the marines of the squadron on landing, and for
his endeavours to repress the destruction of life after resistance
had ceased. He speaks in high terms of the support he received
from lieutenants C. C. Hewitt and H. Mairiotf
Sir Hugh Oough assumed the command of the land forces
on the 2nd of March ; and on the 4th captain Ellis, with a d^
achment of marines, took possession of a large joss-house,
whilst the seamen, soon removed the stakes in the river, and
made a clear passage for the ships.
On the right bank of the river, on a point foitned by the
mouth of a creek, was Howqua's fort, a square building
mounting 30 guns ; from its northern angle, the stakes men-
tioned extended to the opposite bank, the ground on each side
being paddy-fields, cut and intersected by canals in all direc-
tions. The joss-house rather projected in the stream, and con-
sequently was a good position. The river here is about 500
yards wide : in front is a long low island, which divides the
river into two branches; and on the extreme eastern point stood
a fort mounting 35 guns, built to commemorate ^he death of
the late lord Napier, from which well constructed and secured
rafts, forming a bridge^ extended to both aides of the river. On
its right bank, flanking the fort of 35 guna^ was a mud battMnry,
360 CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES.
intended for 55 guns ; on the left was a battery, also flanking
the former fort, on which the enemy had 44 guns, most of which
they withdrew on the night of the 4th. In addition to these
defences, stone junks were sunk in all parts of the river between
the stakes and the left of Napier's fort, which rafts also rested
upon sunken junks, secured on either side within piles.
On the 5th preparations were made to attack this formida-
ble position. Major-general Gough landed at the joss-house
with the royal marines and a detachment of the 26th, for the
purpose of taking the battery on the left bank. The ships hav-
ing weighed, were dropping up with the tide ; but on the ap-
proach of the first ship the enemy fired all their guns, and fled
across the rafts and in boats. Possession was immediately
taken, and the british colours hoisted.
The expedition had thus successfully moved on towards
Canton, when, on the 6th, captain Elliott requested the mili-
tary operations to be stayed, until he had tried the effect of
another proclamation; consequently the troops re-embarked,
and the ships dropped down to Wangtong. Temporizing was
not the system to be pursued with the Chinese; and his ex-
cellency, soon finding himself deceived, had recourse to the
following :
''Macao, lOM March, 1841.
" A report has this day reached the undersigned, to the effect
that the authorities of Canton have granted pilot-chops to
ships other than British to proceed to Whampoa ; a close em-
bargo will therefore be laid on the city and trade of Canton,
unless and until the whole foreign trade proceeds upon a per-
fectly equal footing.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOTT,
HER majesty's PLENIPOTENTIARY."
On the 12th of March an attempt was made to approach
Canton, by a hitherto unfrequented passage, by the Madagascar,
Modeste, and Sulphur, accompanied by armed boats, in which
RBDDClnON OF MACAO FOBT. 361
were embarked several detachments of marines. Having ar^*
rived within two miles of Canton, captain Herbert summoned the
Macao-passage fort to surrender, but without effect. On the
following day, the 13th, the Modeste and Madagascar opened
their fire upon this fort, mounting 22 guns of different calibre,
having also 8 dismounted guns of small size placed on a raised
embankment, to which a train was laid, calculated to sweep the
causeway and platform. From the small island on which the
fort is built, a strong raft stretched to the shore, and another,
imperfectly constructed, communicated with a village on the
opposite side. After some firing from the Modeste, the boats
dashed on and were soon in possession of the fort, with the com-
parative small loss of 3 wounded.
Captain Herbert, in his official report, observes : " And the
royal marines, under the orders of lieutenant Stnmsham, assist-
ed by lieutenants Urquhart, Hewitt, Marriott, and Polking-
horne, acquitted themselves on the occasion as that gallant
corps is always in the habit of doing."
The proximity of this fort to Canton, and its position as a
convenient rendezvous, made it desirable to be held in posses-,
sion, and the marines belonging to the advanced squadron were
placed in garrison, under command of lieutenant Stransham.
In consequence of the Chinese firing on the british flag-of-
truce on the 17th of March, captain Herbert brought up a
flotilla of four divisions of boats, under the direction of captain
Bourchier ; and having embarked 6 officers and 227 rank and
file from the garrison of the fort, passed to the northward,
covered by the Modeste and other vessels, and with the Mada-
gascar steamer engaged the batteries situated on a slight eleva-
tion on the left bank of the stream. It was with difficulty that
the British reached the shore, but having gained a footing, the
Chinese fled at all points, severely harassed, to a short distance
beyond the limits of the works, which were bounded on all
sides by rice swamps. In the mean while the british factory
was taken possession of, the consulate flag rehoisted, and all the
362 RBVBWAL OF B08TILITIB8,
small foiii in the immediate neighbourhood fell into the hand*
of the naval force.
Captain Herbert thus expresses himself: ''The royal marines
under lieutenant Stransham of the Calliopei assisted by lieute-
nants Urquharc, Daniel, Hewitt^ Marriotti and Polkinghcmie,
Were as usual conspicuous for their gallant, steady, soldierly
bearing* I have however to regret that lieutenant Stjransham,
in exerting himself to destroy the works, was suddenly exposed
to a heavy explosion, by which he has been considerably burnt,
but he continues at his post."
In this affair an officer and 6 seamen were wounded. The
result of these proceedings, as announced by proclamation of
the Plenipotentiary on the 20th of March, was a suspension of
hostilities, and the opening of the trade by the imperial com-
missicKier. The british ships of war and flotilla were in conse-
quence moved from the front of the fectory, and from the suburb
of Shameen, half way down towards the Macao-passage fort.
Active operations were resumed in the early part of May,
and on the 21st the Blenheim took up a position within six
miles of Canton in the Macao passage ; but it was not until the
23rd that the whole force had assembled, and at 2 p. m, on that
day the troops were placed on board various craft, which had
been ptocured for their conveyance. The principal point of de-
barkation was to take place to the north-west of the city, while
another column was to take possession of the factories, drawing
the attention of the enemy to that quarter, and at the same time
to co-operate with the naval force, which was to attack the river
defences, in order to silence numerous works recently erected
by the Chinese along the whole southern face of tXie city.
Captain Belcher having by a judicious reconnoissanoe establish^
ed the practicability of this arrangement, the force moved to the
point of attack as follows :
Right column, to attack the factories: major Pratt, 26th re-*
giment, 17 officers, 344 men. Left brigade : lieutenant^oolonel
Morris, 4dth regiment, 40 officers, 606 men. Artillery, under
ADYAMCE UPON CAVTOK. 363
captain Knowles, 16 officer8y401 men. Naval brigade, under
captain Bourchier, 27 officers, 408 men. Kight brigade, (re*
serve, under major-general Burrell,) royal marines, captain
Ellis, 9 officers, 372 men ; I8th Royal Irish, lieutenant-colonel
Adams, 25 officers, 494 men.
The factories were taken possession of by the right column at
5 P.M., and shoilly afterwards the left brigade also landed : the
remainder of the troops disembarked early the next morning
near the village of Tsing-hae, and moved forward until within
reach of the four strong forts on the heights, and the northern
face of the city walls, where they halted until the arrival of the
rocket-battery and artillery at 8 a.m., when a well-directed
fire was kept up with two 5J-inch mortars, 2 twelve-pounder
howitzers, and 2 seven-pounder guns, on the two western forts.
The troops now advanced to the attack in echellon columns
from the left, — ^the 49th regiment to carry a hill on the left of
the nearest eastern fort, supported by the 37th Madras native
infantry and Bengal volunteers, under lieutenant-colonel Morris
of the 49th regiment; the 18th Royal Irish, supported by the
royal marines, under major-general Burrell, to carry a hill in
their front, which was strongly occupied, and flanked the ap-
proach to the fort just mentioned, and by this movement to cut
off the communication between the two eastern forts : the major-
general was then to take the principal square fort, when the
49th made their rush. Simultaneous with these attacks, the
brigade of seamen was to carry the two western forts, covered
by the artillery.
During the advance, a laige body of the enemy assembled
on the right ; consequently the marines under captam Ellis were
detached to support the brigade of seamen, and to cover the
right and rear of the columns of attack. In little more thaja
half an hour after the order was given to advance, the two forts
were captured with comparatively small loss, and the british
troops looked down upon Canton, within one hundred paces of
its walls.
364 PREPARATIONS FOR THE ASSAULT.
In co-operation with this attack, the brigade of seamen carried
the two western forts, and the british standard proudly waved
on their walls. During the greater part of the day, the enemy
kept up a smart fire upon the difierent columns occupying the
heights and forts ; and frequent attacks were made upon the
left by parties from a considerable encampment on a rising
ground to the north-east of the city, but they were as frequently
repulsed by the 49th regiment. About 3 p. m., as preparations
were making for a fresh attack, the 18th under brigadier-gene-
ral Burrell, and a company of marines under lieutenant Maxwell,
reinforced the 49th ; and having crossed a narrow causeway, the
only means of approach, they gallantly advanced under a heavy
fire from the guns and gingals on the north-east face of the city
wall, and drove the enemy at all points. The encampment was
burnt, the magazines and buildings destroyed, and the troops
returned to the heights. On the 26th arrangements were made
for an immediate assault of the city, and the right column, com-
posed of the marines under captain Ellis, was to pass through
a deserted village to the right of the north gate, which was to
be blown open with powder-bags; but if that could not be
effected, they were to escalade a circular work thrown up as
a second defence to that gate. On the 27th, when the troops
were about to move forward to the assault, an officer arrived
with a letter from her Majesty's plenipotentiary, addressed to sir
Hugh Gough and sir Fleming Senhouse, to the following effect :
*' The imperial commissioner, and all the troops other than those
of the province, to quit the city within six days, and remove at
a distance of 60 miles. Six millions of dollars to be paid in one
week for the use of the crown of England, — one million before
to-morrow at sunset. The british troops to remain in their ac-
tual positions until the whole sum be paid ; but all the troops
and the ships of war to return without the Bocca Tigris as soon
as the whole be paid. Wangtong also to be evacuated, but not
to be armed by the Chinese until the difficulties are adjusted
between the two governments." Sir Hugh Gough observes : —
COMPANY OF TBB 37th rbscuso. 365
" Whatever might be my sentiments, my duty was to acquiesce.
The at tacky which was to have commenced in forty minutes, was
countermanded, and the feelings of the Chinese were spared.
Of the policy of the measure I do not consider myself a compe-
tent judge."
On the 29th large bodies of the Chinese, armed with match-
locks, spears, and swords, appearing on the heights, three or
four miles in rear of the british army, the troops drove them
from their position without sustaining any loss, the Chinese
throwing away their arms and flying the moment a fire was
opened upon them. During the dispersion of these masses of
the enemy hovering around the British, a company of the 37th
Madras native infantry had been detached to keep up the com-
munication with the 26th regiment on the left, and during a
heavy storm and incessant rain, the detachment lost their way.
Soon after the troops had fallen back, it was discovered that this
company of the 37th Madras native infantry was missing, and
two companies of the. 49th went off in search. Lieutenant G. W.
Whiting, with a company of marines armed with percussion"^
muskets, accompanied by captain Duff of the 37th, also pro-
ceeded on the same service. After marching seveml miles in
a dark night with the rain falling fast, without finding the miss-
ing company, lieutenant Whiting ordered a musket to be fired,
which was quickly answered by three cheers from the company
of the 37th, who were found in a paddy-field formed in square^
up to their knees in water, resisting a large body of Chinese
who were within a short distance. He then formed his men in
line, and opened so smart a fire on the enemy that they in-
stantly retired, unable to account for this discharge of mus-
ketry ; for it appears that the company of the 37th, commanded
by lieutenant Hadfield, had been hardly pressed by the enemy,
who, on discovering that the rain prevented the muskets from
being discharged, attacked the British with spears so resolutely,
that he was compelled to form square ; and during their repeated
attacks, the 37th had 1 officer and 8 men killed and wounded.
366 CAtUALTIX0 OM THB 26Tfl AMD Tldjn OW MAT.
Thus rescued, this detachment, consisting of 5 officers and 60
rank and file, returned to bead-quarters, accompanied by the
marines under lieutenant Whiting, expressing their gratitude to
that officer for his determination and persererance. Lieutenant
Whiting was honoured with the approbation of the commandev-
in-<hief ; but lieutenant Hadfield of the 37th, for his senriees on
this occasion, on being promoted to a company, obtained the
breret rank of major, and a staff appointment.
The percussion-muskets were supplied to the marines of the
Blenheim at the request of captain Whiteomb, and in conse-
quence of that application the detachment of the Blonde was
furnished with aims of the same description ; and the first time
that the percussion-musket was used in the british army on ser-
vice, was at the capture of Canton.
British loss on the 26th of May, 9 killed and 68 wounded ;
3(Hh of May, 6 killed and 23 wounded. Total,~14 killed and
01 wounded.
On this occasion the battalion of marines consisted of the fol'
lowing officers : — Captain Ellis, commanding ; captain James
Whiteomb ; lieutenants A. B. ^ransham (adjutant), W. R.
Maxwell, F. J. White, E. P. H. Ussher, G. W. Whiting, R. Far-
mar, and F. J. Polkinghome.
The Chinese having paid five millions of dollars, and given
security for payment of the reniaining million as stipulated, for
the ransom of Canton, aqd the tartar troops withdrawn fiom the
city, agreeably with the terms of the treaty, the British returned
on board the squadron.
On the 21st of August an expedition left Hong Kpng harbour,
and arrived in the outward anchorage of Amoy on the 34tk«
The enemy's defences were of great strength ; every island wad
headland, whence guos could bear upon the harbour, was forti-
fied, and the sea-line of defence, after a succession of batteries
and bastions in front of the outer town, extended for upwards of
a mile in one continuous battery of stone, with embrasures
roofed by large slabs, thickly covered with clods of earth, and
▲TTAOK U90V AMOY. 367
afTording parfieiet thalUr to the men working the gunf. Be^*
tween fiome of the embrMurM ware embankmenta to protaet
tha maaonry, and 96 guns ware mounted on the work, wbiah
tarminatad in a oaatellatad wall, connecting it with a range of
precipitous rooky heights that run nearly parallel to the beachi
a diatanee varying from a quarter to half a mile ; and several
amaller works were apparent at intervals amid the rocks* About
340 guns were mounted on the whole of the batteries, including
those OB the west^ide of the bay.
The entrance to the inner harbour is by a channel about 600
yards acrossi between Amoy and tlie island of Koo-lang-soO|
upon which strong batteries were visible, and some of those
flanked the sea<*line stone battery. It was therefore expedient
to make a simultaneous attack on these two promment lines
of defence.
At about 1 h. 30 m. p.m. the attack commencedi the enemy
having previously fired upon the ships as they proceeded to their
stations. The Wellesley and Blenheim, afler ranging along the
line of works on Amoy under a smart fire, anchored by the
stem at 2 h* 30m. p.m., within 400 yards of the principal bat*
tery ; and the Oruizer, Pylades, Columbine, and Algerine took
their positions at the extreme point of the line, and covered the
landing of the troops, flanked by the heavy guns of the Sesos-
tris and Queen steam-vesseU. The Blonde, Druid, and Modeste
reached their stations against the batteries of Koo*lang*>soQ ;
and at 3 h. 30 m. 172 marines under captain Ellis, with lieute-
nants Hewitt, Maxwell, Ussher, Whiting, Pickard, Farmer, and
Polkinghome, followed by the companies of the 26th regiment
under m^or Johnstone, landed, and the british colours were
soon planted on the batteries. The Modeste and Blonde then
weighed and stood into the inner harbour, and after silencing
the town batteries, anchored inside and abreast of the cityi
capturing of twenty-«four war junks, with 128 guns on boardi
but deserted by their crews. About this time the first divi->
sion of the troops landed, and took poaseesion of the barrier
368 DS8CHIPT10K OF AMOT.
wall. An outwork was also entered, and the batteries oppomte
the Wellesley and Blenheim being neariy demolished, a party
of seamen under commander Fletcher, and the marines under
captain Whitcomb, with lieutenant F. J. White, were landed,
and drove the enemy from their guns. Every point being now
in the power of the British, they occupied the heights above die
town for the night.
Amoy is a principal third-class city of China, and frcnn its
excellent harbour and situation is well calculated for commerce.
The outer town is divided from the city by a chain of rocks,
over which a paved road leads through a pass that has a cover-
ed gateway at its summit. The outer harbour skirts the outer
town, while the city is bounded, in nearly its whole length, by
the inner harbour and an estuary, which deeply indent the
island. Including the outer town and the north-eastern suburb,
the city is about ten miles in circumference ; and that of the
citadel, which entirely commands this suburb and inner town,
though commanded itself by the hills within shot-range, is nearly
one mile. The walls are castellated, and vary with the irregu-
larity of the ground from 20 to 30 feet in height ; and th«« are
four gates, having each, in an outwork, a second or exterior gate
at right angles to the inner one. The citadel contained five
arsenals, in which was found a large quantity of powder and mi-
litary stores of various descriptions ; and within the sea-defences
first taken was a foundry, with moulds and materials for casting
heavy ordnance. All these were destroyed, and great part plun-
dered by the Chinese ; who, to the amount of thousands, Booked
into the city and suburbs.
On the evening of the 4th the whole of the troops re-embark-
ed from Amoy, and a force of 650 men of the 18th and 26th
regiments, and a detachment of aitillery under major Johnstone,
remained in possession of the island of Koo-lang-soo. The loss
sustained by the ships was no greater than one man killed and
seven wounded.
The unfavourable state of the weather prevented the expedi^i^
RE-OCCUPATION OF CHU8AN.
309
tion quitting Amoy until the 6th of September. On the 21st
the fleet reached the Chusan group of islands, and gained the
anchorage of Just-in-the-way on the 24th, with the preconcerted
intention of making an attack on Chinghae, and pressing for-
ward by the Ta-hae river to take possession of Ningpo.
Since the british forces were withdrawn in February last, the
Chinese had been indefatigable in erecting batteries, and it was
almost inconceivable that so much could have been done by them.
From the western extremity, outside Guard island, to the eastern
termination of their works, which extend half a mile beyond the
commanding position of the joss-house, or temple hill, there was
a continued line of strong batteiy on the sea-face, principally
constructed of mud, comprising 267 embrasures for guns, and
96 of various calibre actually mounted on different points, inde-
pendently of 41 planted on the ramparts of the city, and nume-
rous gingals in every direction. The rapidity of the tides in the
different channels to Chusan harbour is so great, as frequently
to render large ships quite unmanageable, even with the assist-
ance of steam-vessels ; and as it was uncertain if they could
be placed in any precise position, it was considered necessary
to land the troops and seamen to the westward of the sea-de-
fences, and take them in reverse. There was a stone-work with
eight embrasures on Guard island, to defend the point on which
it was proposed to disembark the force ; and about 1200 yards
above it, on a steep hill, was a strongly fortified encampment.
The Modeste and small vessels anchored close to the battery, to
prevent its occupation, while the Nemesis made a considerable
breach in the walls of the fortified encampment. The north-
easterly gales prevented the removal of the fleet from the anchor-
age of Just-in-the-way before the 29th, when the men-of-war
and part of the transports reached the outer harbour of Chusan.
The Modeste, Blonde, and Jupiter, with the Queen steam-ves-
sel, proceeded to take up a position on the south side of the
Macclesfield and Trumbull islands, to cover a party of the royal
artillery, under Captain Knowles, in erecting a battery of one
VOL. II. 2 B
370 CAPTURB OF TIKOHAE.
sixty-eight and 2 twenty-four pounder howitzers, against the
joss-house hill and the adjoining works, which kept up a fre*
quent, but inefTectual fire ; and this service was accomplished
with great celerity. The Wellesley was moved as close as pos-
sible to the intended point of landing, while the Cruizer and
Columbine were advanced within 200 yards of the beach, and
by well-directed shots from these vessels, and shells fix>m the
Sesostris, the Chinese were completely kept in check. The re-
mainder of the transports arrived on the 30th, and early on the
morning of the 12th of October the disembarkation commenced.
The 18th and 55th regiments, with the rifle company of the
36th Madras native infantry, and eight guns of the Madras
artillery, forming the first division, having landed, lieutenant-
colonel Craigie, commanding the column, pushed forward with
the two companies of the 55th, and drove the enemy from the
hieights ; and being followed by the remainder of the division,
carried the whole extent of the ridge of hills, terminating in a
fortified camp. This movement completely turned the right of
the enemy's positions, and gave command of a bridge which
led direct on the flank of the whole line of sea-defence. The
troops and artillery being landed, and the light guns placed so as
to enfilade the line of batteries, the 18th regiment, under lieu-
tenant-colonel Adams, advanced on this point, in the face of a
very large force, and occupied the joss-house hill, which the
well-directed fire of the squadron, and the guns on Trumbull
island, had compelled the enemy to evacuate. The 55th, coverr
ed by their rifles, moved on to the heights overlooking the city
to the north-west, and the light guns of the Madras artillery
having been brought to the summit, opened their fire on the
walls and town. The enemy was now in fiiU retreat through the
noilh and east gates, although a few guns and gingals continued
to be fired from the walls. The scaling-ladders having been
brought up by the Madras sappers, the 55th proceeded to the<
escalade, and the colours of that regiment were seen waving
on the walls of Tinghae, while those of the Royal Irish -were
CASUALTIES AT CfllNOHAE. 371
planted on the joss-house hill, above the suburbs. The 49th
regiment and the battalion of marines, together with a body of
seamen, formed the right column under lieutenant-colonel Mor-
ris, and were to have attacked the sea-defences; but as the 49th
was not landed in time for that purpose, the marines imme-
diately pushed forward in support of the 18th; and the 49th, on
speedily arriving, proceeded to occupy the south gate of the
city.
The enemy suffered very considerably: several of their prin-
cipal mandarins were killed, and the Chinese fled in all direc-
tions, throwing away their arms and clothing. The loss sus-
tained by the troops amounted to one officer and one rank and
file killed, and 27 wounded. Navy, 3 wounded.
The total of ordnance mounted on the works, — 110 iron, and
26 brass guns, with 540 gingals, can-ying from a half to one
pound.
On the 7th the troops re-embarked, and on the following day
most of the transports were moved to the anchorage of Just-
in-the-way, four leagues in advance ; the commanders-in-chief
reconnoitred the points of the intended attack, and found that
every preparation was made for a determined resistance.
The city of Chinghae is situated at the foot of a very com-
manding peninsular height, which forms the entrance of the
Ta-hae river, on its lefL or north bank. It is enclosed in a wall
37 feet in thickness and 22 feet high, with an embrasured para-
pet of four feet high, and nearly two miles in circumference.
On the summit is the citadel, which from its strong position is
considered the key to Chinghae and the large and opulent city
of Ningpo, about fifteen miles up the river ; and it is important
as a military post, standing about 250 feet above the sea, encir-
cled by a strong wall, with very substantial iron-plated gates at
the east and west ends. The north and south sides of the height
are extremely steep, the former accessible only from the sea by
a narrow winding path from the rocks at its base, the south
side and eastern end being nearly precipitous. At the east end
2b2
372 I>ESCRlPTIO?i OF CHI>'GHA£.
of the citadel, outside its wall, twenty guns were mounted in
three batteries of masonry, and bags, to defend the entrance of
the river. The only communication between the citadel and the
city is on the west side, by a steep but regular causeway to a
barrier-gate at the bottom of the hill, where a wooden bridge,
over a wet ditch, connects it with the isthmus and the gates of
the city, the whole of which are covered with iron plates, and
strongly secured. The space on the isthmus between the citadel-
hill and the city, is filled up towards the sea with a battery of
five guns, having a row of strong piles driven in on a little beach
beneath it, to prevent a descent in that quarter ; and on the river
side of the isthmus are two batteries adjoining the suburbs,
mounting twenty-two and nineteen guns, for flanking the en-
trance. Twenty-eight guns and numberless gingals were placed
on the city walls, and principally towards the sea. The main
body of the Chinese forces were posted on the right bank of the
river in fortified encampments, Sa very commanding and steep
hills, field-works and entrenchments being thrown up in every
advantageous position, with twenty-three guns and innumerable
gingals mounted in them, to impede the advance of the troops.
The principal landing-place on this side is within a considerable
creek close to the south entrance of the river, and across this
creek a row of piles was driven. Four newly-constructed bat-
teries, mounting twenty-one guns, were on this side of the river
to flank the entrance ; and about half a mile above its mouth
a similar obstruction of larger piles was carried completely
across, space only being left for one j unk to pass at a time. In
short, the Chinese had exercised great ingenuity in making
their defences secure, and great amount of treasure and labour
were expended in the execution of these works, fully evincing
the importance they attached to this position.
On the evening of the 9th the fleet anchored off Chinghae,
and at an early hour on the 10th the troops proceeded in the
steamers and boats of the transports to the points of debarkation.
The citadel hill cannot be approached for an attack by large ships
DEBARKATION OP THE TROOPS. 373
except on the north side, and even there the water is so shallow
that it is only in calm weather that they can be carried, with
safety, sufficiently near to fire with effect. Fortunately the day
was remarkably fine, and as soon as the tide served, the Wel-
lesley was towed by the Sesostris into an excellent position,
where the anchor was dropped, at about a quarter before nine
o'clock, in four fathoms, about 1300 yards from the citadel and
town wall. As the water ebbed, she settled imperceptibly into
a bottom of soft mud, and was as steady as a land battery.
The Blenheim soon afterwards also anchored, while the Blonde
and Modeste took their stations under sail. The precision of
the fire of both shot and shell was admirable, and soon gave
indication of their powerful effect on the enemy's works.
At daylight the left column, consisting of a wing of the 1 8th,
five companies of the 66th, the rifle company of the Madras
native infantry, a company of Madras artillery, and one of sap-
pers, — in all 1040 men, with light howitzers and two 6J-inch
mortars, the whole commanded by lieutenant-colonel Craigie,
were embarked in the steamers, accompanied by sir Hugh
Go ugh, and having run close to the shore, were speedily land-
ed. Soon afterwards the centre column, consisting of the
49th regiment, detachments of royal and Madras artillery, and
60 sappers, amounting altogether to 440 men, with 2 twelve-
pounder howitzers, and 2 nine-pounder field-guns, under com-
mand of lieutenant-colonel Morris, landed about a mile to the
right, under a detached rocky hill near the mouth of the creek
already described, and on the opposite bank, having on its front
a part of the low flat between it and the enemy's position ; the
object being to threaten a front attack, and deter the enemy
from weakening his centre to support his right ; which the left
column, under the superintendence of the commander-in-chief>
was destined to turn.
Immediately after landing, the left column moved rapidly
over a succession of steep hills that skirted the intervening flat
in front of the enemy's position, until it reached a point whence
374 SUCCESS OF THE BRITISH.
a full view was obtained of the whole position, and of the two
bridges over the canal. The rifle company, supported by the
18th, occupied a few houses to protect the bridge in front,
and lieutenant'Colonel Craigie, with the 55th, accompanied by
captain Pears, commanding engineer, moved quickly on to the
second bridge, which was about a mile further up the flat, cross-
ed it, and rushed on for the hills beyond ; thus turning the ex-*
treme right of the enemy's position, and threatening to cut off
his retreat. By this time the centre column had formed, and
showed its head on the opposite side of the flat, just out of
gingal range, contemplating a front attack. Having formed
the 18th at the foot of the bridge to cover the rifles, that com-
pany was directed to pass over in Indian file, in face of a large
body of the enemy assembled in an advanced redoubt upon the
summit of an eminence within 150 yards, who cheered their ap-
proach, but unaccountably, reserved their fire. The rifles hav-
ing taken post behind a hill just beyond the bridge, the 18th
moved across; and finding that the 55th had airived at its
point of attack, the 49th advanced in the most gallant style, and
by the time they became engaged the 18th and rifles moved
forward ; and the 65th, having gained the upper bridge, pressed
the enemy's right. The Chinese, cheering until the british
troops got close to them, now poured in a heavy, but ill-di-
rected fire, and in many instances displayed acts of individual
bravery that merited abetter fate; but nothing could withstand
the little force opposed to them. Field-work' after field-work
was cleared, and the colours of the 49th were displayed on the
principal redoubt above the sea and river batteries ; while the
18th, who had charged up a deep gorge to the left, broke
through the central encampment, carrying every thing before
them. From 1200 to 1500 of the enemy, that had stood
longest, were driven down the heights into the river; their re-
treat being cut off by the flank movement of the 55th, many
were drowned, others sought concealment on a rock in the
stream, and nearly 500 surrendered as prisoners.
BBDUCTION OF CHINOHAE. 376
The right column^ consisting of the seamen^ the battalion of
royal marines^ a detachment of royal artillery, and 60 sappers, —
in all about 700 men, with two 6i-inch mortars, and the whole
commanded by captain Herbert of the Blenheim, landed at 11 b.
16 m. A. M. The seamen with characteristic spirit dashed up
the nearly precipitous rock under the joss-house, supported by
the stSeady advance of the royal marines. A magazine in the
new battery before the outer gate exploded; and thus having
cleared the w'ay, the columns entered as the garrison retired into
the* town, and the union-jack was soon displayed on the joss-
house walls. Taking advantage of the general panic, the co-
lumn moved on to the attack of the city walls. These were
soon gained, and 4 private marines, Robert Beer, George Watts,
William Jays, and Thomas Parker, after great perseverance and
couri^e, and without the aid of scaling-ladders, succeeded in
gaining the entrance of an embrasure ; and then passing a rope
quickly down from the rampart, their comrades, led by major
Ellis, soon effected an entrance, the enemy flying before them
as they pushed round the ramparts, and escaped through the
western gates. Vice-admiral sir William Parker, having accom-
panied the column, was among the first to scale the walls. A-
bout this time a tremendous explosion took place in the battery
below the hill, by which the Chinese suffered severely, and a
drummer of the marines received so severe a wound, that he
soon afterwards died.
Thus the fortified city of Chinghae and the several shore bat-
teries, as well as the works and fortified encampments on the
right bank of the river, all of which they had for the past year
been busily employed in strengthening at an immense expense,
fell into the possession of the British. The seamen returned to
their ships, and the battalion of marines, under major Ellis,
bivouacked for the night on the ramparts.
It having been determined to push on with the least possible
delay to Ningpo, arrangements were made for the attack. The
65th regiment, with the exception of the light company, a de-
i
376 CAPTURE OP NIIfGPO.
tachment of 113 royal marines^ under the command of captain
James Whitcomb, with lientenants F. White and G. W. Whiting,
and detachments of artillery and sappers, were left on Chinghae ;
the rest, about 750 bayonets, exclusive of the artillery and sap-
pers, embarked in steamers by 8 a. m. on the 13th, and reached
Ningpo at 3 p. m. No enemy appeared, and as the inhabitants
thronged the bridge of boats which connects the city with the
opposite suburb, and collected in clusters along both banks of
the river, it was evident that no ambuscade was intended. The
troops landed on and near the bridge, and advanced to the city
gate, which was found barricadoed ; but the walls were soon es-
caladed, and the Chinese assisted in removing the obstructions,
and in opening the gate. The little force of soldiers, seamen,
and marines drew up on the ramparts, the band of the 18th
playing '^ God save the Queen ; " and thus the second city in
the province of Che-Kang, the walls of which are nearly five
miles in circumference, with a population of 300,000 souls, sub-
mitted without opposition to the british arms.
The loss sustained in storming the fortified heights of Ching-
hae, which were defended by 10,000 men, was only 3 killed,
and 16 wounded. The total number of guns which fell into the
hands of the British, amounted to 90 iron, and 67 brass.
On the 1 1th of November major Ellis, with the detachment
of marines, quitted Ningpo, and calling at Chinghae, embarked
those under captain Whitcomb ; he then proceeded to Chusan,
where the battalion landed on the 13th. On the 20th January,
1842, the 74-gun ship Comwallis arrived from England, and
on the 22nd the detachment under captain Whitcomb rejoined
the Blenheim, which ship sailed for Macao on the 26th. On
the 27th captain Hamilton, with the supernumerary detachment
of marines of the Comwallis, consisting of 2 lieutenants and 90
rank and file, disembarked at Chusan ; and major Ellis, with
a portion of the Wellesley's marines, re-embarked on board
that ship, which sailed on the 3rd of February for England
On the day previous to her departure, the following gratify-
APPROVAL OF THE COMMANDERS. 377
ing communications were addressed to major Ellis : from lieu-
tenant-general sir Hugh Gough, —
" I cannot allow you to leave the expedition without some
assumnces^ on my part, of my regret at losing you, and of my
best wishes for your future welfare.
" As you have been repeatedly placed, by the naval com-
mander-in-chief, at my disposal for active operations in the
field, I have had occasion to notice the gallantry and steadiness
of your little battalion, as well as the zeal, spirit, and judgment
with which you exercised the command. The subsequent period
of your service in the garrisons of Ningpo and Tinghae, has only
tended to increase the satisfaction which I shall always feel at
having had you and a portion of the royal marines under my
orders; and I will beg you to convey the expression of my
sentiments to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men
under your command."
And the following from vice-admiral sir William Parker : —
'* I shall ever entertain a lively and gratifying recollection of
your valuable and distinguished services, and the estimable
character you have justly acquired in the profession to which
we mutually belong ; and I will only add my cordial wishes,
that all possible success may attend you in your future career.'*
1842.
Following up the advantage of the severe repulse of the Chi-^
nese in their attacks on the positions of the British at Chinghae
and at Ningpo, a rapid movement was made to intercept the
enemy before they reached Pickwan, about forty miles higher
up the river, at which point it was understood they were con-
centrating a considerable force. In anticipation of this advance,
vice-admiral Parker, with the marines of the Comwallis, pro-
ceeded in the steamers to Ningpo, where they were joined on
the 13th of March by the marines and small-arm men of the
squadron within the river, amounting altogether to 410 men,
under the command of captain Bourchier of the Blonde.
i
378 ASSAULT OF 8BAGOK.
At 8 A. M. on the ISth, 850 troops, ia addition to the naval
brigade, accompanied by his excellency sir H. Gougb, embark-
ed on board the steamers, making altogether a body of 1260
men, aud proceeded up the river; before 2h. p<m. the combined
forces were all landed and in fiill march for Tse-kee, the Phle-
gethon and armed boats having been previously detached to
harass the retreat of the Chinese. After a slight opposition,
and a few rounds from the two small field-pieces of the Madras
artillery, the ^nemy disappeared, and about 4 p.m. the city
walls were escaladed by the seamen and marines, and a party of
sappers.
Advancing, along the ramparts, this division rejoined the main
body with the general through the east-gate, and proceeded
outside the wall to the north-east angle of the city, where the
Chinese forces, amounting to 5000 or 6000 men, were seen
strongly posted in fortified encampments on the two hills of
Seagon. The assault of the hill on the left was assigned to the
naval brigade, and that more . immediately in front to the 49th
regiment. As it was desired that the attack should be simul-
taneous, and the naval brigade being the most advanced in the
line, it became necessary to make a lodgment at the foot of the
hill, while the 49th moved forward. In passing to this point
across some paddy-fields, the brigade was assailed by a galling
fire from both positions of the Chinese. On reaching the post the
marines opened a fire of musketry, and some rockets were dis-
charged with excellent precision while the men were reforming.
As the 49th were soon observed approaching the hill on the right,
orders were immediately given for the assault ; and at 5 p.m. the
leading companies of marines, under lieutenants 6. Elliot and
A. J. B« Hambly, promptly and gallantly pushed forward, fol-
lowed by a small party of seamen. As they emerged from the
buildings, the fire of the Chinese was very severe. Captains
Bourchier and Richards led their men, and having crossed an
intervening paddy-field, they boldly ascended the hill, which
was disputed from its base to the crest, and several instances of
MARINE OFFICERS ENGAGED. 379
personal conflict occurred ; but notwithstanding the steep and
difEcult ascent, the sommit was attained, and the Chinese fled
in cjvery direction. The main body bf seamen and marines, as
they advanced in support, pressed round the side of the hill,
inflicting a severe loss on the fugitives, and the pursuit con-
tinued until sunset, when the advanced party halted on a bridge
about two miles beyond the city.
During these operations, the hills on the right were carried by
the troops under the commander-in-chief, and thus the rout of
the Chinese was complete at every, point, having sustained a
loss of about 1000 men slain : vast numbers were carried off
wounded, and many prisoners were captured.
The naval brigade had 3 killed and 16 wounded ; of that
number, one Serjeant and one private of marines were killed,
lieutenants George Elliot, A. J. B. Hambly, and 10 privates
wounded. The other officers df marines in this expedition were
captain^ James Uniacke and Francis S. Hamilton ; lieutenants
Henry Timpson, C. C. Hewitt, W. S. L. Atcherly, F. J. White,
and F. J. Polkinghome.
Sir William Palrker, in his official report of this affair, thus
expresses himself: — " My best and cordial thanks are justly due
to the gallantry and exertions displayed by captain Uniacke,
and all the officers 'and men of the royal marines." Sir Hugh
Gough enumerates thfe several officers brought to his notice by
vice-'admiral sir William Parker, and among those so distin-
guished we find lieutenant H. Marriott of the marines.
As soon as the guns and military stores taken at Chapoo
were effectually destroyed, the troops re-embarked; and on
the 28th of May the fleet sailed for Woosung, where they ar-
rived on the 13th. The banks at the entrance of the river were
lined with strong batteries, the western side presenting, for
three miles, an uninterrupted fortified embankment, mounting
134 guns, between the city of Paoushan and the village of
Woosung, which is bounded by a creek : on the opposite bank
a semi-circular buttery, mounting 10 twenty-four pounders, was
i
380 ATTACK UPON W008UNG.
erected, to flank the entrance of the river. A strong fort, mount-
ing 21 guns, at the entrance of the Woosung, completed the sea
defence, making a total, of 175 guns, which were all placed in
judicious positions. The distance between the last-mentioned
fort on the east side, and the main battery on the west line, is
scarcely a mile, and the channel which runs between them
on the west side, in a curved direction, is not more than 320
yards wide.
On the 16th, at 6 a.m., the squadron proceeded to the attack iu
the following order : Blonde, Comwallis, Modeste, Columbine^
and Clio, respectively in tow of the Tenasserim, Sesostris, Ne-
mesis, Phlegethon, and Pluto, the Modeste being reserved to
meet any contingency ; the Algerine stood in as far as possible
under sail, the Blonde and Comwallis bringing up abreast
of the heaviest batteries at the entrance of the western side.
The North Star now appearing in the offing, the Tenasserim was
despatched to tow her into position a-head of the Blonde. The
precision of the gun-practice of the squadron soon drove the
Chinese from their guns ; and before 8 a.m. the batteries were in
ruins, and the large bodies of troops, collected in different direc-
tions to oppose the landing, were dispersed by the shells and
rockets thrown among them.
During the proceedings at the entrance of the river, the Mo-
deste, Columbine, and Clio having silenced the forts to which
they were opposed, a detachment was landed from each of the
ships, and took possession of the semi-circular battery. On per-
ceiving this movement, the main body of seamen and marines,
who were already in the boats, immediately disembarked oppo-
site the Comwallis and Blonde, under command of captain
Bourchier, and the whole line of the western batteries was soon
in our possession. The Chinese in the eastern battery, who suf-
fered considerably, were driven from the works, and the guns
and fortifications destroyed by a party from the Sesostris. As
soon as the Nemesis and Phlegethon were disengaged from the
Modeste and Columbine, they proceeded in chase of thirteen
ASSAULT ON CHIN-KEANG-FOO. 381
war junks, which had fired upon them in their advance; these
were totally destroyed, but the crews, after sustaining much
loss, made their escape. Before 1 p.m. the troops were dis-
embarked, and in the afternoon the combined forces entered
Paoushan without resistance. In the report of the casualties,
we find that first-lieutenant C. C. Hewitt of the royal marines
was killed on board the Blonde ; and we cannot refrain from an
expression of surprise that the loss of this meritorious officer is
not noticed in the letter of the vice-admiral, although that re-
port is replete with names of officers of various ranks who took
part in the operations. The total british loss was 2 killed, and
25 wounded.
The expedition arrived off the island of Kinshan, at the
entrance of the grand canal in the Yang-tse Keang, on the 26th
of July ; and on the 21st the city of Chin-Keang-Foo was taken
possession of by the british forces, after vigorous assaults on
three points, and a determined resistance by the tartar troops,
who lined the walls for its defence on every part, comprising a
circumference of four miles and a quarter. The squadron and
transports, amounting altogether to seventy-three sail, left Woo-
sung on the 6th, ascending this noble river in five divisions,
preceded by the surveying-vessels, small steamers, and the
Cornwallis, bearing the flag of vice-admiral Parker.
In moving up this river to the distance of 170 miles, in which
the dangers were in a great portion unknown, and with rapid
tides, every ship of the squadron and many of the transports
grounded ; but as the bottom was of soft mud, no damage result-
ed. The expedition reached Seshan without experiencing any
opposition; and here three batteries, mounting 20 guns, were
abandoned on a few shot being fired at them from the Modeste ;
and the whole, with the barmcks, were destroyed by a party of
seamen and marines.
The commanders of the forces having reconnoitred the ap-
proaches to Chin-Keang on the 15th, captain Bourchier was
despatched on the 17th with the Blonde, Modeste, Queen, and
i
382 DBFSAT OP THB CHIXBSB TROOPS.
Nemesis, followed by the Dido, Calliope, Childers, Plo?er, and
Sterlingy to blockade the entrances of the grand canal.
The Comwallis havii^ arrived at the anchorage on the 19th,
the island of Kinshan was immediately taken possession of by
a small party of marines ; and on the same evening a favour-
able breeze brought up the remainder of the fleet. It having
been ascertained that a body of about 1500 Chinese troops were
posted in an entrenched camp about a mile and a half to the
south-west of the town, the first and third brigades of the army
landed on the 21st to the eastward of the city, opposite the
island of Kinshan ; and the second brigade at a commanding
position to the eastward, within 700 yards of the north-east
angle of the walls. The first brigade, under lord Saltoun, carried
the entrenched camp after a short resistance, the Chinese pre-
cipitately retiring over the hills. The second brigade ascended
the heights on the river side, and supported by a well-directed
fire from the Auckland steam^vessel, they pushed forward, and
under a smart fire of cannon, gingals, and musketry, entered that
part of the city by escalade at 10 a.m.
During these proceedings the boats of the Blonde, in their
anxiety to land the artillery guns near the west gate^ advanced
by the canal under the city walls, and became exposed to a
severe fire from the enemy, by which 16 men out of the 24 of
the barge's crew, and 2 officers and 8 men of the Madras artil-
lery, were wounded ; and it was only by gte^t presence of mind
that lieutenant Crouch of the Blonde, after receiving three
wounds, succeeded in extricating the detachment. fix>m their dif-
ficulties. As soon as the casualty was known on board the
Comwallis, 200 marines were landed at the entrance of the
canal, and being joined by 300 of the Madras native infantry,
they instantly pushed through the suburbs to the city walls ;
while the whole of the boats of the flag-ship advanced by the
canal on the right flank. Captain Richards leading, the de-
tachment escaladed the walls, and efiected an important lodg-
ment in the suburbs of the city, where they shortly afterwards
communicated with the advance of the second brigade.
DEATH OF MAJOR UNIACKE. 383
About noon the west outer gate was eifectually blown in, and
the third brigade^ accompanied by the commander-in-chief of
the forces, gallantly rushed in ; and the buildings above the gate,
in which the tartar troops had been posted, were at the same
time enveloped in flames. The Tartars, however, were still
unsubdued, and about half an hour after the explosion at the
gate, the 18th and 49th regiments, when advancing by the ram-
parts, were suddenly fired upon by a large body, and sustained
a severe loss of officers and men. At this time the seamen and
marines under captain Richards were halted on another part of
the ramparts ; but on hearing the firing, immediately advanced,
and in passing along a narrow street in the tartar city, received
a volley from a considerable body of these troops posted at a
gateway, who fled on the approach of the british detachment.
The operations on this day were executed under a burning
sun, with the thermometer above 90, and the loss of life in con-
sequence was serious. Brevet-major Uniacke, an old and dis-
tinguished officer of the royij marines, and one private, died
from the eifect of the sun, and 16 of the troops firom the same
cause. The army sustained a loss of 1 9 killed and 107 wounded ;
that of the navy and marines we have already enumerated ; and
commander Watscm and lieutenant Fitzjames were among the
wounded.
The officers of marines employed on this occasion were as
follows: Brevet-major James Uniacke, captain F. S. Hamilton,
first-lieutenants Henry Timpson and F. J. White,
In terminating this faithful record of the services of a corps
which, although so repeatedly thanked by the nation, has been
but inadequately rewarded, we may express a hope that the
modem system of warfare will make it imperative on the govern-
ment to give its most serious attention to this valuable aim of
our national defence. The introduction of steam has placed the
European powers so nearly on an equality, that in all future wars
in which we may be engaged, our military operations will prin-
cipally be confined to coast attacks ; and consequently success
i
CONCLUBtON.
will mainly depend on the efficiency of the troops, who muat b<
trained to work the floatiag batteries as good artillerists, aud ai
the same time accuBtomed to disembark with rapidity, and take
the field as effective battalions of infantry. In illuBtratioa o\
their value as such a force, we refer to the recent operations in
Syria, when the maiines moved from point to point with suet
rapidity, that Ibrahim Pacha, in a despatch to his father, declarei
it " impossible to anticipate attack, or guard against surpnHe.'
But there is a serious impediment to these operations, which we
believe will not pass unnoticed by the present first lord at thf
Admiralty, — the inconsistency of placing naval officers to direct
military operations. The Syrian campaign has afforded suffi-
cient proof of the necessity of allowing the officer commanding
the troops the discriminating power, after landing, of making
the attack according to circumstances ; for it cannot rationally
he expected that naval officers can have a sufficient acqucunt-
ance with strategy to direct operations in the field.
There is at length a my of promise cast on the long-neglected
claims of the officers of marines ; and we look with anxious an-
ticipation to the deliberation of the respected nobleman whc
now presides at the Board of Admiralty, in the hope that the
confidence and zeal so essential to the welfare of the service
will be restored. By this act of justice his lordship will asso-
ciate himself in the esteem and gratitude of a corps, which, to
use the words of a great officer, — the earl of St. Vincent :
" ThBRE KETBR was an appeal HADB to THBH FOIt HONOUR,
COITRAOB, OR LOTALTV, THAT THET DID HOT UOEB THAN RB-
AlIZB HT HIOBBST EXPECTATIONS. Ip EVER THE BOOB OP
REAL DANGER 8HODIJ} COHE TO EnOLAND, THB HARINBS WILL
as found thb countbv's shset-anchor."
INDEX OF MARINE OFFICERS
Referred to in this Work,
Abbot, p. 275.
Abernethie, 192, 301.
Albemarle, 1.
Adair,8I,II4,168,244.
T. B., 223.
-C. W., 343; ii.
233, 334, 335.
Adamson, ii. 276.
Adlam, 156, 160.
Agassiz, ii.2r6.
Aflen, 156,160; ii, 172,
276.
C, 224.
Alexander, 270.
Alves, 344.
Anderson, 82 ; ii. 272,
273.
A., 301; ii.
264, 308, 342, 344.
Appleton, 292,328; ii.
Ashbridge, ii. 197.
Ashmore, 327; ii. 74,
272.
A6lett,192;ii.342,344.
Atcherly, 164, 343 ; ii.
379.
Atkins, ii. 1 15, 273.
Atchinson, ii. 272.
Atkinson, 117; ii. 162.
Austin, 45.
Avame, 81, 86.
Ayles, ii. 351.
Baker, ii. 19, 194, 234,
217.
Baggett, 2.
Baggs, 133.
Bagnold, ii. 111.
Baile, ii. 72, 221 .
Bailie, 291.
Baldwin, 168.
Balhatchet, ii. 172.
Ball, G. 176.
VOL. II.
Ball, A., 184, 344.
Balchild, ii. 64, 67, 83,
273.
Ballinghall, 168, 267,
275; ii.46.
Banks, 144.
Barford, 183, 187, 223,
244.
Bar ham, 187.
Barrett, 128, 130.
Barrow, ii. 172, 297.
Barry, 275; ii.23,111,
273.
Bartleman, ii. 273.
Barton, ii. 253.
Bate, ii. 145.
Baxter, ii. 297*
Beatty, 187, 223, 239,
318.
Bell, 133 ; ii. 30a
Bennett, ii. 63.
Benson, J., 344.
Benyon, iL 192, 228.
Berkeley, 183.
Bezimt, ii. 162.
Biggs, 82.
Binks, 223.
Bissett, ii. 298.
Black, 192.
Blacke,ii. 211.
Blakeney, ii. 92.
Bland, 329.
Bloomfield, ii. 276.
Boger, ii. 76.
Bourne, 114.
Bowman, 90.
Boyd, 301, 318, 344.
Boys, 252; ii. 111.
Bozon, 223, 244.
Branson, 82.
Bransom, 161.
Brattle,343; ii.87, 141,
162.
Breedon, 117,263.
Bridge, ii. 355.
Bridgman, 344.
Bright, 139.
Brisac, ii. 276.
Brisbane, 81, 86.
Bristow, 344.
Britton, 302-
Brooker, ii. 333, 344.
Brother, 161.
Brown, 119, 162; ii.
34, 217, 221, 254,
300.
Bryson, ii. 276.
Buchan, 114, 133.
Buchanan, ii. 233.
Buck, 176.
Bulklev, 185.
Bullock, ii. 111.
Bunce, 192, 244, 261 ;
ii.30, 172, 297.
Burke, 164.
Burn, 168, 184.
Burton, 237, 292; ii. 272,
273,296.
Bury, ii. 326.
Cahuac, 321.
Calamy,ii. 172,333.
CaldweU, ii. 272.
Cameron, ii. 63, 273.
Campbell, 68, 76, 82,
119,155,275; ii. 63,
69, 208, 272.
D., 161, 270,
344; ii. HI.
A. 169, 174;
ii. 19, 133.
J , 185 ; ii.
41, 77.
Garden, ii. 190, 221.
Carey, 81.
Carrington, ii. 102.
Carter, 81, 128, 172;
ii.204.
c2
386
INDEX TO THE T>7AMBS
Carroll, ii. 30.
Camithers, 1 S5 ; ii. 1 1 1 .
Cassel, 161, 192.
Cator, ii. 232.
Chambers, 192.
Champion, 75.
Chandless, 81.
Chaters, 119.
Chartres, ii. 134, 176.
Childs,ii. 272, 333,34%
344.
Chudleigh, 81, 86.
ChorchiU, iL 326.
Cimiamond, 344.
ClaperUm, 160, 168,
1^5; ii.lll.
Clark, 1 17.
Clarke, R. 275 ;iL III,
297.
J., 284; ii. 102.
W., ii. 200.
Clavell, u. 33a
Clements, ii. 19, 276.
Clogstone, 128, 130.
Cock, iL 190, 192.
CockeU, 301.
Cockran,23.
Cole, 343; iL 188,276.
Collins, 68, 244, 261 ;
ii.297.
J., 192.
Colquhoun, ii, 276.
Connell, iL 226.
Connolly, W. 184 ; ii.
276.
302
Conyers, 81.
Cook, ii. 86.
Cooke, J. 343; iL 122.
Coombs, 284.
Copperthwaite, 344.
Corbyn, 128.
Coryton, 344 ; ii. 63,
100.
CotteU, 184, 344; ii.
144
E., 184.
Couche, ii. 155.
Coulter, ii. 155, 272.
Cox, 160.
J., iL 221.
T. S., ii. 143, 146,
149, 260, 272, 273.
Cox, R.. 176.
Craig, 321 ; ii. 34.
Cracknell, ii. 102-
Craigie, 156.
Came, 184.
Crebbin, 164
Creswell, 82, 223, 244.
Crispin, 275.
Croad, 160, 184.
Crofton, 292.
Crozier, 184, 318; iL
232.
Cull, u. 276.
Cumming, 117.
Cummings, ii. 217-
Cupples, ii. 238.
Currie, 136, 169.
T. 183.
Curry, ii. 343, 344.
Curta3me, ii. 162.
Cuthbert, 119, 192.
Cuthbertson, iL 24.
Dalston, 82.
Daniel, ii. 362.
Davenport, 292.
Davidson, 285.
Davis, ii. 190,192,210,
219,221,222.
Davy, 192.
Davys, 81.
Darley, 166, 176.
Daws, 117.
Day, J. W. 302.
Deane, ii. 73.
Delacombe, ii- 1 92, 221 .
Denman, ii. 343, 344.
Desbrisay, 135,155;u.
143.
Devon, ii. 273.
Dickenson, 160, 302.
Dixon, 126.
Dobbs, ii. 326.
Dogherty, 82.
Donkin, 4.
Donne, ii. 23.
Dorrington, 302.
Doswefl, ii. 63.
Douglas, 23, 168, 244,
330.
Dowman, ii. 342, 345.
Downing, 344.
D'Oyley, 81.
Driffield, 101, 160.
\ Drinkwater, ii. 232.
Drummond, ii. 37, 140.
Drurv, ii- 168.
Duer', 184.
Duff; 275.
Dunford, 302: ii. 1 9
Duguid, ii. 276.
Darley, 1S4.
Dunlop, ii. 272.
Dunsmuire, 223, 244;
ii. 63.
Durrie, 181, 275.
Dusautov, ii. 111.
Dyer, 82, 86, 161 ; ii.
211.
Dymock, 301; ii.297.
I^e, 135.
Dyson, 173.
Edcnson, 292.
Edleston, ii. 232.
Edwards, 128, 130; ii.
19,111.
Ekenhead, 292.
ElUot, 82, 119,192,^14;
63, 172,232,326.
EUiott, ii. 379.
Ellis, 81, 86, 344; iL
211, 352, 353, 355,
366.
Ennis, ii. 207.
Epworth,211.
Eustace, 82.
Ewer, 45.
Faddy, 223.
Farmar, ii. 276, 297,
355,366.
Farrant, ii. 343, 344,
355, 366.
Fayerman, 291.
Fcgen,ii. 115, 139,333,
^9.
Fennell, ii. 41, 53, 92,
272.
Ferguson, 119,263.
Fernyhough, ii. 46.
Field, 107; ii. 172
Fielding, 82.
Finney, 81.
Finnic, 86.
Fischatt, 284.
Fischer, ii, 162.
Fisher, 11.
Fitzgerald, 162.
OF THE MAHIN£ OFFICERS.
387
riaxman, ii. HI.
Fleming, 118; ii. G3.
Flight, 135, 166, 184.
Flint, ii. 203.
Forbes, ii. 46.
Ford, ii. 162.
Foreshall, 160.
Foord, ii. 226, 297-
Forster, 81, 123.
Foster, 117-
Fotterell, 115, 139.
Fowke, 107, 114.
France, 82.
Fraser,ii.276,342,344.
Furber, 275.
Furnival, ii. 273.
Furzer, 137.
Fynmore, 156, 343; ii.
63, 276, 297, 308.
Gamble, 160.
Gascoigne, ii. 35.
Gardner, 81, 168,254.
Gardiner, 86.
Garth waite, ii. 23.
Gerrard, 266, 267, 289.
Garmston,ii. 172,297,
315, 326.
Gibbins, 128.
Giles, ii. 308.
Gill, ii. 172.
GiUespie,ii.46,79,297,
355, 356, 358.
Gilbert, ii. 101.
Glaze, 168; ii. 273.
Goode, ii. 63.
Goddard, ii. 24.
Gordon, 184; ii.355.
Gower, 118.
Graham, 29, 81, 136,
184; ii. 111,214, 272.
Grainger, ii. 206.
Grape, 301.
Gray, ii. 162, 308.
Green, 117, 344; ii.l26.
Griffiths, 81; ii. 197,
225, 272.
Grigg, 344.
Groves, 81.
Gunn,ii.l34, 192,221.
Hadden, 81.
Haig, ii. Ill, 195, 190,
201, 202, 219.
Hair, 223.
Hall, 275.
HaU, A. 291.
XV., 325.
Halloran, 343.
Halstead, ii. 116.
Hambly, ii. 379.
Hamilton, ii. 379, 383.
Hamley, ii. 337, 344.
Hare, 244.
Harrison, 184; ii. 24,
172, 273, 334, 344.
Hart, 223, 244.
G., 173.
R., 302.
Harvey, 184, 244.
Harwood, 321.
Has well, ii. 169, 172.
Hawkey, ii. 78, 139.
Hawkins, 211,314.
G. D., 344.
Hay, ii. 53.
Hayes, ii. 69, 232.
Hebrington, 160.
Henderson, 161, 184;
ii. 53.
HenviUe, 82, 161.
Henry, ii. 297-
Hewes, ii. 129, 221.
Hewett, ii. 258, 273.
Hewitt, ii. 359, 361,
362, 367, 379, 381.
Hickman, ii. 176.
Higgins, 344.
Higginson. 254.
Hill, 168, 291 ; ii. 190,
221.
Hinto'n, ii. 232, 272.
Hoeker, ii. 342, 345.
Hobbs, 138.
Hockin, ii. 326, 341.
Hockley, 344; ii. 63,
207.
Hodge, 152, 184.
Hogan, 117.
Holmes, 31, 344.
Holland, 161, 169 j ii.
297.
Holt, 285; ii. 63, 65,
111.
Holton, ii. 273.
Holtaway, ii. 162, 273.
Home, 118.
Jas., 187, 223.
Hopkins, 223.
Hopper, 160, 192, 275.
Hore, 79, 82.
Horlock, 302 ; ii. 6.3.
Hombrook, ii. 232, 326.
Hoskins, 212.
How, ii. 79, 80,81, 120.
Howe, 82.
Howden, ii. 124.
Howel, 254
Hubbard, 344.
Hull, 187,223.
Humbv, ii. 297.
Humphries, 275.
Hunt, 344 ;ii. 206, 207,
297.
Hurdle, ii. 308.
Husband, ii. 75, 308.
Hussey, 291, 292; ii.
211.
T., 292.
Hutton, 267.
James, 275 ; ii. 297.
Jackson, 343; ii. 19,
63, 133, 151, 153.
Jarvis, ii. 303.
Jeffreys, ii. 273.
Jephcott, 167.
Jellicoe, ii. 162.
Jennings, 192.
Jervis, 285; ii. 211.
Jessop, ii. 217.
JeweU, 223, 244, 269,
292
Johns 292; ii.214.
Johnson, ii. 272.
Johnston, 82, 128, 176.
R., 284.
Johnstone, 86, 164, 184,
302.
Joliffe, ii. 343, 344.
Jones, 244; ii. 247, 272.
273.
E., 345.
J., 192.
G., 160, 172.
L. B., 160.
Jordan, 270 ; ii. 273,
Irwin, 31&.
Judson, 187, 223.
Kempster, ii. 272,
Kendall, 184, 343; ii.
88, 10-2,
388
INDEX TO THE NAMES
Kennedy, 119.
Kent, ii. 63, 66.
King, 118.
Kingstone, 343.
Kirchner, 223.
Knapman, ii. 162, 299.
Knox, 249.
J., 223.
Laban, 117, 133.
Laffer, ii. 134.
Lambrick,ii. 317,326.
Lambert, 128,275,314.
Land, ii. 344.
Langford, ii. 326.
Langley, ii. 315.
Langs ton, 275.
Lascelles, 292.
Laurie, 344 ; ii. 63, 65,
273.
Law, ii. 214.
Lawrence, 344; ii. 258,
272.
Lee, 128 ; ii. 64, 83.
Lely, 275, 344.
Lemon, 344.
Leonard, ii. 134, 342,
345.
Le Yescomte, 344.
Lewis, 82, 128, 161 ; ii.
19, 24, 169.
T., 161.
Liardet, 160; ii. 156.
Liddon, 344.
Lillicrap, ii. 332.
Lindsey, 81,
Lister, 344 ; ii. 63.
Little, ii. 155.
Littleton, 2.
Livingstone, 161, 169,
183.
Lloyd,ii.l39,172,176,
216, 234, 273.
Logan, 81, 86, 92 ; ii.
326.
Loighlin, 119.
Long, 275.
Louis, ii. 343, 333.
Love, ii. 63.
Lowder, ii. 273.
Lycett, 81.
Lynch, ii. 24, 272.
M*Adam, ii. 143, 175,
184.
Mackenzie, 160, 275;
ii. 46.
Mackintosh, 344.
M'Cullum, 344; ii. 63,
345.
McCarthy, 223, 244.
M'Cormick, 275.
Macdonald, 82, 286.
A., 117.
R., 118.
MTarlane, ii. 232.
M*Fie, 82.
M*Gee, 252.
M*Gill, 285; ii. Ill,
199.
M'Laughan, 318; ii.
15.5, 225.
McMillan, ii. 1 1 1 .
M*Namara, ii. 194.
M*Nicol, ii. 198, 297.
M'Veagh, ii. 260, 273.
Madden, ii. 177.
Ma^n, 344.
Maitland, 81.
Malcombe, 119.
Malcolm, ii. 24, 273.
Mallard, ii. 211, 273.
Mallock, 329.
Manly, 344.
Mann, 285.
Mansfield, 113.
Mant, ii. 29.
Marrie, 192.
J., 274.
Marsh, ii. 273.
Marriott, ii. 352, 359,
361, 362.
Mapowder, 192.
Masterman, 331.
Mathews, 82, 135,183;
ii 210.
Maxwell, 161, 301 ; ii.
355, 366.
Maule,ii.211,297.
Mayhew, 292.
Meares,ii.l62,158,175,
186.
Meech, ii. 75, 232, 272.
Mends, ii. 32, 333, 343,
Menzies, ii. 38.
Mercer, 153; ii. 116,
190.
Middleton, 301.
Milbume, ii.211.
Miles, 183, 192.
Miller, 244, 260 ;ii. 273,
308.
Z., 292
" C R , ^/O.
Milred, 126.
Minto, 117, 137, 244,
291.
Missing, ii. 111.
Mitchell, 117. 160,270;
ii. 18, 221.
Mitford, ii. 344.
Mitten, ii. 272.
Moncriffe, 160.
Moles worth, ii. 326.
Money, 160.
Montgomery, 270; ii.
272.
Monson, 45.
Moore, 82, 345; ii.
79,80,115,119,124,
127, 141, 142, 162,
308.
Morgan, ii. 183, 273,
297, 326.
Moriarty, ii. 276.
Moseley, 119.
Morris, ii. 297*
Morrison, ii. 19, 63,
134, 176, 333, 342,
Mortimer, ii. 272.
Mould, 168; ii. 272.
Mowbray, ii. 337, 333,
344.
Mounier, 128, 133.
Mountford, ii. 188.
Murphy, 138.
Murray, 292, 345 ;ii. 38.
Murton,ii. 35, 272,30a
Myers, 11 7.
Napier, 95.
Naylor, 183;ii.272.
Neame, ii. 190.
Nelson, ii. 24, 190.
Nepean, ii. 215.
Nichol, ii. 19.
Nicholas, 82.
Nicholson, ii. 79.
Nicolas, 2.
P.H.,344i ii.
132, 140.
OF THE MARINE OFFICERS.
389
Nicolls, E., 316, 321 ;
ii. 63, 84, 113, 229,
288, 290.
Nicolson, 95.
Noble, 223, 224; ii.
238.
Norman, 344, 128.
Norris, 184; ii. 297,
308.
Nugent, 81, 92.
Gates, 135 ; ii. 63.
O'Connor, 178.
Oldfield, 187, 223.
O'Maliey, 192.
Onslow; ii. 342.
O'Neal, 313; ii. 19, 272.
Ormsby 119.
Orr, 123, 124, 128, 130;
ii. 172.
Orton, 177, 187.
Osborne, ii. 19.
Owen,233,344;ii.llI,
192, 193, 314, 320,
323, 326.
Pa^edon, 285.
Palmer, 128.
Patten, 117-
Palliser, 333, 344.
Parke, 192; ii. 333,
273.
Parker, ii. Ill, 217,
327.
Parsons, ii. 19,303.
Parry, 212, 292 ;ii. 23,
111 273.
Pascoe,ii. 169, 172,276.
Pashoud, 344.
Potter, ii. 101.
Patriarche, 212, 261;
ii. 23.
Payne, 343 ; ii. 89.
Peake, 343.
Pearce, 128, 244.
Peebles, 263, 264, 285,
292, 323, 332.
ii. 41, 53, 273.
Penny, ii. 172.
Pengelly,344; ii, 69.
Percival, 82, 344.
Peregrine, ii. 53, 169.
Perkins, 345.
Perbam, ii. 111.
Perrott, 244, 321.
Phillips, ii. 19, 134,
272, 333, 344.
Pickard, ii. 355.
Piers, 161, 275
Pilcher, ii. 46, 273.
Pipon, 301;ii.78, 184.
Pine, 172.
Pinkerton, 192.
Pitcairne, 79, 82, 85,
86.
Pitts, 302.
Pleydell, 334; ii. 19,
333, 342, 344.
Poe, ii. 228.
Pollock, ii. 272.
Pollard, ii. 46.
Polkinghorne, ii. 361,
362, 366, 379.
Polkington, 160.
Potter, 81.
Pool, 114.
Poulden, 114.
Pownall, 138.
Powell, 328 ; ii. 326.
Pratt, ii. 273.
Preston, 45.
Price, ii. 214.
Priddle, ii. 276.
Pridham, 292 ; ii. 272.
Prosser, 160.
Pry or, 118;ii. 34.
Prytherck, ii. 94.
Puddicombe, ii. Ill,
273.
Pye, ii. 124, 146, 272.
Raban, 344.
Ragff, 86, 92.
Rankine, 137-
Ramsay, 118.
Ratton, 161.
Ravenscroft, 285.
Rea, ii. 190, 221.
Read, ii. 90.
Renwick, ii. 83, 84.
Reeves, 343, 344; ii.
104, 111,211.
Remfry, ii. 172, 232,
297.
Reynolds, 117.
Richards, ii. 273.
Richardson, 155, 163,
234 ; ii. 87.
Ridley, ii. 297-
Rivers, ii. 218, 221.
Robertson, 81 ; ii. 204.
296.
Robins,ii. 232, 281.
Robinson, 187; ii. 292,
Roby, 275.
Roe, 291, 343.
Roch, ii. 170, 172, 179.
Rolf, 128.
Rooke, 343 ; ii. 273.
Rose, 289.
Ross, 82, 244 ; ii. 232.
Rosville, 302.
Rotely, 343.
Rouse, 275.
Rycaut, 48.
Ruel, ii. 122.
Sabine, 82.
Sandford, 344.
Sandell, ii. 46.
Sandys, 192, 275.
Sandwith, ii. 68, 276.
Savage, 184, 223, 275 ;
11. 20«7.
Scobell, 223, 244.
Scott,ii.41,53,92,308.
Searle,ii.333,334,344.
Seward, ii. 308.
Sharp, 119.
Shea, 81,86,291.
Shearman, 174; ii. 115,
211.
Shewen, ii. 342, 344.
Shillibeer, 344 ; ii. 131.
Short, 85, 224, 244, 273,
291.
Simpson, 161 ; ii. 206.
Sinclair, 287.
Skip, 301.
Skinner, ii. 232.
Smith,82, 136, 160;ii.
272, 333, 344.
A., 301 ; ii. 24.
J. T., 192.
J. S., 308.
W., 192,291.
Smithwick, ii. 188.
SneU, 36.
Snowe, ii. 134.
Solby, 160.
Spalding, ii. 333, 334.
Spencer, 275.
Spurin, ii. 220.
Spry, ii. 333, 342, 344.
390
Index of marinb opficbrs.
Squire, 117.
St. Clair, 119.
StJicey, ii. 276.
Stannus, ii. 30.
Stapleton, 119.
Steele, 192, 334; ii.
162, 172, 273, 326,
333.
Stephens, 161 ; ii. 276,
297.
Sterling, ii. 273.
Stevens, 192, 301 ; ii.
19, 197, 273, 297,
308, 326.
Stevenson, ii. 273.
Steward, 82.
Stewart, 291, 344 ;ii.
24,134,172,192,272,
«3t>J, d^rJiy vI^t4*
Strachan, 109.
Strangeways, 175j ii.
272.
Stransham, 152, 275 ; ii.
308, 355, 358, 359,
361,362,366.
Strickland, 123, 192,
245.
Stuart, 119; ii. 87, 119.
Sturgeon, ii. 232, 238,
308.
Sullock, ii. 276.
Swale,292;ii. 46.
Symonds, C., 275.
R. P., 291.
Syder, ii. 194.
Swyer, 292.
Taite, 211, 282.
Tane, 343.
Tantum, 82, 117.
Tempieton, 168.
Tench, 162.
Thierry, ii. 276.
Thomas, 117; ii. 272.
Thompson, 119, 128,
267 ; ii. 220.
Thwaites, ii. 111.
Timmins, 344.
Timson, 344; ii. 276.
Toby, ii. 272.
Toole, 343.
Toomer, 244.
TothiU, ii. 208.
Torkington, 244, 291.
Torrens, ii. 162.
Tremenheere, 153.
Triscott, 301 ; ii. 194.
Tregent, 162.
Trollope, 82, 192.
Trotter, 192.
Troy, 48.
Trusson, ii. 68.
Tucker, ii. 111.
Tupper, 85.
Turnbull, ii. 162.
Turner, 292.
Tyldesley, 184, 244.
Uniacke, ii. 232.
Urquhart, 275 ; ii. 352,
361, 362.
Ussher, ii. 352, 355,
366.
Vallack, 344 ; ii. 219,
297.
Varlo, ii. 337, 344.
Veale, 103.
Vevers, 81.
Vine, ii. 109.
Vinicombe, ii. 273.
Victor, 192, 302; ii.
174, 186.
Vivian, 187.
Vyvian, W.245,281.
Walker, ii. 82, 192, 244,
318; ii.24,333.
Waters, 118.
Wall, ii. 80.
Waller, 82, 89.
Walley, 344.
Ward, ii. 172,
Wardlaw,301.
Wanng, 325; ii. 94.
Watson, 343 ; ii. 320,
326.
Watts, 275; ii. 50.
Weaver, J. 344 ;ii. 172,
273.
T., 184,223,282.
Wearing, 343; ii.333,
Weir, 192, 223, 244,
285 ; ii. 24.
Welchman,ii.l72, 180,
297.
Wemyss, 187,211,244,
344; ii. 111,333.
Westropp, 161,344.
Wesley, ii. 272, 326.
Wheeler, 223, 249.
Whitaker, 14L
Whitcomb,ii.232,355,
358, 366, 368.
White, 21 l;ii. 181, 297,
355,366.
Whiting, 184,355, 366;
ii. 355, 365, 366.
Whylock, ii. 78, 100,
115, 121 192, 210,
219,339,342,344.
Wilcocks, ii. 192.
Wilkins, ii. 103.
Willes, ii. 19, 276.
WiUiams, 128, 155,244;
ii. 43, 273.
J., 184, 192.
J. D., 302.
F., 284, 344.
s., 173, 275.
Wills, ii. 62, 272, 373.
Witts, 224,291.
Willson, ii. 333, 342,
344.
Wilson, 178, 285, 344;
ii. 190, 232, 273, 297.
Wiltshire, 323.
Wingrove, 168, 343.
Wightman, 107-
Wolfe, 244,261, 291.
Wolrige, ii. 232, 276,
295, 297, 298.
Woodcock, 82.
Wright, 223, 269, 244;
ii. 63, 232, 296.
Wybourn, 254; ii. 63,
204.
Yates, ii. 111.
Young, 223 ; ii. 276.
G., 283.
J., 184.
W. H., 184.
Yule, ii. 326.
THE END.
Maurice & Co.,]
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