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| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-04 07:58:40 -0800 |
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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-04 07:58:40 -0800 |
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diff --git a/old/63405-h/63405-h.htm b/old/63405-h/63405-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 876a8e1..0000000 --- a/old/63405-h/63405-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7891 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - Personal Narrative Of Events, by William Stanhope Lovell—A Project Gutenberg eBook - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/title.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2,h3,h4 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p, div.aspara { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} -.p4 {margin-top: 4em;} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} - -hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 47.5%; margin-right: 47.5%;} - -div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} -h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} - -ul.hanging { list-style-type: none; } -ul.hanging li { - padding-left: 2em; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} - -.tdl {text-align: left;} -.tdr {text-align: right;} -.tdc {text-align: center;} -.tdh { - text-align: left; - padding-left: 2em; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -.tdpn { - text-align: right; - padding-left: 2em; - vertical-align: bottom; -} -.padlr {padding-left: 2em; padding-right: 2em;} -.padl {padding-left: 2em;} -.padr {padding-right: 2em;} -.padl1h { - text-align: left; - padding-left: 2em; - text-indent: -1em; -} -.brace {font-size: 200%; width: 1em;} -.nobr { white-space: nowrap; } -.altop {vertical-align: top;} -.albottom {vertical-align: bottom;} -.longsp {display: inline-block; width: 3em;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; - font-weight: normal; - font-variant: normal; -} /* page numbers */ - -.summary { - margin-left: 5%; - margin-right: 10%; - font-size: small; -} - -.bt {border-top: 2px solid;} -.btb {border-top: 2px solid; - border-bottom: 2px solid;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.allsmcap {font-variant: small-caps; text-transform: lowercase;} - -.u {text-decoration: underline;} - -/* Images */ - -img { - max-width: 100%; - height: auto; -} - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; - page-break-inside: avoid; - max-width: 100%; -} - -/* Footnotes */ -.footnotes {border: 1px dashed;} - -.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} - -.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} - -.fnanchor { - vertical-align: super; - font-size: .8em; - text-decoration: - none; -} - -/* Poetry */ -.poetry-container {text-align: center;} -.poetry {text-align: left; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} -/* uncomment the next line for centered poetry in browsers */ -.poetry {display: inline-block;} -.poetry .stanza {margin: 1em auto;} -.poetry .verse {text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em;} -/* large inline blocks don't split well on paged devices */ -@media handheld, print { .poetry {display: block;} } - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - -/* Poetry indents */ -.poetry .indent0 {text-indent: -3em;} -.poetry .indent2 {text-indent: -2em;} -.poetry .indent4 {text-indent: -1em;} - -.large {font-size: large;} -.xlarge {font-size: x-large;} -.small {font-size: small;} - -.i4em {text-indent: 4em;} -.i2em {text-indent: 2em;} - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Personal Narrative of Events, From 1799 to -1815, by William Stanhope Lovell - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Personal Narrative of Events, From 1799 to 1815 - -Author: William Stanhope Lovell - -Release Date: October 8, 2020 [EBook #63405] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF *** - - - - -Produced by Paul Clark and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div class="transnote"> -<p>Transcriber's Note:</p> - -<p>Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as -possible, including inconsistent hyphenation and discrepancies in -numbers of guns. Some errors in the table of contents and chapter -summaries have been corrected. Some other changes have been made. -They are listed at the end of the text.</p> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="coverfront"> - <img src="images/coverfront.jpg" width="800" height="492" alt="" /> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_i"></a>[Pg i]</span></p> - -<h1>PERSONAL NARRATIVE<br /> -OF EVENTS,</h1> - -<p class="p2 center xlarge smcap">From 1799 to 1815,</p> - -<p class="p2 center large"><i>WITH ANECDOTES</i>.</p> - - -<p class="p4 center">BY THE LATE</p> - -<p class="center large">VICE-ADM<sup>L.</sup> W<sup>M.</sup> STANHOPE LOVELL, R.N., K.H.</p> - -<hr class="p4 r5" /> -<p class="center">SECOND EDITION.</p> -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p class="p4 center"><b>London:</b><br /> -WM. ALLEN & CO., 13, WATERLOO PLACE, W.</p> -<hr class="p2 r5" /> - -<p class="center">1879. -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_ii"></a>[Pg ii]</span></p> - -<p class="center">WITHERBY AND CO., PRINTERS,<br /> -74, CORNHILL; NEWMAN’S COURT, CORNHILL; AND 325A, HIGH HOLBORN, W.C. -</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_iii"></a>[Pg iii]</span></p> - -<p><i>To</i> Rear-Admiral Sir <span class="smcap">Robert Barrie</span>, C.B., K.C.H.</p> - -<p class="p2"><span class="smcap">My dear Sir Robert,</span></p> - -<p>In dedicating the following pages to you, under -whose command I had the honour of serving in the -Chesapeake, &c., I do it with the greatest respect, esteem, -and admiration of your conduct.</p> - -<p>I must ever consider you as one of those officers upon -whom the country may safely rely in the hour of peril, and -in whose hands it may entrust its honour in the day of -battle. Like the celebrated Bayard of old, your career has -obtained for you a character, “<i>sans peur et sans reproche</i>.”</p> - -<p class="right">Your faithful friend,</p> - -<p class="right">THE AUTHOR. -</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_iv"></a>[Pg iv]<br /><a id="Page_v"></a>[Pg v]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS"><i>CONTENTS.</i></h2> -</div> - -<table summary="Contents"> -<tr> -<td><h3><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</a>.</h3></td> -<td class="tdr small">PAGE</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td class="tdh">First Trip to Sea—Shipmates—Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren, -Bart, K.B.</td> -<td class="tdpn">1</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><h3><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</a>.</h3></td> -<td> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td class="tdh">Channel Cruising—Boat Expeditions—Anecdote of a Gallant Mid—Ditto -of Two Dandy Guardsmen—Expedition to Ferrol—Sir -James Pulteney, Sir Edward Pellew and the Donkey—The -Unlucky Cruise</td> -<td class="tdpn">7</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><h3><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</a>.</h3></td> -<td> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td class="tdh">Cruise off Cadiz—Proceed up the Mediterranean to Egypt after a -French Squadron under Rear-Admiral Ganteaume, 1801</td> -<td class="tdpn">16</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><h3><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</a>.</h3></td> -<td> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td class="tdh">From the Peace of Amiens (1802) until the Commencement of the -Second Gallic War—Gambling</td> -<td class="tdpn">26</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><h3><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</a>.</h3></td> -<td> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td class="tdh">From the Commencement of Second Gallic War until the Battle of -Trafalgar, 1805; with Anecdotes</td> -<td class="tdpn">30<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_vi"></a>[Pg vi]</span></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><h3><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</a>.</h3></td> -<td> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td class="tdh">The Battle of Trafalgar, and Extracts from the Log of His Majesty’s -Ship <i>Neptune</i>, on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd October, 1805</td> -<td class="tdpn">43</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><h3><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</a>.</h3></td> -<td> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td class="tdh">Joined the <i>Melpomene</i>—Sent up the Mediterranean—Tremendous -Weather, with Thunder, Lightning, and Water-spouts—Ship -loses her Rudder and Main-topmast—Proceed to Malta</td> -<td class="tdpn">57</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><h3><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</a>.</h3></td> -<td> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td class="tdh">Siege of Gaeta by the French—Boat Affairs—My Capture—Leghorn</td> -<td class="tdpn">62</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><h3><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</a>.</h3></td> -<td> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td class="tdh">Malta—Dreadful Accident by the Explosion of a Magazine in the -Town, on the Bermola side—Nearly get into a Scrape about -Breaking Quarantine—Kind Answer of the gallant Admiral Sir -Sidney Smith to the Complaint—Rejoin the <i>Melpomene</i>—Mutiny -in Fribourg’s Regiment—Cruise in the Adriatic</td> -<td class="tdpn">73</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><h3><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X</a>.</h3></td> -<td> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td class="tdh">North American Station, from 1808 to 1811—Bermuda—Anecdote—Death -of Captain Conn</td> -<td class="tdpn">87</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><h3><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI</a>.</h3></td> -<td> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td class="tdh">Lisbon—Trip to the Army of Lord Wellington—Montemor Novo, -O’Rodondo, Villa Vicosa, Elvas, Fort le Lippe</td> -<td class="tdpn">101</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><h3><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII</a>.</h3></td> -<td> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td class="tdh">Lisbon, Cintra, Mafra, etc., 1811, 1812—Second Trip to the Army—Taking -of Badajoz</td> -<td class="tdpn">113<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_vii"></a>[Pg vii]</span></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><h3><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII</a>.</h3></td> -<td> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td class="tdh">Cadiz, Minorca, Majorca, Alicant, Carthagena, Algiers, Oran, Altea -Bay—Drive a French Privateer on Shore near Denia</td> -<td class="tdpn">124</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><h3><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</a>.</h3></td> -<td> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td class="tdh">Siege of the Col de Balaguer—A Reconnoitering Party—Raising of -the Siege of Tarragona—Lieutenant-General Sir John and Lady -Murray—Rear-Admiral Benjamin Hallowell—Viscount and -Viscountess Mahon—Palermo, Veniros; Upset in a Boat—Valencia—Holland</td> -<td class="tdpn">136</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><h3><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV</a>.</h3></td> -<td> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td class="tdh">1814—Sent to Bermuda—Operations in the Chesapeake—The -River Patuxent—Expedition to Washington—Town of Rappahannock—River -Rappahannock—Commodore Robert Barrie, -etc.</td> -<td class="tdpn">150</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><h3><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI</a>.</h3></td> -<td> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td class="tdh">Operations in South Carolina—Capture of Cumberland Island and -the Fort of Point-à-Petre—An Affair with the American Riflemen -in the Woods—An Abattis—Anecdotes of the 2nd West -India Regiment—A Rattlesnake—Capture of the Town of St. -Mary’s—Destruction of the Forts and Barracks—Nassau, New -Providence—Compliment to the Royal Marines—Return -Home</td> -<td class="tdpn">173</td> -</tr> -</table> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_viii"></a>[Pg viii]<br /><a id="Page_1"></a>[Pg 1]</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="A_Personal_Narrative_of_Events"><span class="smcap">A Personal Narrative of Events.</span></h2> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="summary">First trip to sea—Shipmates—Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren, -Bart, K.B.</p> - -<p class="p2">My father<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> and uncle both served their king and -country in the American war of independence; the -former was with Lord Cornwallis’s army when it -surrendered at York to the American forces under -the command of General Washington (he was at -that time an officer in the 6th Regiment of Foot); -and the latter in the 4th Dragoons. Both were -magistrates for the county of Buckinghamshire, and -served the office of high sheriff for the same.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2"></a>[Pg 2]</span></p> - -<p>When scarcely ten years old, I joined H.M. ship -<i>Renown</i> (74) in Torbay, bearing the flag (blue at the -mizen) of one of the most amiable men in the service, -Sir John Borlase Warren, Bt, K.B., who had -commanded a squadron of dashing frigates during -all the early part of the war, and had taken and -destroyed several French ships, and finished his -glorious flying squad career by capturing most of -those, which, under the command of Monsieur Bompart, -had been sent with troops to assist the Irish -during the rebellion of 1798, thereby saving the -blood of thousands in Ireland, if not Ireland itself. -A better or braver officer than the late Admiral Sir -J. B. Warren never lived; he was that perfect model -of a gentleman that every one might take as a pattern. -I had the melancholy honour of following him -to his grave, and wept over it tears of unfeigned -sorrow.</p> - -<p>But to commence my peregrinations. I still recollect -the delight that a letter from my father gave -me when at school, informing me I was to leave -Latin and Greek, which classical knowledge was all -blown overboard and forgotten the first gale of wind -at sea; and after spending a short time at Little<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_3"></a>[Pg 3]</span> -Missenden Abbey (which then belonged to my father) -with my mother and two sisters,<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> I proceeded to -Portsmouth, thence to find a passage to join the -before-mentioned ship in Torbay.</p> - -<p>I bore the parting with my kind, dear, excellent -mother and sisters pretty well, because my father -accompanied me to Portsmouth to see me safely -launched into a new world; but when he took leave, -I thought my heart would burst with grief. Time, -however, reconciles us to everything, and the gaiety -and thoughtlessness of youth, added to the cocked -hat, dirk, spy-glass, etc., of a nautical fit out, assisted -wonderfully to dry my tears, and, in a manner, reconciled -me to a new scene of life.</p> - -<p>Captain Pickmore, who at that period commanded -the <i>Royal William</i>, at Spithead, very kindly sent me -on board the <i>Montague</i> (74) with all my baggage, in -the admiral’s tender, to join my ship to the westward. -The first night on board was not the most pleasant; -the noises unusual to a novice—sleeping in a hammock -for the first time—its tarry smell—the wet cables for -a bed carpet, and a somersault or two from my -lubberly manner of getting into it, made me draw -comparisons between sleeping on beds of down ashore,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_4"></a>[Pg 4]</span> -and my new abode, by no means very favourable to -the latter.</p> - -<p>The second day after quitting Portsmouth brought -us to Torbay, where the channel fleet of thirty-six -sail of the line, under Lord Bridport, was lying at -anchor. I was soon transferred to my own ship, and -introduced to my new messmates.</p> - -<p>We lived in the gun-room on the lower deck, and -in fine weather had daylight, which was better in -many respects than the old midshipmen’s berths in -the cockpit. Amongst the youngsters were some -within a year or two as young as myself; nice boys, -full of fun and mischief, who soon initiated me in the -sea pranks of “sawing your bed-posts,”—cutting you -down head and foot; “reefing your bed-clothes,”—making -them up into hard balls which, if properly -done, will take one unpractised in the art a good half-hour -or more to undo. It used to be a great annoyance -to come off deck after a first or middle watch -(from eight at night to twelve, or from twelve to four -in the morning), perhaps quite wet through, thinking, -on being relieved, what a nice sleep you would have, -to find, on going to your hammock, all your sheets -and blankets made up into hard balls, and a good half-hour’s -work in the dark to undo them, particularly -when tired and sleepy. During your labour to effect -this, you had the pleasure of hearing the mischievous -fellows that had a hand in doing it, laughing in their -hammocks, and offering their condolences by saying -what a shame it was to play such tricks when you -were absent on deck, keeping your watch, and recom<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_5"></a>[Pg 5]</span>mending -you to lick them all round, if you were able, -or at all events to retaliate the first opportunity.</p> - -<p>Blowing the grampus (sluicing you with water), and -many other tricks used to be resorted to occasionally. -Taking it all in good part, from the persuasion that it -was the customary initiation to a sea life, my torments -were few, for when the art of tormenting ceases to -irritate, it loses the effect intended, and it generally -ends by your shipmates saying, “Well, you are a good-natured -fellow, and shall not be annoyed any more.”</p> - -<p>I must do my brother mids the justice to say that -a more kind-hearted set was not to be met with. We -had few or no real quarrels the four years we sailed -together, and, whenever spare time permitted, our -evenings were spent in the amusements afforded by the -old games of cribbage, loo, draughts and able wackets, -which is a kind of forfeit played with cards, where -each player is subject, for every mistake, to one or more -blows with a knotted handkerchief on the palm of the -hand. Many of them have paid the debt of nature, -but some have risen to high rank and honours, most -deservedly, in the service. We were all kept tight at -work, and had at least four hours of sky-parlour -(being sent to the main-topmast-head), when our -watch was over, for every delinquency. I recollect -one of my messmates was a lazy fellow, and shocking -bad relief (the Hon. Henry Dawson); he always kept -the unfortunate mid he had to relieve at least half-an-hour -beyond his time on deck, until his patience -was exhausted, forcing him to the unwelcome alternative -of making a complaint to the lieutenant of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6"></a>[Pg 6]</span> -watch, who sent down to bring his relief on deck. -It frequently happened that an old quarter-master, -named Ned Cowen, was employed on this errand; -he was a complete character, and as he had sailed -round the world with the celebrated Captain Cook, -and was a great favourite with us mids, we used to -get him into our berth, give the old fellow a glass or -two of grog, and make him relate his adventures.</p> - -<p>Whenever old Ned presented himself at the Honble. -H. Dawson’s hammock, he signified the purport of -his visit with this summons—“Come, Mr. Dawson, -past one bell (the half-hour after the watch has been -called), turn out, show a leg, or I am ordered to bring -you up on the quarter-deck, hammock and all; take -my advice, bring a good, thick greatcoat with you; it -is a wet night, and the masthead waiting for you—the -old story, you know.” The delinquent’s tale of “overslept -myself, sir,” was quite worn out—it occurred too -often; therefore nothing was left but to mount up to -the masthead, and there enjoy the refreshing breezes, -fine showers, and exhilarating air of sky-parlour, to -awaken him from his balmy slumbers.</p> - -<p>The ship was in fine order and a perfect man-of-war, -well manned and officered. The lieutenants were -good seamen, knew and did their duty promptly, and -managed the ship well.</p> - -<p>Of the first lieutenants, two, after being promoted, -found a watery grave—poor Hawes, in the <i>Moucheron</i>, -brig of 16 guns, which foundered in a heavy gale with -all his crew; and the gallant Burke shared a similar -fate in the <i>Seagull</i>, of 18 guns.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_7"></a>[Pg 7]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="summary">Channel cruising—Boat expeditions—Anecdote of a gallant mid—Ditto -of two dandy Guardsmen—Expedition to Ferrol—Sir James -Pulteney, Sir Edward Pellew and the donkey—The unlucky cruise.</p> - -<p class="p2">Our first cruise was with the channel fleet off Brest, -and to me, a boy of ten years old, it appeared a great -feat, blocking up a superior French one in their own -harbour, and offering them battle daily, without their -daring to come out of port.</p> - -<p>The winter’s cruise of 1799 and spring of 1800 was -very stormy; nothing but heavy gales from S.W. to -N.W. to N.E. and E., which blew us nearly at one -time within sight of Ireland.</p> - -<p>We had various commanders-in-chief, to each of -whom the sailors had given a peculiar nick-name. -The Honble. Admiral William Cornwallis was styled -“Billy Blue,” from his flag (blue at the main), and -hoisting, the moment we dropped anchor from the -S.W. gales in Torbay, a blue Peter—a hint for every -person to remain on board, ready to sail again the -moment the wind came round sufficiently to the -northward to enable the fleet to proceed down channel -to resume the blockade of Brest; Lord Bridport—“Lord -Bread-bags” (Jack’s pun upon his lordship’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8"></a>[Pg 8]</span> -name); Admiral Sir Allan Gardner—“Old Junk,” -because he was a tough old fellow, and kept the ships -so long at sea upon salt junk; and Lord St. Vincent—“Sour -Crout,” from his stern deportment. The -latter had no sooner joined than he detached us with -the <i>Defence</i> (74), <i>Fisgard</i>, and <i>Beaulieu</i> frigates, under -our orders, into the Bay of Biscay, to annoy the coast -of France.</p> - -<p>Our first attempt was at the Penmarks, where we -succeeded in cutting out several French <i>chasse-marées</i>, -and other craft, laden with brandy, wine, and provisions -for the fleet in Brest harbour. The boats were -commanded by the gallant Lieutenants Burke and -John Thompson, of the <i>Renown</i>. This service was -performed with little loss. Our next attempt was on -some armed vessels in the river Quimper, coast of -Brittany, but the boats did not succeed in finding the -vessels: they, suspecting a visit, had moved higher up -the river, whither it was not prudent to follow them. -The crews were, therefore, landed, and having succeeded -in destroying a fort at the entrance of the -river, they returned on board without loss.</p> - -<p>The third attempt was at Noirmoutier, near the -mouth of the river Loire, in La Vendée—a tide harbour. -Success at first crowned our exertions; the boats -of the squadron, again under Lieutenants Burke, had -already burnt three vessels, mounting from 12, 18, to -24 guns, with some small craft, and were thinking of -returning, when the ebbing of the tide, which the gallant -assailants, carried away by their ardour, had failed -to perceive, left all the boats high and dry, exposed to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9"></a>[Pg 9]</span> -the fire of the French batteries. However, Lieutenants -Burke and Thompson, with a part of the men, dragged -a large fishing boat and our barge through the mud, -and got safe back to the ships, leaving the remainder -of the boats, with 76 of our best men and some -officers prisoners, besides a few killed and wounded. -A poor messmate of mine, a midshipman, named -Jago, who was afterwards killed in the Mediterranean -on another cutting-out affair, in remembrance of this -transaction, called out on that occasion to some of his -men who seemed disposed to hang back, “Come, my -lads, stick by me now, as you stuck by me in the mud -at Noirmoutier.”</p> - -<p>In consequence of this untoward affair, we sailed -for Portsmouth to refit. Previous to sailing, the ship -was paid. I was stationed on the starboard gangway -to keep off the boats, but leaning too far over the -side, fell overboard, and got a good ducking, but fortunately -escaped breaking my head against a boat -that was alongside by falling between her and the -ship. Luckily the people in the boat picked me up -immediately, for at that time I could not swim.</p> - -<p>After the ship had refitted, and obtained a draft of -seamen and marines, and new boats in lieu of those -we had lost on the coast of France, we joined the -fleet again off Brest, under the command of Earl -St. Vincent.</p> - -<p>In August our admiral was detached with a strong -squadron to take the naval command of the expedition, -under General Sir James Pulteney, against Ferrol.</p> - -<p>I recollect, on this expedition, two dandy young<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10"></a>[Pg 10]</span> -guardsmen came on board for a passage, and, being -too late for dinner in the ward-room, a nice beefsteak -and bottle of port wine was given them at a side table. -After contemplating it a little while, with a supercilious -turn of the mouth and nose, one of them made -the sage remark, that “he thought they might be able -to rough it pretty well with such fare every day in a -campaign; but, really, common port wine, beefsteaks, -and potatoes, was not fit food for guardsmen.” I’ll -answer for it long before their regiment returned from -Egypt they were very glad to get much worse fare, -and if either of them lived to serve with the noble -Wellington in the Peninsula, their pride of stomach -must have had many a fall.</p> - -<p>The results of the unfortunate expedition to Ferrol -are too well known to need further record; the gallant -army, to a man, regretted that their evil genius placed -them under the command of such a general, and we, -of the navy, lamented our ill-luck that prevented us -from taking the beautiful Spanish fleet that lay at -anchor in the harbour.</p> - -<p>It was reported—and, I believe, with truth—that -at the very time our troops were being re-embarked, -the Spanish governor had even sent out an officer -with the keys of the fortress in his hands, and an offer -of terms to surrender; but he, seeing how matters -stood, returned back to his general, rejoicing, and informed -him that the British army was in full retreat, and -part were already on board. The Spaniards had laid a -strong boom across the harbour, flanked by two very -powerful batteries—one on each side of the entrance.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11"></a>[Pg 11]</span></p> - -<p>Sir James Pulteney promised to take the one on -the left, or larboard hand, while the boats, filled with -sailors and marines, were to storm the other at the -same time.</p> - -<p>Seven sail of the line were prepared for action, with -springs on their cables, and a spare one out of the -gun-room stern port, bent to the sheet anchor, ready -for bringing up head and stern; in short, everything -was in a forward state for the attack, and the <i>London</i> -(98 guns) was to break the boom, and the rest of the -ships to follow in line of battle.</p> - -<p>All hearts beat with joyful expectation, when, to -our utmost surprise and indignation, a signal was -made from the shore that the commander-in-chief of -the land forces had given up the idea of attack, and -boats were to be sent immediately to embark the -troops.</p> - -<p>The gallant Sir Edward Pellew, who commanded -the <i>Impétueux</i> (74), was ready to burst with rage when -he found the object of the expedition given up, at a -time when it was almost within our grasp, and without -making one serious effort to obtain it. It was reported -in the squadron that he embarked an ass, and used to -go up to it, and take off his hat, and say, “How do -you do, Sir James? I hope nothing troubled you in -your sleep last night in the way of unpleasant dreams, -or that the nightmare did not disturb your rest.”</p> - -<p>After this sad affair we sailed for Vigo Bay, where -our appearance with so large a force put the inhabitants -in bodily fear. When we were standing into the -bay a large French ship (privateer) was observed to haul<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12"></a>[Pg 12]</span> -under the citadel. At night the boats of the squadron, -commanded by the daring Lieutenant Burke, were sent -to bring her out, which they most gallantly accomplished, -after a severe and desperate struggle. She was -called <i>La Guêpe</i>, of 18 long nine-pounders, with 244 -men, sails bent, and perfectly ready for sea, and was -going to look after our homeward-bound West Indiamen, -and intended to have sailed the evening of the -day of our arrival.</p> - -<p>She had her boarding nettings up, and everything -ready for a stout resistance. On the approach of the -boats the privateer and the forts opened a heavy fire of -round and grape, but they, nothing daunted, gave three -hearty cheers, dashed on, and, after a most gallant defence, -she was boarded and brought out. Lieutenant -Burke was severely wounded by a pike through both -thighs, and the French captain, who most heroically -fought his ship to the last moment, died of his wounds -an hour after she was taken. He asked (poor fellow!) if -he had done all he could to defend his ship; being -answered in the affirmative, and justly complimented -on his gallant conduct, he gave a faint smile, and -expired.</p> - -<p>During the time we lay at anchor here we were in -the habit of sending a boat to haul the seine on the -Bayonne islands, and we were generally pretty successful. -Amongst other fish, we frequently caught -the torpedo<a id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[C]</a>, which gave me a practical lesson of its -electric powers.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13"></a>[Pg 13]</span></p> - -<p>On the 6th of September a tremendous heavy gale -came on from the southward and westward, in which -several vessels belonging to our convoy drifted from -their anchors, and went on shore. The <i>Stag</i>, frigate, -of 32 guns, Captain Winthrop, was wrecked upon Point -Subudo. However, we fortunately saved the crew; -but the men of some transports and merchant vessels -that went on shore in other parts of the bay fell into -the hands of the Spaniards. Not being able to get -the <i>Stag</i> off, she was burnt the same evening. The -moment the wind and weather permitted we sailed -with the expedition from Vigo Bay, and, having seen -them safe off the coast, the admiral, according to -orders, gave up his charge to Captain Sir Alexander -Cochrane, and proceeded off the Western Islands in -search of some Spanish galleons, said to be coming -home in a Portuguese convoy.</p> - -<p>We had with us four sail-of-the-line, and three -frigates.</p> - -<p>During our cruise we fell in thrice with a large -French ship (privateer), but her legs were too nimble -for us. One day, when we had all sail set, and were -carrying every stitch of canvass we could crowd in -chase, with a fine breeze, and nearing her fast, our -unlucky genius, which had attended us all this cruise, -from the sprite that said “Bo!” to old Pulteney at -Ferrol, still haunted us up to the present time. We -carried away our foretop-mast, and she again escaped.</p> - -<p>The <i>Renown</i> being by far the best sailing ship of -the squadron, the others stood no chance with the -privateer, who very quietly hauled up her courses, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14"></a>[Pg 14]</span> -no doubt enjoyed the fun of looking at us <i>hors de -combat</i>.</p> - -<p>Two days after we fell in with two Portuguese -convoys from the Brazils, bound to Lisbon. One we -spoke; the others were boarded by the frigates to -windward. The Portuguese captains of the men-of-war -pledged their word of honour that no Spanish -ships were under their protection. We, like geese, -trusted to it, or rather, the frigates did. Will it be -believed that in the above convoy were the five Spanish -treasure-ships we were looking for, which arrived a -few days after safe at Lisbon! And when they passed -under the stern of the <i>Cynthia</i>, British sloop-of-war -that was lying there, they hauled down their Portuguese -colours, hoisted the Spanish, and fired a royal—and, -no doubt, joyful—salute; and well they might. They -had in the five vessels ten millions of specie, besides -valuable cargoes.</p> - -<p>We afterwards heard that this business caused a -very angry communication from our Government to -that of Portugal; but they, like true diplomatists, threw -the whole blame from themselves on the weakest party, -by denying any knowledge of the transaction, dismissed -and imprisoned the captains of their men-of-war -for a short time, who on being released went to -Spain, and were there promoted to rank and honours.</p> - -<p>After this <i>finale</i> of our unlucky cruise, we returned -to Plymouth to refit, and get provisions and water. -While there orders came to complete our stores of all -kinds for foreign service. Captain Thomas Eyles left -the ship, and Captain John Chambers White took the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15"></a>[Pg 15]</span> -command—a strict, good, and excellent officer, who -has filled a high situation at Woolwich Dockyard since -the peace, and is now a Rear-Admiral of the White. -We were all delighted with the idea of getting away -from the heavy winter gales and monotonous cruising -of the channel fleet.</p> - -<p>A word upon channel cruising. I defy any person -at the present day, except the old officers, to know the -constant anxiety of the captains and officers of the -channel fleet, sailing in two or three lines in heavy -gales and thick weather. It required great attention in -the lieutenants of the watch, a most strict and careful -look-out to prevent accidents, and to have their wits -always about them, ready to act at a minute’s warning. -By the good discipline kept up, the look-out was perfect, -and, to the <i>very great credit</i> of the officers of the -watch, <i>scarce an accident</i> occurred during the long, -tiresome, and harassing blockade of Brest, comprising -a period of more than twenty years.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16"></a>[Pg 16]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="summary">Cruise off Cadiz—Proceed up the Mediterranean to Egypt after a -French squadron under Rear-Admiral Ganteaume, 1801.</p> - -<p class="p2">In November, 1800, we sailed for Gibraltar. I was -much pleased to see the celebrated rock, so well defended -by the gallant Elliot in 1782, and to read, on -the spot, Colonel Drinkwater’s most amusing history -of that famous siege.</p> - -<p>As late as the year 1801, the greater part of the -garrison was still covered with shot and broken shells, -thrown by the Spaniards at that period. They have -since been collected, and sold to be melted down for -various purposes, some probably to be again converted -into missiles of destruction.</p> - -<p>We cruised off Cadiz in company with the <i>Dragon</i>, -<i>Hector</i>, and <i>Gibraltar</i>, of 74 guns each, until the spring -of 1801, detaining the Danish and Swedish vessels, -when a French squadron of eight sail of the line (some -frigates, and a store ship), having made their escape -from Brest, at a time the channel fleet was blown off, -passed us in the night, and pushed up the Mediterranean -for Toulon, to embark troops for Egypt, to -strengthen their force there.</p> - -<p>The <i>Mercury</i> (28), Captain Rogers, and the <i>Incen<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17"></a>[Pg 17]</span>diary</i> -(fire-ship), joined us in the morning, and informed -us they had been chased by them. Although we had -only four sail of the line, no time was lost in proceeding -after them; first touching at Gibraltar for provisions, -then running over to Marjarine Bay, on the -coast of Barbary, for water, and from thence to Port -Mahon, to see if chance would send us a reinforcement. -There we found the <i>Alexander</i> (74), Captain Sir Alexander -Ball, the <i>Généreux</i> (80), not half-manned, and -the <i>Harlaem</i> (64), <i>en flute</i>; however, they made a show -of strength, and to sea we went in search of the French -squadron, under Rear-Admiral Ganteaume, and steered -for Toulon. Ill fortune attended us; for in a heavy -gale, the <i>Généreux</i> rolled away all her top-masts, -and sprung a leak, which caused us to put back to -Minorca, with our crippled ships, from which place the -above-named ship was never again in a state to -accompany us.</p> - -<p>The moment the rest of the squadron was ready for -sea, our persevering admiral again sailed, and although -with one ship less, he ventured to reconnoitre Toulon, -where we found the French had also put back damaged, -and were apparently employed in refitting. We, therefore, -shaped our course for Minorca. On our way -thither, to complete our water and provisions, we chased -a Spanish convoy into Cadeque, a small port near the -entrance of the Bay of Rosas; but the admiral did -not think, under existing circumstances, it was worth -while risking the loss of lives to attack them, having -the prospect of an action with a superior French -force in view; we, therefore, returned to Port Mahon<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18"></a>[Pg 18]</span> -to get ready to proceed after the enemy’s fleet in -Toulon.</p> - -<p>During our stay, we heard that we were to be joined -at Malta by His Majesty’s ship <i>Athénienne</i> (64), which -was not even coppered, and had only half her complement -of men. Having put the ships into as good a -state as circumstances would admit, we proceeded to -Malta, and there picked up the 64 gun-ship, which -completed our ill-conditioned squadron, viz., five good -ships of the line, one 64, <i>en flute</i>, and another 64, half-manned, -and with no copper on her bottom.</p> - -<p>With these ships we went to look for Admiral Ganteaume; -and off the island of Maretimo, we fell in with -the <i>Salamine</i> brig, of 16 guns, which gave us information -that the day before she had been chased by the -French squadron, and that by shaping our course to -south-east, we should probably see them next morning. -What joy ran through the different ships! but, alas! -owing to the ill-sailing of our squadron, all our hopes -were frustrated. We did, indeed, get sight of them the -following day at dawn, far to windward, and by a shift -of wind, shortly after brought them right a-head, so -that although there were no light airs, by sun-set we -could see more than halfway down their courses; yet -most of our ships, with the exception of the <i>Hector</i> -and <i>Dragon</i>, were very far astern, some hull down. -Still, however, we hoped with three good ships of the -line to bring their rear to action in the night, and so -retard them, that the next day our bad sailing ships -might pick up any birds we had winged, while we -stood on after the others; but bad fortune attended us,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19"></a>[Pg 19]</span> -our only frigate, the old <i>Mercury</i>, of 28 guns, sailed so -heavily as to be unable to keep them in view. At ten -at night, foggy, hazy weather came on, we lost sight of -our game, and the next morning the horizon was so -obscured that the enemy was no longer to be seen.</p> - -<p>What was to be done? We knew Alexandria, or -some part of the coast of Egypt, was their destination, -and thither we steered. Ganteaume guessed we -should follow him thither, and, like a cunning old fox, -taking advantage of the hazy night, soon after dark -hauled his wind on the starboard tack, and doubled -round us; therefore, at daylight, in consequence of -the very thick state of the atmosphere preventing our -seeing him, we preceded him to the coast of Egypt, -while he shaped his course for Cape Derne Head, and -tried to land his troops a little to the westward of -Alexandria; but the few that attempted it were soon -murdered by the Arabs, and he, not feeling himself -quite at his ease for fear of our again meeting him, -returned back to Toulon to refit. After taking in -water and provisions, he once more proceeded to the -coast of Egypt, and although he did not land his men, -picked up His Majesty’s ship <i>Swiftsure</i> (74), Captain -Ben. Hallowell, who was obliged to surrender, after a -gallant defence, and took his prize safe into the harbour -of Toulon.</p> - -<p>In the meantime we kept on our course for Alexandria, -and at the end of March arrived off there, and -joined the fleet of Lord Keith. Here a sad and heavy -affliction awaited our amiable admiral. The first news -was, that our gallant army had landed on the 8th, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20"></a>[Pg 20]</span> -that his brave, handsome, and only son, who belonged -to the Coldstream Guards, had been killed on landing. -He bore his loss with the resignation of a Christian, -but with the feelings of a father.</p> - -<p>Having remained off Alexandria for a few weeks, -Lord Keith detached us in search of our old friend -Ganteaume, but first of all taking away one of our -best ships, the <i>Hector</i> (74), and giving us in lieu the -<i>Stately</i> (64), <i>en flute</i>, a Turkish 64, and a corvette. -During our stay the captain pacha, and other Turkish -admirals, came on board on a visit of condolence to -our admiral. I recollect he was a very fine-looking -man, with a long black beard, and brought his pipe -and coffee-cup bearers with him. The mouth of the -pipe was set with diamonds, and so were his coffee-cups. -Old Tombrook, the captain of the Turkish 64, -that sailed with us, was introduced to the admiral, and -the captain pacha said that if he did not behave well, -Sir John had only to write a note to him, and his head -should be taken off immediately on his return to the -Turkish fleet; or if the admiral preferred it, he would -send an executioner on purpose to decapitate Captain -Tombrook, and lay his head at Sir John B. Warren’s -feet.</p> - -<p>We left Alexandria the beginning of May, and sailed -for Coron, in the Morea, to procure wood, water, and -fresh provisions, of which we stood very much in need, -the scurvy having begun to make its appearance from -our long continuance at sea upon bad salt and other -food of the worst quality. The bread was full of maggots -and weevils, the flour musty, and swarming with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21"></a>[Pg 21]</span> -insects, the water so putrid, thick and stinking, that -often have I held my nose with my hand while I drank -it strained through my pocket handkerchief; and we -were so short of this necessary article, that our consumption -was limited to two pints a day for all purposes. -Provisions, at the time I am speaking of, were -not like those supplied now-a-days from Her Majesty’s -stores; everything then was done by an infamous -job contract; government paid through thick and thin -for everything, and we poor devils had to suffer in -consequence of the neglect of those persons under -government winking at the nefarious jobs of contractors, -and no doubt they had weighty reasons for so -doing.</p> - -<p>I recollect, in a mid’s berth, we used to ask what -such-and-such a county was famous for. Suffolk, in -our black book, was put down as famous for supplying -the navy with rotten and bad cheese. Burgoo was -served out with treacle for breakfast, instead of nice -wholesome cocoa and sugar; and will it be believed, -that until the peace of 1802, French merchants had a -contract for supplying the British Navy with French -brandy, while our West Indian merchants knew not -what to do with their rum and cocoa! At last John -Bull awoke from his dream, and it struck him that -soldiers and sailors liked rum just as well as brandy, -and that by giving them cocoa for breakfast it would -not only assist the West Indian merchants, but give -general satisfaction throughout the fleet.</p> - -<p>I take this opportunity of mentioning the night-blindness -which seized several of our ship’s company<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22"></a>[Pg 22]</span> -after dark. It came on immediately it began to grow -dusk. First we thought it was sham, in order to skulk -from their watches, but we soon found it was not the -case. The men were first attacked off Egypt, and it -was supposed it was occasioned by the heavy dews. -I have since been informed that it frequently occurs -in tropical climates.</p> - -<p>We remained at Coron ten days, getting supplies; -but gained no intelligence of the French squadron, -though the Turkish corvette had been despatched for -that purpose, to make enquiries at the different out-ports. -On her return, we sailed for Malta, where the -Christian slaves, on board the two Turkish men-of-war, -were liberated on our arrival, to the great joy of the -Maltese. Having refitted, we proceeded to Port Mahon, -and from thence to cruise off Toulon. On our passage, -we had most severe thunder and lightning, which struck -the <i>Dragon</i> and ourselves, indeed, all the squadron -more or less; the former’s main-mast was injured, and -our mizen-top-gallant-mast was dashed to atoms, the -top-mast shaken into laths, the mizen-mast set on fire, -and the few tin and iron pots and pans, we mids had -in the gun-room, were every one perforated in the same -manner, as if a musket-ball had been fired through -them. The lightning then providentially took a direction -out of one of the gun-room ports, and escaped; -several men on board both ships were much scorched, -and one man in the <i>Dragon</i> killed. If the <i>Renown</i> had -been one of the old 74’s, whose mizen-mast stepped in -the after magazine, she must have been blown up; -but, fortunately, her’s stepped in the gun-room. We<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23"></a>[Pg 23]</span> -stood on for the Gulf of Lyons, and looked into Toulon, -and there saw the French ships lying with their -prize, the <i>Swiftsure</i>, some of the ships stripped, one -with her main-mast out, and no chance of their putting -to sea again for some time. We, therefore, proceeded -to the Island of Elba, and on our way fell in with two -French frigates, and chased them into Leghorn; the -<i>Stately</i> (64), <i>en flute</i>, got pretty near them, but they -slipped through her fingers. One named the <i>Success</i>, -of 32 guns, formerly British, captured by the French -squadron, under Rear-Admiral Ganteaume, on his passage -from Brest to Toulon, a few months before, was -afterwards taken by the <i>Minerve</i> (36), Captain Cockburn, -and <i>Phœnix</i> (32), Captain Halstead, and they -drove the <i>Bravoure</i> (44) on shore near Leghorn, and -destroyed her. We then went to endeavour to relieve -the garrison of Porto Ferajo, which was closely besieged -by the French, and a sortie was agreed upon by -the garrison. The intention was to turn the enemy’s -works, and destroy his batteries, and a party of sailors -and marines were landed to assist at the attack; but -the troops from Porto Ferajo, being all foreigners, in -our pay, composed of Swiss and Germans, did not know -us nor we them. All parties met in the dark, and -hearing these people talk French, our men fired upon -them, and they upon us. The sortie never reached its -destination—Johnny Crapaud was not to be caught -napping—our expedition partly failed in its object; -Captain Long, of His Majesty’s brig <i>Vincego</i>, was killed. -“<i>Sauve qui peut</i>” was the order of the day, and a pell-mell -retreat to the boats became necessary. Followed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24"></a>[Pg 24]</span> -by the French, several were killed, wounded, and taken -prisoners, and some shot in the water, trying to swim -off to the boats. A few days after, the following -ludicrous song appeared on board, to the tune of -“Vinegar Hill”:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“Pray were you at Elba races?</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Were you there in the morning?</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Some were picking of grapes,<a id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[D]</a></div> - <div class="verse indent0">Some were drinking of wine,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And some were running away,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And singing out, ‘Oh! rare Elba races.’”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>We then returned to Minorca to get more troops; -but shortly after our arrival, a French man-of-war brig, -from Toulon, came into the roads, with despatches, to -inform us the preliminary treaty of peace had been -signed at Amiens.</p> - -<p>While we remained at Minorca, we lost our captain -of marines (Burns), a very worthy man. His death was -singular. A vessel, a few weeks after the arrival of the -French brig, came from England, confirming the news -from France, with an order to cease hostilities; also -bringing letters and papers. It was one in the morning -when the news came. Poor Burns got up quite well, -and sat laughing and talking, and hearing the news -from old England, and saying what he should do when -he got upon half-pay; called for a glass of cold water, -which he drank off, and laid down in his cot again; -the cramp seized him in his stomach, and in five -minutes he was a corpse. He was much beloved in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25"></a>[Pg 25]</span> -the ship, full of humour, and a kind-hearted pleasant -man. He was buried with military honours at Port -Mahon, all the officers of the ship, and many of the -squadron, attending his funeral.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26"></a>[Pg 26]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="summary">From the Peace of Amiens (1802) until the commencement of the -second Gallic War—Gambling.</p> - -<p class="p2">I fortunately remained in the Mediterranean during -the whole of the short peace, which helped on my -mid’s time, in the <i>Renown</i> (74), with Captain John -C. White<a id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[E]</a>, a smart officer. Our worthy and amiable -admiral struck his flag at Minorca, and returned to -England, from whence he was shortly sent, at the -request of the Emperor of Russia, to St. Petersburgh, as -ambassador, and gave universal satisfaction. Indeed, -he was fully capable of wielding the sword, using the -pen, or managing the weighty matters of a court.</p> - -<p>From Minorca we sailed for Malta—at which place -we remained nine months, without ever going out -of it.</p> - -<p>The harbour was crowded with men-of-war, and the -garrison with troops, returned from Egypt. I heard -of a great deal of gambling taking place—some duels -in consequence, and suicides. Of all vices, gambling -is the worst, for you not only risk your own ruin, but -that of your family also; and a man of honour and -principle stands no chance with black-legs. A person<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27"></a>[Pg 27]</span> -possessed of affluence ought not to gamble, because -he cannot want another’s money, and a poor man that -does so, and plays for a large amount, must be a -swindler, knowing that if he loses he has not the -means to pay; he generally, therefore, gives leg bail -for the amount.</p> - -<p>Our time passed rather heavily during this long -sojourn in one place. We used, however, to go occasionally -in a boat to St. Paul’s Bay, and have a ride to -Florean to see the catacombs, and to Cività Vecchia -to view the handsome church of St. Paul.</p> - -<p>A malignant fever broke out in several of the ships, -owing, probably, to the great heat of the weather, -when many died: it was something like the yellow -fever, and came on in August and September.</p> - -<p>Shortly after this we embarked two companies of -artillery, under a Captain McDonald, and Lieutenants -Dougal, Campbell, and Carmichael, with orders to proceed -to Gibraltar, and thence home. Owing to heavy -westerly winds, we had a six weeks’ passage, and found -on our arrival that a most serious disturbance had -taken place amongst the troops in the garrison, which -ended in one of the regiments being packed off to the -West Indies. Various causes were assigned for the -mutiny, and amongst others, a too sudden change -from a very relaxed state of discipline to the opposite -extreme.</p> - -<p>After remaining here a few days, though we had -expected to sail the moment the wind came to the -eastward for England, the arrival of despatches from -thence stopped our proceeding.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28"></a>[Pg 28]</span></p> - -<p>Napoleon’s plans, by the wisdom and foresight of -the Ministry, were seen through, and orders arrived -for the detention of all the ships of the line (at all serviceable) -then in the Mediterranean, instead of sending -them to England. This created a partial murmur -amongst the different crews; but the firmness and strict -discipline of our captain and officers kept our ship’s -company perfectly quiet. The crew of the <i>Gibraltar</i>, -however, broke out, and two of the unfortunate men -were hanged afterwards in Orestana Bay, Sardinia.</p> - -<p>We sailed from the Rock in September, 1802, for -Orestana Bay, in company with the <i>Dragon</i> (74) and -<i>Gibraltar</i> (80), and there joined Rear-Admiral Sir -R. Bickerton’s squadron. On our way an accident -occurred, which very nearly sent us back to the Rock -a cripple. In the act of wearing, we ran on board of -the old <i>Gibraltar</i>. Fortunately, it was fine weather, -as we took her nearly amidships, carried away part -of our cutwater and jib-boom, but did her no damage. -It was our fault. The signal was made to wear together. -We were to windward. The <i>Renown</i> answered her -helm in a moment. Not so the old <i>Gibraltar</i>, she took -longer time, and before she could get out of our way -we were on board of her.</p> - -<p>Our time (nearly nine weeks) passed dull enough at -this anchorage. Occasionally we went shooting and -fishing. Fish, however, were scarce—although, had we -taken the right method, more perhaps might have been -caught. Plenty of those beautiful large mussels, whose -shells are nearly two feet long, were to be found quite -at the head of the bay in the shallows; also mullet and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29"></a>[Pg 29]</span> -rock fish; and on the different shores various kinds of -plover, and other wild fowl. But small shot was so -scarce in the squadron, that the feathered tribe were -not so much diminished as they might have been. I -recollect one of the lieutenants, named Jane (now a -captain), used to employ me to roll slugs between -pieces of wood to convert them into a kind of round-shot, -for which service he generally took me with him -on his shooting excursions. The inhabitants of these -parts are a wild race of beings, and mostly clothed in -black sheep skins, the wool outside.</p> - -<p>We left Sardinia in November, and proceeded to -Malta for the winter, and on the 18th of May, 1803, -put to sea with the squadron, under Sir R. Bickerton, -Bart., to cruise off Naples, matters having assumed an -hostile appearance at home.</p> - -<p>After sailing through the Faro of Messina, when -passing near the island of Stromboli, its volcano -broke out in a most beautiful eruption, which lasted -for several months. We had the good fortune to be -becalmed pretty near it for a whole night, which gave -us a magnificent illumination, and at intervals a cloud -of fireworks, thrown from its crater into the air, sent -forth a brilliant light. Having been off deck in my -watch, and my quarter and station bills not being -correct and kept in good order, I had four hours of sky-parlour -on the main-royal-cross-trees, which enabled -me to have a fine view of the burning mountain, and of -its river of fire, which appeared to run from its crater -into the sea.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30"></a>[Pg 30]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="summary">From the commencement of second Gallic War until the Battle of -Trafalgar, 1805; with Anecdotes.</p> - -<p class="p2">Whilst off Naples official notice reached us of the -declaration of war against France, and we proceeded -immediately off Toulon, where, in the course of a short -time, Lord Nelson arrived in a frigate, and took the -command of the fleet in the Mediterranean. His lordship’s -flagship (the <i>Victory</i>) joined us in a few weeks, -having on her passage out captured a French frigate, -and some merchant vessels. We continued to cruise -in the Gulf of Lyons from June, 1803, until the 24th of -July, 1804, without ever going into any port to refit. -It is true that occasionally the whole fleet ran from -the heavy gales of the Gulf of Lyons, and took shelter -in various outlandish places in Sardinia, where we could -get wood and water, such as at Agincourt Sound—amongst -the Magdalen islands—in the Straits of Bonifacio -(a most beautiful anchorage, sheltered from all -winds); but the shores and country around are the -picture of desolation—no town—no trees of any size—rocks -upon rocks, and the stunted bushes of the wild -myrtle and arbutus merely sufficient for the purposes -of fuel. There was a small village seven or eight miles<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31"></a>[Pg 31]</span> -off, at one of the Magdalen islands, where some few got -their linen washed, but most of us in the fleet were put -to our shifts to get that necessary comfort (clean linen) -accomplished.</p> - -<p>These long cruises used to put our wits sadly to the -test for an appearance of a bit of white linen above our -black cravats, particularly when we had to answer the -signal for a midshipman on board the flagship.</p> - -<p>Soap was almost—indeed, I might say, quite—as -scarce an article as clean shirts and stockings. It was -a common thing in those days of real hard service to -turn shirts and stockings inside out, and make them do -a little more duty. Sometimes we used to search the -clothes-bag to see “if one good turn deserved another.” -These expedients, added to reefed stockings, made us -appear sufficiently dandified to go and answer the -signal. Borrowing those articles that had been washed -on shore—if such a thing was left amongst one of us—was -quite out of the question, for we knew the day of -repayment was very far off.</p> - -<p>The island of Sardinia affords several good anchorages -for fleets and squadrons in particular winds: -Orestana Bay, St. Peter, St. Antonio, Cagliari, from the -south-west to the south side, and Terra Nova Bay on -the north-east; besides many others for single or few -ships. Porto Conti, for instance, on the north-west part -of the island, is a very safe one. Our noble and gallant -chief used to manage to get us fresh beef twice a week—that -is to say, so many live bullocks were embarked -on board each ship, and we killed them as we wanted -them—by which means, with the assistance of oranges<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32"></a>[Pg 32]</span> -that were procured occasionally, few cases of scurvy -occurred in the fleet, notwithstanding our long stay at -sea. But as for articles of luxury—tea, potatoes, soap, -and other sea stores for our messes—we had none.</p> - -<p>The inhabitants of Sardinia were as wild as their -country; the mountaineers and lowlanders generally -were engaged in a kind of petty war with each other. -Both parties always went armed, and murders frequently -took place. At one of the anchorages in the -straits, another mid and myself were attending a watering -party—one of these fellows rode down with a bag -of cheese, made of goat’s or sheep’s milk, for sale; he -was armed with a long gun and pistols, and we had no -firearms with us. Some dispute in the bargaining, for -the want of understanding each other’s language, arose; -the Sard, very coolly mounted his horse, and taking -up his cheeses, rode off a short distance, and fired at -us; the ball passed through the sleeve of the mate’s -coat, and near my head; he then galloped off, reloaded -his gun, rode up, and gave us another shot, but -luckily without injury.</p> - -<p>A midshipman of the <i>Victory</i> was killed by these -fellows a short time afterwards in consequence of some -dispute about the hiring of a horse that had been -brought down by these wild folks to the beach. The -poor mid, anxious for a ride, gave the rascal a dollar, -mounted the horse, and rode backwards and forwards -for an hour on or near the beach. The Sardinian -wanted his horse, the other thought he had not had -his dollar’s worth of riding, and a warm dispute ensuing, -the Sard most deliberately shot at him with his gun,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33"></a>[Pg 33]</span> -and broke his arm, so close up that it was necessary to -take it out of the socket. He bore the operation well, -poor fellow, but a fever afterwards came on, which -carried him off. Lord Nelson tried to get satisfaction, -but in a wild country like this, without law or justice, -it was found impossible. The offender made his escape -to the mountains, and nothing further was heard of -him.</p> - -<p>Shooting parties occasionally took place, but, not -having dogs, the sportsmen were seldom rewarded. -Although some kinds of game were numerous, and -flocks of blue pigeons, to the amount of thousands -together, were seen, few were brought on board, for no -person dared follow them far for fear of the wind -changing, when we knew the fleet would sail immediately -to regain our station. Previous to the Spanish -war we were sent by his lordship, in the <i>Renown</i>, to the -Bay of Rosas, in Catalonia, to procure bullocks and -oranges for the fleet, where we remained long enough -to have our clothes washed—a luxury we stood much -in need of.</p> - -<p>Our long cruise of near fourteen months off Toulon, -amidst nothing but gales of wind, and heavy storms of -most terrific thunder and lightning, met with no reward -in the shape of prize-money.</p> - -<p>One man-of-war schooner, of 12 guns, called the -<i>Renard</i>, and half-a-dozen small French vessels, were -the only captures made by the fleet during the above -period; these, with the exception of the schooner, not -being worth sending into port, were destroyed. A -lieutenant of the <i>Renown</i>, and myself, went to Malta<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34"></a>[Pg 34]</span> -in the <i>Renard</i>, and shortly after rejoined our ship off -Toulon, in the <i>Narcissus</i> frigate.</p> - -<p>One of the marine officers had a monkey on board, -who used to amuse us with his gambols; but was rather -fond of biting, for which he received occasionally a -beating from us youngsters. This brought on a coolness -between his master and us, and led at last to -open war.</p> - -<p>A cabal was formed to get Jacko a licking from his -own master, by letting him loose from his chain in the -marine officer’s cabin, that he might do some mischief; -and the time chosen was when his best clothes were -put out ready for him to dine with the captain.</p> - -<p>We knew F. was invited that day, because we had -seen the captain’s steward ask him, and his own servant -go into the marine officer’s berth (he had one in the -gun-room, on the lower-deck, where we messed), and -lay out his best coat, epaulet, white trousers, etc.; -and after making all other preparations necessary for -the toilet, leave the cabin, lock the door, put the key -in his pocket, and go away.</p> - -<p>Now was the time for action. A mid of the name -of O., the leader of all mischief, undertook to get into -the cabin through the lower-deck port, by going on -deck, then into the mizen chains, and from thence by -a rope’s end made fast under his arms. We let him -down through the port on the lower-deck into the cabin, -and he untied the monkey. This being done, we returned -into the gun-room, and peeped through the -key-hole and cracks to see Jacko’s manœuvres.</p> - -<p>After jumping about and chattering to himself for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35"></a>[Pg 35]</span> -some little time, he commenced operations. Unfortunately -for his owner, he found a bottle of ink, which -he let fall, and it broke in pieces, splashing the ink on -the deck. The monkey was now in his glory; he -seized upon the new red coat and epaulet, and began -mopping up the wet, then chattering to himself, jumping -about and appearing to feel quite delighted with -his performance, particularly when he saw the marks -of his hands and feet, stained with black, upon the red -uniform. Not contented with his exploits on the coat, -he lugged down the pair of smart inexpressibles, that -looked so temptingly white, hanging over the chair, -and finished the housemaid’s work by wiping up the -remainder of the ink with them. This feat having been -done, we thought we had seen enough, and went most -innocently to give information to the lieutenant of -Marines, and his servant, that Jacko was loose in the -cabin, and, we were afraid, was after some mischief, for -we heard something break, and by peeping through the -key-hole, saw he had his master’s coat on the deck, -and dragging it about.</p> - -<p>Down ran the poor marine officer, calling his servant -to bring the key. The moment the door was opened, -the first glance showed the havoc committed on the -dinner dress. Jacko, perceiving his frolic was over, retreated -into his cage, from whence he was dragged to -get a good beating. The poor servant was scolded because -the monkey had got loose, who very truly said -it was tied up safe when he left the cabin. The officer -swore, stamped, and raved like a madman. His dress -was so completely messed for the day, he could not<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36"></a>[Pg 36]</span> -dine with the captain; and we innocent young rascals -stood looking very demure, and condoling with him on -his misfortune, all the time laughing in our sleeves at -the trick we had played. We had paid off the master -and monkey, who between the two had got us sent to -the mast-head occasionally for being saucy to the -marine officer, because we did not like being bitten, -without licking Jacko for it.</p> - -<p>A reward was offered to find out who let it loose, -that F. might make the person or persons pay the -damage; but it was never found out, and on the earliest -opportunity the monkey was sent out of the ship, on -board a merchant vessel we fell in with, bound to -Malta, his master having had quite enough of monkey -tricks.</p> - -<p>A ship of the line, the <i>Kent</i> (74), Captain Pulteney -Malcolm, having been kept in the Bay of Naples to -attend the royal family there, in case of their being -obliged to go to Palermo, to avoid falling into the -hands of the French, the <i>Renown</i> was sent to relieve -her. The <i>Kent</i> was ordered home in consequence of -being leaky, and very much out of repair. Captain -J. C. White wishing to return home, exchanged into -the <i>Kent</i> with Captain Pulteney Malcolm; he took -several of the midshipmen with him, and myself amongst -the number. We remained ten days at Naples, which -were employed by the captain in seeing everything -worth observation, and he was so kind as to take -another youngster and myself with him.</p> - -<p>After the above period, we left Naples for the Bay -of Salerno, at which place we embarked a large supply<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37"></a>[Pg 37]</span> -of cattle and vegetables for our fleet off Toulon. On -joining them, we found our ship very weak, and her -timbers, from the looseness of several bolts, working -very much, and causing her to make a good deal of -water,—in fine weather from six to eight inches per -hour, and in bad weather two feet, which kept -increasing to nearly four,—until our arrival in England.</p> - -<p>After having given the bullocks to the ships, we -proceeded to Gibraltar, and from thence to Cadiz, -where we took on board a million and sixty thousand -dollars. We anchored near a handsome French seventy-four -and frigate; the former, called <i>L’Aigle</i>, the name -of the other I forget. Whenever we passed near them, -some of their crew would abuse us; we told them to -come outside, and see how soon we would take the -change out of them; but they stood too much in awe -of a British seventy-four, although we had such a -tempting cargo to urge them to the risk.</p> - -<p>At this period, four of our frigates, under Sir Graham -Moore, were cruising off Cape St. Vincent to intercept -the four Spanish frigates, loaded with treasure, expected -home. We spoke our ships off there, and a few -days afterwards they fell in with the Spaniards, took -three, and the unfortunate fourth blew up in the action -with all her crew.</p> - -<p>I always did think, and my opinion has never -changed, that it was a cruel thing to send only four -frigates to detain four others, when by increasing the -force by two or three line-of-battle ships, this might -have been effected without loss of blood, or honour to -the Spaniards. If it was necessary to detain these<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38"></a>[Pg 38]</span> -vessels and treasure from political motives, in order to -make the king of Spain declare his equivocal conduct, -it would have been humane to have sent such a force -as would have put resistance out of the question; for -what man, who was not a traitor, could yield without -fighting (and with such a valuable cargo on board), to -a force, in all appearance, not greater than his own. -It was an untoward event. After a long passage, we -at length arrived at Spithead, the ship in a very leaky, -weak state. Having landed the money, we left Portsmouth -the end of October for Chatham, at which place -the ship was paid off.</p> - -<p>Our old parson was a “rum” subject; after trying -all other mess places, he got old Pipes, the boatswain, -to take him into his. They agreed very well for a -little time; but one unfortunate day, the evil genius -of poor old Fritz prevailed, for Pipes coming down -rather unexpectedly to his cabin in the fore cock-pit -to get a glass of grog, having got wet when the hands -were turned up reefing topsails, he found the parson -helping himself rather too freely out of his liquor-case. -This was a crime Mr. Boatswain could not put up with. -A breach immediately ensued, and an instant dismissal -from his berth took place, with the exclamation of, -“The parson is such a black; I cannot allow him to -mess with me any longer.” After this occurrence, the -captain interfered, and he again messed in his proper -place with the officers in the wardroom. And I recollect -one Sunday morning before church-time, the old -fellow came into our berth, and with his hand to his -stomach, began: “Oh! my dear fellow, I feel so poorly,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39"></a>[Pg 39]</span> -I do not know what to do, or how I shall get through -the service.” “What is the matter, Mr. F.?” I enquired. -“Oh! I feel such a pain.” I knew what he wanted, so -I went to the locker, took out the rum bottle, and gave -a good boatswain’s glass of grog (three parts spirits, -and one water). He told me I had saved his life, and -that now he could preach very well. “Come, sir,” said -I, “take a north-wester to wash the other down,” which -he did. The service commenced soon after, and he -performed it admirably.</p> - -<p>He was a clever, facetious, and kind-hearted person; -and I believe it was money matters that drove him, -poor man! to the bottle; he died sometime after on -shore. He used to tell us boys: “My dear fellows, -do as I say, and not as I do.”</p> - -<p>Not having been in England for four years, and my -brother being encamped on Coxheath, I got permission, -previous to the ship being paid off, to go and see him. -Nothing would serve me but a ride on horseback. -I was dressed out very smart in white visibles—not -invisibles, as the ladies call them—although it appears -the fashion of the day to show they wear trousers, -<i>whose scientific, Oriental name, by-the-bye, is fatimas</i>. -To the young ladies I have a pretty little anecdote to -relate. I knew a very gallant officer who fell deeply -in love with a lady merely from handing her into a -carriage. The moment she put her pretty feet upon -the carriage steps he was pierced by Cupid’s arrows. -He dreamed of them all night; thought of them when -he awoke in the morning; he could not drive them -from his imagination during the day. The pretty feet<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40"></a>[Pg 40]</span> -again appeared before his fancy when asleep the next -night, and the third day found him prostrate before -them, acknowledging their beauty, and supplicating -that he might call them his own. He was accepted. -Were this not an “olla”—which means in Spanish -something of all sorts—I should not have ventured to -have written the above.</p> - -<p>To return to my ride. As I said before, I was in -full dress, with cocked hat, long coat, and side-arms, -that I might appear in camp in a becoming manner. -The landlord at the inn told me he knew sailors liked -to ride fast, and promised to give me a quiet blood -mare he had in his stables, who would show me the -way. She was shortly equipped, and brought out. -Upon her back I mounted; but scarcely were we out -of the town of Chatham when off she started at full -speed, and ran away with me along the turnpike road, -to the amusement of some of his Majesty’s liege subjects, -and to the terror and dismay of others—up hill, -down dale, splashing myself, and every person I met, -with mud, for the roads were wet, and it began to pour -with rain. The ladies and gentlemen in their carriages -as I passed them stared at me with astonishment. -Having got to a place, called Kit’s Cot Hill, I ran on -board of a man riding upon a donkey, with two sacks -of flour, knocking him, donkey and cargo, head over -heels; but my steed being pretty nearly blown, I at -length stopped her.</p> - -<p>The miller was, fortunately, not hurt, but came up -in a great passion to attack me. Luckily just at the -moment some soldiers, who belonged to the same<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41"></a>[Pg 41]</span> -regiment as my brother, were passing by: they took -my part, and, a parley ensuing, I explained how the -untoward event had happened, and it ended in a laugh. -Not far from this was a small inn, where I put up my -flyaway, having had enough riding for one day, hired a -gig, and at last got safe to the regiment without any -broken bones.</p> - -<p>Shortly after this the ship was paid off, and I joined -the <i>Barfleur</i> (98), having had six weeks’ leave to see -my friends and relate the wonders of my four years’ -voyage in foreign parts.</p> - -<p>Throughout the four months I passed in the <i>Barfleur</i> -we were attached to the channel fleet.</p> - -<p>In May, 1805, I removed to the <i>Neptune</i> (98 guns), -Captain T. F. Fremantle, a clever, brave, and smart -officer, who sent me home to pass my examination at -Somerset House, in August, which I did, before old -Captain Sir Alexander Snap Hammond, whose character -for turning mids back frightened me not a little. -The one examined before me not having been sent, as -from Oxford or Cambridge, to rusticate in green fields -and sylvan groves, but condemned to study six months -longer in a mid’s berth on the briny element in order -to finish his nautical education, and eat peas-pudding, -burgoo and molasses, salt-junk, lobscouse, sea-pie, and -study Hamilton Moore. However, the passing captains, -seeing I was alarmed on first entering, civilly -desired me to be seated a few minutes and take courage. -Having waited a short time, and got rather better of -some odd qualms and palpitations which the unfortunate -candidate turned back before me had created,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42"></a>[Pg 42]</span> -I was ordered to find the time of high-water at Plymouth, -work an azimuth amplitude, double altitude, -bearings and distances, &c., which being performed, I -was desired to stand up, and consider myself on the -quarter-deck of a man-of-war at Spithead—“unmoor”—“get -underway”—“stand out to sea”—“make -and shorten sail”—“reef”—“return into port”—“unrig -the foremast and bowsprit, and rig them again.” -I got into a scrape after reefing for not overhauling -the reef tackles when hoisting the sails. However, -they passed me, and desired me to come again the -next day to receive my passing certificate. I made -the captains the best bow I could, and, without staying -to look behind me, bolted out of the room, and was -surrounded in a moment by other poor fellows, who -were anxiously waiting their turn to be called in for -examination, who asked what questions had been put -to me, and the answers I made, &c.</p> - -<p>This important event over, I spent a few days of -September with my friends; then repaired to Plymouth, -and was ordered a passage to join the <i>Neptune</i> -(98), off Cadiz, in the <i>Belleisle</i> (74), one of the very -last ships that sailed to join the fleet of Lord Nelson.</p> - -<p>We had a very quick run out, and ten days before -the ever-memorable and glorious 21st of October, -1805, I rejoined my ship.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43"></a>[Pg 43]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="summary">The Battle of Trafalgar, and extracts from the log of His Majesty’s -Ship <i>Neptune</i>, on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd October, 1805.</p> - -<h3>FEELINGS OF A CREW GOING INTO ACTION. BY LIEUT. H. -GASCOIGNE, R.M.</h3> - -<p class="center"><i>Extracted from a Poem called “Fame.”</i></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“The man who pants not for his country’s fame</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Is lost to virtue and the sense of shame;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">For here the common parent of us all,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Bears every claim of those whom dear we call—</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Our father, mother, brother, sister, wife,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Religion, friendship—all that’s good in life,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The whole united in the single name</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Of country! ever our support must claim.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Poor is the soul who could outlive the day</div> - <div class="verse indent0">When honour called him, and he shunn’d the fray;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Poor is the man who yet could wish to live</div> - <div class="verse indent0">When to his country death would glory give!</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Pardon, O God! thou righteous Judge of all,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">If willing we obey our country’s call,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Though ill-prepared; for Thou didst plant these laws,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And to Thy mercy we submit our cause!</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Full expectation gives the mind to wait,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And moments lengthen in the hands of fate.”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="p2">I shall never forget the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st -of October, 1805. Signs of a movement in the combined -fleets of France and Spain in Cadiz were made<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44"></a>[Pg 44]</span> -by signal on the 18th by the inshore squadron, and on -the 19th the enemy came out of port. The wind was -light and the day rather hazy, so that the body of our -fleet never perceived them. Sunday we had a fresh -breeze, when some of the headmost ships saw the -enemy in shore, but they were too close under the -land to be attacked. All hearts towards evening beat -with joyful anxiety for the next day, which we hoped -would crown our anxious blockade labours with a successful -battle. When night closed in, the rockets and -blue lights, with signal guns, informed us the inshore -squadron still kept sight of our foes, and, like good -and watchful dogs, our ships continued to send forth -occasionally a growling cannon to keep us on the -alert, and to cheer us with the hope of a glorious day -on the morrow.</p> - -<p>And the morrow came; and with it the sun rose, -which, as it ascended from its bed of ocean, looked -hazy and watery, as if it smiled in tears on many -brave hearts which fate had decreed should never see -it set. It was my morning watch; I was midshipman -of the forecastle, and at the first dawn of day a forest -of strange masts was seen to leeward. I ran aft and -informed the officer of the watch. The captain was -on deck in a moment, and ere it was well light, the -signals were flying through the fleet to bear up and -form the order of sailing in two columns.</p> - -<p>The wind had moderated considerably in the night, -but still our fleet, which consisted of twenty-seven sail -of the line, four frigates, a schooner, and cutter, was -much scattered. Our ship had been previously pre<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45"></a>[Pg 45]</span>pared -for battle, so that with the exception of stowing -hammocks, slinging the lower yards, stoppering the -topsail-sheets, and other minor matters, little remained -to be done. All sail was set, and the different ships -tried to form the line in two divisions, but the lightness -of the wind, and the distance of the sternmost -from the van, prevented anything like speed in the -manœuvre; in short, the line never was properly -formed, for the brave and gallant chiefs of each division -were too eager to get into battle to wait for this. -The old <i>Neptune</i>, which never was a good sailer, took -it into her head to sail better that morning than I -ever remember to have seen her do before. About -ten o’clock we got close to the <i>Victory</i>, and Captain -Fremantle had intended to pass her and break the -enemy’s line, but poor Lord Nelson himself hailed us -from the stern-walk of the <i>Victory</i>, and said, “<i>Neptune</i>, -take in your studding-sails and drop astern; I shall -break the line myself.” A signal was then made for -the <i>Téméraire</i> (98) to take her station between us and -the <i>Victory</i>, which consequently made us the third -ship in the van of his lordship’s column.</p> - -<p>At this period the enemy were forming their double -line in the shape of a crescent. It was a beautiful -sight when their line was completed: their broadsides -turned towards us, showing their iron teeth, and now -and then trying the range of a shot to ascertain the -distance, that they might, the moment we came within -point blank (about six hundred yards), open their fire -upon our van ships—no doubt with the hope of dismasting -some of our leading vessels before they could<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46"></a>[Pg 46]</span> -close and break their line. Some of them were -painted like ourselves—with double yellow sides; -some with a broad single red or yellow streak; others -all black; and the noble <i>Santissima Trinidada</i> (138), -with four distinct lines of red, with a white ribbon -between them, made her seem to be a superb man-of-war, -which indeed she was. Her appearance was -imposing; her head splendidly ornamented with a -colossal group of figures, painted white, representing -the Holy Trinity, from which she took her name. -This magnificent ship was destined to be our opponent. -She was lying-to under topsails, top-gallant -sails, royals, jib, and spanker; her courses were hauled -up; and her lofty, towering sails looked beautiful, -peering through the smoke, as she awaited the onset. -The flags of France and Spain, both handsome, -chequered the line, waving defiance to that of Britain.</p> - -<p>Then, in our fleet, union-jacks and ensigns were -made fast to the fore and fore-topmast-stays, as well -as to the mizen-rigging, besides one at the peak, in -order that we might not mistake each other in the -smoke, and to show the enemy our determination to -conquer. Towards eleven, our two lines were better -formed, but still there existed long gaps in Vice-Admiral -Collingwood’s division. Lord Nelson’s van -was strong: three three-deckers (<i>Victory</i>, <i>Téméraire</i>, -and <i>Neptune</i>), and four seventy-four’s, their jib-booms -nearly over the others’ taffrails, the bands playing “God -save the King,” “Rule Britannia,” and “Britons strike -home;” the crews stationed on the forecastle of the different -ships, cheering the ship ahead of them when the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47"></a>[Pg 47]</span> -enemy began to fire, sent those feelings to our hearts -that ensured us victory. About ten minutes before -twelve, our antagonists opened their fire upon the -<i>Royal Sovereign</i> (110), Vice-Admiral Collingwood, -who most nobly, and unsupported for at least ten -minutes, led his division into action, steering for the -<i>Santa Anna</i> (112), which was painted all black, bearing -the flag of Admiral Gravina, during which time -all the enemy’s line that could possibly bring a gun -to bear were firing at her. She was the admiration -of the whole fleet.</p> - -<p>To show the great and master mind of Nelson, who -was thinking of everything even in the momentous -hour of battle, when most minds would have been -totally absorbed in other matters, it was remarked by -him that the enemy had the iron hoops round their -masts painted black; orders were issued by signal to -whitewash those of his fleet, that in the event of all -the ensigns being shot away, his ships might be distinguished -by their white masts and hoops.</p> - -<p>In order to convey a more accurate notion of the -commencement and of the ensuing events of this -glorious day, I shall introduce an extract from the -log-book of His Majesty’s Ship <i>Neptune</i> (98 guns):—</p> - -<blockquote> -<p>“<span class="allsmcap">A.M.</span>, moderate and fine weather; at daylight discovered 39 strange -ships to leeward. At 6, answered the signal from the <i>Victory</i>, Lord -Nelson’s flag-ship, No. 76, to form the order of sailing in two lines; -bore up and made all sail, the fleet consisting of twenty-seven ships of -the line, four frigates, a cutter, and schooner, in company; cleared ship -for action. At 11, answered the general telegraph signal, ‘England -expects every man will do his duty’; Captain Fremantle inspected the -different decks, and made known the above signal, which was received<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48"></a>[Pg 48]</span> -with cheers. At 11.30, the signal to break the enemy’s line, and -engage to leeward.</p> - -<p>“At 12, the <i>Royal Sovereign</i> (110), Vice-Admiral Collingwood, -most nobly broke the enemy’s line, and engaged the Spanish Admiral -Gravina, whose flag was flying in the <i>Santa Anna</i> (112), cutting off the -19th ship from their rear; the French and Spanish fleet, of 33 sail of -the line, 4 frigates, and 2 brigs, lying-to for us to leeward, with their -heads to the northward.</p> - -<p>“At 12.15, the <i>Victory</i> (100), Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson, followed -by the <i>Téméraire</i> (98), Captain Eliab Hervey, and <i>Neptune</i> (98), Captain -Fremantle, broke the line of the enemy by the French Commander-in-Chief’s -ship, Admiral Villeneuve, in the <i>Bucentaure</i> (84), and -<i>Santissima Trinidada</i> (138), of four decks, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral -Don Cisneros Baltazar, the eleventh ship from the van.</p> - -<p>“At 12.25, three of the enemy’s ships of the line opened their fire -upon us, raking us fore and aft. At 12.35, we broke their line, passed -between, and opened our broadside and raked them on both sides. At -12.47, we engaged a two-deck ship, with a flag at her mizen. At 1.30, -entirely dismasted her, she struck her colours; but before that, the -<i>Leviathan</i> (74), also opened her broadside upon her, we passed on (first -giving her three hearty cheers), and bore down and attacked the <i>Santissima -Trinidada</i>, a Spanish four-decker of 140 guns, with a flag at -her mizen; raked her as we passed under her stern; and at 1.50 opened -our fire on her starboard quarter. At 2.40, shot away her main and -mizen masts; at 2.50, her foremast; at 3, she cried for quarter, and -hailed us to say they had surrendered; she then stuck English colours -to the stump of her mainmast; gave her three cheers. At this time the -<i>Leviathan</i> and <i>Conqueror</i> (74’s), on our starboard quarter, firing on some -of the enemy’s ships. Our standing and running rigging much cut; -foretop-gallant and royal-yard shot away; the foremast and foretop-mast -very badly wounded; three shot in the main-mast; one cheek of the -mizen mast shot away, and wounded in other places; foreyard nearly -shot in two, and ship pulled in several places; sent down men to get -up more shot, having nearly fired away all that was on deck.</p> - -<p>“When the smoke cleared away, observed the <i>Victory</i>, <i>Royal -Sovereign</i>, and <i>Téméraire</i> warmly engaged, and the six van ships of the -enemy who had not been engaged had tacked, and were bearing down -to attack us. At 3.30, opened our fire on them, assisted by the -<i>Leviathan</i> and <i>Conqueror</i>; observed one of them to have all her masts<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49"></a>[Pg 49]</span> -shot away by our united fire; the rest then hauled their wind (we -learned afterwards it was Rear-Admiral Dumanoir), and making off to -the southward, and we not in a condition to follow them, our sails -being nearly shot from the yards, and, in addition to other defects, not -a brace or bowline left. Turned the hands up to knot and splice, and -bend new sails. At 5, observed 18 sail of the enemy making off, viz., -13 sail of the line, 3 frigates, and 2 brigs, leaving to us 20 ships of the -line, 2 of which were first-rates, viz., <i>Santissima Trinidada</i> and <i>Santa -Anna</i>. At 5.15, a French ship of the line, <i>L’Achille</i>, blew up with -nearly all her crew. Observed the <i>Victory</i> with her mizen-mast and all -her topmasts shot away; the <i>Royal Sovereign</i> with only her foremast -standing; unable to see the condition of the rest of the fleet. At 6, -we hailed the <i>Ajax</i> (74), and told her to go and take possession of a -French ship of the line dismasted; saw the <i>Prince</i> (98) take the <i>Santissima -Trinidada</i> (138) in tow, which had struck to us. Found we had -10 men killed, and 35 wounded, 4 of whom shortly after died of their -wounds.</p> - -<p>“At midnight, having repaired what damages we could, made sail. -At 4 in the morning of the 22nd, we were spoke by the <i>Pickle</i> schooner, -who told us it was Admiral Collingwood’s orders. We took some ship -in tow. At daylight, observed Admiral C.’s flag in the <i>Euryalus</i> -frigate, with the <i>Royal Sovereign</i> in tow, who made our signal to take -her in tow, which we did.</p> - -<p>“At daylight, it blew a fresh gale from the S.S.W.; the ships very -much scattered; all the prizes dismasted and drifting about, most of -them having been cast off from the ships that had them in tow; and -the French 84-gun ship, <i>Rédoutable</i>, while in tow of the British <i>Swiftsure</i>, -foundered with nearly all her unfortunate crew. At daylight of -the 23rd, we picked up four of her people floating upon a piece of her -wreck. Came on board of us, as prisoner from the <i>Mars</i> (74), Admiral -Villeneuve, the French commander-in-chief.</p> - -<p>“In this battle we lost the brave Vice-Admiral Viscount Nelson, -who was killed on board the <i>Victory</i> by a musket-ball from the maintop -of the French 84-gun ship, <i>Rédoutable</i>. The news of the death of -this lamented hero threw a damp over our victory, which we were not -prepared for. At noon on the 23rd, the signal was made that the -remnant of the enemy’s fleet was coming out of Cadiz to try and -pick up some of the dismasted ships and prizes; cast off the <i>Royal -Sovereign</i>, and bore up with the rest of the ships that were able, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50"></a>[Pg 50]</span> -formed the line of battle to leeward of our dismasted ships and prizes -for their protection; on seeing which, the enemy returned into port -without accomplishing his object, but losing another ship, the <i>El Rayo</i> -(100), for his pains!”</p></blockquote> - -<p>Thus ended this noble fight, the consequences of -which were felt from one end of Europe to the other, -indeed, I may say, in all parts of the world; and, -surely, for such a day’s work, the country ought to -have voted a medal, not only to the admirals and -captains, but (as was the case at Waterloo) to every -officer, seaman, and marine, in the fleet.</p> - -<p>The loss of the <i>Neptune</i> in this action, considering -what she did, was comparatively small; but the ship -was admirably managed by her gallant captain, who -was ably supported by a clever scientific first lieutenant -(the present Captain George Acklom), who -justly merited every praise for his coolness and abilities -on that memorable day.</p> - -<p>During the time we were going into action, and -being raked by the enemy, the whole of the crew, with -the exception of the officers, were made to lie flat on -the deck, to secure them from the raking shots, some -of which came in at the bows and went out at the -stern. Had it not been for the above precaution, many -lives must have been sacrificed. My quarters were -the five midship-guns on each side of the main-deck. -I was sent on board the <i>Santissima Trinidada</i>, a few -days after the action, to assist in getting out the -wounded men, previous to destroying her. She was a -magnificent ship, and ought now to be in Portsmouth -harbour. Her top-sides, it is true, were perfectly rid<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51"></a>[Pg 51]</span>dled -by our beautiful firing, and she had, if I recollect -right, 550 killed and wounded; but from the lower -part of the sills of the lower-deck ports to the water’s -edge, few shot of consequence had hurt her between -wind and water, and those were all plugged up. She -was built of cedar, and would have lasted for ages, -a glorious trophy of the battle; but “sink, burn, and -destroy,” was the order of the day, and after a great -deal of trouble, scuttling her in many places, hauling -up her lower-deck ports,—that when she rolled the -heavy sea might fill her decks,—she did at last go -unwillingly to the bottom.</p> - -<p>I have now by me a gilt dirk that I brought away -from her, it belonged to the Spanish admiral’s son, -Don Baltazar Cisneros; I would not part with it for -its weight in gold. Of all our hard-earned prizes, only -four got safe to Gibraltar; viz., <i>San Ildefonso</i> (74), -<i>San Juan Nepomuceno</i> (74), <i>Bahama</i> (74), and the old -English <i>Swiftsure</i> (74), the rest were either sunk or -burnt. Nothing being talked of now but horizontal -firing, it is to be hoped we shall fire as well and with -the same precision and effect next war, as the British -fleet did on this memorable day.</p> - -<p>The establishment of the school for naval gunnery -on board the <i>Excellent</i> at Portsmouth, placed as it is -under the superintendence of Sir Thomas Hastings, -and other scientific officers, will, in my humble opinion -however some persons may affect to despise teaching -seamen the science of naval gunnery, be of general -benefit to the service. One of the originators of it, the -gallant Captain Sir John Pechell, Bart., C.B., K.C.B.,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52"></a>[Pg 52]</span> -deserves great credit, and the thanks of the service for -the interest, zeal, and attention he has paid to it; as -also does Captain George Smith, who invented the -moveable target, now used on board our men-of-war, -and several other ingenious and clever inventions -of his have been before the public. He has lately -invented paddle-box life boats for steam ships.</p> - -<h3><i>List of the English Fleet, under Lord Nelson, on the 21st October, -1805-27 sail of the line, 4 frigates, 1 cutter, 1 schooner.</i></h3> - -<table summary="Catalogue of ships"> -<tr> -<td colspan="8"><h4><span class="smcap">Lord Nelson’s Division.</span></h4></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th> </th> -<th colspan="2">Guns.</th> -<th> </th> -<th colspan="2">Killed.</th> -<th colspan="2">Wounded</th> -</tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Victory</i></td> -<td class="tdl padl">100</td> -<td class="tdr brace">{</td> -<td class="tdl">Vice-Admiral Viscount Nelson<br />Captain T. M. Hardy</td> -<td class="tdl brace">}</td> -<td class="tdr padr">51</td> -<td class="tdc">  75</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Téméraire</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 98</td> -<td class="tdl">Eliab Harvey</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">47</td> -<td class="tdc">  76</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Neptune</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 98</td> -<td class="tdl">T. F. Fremantle</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">10</td> -<td class="tdc">  35</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Conqueror</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl">Israel Pellew</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">3</td> -<td class="tdc">   9</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Leviathan</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl">H. W. Bayntum</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">4</td> -<td class="tdc">  22</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Ajax</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl">Lieut. J. Pilfold</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">0</td> -<td class="tdc">   9</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Orion</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl">Edward Codrington</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">1</td> -<td class="tdc">  23</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Agamemnon</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 64</td> -<td class="tdl">Sir Edward Berry</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">2</td> -<td class="tdc">   7</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Minotaur</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl">C. J. M. Mansfield</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">3</td> -<td class="tdc">  22</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Spartiate</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl">Sir F. Laforey, Bart.</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">3</td> -<td class="tdc">  20</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Britannia</i></td> -<td class="tdl padl">100</td> -<td class="tdr brace">{</td> -<td class="tdl">Rear-Admiral the Earl Northesk<br />Captain Charles Bullen</td> -<td class="tdl brace">}</td> -<td class="tdr padr">10</td> -<td class="tdc">  42</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Africa</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 64</td> -<td class="tdl">Henry Digby</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">18</td> -<td class="tdc">  44</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> </td> -<td colspan="2"> </td> -<td class="tdc">Total</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2"><span class="btb">154</span></td> -<td class="tdc"> <span class="btb">383</span></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td colspan="8"><h4><span class="smcap">Vice-Admiral Collingwood’s Division.</span></h4></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th> </th> -<th colspan="2">Guns.</th> -<th> </th> -<th colspan="2">Killed.</th> -<th colspan="2">Wounded</th> -</tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Royal Sovereign</i></td> -<td class="tdl padl">100</td> -<td class="tdr brace">{</td> -<td class="tdl">Vice-Admiral Collingwood<br />Captain Rotherham</td> -<td class="tdl brace">}</td> -<td class="tdr padr">47</td> -<td class="tdc">  94</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Mars</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl">G. Duff (killed)</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">29</td> -<td class="tdc">  69</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Belleisle</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl">W. Hargood</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">33</td> -<td class="tdc">  93</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Tonnant</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 80</td> -<td class="tdl">C. Tyler</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">26</td> -<td class="tdc">  50</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Bellerophon</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl">J. Cook (killed)</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">27</td> -<td class="tdc"> 133<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_53"></a>[Pg 53]</span></td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Colossus</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl">J. N. Morris</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">40</td> -<td class="tdc"> 160</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Achille</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl">Richard King</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">13</td> -<td class="tdc">  59</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Polyphemus</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl">R. Redmill</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">2</td> -<td class="tdc">   4</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Revenge</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl">R. Moorson</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">28</td> -<td class="tdc">  51</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Defiance</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl">P. C. Durham</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">17</td> -<td class="tdc">  53</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Swiftsure</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl">W. G. Rutherford</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">9</td> -<td class="tdc">   7</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Defence</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl">G. Hope</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">7</td> -<td class="tdc">  29</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Thunderer</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 74</td> -<td class="tdl">Lieut. Stockham</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">4</td> -<td class="tdc">  16</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Prince</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 98</td> -<td class="tdl">R. Grindall</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">0</td> -<td class="tdc">   0</td> -</tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><i>Dreadnought</i></td> -<td class="tdl padlr" colspan="2"> 98</td> -<td class="tdl">John Conn</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2">7</td> -<td class="tdc">  26</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> </td> -<td colspan="2"> </td> -<td class="tdc"> Total</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2"><span class="bt">263</span></td> -<td class="tdc"> <span class="bt">794</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> </td> -<td colspan="2"> </td> -<td class="tdc">Grand Total</td> -<td class="tdr padlr" colspan="2"><span class="btb">417</span></td> -<td class="tdc"><span class="btb">1177</span></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<h4>FRIGATES.</h4> - -<table summary="Catalogue of ships: Frigates"> -<tr> -<th> </th> -<th>Guns.</th> -<th> </th> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><i>Euryalus</i></td> -<td class="tdc padlr">36</td> -<td class="tdl">Hon. H. Blackwood.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><i>Sirius</i></td> -<td class="tdc padlr">36</td> -<td class="tdl">William Prowse.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><i>Phœbe</i></td> -<td class="tdc padlr">36</td> -<td class="tdl">Hon. T. B. Capel.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><i>Naiad</i></td> -<td class="tdc padlr">36</td> -<td class="tdl">T. Dundas.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><i>Pickle</i> (schooner)</td> -<td class="tdc padlr">12</td> -<td class="tdl">Lieut. J. R. Lapenotiere.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><i>Entreprenant</i> (cutter)</td> -<td class="tdc padlr">12</td> -<td class="tdl">Lieut. R. B. Young.</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<h3><i>List of the French and Spanish combined fleets in action, off -Cape Trafalgar, near Cadiz, 21st October, 1805—33 sail of -the line, 3 frigates, 3 brigs.</i></h3> - -<table summary="Catalogue of ships: French and Spanish"> -<tr> -<th class="tdl">No.</th> -<th>Guns.</th> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr"> 1. <i>San Ildefonso</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="tdh">Taken.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Spanish.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr"> 2. <i>San Juan Nepomuceno</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="padl1h">Do.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Do.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr"> 3. <i>Bahama</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="padl1h">Do.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Do.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr"> 4. <i>Swiftsure</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="padl1h">Do.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(French.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="4">(The above four ships arrived safe at Gibraltar.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr"> 5. <i>Monarca</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="tdh">Taken and wrecked.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Spanish.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr"> 6. <i>Fougueux</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="padl1h">Do., do., and all her crew.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(French.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr"> 7. <i>Indomptable</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 84</td> -<td class="padl1h">Do.,<span class="longsp"> </span>do.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Do.)<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_54"></a>[Pg 54]</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr"> 8. <i>Bucentaure</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="tdh">Taken and wrecked, and most of her crew.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(French.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr"> 9. <i>San Francisco de Asis</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="tdh">Taken and wrecked.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Spanish.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">10. <i>El Rayo</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop">100</td> -<td class="padl1h">Do.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Do.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">11. <i>Neptuno</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 84</td> -<td class="padl1h">Do. and destroyed.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Do.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">12. <i>Argonaut</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="tdh">Driven on shore, but got off again.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(French.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">13. <i>Berwick</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="tdh">Taken and wrecked.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Do.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">14. <i>L’Aigle</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="padl1h">Do., do.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Do.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">15. <i>L’Achille</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="tdh">Blew up in action, with most of her crew.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(French.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">16. <i>Intrépide</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="tdh">Taken, and burnt after the action.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(French.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">17. <i>San Augustin</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="padl1h">Do., do.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Spanish.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">18. <i>Santissima Trinidada</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop">140</td> -<td class="tdh">Taken by the <i>Neptune</i>; sunk after the action by the <i>Prince</i> and <i>Neptune</i>, in consequence of orders to destroy her.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Spanish.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">19. <i>Rédoutable</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 84</td> -<td class="tdh">Taken, and foundered with all her crew except four.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(French.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">20. <i>Argonauta</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 80</td> -<td class="tdh">Taken and destroyed.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Spanish.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">21. <i>Santa Anna</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop">112</td> -<td class="tdh">Taken, but got into Cadiz dismasted.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Spanish.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">22. <i>Algesiras</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="tdh">Taken, but escaped in the gale into Cadiz.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(French.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">23. <i>Pluton</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="padl1h">Do., do.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Do.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">24. <i>San Juste</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="padl1h">Do., but got into Cadiz with her foremast only standing.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Spanish.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">25. <i>San Leandro</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 64</td> -<td class="tdh">Taken—got into Cadiz.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Do.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">26. <i>Le Neptune</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 84</td> -<td class="tdh">Escaped.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(French.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">27. <i>Le Héros</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="tdh">Escaped—lost topmasts.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(French.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">28. <i>Principe di Asturias</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop">112</td> -<td class="tdh">Lost all her masts—escaped into Cadiz.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Spanish.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">29. <i>Montanez</i></td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="tdh">Escaped.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Spanish.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">30. <i>Formidable</i>*</td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 84</td> -<td class="padl1h">Do.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(French.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">31. <i>Mont Blanc</i>*</td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="padl1h">Do.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Do.)<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_55"></a>[Pg 55]</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">32. <i>Scipion</i>*</td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="tdh">Escaped.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(French.)</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl altop nobr">33. <i>Duguay Trouin</i>*</td> -<td class="tdc altop"> 74</td> -<td class="padl1h">Do.</td> -<td class="tdc albottom padl">(Do.)</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p class="center">(The four ships marked thus (*) were taken a few days after the action -by Sir Richard Strachan’s squadron.)</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<h3><i>Names and Rank of French and Spanish Flag Officers in the -battle.</i></h3> - -<ul class="hanging"><li>Admiral Villeneuve, Commander-in-Chief—taken. (French.)</li> -<li>Rear-Admiral Magon—killed. (French.)</li> -<li>Rear-Admiral Dumanoir—escaped; taken afterwards by Sir Richard Strachan. (French.)</li> -<li>Admiral Gravina—escaped. (Spanish.)</li> -<li>Vice-Admiral Alava—taken in <i>Santa Anna</i> (112). (Spanish.)</li> -<li>Rear-Admiral Cisneros—taken in <i>Santissima Trinidada</i>(140). (Spanish.)</li> -</ul> - -<p>The loss of the combined fleet was twenty ships of -the line, one admiral killed, and three taken; the total -killed, wounded, and taken prisoners, was near 16,000 -men and officers. In concluding the account of the -Battle of Trafalgar, I think I shall be excused for -copying into this <i>olla</i> two beautiful extracts from unknown -authors. The first lines on the particular circumstance -of each of the different powers having a -ship of the line, called the <i>Neptune</i>, in the battle:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“Three different powers to rule the main,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Assumed old Neptune’s name;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">One from Gallia, one from Spain,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And one from England came.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“The British <i>Neptune</i>, as of yore,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Proved master of the day;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The Spanish <i>Neptune</i> is no more,<a id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[F]</a></div> - <div class="verse indent2">The French one ran away.”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56"></a>[Pg 56]</span></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Lord Nelson’s Death and Triumph.</span></h3> - -<p class="center"><i>From the Sheffield Paper, 1805.</i></p> - -<blockquote> -<p>“Intelligence of a most glorious event, accompanied with tidings of -an awful calamity (like the angels of mercy and affliction travelling together), -has arrived on our shores, and awakened the public mind from -the agony of despondence to a tumult of mingled emotions, sorrow and -joy, mourning and triumph.</p> - -<p>“On the 21st of October, 1805, while the cowardly and incapable -Austrian, General Mack, was surrendering himself and army into the -hands of Bonaparte, the noble and lamented Lord Nelson, once more, -and for the last time, fought and conquered the united foes of his -country; but he fell in the meridian of victory, and in one moment -became immortal in both worlds.</p> - -<p>“His career of services had been long; but it was only in the last -war that he burst upon the eye of the public as a luminary of the first -magnitude. At the battle of Aboukir, he rose like the sun in the east, -and like the sun too, after a summer’s day of glory, he set in the west, -at the battle of Trafalgar, leaving the ocean in a blaze as he went down,<a id="FNanchor_7" href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[G]</a> -and in darkness when he descended.</p> - -<p>“In ages to come, when the stranger who visits our island shall -enquire for the monument of Nelson, the answer will be, ‘Behold his -country which he has saved.’”</p></blockquote> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_57"></a>[Pg 57]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="summary">Join the <i>Melpomene</i> (38)—Sent up the Mediterranean—Tremendous -weather, with thunder, lightning, and water-spouts—Ship loses her rudder -and main-topmast—Proceed to Malta.</p> - -<p class="p2">Ten days after the action, I was appointed acting -lieutenant of the <i>Melpomene</i> (38), Captain Peter Parker. -The weather having moderated, we sailed in company -with the <i>Orion</i> (74), Captain Codrington: <i>Endymion</i> -(44), and <i>Weazle</i> brig, (18); to look into Toulon, and -scour the Mediterranean, in search of a squadron of -French frigates. We parted from the fleet on the 8th -of November, 1805, with every prospect of a most -delightful cruise, and the chance of picking up some -prizes; but a few days after leaving Gibraltar, our -golden hopes were dashed to nought, and we were -sent a wreck, without a rudder, to Malta.</p> - -<p>The weather continued moderate until the 11th, -when we captured a small Spanish settee, laden with -stores of little value, and took her in tow, for the -purpose of conveying her to the commodore, but a -heavy squall coming on, we destroyed her.</p> - -<p>On the 12th, we saw the island of Majorca, and -finding the main-yard sprung, we lowered it down, -and fished it. On the 13th, owing to the violence of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58"></a>[Pg 58]</span> -the gale and heavy sea, we bore up, with the <i>Weazle</i> -brig in company, to take shelter under Majorca; at -this time the ship was labouring very hard, in consequence -of a heavy cross swell. On the 14th, none of -the squadron were in sight; the morning of the 15th, -about nine o’clock, a most tremendous squall came on, -accompanied with thunder, lightning, rain, and sleet, -which obliged us to clew up all our sails; shortly -afterwards the main-mast was struck by lightning, the -fluid exploded by the pumps, and knocked myself -and a seaman down; the sensation I felt was that of -a severe electric shock, shaking every bone in my -body, but, thank God! it did me no further injury; -the seaman, poor fellow! was a good deal burnt, but -he afterwards recovered. On examining the mainmast, -we found it splintered in many places, particularly -about the hoops, and in the wake of the trusses, -where copper had been nailed on.</p> - -<p>The next day we stood towards Barcelona, in the -hopes of rejoining the <i>Orion</i>, but between nine and -ten in the morning of the 17th, the sea rose all round -us, angry, black, threatening clouds, accompanied with -water-spouts, and heavy flashes of lightning, gave us -warning that a tempest of no common kind was -approaching; several land birds of various descriptions, -blown from land not in sight, settled on the deck and -rigging, in hopes of shelter from the pitiless storm; -a woodcock tried to rest upon the capstern on the -quarter-deck; a hoopoe, linnets, greenfinches, and -other small birds, also endeavoured, poor things! to -find shelter, but when the first burst of the tempest<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_59"></a>[Pg 59]</span> -came on, they were blown to leeward, and probably -perished. In the midst of all this we had to fire guns -at the water-spouts to break them, furl the sails, and -prepare for another gale. At eleven a heavy sea pooped -us, stove in the dead lights, and filled the captain’s -cabin with water; the wind increased to a perfect -hurricane, and at one, the lightning again struck the -ship and hurt the main-topmast and the main-mast. -At two the storm stay-sails were blown to atoms, and -the ship became entirely unmanageable; whole seas, -at times, rolled over her, one of which, breaking on -the quarter, struck the rudder, and the rudder-head -gave way, it was immediately chocked, and the ship -was then steered by the rudder pennants. Between -three and four, the main-topmast was blown over the -side, the rudder-chains gave way, and we found the -main-mast sprung a few feet above the quarter-deck. -The whole of the night, the rudder, having nothing to -confine it, thumped about a great deal, and made us -fear it would shake the stern-post. In the morning of -the 18th, the ship fortunately took a heavy plunge, -and the rudder unshipped itself from the stern and -sank. The sea at this period was most heavy and -breaking; it stove the quarter boats, and caused -the ship to strain so much that it was necessary to -keep the pumps constantly going. Towards noon of -the 18th we veered a cable astern with hawsers, etc., -and struck the mizen-topmast to try and wear ship, -but found it impossible, for the moment we got the -ship four or five points from the wind, she flew to -again. On the 19th, the weather began to moderate,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_60"></a>[Pg 60]</span> -but still there was a heavy sea; yet, notwithstanding -the ship laboured a great deal, we commenced making -a Pakenham’s jury rudder out of a spare maintopmast-jibboom, -and other spars.</p> - -<p>Towards evening we saw the Columbretes, small -rocky uninhabited islands, near Ivica, on the lee bow, -distant four or five leagues; finding ourselves drifting -bodily down on them, we made all sail on the foremast, -in the hopes of getting the ship on the other -tack, veered away a cable astern, and with hawsers -bowsed it over to windward; but the heavy swell,—the -moment we got way upon the ship, and she was a few -points from the wind, striking her abaft the beam,—made -her fly to the wind again. We therefore furled -our sails, and let go an anchor in 60 fathoms, with a -spring on the cable, which for a time brought us up; -but soon after midnight, during my watch, there came -on a heavy squall with thunder, lightning and rain, -the ship drove, when we cut the cable and set new -storm stay-sails and fore-sail; she evidently would not -weather the rocks, but when pretty near them, it -pleased Providence to send us a shift of wind in -another severe squall, which enabled us to clear them. -On the morning of the 20th the weather became -moderate, and towards evening, having completed our -jury-rudder, we succeeded in shipping it, and found to -our great joy it answered with a little care very well. -The 21st we had a steady breeze from the S.W., -which enabled us to shape our course for Malta. It -was necessary to keep a sharp look out upon our -rudder guys and braces, for the constant friction<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_61"></a>[Pg 61]</span> -against the ship’s sides, soon chafed the woulding. -On the 22nd, at night, it again blew very heavy, our -starboard fore channel was very badly started, and -we found the fore-yard sprung; however the ship -steered very well, going before the gale at the rate -of ten and eleven knots per hour. On the 26th we -arrived at Malta, and moored safely from the gales in -La Valette harbour. The defects of the ship were as -follows: a rudder, main-mast, two top-masts, both -lower yards, maintop-sail-yard, the starboard fore -channel had to be secured, and general caulking was -wanted. In short, the ship was strained all to pieces.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_62"></a>[Pg 62]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="summary">Siege of Gaeta by the French—Boat affairs—My capture—Leghorn.</p> - -<p class="p2">After the repairs were made good, which took nearly -two months, we sailed for Messina, and found there -some transports waiting for a convoy to take a reinforcement -of troops, with General Sherbrooke, to -Egypt.</p> - -<p>The service being most pressing, we took them -under convoy, and after a passage of three weeks, -made the low sandy coast to the westward of Alexandria, -on which were growing a few date or palm trees, -planted in a cluster. We got off the port on the -following day, where we no sooner discovered the -British squadron, under Capt. Benjamin Hallowell, in -the <i>Tigre</i> (80), all snug, than we hove to; and putting -the general and his staff on board one of the transports, -started back to Messina. The <i>Tigre</i> fired guns -and made the signal of recall, which the captain, -much to our satisfaction, would not notice, for we had -no particular relish to exchange the chance of a good -cruise, for the burning sands of Egypt, to fire at Turks -behind sand banks and stone walls.</p> - -<p>This, however, very nearly got Captain Peter Parker -into a serious scrape; for the gallant old Ben. was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_63"></a>[Pg 63]</span> -most wroth, and nothing saved him from a court -martial but his being a great friend of Lord Collingwood.</p> - -<p>On our return to Sicily we went from Messina to -Palermo, and from thence to succour the fortress of -Gaeta, near Terracina, besieged by Marshal Massena, -with 30,000 men. We ran in and engaged a battery -and a French man-of-war brig near Mola. The -battery was thrown up in Cicero’s Garden. Night, -and a very heavy thunder storm coming on, which -blew dead on shore, obliged us to haul off and get an -offing; the brig taking advantage of the darkness, cut -her cable, and got safe into Naples.</p> - -<p>A few days afterwards, I went with some other -officers on shore, to be introduced to the Prince of -Hesse Philippsthal, who commanded the fortress, and -to look round the works and observe the French lines. -It appearing to our captain that we could flank the -enemy’s works to the N.W. of the peninsula, with the -ship, in the afternoon, we stood in and fired a few -broadsides, which put them to confusion, however the -wind failing obliged us to haul off. A day or two -afterwards the wind changing and permitting us to do -the same thing, again we stood in, but the French had -got something prepared for us this time, in the shape -of a good masked battery, which was so well directed -that every shot hit us, and we were glad to get off -with the loss of three men badly wounded; one poor -fellow lost both his legs, another his right leg, and the -third was severely wounded by a splinter. We took -the hint and did not go there any more. Shortly after<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64"></a>[Pg 64]</span> -this, Rear-Admiral Sir Sidney Smith came and assumed -the command of the squadron, he used to send -the launches, armed with a carronade, every dark -night to flank the French camp on the Terracina side, -with orders the moment the gun was fired to pull -either to starboard or port, in order to avoid the -enemy’s shot. Our being low on the water prevented -them seeing us, so that they could only fire at the -flashes of our guns. Some shot occasionally passed -over us, but the greater part went either to the right -or left. One of the Sicilian gun-boats was sunk one -night, and some of the oars knocked out of the men’s -hands, but by attending to the orders of the gallant -admiral we generally escaped. Our other orders from -him were not to go within musket shot, and directly -the moon began to appear, to disperse and return -on board. One night we killed a French general -named Vaubois, who had come down to the beach -with some field pieces to return our fire.</p> - -<p>We went hence to Palermo and landed our wounded -men, when we proceeded off Naples with a spy, dispatches, -and proclamations, from King Ferdinand the -VII., to his beloved subjects, calling upon them to -rise and make a diversion to raise the siege of Gaeta; -but they were too wise to follow his advice, having -neither leaders, spirit, nor enterprise for such dangerous -work. To get the above gentleman with his dispatches, -proclamations, &c., on shore, being a service -of danger, with the prospect at least of a dungeon for -the remainder of the war, should they even escape -hanging, volunteers were necessary; myself and a fine<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_65"></a>[Pg 65]</span> -gig’s crew and a sergeant of marines, offered our services, -and engaged not to return without performing -the service if it were possible.</p> - -<p>We were all well armed and left the ship in the gig, -with the spy, soon after dark, at the entrance of the -Bay of Naples; the oars were well muffled and greased -to prevent them from making a noise. We first rowed -under the land towards Baia and Pansilippo; the -night was favourable, being very dark, and rather -inclined to be stormy, with an occasional flash of sheet -lightning, which latter we could have dispensed with; -however, on we pulled, taking care not to feather the -oars, and to row as easy as possible, that we might -make no splashing in the water. At last we got to -what I thought a favourable place, and we pulled in, -when just as the boat was touching the shore a whole -host of fishermen bawled out and gave the alarm. -The alarm fires were lit along the shore in a minute, -and we were instantly challenged; off we shoved the -boat and told the Italian to say we were fishermen -looking for our companions. While he was talking -the wind being off the land, soon blew us out of -hearing and musket shot, when we again rowed along -shore nearer Naples, and tried to land upon the rocks, -not far from Castle del Ovo; here again, however, the -fellows were upon the <i>qui vive</i>, and we again shoved -off, when I determined to put a good face upon the -matter, and after passing the castle to land right under -the houses. They not expecting us there, we succeeded, -and our friend the spy, with his dispatches -and proclamations, went at once into the city, and I<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_66"></a>[Pg 66]</span> -then shoved off and got safe back to the ship by a -little after midnight; the captain was quite happy to -see us safe returned, having so well accomplished our -object. Having seen the alarm fires and signals from -the ship, he was very anxious on our account.</p> - -<p>The spy being a clever fellow, managed his business -well, and in a fortnight after returned safe to Palermo -with answers. Nothing was done, for King Joe and -his police kept too sharp a look out, to allow his -Sicilian Majesty’s corps of lazzaroni to make, or -attempt to make, any disturbance.</p> - -<p>On our way off Cività Vecchia, near Mount Circello, -in company with the <i>Juno</i> (32), we fell in with two -French settees, who were steering along shore towards -Mola; one we sunk with our two guns, and the other -we took; both were laden with charcoal for the forges -of the French army before Gaeta; the <i>Juno</i> went -thither with our prize, and we continued off the above -place in the hope of falling in with a French squadron, -but in this we were anticipated by the <i>Sirius</i> (36), -who fell in with them, took a corvette, and dispersed -the rest. From thence we proceeded off Leghorn, -and on the 18th of May, 1806, at noon, I was sent, -with seven men, armed with merely four cutlasses, two -muskets, and having only eight ball cartridges, after a -French row-boat, with orders also to attack a convoy -close in shore under the town of Leghorn. This adventure -having nearly cost me my life, I shall enter -more fully into it. All hands were upon deck, ready -to carry any orders given into execution; a French -row-boat passed close to the ship, armed with muske<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_67"></a>[Pg 67]</span>toons -and muskets, and having a crew of sixteen men. -The ship had French colours flying at the time, trying -to entice out the enemy’s convoy in shore, and therefore -Captain Parker would not permit a musket to be -fired to bring-to the small vessel passing near us. The -wind was light, and the row-galley had no sooner got -out of musket shot astern, than they out sweeps and -began to pull away, suspecting, notwithstanding our -French flag, that we were an English frigate. At this -time our distance from Leghorn might be about seven -or eight miles. A large polacre ship was seen to leeward, -which was taken for an enemy; we bore up and -made all sail after her, when I was called off the forecastle, -and ordered to jump into the starboard cutter -and go after the aforesaid galley; so much was I -hurried that permission was not even allowed me to -run below to my cabin, in the gun-room, to get my -sword and pistols, but, obeying orders, let the consequences -be what they might, having always been -drilled into me, away I went, rather sulkily I confess, -and when lowered down in the quarter-boat, I found -that instead of the proper boat’s crew, any men that -happened to be nearest, had been ordered into her; -amongst others, an Italian, a native of Leghorn, who -for some crime had been severely punished three days -before. Just as we were shoving off I discovered there -were neither muskets, pistols, nor swords in the boat; -after some little delay, two muskets, and four cutlasses, -with two cartouch boxes, were given us. With this -equipment, I ordered the boat tackles to be unhooked, -and away we pulled, but guess my astonishment, when<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68"></a>[Pg 68]</span> -upon opening the cartouch boxes, I found the gunner’s -mate had given me the wrong ones, for one contained -five, and the other only three ball cartridges. In about -ten minutes after leaving the ship, the gig was sent to -join me, with orders to attack the convoy, and take as -many as possible. I therefore ordered the gig to go -and attack a merchant vessel, which I pointed out, -while I went after the row-galley. A short time -brought us within musket shot; at this period the -ship was four or five miles off to leeward, and we -about the same distance from the shore. The few -musket balls I had, were soon expended; observing, -however, that whenever I took up the musket and -pointed it the Frenchmen bobbed down, we pulled -alongside and boarded her, and for a few minutes we -had the vessel in possession, when a gun fired from -the shore unfortunately drew my attention. The -Italian whom I brought with me thinking it a good -opportunity for revenge, joined the Frenchmen, and -excited them to rise, and they being more than double -our numbers, soon overpowered us—stabbed one of -my men, threw two overboard, laid me sprawling by -a blow on the head and a cut in my right hand. In -half-an-hour I was safely landed in the lazaretto at -Leghorn. I must do the enemy the justice to say, -that the moment they had recaptured their vessel, -they picked up the two men thrown overboard.</p> - -<p>We remained in the lazaretto three weeks, a surgeon -coming occasionally to see the wounded man -and myself, and give us some plasters. We not being -touchable on account of our quarantine, old Sangrado<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_69"></a>[Pg 69]</span> -brought a long slender white stick, with which he used -to feel the seaman’s wound,—a stab in the left side,—and -my hand; however we did not trouble the old -fellow long, for low diet and good constitutions soon -healed flesh wounds.</p> - -<p>At the expiration of three weeks, we were considered -free from any possibility of our having the -plague; a guard of French soldiers was therefore sent -down to the door of the lazaretto, and we were committed -to their charge and marched to the sound of an -old brass drum to the fortress at Leghorn, where I had -the option, either to sign a parole not to attempt to -quit it, or be locked up in a prison. Of two evils -always choose the least,—escape was impossible, for -the castle or citadel was built upon a small islet joined -to the town by a draw-bridge; a strong guard was -constantly mounted there, and at sunset the bridge -was hauled up, and the sea surrounded the place on -all sides, while sentinels were posted at every angle. -I therefore was glad to have permission from ten in -the morning until six in the evening to walk round -the fortress to breathe fresh air, with a young Russian -mid who was taken with me. After that period we -were locked up in the prison of the fortress until the -next morning, when we were again let out to enjoy -fresh air.</p> - -<p>For prisoners, we were treated very well. I was -allowed tenpence a day to live upon, which, with occasional -presents received from kind, friendly people -in the town, we managed very well. For the first -few nights our beds were rather too full of light and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_70"></a>[Pg 70]</span> -heavy cavalry; but by adopting the plan of lying -down in them a good half-hour before going to sleep, -and then throwing off the clothes, and setting to -work with a good will, in the course of a week most -of the bugs and fleas were got rid of, and we enjoyed -tolerable rest.</p> - -<p>At this period Leghorn was placed in a happy state -of suspense, between being in actual possession of the -French and under the government of the Queen of -Etruria. The former held all the fortifications, as an -army of observation, while the latter was acknowledged -for a short time longer, because it suited the views of -the French emperor, and we were permitted to have a -kind of acting consul there, who was a most worthy, -excellent man—the Rev. J. Hall—whose kindness I -shall never forget. He had a very delightful family. -What became of them after the French took the -entire possession of the country I never knew. Some -American merchants also (particularly a Mr. Purviance) -showed me every attention when I was let out of -prison. I tried, through the Rev. J. Hall, to get myself -and boat’s crew liberated, claiming the protection of -the Etrurian Government, they not being actually at -war with England, and professing neutrality, but I -soon found it was useless, for they dare do nothing to -displease the French. However, most luckily for me, -a friend of Joseph Bonaparte’s, who was at that -time King of Naples, had been captured in a French -corvette, <i>La Bergère</i>, and he sent out a flag of truce -to Admiral Sir Sidney Smith, offering me in exchange -for his friend, who was at Malta, which our admiral<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_71"></a>[Pg 71]</span> -agreed to. At the expiration of six weeks I was, -to my great joy, liberated, and took up my quarters -in the town, where I remained more than a fortnight, -visited Pisa, and Monte Negro, and amused myself -about the town, until an opportunity offered of my -getting to Palermo.</p> - -<p>Luckily, a Danish merchant brig was at this time -ready for sailing, and I took my passage on board -her, for, just when I was going to embark, an order -came from King Joseph for me to be sent to him -at Naples. My passport was signed and given me, -and my bill of health from the quarantine office was -likewise in my possession; the wind being fair, the -brig was getting under. Had I been differently -situated with regard to money and clothes, I would -have risked placing myself in the hands of King -Joseph, for the delight of travelling, even as a prisoner, -by land to Naples, for the novelty of the thing; but -my thread-bare coat, empty pockets, and tattered -garments decided me to get on board the Dane as -fast as possible, and run the risk of being taken out -“<i>vi et armis</i>,” rather than go in such a shabby plight -to Naples. Our acting consul hurried me off, telling -me the police were after me. I was immediately put -into a boat, and got safe on board, with two of my -men, and the young Russian, who, by-the-bye, afterwards -turned out to be a Frenchman, sent into our -service by Bonaparte, through Russian influence, with -some of their own youngsters, and passed off on our -Government as a Russian. All that I can say is, that -he was a clever, smart lad. I met him in Paris in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_72"></a>[Pg 72]</span> -1818 (Lieutenant de Vaisseau), when he laughed at -the trick that had been played, and told me several -more Russian midshipmen in our service were young -Frenchmen. This was done by some of the Emperor -Alexander’s official servants, when it was the -policy of Russia after the fatal battle of Austerlitz, in -December, 1805, to endeavour to please Napoleon. -Very probably the Russian agent received a douceur -for the transaction, and as for humbugging John -Bull, and taking advantage of his good-nature, this, -added to a breach of faith and confidence, was of -little consequence when compared with other matters.<a id="FNanchor_8" href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[H]</a></p> - -<p>I must confess that, until the time we were safe -under sail, which was more than an hour after we -got on board, my eye watched every boat with -anxiety, expecting to see some French soldiers sent -to take me out; nor was I quite satisfied of my -safety until we had sailed through the Piombino -Passage, which we did before dark, when I began -to think I might whistle with safety, being well “out -of the wood,” and in the probable track of some of -our cruisers.</p> - -<p>After a pleasant passage of five days, we arrived -safe at Palermo, and from thence I proceeded in a -transport for Malta to look for the <i>Melpomene</i>.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_73"></a>[Pg 73]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="summary">Malta—Dreadful accident by the Explosion of a Magazine in the -town, on the Bermola side—Nearly get into a scrape about breaking -quarantine—Kind answer of the gallant Admiral Sir Sidney Smith to -the complaint—Rejoin the <i>Melpomene</i>—Mutiny in Fribourg’s regiment—Cruise -in the Adriatic.</p> - -<p class="p2">On my arrival at Malta I learnt that the ship was on -a cruise, and that she had lost, a short time after I was -taken, our gallant first lieutenant, Andrew Thompson, -who was killed, with most of his boat’s crew, in -boarding,—in the middle of the day, with the barge -alone,—a French armed settee, with six long nine-pounders, -off Leghorn; but the few survivors—Lieutenant -Gascoigne, R.M.; Mr. W. Butler, mid; -and a noble fellow, a sergeant of marines, named -Milligan, with eight seamen, all that remained out -of twenty-five men—gallantly hooked on the boat, -and carried the vessel, driving some of her crew -overboard, and causing the rest to beg for quarter.</p> - -<p>At the prize agent’s I found my chest of clothes, -which had been left behind to be forwarded to England, -it not being expected I should rejoin the ship. -This was a great and unexpected comfort. The -delight of a nice new coat, linen, &c., after my poor<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_74"></a>[Pg 74]</span> -ragged dress was a treat, which, fully to enjoy, a -person should be placed in a similar situation.</p> - -<p>I was sent on board the <i>Madras</i> (guard-ship) to -wait for a passage to join the <i>Melpomene</i>, when, -in August, a dreadful accident happened. I was -awakened out of sleep about six in the morning by -a tremendous noise, and the bursting of shells. I -jumped out of bed, and ran upon deck, thinking we -were in action, when a shell fell upon the wharf to -which the ship was secured, burst, and killed the -gunner of the <i>Madras</i>. An immense cloud of black -smoke and dust was hovering in the air, and cries, -shrieks, and groans were heard in every direction: -a magazine in the centre of the town of Bermola, -nearly opposite the dockyard, in which many live -shells had been placed by the French during the -siege in 1800, had exploded. A party of artillerymen -had been sent to take out the fuses, and by some -unfortunate accident one shell had gone off, for one -or two explosions were heard before the magazine -blew up. How the event happened of course not a -soul employed was left to tell, and, in addition to -a sergeant’s party of artillerymen, nearly 300 of the -inhabitants were killed or seriously injured; part of -two streets were thrown down, and many more houses -were severely shaken.</p> - -<p>A short time after this shocking event, a transport -was directed to sail for Palermo, and a passage thither -was ordered for me to look for my ship. Outside of -Malta harbour we were boarded by a boat, bringing a -lieutenant and some men from a vessel in quarantine<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_75"></a>[Pg 75]</span> -to join their ship also at Palermo. The wind, which -had been fair, suddenly changed, and the weather -appearing unsettled, the master prudently bore up, -and returned into harbour. I thought it very hard -to be placed in quarantine, because we had taken -the above officer and men out from the lazaretto, -therefore the moment the ship dropt anchor, without -waiting for the pratique boat to come alongside, I -got into a shore boat, and landed in the town of -Valette.</p> - -<p>Fortunately, as soon as I had landed, the captain -of the <i>Madras</i> met me, and instantly sent me back -to the transport, saying, if the quarantine officer found -me out, I should be sent to prison. The next -morning the wind came fair, and we put to sea. -Just when we had got clear of the harbour—the -pratique office having gained intelligence of my visit -to the shore—a boat was sent after the ship to take -me out, and place me in the lazaretto; but the wind -freshening, we left her astern, and proceeded on our -voyage to Palermo, where I expected that nothing -more would have been thought of the matter.</p> - -<p>From thence I went on board the <i>Thunderer</i> (74), -for a passage to Naples, where I was taken very ill -with a kind of cholera morbus, which in a few hours -reduced me very much, but a good constitution -enabled me soon to recover from its attack, although -it left me very weak for some time.</p> - -<p>On our arrival off Naples we found cruising at the -entrance of the bay the gallant Admiral Sir Sidney -Smith, who sent for me on board the <i>Pompée</i> (80),<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_76"></a>[Pg 76]</span> -and said, “What is this you have been doing? You -are a very pretty fellow! This morning a brig came -from Malta, bringing a formal complaint against you -from the governor for breaking quarantine, and requesting -me to send you back there to be tried; but,” -added he, in the kindest manner, “never mind, I have -answered them, and told them they, not you, were to -blame, for had they done their duty you could never -have got on shore, and it was entirely owing to their -neglect that you transgressed the quarantine laws.” -That answer settled the matter, and I never heard -anything more of the affair, although, after joining the -<i>Melpomene</i>, which I did in the course of a few days, -the ship was sent to Malta to refit.</p> - -<p>I was quite delighted to get back to my old ship, -and be under the command of her dashing gallant -young captain, who, had he not been killed afterwards -in America, would have now been one of the best -officers in the service. Shortly after our arrival at -Malta, in September, a most serious mutiny broke out -in a foreign regiment in our service, quartered at Fort -Recazzoli, called “Fribourg’s,” or the Greek Light -Infantry. It was composed of Germans, Swiss, -French, Greeks, Istrians, Dalmations, and Albanians. -Most of the officers were Germans, and the discipline -of the regiment did not suit the ideas of these mercenaries; -added to which, some of the Albanians and -Dalmatians had been most shamefully cajoled by -emissaries, under false promises, into our service. In -those countries a kind of clanship prevails, and some -of the heads of those clans were told, that if they<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_77"></a>[Pg 77]</span> -would enter, with their followers, into this regiment, -they would receive the rank of captain. These wild -chiefs, thinking it a great thing to be made captain at -once in the British service, embarked with their followers, -and came to Malta, where, instead of being -placed in the situation they expected, they were put -into the ranks, and one or two of them made a sergeant -or corporal. This, with other causes, created a general -disgust, and a secret plan was formed by these wild -tribes to rush into the officers’ mess-room, while at -dinner, and murder every one of them indiscriminately. -Suspecting, however, that their plan had been discovered, -they did not wait for dinner time, but about -two or three o’clock in the afternoon, rose upon the -few officers that were in the fort at the time, killed a -captain, the adjutant, and quarter-master, wounded -the colonel and major, whose lives were saved by the -Germans, and hauling up the drawbridge, demanded -terms, which were that the regiment should be disbanded, -and themselves sent back to their own -country.</p> - -<p>In the fort at this time was a gallant young officer -of artillery, Lieutenant Fead, with a few of his men, -one or two of whom refusing, like good soldiers, to -quit their post without orders from their own officer, -the mutineers killed them, making Lieutenant Fead -prisoner, obliging him to point the guns and mortars -towards the town of La Valette.</p> - -<p>Fort Recazzoli is a strong isolated fortress on the -left hand side of Malta harbour as you come in from -the sea, and in which was a large magazine of gun<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_78"></a>[Pg 78]</span>powder. -The mutineers held out several days, and -threatened to fire upon the town of La Valette if their -terms were not immediately agreed to. One day -indeed they did fire a few shells, but Lieutenant Fead -purposely gave the mortars so much elevation, that -the shells dropped quite clear of the town. Things -had remained in this state for two or three days, with -all the garrison at Malta and the seamen and marines -of the few ships in harbour on the alert, boats rowing -guard, the batteries manned, and a cordon of troops -drawn round the fort; when, on the afternoon of the -second day a grand tiraillade was heard within it, the -Germans and Swiss, with the few artillerymen who -had taken no part in the mutiny, and had been disarmed -by the others, watching an opportunity, made -a rush, destroyed the guard at the drawbridge, let it -down, and sallied forth out of the fortress, bringing -with them one or two wounded officers and forty-five -of the principal malcontents; the remainder hauled up -the drawbridge and held out for several days, again -demanding terms, and threatening to blow up the -magazine if they were not complied with.</p> - -<p>The mutineers being now reduced to a few, early -in the morning, we stormed the place with scaling -ladders, when part of the 44th Regiment and some -sailors got possession of most of the fort; but the -mutineers had not been idle, they had built up a kind -of high breast-work of large loose stones before the -magazine, within which they retreated, and kept up a -brisk fire of musketry—a ball from which grazed my -hat and stuck in the wall near me. They used<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_79"></a>[Pg 79]</span> -occasionally, from behind this breast-work, to demand -a parley and terms, always ending with the threat of -blowing up the magazine, with themselves, in which -were several hundred barrels of gunpowder. General -Valette, who commanded the garrison, very properly -refused to listen to any but an unconditional surrender—things -having gone too far.</p> - -<p>We stationed our men under the bomb proofs, -it being the general opinion of the engineer officers -that when the magazine did blow up the greatest -explosion would be towards the sea, where the wall -of the magazine was weakest, and that under the -bomb proof the men would be comparatively safe; -and as these desperate fellows had declared, that if -when St. John’s clock should strike the hour of nine -in the evening, their terms, free pardon and safe conduct -back to their own country, were not complied -with, they would set fire to the train and blow themselves -and the fortress up, we awaited the event with -much anxiety. A strong suspicion existing that they -had undermined the garrison, and had made a passage -out for themselves at the back of it, I was sent to row -guard to intercept any attempt they might make to -escape by water. At about nine, off went the train, -and a most awful explosion took place; the whole -sea wall was blown to atoms, and the shock like that -of an earthquake was felt far and near, some fish in the -harbour made a spring out of the water, which showed -they also were sensible of the vibration. Three of the -44th Regiment who were posted sentinels were killed -by the falling stones, and a few more were hurt. I<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_80"></a>[Pg 80]</span> -immediately pulled on shore and had communication -with the fort, and then went and made my report to -the senior naval officer. These desperate wretches, at -first, were considered to have perished, but, about a -week afterwards they were brought in, nearly starved -to death, having been unable to make their escape -from the island. They were immediately tried by a -court martial and hanged.</p> - -<p>To return to those forty-five mutineers dragged out -of the fortress by the sortie. They were also brought -before a military tribunal; fifteen of them were condemned -to be hanged, and most of the remainder -to be shot. The execution was most terribly mismanaged: -it presented, indeed, a shocking spectacle. -But I will say no more upon the subject, further than -to the last moment these poor wretches continued to -vent their abuse on the English, and the men sentenced -to be hanged endeavoured to keep up the -spirits of those that were about to be shot—even -when the ropes were round their necks they called -to them, saying, “What are you crying for? It is -we that ought to bewail our fate of being hanged like -dogs instead of being shot like men.”</p> - -<p>I recollect seeing a Catholic priest very busy on -the scaffold, wishing to persuade the criminals to kiss -the crucifix before they were launched into eternity, -but they kicked him off, and spat in his face, telling -him he was no better than themselves.</p> - -<p>In November we sailed on a cruise off Corfu, and -from thence up the Adriatic, where we spent a very -stormy winter, blockading Venice, anchoring occa<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_81"></a>[Pg 81]</span>sionally -at Trieste, and under Cape Salvatore, the -islands of Lissa, Sansego, and various other places. -The N.E. winds in winter blow most furiously from -the Istrian and Dalmatian mountains, and, if caught -by these winds on the Italian coast, a ship is placed -in a most critical situation; a heavy, short sea rises -with the wind, and you are obliged to carry a press of -canvas to prevent being driven on a lee shore.</p> - -<p>A Russian squadron of seven sail of the line, -besides frigates and transports, with troops on board, -arrived from Naples early in the spring of 1807, and -anchored off Trieste, the Emperor of Russia having -withdrawn his alliance from us, professing neutrality, -in consequence of the great success of the French -army under Napoleon in Austria, &c. The Russian -admiral, Greig, very politely sent to Captain Pat. -Campbell, of the <i>Unité</i>, the senior officer in the -Adriatic, to say that he intended to send a ship of -the line with the transports to land the troops they -had on board at Venice, we being off the port -blockading it, in company with the <i>Unité</i>. Captain -P. Campbell replied that two British frigates would -never suffer one Russian seventy-four, with her convoy, -to break the blockade, and therefore requested, -if that was the admiral’s intention, he would take -his whole force, which would prevent any collision -between us.</p> - -<p>Admiral Greig very properly did so, and saw his -convoy enter safely the port of Venice.</p> - -<p>During the nine months we cruised in this sea we -took and destroyed a great many of the enemy’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_82"></a>[Pg 82]</span> -small vessels; but our prize concerns were unfortunately -entrusted to agents, who became insolvent, -and our hard-earned money was in consequence lost. -I shall in the sequel suggest a plan for the management -of prize-money, in the event of our again being -engaged in war, it having fallen to my lot to lose -every penny by the breaking of four agents in different -parts of the world, into whose hands we -entrusted the management of our prize affairs.</p> - -<p>These honest people have an easy way of getting -rid of money committed to their charge. A ship -brings captured vessels into harbour; on board comes -Mr. A., B., C, or D., with a smirking face and soft -tongue, making low bows, hoping he may have the -honour,—being an accredited agent under a bond for -£20,000,—to transact the affairs of H.M. ship! Officers -generally being strangers in the port, and having -orders frequently to proceed to sea again in forty-eight -hours, after completing water and provisions, -have no time to look after or make inquiries about -<i>stability</i> of prize agents, and therefore trust the concerns -to the first that comes. The moment a ship is -fitted out she goes to sea on another cruise—probably -for three or four months; the prizes in the meanwhile -are sold by the agent. Now, what does he generally -do with the money? Why! speculates with it on his -own account. If the scheme answers, he puts the -amount of his speculation into his own pocket—we, -whose the money ought to be, never getting any part -of it. If it fails, the prize agent breaks, and off he -starts, paying perhaps not a shilling in the pound.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_83"></a>[Pg 83]</span> -Oh! but then you have got his bond for £20,000! -What matters this amongst a whole fleet, when he -runs away with perhaps more than £100,000 of their -money!</p> - -<p>I am not putting an extreme case—this did happen -more than once—and it would astonish the public if -the whole system of prize-plundering agents that was -carried on last war could be laid open. They would, -indeed, wonder men could be so easily led to trust -persons with large sums of money without knowing -more about them. My reply is, necessity obliges them.</p> - -<p>Now, the remedy I propose is this. Let the Government, -in the event of another war, take the prize -agency into their own hands, and deduct an eighth or -a quarter to cover all expenses, and, whenever ships -leave a station, let the money be sent to England. -Government would have the use of it; the officers -and ships’ companies would be sure to receive the -remainder; and it would be much better to give up -an eighth or a quarter to Government to make sure -of the rest than to lose, as has happened in many -cases, every sixpence of our hard-earned reward.</p> - -<p>But to return to our cruise. One morning watch, -during the time we were washing decks, and when -the after-skylight gratings were off, a strange sail -was seen from the topmast-head. Without thinking -of such things as hatchways, back I ran from the fore -part of the quarter-deck to hail the maintop-masthead, -and to ask the man looking out what she -looked like, when, just as I had placed my speaking-trumpet -to my mouth, head over heels down the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_84"></a>[Pg 84]</span> -after-hatchway I fell, bang into the gun-room. Fortunately, -I came off with only a severe bruise, and -the spraining of my right ankle, which laid me up for -three weeks.</p> - -<p>The vessel proved to be an enemy’s small coaster, -called a “trabaculo,” the rig of which is merely two -large lug-sails, with a boom at the foot of them, with -a jib, and sometimes a stay-sail and top-sail, to be -set flying when going before the wind. She was in -ballast, from Chiozza, bound to Ancona for a cargo. -On searching the prisoners for letters and papers, we -found concealed in their waistbands and linings of -their clothes seven hundred and sixty-eight gold -Venetian zechins, besides some dollars, which we -took the liberty of extracting. They belonged to a -rich Venetian merchant, and he had sent the money -on board, under the charge of the master of the -vessel, to purchase her cargo. On our chasing him, -seeing no means of escape, he distributed the money -amongst the men to sew in their dresses.</p> - -<p>When we first captured him, finding the vessel -without anything in her, Captain Parker was on the -eve of letting her go, when the prying eyes of a -young mid made the discovery of the concealed -money, which we took from them, and then allowed -the vessel, with her crew, to return to her own port, -she not being worth the trouble of sending to Malta.</p> - -<p>Some prizes in a gale of wind having been driven -on shore near Pesaro, on the coast of Italy, a flag -of truce came off to offer an exchange of prisoners, to -which we gladly acceded. I was sent thither, with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_85"></a>[Pg 85]</span> -two boats, to bring back our seamen and petty officers. -The French, seeing us coming, got the men -down on the pier, to have them ready. Several -officers of that nation, who were standing there, came -bowing and scraping to the stairs of the landing-place, -making a great number of fine speeches, and -offering me refreshments of all kinds, if I would do -them the honour to walk up into the town, which -I gladly accepted, hoping to rest my boats’ crews -and stretch my legs for half-an-hour on shore, after -blockading their ports for six months.</p> - -<p>Just when I was stepping out of the boat I observed -they held a consultation. Afterwards one of the officers -came up to me, and said that he was very sorry, -but orders had just arrived for them on no account -to suffer me to come out of my boat. Now this was -utterly false, no one having come near them, for I -kept my eye upon them the whole time. “It was -very unfortunate—they were quite in despair about -it,” holding up their hands, shrugging up their -shoulders, and making wry faces all the time; “they -wished so much to show me civility—refreshments -were already laid out at their lodgings—but what -could they do?—they were so sorry—but orders must -be obeyed.” So, taking off their cocked hats, they -wished me adieu. I returned the salute, thanked -them for the trouble they had taken in getting a -repast ready for me, which the authorities would not -permit me to enjoy; then off we shoved the boats, -and, after a long pull, got back to the ship with our -exchanged shipmates, much amused with the French<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_86"></a>[Pg 86]</span> -offer of refreshments, which it was never intended I -should partake of.</p> - -<p>We continued in the Adriatic until the end of -September, 1807, when we proceeded to Trieste to -embark Lord Pembroke and suite, and carry them -to England. They had come from Vienna. Amongst -his lordship’s suite were Sir William A’Court, the -present Lord Heytesbury, and a Mr. Hammond. They -were all pleasant, gentlemanly men, and although bred -in Courts, where little else than cold-heartedness and -deceit are learned, they in a short time won the esteem -of us unsophisticated sailors.</p> - -<p>After a stormy passage of nearly six weeks, we -anchored at Spithead, when I found myself appointed -lieutenant of H.M. Ship <i>Swiftsure</i> (74), bearing the -flag of my much-esteemed friend and admiral, Sir -John Borlase Warren, who had been appointed commander-in-chief -on the Halifax station.</p> - -<p>After an absence from England of three years, the -ship being on the point of sailing, I could only get -one day’s sight of home, when I set off to join my -new ship at Plymouth, and the end of November -sailed for the North American station to relieve -Admiral Berkeley, where we remained three years -and a half.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_87"></a>[Pg 87]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="summary">North American station, from 1808 to 1811—Bermuda—Anecdote—Death -of Captain Conn.</p> - -<p class="p2">We had a long passage out, running far to the southward, -and crossing the tropic of Cancer before we -hauled to the westward for the islands of Bermuda. -In a squall we carried away the fore-yard, which, -being a bad stick, went in three pieces. However, -we soon made another, which answered our purposes -remarkably well, and at the end of six weeks we -arrived in Murray’s anchorage.</p> - -<p>These islands consist of a group of three hundred -and sixty-five, which the Bermudians tell you is the -reason there are three hundred and sixty-five days in -the year. They are very picturesque, and covered -chiefly with sweet-smelling cedar trees, of whose -timber several fine 18-gun sloops-of-war and small -schooners have been built.</p> - -<p>Had the Bermudians been permitted to follow their -own plan, no doubt these would have been very safe -vessels: but our Navy Board took out a <i>patent for -making coffins</i>, and sent them out plans and dimensions, -from which they were by no means to deviate. -The consequence was, such a tribe of little tubs, in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_88"></a>[Pg 88]</span> -the shape of two and three-masted schooners, were -built, that it was absolutely throwing money away -to construct them. Several of them, indeed, did -founder, with all their crews. The ship-sloops were -certainly better—I may say, with truth, they were -favourites—very good sea boats, and in every respect -excellent vessels.</p> - -<p>Besides cedar trees, these islands produce arrow-root -of the best quality, tobacco, Indian corn, &c., -but not in sufficient quantities for their own consumption: -they, therefore, import flour and other -articles of food from the United States, and other -places. Abundance of fish is taken, such as grouper—which -is a fine, firm fish of the rock species, frequently -weighing several pounds—chub, porgay, and -various other kinds; and in the spring of the year -a spermaceti whale fishery is carried on, this species -frequenting those seas at that period.</p> - -<p>The scenery of these islands is very pretty. Everything -here is in miniature—little hills, valleys, and -lakes; whilst blue and red birds, flitting about under -a brilliant sun, give the whole the appearance of fairy -land. The heat in summer is very oppressive, and -the heavy tempests of wind, or, to use the native -expression, “the blow,” accompanied with frightful -storms of thunder and lightning, are most terrific. -In winter the gales generally commence from the -S.S.W. to S.W., and then fly round to the N.W. at -once in a most severe squall.</p> - -<p>The approach to the Bermudas, amongst coral rocks -and breakers, is attended with great danger, unless<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_89"></a>[Pg 89]</span> -you are quite sure of your reckoning. Before the -great improvements in navigation, many an unfortunate -vessel was wrecked on them.</p> - -<p>The whole chain of these islands is formed like the -coral banks in the south seas; there are no real -springs of fresh water, and most of the inhabitants -get this necessary article from tanks attached to their -houses to catch the rain, and when these are dry they -go to wells dug in different parts of the sea coast, -through which the salt water filters, and becomes -tolerably sweet. From these the men-of-war, too, -generally get their supply, which has the effect of -Cheltenham water, and saves the trouble of applying -to the doctor.</p> - -<p>With regard to society, much depends upon the -military and naval commanders-in-chief, the regiments, -and king’s ships. Some of the Bermudian -families are highly respectable.</p> - -<p>Much merriment was afforded one evening at a -party, to which a naval captain, who is now dead, was -invited. He had come in from a long cruise, and had -been paying his addresses to a certain young lady living -on one of the islands; but the tongue of slander had -been busy against him during his absence, and on his -making a proposal she refused him. This came to -the ears of the lady of the house, who, wishing to quiz -the poor man, and to be very facetious, forgetting that -her husband had but one eye, and was not very -handsome otherwise, began her attack thus: “So, -Captain ——, I hear Miss —— has refused you,” and -went on very cruelly to torment the poor man, in his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_90"></a>[Pg 90]</span> -distress, as ladies <i>can</i> do sometimes when they wish to -be <i>mischievous</i>. He bore it all for a long time with -great patience and forbearance; being goaded at -length beyond endurance, he rose from his chair and -said, “Mrs. ——, when such an old, ugly fellow as your -husband, with but one eye, can get a pretty young -woman like yourself for a wife, I ought never to -despair.” And out he walked, the tables fairly turned -on the facetious dame. Having mentioned the word -“slander” in the above anecdote, I am induced to add -another story by way of advice to young ladies.</p> - -<p>Whenever your friend—and many young ladies -have a confidential one—abuses or throws out hints -to the prejudice of your absent lover, listen to her -with caution. The following little tale will point out -the necessity of not relying entirely upon the recommendation -of bosom friends in love affairs, for it is an -old saying that all advantages in love, war, law, and -elections are considered fair. Two young ladies from -twenty-three to twenty-five years of age, who lived in -a large town in the north, were first cousins, and dear -confidential friends; the one, a widow, had soft, pretty, -languishing, blue eyes, that said, “pray do love me;” -the other, a spinster, had black, sparkling eyes, that -said, “you shall love me.” The former had an offer -of marriage from a widower, who had a son about -fifteen years of age, whom he wished to put into a -profession previous to his marriage, but wanted some -ready money to do so. He, therefore, proposed that -the fair widow should advance him the money necessary -to enable him to do it. She, very properly, consulted<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_91"></a>[Pg 91]</span> -her friends; some gave one opinion, some another. -She hesitated between love and money—she called in -her cousin, Miss Black-eyes, who strongly advised her -by no means to part with her cash. She still hesitated, -asked other advice—sent for her cousin again—went -so far as to purchase her wedding dress and make -preparations for furnishing a house. In the meanwhile -Miss Black-eyes had had frequent communications -with the gentleman, and also with her cousin. At last, -she got some friends to back her opinion, and, finally, -the match was broken off. But the same day the -spinster gave the money to the gentleman, who had a -license ready—off they went to the next parish and -were married. Therefore, I say, be very cautious in -adopting any opinion where the least chance of a clash -of interest is likely to exist, particularly in <i>love</i> affairs.</p> - -<p>Our cruises in winter, during the time we were on this -station, were generally to the southward. Sometimes -we ran down to the island of Porto Rico, the Mona -passage, and off Anegada, with the hope of picking -up some of the French vessels from Martinique or -Guadaloupe; but the whole time we remained here, -nearly four years, only one ship letter-of-marque, a -schooner, and brig, fell into our hands.</p> - -<p>In our summer cruises, we, on one occasion, went to -Madeira; another time to Fayal, one of the western -isles, and when there, paid our respects to the nuns in -the convents, and bought some of their pretty wreaths -for ladies’ hair, beautifully made of parrots’ feathers, in -imitation of myrtle. When first we went to the bars -of the convent, the abbess sent some of the elder<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_92"></a>[Pg 92]</span> -sisters to offer flowers for sale, but these finding no -market, she changed her set, and the next time some -pretty, interesting young nuns offered their goods, -which we immediately bought from such fair hands. -If the old harpy of an abbess went away for a minute -they used to smile, talk, and give us their hands to -kiss through the grates; and their handsome dark eyes -seemed to say, “Oh! that these bars were removed, -that I might get out of this horrid prison, to which I -am consigned by sordid parents to make way for some -male branch of the family.” Several of these young -ladies, we were informed, had been expatriated from -Portugal, from that motive. A short time after we left -Fayal, one young nun did make her escape with a -captain in the navy, who very honourably married her; -but her poor friend, who tried to accompany her, met -with a serious accident, falling down and breaking her -leg, when getting out of the convent window. She -was taken back to her cell, where, it was said, she -underwent purgatory upon earth.</p> - -<p>When on the North American station I met with a -severe hurt, while making sail in chase, which laid me -up for a considerable period. A rope having got loose, -struck me on the face, broke my jaw, and knocked out -five of my teeth.</p> - -<p>In winter, the ships used to rendezvous at Bermuda; -during summer at Halifax, Nova Scotia. At the latter -place we used to enjoy pleasant society, amongst -very kind-hearted and friendly people, whose pretty -daughters made sad havoc with the hearts of both the -army and navy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_93"></a>[Pg 93]</span></p> - -<p>After one of our long summer cruises I got leave of -absence for ten days, and travelled with a friend, an -officer of the Royal Engineers, in his gig, across the -country to Annapolis Royal; the scenery did not -strike me as being particularly interesting. I saw a -great deal of barren, dreary, uncultivated land, that -wanted the hand of man to clear it, and make it “bring -forth its fruit in due season.”</p> - -<p>Driving along the road we frequently started coveys -of spruce partridges. I used occasionally, when time -permitted, to get a shot at them. These birds do not, -like our partridges, take to the fields, but on rising from -the ground always fly into fir trees; they are very stupid, -and once in a tree will allow you to shoot them all, provided -you begin with the lowest and proceed upwards.</p> - -<p>I recollect at one place where we breakfasted after -leaving Windsor, a large brown bear and two cubs -had been caught during the night in a pit fall; the old -one was shot in the pit, and the young ones kept alive, -probably to be sent to England.</p> - -<p>The native Mic Mac Indians are a poor race, those, -at least, that I saw in Halifax and its neighbourhood. -They are confined to a few families. They used to -come to the town in their slight bark canoes, bringing -game, and skins of the silver and black fox, and boxes -made of the bark of the birch tree, ornamented with -the small quills of the porcupine, dyed of various -colours. I have often been in their wigwams, and -always found the people civil. Some of the young -squaws were passable, but the old women frightful. -These wigwams are easily built: half a dozen poles<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_94"></a>[Pg 94]</span> -placed triangularly and covered with the bark of the -birch tree, is the general plan; the fire is in the middle -of the hut, the smoke finding its way out at the top, -and by the door-way. These habitations appear -warm, and the inmates healthy. When travelling, the -women carry their babies in a kind of basket, strapped -to their back, which resembles the lower part of a -fiddle-case, peeping out of which their little smoked -faces have a curious appearance. After disposing of -their wares, these people generally get drunk and fight, -the men beating the squaws, who, in their turn, belabour -the men. It not unfrequently happens that -those who return by water contrive to upset their -canoes, when they lose all the articles they have bought; -it is, however, very rare that any of the crew are -drowned. Fish of various sorts are most abundant, -and the market very good. The harbour of Halifax -is safe, but sometimes difficult to make, on account of -the thick fogs, which in particular winds,—those from -south-east to south-west,—hang about the coast.</p> - -<p>A very provoking circumstance occurred to one of -the lieutenants, who was a Welchman, and a married -man, during a cruise, caused by a nanny-goat eating -his letters that he had just received from England, -previous to his having read them.</p> - -<p>A schooner joined us at sea from Bermuda, bringing -the mail and letters from there and Halifax, Nova -Scotia. We all felt very anxious about news, for it -was nearly ten months since we had heard from “sweet -home;” in consequence of our being out cruising, and -going from place to place, they had missed us.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_95"></a>[Pg 95]</span></p> - -<p>The weather was squally when the above vessel -joined us with the letters, and by the time her boat -had reached us, and they were delivered to their owners, -it was necessary to turn the hands up to reef the topsails. -Poor M——, for fear his letters should get wet -in his pocket, for it began to rain as well as blow, left -them for safety on the rudder-head in the wardroom, -and went on deck to his station. No sooner was the -evolution performed than down he ran below, thinking, -poor fellow! to have a nice, quiet reading of his two -letters from his wife, giving an account of a new bit -of mischief that had been added to his establishment -during his absence, for he had left his wife near her -confinement, previous to his leaving England. Now, -only imagine M——’s rage, vexation, and consternation, -on beholding Mrs. Taffy, the Welch goat, -mounted on the rudder-head, very quietly eating up -the letters. One was quite gone, and a very small -corner of the other sticking out of the goat’s mouth, -which she was endeavouring to masticate with all -possible dispatch. “Nanny” was seized by the throat -in a moment, and measures adopted to make her -disgorge the precious writing, but all in vain, for she -had taken such good care to bite them in small pieces, -in order that they might the more easily be swallowed, -and readily digested, that not a fragment larger than -a crown piece was recovered, and he had to wait eight -long months more, before he got others to tell him the -contents of those, and give him information about his -family.</p> - -<p>This was a trial of temper. We commiserated,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96"></a>[Pg 96]</span> -sympathised, and found fault with him for not putting -them in his pocket, writing-desk, or any safer place -than where he had left them; in short, he had all Job’s -comforters, but was obliged to have recourse to Dame -Patience, hoping that some other vessel might soon -come from home and bring him others. Eight long -months elapsed ere he received information from England—making -in the whole nearly eighteen months—a -vexatious period at any time, but still more so in his -case. The goat had been used to run in and out of the -ward-room, for she was a great pet, and generally -after dinner had some biscuit and a little wine or -grog given to her, which she was very fond of. After -the unfortunate affair of the letters she was banished -for a month. After that period it was forgotten, and -she came in for her biscuit and grog as usual.</p> - -<p>On one of our spring cruises, in May, 1810, we lost -our captain (John Conn), who, in a fit of derangement, -jumped overboard out of his stern cabin, and -was drowned. He was a thorough seaman, and very -much beloved by us all. He served in Lord Rodney’s -fleet in the action of the 12th of April, 1782, and -commanded the <i>Dreadnought</i> (98), at the battle of -Trafalgar. He was mate of the <i>Ramilies</i> (74), Rear-Admiral -Thomas Graves, when she was lost in that -dreadful gale, which proved fatal to the <i>Ville de Paris</i> -(110), <i>Glorieux</i> (74), <i>Centaur</i> (74), and various other -men-of-war, transports, and merchant ships, in the -gulf stream, not far from the latitude of Bermuda, -when returning to England in August of that year -with the prizes taken by Lord Rodney.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_97"></a>[Pg 97]</span></p> - -<p>He gave me a piece of advice respecting the coast -of America which I shall never forget, and as it is -of that sort which all seamen liable to be sent on the -North American station ought to be acquainted with, -I shall mention it here. “Never lay your ship to at -night in a gale of wind to the S.S.W. on the coast of -America on the larboard tack, for the wind generally -flies round at once to the N.W. with a heavy squall, -and takes the ship flat back.” It was this, and lying-to -under a main-sail, which caused the loss of the -<i>Ramilies</i> at that period. He often gave me an -account of that misfortune. It was as follows:—“We -were on the larboard tack, with a reefed main-sail -set. The gale commenced from S.E., and gradually -came round to the S.S.W., blowing extremely -hard. When in the middle watch of the night of the -16th of October, 1782, the wind flew round in a most -tremendous squall to the N.W., taking the ship aback, -and throwing her nearly on her beam ends. We -tried to brace the main-yard round, but, finding it -impossible, we cut the foot rope of the main-sail, -which was quite a new one, with the hope of splitting -it, but it was bound so tight against the mast and -rigging that we could not effect this. The ship at -this time had great stern-way upon her; the sea, -breaking over her poop, stove in the dead-lights and -windows, and filled the ward-room and admiral’s -cabin with water, and before anything could be done -the main-mast, mizen-mast, and foretop-mast went -over the side; the stern-post was much shaken, and -the ship, nearly a new one, sprung a dangerous leak.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_98"></a>[Pg 98]</span> -At daylight the whole convoy was scattered; many -of the vessels dismasted—some had foundered—and -the sea was covered with wreck; the wind blowing a -hurricane. By dint of perseverance, having thrown -overboard most of her guns and heavy stores, we -succeeded in keeping the ship afloat until the 22nd, -when, finding she would not float much longer, we -took advantage of a lull of wind, and saved the crew -on board a few of the merchant ships that had continued -by her.”</p> - -<p>Captain J. Conn also mentioned that had the orders -of Rear-Admiral Graves been attended to the ship -would probably not have been lost. The admiral -came out of his cabin in the middle watch, and, after -looking about him and making his remarks to the -officer on deck, said, “It looks black under the lee -bow, and I see some flashes of lightning. Should the -clouds appear to near you, immediately haul up the -main-sail and wear ship.” Unfortunately the admiral -went into his cabin without sending for the captain, -who slept in the ward-room. The moment the admiral -had gone in, the officer of the watch ran down to -Captain S. M., and mentioned the directions he had -received. The captain replied, “It is my positive -order you do no such thing without first coming to -acquaint me.” The lieutenant of the watch had -scarcely got on deck when he saw that a most violent -squall, with shift of wind, was about to take place. -Down he ran to acquaint his captain, according to -orders, but before he could get again upon the deck -to give the necessary directions the mischief had been<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_99"></a>[Pg 99]</span> -done: she was taken aback, lost her masts, and was -finally abandoned and burnt—all owing to adhering -too closely to etiquette. The captain very properly -was never employed afterwards.</p> - -<p>From Bermuda we sailed to Halifax, where, one -afternoon, a man fell from the main-top, and striking -first against the main-rigging, then against the spare topsail-yard -in the chains, dropped into the sea. Being -on deck, I ran to the gangway, and, seeing no time -was to be lost, jumped overboard, and, fortunately, -getting hold of the man just as he was sinking, I kept -him up until a boat was sent to our assistance. His -fall having been broken by the main-rigging, previous -to his striking the topsail-yard, was probably the -cause of his life being saved.</p> - -<p>After remaining in port some time, orders arrived -from England for the 7th Fusiliers, commanded by -Lieutenant-Colonel Blakeney, to proceed to join the -army of Lord Wellington. We embarked the headquarters -and four hundred men of this fine regiment. -The remainder were sent out in other men-of-war, -and, after a passage of three weeks, were landed at -Lisbon. The officers were a most pleasant, gentlemanly -set of men; but out of the whole of those -whom we took thither only the gallant Sir Edward -Blakeney (now a Major-General) and another are -alive.</p> - -<p>After returning to Halifax nothing of interest occurred -on the station for the remainder of our time, -except that Captain Charles Austen, a very amiable -man and excellent officer, who had been placed in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_100"></a>[Pg 100]</span> -command of the <i>Swiftsure</i> in lieu of Captain Conn, -who was drowned, was appointed to the <i>Cleopatra</i>, -Captain Lloyd joining the former ship in his stead.</p> - -<p>We returned to England in the spring of the year -1811, and the ship was paid off at Chatham.</p> - -<p>After a month at home, I took a passage in the -<i>Port Mahon</i>, brig, of 18 guns, to Lisbon, and on the -11th of June arrived in the Tagus, and was placed on -the Admiralty list for promotion.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_101"></a>[Pg 101]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="summary">Lisbon—Trip to the Army of Lord Wellington—Montemor Novo, -O’Rodondo, Villa Vicosa, Elvas, Fort le Lippe.</p> - -<p class="p2">I was appointed to a ship in the Tagus by the commander-in-chief, -Admiral Sir G. Berkeley, whose -amiable family treated me with great kindness and -attention.</p> - -<p>Having but little to do, I passed much time in -examining the beautifully situated, but dirty town of -Lisbon. If it were not for the scavenger dogs which -prowl about and take “pot luck,” the streets would be -impassable from filth. Having a brother<a id="FNanchor_9" href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[I]</a> in the 14th<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_102"></a>[Pg 102]</span> -Dragoons, with the army of Lord Wellington, whom -I had not seen for more than seven years, and a -remount of horses arriving from England for the -regiment, amongst which was one for my brother, I -thought it a very good opportunity of going to see -him.</p> - -<p>The admiral having been so obliging as to grant -me a month’s leave of absence, on the 19th of July, I -accordingly left Lisbon, placing on the horse a pair of -saddle bags, blanket, great coat, sword and pistols, -together with some hams and brandy, which I was -told would be very acceptable in camp.</p> - -<p>After a short ride, I embarked in a Portuguese -passage boat, with a motley group of persons. A sail -of three hours brought me safe to Aldea Galega, a -small town on the southern bank of the Tagus.</p> - -<p>I was now about to travel in a strange country. -Unable to speak the language, and having no servant -to take care of my horse, the troops having gone forward -the previous day, I began to fear I should be<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_103"></a>[Pg 103]</span> -placed in some difficulty. Before me was a march of -five or six days,—during which my steed would require -that care a groom only could bestow,—I determined, -however, to push on and trust to fortune, and my -Portuguese vocabulary. Looking about the miserable -town of Aldea Galega for mules, I was lucky enough -to meet with a dismounted dragoon, belonging to the -14th, going to Lisbon, who informed me that the -detachment of his regiment, which I ought to have -accompanied, had marched from Galega only the day -before, and that by my making all haste, I most likely -should overtake them in less than forty-eight hours. -I pressed this man into my service, went to a commissary, -got two mules, on one of which I put my -baggage, mounting the soldier, with three days’ rations -for myself and cattle, on the other. In the evening -we left this town for a place called Pegoeus, twenty -miles distant, and after a most disagreeable ride -through a long stunted wood, with a heavy sandy soil, -in which the horse and mules sank half-way up their -knees at every step, a little before midnight reached -Pegoeus, a most wretched place, consisting of three -miserable dirty hovels, very much resembling cow-houses, -into one of which we entered, in order to rest -the horse and mules. Sitting down upon my baggage, -I loaded my pistols, as the house was full of ill-looking -Portuguese and Spanish muleteers and peasantry, -nearly all armed, and half drunk, and making a great -noise. Some people I was informed had been robbed -a few hours before of everything, near this very place. -Although very much tired, sleeping was out of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_104"></a>[Pg 104]</span> -question; I was therefore glad when daylight arrived. -While my cattle were being saddled, I was fain to -undress by the road-side, and shake off some score of -fleas that were scampering over me in all directions: -then mounting my horse, a cool ride of five hours -brought me to a small village called Vendas Novas, -where I remained a short time to get something to -eat, and rest the animals. Here we were fortunate -enough to get tea and eggs for breakfast, and I heard -to my great joy, that the detachment was only three -hours’ march ahead of me. At half-past nine we left -this place, and after riding sixteen miles in the heat of -the day, almost broiled, reached a tolerably good town -called Montemor Novo, built on a hill. At this place -are the remains of a Moorish castle.</p> - -<p>I joined the troops going to the army under the -Hon. Major Butler, with whom I took up my quarters, -and the next day sent the dragoon back with the -mules. On the following morning at five we marched -for a town called Arryoles, where we arrived at ten.</p> - -<p>Most of the Portuguese villages and towns in the -Alemtejo are dull and uninteresting, at least they -appeared so to me. The next morning early, we -moved to a small clean town called Vemeiro, only -eight miles distant, which, losing our way, we did not -reach until noon. I found it very pleasant marching -with the troops, not but that it was distressing to put -the inhabitants to so much trouble and inconvenience -turning them out of their rooms to quarter officers and -soldiers in them. It is but justice however to say that -the British officers and men generally conducted them<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_105"></a>[Pg 105]</span>selves -with so much propriety, forbearance, and good -feeling towards the natives of the different towns where -they were billeted, that mutual regrets frequently took -place at parting. God forbid, old England ever should -be the scene of warfare. Contending armies are one of -the greatest scourges with which Divine providence -can afflict a nation. Even your allies cannot avoid -bringing with them desolation for a time, by destroying -crops of all kinds, to prevent their falling into the -hands of the enemy. In short, ruin and devastation -follow in the train of an army, whether friend or -foe.</p> - -<p>Being near the town of Usagree, in Estramadura, -with a brigade of dragoons, I remember seeing whole -fields of wheat, &c., cut down and given as green -food to the horses of our army. The French being -expected almost immediately to occupy the position -we were then in, the commanding officer very properly -thought it better to secure the grain for -ourselves than leave it to fall into the hands of the -enemy. A poor old Spaniard came up to the gallant -colonel, the late Sir Felton Harvey, and, shaking his -grey locks, implored him to spare his only field, which -was to preserve himself and family from starving, -and which he beheld our troops cutting to feed their -horses. The reply was that we were his friends; that -we were obliged to take the corn, since our horses -must not starve; that, if they did not eat it, those of -the French, his mortal enemies, would. The colonel -concluded by giving the poor man an order on the -commissary to pay him in dollars equal to what had<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_106"></a>[Pg 106]</span> -been taken away. I give this anecdote for the edification -of such of my countrymen as are apt, through -ignorance, let us hope, to malign the conduct of our -soldiers in the Peninsula, and who grudge the officers -and men of both army and navy their hard-earned -half-pay or pension, a return surely not more than -sufficient for averting the horrors of war from the -hearths of their fellow subjects.</p> - -<p>The constant state of alarm and anxiety that the -whole of Spain and Portugal suffered while the contending -armies were hovering about was extreme. As -long as the British troops occupied their towns and -villages, the poor inhabitants knew they had nothing -to fear; but the moment the French came, plunder -and destruction were the order of the day, and in very -many cases, outrages were committed through mere -wantonness: houses unroofed, the sides of others stove -in, and the furniture destroyed. Our soldiers were the -“lion and the lamb”; those of the French, to use -Voltaire’s expression, the “tiger and the monkey.”</p> - -<p>I was informed at Villa Vicosa, by a genteel Portuguese -family, of the continual fear they lived in, and -they related to me the following circumstance:—One -night the alarm was given that the French were advancing -into the town, nearly every person having -gone to bed. Immediately all the church bells began -tolling to give warning; everyone, even the sick, arose, -these latter were put into cars, each person taking -what things he could carry with him—one a bed, -another articles of clothing, chairs, tables, or whatever -else might be useful in their hiding places. After they<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_107"></a>[Pg 107]</span> -had gone a short distance, it was found to be only a -false alarm. An enemy’s foraging party had been -seen during the evening in the neighbourhood, but -had, fortunately for them, taken another direction. At -this period our troops were in the north of Portugal, -and the French having a strong garrison in Badajoz, -used to send out occasionally a marauding party, -which caused the above consternation!</p> - -<p>We left Vemiero on the 23rd July, and arrived at -Estramoy the same day. It is rather a large inland -town, and once had been a garrison, the works of the -fortifications remained, but the guns had been removed, -the city being commanded by an eminence at -the back of it still higher than the hill on which it is -built. Unlike most other towns in Portugal, it is -tolerably clean. On the following morning we marched -from hence to a pretty neat little village called -O’Rodondo, where we arrived at ten, and I had the -pleasure of once more meeting my brother, who had -just recovered from a sabre cut in his face, received at -the battles of Fuentes d’Onor, which knocked out -two of his teeth and split his tongue.</p> - -<p>Since we had parted in the year 1804 on the peaceful -shores of England, what trials and scenes had we -both gone through and witnessed. He had been on -the expedition under Sir Samuel Achmuty, at the -taking of Monte Video, in South America; in four -general actions; the two bloody days of Talavera in -1809; the battle of the Coa, Busaco, Fuentes d’Onor, -where he was wounded, besides several warm affairs -and skirmishes; and since then he was in the battles<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_108"></a>[Pg 108]</span> -of Llerena, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Orthes, -Toulouse, and numerous outpost affairs.</p> - -<p>He has lately been sent with Lord William Russell -as one of the Lieut.-Colonels employed by our Government -as military reporters when Don Pedro returned -to Portugal, the events of which period he has -published in his “rough leaves.” He at present commands -the 15th Hussars, and is with his regiment at -Madras, having sailed from Gravesend, with the headquarters -of his regiment, on board the <i>Herefordshire</i>, -East Indiaman, on the 4th of June, 1839.</p> - -<p>I, too, had been tried in fire at Trafalgar, and -on various boat expeditions, etc., and had been -wounded, and taken prisoner.</p> - -<p>We remained at O’Rodondo three days, during -which time I rode with my brother to various places -in the neighbourhood. On the 28th of July, the -regiment moved to Villa Vicosa, where we found some -fine infantry regiments preparing for a march to the -northward to invest Ciudad Rodrigo.</p> - -<p>I liked Villa Vicosa much better than any other -town I had yet seen in Portugal, the inhabitants were -very civil, and I was introduced to several families, -and did hope we should remain here for some days; -the country round about it was pleasant, and a park -full of deer, belonging to the Prince Regent, used to -furnish us occasionally with venison. Those officers -who had a regency certificate had permission to shoot -in it.</p> - -<p>Operations against Ciudad Rodrigo having been -determined upon, we only remained here three days,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_109"></a>[Pg 109]</span> -during which time I visited Elvas, Borba, Alandroal, -and other places. From Elvas, I had a very good view -of Badajoz, with the river Guadiana, and the surrounding -flat country. The town and fortifications of Elvas -are well worth seeing, they are on a large scale, and -built on a high hill. This being one of the principal -frontier towns of Portugal, great pains had been taken -by Count Le Lippe<a id="FNanchor_10" href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[J]</a> to render the works as strong as -possible. After he had completed the fortifications, -he found it necessary to erect a strong fortress or -castle, on a high hill, which commanded the best part -of them, and which is considered so strong, that it is -supposed to be impregnable; it is named after himself. -Report says that a garrison of 15,000 men in Elvas, -and 1200 in Fort Le Lippe, with plenty of provisions, -would keep those places in defiance of any numbers -that might be brought against them.</p> - -<p>There is at Elvas a very large, fine, and curious -aqueduct, differing from any I had yet seen: it has -three tiers of arches, raised one above the other, and -of great height.</p> - -<p>The French army having made a movement to -the northward, orders arrived in the evening for the -14th Dragoons to march at daylight the next morning -for Estramoy, where they halted for the night. Next -day they moved forward to Frontiera, and from thence -to O’Crato, where are the remains of an old Moorish -castle. We left this town on the morning of the 5th -of August, and on our arrival at the miserable village<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_110"></a>[Pg 110]</span> -of Gafete, my leave of absence having expired, I was -obliged, to my great sorrow, to return to Lisbon. So, -bidding my brother and friends of the regiment adieu, -I struck off for Abrantes, thirty miles distant.</p> - -<p>Colonel Hervey very kindly sent a dragoon to escort -me thither, the road being rendered dangerous by -marauding parties of the natives. I was now mounted -upon a nice little French horse. He had belonged to -the French 1st Hussars, and had been taken from the -enemy in a charge by my brother’s troop. I reached -Abrantes by five in the evening, and, having got a -tolerable billet and something to eat, was glad to go -to rest.</p> - -<p>At ten the next morning I quitted Abrantes alone, -the soldier having gone back to his regiment, which -was ordered to cover the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo.</p> - -<p>I had still eighty-four miles to ride to Lisbon, which -was not very pleasant to do alone at that period, considering -the excited state and wretched poverty of the -country.</p> - -<p>At sunset I arrived at Santarem, thirty-six miles -from Abrantes. This latter is a large, dirty town, -standing upon a hill that commands the country -around it. The river Tagus runs at its foot, over -which is a bridge of boats that can be removed at -pleasure. The French marshal, Junot, derived his -title from this city.</p> - -<p>At Santarem I picked up an English soldier, who -undertook the care of my horse. This is a large -town. Part of it is built on a high hill: the remainder -standing in a valley.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_111"></a>[Pg 111]</span></p> - -<p>When here last year the French committed great -devastation, unroofing some of the houses, and staving -in the sides of others, besides plundering and destroying -whatever they could lay their hands on.</p> - -<p>My billet had been unroofed, and part of its sides -were torn down. I found a mattrass spread on the -floor, but without the necessary accompaniment of -clothes. The fleas, as is usual in such places, were -exceedingly troublesome; but, having ridden all day -under a hot sun, sleep soon overcame this annoyance, -and I remained unconscious of their attacks till seven -the next morning, when I arose, and, after taking a -refreshing swim in the Tagus in order to get rid of -my lively bed-fellows, ate my breakfast, and then -rode to Villa Franca, twenty-four miles. The heat -of the weather being very great, and my horse loaded -with my saddle bags, it was impossible for me to -go faster than a walk, so that it was evening before I -reached that place.</p> - -<p>In the course of the day I passed through several -small villages that the French had nearly destroyed. -The inhabitants were beginning to return and put the -remains of their houses in order.</p> - -<p>At Villa Franca I got a tolerably good dinner, but -was almost talked to death by the landlady, an Irishwoman, -at whose house I had put up, and who -inquired the news of the army—what they were -about—whither going—where such a regiment was, -&c., &c., forgetting that I was tired and wanted rest.</p> - -<p>Early next morning I left for Lisbon, and, after a -ride of six hours, passing by part of the lines of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_112"></a>[Pg 112]</span> -Torres Vedras, at which men were still working, -I reached that city.</p> - -<p>I had ridden, for the first time in my life, more -than five hundred miles, and nearly the whole of it -in the sun during the hottest part of the day, in the -months of July and August, without its doing me -the least harm, and never feeling over fatigued.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_113"></a>[Pg 113]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="summary">Lisbon, Cintra, Mafra, etc., 1811, 1812—Second trip to the Army—Taking -of Badajoz.</p> - -<p class="p2">I spent the remainder of the year in the Tagus, -making, when duty permitted, excursions up that -river to some of the small islands, near Alhandra, -where we used to find snipe, quail, and other wild -fowl. Sometimes we landed on the south side of the -Tagus, to shoot red-legged partridges and woodcocks, -which we occasionally met with near the Prince’s -Quinta. But the most delightful place for snipe and -wild fowl was Loares, on the road towards Torres -Vedras: the swamps being there alive with various -kinds of them, and amongst others, bittern, kites, -hawks, and I have seen, now and then, an osprey.</p> - -<p>In March, 1812, I made a very pleasant excursion -to Cintra, Mafra, and Colares, with the present Lord -By——, and some other officers of the <i>Barfleur</i>. -On our road, we went to see the palace of Calous, -where, in some of the rooms are, very well painted, -the whole of the adventures of Don Quixote.</p> - -<p>Cintra, fifteen miles distant from Lisbon, is situated -on the north-east side of the rock. It is certainly one -of the most romantic places I have seen, and commands<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_114"></a>[Pg 114]</span> -an extensive and beautiful view of the country and of -the sea. The buildings most worthy of observation -are: first, the Penia convent, rising from the rock of -Lisbon; it is about three hundred and twenty years’ -old, and is tenanted by three monks. From hence is -a fine prospect, comprising Cape Espichel, Peniche, -and the Burling islands. Another convent, called the -Cork, from its being lined with that wood, built also -on the rock, and having fifteen monks for its inmates, -next attracts attention. This was founded about -three hundred years ago. Beyond, on an extreme -point of the rock, are the ruins of a Moorish castle, -mosque, prison, and baths: the latter supposed by -some to be of Roman origin. The Marquess of -Marialva’s palace, where the convention was signed, -is very fine, and pleasantly situated.</p> - -<p>Rising amongst rocks, and embosomed in orange, -lemon, and pomegranate trees, Penia Verde must not -pass unnoticed. Its original possessor, Don Juan de -Castro, who died <span class="allsmcap">A. D.</span> 1723, and whose remains, at -his request, were interred in a particular spot in the -garden, discovered much of the interior of Brazil: -besides being of great use to the Government in -several important matters. On his return to Lisbon -he petitioned for a pension, which being most ungratefully -refused, he so willed his property and -possessions as to prevent them in any way benefiting -his country, which had turned a deaf ear to his claims -for compensation for the services he had rendered her. -This fact our guide adduced as a reason for the grounds -being found in their wild and neglected condition.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_115"></a>[Pg 115]</span></p> - -<p>The king’s palace, an old gloomy edifice, did not -much take my fancy. What most struck me there -was a shower-bath, lined with white marble, or, -perhaps, pantiles, and which, on turning a pipe, throws -the water in all directions. It not unfrequently -happened that visitors were taught a practical lesson -of its powers. It used to be a joke to get them to -step into the bath room, the machinery was put in -motion, and they underwent a good drenching as the -reward of their curiosity.</p> - -<p>The prince’s palace of Romalyan I thought pretty, -and its situation, looking towards Lisbon and the sea, -quite delightful. The Marquis of Marialva has other -gardens than those adjoining his palace, which we -went to see, on account of the figures they contain; -amongst them are shoemakers, and an old woman -spinning, all as large as life; by touching some wires -they are set in motion and immediately begin their -work.</p> - -<p>We one day rode to the village of Colares, prettily -situated near the sea, and famous for its wine, which -is so excellent that I am surprised it is not more -frequently met with in England; it is something in -flavour between claret and burgundy.</p> - -<p>In the garden of a Signor Tomazine, at the above -place, is a mineral spring, but I am ignorant of its -qualities. Would not this afford a capital speculation -to an M.D. Let me advise one to analyse the spring, -rent it—write a pamphlet upon its good qualities—recommend -it strongly for the cure of all kinds of -complaints, particularly consumptions and pulmonary<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_116"></a>[Pg 116]</span> -affections. The fine beautiful air of Cintra, and its -romantic scenery he could always call in to his aid as -a good and faithful ally in all extreme cases; and -when he occasionally failed, he might say the case -was desperate, and the patient’s time was come. With -the assistance above mentioned, he would be sure to -effect some cures, and make his fortune; steam vessels -would bring him patients and friends to attend them, -some of the latter would probably in time fall sick, -and, therefore, he might justly calculate upon getting -a few of them also on his books as patients. I hope, -should any medical gentleman take this hint, he will -remember me gratefully in his will, for depend upon -it, the speculation will answer much better than many -of the railroads.</p> - -<p>Before leaving Cintra, on our return to Lisbon, we -made an excursion to Mafra to see an eminent building, -containing, besides a convent and church, a palace -for the king, and another for the queen. I believe -that, with the exception of the Escurial in Spain, this -is the largest pile of building in Europe. I was told -that in one quadrangle alone, the French, previous to -the convention, had quartered 15,000 men. From the -roof is a fine view of the country for many miles. -There is also a topada, or park, of some extent, -belonging to it. From the church rises a dome, something -like that of St. Paul’s in London. There are -likewise two steeples. The interior, which contains -some good paintings, and several pieces of sculpture -in alto-relief, on scriptural subjects, is well worth inspection. -These were executed at Rome, and showed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_117"></a>[Pg 117]</span> -the hand of a great master. There are also statues of -all the saints, in white marble. Its six organs are considered -very fine, and according to the padres, the -Mafra ring of bells is the best in the world. This -palace, at the time we saw it, was the depôt for the -formation of the Portuguese army.</p> - -<p>I have not dwelt much on Lisbon, a city so generally -known, that to notice its public buildings, aqueduct, -etc., would be superfluous in a narrative like the -present. We had a few slight shocks of an earthquake -during the time I was there, which created a little -alarm, and caused all the church bells to be set ringing -for the people to come to mass.</p> - -<p>On the 16th of March I had permission to accompany -my brother to his regiment, which was then at -Olivença, in Spain, covering the siege of Badajoz. -Our route to the army was the same as before, through -the Alemtejo to Elvas; we crossed the river Guadiana -by the ford of Xerumaha to Olivença, in Estramadura, -where the regiment remained until the 4th of April.</p> - -<p>Marshal Soult having advanced towards Badajoz to -try and raise the siege, the cavalry, both heavy and -light, were sent forward as far as Villaloa, Almandralajo, -and Villa Franca, to oppose him; some brigades -of infantry occupying Albuera on nearly the same -spot where Lord Beresford fought the battle.</p> - -<p>I remained behind to see the siege, and pay a visit -to my old friends of the 7th Fusiliers, with a Captain -Daniel Capel, of the 14th. On the 5th of April I -went with them to look at the breaching batteries, -and to visit an old acquaintance, who had been<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_118"></a>[Pg 118]</span> -wounded the day before by a musket-ball through the -side, while doing duty as an engineer in the trenches. -Poor fellow! he was afterwards killed on the Pyrenees -by lightning; he belonged to the 37th Regiment. I -spent a very pleasant day with the Fusiliers, but it was -doomed alas! to be the last with several of my gallant -friends, and amongst others, poor Saint Pol, who the -next night was mortally wounded at the storming of -the large breach.</p> - -<p>On my return, late in the evening, to my quarters at -Olivença, what with the haze in my head, occasioned -by wine, the foggy state of the evening, the smoke -from the fire of the different batteries, the captain of -dragoons and myself lost each other, and our way. -By mistake my horse, who had been taken from the -enemy, took the wrong road, and instead of going to -the left, towards a ford that we had to cross at some -distance in rear of the camp, he chose to take me to -the foot of the bridge leading to Badajoz, where the -enemy had a cavalry picket; fortunately for me, we -had a strong covering party of the 43rd Regiment -lying down on the ground. Being unable to give the -countersign, these were going to shoot me for a French -officer. They seized my steed, and knocked me off -his back with the butt end of a musket. I was dragged -on the ground back to the camp, where I had to encounter -the jokes of my friends, softened it is true by -sincere congratulations on my escape. My horse, -whose head had been turned from Badajoz, got loose, -and managed to find his way back to Olivença, where -I was <i>lucky</i> enough to find him the next day; for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_119"></a>[Pg 119]</span> -sometimes lost horses were borrowed to carry baggage, -commissary stores, or other articles, and they undergoing -various metamorphoses, such as cropping the -ears and tails, with other little changes in their appearances, -the lawful owners could with great difficulty -recognise their own steeds.</p> - -<p>These slight-of-hand tricks used occasionally to be -played; and with an army consisting of so many -thousand troops, composed of various nations, and -covering a vast extent of country, it was not a very -easy matter to trace a lost animal, whether horse, -mule, or donkey.</p> - -<p>On the evening of the 6th, Badajoz was stormed -and taken. <i>No other troops in the world</i> could have -carried a citadel so strong, and so manfully defended; -they behaved most <i>nobly</i>, in spite of death and destruction, -which were dealt around with <i>no sparing -hand</i>.</p> - -<p>Our army was indeed a gallant band of warriors, -such as we shall never see again; such as the world -probably will never again produce.</p> - -<p>Having rejoined the 14th Dragoons at Valverde, I -proceeded with them to the several towns of Almendrab, -Santa Martha, Villalva, Villa Franca, Fuente de -Meastro, Rebeiro, and nearly to Usagre. Marshal -Soult pushed forward his cavalry, and some outpost -skirmishing took place. Near Villa Franca, the 12th, -14th, and 16th Light Dragoons, with six regiments of -heavy horse, having joined and drawn up, we expected -a general cavalry action. It passed over, however, -with some skirmishing in front with a numerous body<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_120"></a>[Pg 120]</span> -of the enemy’s dragoons, who manœuvred to cover the -retreat of their army.</p> - -<p>I recollect one of Soult’s scouts, a Spaniard, being -taken by a patrol of the 14th Dragoons. This fellow -was observed stealing, under cover of night, in the -direction of our pickets, when he was seized and -brought in. Being threatened with instant death -unless he gave up his despatch, he fell on his knees -and implored for mercy, directing the officer to cut -the third leather button from his coat, when he would -find what he demanded. On taking off the button, -a tiny slip of paper was discovered, on which was -written these words, “Hold out: I am coming.” I -saw this <i>morceau</i>; it was short and to the purpose. -It had been sent by the marshal to the governor of -Badajoz.</p> - -<p>My leave of absence having expired, I was obliged -to return towards Lisbon. I had been all day with -my brother on the advanced picket, looking at our -videttes and those of the French, near Usagre, when, -having laid down in my clothes to get a little rest, -orders arrived to again advance. No engagement, -however, being expected, I was advised to remain -where I was for the night, and to set out in the -morning on my route for the Tagus.</p> - -<p>Next day, whilst quietly retracing my steps thither, -a brilliant cavalry affair took place near the above-named -town and Llerena, when the French were -completely routed, and many prisoners made. I was -sorry I had not remained to witness the rencontre, but -consoled myself with the reflection that I had pro<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_121"></a>[Pg 121]</span>bably -been saved a broken head, where I should have -gained neither credit nor thanks.</p> - -<p>The second day after leaving the army I reached -Badajoz, and went over the defences of that city, -which bore strongly the marks of recent strife. Not -the least affecting evidence of mortal affray were the -bodies of several of my gallant countrymen floating -in the ditch, and which people were employed in -removing in order to their being buried. The more I -examined the works, the greater my astonishment at -the bravery and perseverance of our troops. By one -unacquainted with military tactics, time alone would -have been pronounced capable of effecting the ruin -before him. He could never have conceived it possible -that walls so apparently impregnable would -have yielded to the force of a besieging army. But -for the escalade, indeed, failure had been inevitable -where success was now complete, insured as it had -been by immense sacrifice of life.</p> - -<p>My road from Badajoz lay through Olivença, where -I crossed the river Guadiana to Xerumaha, and proceeded -thence to Villa Vicosa and San Miguel de -Mechada, where I fell in with some French prisoners -marching, under a strong escort, to Lisbon. They -had formed part of a division, under General Girard, -when he was surprised and routed by the gallant Sir -Rowland Hill near Miranda.</p> - -<p>The fifth day brought me to Evora, where, announcing -to the inhabitants glad tidings of victory, I got an -excellent billet at the house of a padre, who gave me -the best dinner and bed I had had for some time.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_122"></a>[Pg 122]</span></p> - -<p>Evora, the capital of the Alemtejo, is a fine old -town, and has still visible the remains of a Roman -wall. Here, too, is the aqueduct, built by the General -Sertorius, which is in tolerable repair after the lapse -of so many ages. This place is fortified, and contains -an episcopal palace.</p> - -<p>Time pressing, I set forward the next morning, my -friend, the priest, having obtained an order from the -Juis de Fori for a muleteer to attend me, and convey -my baggage on a mule. The fellow turned rather -sulky, so much so that I was obliged to drive him on -with my pistol to Vendas Novas, where, after a hot -ride of thirty-six miles, I had to sit up all night to -guard my baggage and prevent the rascal running -away, such I had been informed being his intention -the moment I had gone to bed. The window of my -room looking into the street, I told my friend that if -he attempted to escape I would shoot him on the -spot. This had the desired effect, and next morning -I proceeded, still driving the Spaniard on before me, -to that dirty place, Pegoeus, where, falling in with a -party of English soldiers, I gave him in charge to -them.</p> - -<p>The following day I arrived, after a ride of five -hours, at Aldea Galega, where, dismissing my muleteer, -who made many humble apologies for his behaviour, -I embarked in the ferry-boat, and crossed over to -Lisbon. The fellow, it appeared, was fearful of being -again pressed at Aldea Galega into the service of the -commissaries to carry stores or provisions to the -army.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_123"></a>[Pg 123]</span></p> - -<p>Captain Hood Linze, of H.M.S. <i>Ocean</i> (98), being -obliged to invalid on account of a severe wound from -the stab of a madman, I was, on the 11th June, 1812, -appointed acting commander of H.M.S. <i>Brune</i>.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_124"></a>[Pg 124]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="summary">Cadiz, Minorca, Majorca, Alicant, Carthagena, Algiers, Oran, Altea -Bay—Drive a French Privateer on shore near Denia.</p> - -<p class="p2">On the 13th of June I sailed in H.M. Ship <i>Brune</i> for -Cadiz, at that time besieged by Marshal Soult. I -waited on Admiral Legg, and our ambassador (Sir -Henry Willesley), and delivered my despatches, and, -after remaining there two days, proceeded to Gibraltar -and Minorca, where I was placed under the orders -of Rear-Admiral Benjamin Hallowell, who, on the -4th July, sent me to Palma Bay, Majorca, to collect -Spanish troops, and embark them on board transports -and the <i>Brune</i>. After making two or three trips -between the two above-named islands, I embarked -Major-General Whittingham’s brigade of Spanish -troops, who were not a bad-looking body of men.</p> - -<p>I dined occasionally with his Excellency the -Governor-General of the Balearic islands, the Marquis -de Coupigny, who was a very pleasant, gentlemanly -person, and at whose table I met several of the -Spanish <i>noblesse</i>, who had taken refuge at Palma -during the troubles on the continent.</p> - -<p>I observed that smoking was not uncommon with -the Spanish ladies. Whence this custom originated<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_125"></a>[Pg 125]</span> -it is perhaps difficult to determine, unless, indeed, the -habit of using tobacco—to which the other sex are -immoderately addicted—has gradually, from social -motives, been adopted by the fair; for we can hardly -suppose that a practice so generally reprobated by -them should at once be resorted to by ladies as a -recreation, or even solace. The compliment, if such -it be, ought to be duly appreciated by their husbands. -But what will not woman do or suffer to conduce to -the comfort or to mitigate the care of him she loves!</p> - -<p>In Spain are to be seen beautiful women in every -rank of life, with very fine eyes, pretty feet and -hands. They generally carry a fan—a most useful -auxiliary whilst conversing; indeed, they would be -hardly able to talk without one. Their dress is calculated -to set off a good figure and fine features to -great advantage.</p> - -<p>After embarking the brigade of General Whittingham, -we proceeded to Alicant. The castle and fortress -of this place make a figure in history, particularly -during the war of succession, and bring to remembrance -the brave and chivalric conduct of the Earl of -Peterborough. The anchorage in the bay is good, -and, with a long scope of cable, ships may ride out a -heavy gale with the wind in, for the under-tow is so -great that you ride with little strain on the cables.</p> - -<p>After the battle of Salamanca, Soult, thinking his -situation before Cadiz insecure, raised the siege, and -retired into the interior; but it being doubtful whether -he might not make a dash at Carthagena, Rear-Admiral -Sir Sidney Smith proceeded thither from<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_126"></a>[Pg 126]</span> -Gibraltar in the <i>Tremendous</i> (74), to communicate -with the general commanding our army at Alicant -and Rear-Admiral Hallowell on the subject. I was, -therefore, sent thither with two Spanish regiments, -embarked on board transports, to be ready to act in -case of necessity, but with orders on no account to -land the troops, unless the place was threatened, as a -bad periodical yellow fever was raging in the town -with great violence. The gallant admiral (Sir Sidney -Smith), however, would take me on shore to show me -the best places to plant cannon and take up position -in case of attack. After this, we must go to the -hospital to inquire into the nature of the fever, &c. -Every now and then he gave me a pinch of snuff, -telling me not to swallow my saliva, and there would -be no danger of catching the disease. In the course -of a week I was attacked by fever, but, being in the -outer roadstead, the fresh air probably prevented its -attaining that malignancy it had reached in the town, -but it was some weeks before I perfectly recovered.</p> - -<p>The <i>Tremendous</i> (74), with the admiral, sailed the -day after our visit to the city to join the fleet off -Toulon. Several other men-of-war arrived in the -course of a few days with more troops from headquarters. -Whether Soult was deterred by the sickness -prevailing in the place, or had heard of the -reinforcements, he passed on his route, and we all -returned to Alicant.</p> - -<p>Shortly after, I was sent to Altea Bay, to lie there -and protect any transports that might arrive to procure -water.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_127"></a>[Pg 127]</span></p> - -<p>During my stay there the French sent a detachment -of three hundred infantry and a squadron of cavalry -from Denia to forage and levy contributions. Having -only my own ship’s company—which altogether, men -and boys, amounted to only one hundred and forty—it -was impossible for me to land and fight them, but -by making a show with our boats, and firing a few -shots, we dislodged them from the town, and prevented -their plundering it or getting any contributions -from the inhabitants. They succeeded, however, in -our neighbourhood, and in the course of a couple -of days collected a quantity of forage, &c., and retired -upon Denia.</p> - -<p>Within one day’s march of Altea was a Spanish -division of troops, to whom I immediately sent the -moment intelligence of the enemy’s intention of paying -us a visit reached me.</p> - -<p>The officer I dispatched got to them the same -evening, and returned back the following morning, -three hours before the arrival of the enemy. The -Spaniards, with their usual alertness, sent two regiments—about -twelve hundred men—<i>exactly five days</i> -after the French had retired.</p> - -<p>On the 8th of December, 1812, a convoy of transports -were placed under my orders to proceed to -Oran, on the coast of Barbary, to procure corn and -bullocks for the army and navy, but heavy gales -from the S.W. obliged us to run into the bay of -Algiers, where we remained about a fortnight.</p> - -<p>Our consul, Mr. MacDonald, was extremely civil, -and occasionally I slept at his country house, a few<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_128"></a>[Pg 128]</span> -miles out of the town; but being unaccustomed to the -noise of the jackals that came nightly to the very -walls of his yard in search of food, I was frequently -disturbed by them.</p> - -<p>The Dey of Algiers ordered us a daily supply of -fresh provisions and vegetables. On my departure -I proffered my services to take whatever his Highness -might have to send to his servant, the Bey of Oran. -He thanked me, through our consul, and requested -me to take a stone coffin for the Bey’s son, which I -delivered safe. The Dey was so much indisposed -during my stay that I was unable to obtain an -audience. We had a great deal of saluting—twenty-one -guns on anchoring—twenty-one guns on landing; -three guns whenever he sent off his present of fresh -meat and vegetables, which latter was considered in -the light of three salaams.</p> - -<p>After a passage of two days from Algiers, we -reached the fine, safe bay of Marsalquiver, three miles -from the town of Oran, where all ships anchor in -winter, it being nearly land-locked.</p> - -<p>No time was lost in having an interview with the -Bey, who was civil; but I had a long discussion -previously with his guards, who refused me admittance -to his presence unless I took off my boots, -and employed menaces to enforce their demands. -However, finding me obstinate, and our vice-consul, -who was a Spaniard, telling them I had come from -Algiers with a present from his Highness the Dey, -they permitted me to pass, and I never was troubled -afterwards.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_129"></a>[Pg 129]</span></p> - -<p>The Bey was a venerable-looking man, of about -sixty-five years of age, thin, and of middle stature, with -a fine, long, white beard, hard features, but a scowl -upon his countenance that showed he could, when he -thought proper, play the tiger.</p> - -<p>He promised the supplies I requested in ten days, -said he wished to be on the best terms with the -English, and thanked me for bringing the stone coffin -for his son’s tomb; gave me coffee without sugar, and -a pipe to smoke, and appeared much amused with -my awkward manner of sitting cross-legged like a -Turk.</p> - -<p>He was surrounded by his principal officers, in -full dress, with silver-gilt swords and pistols in their -girdles.</p> - -<p>The admiral or captain of the port was a handsome, -mild, gentlemanly person. The old Bey, the morning -of my arrival, had been administering summary justice, -for on my going into the market-place I saw three ill-looking -Moors hanging by the neck. It is not the -fashion in Barbary to place caps over the criminals’ -faces before they are executed. Upon inquiring what -those three wretches had been doing, the vice-consul -gave me the following account:—“A Moorish merchant, -with a special passport from the Bey, had -permission to travel into the interior to traffic, when -he and his party were waylaid on the mountains, -robbed, and all, except one, murdered. The person -who escaped immediately informed the proper -authorities, who reported it to the Bey. A body -of troops was instantly sent to the mountains, who<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_130"></a>[Pg 130]</span> -arrested all the chiefs of the tribes, and brought them -before his Highness. He, looking at them sternly, -said, ‘On such a day a merchant from my city, with -my passport, was murdered and robbed on the mountains. -If in three days from this time you do not -bring before me the whole of the offenders, your own -heads shall answer for it. Begone!’ In less than -forty-eight hours eleven fellows were brought in, and -led directly to the palace. The Bey demanded who -committed the murder. Three men were pointed out. -They did not deny it. ‘Very well,’ said the Bey, -‘take these men, and instantly hang them up in the -market-place.’ Three others, who had been most -active in plundering, had their right hands cut off, -and the remaining five received each from three to -five hundred bastinadoes on the soles of their feet.” -The third evening, at sunset, the murderers were cut -down and buried.</p> - -<p>They have a very expeditious way of staunching -the blood after amputation. The stumps of the arms -are plunged into a kind of boiling pitch, which has -the effect of searing the arteries. Over this is placed a -dressing and bladder, when the sufferers are turned out.</p> - -<p>I used to go occasionally, with our vice-consul and -some of my own officers, out shooting. We always -found the people tolerably civil—except the boys, -who used to abuse and spit at us, calling us, amongst -other names, Christian dogs. Now and then we got -a shove and a sly stone.</p> - -<p>Coming home one evening from an excursion to a -small lake, about sixteen miles distant, where we had<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_131"></a>[Pg 131]</span> -been for the purpose of shooting flamingos, &c., we -got into a serious scrape, owing to a young commissary -having taken his servant, a Portuguese boy, -with him, who did not understand managing a horse.</p> - -<p>We had ridden fast across the country from the -lake to get back before the gates of Oran were shut, -which they always were at sunset, when, just as we -were entering the town and trotting on, we met a -party of Turkish and Moorish boys, who tried to -frighten our horses by throwing up their loose garments -in the animals’ faces, and making a great noise. -All our horses stood this, except the one on which -the servant boy was mounted, which reared up, and, -dashing forward, knocked down with his fore feet one -of the young Turks who had been most forward in -the mischief. His head was a good deal cut, and -bled profusely. We should have said he was very justly -served. Not so the Moors and Kabiles. A hue and -cry was instantly raised, and we were followed by a -mob, demanding the life of the poor Portuguese for -having, he being a Christian, drawn the blood of a true -follower of the prophet. Pushing on to the vice-consul’s, -we jumped off our horses, shoved in the -young Portuguese, and locked and barricaded the -doors. The Moors and Kabiles surrounded the house, -making a great clamour, insisting that the servant -should be immediately given up and put to death. -Nothing but their fear of the English prevented them -breaking into the place. We hoisted our colours -on the flagstaff at the consul’s house, when it was -considered a fortress, and respected accordingly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_132"></a>[Pg 132]</span></p> - -<p>In a city like Oran, where each man is a spy on -his neighbour, the news was fortunately not long in -reaching the ears of the Bey, who, on the first -intimation of the danger that threatened the consul’s -residence, sent down a party of troops, with the -captain of the port, to restore order, and act as -circumstances might require. Some management was -necessary to get the captain of the port into the -house, as also to keep out the Moors, who, had they -laid hold of the boy, would certainly have murdered -him.</p> - -<p>We at length succeeded, and then explained that, -returning from shooting, we had ridden full trot into -the town in order to get home before the gates were -closed at sunset, clearly showing that but for the -boys frightening our horses no harm could possibly -have happened. He said that he did not in the least -doubt the truth of our story, but should the boy die,—accidents -not being provided against in their code of -laws,—nothing short of the death of the Portuguese -lad would appease the populace, since blood, and -Turkish blood, too, had been spilt.</p> - -<p>I proposed putting on my uniform and attending -the vice-consul and captain of the port to the palace, -which was done. Passing through the crowd was not -very agreeable, but, under the protection of a guard, -we reached our destination in safety.</p> - -<p>The old Bey laid down the Moorish law with great -clearness, arguing the point calmly, and evidently -with a friendly feeling towards us.</p> - -<p>He had been making enquiries, he said, and had<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_133"></a>[Pg 133]</span> -found our account of the transaction to be quite -correct; that he knew the Turkish boy was a great -rascal, and though he had been rightly served, it -would be difficult to pacify the Moors, especially since -the offender was not an Englishman. “True,” I replied; -“but he is a subject of our ally, and under my protection, -and nothing but extreme necessity shall -compel me to give him up.” “Keep him out of sight,” -replied his Highness, “and never again let eyes be cast -on him in this place, or I will not be answerable for -his life. Come here to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>We returned to the consul’s, and the captain of the -port dispersed the mob, assuring them the Bey would -take care that justice was done. With the morning’s -dawn again came our clamorous foes; but having in -the meantime had communication, through our friend -the captain of the port, with the boy’s parents, we had -learned there was no fear of the young Turk dying, -who, though he had received a severe cut and some -bruises, was doing well. A hint, too, was given us -that a few dollars would assist to heal the wound and -soften the rigour of justice. We went early next -morning to the palace, when the Bey informed us of -what we already knew, that the boy would not die -from the injuries he had sustained. Then entering -into conversation, “Consider,” said he, “if a like event -had happened to you in a town in England? You -knew it was wrong to ride fast near a populous town.” -We pleaded our apprehensions of being locked out all -night. “You ought to have come home sooner then; -but to return to my first question. If in your own<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_134"></a>[Pg 134]</span> -country such an accident had happened, what would -be the consequence?” I replied that we should have -had to pay the doctor’s bill, and in the case of a poor -person to give something extra to the parents for the -loss of time in nursing him. “Very well, then, you -shall do the same here; but, take my advice, never -ride fast through a large town again, and smuggle -your Portuguese off to the ships for fear of accident;” -which I did the earliest opportunity. The Bey then -said, “Who furnished you with horses?” The vice-consul -informed him. “What! my slave? they were -mine, and the fellow had let them to you without my -leave; he has been the cause of the whole. Here,”—clapping -his hands, that an officer might come,—“go -directly and give my groom five hundred bastinadoes -for letting out my horses without asking my permission.” -Making our bows we retired, when just outside -the door we met Achmet the groom in the hands of -two fierce looking Moorish officers of justice, taking -him to the market-place to undergo his punishment. -He fell on his knees, and implored us to ask his -master to pardon him. We stopped the officers of -vengeance, and after a little solicitation, the Bey listened -to our request, and the man was pardoned, who, -when he met us, wanted to kiss our feet for saving -him from being bastinadoed. I believe the fellow was -a rogue, who intended to pocket the money, thinking -his master would not find him out. Thus ended the -affair, the commissary paying sixty Spanish dollars to -the mother of the young vagabond.</p> - -<p>Having embarked our supplies for the army, we<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_135"></a>[Pg 135]</span> -returned to Alicant with the convoy, and the 21st of -January, 1813, proceeded to Gibraltar to refit, where -we remained three weeks, and then rejoined Rear-Admiral -Hallowell, who sent us to our old station in -Altea Bay,<a id="FNanchor_11" href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor">[K]</a> and from thence to cruize off Denia, near -which place we drove a French felucca privateer on -shore, mounting two brass nine-pounders and swivels, -with small arms, and bilged her. Our next destination -was another trip to Oran, on the coast of Barbary, -with four transports, for cattle and corn. We had a -capital run there and back with our live cargo.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_136"></a>[Pg 136]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="summary">Siege of the Col de Balaguer—A Reconnoitering Party—Raising of -the Siege of Tarragona—Lieutenant-General Sir John and Lady Murray—Rear-Admiral -Benjamin Hallowell—Viscount and Viscountess Mahon—Palermo, -Veniros; upset in a boat—Valencia—Holland.</p> - -<p class="p2">Towards the end of May, 1813, embarking 300 men -of the 67th Regiment, under Colonel Prevost, an officer -who had distinguished himself at the battle of Barrosa, -we sailed with the expedition from Alicant to lay siege -to the castle of the Col de Balaguer and the city of -Tarragona. The land forces, under the command of -Lieut.-General Sir John Murray, consisted of about -20,000 men, but, unfortunately, not more than 5000 -were British and Germans, the rest being Spaniards -and Sicilians. The naval part was under the orders -of that intelligent and indefatigable officer, Rear-Admiral -Benjamin Hallowell.</p> - -<p>On the 3rd of June, when off the castle of the Col -de Balaguer, the whole of the 67th Regiment, with -Rolle’s and Dillon’s, and a company of artillery, -making together about 900 men, were ordered to -invest it. The navy was placed under the command -of the gallant Captain Charles Adams, of the <i>Invincible</i> -(74), by whose great exertions the troops, guns, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_137"></a>[Pg 137]</span> -stores were soon landed, and who personally superintended -every difficult and dangerous undertaking -during the siege. Captain Carroll, of the <i>Volcano</i>, -was landed to assist troops, and a more intrepid and -excellent officer could not have been selected.</p> - -<p>The fortress was situated on a high hill, in a most -difficult pass, through which winds the main road from -Tortosa to Tarragona. It was armed with twelve -heavy pieces, two ten-inch mortars, two howitzers, and -had a garrison of more than a hundred men. Its -elevated position, and surrounding heights, difficult of -access, required the greatest labour to drag up the -guns and mortars necessary to establish our batteries. -No time, however, was to be lost; Marshal Suchet, with -10,000 men, being in full march from the neighbourhood -of Valencia to relieve it, and succour Tarragona.</p> - -<p>After a siege of five days the place surrendered. -I had the pleasure of assisting, with a party of seamen, -to form the mortar battery, which was no sooner -opened than the shells were thrown with such precision -by the artillery that an expense magazine was blown -up in the castle, which, just as our breaching battery -was about to open, capitulated. An artilleryman and -myself had a most providential escape. Being very -busy placing sand bags on the battery, on the morning -of the 8th, just before day-break, down came three of -the enemy’s shells. I ordered the working party to -get behind the sand bags, and lie flat on their faces to -avoid the splinters. One shell from an howitzer exploded -behind us; two ten-inch followed, one fell about -a couple of yards in front of me and the artilleryman,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_138"></a>[Pg 138]</span> -which made us both jump to get out of its way, when -down came the second on the other side of us. The -man called out very coolly—“I’ll be d—— if we are -not done now!” After falling on the ground both fuses -went out, and, much to our satisfaction, the shells, of -course, did not explode.</p> - -<p>Captain Stodart, of the <i>Strombolo</i>, a brave officer, -was employed to form the breaching battery, and -Lieutenants Corbyn and P——, of H.M.S. <i>Invincible</i>, -worked like slaves with their party to drag the heavy -guns up hills, or what in England would be called -mountains, by tackles and purchases.</p> - -<p>The commander of the French fort was perfectly -astonished to see the places the guns had been dragged -up in so short a time; and Suchet, who calculated -upon its holding out ten days, was in a great rage -when he heard it had been taken in five. I have his -address to his corps upon the subject by me now, in -which he informs his army “that a military commission -will sit upon the conduct of the commander of the -fortress of Balaguer.”</p> - -<p>We had done our part, and were looking for intelligence -from our army before Tarragona with anxiety, -as we could at night see the shells in the air, and hear -the firing on both sides.</p> - -<p>Colonel Prevost, and Captain Charles Adam, of the -<i>Invincible</i>, thinking it advisable to make a reconnaissance -towards Tortosa to gain intelligence of the -advance of the French marshal (for the information -we got from the Spaniards was so vague that we -could place no dependence upon it), on the morning<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_139"></a>[Pg 139]</span> -of the 9th of June they, in company with Lieutenant-Colonel -Hamilton, Captain Arabin (Royal Artillery), -Captain Du Cane, of the 20th Light Dragoons, with -four of his men and myself, started from the castle we -had taken, at three in the morning, all well mounted, -to try and get a peep into Tortosa, about twenty -miles from Balaguer, and where it was reported -Suchet was to arrive in the course of the day.</p> - -<p>After a pleasant ride of about sixteen miles, and -as we had just got a glimpse of Tortosa, on reaching -the summit of a hill we all at once entered a serpentine -road, surrounded by high banks and ravines, -which completely prevented our seeing beyond a short -distance. Jogging on quietly, we met an old Spanish -woman thumping two mules past us as hard as she -could, calling out, “Los Franceses, los Franceses,” -but not a word more could we get out of the <i>signora</i>. -We, therefore, rode on to the next turn of the road, -when, just at the corner, plump we came upon the -advance guard of the French army, a regiment of -cuirassiers. They for a moment stopped their horses, -being as much surprised to see us as we were to meet -them. With one glance they saw who we were—out -came their carbines and swords—pop, pop, and a -charge, which knocked over one of our dragoons, and -“<i>sauve qui peut</i>,” or the devil take the hindmost, -became the order of the day. Away we scampered—they -after us, with a regular view halloa, and a -flourish of French fashionable words, but not of the -most select phraseology. Reader, if you wish to -know them, I refer you to the scene of Madame<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_140"></a>[Pg 140]</span> -Rambouillet and the Novice in Sterne’s “Sentimental -Journey.” After a capital gallop of four miles, we -regularly beat them, with the loss of only one of our -party, who in the charge was knocked head over heels -and taken prisoner. Luckily for us we had left a -corporal’s guard of the 20th Light Dragoons about -four miles in our rear upon a steep eminence, which -commanded a good view of part of the road. The -corporal, seeing how matters stood, and that we were -coming back a deuced deal faster than we went, with -a French regiment of cavalry after us, very cleverly -came trotting up, and showed himself at the top of -the hill with his men. The enemy, thinking we had -a strong body of cavalry there, pulled up their horses -and gave over the chase.</p> - -<p>Our ride had not been for nothing—we had had a -good gallop, and found out where our neighbours -were, who towards evening drove in our picket of -dragoons, and established themselves not far from us.</p> - -<p>News was immediately sent to Lieutenant-General -Sir John Murray, who was before Tarragona, of the -arrival of the French army in our neighbourhood.</p> - -<p>Our situation was strong, and having the castle, -which commanded the road, neither cannon nor -cavalry could pass from Tortosa. Marshal Suchet -came the next day and had a peep at the fortress, -sent some light troops across the mountains to feel -us, and halted his army a few miles off.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant-General Sir John Murray, as I said -before, had nearly 20,000 men, but, unfortunately for -him, only 5000 were British and Germans—the rest<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_141"></a>[Pg 141]</span> -Spaniards and Sicilians, on whom he could place no -dependence in the hour of need—otherwise no general -ever had a better opportunity of beating a divided -army.</p> - -<p>We had stopped Suchet, with his 10,000 men, from -advancing on the Valencia side by the capture of the -castle of Col de Balaguer: therefore he would only -have had to cope with the Barcelona corps of 8000, -and the Lerida of 2000 men, so that, after leaving -a sufficient number of men to carry on the siege for a -day or two, which the rear-admiral even offered to -do with the sailors and marines alone, he might have -beaten the enemy in detail. I am speaking, supposing -he had had 16,000 or 20,000 British or German -soldiers; but really with such a set, strong in point -of numbers, but wanting the vigour and bottom of -English troops, it certainly would have been running -a great risk, and he had not the nerve to -attempt it.</p> - -<p>Great blame was attached to the general for embarking -in such a hurry, and leaving his guns and -stores behind. The gallant, clever naval chief felt it -most severely, fearing lest any blame should be -attached to him for not taking on board the stores -and artillery: he, therefore, remonstrated very warmly -upon the subject, but it was in vain.</p> - -<p>The whole may be summed up in a few words. -Marshal Suchet retired to Tortosa—the Lerida corps -back to their old quarters—the Barcelona retrograded -also—the Anglo-Spanish and Sicilian army embarked -in a hurry—we blew up the castle of Balaguer that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_142"></a>[Pg 142]</span> -had been taken—the French garrison of Tarragona -sallied forth, took all our battering train and stores, -which we had been collecting, at a great expense, for -months before, into the town, and played checkmate -with the guns that had taken Badajos, for it was the -same train. In short, all the troops ran away from -each other the same day.</p> - -<p>No sooner was the army embarked than the commander -of the forces, learning that the French corps -had retired, requested they might be re-landed the -next day, which was complied with, but it was then -too late—we had lost our battering guns and stores, -and nothing could be done.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant-General Lord William Bentinck arrived -shortly afterwards, the troops were again embarked, -and I was ordered to proceed to Alicant and take on -board Sir John and Lady Murray, and convey them -to Palermo, he being appointed to the command of -the forces there.</p> - -<p>I found the Honourable Lady John Murray a -most agreeable, clever, sensible, pleasant woman, and -Lieutenant-General Sir John Murray a very amiable -man in private life, and although much condemned at -the time for not fighting Marshal Suchet and taking -Tarragona, yet neither those who had the command -of the army previous to him, nor General Lord -William Bentinck, who took the command of the -troops from Sir John Murray, gained more laurels or -succeeded much better than he did.</p> - -<p>To move and manage a Spanish army in those -days was next to an impossibility. They were too<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_143"></a>[Pg 143]</span> -proud to be taught, and too ignorant and obstinate to -do anything of themselves.</p> - -<p>Having landed my passengers at Palermo, I embarked -three hundred of the 44th Regiment to join -the army of Lord William Bentinck on the coast of -Catalonia. I met at the above city Viscount and -Viscountess Mahon, with their two children, fine boys -of ten and eleven years’ old. His lordship wished to -go to Minorca, and, as we had orders to touch there, -I had much pleasure in giving them a passage.</p> - -<p>On our arrival at Port Mahon we were placed -under quarantine, which prevented my landing Lord -and Lady Mahon and family. The accommodation -being not suited to ladies at the lazaretto, I was -delighted when my amiable passengers made up -their minds to remain on board.</p> - -<p>Having received orders to proceed to the coast of -Catalonia with the troops, we sailed at the end of -August for the mouth of the river Ebro, but, not -finding the expedition there, we shaped our course -for Tarragona, and on the 4th of September joined -the admiral, who directed me to land the 44th Regiment -at Villa Nova. The town of Villa Nova and -the village of Veneros nearly join. There is an open -roadstead for ships, and the winds from the S.E. to -S.W. throw in a heavy swell upon the bar and beach. -The holding ground is good, and numerous vessels -during many parts of the year arrive for the purpose -of shipping wine, which is either rafted off or taken -on board in the country boats. The wine is most -excellent, and of different kinds, both white and red.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_144"></a>[Pg 144]</span> -The latter is so good, and so much resembles port, -that when I was there ten ships and brigs were lying -in the roads taking it in, to be landed at Oporto, and -converted into port wine for the English market. I -was informed that there were annually sent from this -place to Portugal ten thousand pipes. Another very -pleasant wine there was, “Alba Flora,” besides sweet -wines of various kinds, one of which had the sparkling -qualities of champagne.</p> - -<p>It had been blowing strong from the southward -previous to our arrival, and the swell had not gone -down.</p> - -<p>Between the ships and the landing-place was a -bar, on which the sea broke with great violence, and -which boats had to pass. Those belonging to the -country being well calculated for going through the -breakers, and whose crews were acquainted with the -place, dashed through the surf extremely well.</p> - -<p>I thought that by following them in my shell of a -gig, and waiting for a smooth, after three successive -waves had broken upon the bar, I might get safe also; -but I was soon taught a different lesson—the sea was -more nimble than the gig, and although the men pulled -to the utmost to go faster than the breakers, yet they -beat us hollow, and taking the boat up on one of their -white tops, spun us over in a moment. Fortunately -we had not far to swim, and as soon as the waves had -beaten us over the bar we got into quite smooth water, -when, sticking to the boat and oars, we soon reached -the shore, though not without a precious good ducking. -We had, unfortunately, the viscountess’s poor abigail<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_145"></a>[Pg 145]</span> -in the boat, who never before had had such a swim in -salt water, so it was something new to her, and gave -her an opportunity of adding a paragraph to her letter -when she wrote home, describing her foreign travels by -sea, land, and <i>under the water</i>. She was nearly -drowned, poor thing! but keeping her on her back we -swam with her ashore. She was carried to a Spanish -house, wrapped up in blankets, where a few drops of -comfort in the shape of brandy, and some hours’ repose, -made her as lively as a lark again.</p> - -<p>By the way of drying myself, and getting the salt -water out of me, I mounted a mule, and rode to Villa -Franca, the head-quarters of our army, distant about -thirteen miles, to see some old military friends.</p> - -<p>The country around was very pretty, and we had a -fine view of the celebrated Mount Serrat, rising from -a plain in numerous mountains and spires,<a id="FNanchor_12" href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor">[L]</a> with -convents upon them; but the whole of that part of -the country was forbidden ground, being occupied by -the French army. On my return in the evening I -visited my water-nymph, and was happy to find her -quite recovered from the severe morning’s ducking. I -offered to take her off again with me in the gig, which -she, like a wise woman, declined; being a novice in -the art of swimming, and not liking the first lesson I -gave her, she preferred returning to the ship next day -in a country boat. The day having turned out fine, -the swell towards evening had somewhat gone down, -though it was still so great that I was nearly swamped -going back to the ship.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_146"></a>[Pg 146]</span></p> - -<p>On taking leave of the gallant Rear-Admiral Benjamin -Hallowell next day, he gave me a letter of -thanks, and did me the honour to say he was sorry to -part with me; the regrets were mutual, for it was a -pleasure to be under the command of an officer of his -abilities and experience. He has not many months -ago paid the debt of nature, full of years and honours, -beloved and respected by all who knew him, and -generally regretted by the service. He was one of -those</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent4">“Who take them for all in all,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">We ne’er (I fear), shall see their like again.”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>Such men as Lords Howe, Duncan, St. Vincent, -Nelson, Saumarez, Keats, Hallowell, &c., are not -mushrooms of a day’s growth, but the experience of a -long and hazardous service in all parts of the world -had braced their nerves and trained their minds to the -task, which they performed with such <i>credit</i> to themselves -and <i>honour and glory to their country</i>.</p> - -<p>On the 8th September we sailed from this anchorage -for Tarragona, which place the French had evacuated, -having first destroyed most of the guns and blown up -part of the fortifications. Everything looked miserable -and wretched in the extreme. Many of the houses -were knocked to pieces, and the poor inhabitants, returning -back to view the birthplaces of themselves -and ancestors, found them reduced to a heap of ruins. -I rode with my agreeable passengers to Reus, the -second largest town in the province of Catalonia, -where we dined after the Spanish fashion upon olla -podrida, and other messes, stuffed full of garlic and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_147"></a>[Pg 147]</span> -bad oil. After walking about the town, and looking -at a handsome church, the windows of which were of -stained glass, we returned on board and sailed for -Valencia. The peasantry of this province and of -Catalonia are as fine a race of men as I ever saw in -any country—tall, strong, and well made.</p> - -<p>On the 15th September we anchored off the Grao de -Valencia, and the next morning communicated with -our consul according to orders, and landed Viscount -and Viscountess Mahon and family, who took up their -abode with Mr. Tupper, our representative, who was -very civil and polite, and showed us the lions of the -city. The cathedral was very fine, from the top of -which we had a most magnificent view of a very fertile -valley, producing rice, maize, flax, and other grain, -besides almond and vine trees, the latter covered -with beautiful purple and white grapes.</p> - -<p>A small river runs past Valencia, over which are -two tolerably fine stone bridges. We had a view also -of the lake of Albufera, from which the French -marshal, Suchet, derives his dukedom.</p> - -<p>Valencia is one of the best towns I have seen in -Spain, and the road from the grao, or beach, is extremely -pretty, having trees planted on each side, to -afford shelter from the sun. Neat little thatched -cottages, scattered here and there, put me for a short -time in mind of England.</p> - -<p>After dinner at the consul’s, which was served up in -the Spanish style, we went to the opera, and sat in a -box with some pretty Spanish ladies, friends of Mr. -Tupper. The opera was in honour of the Marquis<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_148"></a>[Pg 148]</span> -of Wellington. It represented the Spaniards driving -the Moors out of Spain; afterwards we had a fandango, -and the whole concluded with a farce, the -subject taken from Gil Blas, where he entertains at -supper the sycophant.</p> - -<p>Having re-embarked Viscount and Viscountess -Mahon, I sailed for Altea Bay to complete our water. -Altea has an export trade of almonds and raisins; -several vessels during the summer and autumn months -call there for a cargo. The anchorage is good, and -sheltered from most winds, except those from south-east -by east to south-south-west, which seldom blow -direct on shore. I rode out several heavy gales there -in the frigate I commanded, by giving her nearly two -cables.</p> - -<p>From this place we proceeded to Alicant, where we -landed some stores for the garrison; and after showing -the Viscount and his amiable lady the celebrated -castle, we went to Gibraltar, where we unfortunately -found the yellow fever raging to that degree amongst -the inhabitants, that all intercourse was forbidden. -The garrison was encamped on Europe Point, for the -benefit of more air.</p> - -<p>On the 5th October we sailed for England, touching -at Lisbon on our way, and after a stormy passage of -three weeks anchored in Plymouth Sound, from which -place we were sent to the Motherbank to perform three -weeks’ quarantine. On the 20th of November we -moved to Spithead, where I landed my most agreeable -and pleasant passengers with very great regret. I had -had them on board for more than three months, so<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_149"></a>[Pg 149]</span> -that my cabin felt quite a desert without their -society.</p> - -<p>After being detained at Portsmouth a few days, we -proceeded to the Downs, and on the 14th December -between six and seven hundred of His Majesty’s -37th and 56th Regiments were sent on board, with -orders from Admiral Foley for me to land them at -Goree, or the Brill, or Helveot Sluys; but owing to -the winds and tide we were unable to fetch either. -I therefore anchored off Schevelling, and communicated -with our ambassador, Lord Clancarty, at the Hague, -who desired the troops to be landed at the village of -Schevelling. His excellency wishing to see me at the -Hague, I went there to wait upon his lordship.</p> - -<p>The little I was enabled to see of Dutchland, gave -me a favourable opinion of the cleanliness of its -people; and the neat pretty cottages from the beach -to the city struck me as being particularly picturesque. -Schevelling itself is nothing but a fishing place amongst -sand hills; but the town of the Hague was neat, and -in summer must be a pleasant place. But as the -severe winter of 1813 was just commencing, I was -obliged to hurry off from the coast as fast as possible, -for fear of being caught upon a lee shore.</p> - -<p>On our passage back to the Downs, the two branch -pilots very nearly ran the ship upon the Galloper -Sands in a fog, which obliged us to anchor off the -light for a tide. The next day, however, we arrived -safely in the Downs, and from thence we were sent to -Sheerness to be docked and refitted.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_150"></a>[Pg 150]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="summary">1814—Sent to Bermuda—Operations in the Chesapeake—The River -Patuxent—Expedition to Washington—Town of Rappahannock—River -Rappahannock—Wedding Party—Commodore Robert Barrie, -&c., &c.</p> - -<p class="p2">The ship having undergone the necessary repairs, -which was very heavy work during the severe winter -of 1813, towards the end of March we sailed for -Spithead, where we embarked three hundred and -fifty marines, and proceeded, in company with the -<i>Tonnant</i> (80), <i>Regulus</i> (44), and <i>Melpomene</i> (38), <i>en -flute</i> to Bermuda, at which place we arrived after a -passage of eight weeks.</p> - -<p>Nothing particular occurred on our voyage out, -except my having the measles very badly, which, not -knowing what ailed me, I had driven inwardly by -cold bathing.</p> - -<p>We remained at Bermuda until the 3rd of July, -when, in company with the <i>Asia</i> (74), <i>Regulus</i>, and -<i>Melpomene</i>, we proceeded to the Chesapeake, and -made Cape Henry on the 11th, and anchored in -Synhaven Bay. The following morning we proceeded -up the Chesapeake, and on the 15th joined Rear-Admiral -Cockburn in the <i>Albion</i> (74), who was lying<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_151"></a>[Pg 151]</span> -at anchor, with two frigates, at the entrance of the -river Patuxent.</p> - -<p>I was placed under the orders of Captain J. Nourse, -of the <i>Severn</i> (44), and sent up the river Patuxent for -the purpose of assisting to blockade the American -flotilla, under Commodore Barney, whose broad -pennant was flying in a sloop of eight guns, and -who had under his command seventeen gun-boats, -each carrying a long 32, 24, or 18-pounder in the -bow, and a 32-pound carronade in the stern, and -manned with a crew of from sixty to seventy men.</p> - -<p>We ran thirty miles up the river, to the village -of Benedict, in company with the <i>Severn</i>, <i>Ætna</i>, and -<i>Manly</i> (brig).</p> - -<p>Rear-Admiral Cockburn proceeded with the others -into the river Potomac to annoy the enemy in that -quarter. As we advanced, the gun-boats retreated up -the river to a town called Nottingham, twenty-five -miles above Benedict, where, from the shoalness of -the water, we could not follow them with the ships. -During the time we continued in the Chesapeake we -had guard-boats rowing every night to prevent the -Yankees from trying the effect of their torpedoes or -fire ships.</p> - -<p>From the 17th of July until the 17th of August our -time was taken up in making incursions into different -parts of the country, with 300 marines, attacking and, -to use an American expression, “scaring the militia,” -getting fresh provisions, destroying their store-houses -and other public buildings, with the arms found there. -Some of the Americans used to say, “What did King<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_152"></a>[Pg 152]</span> -George send you here from the old country to come -and scare us for? We don’t go to yours to frighten -you, I guess. Your confounded sarpents come and -anchor in our waters; then send their barges, full of -armed men, who are pulling about day and night, -landing here and there, scaring us and our families -very considerably—tarnation seize them.” Our reply -used to be, “You must ask your President, Jim -Madison: he invited us.”</p> - -<p>A great many black slaves, with their families, used -to take advantage of our visits to come away with us. -Some of their first exclamations were, “Me free man; -me go cut massa’s throat; give me musket,” which -many of them did not know how to use when they -had it.</p> - -<p>Another favourite expression, when we wanted -them to work, was, “No, me no work—me free man.” -It was, therefore, necessary to explain to these new -freemen—which explanation, I fear, will frequently -have to be repeated in our West India colonies, with -other arguments—that we must all work and gain -our livelihood by the “sweat of our brow,” whether -bond or free; but they considered work and slavery -synonymous terms.<a id="FNanchor_13" href="#Footnote_13" class="fnanchor">[M]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_153"></a>[Pg 153]</span></p> - -<p>Republicans are certainly the most cruel masters, -and the greatest tyrants in the world towards their -fellow men. They are urged by the most selfish -motives to reduce every one to a level with, or even -below themselves, and to grind and degrade those -under them to the lowest stage of human wretchedness. -But American liberty consists in oppressing -the blacks beyond what other nations do, enacting -laws to prevent their receiving instruction, and working -them worse than donkeys. “But you call this a -free country, when I can’t shoot my nigger when I -like—eh?”</p> - -<p>While on the coast of America we embarked from -fifteen hundred to two thousand slaves—the young -men we formed into a black corps, and, taking -possession of the small islands of Tangiers, we drilled -and endeavoured to make our recruits of some use. -The aged men, with the women and children, were -sent to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and from thence a free -colony was formed at the island of Trinadada, in the -West Indies.</p> - -<p>Towards the middle of July and the month of -August some parts of this coast are subject to -tornadoes. We had one of them on the 25th of July, -which obliged us, although lying at anchor in a river, -to let go a second. The previous day and that morning -had been extremely close and sultry. The storm came -on from the north-west, with the greatest violence, accompanied -by a few claps of thunder and vivid flashes -of lightning: such was its force that, although in -smooth water, the ship heeled so much over that our<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_154"></a>[Pg 154]</span> -main-deck guns nearly touched the water; and a fine -schooner of seventy tons burthen, tender to the <i>Severn</i>, -with a long 18-pounder on board, at anchor near us, -without topmasts, her sails furled and gaffs on deck, -was turned bottom upwards in a moment, and one -poor fellow drowned. Its fury was spent in about ten -minutes, but during its continuance we saw immense -trees torn up by the roots, barns blown down like card -houses of children, and where the strength of the -current of wind passed scarcely anything could withstand -its violence. Trees and other things continued -to be swept by us for sometime, and when the tornado -was over we observed, at a turn of the river, so much -large timber, lumber, and other articles floating down -the tide that my gallant senior officer, Captain Nourse, -who is since dead, poor fellow! thought at first it was -the American flotilla coming to attack us, and he was -just on the point of returning to his ship to prepare -for a fight, he having come on board to dine with me, -when I discovered, by means of a spy-glass, the -approaching flotilla was perfectly harmless.</p> - -<p>This circumstance was mentioned a short time -afterwards to that <i>most gallant</i> officer, Captain Napier, -who commanded the <i>Euryalus</i>, but Charley would not -believe that the force of wind could upset a schooner -of seventy tons, lying at anchor with all her sails furled, -with her gaffs on deck, and without even top-masts; -however, on the dashing, brilliant expedition, under -Sir James Gordon, up the Potomac to Alexandria, -above Washington, he had an opportunity of judging -for himself when (part of a tornado passing across the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_155"></a>[Pg 155]</span> -bows of the frigate) he saw in a moment both his bowsprit -and fore-topmast broken in two, like twigs.</p> - -<p>Having heard that the enemy’s gun boats had -moved down from Nottingham towards Benedict, on -the 10th August I was ordered to proceed twenty -miles up the river with five boats to reconnoitre. On -landing I was informed they had been there two days -before, but that they had returned to Upper Marlborough. -On rowing up the river we fell in with a -canoe, containing one white man, who was pulling -from Leonard creek to the opposite shore; on seeing -us he endeavoured to get to land, but not being able -to do so, jumped overboard and was drowned. We -had every reason to believe he was one of our deserters.</p> - -<p>On the 13th I again went up the river to ascertain -the movements of Commodore Barney, but gained -little information further than that he was with the -flotilla at Nottingham.</p> - -<p>The next day we received an account of a party of -American militia having arrived in the woods, at the -back of our watering-place, with the intention of surprising -some of our men; we therefore landed before -daylight between three and four hundred marines and -seamen, headed by Captain Nourse and myself, accompanied -by Captain Coles, R.M., and separated into -four parties, with the hope of being able to cut some -of them off; but from the thickness of the woods and -their knowledge of the country, the enemy succeeded -in getting away from us.</p> - -<p>On one of our foraging excursions we were beset -by a being so well described by old Cobbet, in his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_156"></a>[Pg 156]</span> -“Cottage Economy,” ycleped “Methodist parson,” who -put on his canonicals, and began to whine and cant, -and wished to preach a sermon on peace. Captain -Nourse very properly told him to be off—that we -must attend to our “calling” as well as he to “his,” -that Jim Madison had “called us,” and, therefore, we -must perform our duty.</p> - -<p>About this time a private of the marines belonging -to my ship did a very gallant thing: to use an Irishism -he surrounded three American dragoons, and took -them, horses and all, prisoners. His name was Pat -Gallaghen, or Gahagen. He effected this extraordinary -feat in the following manner:—whenever boats were -sent for water a sergeant’s party of marines accompanied -them, it being necessary to post videttes to watch for -the approach of an enemy. The casks in the launch -had been filled, and all the party, except this man, -who was placed near a stack of hay, had withdrawn. -While the picket, who had to descend a cliff towards -their boats, were out of sight, Pat observed five dragoons -ride down to the corner of a wood, near a gate; keeping -his eye on the party, he concealed himself behind the -hay-rick, two of the men remained inside the gate, a -long musket-shot off, whilst the others, after ascertaining, -as they thought, that no <i>Britishers</i> were near, came -galloping up to see the boats go off, and without observing -the sentry in his hiding place, halted. The -marine, very bravely putting his musket to his shoulder, -called out—“You three d—— rascals, if you do not -immediately jump off your horses and deliver yourselves -up prisoners I’ll shoot the whole of you at once,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_157"></a>[Pg 157]</span> -for I have you all in a line.” Off they got, and the -sergeant at that moment shewing his head above the -cliff to recall the vidette, they were very quietly taken -to the beach, and themselves and horses brought safely -on board.</p> - -<p>This brave man, from his immoderate fondness of -liquor, was unfit to be promoted; therefore, all that -could be done for him was to give him the money -arising from the sale of the horses. Now, here was a -proper subject for a medal or order of merit, which -might have had the effect of rousing his pride, and -curing him of the baneful evil of drinking to excess. -But alas! it was the fashion to confer such distinctions -on a very few.</p> - -<p>Look at the brave fellows who gained the battles of -the Peninsula! With the exception of Waterloo, no -field was honoured with a medal.<a id="FNanchor_14" href="#Footnote_14" class="fnanchor">[N]</a> Of the navy, not -a man below the rank of captain obtained any badge -of distinction, notwithstanding the many general engagements -that took place, and the numerous most -daring boat expeditions met with the same neglect. -Since it was impossible to grant promotion in every<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_158"></a>[Pg 158]</span> -instance, this would have been an easy and gratifying -mode of awarding the meed of praise to many deserving -individuals.</p> - -<p>I am not particularly fond of France or of any -foreign country, but I must do the continental powers -the justice to say they understand human nature, and -know when to reward their officers and men better -than we do. The practice of making their sentries -carry arms to the veteran with his medal or order of -merit works wonders on the <i>morale</i> of their soldiers; -and I do <i>most sincerely and conscientiously believe</i> that, -had this plan been adopted in our army and navy -during the late war, not one half of the <i>desertions or -punishments</i> would have taken place in either service.</p> - -<p>It is revolting to honourable feeling to meet in -society at home or abroad, foreigners from nearly all -nations covered with insignias or medals; while we,—who -have had the pleasure of beating them in every -part of the world, and which, with God’s blessing, -should our king and country need our services, we -shall be too happy to do again,—have neither.</p> - -<p>On the 17th of August, the <i>Tonnant</i> (80), Vice-Admiral -Sir A. Cochrane; <i>Royal Oak</i> (74), Rear-Admiral -P. Malcolm; several frigates and smaller -men-of-war, with twenty sail of transports, having on -board the 4th, 21st, 44th, and 85th Regiments of foot, -and the marine battalion, under Lieut.-Colonel Malcolm, -joined the squadron under the command of -Rear-Admiral Cockburn, at the mouth of the river -Patuxent. The land forces were commanded by the -gallant Major-General Ross. We weighed on the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_159"></a>[Pg 159]</span> -morning of the 20th, and sailed up the river to Benedict, -where we landed the troops, which, including -artillery, sailors, and marines, did not muster more -than 4500 men.</p> - -<p>On the evening of the above day all the boats of -the fleet, manned and armed, divided into divisions -and sub-divisions, of which I commanded one, left the -ships, advanced up the river towards Lower Marlborough -to attack the American gun-boats, under -Commodore Barney, and likewise to act on the right -flank of our army. As we advanced, the enemy’s -flotilla retired sixty miles further up the river to a -place called Pig Point, where, in a most favourable -position for defence, surrounded by banks and narrow -creeks, with a wooded country on one side, and hills -on the other, which were to have been lined with -riflemen and other troops, it was their intention to -have awaited the attack.</p> - -<p>Late in the evening of the 21st the boats reached -Nottingham, when we fired on a few American -dragoons, and drove them out of the town. Our -army arrived a short time afterwards. The next day, -at noon, we came up with the vessels of the enemy, -who on our approach set them on fire, and blew them -all up, except one, which, together with five merchant -schooners, we brought away. This service was performed -with little loss on our side, for the advance of -our infantry had driven the Americans from the -woods, who had fallen back upon the main road to -Washington. One division of boats proceeded to -Upper Marlborough to keep up a communication<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_160"></a>[Pg 160]</span> -with our army; the remainder occupied a position at -Pig Point to cover a retreat.</p> - -<p>No sooner was the flotilla destroyed than the -brave and dashing Rear-Admiral Cockburn joined -the troops, and marched with them to attack the city -of Washington.</p> - -<p>This most gallant and daring affair was accomplished -by 4500 British infantry, after first beating an -American army of more than four times their own -number, with their President, “Jim Madison,” at their -head, who appeared on the field of battle mounted -upon a white horse, and wearing a huge cocked hat. -He addressed the American army previous to the -battle of Bladensburgh, and recommended them to -do their duty and fight well for the honour of their -country, kill and make prisoners of all the Britishers, -and then, wishing them success, and saying fighting -was not in his province—he left that to the gallant -generals who understood the art of war—he put spurs -to his horse, and rode off to Washington to order refreshments -and a grand <i>fête</i> to be got ready at the -capital for the victorious army of the United States.</p> - -<p>General Ross, Rear-Admiral Cockburn, and all the -field officers of the to-be-captured army, were to have -been invited; but they forgot the advice of Mrs. -Grundy in her cookery book, “Catch your hare first.” -This is an absolute fact, for when our troops entered -Washington the evening of the battle, tables were -very elegantly laid out in the rooms of the President’s -house, and wine placed in coolers ready iced, which -the <i>great politeness</i> of the Americans left free for us to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_161"></a>[Pg 161]</span> -drink, for fear their presence might prevent our people -feeling quite at home and at their ease.</p> - -<p>But to return to the advance of our troops. No -sooner did the enemy see the steady and undaunted -forward movement of part of the 4th, with the whole -of the gallant 85th Regiment,—commanded by two -fine, brave, dashing fellows, Colonel Thornton and -Major Brown,—attempt to pass the bridge over the -river Potomac, “which they had left to allow the -Britishers to cross, that they might take them all -prisoners” (the Americans having destroyed all the -others), than they opened a most destructive fire from -their heavy batteries of 24-pounders, which they had -thrown up to enfilade it, and which were commanded -by a brave old fellow of the United States’ Navy, -Commodore Barney, who was wounded and taken -prisoner, and whose flotilla of gun-boats we had -previously destroyed at Pig Point, in the river -Patuxent. He, however, made his escape with seven -or eight hundred seamen, joined the American army, -and was of great service in working and firing the guns -in their field batteries, which were supported by a -very heavy fusilade of musketry.</p> - -<p>The round and grape shot from the heavy guns -in battery made fearful gaps in the ranks of the -advancing column, but, nothing daunted, they gave -three cheers, and rushed on in the most daring -manner, which the enemy observing, it created a -panic amongst them, and they gave way, declaring, -I was informed, “that it was of no use their staying -there to be shot, for the Britishers did not mind being<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_162"></a>[Pg 162]</span> -killed at all.” So off they went, and never stopped -until they got on the other side of Washington.</p> - -<p>The whole of the narrative of the attack on Washington -and Baltimore has been so ably and faithfully -described by the gallant author of the “Subaltern,” -that I shall confine myself to our naval affairs, but -I thought the above anecdotes, which are not mentioned -in his work, were worth preserving to show -the character of the natives.</p> - -<p>After having been twelve days and nights in an -open boat, I was not sorry to return to my ship, but -the moment the troops were re-embarked, a difficult -navigation down the river precluded all idea of rest.</p> - -<p>The fag to officers and men of every description, -during the whole of the operations in the Patuxent, -was very harassing, and the labour of getting up to -Baltimore without pilots, feeling our way with the -lead, whilst boats on each bow and one a-head were -sounding also, gave little time for respite. The heat -of the weather too was very great, the thermometer -varying only from 79° to 82° in the shade, during -most of our severest services, which added much to -the exhaustion.</p> - -<p>On the 8th of September we again landed the troops, -now reduced to four thousand men, at a place called -North Point, on the right hand side of the Patapsco -river, leading to Baltimore. It was unfortunate that -we ever attempted it, for most of the enemy’s army -beaten at Washington had been sent to strengthen -the works, and the whole population were in arms -against us. The Americans seeing us approach, very<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_163"></a>[Pg 163]</span> -wisely brought out several large ships and sunk them -in the channel, under the guns of Fort Mac-Henry, -which prevented the naval part of the expedition from -acting near enough to be of any use with their guns.</p> - -<p>The only chance perhaps that might have given any -hope of success was the offer of the gallant Rear-Admiral -Cockburn to make a dash with all the boats -of the fleet, and try and storm Fort Mac-Henry, -keeping the troops on board until the issue of this -measure was decided. Could we have once got possession -of it, the little army might have been landed -with ease, and the place been our own in a few hours. -But the higher powers decided against his plan. Poor -General Ross was killed, having been shot by a rifleman -from a tree. He was brought down, wrapped -up in a union jack, attended by his aide-de-camp; -I placed the body in my boat, and sent it on board. -He was beloved and universally respected by both -the army and navy. By his untimely fall the little -hope we had of succeeding vanished, and although -the gallant Brook did all that a man could do, yet -the strength of the enemy’s field-works that they had -thrown up was so great,—and there being ten to one -against us, intrenched as they were behind breast-works -bristling with cannon,—caused the admiral to -request the army to fall back, and we re-embarked -them.</p> - -<p>Just before Sir Alexander Cochrane left the Chesapeake -some Americans came on board of Sir Pultney -Malcolm’s ship to treat for the exchange of prisoners. -Colonel Brook, and Captain Dix, who commanded<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_164"></a>[Pg 164]</span> -the <i>Menalaus</i>, frigate, were on board at the time. -Boasting of their good marksmen, Jonathan thought -to be very witty by telling Captain Dix, who was fat -and broad made, “I guess, captain, you cover a deal -of ground. You had better not come on shore, for -our riflemen can shoot a duck through the head with -a single ball at two hundred yards: therefore you will -stand no chance.” “Very probably they are good -shots,” replied Colonel Brook, “but you forget one -thing—the poor duck was not a soldier with a red -jacket on his back, and a musket, with a bayonet at -the end of it, in his hand, ready to return the fire and -use the steel. That makes a deal of difference with -regard to steady shooting.”</p> - -<p>I was placed under the orders of Captain Robert -Barrie, of the <i>Dragon</i> (74), and left with him in -the Chesapeake, having on board part of Colonel -Malcolm’s battalion of marines, commanded by Captain -Coles of that corps, a good and clever officer; the -remainder were embarked in other ships, while the -fleet and transports, under Sir Alexander Cochrane, -proceeded out of the Chesapeake to the southward.</p> - -<p>No sooner did our senior officer, Captain Robert -Barrie, find himself free to act according to his own -able judgment, than, with a mind capable of planning, -and a heart as bold as a lion to execute, he undertook -all kinds of expeditions, or, as our commodore used -to call them, “shooting parties.” “Come,” he used -to say, “we have not had a shooting party this some -time: I have just had information that a body of -Yankee militia, with a field-piece or two, are in such<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_165"></a>[Pg 165]</span> -a place—we must go and take it from them.” Boats -were manned and armed—the marine battalion, under -Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm, about 400 strong, the -commodore always at their head, were put into them, -and away we used to go. Bang, bang from the field-pieces—a -tiraillade from the American musketry—three -cheers and a dash from us, and the guns were -ours: the militia taking themselves off to the woods, and -we dragging the guns to our boats, frequently five, -six, and seven miles, with an enemy’s force, double -and treble our numbers, looking at us. In short, -during the time we continued in the Chesapeake the -American militia had no sinecure, for they never -knew where we intended to land, and we had too -much sense to go twice to the same place without an -object in view.</p> - -<p>At this period provisions of all kinds began to run -short; it was therefore necessary to put all hands on -half allowance, and make frequent excursions to try -and procure flour and cattle.</p> - -<p>On one of these foraging parties, the late Captain -Tom Alexander, at the head of 200 seamen and -marines, did a very gallant thing: he was attacked -by 1,100 American troops,—with two squadrons of -cavalry and five field pieces,—while he was busy -getting cattle; the enemy’s horse made a charge, but -not knowing that a swamp was between them and -Alexander’s party, the horses sank up to their chests -in mud, and began floundering about; he immediately -commenced his fire upon them, which put them to the -right-about, leaving half-a-dozen dragoons, who had<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_166"></a>[Pg 166]</span> -been thrown from their horses, sticking with their -heads in the mud; some of the sailors mounted these -fellows in a moment, and shoving their heads deeper -into the mire, there left them. After this, he embarked -his men with the exception of three, who were made -prisoners, and returned on board, leaving the cattle -for a more convenient opportunity.</p> - -<p>The commodore, on the 1st of November, gave the -following order to his squadron in the Chesapeake:—</p> - -<blockquote> -<p class="right">“H.M. Ship <i>Dragon</i>, Nov. 1st, 1814.<br /> -“Chesapeake Bay. -</p> - -<p>“The provisions of the squadron under my command getting extremely -low, and it being very uncertain at this advanced season of the -year when a supply can arrive, I find myself under the painful necessity -of placing the ship’s company and marine battalion on short allowance.</p> - -<p>“You are therefore to place the crew and marines on board your -ship upon half allowance, so as to make your provisions last for two -months from this date.</p> - -<p>“You will signify to your crew that I trust it will not be necessary -to continue this restriction long, and that I shall try by every means in -my power to procure temporary supplies from the enemy. In the -meantime, I am satisfied their zeal for their country’s cause will point -out the absolute necessity of persevering in the blockade of the Chesapeake -to the last extremity, and that the temporary privations they are -reduced to will be borne with the utmost cheerfulness.”</p> - -<p class="right">“(Signed) <span class="smcap">Robert Barrie</span>,<br /> -“Captain and Senior Officer.” -</p> -</blockquote> - -<p>In November we proceeded up the river Rappahannock -for the purpose of attacking the American -militia, 600 strong, who had some fieldpieces posted -at Farnham Church.</p> - -<p>We first took the town of Rappahannock, driving -the enemy out of it, who ran away so fast that they<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_167"></a>[Pg 167]</span> -dropped their colours, which we took. On one side of -them, under the American eagle, was this motto, -“Death or victory”; on the other, “Down with the -tyrants.” However, they were “scared” from death, -and ran away from victory. We then attacked the -militia at Farnham Church, and captured two of their -fieldpieces; afterwards returning to Rappahannock we -embarked some flour and tobacco, and then retired -down the river to our ships, without in the least injuring -the town.</p> - -<p>We had with us on this expedition Major Brown, -of the 85th Regiment, who had been severely wounded -at the battle of Bladensburgh, and on the falling back -of our army from Washington, he, with several other -officers and men, who were too ill to be removed, -were left behind. He was a fine gallant fellow, and -now commands the 2nd Battalion of Rifles.</p> - -<p>I must take this opportunity of confirming two -statements of my gallant friend Captain J. Scott, -which he mentions in his memoirs. First, with regard -to the unjust accusation of plundering: all I can say -is, that I saw nothing of the kind, unless taking provisions -when we were starving upon half allowance -may be called so; but on every principle of war we -were entitled to forage, and for which in many cases -we paid. The orders of both Admiral Cockburn and -Captain Barrie were positive against plundering.</p> - -<p>With respect to the second, I can vouch for his -account of the poisoning the spirits at Benedict being -perfectly true. In consequence of what had taken -place, if we wished to eat or drink anything that was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_168"></a>[Pg 168]</span> -found in their houses placed out ready for us upon -their tables, we used to force the natives to eat a part -first, that, in the event of its being poisoned, they -might die with the Britishers.</p> - -<p>We used occasionally to purchase cattle from the -Americans. The plan agreed on was this: they were -to drive them down to a certain point, where we were -to land and take possession; for the inhabitants being -all militiamen, and having too much patriotism to sell -food to “King George’s men,” they used to say, “put -the money under such a stone or tree, pointing to it, -and then we can pick it up, and say we found it.” -More ways than one to cheat the old gentleman.</p> - -<p>Having seen in some publications several comments -upon our mode of warfare in America, and no person -yet ever having taken the trouble to place the facts -before the public in its different bearings, it is high -time that our side of the question should appear. -According to the old proverb, “there are always -two sides to a story.” The truth of the matter was -this:—</p> - -<p>At the commencement of hostilities, America invaded -Upper Canada, took York Town, and at the -very beginning of a severe winter, having first sacked -the place, and turned the inhabitants out into the -snow to perish, burnt it to the ground. Had it been -taken by storm, after a severe resistance, the laws of -war would have sanctioned the proceedings; but the -case was far different, little or no resistance being -made.</p> - -<p>General Sir George Prevost wrote a letter of re<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_169"></a>[Pg 169]</span>monstrance, -not only to the American officer commanding -the division, but also to the Government, -reprobating the mode of warfare they had just adopted, -and calling upon both to disapprove of it by a public -manifesto, and punish the parties concerned. An -evasive answer was returned, and we got no redress. -Sir George Prevost sent copies of the correspondence -to the naval commander-in-chief, and retaliation was -in consequence determined upon; and that their -Government might feel we had the power to repay the -favour they had conferred upon poor York Town, -and other places, we had orders to destroy all -public buildings, and such private houses also as -had been fortified or fired from, inasmuch as they -had been placed in the light of a fortress; <i>and the -blaze that burnt York, in Upper Canada, reached -Washington</i>.</p> - -<p>This, and the endeavouring to destroy our men-of-war -by torpedoes,—the blowing up of Lieut. Geddes, -and the barge’s crew of H.M. Ship <i>Ramilies</i> (74), by -means of gun locks fixed in barrels of powder, with -lines made fast to casks of flour, biscuits, or other -“notions,” as Jonathan used to call them,—were among -the causes which led to our system of warfare.</p> - -<p>Small vessels, called coasters, were laden in this -manner:—the upper part of the hold consisted of an -assortment of all kinds, and the under filled with casks -of gunpowder; they were then placed directly in the -way of our ships at anchor off their harbours, their -crews taking to a boat and making their escape on -shore when they observed our’s near them in chase.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_170"></a>[Pg 170]</span> -A vessel of this kind was taken by the boat of the -<i>Ramilies</i> (74), off New London, commanded by that -most intelligent and excellent officer, Sir Thomas -Hardy, who, suspecting from the manner she was -thrown in his way that all was not right, had her -anchored two good cables’ length from his ship, and -kept her there two or three hours before he would -allow any person to go on board, thinking that by -that time any mechanism invented for so diabolical a -purpose would explode. After the above period poor -Lieut. Geddes, whom I knew well, volunteered to go -with the barge’s crew to examine the cargo very carefully; -Sir Thomas Hardy still felt doubtful, but was -at length induced by the repeated solicitations of -Geddes to allow him to go, but with particular injunctions -to be careful. It is supposed that in hoisting -up a cask of flour or biscuits they pulled the line that -was made fast from it to the barrel of powder, the -explosion immediately took place, when a lieutenant, -midshipman, and barge’s crew, sixteen in number, -some of the best men in the ship, were blown to -atoms.</p> - -<p>This fatal and melancholy catastrophe probably -saved many of our gallant countrymen, as well as -some of our men-of-war, by acting as a warning, and -putting us on our guard against this <i>most dastardly</i> -method of carrying on the war.</p> - -<p>The Americans had observed that several of our -ships, the moment they captured a coasting vessel, -hauled her alongside to take out her cargo, which -frequently consisted of flour, biscuits, or other useful<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_171"></a>[Pg 171]</span> -articles. They, therefore, fitted out several explosion -vessels on the above plan, hoping thereby to blow up -some of our seventy-four gun ships or frigates, and -very probably they would have succeeded with any -other except the <i>Ramilies</i>, but her wary captain, -fortunately suspecting some trick would be attempted, -never suffered them to come sufficiently near.</p> - -<p>These circumstances combined brought about our -visit to Washington. The above is the real state of -the case: it requires no comments, and every just man -must say they were rightly served.<a id="FNanchor_15" href="#Footnote_15" class="fnanchor">[O]</a></p> - -<p>On the 10th November, I was ordered up to Sharp’s -Islands, near Baltimore, to cover the <i>Dragon’s</i> tender -and boats, that were sent to capture the steam packet -that went occasionally from thence to French Town, -but they arrived too late, she having crossed before -they arrived. However, they took several schooners -and sloops, and the packet from Baltimore to Elk -Town.</p> - -<p>On the 15th of December, Rear-Admiral Cockburn -rejoined the squadron from Bermuda, and gave us -orders to proceed in company with the <i>Dragon</i> (74), -and <i>Regulus</i> (44), and a schooner, to the coast of -South Carolina. Having completed our provisions<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_172"></a>[Pg 172]</span> -from a transport brought by the admiral, we left the -Chesapeake on the 18th of December, which none of -the squadron very much regretted, for the heavy north -gales and cold weather made our boat operations in -the Chesapeake anything but agreeable.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_173"></a>[Pg 173]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="summary">Operations in South Carolina—Capture of Cumberland Island and -the Fort of Point-à-Petre—An Affair with the American Riflemen in the -Woods—An Abattis—Anecdotes of the 2nd West India Regiment—A -Rattlesnake—Capture of the Town of St. Mary’s—Destruction of the -Forts and Barracks—Nassau, New Providence—Compliment to the -Royal Marines—Return Home—Concluding Remarks.</p> - -<p class="p2">On the 11th of January, 1815, we took possession of -Cumberland Island without meeting any resistance. -The marine battalions, commanded by Colonel Richard -Williams and Colonel Malcolm, and the two flank -companies of the 2nd West India Regiment, under -Major Bradley, were disembarked, encamped, and -works thrown up for protection—rumours being afloat -that the enemy intended to attack us.</p> - -<p>Having waited some days for the arrival of the -rear-admiral, and the ships being greatly in want of -water, Commodore Barrie determined on making an -attack upon the fort of Point-à-Petre and the town -of St. Mary’s, South Carolina. The boats of the -squadron were ordered to attack the fort by water, -under the command of two most excellent officers—Captain -C. B. H. Ross<a id="FNanchor_16" href="#Footnote_16" class="fnanchor">[P]</a> and Captain Samuel Jackson,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_174"></a>[Pg 174]</span> -of the <i>Albion</i> and <i>Lacedemonian</i>—while the Royal -Marine battalion, with the commodore, part of the -2nd West Indian Regiment, and a few seamen, with -myself, landed, to march through the woods and assail -it in the rear. After advancing about a couple of -miles we saw a few riflemen, who immediately retired -into the woods. We kept on a kind of footpath and -soon came to an abattis, behind which the enemy was -posted, who immediately opened a brisk fire, but by -bugling, cheering, and blazing away right and left, we -drove them out and arrived at the fort which they had -abandoned, just as the boats landed. The battery -mounted six 24-pounders, and two brass 6-pounder -field pieces. During this bush-fight a tragic economical -occurrence, worthy of Joey Hume, took place. While -scrambling over the fallen timber of the abattis, after -the American sharpshooters, two blacks of the 2nd -West Indian Regiment stumbled upon one of them; -the rifleman fired and missed, one of the blacks put -his musket to his shoulder and was going to shoot him -when the other called out “Ta’am, why for you poil -king cartridge? tick him, Ta’am, tick him!” which -between the two was immediately accomplished. Each -party lost some killed and wounded, but the woods -being very thick we made few prisoners.</p> - -<p>During the time we were here, and at Cumberland -Island, we had some sharp white frosts and a little -ice, two things the West Indian blacks had never seen; -they were puzzled not a little, particularly when they -beheld their own breath. The keen morning air having -rendered their faces of a sickly purple colour, their<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_175"></a>[Pg 175]</span> -major enquired what was the matter; their reply was: -“Major, me no know—me no like it at all—me no see -’um, but he bity me toe a my finger.” When we -laughed at their droll description, they said, breathing -hard, “Eh! you no see smoke come out of my mouth, -ah! massa major, he bity me toe a my finger!” shaking -and rubbing their hands, and stamping with their feet, -“Bad country this, no like em at all.” Several of these -poor fellows were frost bitten, and lost their limbs.</p> - -<p>After the capture of the fort and barracks we embarked, -and proceeded up the river to the town of St. -Mary’s, which surrendered without further opposition. -We made the inhabitants pull down their own fort -and stockade in the town, took possession of the -shipping and stores, and destroyed the public buildings.</p> - -<p>A curious thing occurred on board one of the ships: -a rattlesnake <i>versus</i> grog or, finding a Tartar. During -the time I was pulling about, taking possession of -some of the vessels, and sending boats to others, I -was startled by a tremendous noise on board one of -the prizes, and saw the men running up the rigging -in all directions, while others took to the boats. I -went directly alongside to see what was the matter, -thinking that some torpedo or clock-work, such as -had blown up poor Lieut. Geddes, of the <i>Ramilies</i>, -off New London, had been discovered. Upon inquiry -I found that a rattlesnake had been the cause -of all the row. Some of the boats’ crews on going on -board very naturally went down below into the cabin, -and other parts of the ship to see what she contained. -Jack spied in the master’s cabin a large case, the wire-<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_176"></a>[Pg 176]</span>work -of which was placed against the ship’s side, and -which in their hurry they had not observed. The -vessel, I must remark, was bound to France. Seeing -this case the thought instantly struck them that it -must contain wine or spirits; they were determined, -after all their toil, to have a good drink before any of -the officers came below; an iron crowbar and cutlasses -soon ripped open the top, when, instead of rum, wine, -or brandy, out jumped a large rattlesnake, at least two -yards’ long—away flew the sailors up the hatchways, -some got into the boats, others in the rigging, the -snake made one spring up the ladder, and was on deck -after them in a moment—he soon jumped overboard, -and, the vessel being pretty close to the shore, made -his escape into the rushes and we saw no more of him.</p> - -<p>After remaining here a few days, I accompanied -Captain Ross and Captain Jackson forty miles up the -river, to bring down the <i>Countess of Harcourt</i> Indiaman, -that had been captured by a privateer some months -before. In going up and down the river St. Mary’s -we saw several large alligators sleeping on the banks, -which at a little distance were taken for logs of timber, -until they began to plunge into the water; we fired at -several, and observed the balls strike the scales, but -they bounded off, apparently without doing them any -injury. I saw some of the Americans with the upper -part of their shoes made of the skin, it had been -tanned, and wore well, the knobs looked curious. I -regretted afterwards I did not procure some of the -shoes and tanned skins, and bring them home with -me to England.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_177"></a>[Pg 177]</span></p> - -<p>After returning with the Indiaman, which we loaded -with cotton, etc., I was ordered to proceed to Nassau, -New Providence, to bring 300 more of the 2nd West -India Regiment, it being the intention of the rear-admiral -to make some attack further to the northward.</p> - -<p>We reached the Bahamas in ten days, first making -the hole in the rock at the island of Abacco, which is -a most excellent land-mark: it lies in lat. 25°, 56 N., -long. 77°, 20 W. from London. Then, steering S. by -E., 18 leagues, we arrived off the bar of New Providence, -where we took a pilot to conduct us to the -anchorage. An immense shark followed us over the -bar, and remained by the ship during our stay, and -proceeded with us again when we sailed. The water -was so very clear that we saw him daily at the -bottom. He was too cunning to take bait, though -now and then he would come up to the top, eat -the bones and bits of biscuit thrown overboard, and -try and get the piece of beef off the hook, but never -would swallow it.</p> - -<p>On my return from New Providence with troops, -we again took on board part of the marine battalion -from the fort and barracks of Fort Washington at -Point-à-Petre, the guns of which we embarked; then, -blowing up the works and burning the barracks, we -returned to Cumberland Island to plan further -annoyances to the enemy.</p> - -<p>While we were absent at the Bahamas, Captain -Phillot, of the <i>Primrose</i>, brig, had been sent ninety -miles up the river to attack some troops and destroy<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_178"></a>[Pg 178]</span> -their stores of provisions, but the river becoming -narrow, and the Americans lining the banks with -sharpshooters, besides felling trees to stop the boats, -he failed in the object, having lost several men killed -and wounded, amongst the latter Captain Phillot -himself severely. Had the enemy not prematurely -shown their intention, they would have blocked up -the boats, and probably captured them all. As it -was, nothing but the coolness and bravery of the -commander, and officers and men under his orders, -prevented it.</p> - -<p>Just at this period we received the news of the -total failure of our southern expedition to New -Orleans, which event gave us deep and sincere -regret, but we hoped by a gallant dash to wipe out -our distressing feelings at such an unfortunate event; -but while in the midst of preparations we received -intelligence that the olive branch of peace was -received, and the demon of war between parent and -child had ceased. Had it arrived immediately after -the taking of Washington, how great would have -been our delight! As it was, although we could -not help feeling a secret pleasure at the prospect -of returning home to our families and friends, yet -the throwing away so many valuable lives in the -swamps of New Orleans cast a damp on our spirits, -and a secret wish to try and blot it from our -memories by some gallant achievement.</p> - -<p>Previous to returning to Nassau, I had the honour -to receive a public letter of thanks from my brave -and worthy commodore, Barrie. To have his appro<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_179"></a>[Pg 179]</span>bation -was, indeed, a flattering testimonial, and I -look back at this hour with pleasure when we served -together on the other side of the Atlantic, and I -hope, if ever England should be again plunged in -war, that fortune may place me under his command.</p> - -<p>On the 6th of March the ship I commanded was -ordered to proceed to Nassau with the 2nd West -India Regiment, and from thence to Bermuda, where -we arrived the beginning of April with a re-captured -English brig. After remaining there a fortnight, -and receiving letters of thanks from Sir Alexander -Cochrane and Rear-Admiral Cockburn, addressed to -my officers and ship’s company, as well as two others -to myself, we proceeded to Halifax, Nova Scotia, -at which place we embarked the 98th Regiment, -Lieutenant-Colonel Douglass, and sailed, in a heavy -snow-storm, on the 20th of May with a convoy of -transports for England, and arrived at Spithead in -June, after a passage of twenty-two days.</p> - -<p>From the period of our sailing from Britain (April, -1814) until the same month, 1815, we had been constantly -employed upon a variety of harassing services -and desultory warfare, with the gallant Royal Marine -battalions, under the present colonels, Sir R. Williams<a id="FNanchor_17" href="#Footnote_17" class="fnanchor">[Q]</a> -and Sir John Malcolm, and it would be the height of -injustice not to bear witness to their most brave, -able, and steady conduct on every occasion. But<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_180"></a>[Pg 180]</span> -where did they ever do otherwise? From the sun’s -rising in the east to its setting in the west, in both -hemispheres, it has witnessed the devoted bravery -and loyalty of the whole corps of Royal Marines.</p> - -<p>After remaining sometime at Spithead, orders came -for us to embark part of the suite of the Duchess -D’Angoulême. After making the necessary preparations, -and expending some of my own money in the -outfit, we received counter orders.</p> - -<p>In August the ship was ordered to Sheerness to be -paid off; on the 23rd I was promoted to the rank of -captain, and on the 9th September the pennant was -hauled down, and I parted from my old officers and -ship’s company with very great regret. Thus ended -my naval services for the present, after nearly seventeen -of the best years of my life in active warfare; -and I have now to thank God for His protection and -providence on many trying occasions.</p> - -<p>I shall conclude by making a few remarks before -closing this narrative upon the unfortunate mistake -this country committed with regard to our quarrel -with the United States, and also upon the actions -which took place between our frigates and theirs, and -upon the subject of searching for English sailors on -board their vessels.</p> - -<p>The great error that England committed was her -not having declared war against America two or three -years earlier than she did. She ought to have done -it on account of their having aided and assisted our -mortal enemy, by carrying on the trade for France in -vessels belonging to the United States, and not have<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_181"></a>[Pg 181]</span> -allowed them to become the aggressors, to choose -their own time, and make the first attack. Had she -done so in 1808-1809, or even in 1810, America would -have been completely in our power, for the whole of -her merchant vessels covered the seas, and her few -men-of-war were not particularly well manned. The -embargo had been on two years, by which time most -of her trading vessels were safely returned from every -part of the world; and her seamen being thrown out -of employ, were glad to enter on board their men-of-war -and privateers for the chance of prize money. -But she being now ready, and having secured nearly -all her merchant vessels safe in their own ports, first -insulted the British flag by sending a 58-gun frigate, -the <i>Constitution</i>, to attack the <i>Little Belt</i> corvette -of 18 guns then cruizing on the American coast to -intercept French vessels. This large frigate of 58 -guns, and 487 men, <i>very gallantly</i> fired into the little -sloop of war of 18 guns and 120 men, killed and -wounded several of them; but she in a very spirited -manner returned the fire of this greatly superior force, -and killed some of her men. Commodore Rogers, of -the American 58-gun ship, pretended to make an -apology to Captain Bingham, of His Majesty’s ship -<i>Little Belt</i>, by saying he took her for a frigate, or he -should not have fired into her.</p> - -<p>This was done with the hope of making England -declare war, and thereby putting the onus upon her, -and making the war in America more popular; but -that failing, and they having an army ready to invade -Canada, urged on by Bonaparte in 1812, threw down<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_182"></a>[Pg 182]</span> -the gauntlet, and commenced hostilities, uniting with -France against the liberties of Europe.</p> - -<p>Their few frigates being beautifully manned, and -immensely superior to ours in size, guns, and number -of men, took three of our 48-gun frigates after a severe -action. But I do maintain the British navy lost no -honour. The enemy’s ships mounted 58 guns, 24 and -42-pounders, with a complement of 487 picked seamen -and marines; whereas our ships carried only 48 guns, -18 and 32-pounders, all badly manned, and one, the -<i>Guerrière</i>, with only 187 men at quarters, the other -two, the <i>Java</i> and <i>Macedonian</i>, had nearly their complement -of 300 men such as they were. The strength, -size, and number of guns of the American ships were -too great for ours.</p> - -<p>Persons not conversant with nautical affairs, imagine -that one frigate is as good as another; but that is not -the case, for it is very clear that a man of five feet -four inches, weak in proportion, cannot stand against -a man of six feet, with nearly double his strength, -although both are called men.</p> - -<p>Another circumstance must be mentioned, which is -this. A ship capable of carrying 58 or 60 heavy -guns, 30 of which are long 24-pounders on her main -deck, must be a much stronger and larger ship, both -in hull, masts, and yards, and her masts several inches -in diameter bigger than the smaller ship, carrying -only 28 18-pounders on the main deck; therefore -three, indeed two, if in a fresh breeze of wind, 24-lb. -shot striking the main-mast in the same place or -nearly so, of the smaller vessel, would knock it away,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_183"></a>[Pg 183]</span> -whereas it would require double the number of the -18-pound shot to cut away that of the larger ship, -giving so many more advantages to the bigger ship -against the smaller, by the latter being so much -sooner crippled.</p> - -<p>The ridiculous, silly, and mischievous hue and cry -that was raised in this country, in consequence of the -above action, by a malicious, envious party, to pluck -from the navy some of her laurels, needs no comment. -It gave a lustre to the above frigate actions of our -enemy all over the world which they did not deserve, -and made them think themselves much more superior -than they were, until the fight between the English -frigate, <i>Shannon</i> (48), Captain Philip Broke, and the -<i>Chesapeake</i> (49), Captain Laurence, off Boston. The -latter had fifty more men than the former, but was -taken in fifteen minutes by the gallant Captain Broke, -and the ship’s company of the <i>Shannon</i>. This brilliant -affair, followed a short time afterwards by the action -of the <i>Endymion</i> (50), Captain Henry Hope, that -mounted 24-pounders on her main deck, and 32-pounders -on the quarter-deck, against the <i>President</i> -(60), 24-pounders and 42-pounders, which she also -captured, proved to them that, when we were more -evenly matched, the navy of England was still mistress -of the seas.</p> - -<p>It was long seen by those who chose to make use -of their senses that the disputes between the two -countries must end in a rupture; and that the -American Government were determined to side with -France, and pick a quarrel with us, and that a war<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_184"></a>[Pg 184]</span> -was inevitable. They knew that the whole attention -of the British Government was taken up by the great -struggle in Europe, and therefore few, if any, troops -could be spared from the great theatre of war on the -Peninsula; they considered this the time therefore to -demand new maritime law.</p> - -<p>The right of search (which for ages had been the -acknowledged or assumed law of all European belligerent -nations), for enemies’ merchandize carried in -neutral vessels, America was determined to oppose. -Instigated by intrigues, and offers of all kinds, made -by French emissaries sent for that purpose, Bonaparte -found his Milan decrees, declaring the whole coasts -of Great Britain and her extensive colonies in the -four quarters of the world in a state of blockade, to -be of no use without a navy to support it, and not -having one that dared show its face upon the ocean, -had no means to carry his decrees into execution. -His eagle eye at once saw that by making a tool of -the United States, and embroiling them with England, -he might make a great diversion in his favour. He, -therefore, induced their cabinets to enter into his -plans, backed, it was said, “<i>by good, weighty, golden -reasons</i>, and insisted upon a new maritime law,” which -would strike a death blow at our dominion of the sea, -and at once evade all blockade. The law I allude to -was, that the neutral flag or vessel should permit the -ship wearing it to carry the cargo of an enemy free of -capture from the other belligerent, who met it on the -sea or elsewhere.</p> - -<p>It was very extraordinary that America found little<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_185"></a>[Pg 185]</span> -fault with France, who first commenced the general -blockade by the issue of her Milan decrees, and who -confiscated all the United States’ vessels that were -captured by her men-of-war or privateers with British -colonial or other produce on board, coming directly -or indirectly from any port of the United Kingdom -of Great Britain and her colonies. Had they merely -touched or been driven by stress of weather into an -English port, or even boarded by a British cruiser, it -was sufficient to condemn them as lawful prizes in a -French Court of Admiralty, when met at sea by -French armed vessels, and detained. England waited -with great patience, thinking that all the neutral -powers, but above all America, would protest against -the measure, and join her who was fighting for the -liberties of all the world against the iron grasp of -Bonaparte, and his intended universal dominion. The -United States, on the contrary, put up with the seizure -of their vessels by France, and when Great Britain -was obliged, after the greatest forbearance, to declare -the whole coast of France and her allies in a state of -blockade—which she had the means of doing, having -more than one thousand men-of-war of different sizes -at sea or in commission, ready effectually to carry this -measure into operation—they grew outrageous because -she would not permit them to be our secret enemy, -and carry the trade of France in their ships, under -the new maritime law they proposed, viz., that a -neutral ship and flag were to make an enemy’s cargo -neutral also. The above was one of the causes that -led to the war.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_186"></a>[Pg 186]</span></p> - -<p>Impressment of seamen or sailors out of their -vessels is another source of complaint against this -country. To this latter act England was driven by -the conduct of citizens of the United States, decoying -men to desert whenever any of our ships, whether -men-of-war or merchant vessels, put into their harbours. -The enticing our seamen away to man -their vessels naturally made us search for British -subjects whenever British men-of-war boarded any of -our ships, whether at sea or in foreign parts, particularly -when we knew the easy method by which English -subjects were naturalised and gained American protections.</p> - -<p>I recollect a very fine young seaman whom we took -out of an American ship at Messina in Sicily, when I -was a lieutenant of the <i>Melpomene</i> frigate. On being -brought on board he produced his United States’ protection, -and requested to be sent back to his ship. -He wrote to the American consul to claim him, and -the master of his ship came on board to demand him -as an American citizen. Having strong suspicion -that he was an English subject,—notwithstanding the -clamour raised by the Yankee master and consul, and -the production of his protection; yet, from his not -having any nasal twang when he spoke, and not using -the general slang words of that country, such as “I -guess,” “I calculate,” etc.,—we kept him on board that -night. The next morning he came on the quarter-deck -of the frigate, and gave up his American protection -and said, “I will not deny my country—I am -a native of Swansea, in Wales, and I got that pro<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_187"></a>[Pg 187]</span>tection -when I sailed last voyage in a merchant ship -from Liverpool to New York, in the following manner. -On my arrival at New York I was told that by paying -two dollars I could get a protection of citizenship, -which would prevent my being pressed on board an -English man-of-war. The way it was managed was -this:—I was put into a large cradle made on purpose -to hold men; I was then rocked by them for a minute -or two, and afterwards taken before the proper authorities -by the old couple, who made oath they had known -me ever since I was in my cradle—no further questions -were asked, the matter being quite understood between -the parties,—I paid the fees, the protection was granted, -and, having given the old folks two dollars for their -trouble, I became a ‘registered American citizen,’ and -that, sir,” he said, “is the way British seamen are kidnapped -in the States—in short, it is a regular trade, -and hundreds of seamen that have protections got -them in the same manner.”</p> - -<p>A knowledge of the various tricks played on the -other side of the Atlantic to entice away our seamen, -made the officers of the British navy more anxious to -recover their sailors, which of course at times caused -some irritating disputes with the masters and skippers -of the American vessels. These magnified every trifle, -and reported all the circumstances to people who were -paid by that part of the press in the French interest -to make the worst of everything, in order to inflame -the public mind against this country, particularly after -the affair of the <i>Leopard</i> (50), taking our deserters out -of the American frigate <i>Chesapeake</i> (48), and the un<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_188"></a>[Pg 188]</span>fortunate -event of H.M.S. <i>Leander</i>, when a man was -killed by accident by her firing to bring-to a vessel -under the United States’ flag off New York for the -purpose of examining her.</p> - -<p>The Americans acted with great wisdom and foresight -previous to their declaration of war, by putting -on the embargo and passing the “Non-intercourse -Bill” with England two years before. By that wise -act they were enabled to get home their trade from all -parts of the world, and having done this, they insulted -our flag by sending a 58-gun ship, commanded by -Commodore Rogers, to fire into the <i>Little Belt</i> corvette -of 18-guns, commanded by Captain Bingham, -cruising near their coast, and killing several of her -men and wounding others. This affair had two meanings. -First to revenge the death of their citizens slain -in the <i>Chesapeake</i> frigate, and on board the merchant -ship off New York; and secondly to induce us to -declare war against them, to make it more popular -with the generality of the people of the States, that -the Government might be able to throw the blame -upon England. Britain having her hands full in other -places, fighting for the liberties of the world, making -at the same time a desperate struggle for her own -existence, and most nobly striving to liberate other -powers from the grasp of Bonaparte, was not willing -at this most critical period to have another foe; she -therefore tried something in protocol fashion of the -present day, but it failed as all half-measures generally -do.</p> - -<p>America laughed at it, and commenced biting our<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_189"></a>[Pg 189]</span> -heels, while John Bull was tossing the dogs in front. -They had the wisdom to perceive the great error -England had committed in not seeing that war was -inevitable, and that she ought to have declared it two -or three years before, and not have allowed her to get -the whole of her vessels safe into port. Our politeness -and good breeding enabled them to secure all or most -of their shipping, in order to enable them to man -their ships of war and privateers with picked sailors. -Their seamen being thrown out of employ, were glad -to enter on board their men-of-war and privateers for -the almost certain chance of a rich harvest, by capturing -our East and West Indiamen.</p> - -<p>This was the great mistake England committed; -for had we gone to war at an earlier period when the -seas were covered with American merchant ships, -they would have been swept into our harbours, and -she would have been completely at our mercy, and -twelve months at that time would have settled our -disputes far more amicably than the unsatisfactory -method adopted in the year 1815.</p> - -<p>Natural affection, intimate connections with this -country, a common language, and a wish to incline to -a reasonable adjustment of claims, would probably have -settled our quarrel, and not have left the boundary line -as a further bone of contention. But we were unfortunately -so delighted with the success of our allies and -our own gallant army, by the capture of Paris, and -other deeds in Europe, added to the abdication of -Napoleon, that American matters were left nearly in -the same state as before the war, although we had the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_190"></a>[Pg 190]</span> -means at that period to have settled everything in a -most satisfactory manner. The country was like,—or -might be compared to,—soldiers and sailors who had -received so much pay and prize-money that they got -drunk. Great Britain was intoxicated with the honour -and renown which their countrymen in the army and -navy had gained for them, and never thought of the -morrow. Indeed, up to the present time, 1839, they -have been living upon the <i>principal</i> of <i>credit</i>, for we -have put, I fear, very little by or out to interest which -was <i>then gained</i>, and which has been most woefully -frittered away ever since, until the country has at last -almost run bankrupt: for we are spit upon in Spain, -treated with contempt in Portugal, despised in France, -laughed at in Russia, kicked in Canada, and in a fine -olla podrida in India and China.</p> - -<p class="p4 center">FINIS. -</p> - -<blockquote class="p4"> -<p><span class="smcap">Note.</span>—Vice-Admiral William Stanhope Lovell, R.N., K.H., -was born September 15th, 1788. Married, 2nd January, 1822, Selina, -youngest daughter of Sir Henry Crewe, Bart., of Calke Abbey, Derby, -and by her, who died on the 30th March, 1838, had issue one son and -three daughters, who survive him. Vice-Admiral Lovell died in 1859, -“<i>sans peur et sans reproche</i>.” Was buried at Bexley, Kent.</p></blockquote> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_191"></a>[Pg 191]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="APPENDIX"><i>APPENDIX.</i></h2> -</div> - -<p>Having, in the foregoing narrative, stated, in justification of -our mode of warfare in America, some of the causes which led -to our adoption of the system of retaliation, I beg to subjoin two -extracts from the Annual Register of the year 1814, as well as -copies of public documents, which a friend has most kindly -favoured me with, which fully bear me out in saying that we -were in a manner compelled to adopt the system we pursued, -<i>i.e.</i>, to teach the Americans that we had the power to return -with interest the inhuman mode of warfare with which they -began the campaign.</p> - -<blockquote> -<p>“From several causes it was not to be expected that the war between -Britain and America would be carried on in the most humane and -honourable mode, especially by the Americans; they had not yet -forgotten the war of the revolution, and by our employment of the -Indians, <i>though they set us the example</i>, the consequences were such as -might be dreaded. In their different invasions of Canada, the greatest -inhumanities were exercised; especially at Sandwich, at the settlements -on the Thames, at York, and at Fort George. Finding that remonstrances -against this mode of conducting the war produced no effect, -General Sir George Prevost at length issued a proclamation announcing -a severe retaliation on the Americans, while at the same time he earnestly -deprecated this mode of warfare.”—<i>Annual Register</i>, p. 318, <i>Principal -Occurrences</i>, 1814.</p></blockquote> - -<blockquote class="p2"> -<p>“A proclamation issued by General Sir George Prevost, Bart., -announces, after long forbearance, a severe retaliation on the Americans -for their inhuman mode of warfare in their different invasions of Canada,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_192"></a>[Pg 192]</span> -especially for their having, in the midst of a severe Canadian winter, -wantonly burnt the beautiful village of Newark, and turned out <i>four -hundred helpless women and children</i> to perish in the snow, and through -the severity of the season, <i>without shelter, and without a remnant of -property</i>. This case is made out with the utmost distinctness against -the Americans, not only in this, but in a number of other instances, -at Sandwich, at the settlements on the Thames, at York, and at Fort -George. General Sir George Prevost earnestly deprecates this mode of -warfare; but he justly observes that ‘since it has been so long persevered -in by the enemy, retaliation becomes an imperious duty.’ -But he at the same time says, ‘that he will no longer pursue a system of -warfare so revolting to his own feelings, and so uncongenial to the -British character, unless forced to it by the future measures of the -enemy.’”—<i>Annual Register</i>, p. 27; <i>Principal Occurrences</i>, 1814.</p></blockquote> - -<p>I trust that I have fully vindicated our mode of warfare in -America, by showing that we were driven to it by the great inhumanities -so frequently committed by the enemy, and when -forbearance and remonstrance failed, nothing was left but to -teach them that when goaded beyond endurance—<i>four hundred -helpless women and children turned out to perish in the frost and -snow of a severe Canadian winter</i> from the village of Newark, -besides wanton barbarities committed in various other places—the -British lion was at length aroused from his slumber, and that -the fires which the Americans had lit in other places, reached -the public works of their capital—Washington.</p> - -<h3>Copies of Correspondence.</h3> - -<blockquote> -<p class="right">“Head-quarters, British Troops,<br /> -“Bank of the St. Lawrence,<br /> -“14th Nov., 1813. -</p> - -<p>“Sir,—</p> - -<p>“The object of the present communication, which is made -by desire of the officers in command of the British forces in this neighbourhood, -is, in the first instance, to claim as prisoners two American -officers who were taken on the morning of the 11th, previous to the -action, and deserted to their own shore while on the way to Prescott.</p> - -<p>“I enclose a copy of their paroles.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_193"></a>[Pg 193]</span></p> - -<p>“William Gilkinson, Esq., of Prescott, is the bearer of this flag, -and I am instructed to request that you will facilitate his passage to -the Commanding General of the United States’ Army, to whom he is -desirous of making a representation on the subject of the plunder and -destruction of his property by the American troops in this neighbourhood. -And on this subject I am instructed to protest in the most -solemn manner against that system of rapine and plunder of the property -of the peaceful and unoffending inhabitants which has marked the -progress of the American army during its short continuance in this -province; and I am further to entreat that his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief -of the United States’ Army will allow no consideration -arising out of the circumstances of the disparity of rank of the British -officer by whom he is so called upon, to restrain his Excellency from -immediately disavowing this system so disgraceful to a civilized army, -and affording every fair indemnity to the individual sufferers; or that -he will, by an open avowal that the system complained of is an authorized -one, leave it in the option of the general officer (hourly expected -to assume the command of the powerful and rapidly increasing British -force in this neighbourhood), to employ it in such acts of just retaliation -upon the persons and property of the inhabitants of the right bank of -the St. Lawrence as he may think fit, as commensurate with the treatment -of the inhabitants on this side.</p> - -<p class="right">“I have the honour to be, Sir, very respectfully,</p> - -<p class="right">“Your most obedient humble servant,</p> - -<p class="right">“(Signed) T. HARVEY, Lieut.-Col.,<br /> -“D.C.G. to the British Forces<br /> -“in the Canadas.” -</p> -</blockquote> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<blockquote> -<p class="right">“Head Quarters, Montreal,<br /> -“2nd June, 1814. -</p> - -<p>“Sir,—</p> - -<p>“I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter -which I have written to Lieut.-General Drummond, in consequence of -the late disgraceful conduct of the American troops in the wanton -destruction of private property on the north shores of Lake Erie, in -order that if the war with the United States continues, you may, should<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_194"></a>[Pg 194]</span> -you judge it advisable, assist in inflicting that measure of retaliation -which shall deter the enemy from a repetition of similar outrages.</p> - -<p class="right">“I have, &c.,</p> - -<p class="right">“(Signed) GEORGE PREVOST,<br /> -“Commander of the Forces.</p> - -<div class="aspara">“To Vice-Admiral the Honourable<br /> -<div class="i2em">“Sir <span class="smcap">A. Cochrane</span>, K.B., &c., &c.”</div> -</div> -</blockquote> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<blockquote> -<p class="right">“Head Quarters, Montreal,<br /> -“1st June, 1814. -</p> - -<p>“Sir,—</p> - -<p>“It is with sincere regret and disappointment that I -perused the detail of illiberal and wanton devastation and unjustifiable -outrage reported in your letter of the 27th ult., and Major-General -Riall’s of the 19th, to have been committed in the vicinity of the -village of Dover, and on its unoffending inhabitants, by the conflagration -of their dwelling-houses and their mills.</p> - -<p>“I cherished the hope that the severe, although just, retaliation -inflicted for the destruction of the village of Newark would have -deterred the enemy from similar acts of barbarity; under that impression, -I issued a proclamation of the 4th January last, which has since been -most scrupulously adhered to by the troops under my command, and it -is with painful reluctance I now feel myself compelled to return to a -system so abhorrent to those principles of humanity which have always -animated and characterized Britons.</p> - -<p>“But such horrors cannot be suffered to remain without notice or -unrevenged; you must, therefore, transmit by a flag of truce to the -officer commanding the American force nearest to you a statement of -those atrocities, with information that you have my instructions to -inflict a severe retribution for them; you may assure him that the same -will be repeated for every act of such outrage committed on the defenceless -and peaceable settlers of our frontier, and that the British fleet on -the coast of America will be called upon to assist in the measure of just -retaliation.</p> - -<p class="right">“I have, &c.,</p> - -<p class="right">“(Signed) GEORGE PREVOST,<br /> -“Commander of the Forces.</p> - -<div class="aspara">“To Lieut.-Gen. <span class="smcap">Drummond</span>, &c., &c., -<div class="i2em">“Com. Upper Canada.”</div> -</div> -</blockquote> - -<hr class="tb" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_195"></a>[Pg 195]</span></p> - -<blockquote> -<p class="right">“Tonnant, Halifax,<br /> -“5th Oct., 1814. -</p> - -<p>“Sir,—</p> - -<p>“I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your -Excellency’s letter of the 3rd August, acquainting me of the repetition -on the part of the enemy of the disgraceful outrages committed by him -on the north shores of Lake Erie.</p> - -<p>“I have therefore reiterated my order of retaliation of the 18th -July, of which a copy was sent to your Excellency, and given further -directions for the distressing him south of the Delaware, to the utmost -of our power; from that river northward I have restrained the squadron -from acting in full execution of its purport until I see what change the -late events may produce in that quarter.</p> - -<p class="right">“I have the honour to be,</p> - -<p class="right">“Your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant,<br /> -“ALEXANDER COCHRANE,<br /> -“Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.</p> - -<div class="aspara">“To his Excellency -<div class="i2em">“Lieut.-General Sir <span class="smcap">Geo. Prevost</span>, Bt.,</div> -<div class="i4em">“Commander of the Forces, &c., &c.”</div> -</div> -</blockquote> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<blockquote> -<p class="right">“Head Quarters, Montreal,<br /> -“August 6, 1814. -</p> - -<p>“My Lord,—</p> - -<p>“I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship a copy -of a letter I have addressed to Vice-Admiral the Hon. Sir A. Cochrane, -respecting the late wanton and disgraceful conduct of the enemy in the -burning of the villages of Queen Town and St. David’s, on the Erie -frontier.</p> - -<p class="right">“J. W.</p> - -<p>“To <span class="smcap">Earl Bathurst</span>.” -</p> -</blockquote> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<blockquote> -<p class="right">“Head Quarters, Montreal,<br /> -“30th Sept., 1814. -</p> - -<p>“Sir,—</p> - -<p>“I have the honour to acknowledge your three letters of -the 19th inst., which have been laid before the Commander of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_196"></a>[Pg 196]</span> -Forces, with regard to the miseries which the enemy have again made -on Port Talbot; his Excellency is of opinion that it is the act of Westbrook, -who is gratifying private animosities with a heartless band; he -scarcely conceives it to have been authorized by the Government of the -U.S., and requests to be informed who commanded the enemy’s force -employed on this occasion. The Commander of the Forces hopes that -precautionary measures have been taken to frustrate the design of the -enemy upon Long Point, should the execution of it be attempted. If -you consider it necessary to retaliate for the unjustifiable act of carrying -off Colonel Burnell, you have his Excellency’s authority to do so, or -else, if you prefer it, two respectable American citizens may be taken as -hostages for him from Hamilton.</p> - -<p class="p2">“To Lieut.-General <span class="smcap">Drummond</span>.”</p></blockquote> - -<p class="p4 center small"><span class="smcap">Witherby & Co.</span>, Printers, 325a, High Holborn, W.C.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[A]</a> Colonel Thomas Stanhope Badcock, of Little Missenden Abbey, -Bucks, and of Maplethorpe Hall, Lincolnshire, married Anne, daughter -of William Buckle, Esq., of the Mythe House and Chasely, in Gloucestershire, -by Anne, daughter of George Turberville, Esq. The -family is descended from Sir Salathiel Lovell, of Harleston, co. -Northampton, one of the Barons of the Exchequer, whose youngest -daughter <i>Jane</i> married Richard Badcock, Esq. Of the two elder -daughters, <i>Maria</i> married Joseph Townshend, Esq., and died without -issue; <i>Penelope</i> married the Rev. Michael Stanhope, D.D., canon of -Windsor, and died 1738, leaving with other issue Arthur Charles -Stanhope, Esq., father of Philip Stanhope, who, succeeding to the -honours of his family in 1773, became fifth Earl of Chesterfield. Sir -Salathiel Lovell had two sons, <i>Samuel</i>, his heir, a Welsh judge, who -married in 1692 Miss Sergeant, and left one son, <i>Samuel</i>, and one -daughter, <i>Rachel Jane</i>, married in 1732 Richard Edgeworth, Esq., of -Edgeworthstown, co. Longford, who died in 1764, leaving issue.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="label">[B]</a> The eldest, <i>Anne</i> Bethia, married 21st September, 1809, Lieut.-General -Sir Jasper Nicholls, K.C.B. (Commander-in-Chief at Madras -and afterwards Commander-in-Chief in India), and had eight daughters -and one son. Lady Nicholls died at Rome in 1844. <i>Sophia</i> Lovell -married 9th June, 1814, the Rev. James Duke Coleridge, D.C.L., -eldest son of Colonel Coleridge, of Heath’s Court, Ottery St. Mary’s, -Devon, and had two daughters. Mrs. Coleridge died at Torquay in -1874.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3" class="label">[C]</a> <i>Torpedo vulgaris.</i></p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4" class="label">[D]</a> It was near a vintage.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5" class="label">[E]</a> Afterwards Sir John Chambers White.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6" class="label">[F]</a> Taken and destroyed.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7" class="label">[G]</a> The French ship of the line, <i>L’Achille</i>, on fire and blowing up.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8" class="label">[H]</a> Being a man of plain common-sense, I never could to this day -understand the policy of our training up foreign officers of all nations -in our service to sting ourselves. Surely our rulers forget the sensible -fable of Æsop, “The countryman and the viper.” We took the Russians -from frost and snow, thawed them in our bosoms, and the time -may yet come when they may sting us. “<i>Tempus omnia monstrat.</i>”</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9" class="label">[I]</a> Sir Lovell Benjamin Lovell, K.C.B., K.H., commenced in the -Royal Bucks Militia in 1804, and entered as cornet (by purchase) the -14th Light Dragoons, November, 1805; served at the taking of Monte -Video, under Sir Samuel Auchmuty, in 1807, and subsequently in the -Peninsula, including the battles of Talavera, the Coa, Busaco, Fuentes -d’Onor (wounded), Salamanca, Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Nive, Ortherg, -and Toulouse; actions or skirmishes near Talavera, Sexmiro, Val de la -Mula, La Meares, Freixeda, Guarda, Coimbra, Valle, Venda de Sierra, -Pombal, Redinha, Miranda de Corvo, Coa, Galligos, Nave d’Aver, -Espiga, near Fuentes d’Onor, Llerena, near Salamanca, St. Christova, -Bueda, Castrillos, Foncastin, Matylla; at Burgos, Osma, Huarte, Pampeluna, -Vale de Bastan, Pass of Maya, Lines of Ainho, Cambo, Hasparren, -Helite, Garris, Sauveterre, St. Gladie, Buelho, Garlier, San -Roman—total, 10 general actions, 40 minor actions or skirmishes, -besides attending 7 sieges; was at the siege of Oporto, being one of the -military reporters under Lord William Russell. Appointed to the -Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 15th Hussars, March 21st, 1834; appointed -Brigadier-General of the cantonment of Bangalore, 1841, and Major-General -in India, September, 1841; gazetted to the command of the -Hyderabad subsidiary force, February 15th, 1847, and took command -March 3rd, at Secunderabad; appointed Major-General in 1854, and -Colonel of the 12th Lancers, 29th November, 1856. Sir Lovell -Benjamin Lovell received the war medal, with eleven clasps, for Busaco, -Fuentes d’Onor, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Nive, -Orthes, and Toulouse. He died at Brighton in 1861. Sir Lovell and -his brother assumed by sign manual the surname and arms of Lovell -in 1840.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10" class="label">[J]</a> Prince Lippe Bückeburg.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_11" href="#FNanchor_11" class="label">[K]</a> During our stay in Altea Bay, in 1812, I was invited by the -Spanish authorities in the town to assist at the proclaiming of the new -constitution, and accordingly landed my officers and marines to be -present at the ceremony of reading them. A few of the Spaniards -cheered, as well as ourselves, and called out, “Viva Fernando -Septimo;” but it appeared to me they were not very enthusiastic about -it at that period; indeed they did not seem to care two straws whether -they had the old or new constitution—to get rid of the French was the -first object.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_12" href="#FNanchor_12" class="label">[L]</a> (!) Peaks.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_13" href="#FNanchor_13" class="label">[M]</a> Amongst so many new black freemen in the West Indies, of -course many cases of delinquency must occur. Why not transport all -troublesome and bad characters to Africa? They originally came from -thence, and it would be only returning them back to their own country. -Just land them on the beach at Bonny, and leave them to find their -own way amongst their countrymen, or send them to Fernando Po to -clear the forests and make roads, which would ventilate the island and -make it more healthy.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_14" href="#FNanchor_14" class="label">[N]</a> Medals were given in 1848(?) for the Peninsula wars, and to the -survivors of the Battle of Trafalgar also in 1848. An English merchant, -whose name I cannot remember, gave to some of those who were present -at the Battle of Trafalgar (among the fortunate recipients was my -father) medals, having on one side the profile of Lord Nelson, and on -the reverse side the representation of the ships going into action, with -the date, October 1st, 1804, and round it the memorable words signalled -to the fleet: “England expects every man will do his duty.” This medal -is much prized by the family, as is also the dirk previously mentioned. -(M.S.L.)</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_15" href="#FNanchor_15" class="label">[O]</a> The revilers of our American mode of warfare should bear in -mind other circumstances, viz.: that America seized the opportunity of -declaring war against us at a most critical period, when we were not -only making a desperate struggle for our existence as a nation, but also -to liberate other powers from the iron grasp of Bonaparte, and fighting -in the cause of liberty itself. That must not be forgotten on our side -of the question.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_16" href="#FNanchor_16" class="label">[P]</a> The rear-admiral, in the <i>Albion</i>, arrived on the previous evening, -when Captain Ross joined with the boats of that ship in the attack on -the fort by water.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_17" href="#FNanchor_17" class="label">[Q]</a> Lieutenant-Colonel Williams, of the Marines, was not at the -capture of Washington. He was then in Canada, and joined us at -Cumberland Island previous to the attack on Fort Washington, at -Point-à-Petre.</p> - -</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="coverrear"> - <img src="images/coverrear.jpg" width="475" height="800" alt="" /> -</div> - -<div class="transnote"> -<p>Transcriber's Note:</p> - -<p>The following is a list of changes made to the original. -The first line is the original line, the second the corrected one.</p> - -<p>Page 108</p> - -<p>We remained at <span class="u">O’Rodonto</span> three days, during<br /> -We remained at <span class="u">O’Rodondo</span> three days, during</p> - -<p>northward to invest <span class="u">Cuidad</span> Rodrigo.<br /> -northward to invest <span class="u">Ciudad</span> Rodrigo.</p> - -<p>Operations against <span class="u">Cuidad</span> Rodrigo having been<br /> -Operations against <span class="u">Ciudad</span> Rodrigo having been</p> - -<p>Page 110</p> - -<p>was ordered to cover the siege of <span class="u">Cuidad</span> Rodrigo.<br /> -was ordered to cover the siege of <span class="u">Ciudad</span> Rodrigo.</p> - -<p>Page 114</p> - -<p><span class="u">nexts</span> attracts attention. This was founded about<br /> -<span class="u">next</span> attracts attention. This was founded about</p> - -<p>Page 124</p> - -<p>4th July, sent me to Palma Bay, <span class="u">Minorca</span>, to collect<br /> -4th July, sent me to Palma Bay, <span class="u">Majorca</span>, to collect</p> - -<p>Page 138</p> - -<p><i>Invincible</i>, thinking it advisable to make a <span class="u">reconnoissance</span><br /> -<i>Invincible</i>, thinking it advisable to make a <span class="u">reconnaissance</span></p> - -<p>Page 183</p> - -<p>of the <i><span class="u">Eudymion</span></i> (50), Captain Henry Hope, that<br /> -of the <i><span class="u">Endymion</span></i> (50), Captain Henry Hope, that</p> -</div> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Personal Narrative of Events, From -1799 to 1815, by William Stanhope Lovell - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF *** - -***** This file should be named 63405-h.htm or 63405-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/4/0/63405/ - -Produced by Paul Clark and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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