tery, just as it was about to be evacuated. The other privateers were also in tow, and numerous merchant vessels were seen lying in a tier, under the walls of the town. The castle was keeping up a furious cannonade upon the boats and prizes, which were likewise exposed to a tremendous fire of musketry from the mole-wall, at only a few yards distance: this latter annoyance was answered in the most spirited manner by the gun-boat, until the fall of Captain Lilburne, who received a mortal wound at the moment that Captain Ussher resumed the command afloat. To add to this misfortune, the heavy firing on both sides caused the wind to die totally away; and owing to the severe loss sustained by the British, it was with the utmost difficulty they could bring off Barbastro’s privateer, and the Napoleon of similar force: the remainder, however, were damaged as much as possible previous to their being abandoned. Captain Ussher concludes his official account of this heroic enterprise in terms to the following effect:
“I have to lament a most severe loss on this occassion, and amongst those who fell was my brave and honorable companion Captain Lillburne[1].
“It is impossible that my pen can do sufficient justice to the undaunted courage of every officer and man employed in this, the most severe and spirited contest I ever witnessed. I beg leave to recommend my first Lieutenant, Spilsbury; Lieutenants Hastings, Keenan, Otty, and Arnold, the latter severely wounded; and every other officer and man.”
That Captain Ussher’s own gallant and judicious conduct was duly appreciated, will be seen by a public letter he received from Commodore Penrose, dated at Gibraltar, May 6, 1812, a copy of which we shall now lay before our readers:
“Sir,– I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of April 30th, detailing the account of your very spirited and well-planned attack on the enemy’s ships and vessels in the mole of Malaga, mid the batteries which protected them.
“That the failure of the wind or any other cause, should have prevented the full success of an enterprise you had so judiciously arranged, and given- ↑ Of 149 officers and men, 15 were killed and 53 including Lieutenant Spilsbury, wounded. The gun-boat sustained so much damage that she sunk when on her return to Gibraltar.
