officially described by himself, in a letter addressed to Sir James Saumarez, Bart. K.B. commander-in-chief on that station:–
"Sir,– I reported to you in my letter of the 10th ultimo, my having received information of an intended attack on this island by the Danes. On the 8th instant, I received corroboration of this intelligence; but as every exertion had been made to complete the works as well as our materials would allow, and as picquets were nightly stationed from one extreme of the island to the other, in order to prevent surprise, I awaited with confidence the meditated attack.
“Yesterday H.M. ship Tartar anchored on the north side of the island[1]. The enemy’s flotilla and army, consisting in all of nearly 4,000 men, have this day after a close combat of four hours and a half, received a most complete and decisive defeat, and are fled back to their ports, with the loss of three pieces of cannon, and upwards of 500 prisoners: a number greater by 150 men than the garrison I command.
“I am now to detail the proceedings of the day. In the morning, just before dawn, the out-picquets on the south side of the island made the signal for the enemy being in sight. The garrison was immediately put under arms, and I lost not a moment in proceeding with the brigade of howitzers, and 200 infantry, accompanied by Captain Robert Torrens, R.M. (who had hitherto acted as major commandant to the battalion), in order to oppose their landing. On ascending an elevation, for the purpose of reconnoitring, I discovered the landing had already been effected, under the cover of darkness and a fog; also that the enemy were advancing rapidly, and in great numbers.
“On both wings the enemy now far outflanked us, and I saw that if we continued to advance, they would get between us and our works; I instantly ordered a retreat, which was effected in good order, and without loss, although the enemy were within pistol-shot of our rear, and seemed determined to enter our batteries by storm; but fort Yorke and the Massareene battery opened such a well-directed fire of grape and musketry, that the assailants were obliged to fall back and shelter themselves under the sandhills. As the day lightened we perceived that the enemy’s flotilla, consisting of 18 gun-boats, had taken up a position on the south side of the island, at point-blank shot. I ordered the signal to be made to the Tartar and Sheldrake, that the enemy had landed, upon which these vessels immediately weighed, and under a heavy press of sail used every endeavour to beat up the south side; but the extent of the shoals threw them out so many- ↑ The Tartar frigate, Sheldrake sloop, and Safeguard and Wrangler, gun-brigs, had been despatched from England in consequence of Governor Maurice’s letter to Sir James Saumarez, dated Feb. 10, 1811.
