miles, that it was some hours before their intention could be accomplished. The gun-boats now opened a very heavy fire on our works, while a column of about 600 men crossed the island to the westward, and took up a position on the northern shore, covered by hillocks of sand, by breaks and inequality of ground. Another column made many attempts to carry the Massareene battery by storm, but were as often repulsed, and compelled to cover themselves under hillocks of sand, which on this island are thrown up by every gale.
“The column on the south side had now succeeded in bringing up a field-piece against us; and Captain William Holtaway, R.M., who had commanded at the advanced post, joined us by water. I had been under great apprehensions that this officer had fallen into the hands of the enemy; but finding, after several gallant attempts, that he was cut off from reaching head-quarters by land, he, with the coolest judgment, launched a boat, and landed his party under Fort Yorke, amidst the acclamations of the garrison. Immediately afterwards. Lieutenant Henry Loraine Baker, R.N., who (with Lieutenant Richard Turnbull, of the marines, and some brave volunteers) had, in the Anholt schooner, gone on the daring enterprise of destroying the enemy’s flotilla in his own ports, bore down along the north side of the island. Things were in this position when the column on the northern shore, which, divided by the sand-hills, had approached within fifty paces of our lines, made another desperate effort to carry the Massareene battery by storm; the column to the S.E. also pushed on, and the reserve appeared on the hills ready to support them; but while the commanding officer was leading on his men with great gallantry, a musket-ball put a period to his life. Panic-struck by the loss of their chief, the enemy again fell back, and sheltered themselves behind the sand-hills. At this critical moment, Lieutenant Baker, with great skill and gallantry, anchored his vessel on their flank, and opened a well-directed fire. The sand-hills being no longer a protection, and finding it impossible either to advance or retreat, the assailants hung out a flag of truce, and offered to surrender upon terms; but I would listen to nothing less than an unconditional submission, and I have the pleasure to inform you, that this corps also laid down their arms, and surrendered themselves prisoners of war.
“The prisoners, now more numerous than my small garrison, were no sooner secured, than operations were commenced against the reserve, which had been seen retreating to the westward of the island.
“I took the field with Captain Torrens (who, though wounded, insisted on accompanying me); but, as our prisoners were so numerous, and we had no place of security in which to place them, I could only employ on this occasion the brigade of howitzers, under Lieutenants Richard C. Steele and John Bezant, of the royal marine artillery“ (the former subaltern acting as adjutant), “and part of the light company, commanded by Lieutenant Turnbull. When we arrived at the west end of the island, we found that the enemy had formed on the beach, and were protected by 14 gun-
