The ordnance, &c. taken on this glorious occasion, consisted of one brass field-piece, two 4-inch howitzers, 14 shells, 484 muskets with bayonets complete, 470 swords, and 16,000 musket-ball cartridges. Two transports laden with shells, ammunition, provisions, &c. were captured by the Tartar; and two heavy gun-vessels by the Sheldrake. We shall now present our readers with copies of two letters which were addressed to Governor Maurice, in acknowledgment of his splendid achievement:
“Dear Sir,– Your despatches, accompanied by your private letter of the 31st, arrived here last night, and I congratulate you on the brilliant success which has attended your judicious and officerlike conduct in the defence of Anholt, supported by the determined bravery of the officers and men under your command. Their Lordships have highly approved of your gallant conduct; and I am happy to inform you that Lieutenant H. L. Baker, the second officer in command, will be immediately promoted to the rank of Commander. It will give me pleasure to find myself enabled to notice the meritorious behaviour of Captain Torrens, as well as of Mr. Gray, the acting surgeon of the garrison.
“It gives me satisfaction to find that it is your wish to remain in command of this important island for another year; a request that I willingly comply with, as I am persuaded it cannot be placed in abler or safer hands.
“I think it will be proper to desire an engineer officer to go over for the purpose of looking at your batteries, &c., and to bring back a plan or survey, in case any thing additional should be required against next winter[1].
“I hope to find myself able in a short time to express my sense of your good conduct by appointing your brother to a sloop of war, for which I have directed him to be noted, at an early opportunity[2]. I remain, dear Sir, yours very faithfully,
“To Captain Maurice, Governor of Anholt, &c.”
- ↑ We should here observe that Governor Maurice found the works in their infancy, and that he was indefatigably employed completing them during the preceding long and severe winter. An octagon battery round the light-house was scarcely finished when the enemy made their appearance.
- ↑ Ferdinand Moore Maurice, Esq. Commander, R.N. (twin-brother to the subject of this memoir) was soon afterwards appointed to the Magnet brig, in which vessel he perished with all his crew, when proceeding to the Halifax station, in the autumn of 1812. He had the reputation of being a truly zealous officer, and his loss was greatly lamented.
