and proceeded to Bermeo, where the troops were landed yesterday morning.
“I have the highest gratification in mentioning the cheerful, yet fatiguing exertions of every officer and man employed. Captains Bremer and Tayler contributed, by their advice and assistance, every thing possible for the defence of the place, and the safety of the garrison; indeed one universal feeling of the warmest admiration seemed to animate every one in saving so many brave men’s lives. The garrison consisted originally of 1200 men; and, I am happy to say, their loss has been much less than I expected, consisting of about 50 killed, and as many wounded.
“I have great pleasure in informing you, our loss has been trifling to what might have been expected; it consists of 10 wounded, 4 in the Royalist, and 6 in the Sparrow[1]. Lieutenant Samuel Kentish, of the Royalist, was slightly wounded; and Mr. Charles Thomas Sutton, midshipman, received a ball in the leg, while embarking the garrison, which rendered amputation necessary; Captain Bremer speaks of his general conduct in the highest terms, and I was an eye-witness of his intrepidity in saving the garrison, amidst a shower of musket-balls.
“From the intelligence received, I have every reason to believe there were not less than 13,000 men before Castro: the enemy collected his troops from every post in the province, and seemed determined to take it, let it cost what it would. No terms were ever offered; but as soon as the breach was sufficiently large, they marched to the assault, putting every one to the bayonet, without distinction; I cannot, of course, form any estimate of their loss; but from the fire kept up by the batteries, and by the troops before they retreated, I am persuaded it must have been very great: 140 French prisoners have just arrived at Bermeo, taken by Don Caspar; I have directed the Royalist and Sparrow to convey them to Corunna, with a company of artillery, part of the late garrison of Castro; and I shall remain with H.M. sloop under my command, to impede the enemy’s communication by sea, and prevent any merchant vessels from falling into their Lands. I have the honor to be, &c.
“To Captain Sir George R. Collier, H.M.S. Surveillante.”
In a letter to Lord Keith, dated May 15, Captain Bloye says:–
“From various reports I have since received, I am informed that the loss of the enemy was so great, that the conquest of Castro, instead of being celebrated as a victory, as was usual on other occasions of any advantage, created a universal gloom amongst them.”
Lieutenant M‘Donald, the commander of the Alphea schooner, subsequently acquainted his lordship, “that he
- ↑ Two of the Sparrow’s men had each a limb amputated.
