in the morning, the town and citadel were most gallantly carried by storm.
The loss sustained by the squadron, during the siege and at the assault, amounted to no more than 6 killed, 28 wounded, and 4 missing. The prizes taken in the harbour consisted of ten armed vessels, mounting 198 guns; fifteen sloop-rigged gun-boats; six row-boats with guns; two Indiamen of 650 tons each, and upwards of 10,000 tons of merchant shipping. As soon as Fort Saint Philip was in possession of the British, the armed launches of the squadron took possession of the island of Rattones, mounting 10 guns, and garrisoned by 71 men. A very fine frigate mounting 28 guns, was set fire to by her crew, and blew up with an awful explosion; as also three gun-boats; but the other vessels in the harbour were saved by the exertion of the British seamen[1].
Early in May following, Lieutenant-General Whitelocke arrived in the Rio de la Plata, and took the command of the troops. On the 14th of the following month Rear-Admiral (afterwards Sir George) Murray also arrived from England, and took upon himself the direction of the naval operations. Serious preparations were now made for the reduction of Buenos Ayres; the united force, to the number of 7,822 men, with 18 pieces of artillery, were landed about 30 miles to the eastward of that place; and after some fatiguing marches, through a country much intersected by swamps and deep muddy rivulets, the different divisions assembled in the suburbs of the city, which was nearly invested on the 4th July. An injudicious plan of attack was carried into effect on the morning of the 5th, and was so far successful that two strong posts were gained in the town, but at the expense of 2,500 men in killed, wounded, and prisoners; the fire from the tops of the houses, and every advantageous position, upon the exposed and defenceless troops, having been most murderous. On the following morning, General Liniers addressed a letter
- ↑ April 16, 1807, on the motion of Lord Mulgrave, the thanks of the House of Lords were voted to Rear-Admiral Stirling, and to the officers, seamen and marines, under his command, for their services at the capture of Monte Video. The same day, in the House of Commons, on the motion of Lord Castlereagh, a resolution was passed, acknowledging and highly approving the diligence and skill manifested by the Rear-Admiral, in landing the troops, &c.
