knowledgements of my Lords Commisioners of the Admiralty.”
Major-General Ross, in his official letter to Earl Bathurst, says,– “To Rear-Admiral Cockburn, who suggested the attack upon Washington, and who accompanied the army, I confess the greatest obligation, for his cordial co-operation and advice.”
The next important event was the unsuccessful attack made upon Baltimore, in Sept. 1814; the army succeeded in defeating the Americans, and approached close to the city; but so efficient were the naval means of defence, that our ships of war could not co-operate, and all the brilliant achievements of our soldiers proved useless On this occasion that part of the naval service which was connected with the army, was again confided to Rear-Admiral Cockburn, who evinced his usual zeal and ability, and executed his important trust to the entire satisfaction of the Commander-in-Chief.
The heaviest loss sustained by the British in this expedition was that of the gallant Major-General Ross, who fell by the side of the Rear-Admiral, when reconnoitring the enemy previous to the action.
During the remainder of the war with America, the subject of this memoir was incessantly employed in scouring the enemy’s rivers, destroying their towns, batteries, shipping, and property to an immense amount.
In the month of July, 1815, when the late ruler of the French nation surrendered himself to the British, his present Majesty, then Prince Regent, depending on “the well known zeal and resolute character of Sir George Cockburn[1],” confided that personage to his care. The Rear Admiral was at the same time appointed Commander-in-Chief at the Cape of Good Hope and the island of St. Helena; to the latter of which places, as is well known, his turbulent prisoner was conveyed for the purpose of secure detention. On the 8th Aug. Sir George sailed from Plymouth with his flag on board the Northumberland, into which ship General Buonaparte had previously been removed from the Bellerophon; and on the 16th Oct. following, landed the latter at the place of his des-
- ↑ The Rear-Admiral had been rewarded for his eminent services with the insignia of a K.C.B. Jan. 2, preceding.
