up, and most completely destroyed. I feel the destruction of the defences of this place to be of consequence, as it was a convenient port for shipping the very large quantity of timber the enemy now have on the adjacent coast. The Captains, officers, and ships’ companies, deserve my warm acknowledgments for their exertions on this occasion. A few shot in the hulls and rigging of the ships is the only damage done.
“Captain Duncan informs me, that he gained very material and necessary information respecting this place, by a very gallant exploit performed a few nights ago by Lieutenant Travers[1], who stormed, with a boat’s crew, a tower of 1 gun, destroying it, and bringing the guard away. I am, &c.
The following letters contain the details of a gallant enterprise, very ably directed by Sir Josias Rowley, and most zealously executed by the force under his command, in co-operation with the Italian Levy, commanded by Colonel Catanelli:
“Sir, I have the honor to inform you, that in pursuance of my preceding communication to you from Palermo, I sailed thence on the 29th ult., in company with the Termagant, and anchored at Melazzo on the following night, where, having joined the ships named in the margin[2], and embarked on board them on the following day the troops of the Italian Levy, amounting to about 1,000 men, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Catanelli, we sailed the same evening, and arrived on the coast of Italy, off Via Reggio, on the 9th inst. Having fallen in with the Armada and Imperieuse off the north of Corsica, I detained them to assist us in getting the troops on shore. Having anchored with the squadron off the town, the troops and field-pieces were immediately landed, a small party of the enemy having evacuated the place, on a summons that had been sent in, and possession was taken of two 18 and one 12-pounder guns, which defended the entrance of the river. The Lieutenant-Colonel proceeded immediately to Lucca, which place was surrendered to him at twelve the same night.
“The following day a detachment of 40 royal marines from this ship, under Captain Rea, was sent to a signal station to the northward, which, on his threatening to storm, surrendered to him, and 11 men who defended it were made prisoners. He found it to be a castle of considerable size and strength, walled and ditched, and capable of containing near 1,000 men. On receiving this report, I sent Mr. Bazelgette, senior Lieutenant of the America, who, with a few barrels of powder, completely destroyed it, bringing off a brass 9-pounder gun, which was mounted in the castle. Parties from the Imperieuse and Furieuse also brought off two other brass guns from the beach to the northward and southward of the town, those at the landing place having also been embarked.
“The Lieutenant-Colonel not judging it advisable to continue at Lucca,- ↑ See Commander Eaton Travers.
- ↑ Edinburgh, Furieuse, and Mermaid.
