852
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
the representations of the Swedish and Spanish governments are said to have made an impression to the disadvantage of Captain Hillyar and his gallant companions. The Admiralty, however, after much explanation, saw it in its true light, and through Lord Nelson’s kind interference he was at length advanced to post rank, though not until he had given fresh proofs of his zeal and bravery, as will be seen by Sir W. Sidney Smith’s public letter relative to the debarkation of our army in Aboukir bay, and the celebrated battles of Mar. 8 and 13, 1801.
“British Camp, on the heights, three miles
from Alexandria, Mar. 14, 1801.
“My Lord,– It would be superfluous for me to relate to your Lordship the admirable manner in which the officers and men you appointed me to command went into action with me, on the day of the disembarkation, as you were yourself a witness of the gallant and judicious conduct of Captains Maitland and Stewart, in covering the flank of the line with the armed launches; and must, as well as myself, have admired the bravery, activity, and perseverance, of Captains Ribouleau, Guion, Saville, Burn, and Hillyar, together with that of the officers and seamen under their orders; by whose unparalleled exertions the cannon were disembarked at the same moment with the troops, and moved forward with them in action. If I were to say any thing particular in praise of Lieutenants Prevost, Hillier, Campbell, and Fisher, who were nearest me, and conducted themselves to my entire satisfaction, it would be injustice to Lieutenants Cameron, Davies, and Stoddart, who, though hidden from my view by the intervening sand-hills, must have been equally well, and as successfully employed in other parts of the line, the result having been so completely satisfactory to Sir Ralph Abercromby, as to induce him to extend the most unequivocal praise to the whole of the naval officers and men, as well afloat as on shore; saying, that without our exertions he could not have brought his brave troops into action as he did. The determined courage of this gallant army in the close contest they had to maintain on the beach, at the critical time of forming, secured the victory to us on that day; and it is with heartfelt satisfaction that I have now to congratulate your Lordship on the brilliant success of the army yesterday. If we admired their cool orderly conduct, and determined bravery on the 8th., how much must we be struck with those characteristic qualities in the superior degree wherein they were displayed on this occasion; the troops marched into battle, and forced the enemy’s strong position on the heights, between the head of lake Mahadic and the sea, with the same regularity and ease that exercise, on an ordinary field day, is performed, in spite of an opposition, which is reckoned more strenuous than any the troops have met with before from the enemy in other countries. It would not become me to attempt describing the manoeuvres by which this victoryfrom Alexandria, Mar. 14, 1801.
