the particulars of which are thus stated in his official report to the officer under whose orders he was then placed:
“Sir,– The French troops in Hanover, not content with frequent predatory and piratical incursions in the neighbourhood of Cuxhaven, had the audacity to enter the village of Ritzbuttle with a body of horse at mid-day on the 26th instant, and very narrowly missed making several officers of the squadron prisoners[1]. In consequence I was induced to land a detachment of seamen and marines from the vessels composing the squadron under my orders, for the purpose, if possible, of intercepting them. In the ardour of pursuit, we advanced until we got sight of the town of Bremer-lehe, into which we learnt they had retreated. The information was incorrect. On entering the town we were assured that the enemy, to the number of about 250, occupied the town of Gessendorf, two miles distant, and further, that it contained a depot of confiscated merchandise. It was resolved instantly to attack it. For this purpose, Captain Goate of the Mosquito, advanced with a detachment, while I directed Captain Pettet of the Briseis, to proceed by a circuitous route, and take a well-constructed battery of four 12-pounders, commanding the river Weser, in flank, while the remainder, under my own immediate directions, headed by Captain Watts, of the Ephira, advanced to attack it in front. The road we had to pass subjected us all to a galling fire of round and grape from the battery, the guns of which were all pointed inwards, and which we could only answer by discharges of musketry. Gessendorf, though certainly tenable with the numbers the enemy had opposed to ours, was on the approach of Captain Goate precipitately evacuated. The enemy being previously informed of our approach, had put into requisition a number of light waggons for the transportation of the foot, in the rear of which 60 well mounted cavalry drew up.
“The enemy in the battery seeing us determined, notwithstanding their fire, to carry our point, and that we were making preparations for fording a deep and wide creek in their front, abandoned it, and embarked in boats on the Weser ready for their reception, under a severe fire of musketry from our detachment, with the loss on their part of several killed and wounded. From a foreknowledge of our intentions on the part of the enemy, we made but four prisoners, the commandant of the battery (Mons. le Murche), a Lieutenant, and two inferior officers. The battery-guns were burst in pieces, the einbrazures demolished, the gun-carriages burnt, together with the magazine, guard-houses, &c. &c. The powder we brought off, as also six waggon loads of confiscated merchandise. * * *
“The distance from Gessendorf to Cuxhaven is 28 miles; I leave it their to their Lordships to estimate the spirit, alacrity, and expedition with which this service has been performed, when I state, that in 24 hours from- ↑ Cuxhaven and Ritzbuttle had recently been taken possession of by the British. See Captain William Goate.
