(wounded), have been constantly on shore. There are others of the squadron, who, though not wounded, are no less deserving. Captain Bloye’s services have been repeatedly noticed by me to your Lordship; and as he has been employed from the very commencement of our operations on this coast, and has a perfect knowledge of the localities of this harbour, as well as that of St. Sebastian, I have felt it important to send him to England, as he will, from his having been particularly attached to the duties connected with this port and the army, be able to give your Lordship much useful information. Lieutenant Stokes, in the Constant, has scarcely ever quitted the mouth of the Bidassoa; the utility of his position is, I believe, felt by the army; it has been a station of considerable anxiety. I have the honor to be, &c.
“To the Right Hon. Admiral Lord Keith, &c.
The great event of Lord Wellington’s entry into France took place on the 7th Oct., by his troops crossing the Bidassoa, at different fords, after a series of spirited actions, which cost the allies between 1500 and 1700 men killed, wounded, and missing. The surrender of Pamplona to Don Carlos d’Espana, on the 31st of the same month, having disengaged the right of the allied army from the service of blockading that strong fortress, his Lordship resolved to put in execution a meditated operation against the French troops posted near St. Jean de Luz, the object of which was to force their centre, and establish his own troops in the rear of their right. Heavy rains obliged him to defer this attempt till the 10th Nov. on which day it was made in columns of divisions, each led by a General Officer, and having its own reserve; a detachment from Sir George Collier’s squadron at the same time making a naval demonstration in the rear of Socoa, and keeping the enemy employed in the batteries, from the fire of which the Sparrow, Captain Lock, received some slight damage in her hull and sails. After a variety of actions, which occupied the whole day, the allies obtained the desired position, and the enemy were obliged to retreat to an entrenched camp near Bayonne. The result of this operation was the ejectment of the French from positions they had been fortifying with great labour for three months, and taking from them 51 pieces of cannon, and 1400 prisoners.
Soon after this important event, Sir George Collier was appointed in succession to the Newcastle, and Leander, ships
