from the enemy, who were assembled in force to oppose them, and who soon after dark endeavoured to retake their position; but one volley obliged them instantly to retire. The Imperieuse had in the mean time been endeavouring to occupy the attention of the gun-boats and battery in front; but the light and baffling winds prevented our getting any nearer than long range during the evening. Next morning, finding that nothing could be done on the land side against the battery and a strong tower that protected the vessels on the beach, and within pistol-shot of which the gun-boats were moored, I ordered the Thames to close; and, having directed Captain Napier to return on board her, we bore up at the commencement of the seabreeze, and running along the line of gun-boats within half musket-shot, obliged them almost instantly to surrender. Two were sunk. We then anchored close to the fort, which in about fifteen minutes was completely silenced, and in a quarter of an hour more the colours were struck to his Majesty’s ships, and it was instantly taken possession of by Lieutenant Travers, who, on seeing us stand in, had most gallantly pushed down the hill with a party of seamen and marines, and was waiting almost under the walls of the fort, ready to take advantage of any superiority the ships might have over it. The guns, 24-pounders, were then thrown into the sea, the gunboats secured, and the crews of both ships sent to launch the vessels and spars, which could not be completed till after noon next day; when the troops, who had all this time remained in undisputed possession of the heights, were re-embarked, the marines withdrawn from the tower, which was completely blown up, together with two batteries, and a signal-tower on the hill, the ships and prizes putting to sea with the land breeze. Caraccioli, Captain of a frigate, commanded the division of gun-boats; and General Pignatelli Cercaro the land forces, which consisted latterly of about 700 men, including peasantry. * * * * * *. Enclosed is a list of the vessels taken and destroyed, and a return of the killed and wounded: among the former I have to regret Lieutenant Kay of the 62d regiment, and Lieutenant Pipon, R.M. of the Imperieuse[1].”
Having escorted his prizes to Melazzo, and disembarked the troops at that place, Captain Duncan proceeded to Minorca for the purpose of rejoining the fleet, and on his passage thither re-captured an English ship from Newfoundland. On his arrival at Mahon, he had the gratification of receiving the following letter from the commander-in-chief, dated Dec. 19, 1811:–
- ↑ One gun-vessel, carrying two 18-pounders and 50 men, and three others of one 18-pounder and 30 men each, destroyed. Six vessels of the latter description, twenty-two feluccas laden with oil, cotton, figs, raisins, silk, &c. taken; and 20 large spars brought off from the beach. Total loss on the part of the British, 5 killed and 11 wounded.
