them between two fires; our tars with pikes surrounded them, and they immediately laid down their arms. Their force was one officer and thirty men, two of the latter killed. We had no sooner secured our prisoners, than they attacked us with the remainder of their force, 670 in number. Our little army did wonders; for with sailors and marines our force was only 167. We fought them for four hours and a half, when the enemy gave way in all directions: I immediately ordered the marines to pursue them. Their breaking down a bridge prevented their colours and two field-pieces from falling into our hands; but before this was effected the heavy fire from the marines had killed eighteen of the enemy, and wounded about twenty; and in their general attack they had five killed and nine wounded.
“It is impossible for me to speak too highly of the officers and men under my command. Lieutenant Wyburn, of the marines, as also Lieutenants Howel, Higginson, and Gardner, behaved with honor to themselves and credit to their country. Lieutenant Norman, of the navy, as also Messrs. Lane, Iron, Wheatly, Travers, and Petty, distinguished themselves in a most gallant manner; as did likewise the whole of the sailors and marines. It affords me great satisfaction to inform you we had not a man hurt. I am, &c.
“To Captain William Bolton,
H.M. gun-vessel Wolverene.”
On the evacuation of the Helder, the Juno conveyed H.R.H. the Duke of York to North Yarmouth; and after landing him there, was ordered to the .Jamaica station, where Mr. Travers continued nearly six years in constant and active employment, a volunteer upon all occasions, and frequently engaged with the enemy.
Previous to the peace of Amiens, the Juno, in company with the Melampus frigate, chased a schooner into shoal water near Campeachy, where she was attacked and captured by two boats belonging to the former ship, before those of the latter could get alongside. In the act of boarding. Lieutenant Burn, first of the Juno, was killed, when the command devolved upon Mr. Travers, who soon found himself in possession of the Spanish national vessel Volante, of 12 guns and 70 men, bound to Vera Cruz, with the Viceroy of Mexico on board. The loss sustained by the Juno’s boats amounted to four killed and six wounded: that of the
- ↑ Commander of l’Espiegle sloop.
