ing together in the brigade of seamen attached to Lieutenant-General Sir Eyre Coote’s division, under the command of Captain Richardson, of H.M.S. Caesar [1]; and believe me I shall, if ever in my power to be serviceable, feel it both my duty and inclination to promote your interest. I am, my dear Travers, with great sincerity, yours, &c.
“Dear Sir,– On the very point of sailing for the Cape of Good Hope, I received your letter, dated off Toulon, by which I am happy to find your friends are at last likely to stir themselves in your behalf; and must happy should I feel, if any testimony of mine could in the least assist your views; for I can, with great truth, affirm, that whilst you served under my command, in the attack of Flushing, your zeal and good conduct were most conspicuous, and tended in no small degree to draw from our Commander-in-chief, Lieutenant-General Sir Eyre Coote, those praises so liberally bestowed on the corps of seamen serving under my command. Above all, I have to admit the superior skill and energy shewn by you, in mounting the guns of my battery, under the heaviest fire, and the greatest disadvantages. You will excuse this hasty letter; but believe me your speedy promotion will be heard of with very sincere satisfaction and pleasure by your faithful friend,
“To Lieutenant Travers, R.N.”
“This is to certify, that during the time I commanded H.M.S. Imperieuse, from June, 1809, to Sept., 1810, Lieutenant Eaton Travers behaved in a most gallant manner on a variety of occasions. At the attack upon Flushing, he commanded a party of seamen, from the Imperieuse, and was employed at the most advanced battery, where his good conduct particularly attracted the notice of Captain Richardson, of H.M.S. Caesar, and the General Officer commanding the advanced batteries: in consequence of his abilities and information, he was selected by Sir Eyre Coote[2] to remain with him at Middleburgh” (the capital of Walcheren) “as his naval aide-de-camp. * * * * * *
The guns of Captain Richardson’s battery were mounted by Lieutenant Travers during the absence of the royal artillerymen, who had gone in search of materials for that purpose; and they were actually playing upon the enemy, with quickness and precision, long before the triangles hove in
- ↑ See Vol. II. Part II. p. 906, et seq.
- ↑ Then commander-in-chief of the army; Earl Chatham having returned home.
