Page:George McCall Theal, History of South Africa since September 1795, Volume 1 (1908).pdf/164

138 the colony. In July 1805, by Lord Castlereagh's order, the fifty-ninth regiment of infantry, the twentieth light dragoons, three hundred and twenty artillerymen, and five hundred and forty-six recruits were embarked at Falmouth in transports belonging to the East India Company, which put to sea under convoy of his Majesty's brigs of war Espoir, Encounter, and Protector. Their destination was announced to be the East Indies, but they sailed under secret orders. Shortly afterwards, the twenty-fourth, thirty-eighth, seventy-first, seventy-second, eighty-third, and ninety-third regiments of the line were embarked in transports at Cork, ostensibly for the Mediterranean, and, accompanied by victuallers and tenders, sailed under protection of three ships of sixty-four guns – the Diadem, Raisonable, and Belliqueux, – one ship of fifty guns – the Diomede, – and two of thirty-two guns – the Narcissus and Leda. This fleet was joined by the other from Falmouth, and under command of Commodore Sir Home Popham proceeded towards the Cape of Good Hope. The troops – in all six thousand six hundred and fifty-four rank and file – were under Major-General David Baird. This officer was well acquainted with the Cape and its fortifications, having served here under General Dundas for ten months in 1798. With the expedition were also many subordinate military officers who had resided in the colony for years, and who were familiar with the features of the country.

The expedition left almost without notice, as other events were then engaging attention throughout Europe. The great French army, which was generally believed to be intended for the invasion of England, was still encamped at Boulogne when the fleet sailed. While it was on its way to the Cape, the Austrians capitulated at Ulm, the battle of Trafalgar was fought, a French army entered Vienna, and issues were decided in comparison with which the fate of the Cape Colony dwindled into insignificance. On the passage water and refreshments were obtained at Madeira and St. Salvador, and at the last named place fifty or sixty horses were purchased for the use of the dragoons. Off the coast of Brazil two of the transports were