Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 12.djvu/307

 s. XIL OCT. 16, 1915.] N OTES AND QUERIES.

299

THE RECORDS OF MILITARY COURTS MARTIAL. (See ante, p. 180.) In addition to the records of courts martial already enumerated at the foregoing reference, there are many others which have been lodged during the current year at the Public Record Office, and are as follows :

W.O. 15/36. 31 Aug., 1855-23 Nov., 1855. Regi- mental Courts Martial. (These are not open to public inspection.)

W.O. 68/195-197. 1793-1855. Courts Martial Book, 4th Batt. Princess of Wales' Yorkshire Regt.

W.O. 71. Records of Courts Martial (Judge- Advocate General) ,'342 pieces. 1668-1850. Proceedings (in books). 1706-1806. Proceedings, General Officers (in

books).

1692-1796. General Courts Martial (in books). 1715-1790. General Courts Martial, H. and F.

(in books). 1757-1789. General Courts Martial, Marching

Regiments (in books). 1780-1824. Special Cases. Proceedings (in

books).

1800-1850. Special Returns from Ireland (papers).

W.O. 72. 1696-1850. Letters and Miscellaneous Documents (papers), 103 pieces.

A large number of the Inspection Returns <W.O. 27 /I -47 5) contain Abstracts of Regi- mental Courts Martial, a fact which MR. BULLOCH omitted to mention.

The foregoing now make the lists of Mili- tary Courts Martial complete, as far as is known at present ; but at some future date stray ones may crop up amongst the W-O. Records. E. H. FAIRBROTHER.

THE ADVENTURE OF THE HAWK PRIVA- TEER. The following letter is from the captain of a privateer fitted out for the purpose of cruising against the Dutch. Its exploits began and ended with the action here reported.

Faversham, Feb. 8th, 1781.

GENTLEMEN, It is with much regret that I in- form you of the unhappy fate of the Hawk Cutter under my command. Wee weighed anchor, and proceeded to sea on Monday the 7th inst., and in the evening descryed a Sail, bearing W.S.W. to which wee gave Chase (to windard), she at the same time pursuing us ; and at about 8 in the Evening came up with each other ; hailed her, and received an indistinct equivocating answer with orders to 'bring to ; perceiving her to be a Ship of force we made sail to get from her, in attempting which we received two broadsides, not withstanding which it was full two hours, or more, before she came along side. We then hailed him again. He answered with "Bring to." We asked him if he was an Englishman. If he was we woud, but if not we woud defend ourselves as well as we cou'd. He replied "Lower your Jib or I'll sink you." and immediately Poured a broadside into us, which we AS mdefatigably returned. Four of our men were

wounded in the Action (one of whom most danger- ously so, in two places in the thigh, and his leg broke, insomuch that on reaching Faversham it will in all probability undergo an Amputation. The other (a black) wounded severely in the Temple, tho it cant immediately be ascertained, what may be the consequences. The other two but slightly.) Three shrowds on the Starboard side with the runners and takles were cut away and likewise our outward tie. The Main Sail tore in a number of places. Our Jib shot to pieces, fortu- nately our Hull is not very much damaged. Upon my going on board I found him to be the Scout Sloop of Warr, mounting 18 guns 9 & 10 pounders, and Commanded by Captain Evelyn. Who saluted me, more in the language of a Barbarian than a Christian. Called me " a Damned Scoundrel, Pirate," and ordered me in Irons, seized my hanger, and hove it over board, and detained me on board about two hours. Then dismissed me, and con- voyed me into the Downs with a strong wind at S.S.W.

The bad condition of the men rigging and sails etc represented it proper to put in here, where I thought she might be repaired with more expedi- tion. Our Main Sail is likewise Cut away.

I have now only to request your advice and direction in what manner I am to proceed in refiting the Vessel and am

With much sincerity & respect your humb' Servt

ISAAC NICHOLSON.

P.S. To the above permit me to add likewise, Gaff, Bowsprit, gone, bit of wood only & spare top Gallant Mast with the Running Rigging and best bower cable which are entirely shot away.

A. C.

BIBLE FOLK-LORE. I find the following bit of folk-lore in Dr. Barten Holyday's sermon * Of the Misery of Vncleanesse,' 1657 :

" A Charmer there must not be ; one that uses strange words over a Serpent, that it may not hurt

a man ; nor one that reads a verse out of the

Bible, or layes the Bible upon a Child, that it may sleep."-?. 129.

RICHARD H. THORNTON.

AN IRISH ARCHBISHOP AND KING. The reign of Cormac mac Culyenan, Archbishop of Cashel, who was made King of Munster in A.D. 901, was short though brilliant. When he received the crown the learned prelate was 60 years of age. Soon afterwards Munster was invaded by the monarch Flann and the King of Leinster. Cormac, attended by Flahertagh, the warlike Abbot of Scattery, followed the invaders, and defeated them in two battles. But in A.D. 908 he was defeated and slain in the great battle of Ballaghmoon, near Carlow, where 6,000 of the Munstermen fell.

Cormac was the most learned Irishman of his time, and was deeply versed in the history, literature, and antiquities of his country.