Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/381

Rh ping, whose well-directed fire of grape, from within pistol-shot of the shore, had greatly annoyed the British force.

A detachment consisting of the second column, under Captain Imlack, of the Bombay Native Infantry, was now despatched to take possession of the third battery, La Narve, which the enemy had abandoned; but on its way it fell in with the main force of the enemy, strongly posted within stone walls, with eight six-pounders on its flanks. They were charged in gallant style; and Captain Harvey, with the third column, having supported Captain Imlack, two of the enemy's guns were taken and the action became warm and general. The French were reinforced from the hills and from the ships in the harbour, and the British by the advance of the reserve, which had previously covered the batteries. The guns of the first and second batteries were spiked, and the third was occupied by seamen under the command of Captain Willoughby, who soon opened its fire upon the shipping. The enemy now gave way, the fourth and fifth batteries were won without resistance, and at half-past eight the town of St. Paul's was in possession of the British.

Till this period the naval force had been compelled to remain inactive, as they could not venture to attack the enemy's ships lest they should annoy the British troops who were within range. They now stood in and opened their fire upon the enemy's ships, all of which cut their cables and drifted on shore. The seamen, however, succeeded in heaving them off without any material injury. In this destruction of the batteries, and capture of the shipping in the harbour, all that was sought for at present was attained. As much public property as could be carried away was embarked, the remainder was destroyed, and the island for a while abandoned; the squadron resuming its usual occupation, and Colonel Keating, with his troops, returning to the Island of Rodriguez, about one hundred miles distant from Bourbon.

In the following year, operations were resumed against the French islands, the force under Colonel Keating