Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp1.djvu/361

 of a body of cavalry prevented him from laying a train sufficiently long, before it became necessary to fire his pistol, or otherwise to abandon his design. So violent was the concussion that many of the party, whom he had ordered to scamper off, were knocked down; and the shock is said to have been sensibly felt even by the vessels lying at Tangier, a distance of more than six leagues.

On his return to Gibraltar, after the affair at Bolonia, Captain Ussher received the following official notification of his advancement to post rank:

“Admiralty Office, 24th May, 1803.

“Sir,– My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having been pleased, as a reward for your judicious and gallant conduct in His Majesty’s service, to sign a commission promoting you to the rank of Post-Captain, I have their Lordships’ commands to transmit to you herewith, the said commission, and at the same time to acquaint you that it is their directions you should for the present continue in the command of the Redwing, I am. Sir, &c.

(Signed)“.”

“Captain Ussher, Redwing.”

Hostilities with Spain ceasing about thu period, and his health having been long in in declining state, Captain Ussher shortly afterwards gave up the command of the Redwing; and on his return to England had the further gratification of learning that, in addition to the above mark of their Lordships’ approbation, the Board of Admiralty had been pleased not only to promote his first Lieutenant, but likewise to confirm the gentleman who was acting as second; to grant Mr. Richard Soper, senior midshipman of the Redwing, a commission; and to order warrants to be given to such of his own boat’s crew as were qualified for superior stations.

We next find Captain Ussher proceeding to Dublin, where an elegant dinner was given by a large party of noblemen and gentry, to celebrate his arrival.

“The distinguished and well-earned professional reputation of this officer,” says the Editor of ihe Naval Chronicle, “together with the respect entertained for his family and connections, especially the veneration and love with which the memory of his father is so generally cherished, rendered the compliment intended by this meeting perfectly appropriate. To the gentlemen of the university, many of whom were present, it must have