Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp2.djvu/14

 I have little doubt that we should have succeeded, particularly with such a storming party as Colonel Cashell’s regiment, and such a leader as Colonel Coffin.

(Signed)“.”

We must here add, that the approach of the Thames and Furieuse was known at Ponza some time before their arrival; that six privateers and several merchant-vessels had consequently sailed previous to the attack; and that every preparation was made by the capitaine-commandant, Jean Baptiste Dumont, whose garrison consisted of full as many troops as the force ander Lieutenant-Colonel Coffin. A more beautiful marine subject never presented itself to the imagination of a Pocock than the advance of the British to the attack: the troops being ordered below, both ships rapidly closed the mole, shortened sail, and anchored, with the coolness of a common manoeuvre: the boats pulled so closely under the cliffs on which the batteries were constructed, as to elude their fire; and ihe battalion having landed in a small sandy bay, soon gained the heights in the rear of and above the enemy, who being then placed between two fires, immediately surrendered. The small but excellent harbour of Ponza had hitherto afforded a safe retreat to those marauders who annoyed the Sicilian trade, and was subsequently of great service to the British cruisers employed watching the enemy’s increasing force at Naples.

The particulars of a successful service, in which Captain Napier was engaged shortly after his joining the Euryalus, are detailed in a public letter from Captain Edward Brace, of the Berwick 74, to Sir Edward Pellew, dated off Cavalacie, May 16, 1813. The following is a copy thereof:

“I beg leave to acquaint you, that through the judicious management of Captain Napier, the enemy’s coasting trade to and from Toulon to the eastward, was, between the 10th and 15th instant, collected in Cavalacie road, to the number of upwards of 20 sail: judging that a proper object for attack, I made the necessary arrangements to carry the place; but the surf proved too great for the people to land until this morning, when the plan was carried into execution by the boats, commanded by Lieutenant” (Henry Johnston) “Sweedland, first of this ship, and the royal marines under Captain” (William T. J.) “Matthews, of that corps. Allow me to observe on the