Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp2.djvu/70

 result of this enterprise is thus described by that gallant and judicious officer, in a letter to his General, dated Sept. 8:–

“Sir,– I do myself the honor to acquaint you, that the detachment you were pleased to put under my orders, has successfully executed the service in view, by capturing, in conjunction with Captain Pearse, R.N., a flotilla of thirty-eight vessels, of which four are large gun-boats, under the town of Diamante, where they had been blockaded with much perseverance by Captain (Henry) Prescott, of H.M. brig Weazle;

“We were baffled by calms during five days on the passage from Melazzo, on three of which we must have been distinctly seen from the enemy’s coast. On examining the position taken here, I found it very respectable, as the town of Diamante, which covered the vessels, ranged on the right and left of it, stands on a peninsula nearly inaccessible on three sides; the fourth is protected by difficult inclosures, and there is, besides, a building of considerable strength commanding the whole.

“Under these discouraging circumstances, augmented by the non-arrival of the Sicilian gun-boats, and the absence of two of the transports, it required the fullest confidence in the conduct of Major Hammill, and the troops intended to be landed, to induce me to hazard an attempt on the town, without the possession of which, I saw nothing effectual could be done. After the strong building above-mentioned had been successfully cannonaded for several hours, by Captains Pearse and Prescott, R.N., and the Chavalicr de Balsamo, commanding a galliot of H.S.Majesty, who were indefatigable in their exertions, 250 men of the regiment of Malta, under Major Hammill, and 100 of the 58th regiment, under Captain O’Brien, were landed at day-break this morning, about half a mile to the northward of the town, accompanied by a howitzer and two 6-pounders, commanded by Captain Campbell of the royal artillery. The enemy, who consisted of about 400 men of the civic-guard, with a proportion of French troops, were gradually forced back, through the underwood, upon the town, which, however, they did not attempt to defend, but took to the mountains; and we were enabled to turn their batteries on the beach to the southward of the town, without sustaining any loss, when the whole of the vessels fell into our hands * * * *. I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed)“.”

The land ordnance taken on this occasion, consisted of 3 brass howitzers and 4 field-pieccs, 1 iron long 12-pounder, 15 carronades, and 2 swivels. The British appear to have sustained no loss, and that of the enemy has never been ascertained.

In May 1809, part of the Halcyon’s officers and crew assisted at the destruction of the enemy’s forts on the small islands of Gianuti and Pianoso; a service executed with great