Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp3.djvu/75

  “The Childers joined me on the 6th instant from New Providence, with a further supply of arms, ammunition, &c. for the Indians, as also a small supply of flour for the squadron.

“It being necessary for us to have possession of the town of Mobile to hold communication with the very numerous tribe of the Choctaws, (who are supposed to be friendly towards us), I have determined, if found practicable, to attack with the squadron, Fort Bowyer, on Mobile Point, it appearing from every respectable source that it is a low wood battery of little strength, mounting at the utmost fourteen guns of small calibre, en barbette; though others state the number only at six; the men are exposed as low as the knee, and there is depth of water sufficient for the squadron to anchor within pistol-shot of their guns. I have also heard that General Jackson has ordered it to be re-fortified, after having lately dismounted the guns and sent them up to the fort near the town of Mobile.

“I communicated my intention to Lieutenant-Colonel Nicolls, requesting a hundred Indians might be sent with me to divert the fort on the land side: the colonel refused to permit any to go without himself, but volunteered to proceed with a party of about 60 marines and 130 Indians; I shall sail to-morrow or next day, after embarking them, and take with me the Carron and Childers, having procured the best pilots at this place for the bar of Mobile.

“I have detained H.M.S. Carron for this service, as I have not yet had any intelligence of importance relative to the Indian nations to transmit to you.”

“H.M. Sloop Sophie, Pensacola Bay, Sept. 17, 1814.

“Sir,– You will have received a copy of my letter of the 9th instant, acquainting you with my intention to attack fort Bowyer, on Mobile Point. It is with the greatest regret that I have to inform you of our miscarriage in that affair, and of my having been necessitated to destroy H.M. ship Hermes. The following is a detailed account of my proceedings.

“Having embarked Lieutenant-Colonel Nicolls and his detachment of marines and Indians, as stated in my former letter, on the 11th instant, I left this port in company with the Carron and Childers, and off the entrance of it, fell in with H.M. sloop Sophie, returning from Barataria, when I received the enclosed letter from Captain Lockyer, acquainting me with the ill success of his mission.

