Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp4.djvu/25

 with considerable effect by our advanced guard, which pressing steadily forward, soon obliged the enemy to run off with the utmost precipitation, leaving behind him several men killed and wounded; but it is with the most heartfelt sorrow I have to add, that in this short and desultory skirmish, my gallant and highly valued friend, the Major-General, received a musket-ball through his arm into his breast, which proved fatal to him on his way to the water-side for re-embarkation.

“Colonel Brook (of the 44th regiment), on whom the command of the army now devolved, having come up, the whole proceeded forward about two miles further, when we observed the enemy in force drawn up before us, apparently about 6000 or 7000 strong. On perceiving our army, he filed off into a large and extensive wood on his right, from which he commenced a cannonade on us, drawing up his men behind a range of high palings, where he appeared determined to make his stand.

“Our field-pieces answered his with evident advantage; and so soon as Colonel Brook had made the necessary dispositions, the attack was ordered, and executed in the highest style possible. The enemy opened his musketry on us from his whole line, immediately we approached within reach of it; and he kept up his fire till we entered the wood, when he gave way in every direction, and was chased by us a considerable distance, with great slaughter, abandoning his post, and leaving all his wounded, and two guns, in our possession.

“An advance of this description, against superior numbers of an enemy eo posted, could not be effected without loss: I have the honor to enclose a return of what has been suffered by those of the naval department acting with the army on this occasion ; and it is, Sir, with the greatest pride and pleasure I report to you, that the brigade of seamen with small arms, commanded by Captain Crofton, assisted by Captains Sulivan, Money, and Ramsay, the three senior commanders in the fleet, behaved with a gallantry and steadiness which would have done honor to the ablest troops, and which attracted the admiration of the army. The seamen, under Mr. Jackson, master’s mate of the Tonnant, attached to the rocket brigade, behaved also with equal skill and bravery. The marines landed from the ships, and commanded by Captain Robyns, displayed their usual gallantry.

“The night being fast approaching, and the troops much fatigued. Colonel Brook determined to remain for the night on the field of battle; and on the morning of the 13th, leaving a small guard to collect and protect the wounded, we again moved forward towards Baltimore, on approaching which it was found to be defended by extremely strong works