Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p1.djvu/441

 , my thanks are due for their assistance: to Captain Flin, Lieutenants Bazelgette, Mapleton, Croker, and Molesworth, Mr. Glen, Master of the America, and Mr. Breary, Mate of the Edinburgh, who had the direction of the guns in the batteries, much credit is due; the condition of the fort on its surrender plainly evinced the effect of their fire.

“A division of the Sicilian flotilla of gun-boats was conducted in a gallant and able manner by Lieutenant Le Hunte, and much distinguished themselves. A detachment of royal marines, under Captain Rea, has been landed, to act with the advance of Lieutenant-Colonel Travers, who makes favourable mention of their conduct. I am much indebted to Lieutenant-Colonel Travers, who commanded the troops, for his cordial co-operation, and to Major Pym, of the royal artillery, and Captain Tylden, of the engineers, for their assistance in directing our people at the batteries. I am happy to add that our loss is trifling, considering the means of annoyance possessed by the enemy. I have the honour to be, &c.

(Signed)“.”

“To Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Pellew, Bart.”

“April 18, 1814.

“Sir,– I have the honor to inform you, that in pursuance of my communication of the 31st ultimo from Leghorn Roads, I sailed from thence on the 7th instant, with his Excellency Lieutenant-General Lord William Bentinck on board. After various communications with the troops, at Spezia and other parts of the coast, we anchored off Reece, in the Gulf of Genoa, on the 11th. The Hon. Captain Dundas had, with the Edinburgh, Rainbow, and some of the flotilla, during my absence, co-operated with the advance of the army, with his usual activity and zeal. On the 13th, the transports having arrived from Sicily, the troops were immediately landed, and the ships and gun-boats moved in advance with the army. On the 17th, every preparation having been made for the attack, at day-light the army moved forwards to drive the enemy from their positions, without the town of Genoa. The gun and mortar-vessels, with the ships’ boats, armed with carronades, were advanced along the sea line to attack the batteries; the greater part of the marines, under the command of Captain Rea, were also embarked in the transports’ boats, ready to land as occasion might require. As soon as the troops advanced, the whole of the gun-vessels and boats opened their fire with such effect, that on the landing of the seamen and marines, and preparing to storm, the enemy deserted their batteries, and the whole of the sea line without the walls, which were instantly taken possession of and soon turned on the place; by this means drawing off a considerable portion of the enemy’s fire. The arrival of the Caledonia afforded you, Sir, an opportunity of witnessing the. remaining operations, and the spirited fire which was kept up at the battery, under the direction of Lieutenants Bazelgette and White, against a very superior one of the