Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v4p1.djvu/155

 In 1800, this officer was appointed to the Vlieter 44, stationed in the river Thames, where he continued until the peace of Amiens. In 1804, we find him first lieutenant of the Bacchante 20, Captain (now Sir Charles) Dashwood, by whom he is most handsomely spoken of in an official letter, addressed to the commander-in-chief at Jamaica, of which the following is a copy:–

“Bacchante, New Providence, April 13th, 1805.

“Sir,– I have the honor to acquaint you, that on the 3d instant, H.M. ship under my command captured, off the Havannah, His Catholic Majesty’s schooner Elizabeth, of 10 guns and 47 men, charged with despatches from the governor of Pensacola, which were thrown overboard previous to her surrendering.

“Having received information that there were three French privateers in the harbour of Mariel, (a small convenient port, a little to the west> ward of the Havannah,) which had annoyed most considerably the trade of H.M. subjects, transiently passing through the Gulf, I determined, if possible, to rout this band of pirates; for, from their plundering and ill treating the crew of every vessel they met with, most particularly the Americans, they were nothing better. Lieutenants Oliver and Campbell having, in the most handsome manner, volunteered their services on this hazardous occasion, I despatched these excellent officers, accompanied by the Hon. Almericus De Courcy, midshipman, on the evening of the 5th instant, in two boats; and as it was absolutely necessary to gain possession of a round tower near forty feet high, on the top of which were planted three long 24-pounders, with loop-holes round its circumference for musketry, and manned with a captain and thirty soldiers, I gave directions to attack and carry the fort previous to their entering the harbour, so as to enable them to secure a safe retreat. Lieutenant Oliver, the senior officer, being in the headmost boat, finding himself discovered, and as not a moment was to be lost at such a critical period, most nobly advanced, without waiting for his friend, landed in the face, and in opposition to a most tremendous fire, without condescending to return the salutation, mounted the fort by a ladder, which he had previously provided, and fairly carried it by a coup-de-main with thirteen men (leaving Mr. De Courcy, with three others, to guard the boat), with an accident to only one brave man, George Allison, wounded. The enemy had two killed and three wounded.

“Lieutenant Oliver, leaving Serjeant Denslow of the marines, with six men, to guard the fort, and having been rejoined by Lieutenant Campbell, dashed on to attack the privateers; but, to his great mortification, found they had sailed the day previous on a cruise; he was, therefore, obliged to be contented with taking possession of two schooners, laden with sugar, which he most gallantly brought away from alongside a wharf, in spite of