Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v4p2.djvu/533

 

“In consequence of fabrications of the most malicious tendency having been circulated throughout the town of Oporto, I deemed it expedient to address the British Consul upon the subject. How such falsehoods can possibly originate, I cannot conjecture. Every facility to convey the hospital stores of Don Pedro, sent from England and from Lisbon, has been afforded to the Duke of Braganza, through the medium of the British squadron; and medical aid, for the last two months, has been daily sent from the Orestes to his hospitals; – but the fact. Sir, is, any officer who observes a strict and honorable neutrality is suspected to be an enemy by the little-minded partizans of Don Pedro.

“This communication is kept open in order to ascertain, should time permit, the loss sustained by Don Pedro’s troops in the ill-conceived and badly executed attack of this morning. You will be surprised to learn that no naval officer in Don Pedro’s service was prepared to expect such an attack; nor had they the management of a single boat in conveying the troops across the river. The result was, that the boats which effected the transit of the troops, instead of being reserved for a ready retreat, were, by the drunken rivermen, filled with church property and pipes of wine. The scene of the soldiers’ retreat was of the most appalling nature, – some were seen swimming until they reached the chain cables of the two British merchant brigs already alluded to, where, ultimately, the heavy fire of their opponents caused them to sink, bleeding and lifeless, to the bottom: – several watermen were also drowned, and I apprehend it will be a matter of some difficulty to ascertain the exact loss in this unfortunate affair. I witnessed one field-officer killed, and other officers of inferior rank severely wounded. The loss sustained on Don Miguel’s side cannot be ascertained, but it is generally admitted to be comparatively trifling.”

Previous to his writing this dispatch. Commander Glascock had acquainted Captain George, the senior officer of the Pedroite vessels of war then in the Douro, of the number of the suffering troops on board the British merchant brigs, at the same time requesting their removal to the hospital on shore, several being dangerously wounded. After sending, at the suggestion of Commander Glascock, a couple of boats with silent and steady crews, to effect the removal of the sufferers – for the process became a business of stealth – Captain George called alongside the Orestes in his gig, and begged to speak to her commander. “Good heavens. Sir!” exclaimed he, on ascending the side, “how little does this act of humanity accord with the villainous reports now propagated in the town, by which you and the officers of the