Page:Tupper family records - 1835.djvu/84

 62 MEMOIR OF COLONEL TUPPER.

gallant North American, Lieutenant Oxley of the navy, was killed in an attack on two gun boats, the stronger of which was taken. Major Tupper, having volunteered, assisted at its capture, although, as a Chileno officer of his regiment, from whom we derive the information, writes, "it was not necessary that he should, as an officer of the army, seek to fight by sea, particularly when he was not ordered." Major Tupper mentioned, that throughout the action "Colo- nel Aldunate had distinguished himself much, and that General Borgono had given great proofs of ability." The surrender of the island* was the imme- diate consequence of these successes, and Major Tupper was rewarded with a brevet lieutenant-colo- nelcy, although much more was promised him when the impression, which his behaviour left, was fresh in the mind of the director. But a foreign officer in any country must naturally expect that his gallantry and devotion will be viewed by many a native with a jealous eye, and indeed too often treated with frigid indifference when his services are no longer required. Alluding to this subject Major Tupper wrote from Santiago on the 14th of March, 1826, as follows : —

"Long ere you receive this the public papers will have informed you of the success of our late expedi- tion against Chiloe. I have been fortunate enough to find my name inserted in the dispatches, and not- withstanding I feel convinced that there exists a strong feeling in the army that my services have been disguised and glossed over ; many causes are assigned for this injustice ; it is extraordinary, as politically

months, surrendered from famine 19th January, 1626, and thus the dominion of Spain in Peru and Chile was severed nearly on the same day, and douht- lt >s for ever.
 * General Rodil, after resolutely sustaining a siege in Callao for thirteen

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