The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1805-08-09 00:00:00

I I pices, perpendicular rocks, a threatesiog enemy, whom it was impossible to reach, and insurtnount abb. difficulties on all sides. We naturally enough concluded, that from the facility with which the enemy had suffered us to oecupy the bottom of the Rock, they had reserved all their force, to destroy us more securely from the height of their inaccessible retreat. Our troops suffered severely from a most galling volley of musquetry, large fragments of the Rock, cannon balls, and casks filled with stones, which they poured upon us. They were entrenched in a number of cavities, which nature had formed at different heights, and to which it was impossible to attain, but by ladders of thirty or forty feet in length. Front the tremendous fire of the enemy, the Lsoats had been obliged to retreat, without hay. lag landed any of the articles with which I had furnished myself for the attack; the ships also had drifted into the offing, sad we remained without support or provisions ; I saw we had no resource, but to retreat into two cavities in the Rock (in one of which the enemy had eroded two large forges), where we should at least be under cover ; I had all our wounded carried into them, and placed a de tachment over each. I committed the whole of the east side t. 3 the charge of Capt. Cortes, giving him a sufficient number of men to support him, and at the same time desired him to reconnoitre the most advantageous point to commence the escalade. Captain Pinade was placed in the situation on the right, with like orders ; and the like means.... Captain Balossier had charge of the western side. and of the landing place. I successively visited all our detachments, and found the same ardour for the attack amongst them all, but found also the most insurmountable obstacles and innumera ble dangers. In order to prevent as much as pos sible the areas of the en-my's destrudive fire, I made all the out-posts fall back into the two caverns, to wait for the approach of night, when we might be able to form anew. Notwithstanding this, our situ ation was truly dreadful ; we were exhausted with fatigue—and the want of nourishment was the more severely felt by the troops. who had been prevented by the sea sickness from taking any for the two pre ceding days, that they were on board the ships. The boats bad net bad time to land any provisions, nor could we expel they would run the risk of bringing us any. The enemy too had now, by the quantity of shot and stones which they continued to dire& at us, cut off the communication between the two ca verns, notwithstanding their vicinity to each other ; in short, to add to the horrors of this calamitous wee. we had nothing to offer our wounded, of whom some were in a most deplorable state, but barren consolations. About fire in the evening, a party of the soldiers came to inform me, that Lieut. Latour, being led away by his zeal and courage, had ascended, by means of ropes, to a considerable height on the Rock, when he was discovered by the enemy, and, with 15 men, made prisoner. A few minutes after wards, I learned, that he bad been fortunate enough to disengage himself from them, with the loss of two men killed, and two wounded, one of whom was Mr. Cailois, a meritorious young man, and a volunteer, who received a ball thro' the arm. We found a few casks of water, that the enemy bad abandoned, with which, though perfedly putrid, we were obliged to relieve our wounded, and endea vour to assuage the thirst that devoured us. A Ca noe reached the shore, and delivered me your letter; the fire of the enemy only allowed me time to write a few hasty lines, in answer, and the canoe pushed' off ; but I had the mortification presently, to see two of her crew killed, one of whom was the man to whom I had given my note. At night, although the enemy did not at all relax in their vigorous de fence, I endeavoured to reconnoitre the Rock on all sides ; I sent Captain Cortes to take possession of one or the buildings, called the Great House, and established too intermediate posts between him and hue ; I then caused the guns nn the lower battery. which the enemy had evacuated, to be spiked ; and passed the remainder of the night in visiting our de tachments. Towards rnitinight, a boat approached without noise, and succeeded in landing Lieutenants Dutil and Girandon, with 60 grenadiers of the 82d, and like rise some provisions, which had been sent by Captain Meynatel, of the Eine. I embraced thi s opportunity of sending away our wounded. A se cond boat also attempted to land, but was swept away by 'he current. On the 12th, at day-break, I t elieved all our out posts with the grenadiers newly arrived. We dis covered a magazine, containing a quantity of rum, Madeira wine, and biscuit, but we were still in great want of water ; and, :shove all, of cartridges and flints. In the evening, I determined, in concert with the other Officers, to summon the garrison to a.. r the following morning, lu the course 01 , we received provisions, ammunition, and of the grenadiers of the 82d, under the of Captain Brunet; the Commandant aI.J arrived, and was as much surprised euttenaer the night. the rest o command itichAust E* 4 0 0 , 1t . , as I had been, to find the Diamond so very &brew from what it had appeared from the main land. On the morning of the lath, a boat laden with provisions and ammunition was seen steering for the landing place, and, though exposed to the dreadful fire of the enemy. seemed determined. to reach it : it was commanded by Mr. Berenger, a volunteer. who, having seen our distressing situation cittOtat evening of the 11th, had vowed to brave every dan ger to bring us assistance. He had been ordered not to attempt the landing but at night ; but the current having delayed him till day-break, he was resolved to comply with his engagement, or perish in the attempt. This brave young man, with one of his sailors, was unfortunately killed ; two others were dreadfully wounded, in attempting to save themselves by swimming, and were picked up under t!ie Rock, with six of the boat's crew. Two other supplies were also seen endeavouring to approach, but the enemy's cannon obliged them to return. On examining the Reck immediately over our cavern, it occurred to me that it could be scaled, and being joined in this opinion by the Commandant Richaud, I, with his advice, sent to the General com manding the troops, for a quantity of scaling ladders, boat-hooks, ke. and desired Capt. Brunet and Lieut. Dutil to prepare themselves, with sixty Grenadiers, for the attempt, which I intended to make at one o'clock in the morning, by which time I expefted the ladders would arrive. My intention to summons the garrison was,of course, dropped. My plan being form ed, I gave a carte ileac4e to all our men, recommend ing them to search every where for an outlet, and to harass the enemy as much as possible, forbidding them at the same time to fire on that part of the Rock above our cavern, in order that the English might have no idea of an attack from that side; and desired them to let me know whatever new they should discover or do. About nine in the morning, a' number of them returned to inform me, that by various means they had succeeded in climbing pretty high up different parts of the Rock, and would have been able to maintain their dispositions, had they had more men and ammunition. I immediately sent them back with a supply of both ; and, about an hour after, Capt. Cortes came himself to inform me, that some of his detachment had got very high up the Rock, and demanded my orders. I supplied him with men and ammunition, and desired him to hasten and dire& that part of the attack. Some of his men had aQually gained an height, which com manded the entrance to the Great House, and had fastened to the Rock some ropes which they found ; but, as the Rock was upwards of 40 feet high, they did not descend within teach. Capt. Cortes caused part of the stair-case of the Great House to be brought away, which they made fast to the Rock, and were thus enabled to reach the ropes ; but no one seemed inclined to ascend, till the gallant Lieu tenant Girandon, who hastened there, and climbed up to the summit of the height, with the rapidity of an arrow, and was immediately followed by a crowd of grenadiers, marines, and soldiers. One of the stones hurled at him by the enemy, wounded him in the arm,. another struck him on the head, so as to knock off his hat, but nothing could stop him. To assist this attack, I caused fifty men to conceal themselves among the rocks and buildings, facing the Little Savanna, in order to cut off the commu nication of the enemy, and to prevent their giving any support to their right Rank, which our troops had attacked. In the mean time, Capt. Brunet and Lieutenant Dutil had succeeded in climbing up at the head of their grenadiers ; and Captain Cortes and Lieutenant Giraason overcame every thing they found in their way. In one place, they dis covered a quantity of wearing apparel ; in another, a month's provisions ; and in a third, three large casks of water, which were constantly filled by fil tration from the Rock. It was now all over with the Diamond, and we should probably have had possession of it in a few hours, when La Eire arrived with a Sag of truce. Captain Meynard informed that the garrison had thrown out the signal for capitulation, which our situation on the Rock prevented us from perceiving. The firing was immediately stopped, and two Eng lishmen came down with a white flag, and an nounced their intention of capitulating. One of them delivered me a letter from the Commander, wherein he ()riots to surrender, to prevent any further effu sion of blood. Articles of Capitulation were im mediately drawn up and agreed upon, subjen to yonr ratification. I then dispatched Captain Bru net to receive possession of all the batteries and ma gazines on the top of the Rock, and to hoist the French flag, %nd desired him to ofer to Captain Maurice and hi, garrison whatever refreshments we Lad in our power. At his request. he was per muted to stay on the Hock till the follow i ng mot ning. At sun-iike on the 14t1t, he descended with his gaeris na, agreeably to the Articles agreed upon, and filed off in front of nur troops, which I had dtawa up at the Queen's Mastery, and laid Jove chest rt.:l4mi 41Vr'7' their colour!, and came with the test of to deliver me their swords. To treat a vanquished enemy with respell, is, I believe, General, only following your intentions, a, Well as the Vales Of French generosity ; I therefore returned Captain Alattrice ind his Officers their swords, and renewed my of f ers to serve them. The number of effenive men amounted to 107, one half of which were sent on board the Photos, and the other on board the Itervviek. I inspeßedthe whole of the Rock, and had the two 11 pounders at the top of it thrown into the sea, as well as the platform, and all the powder and shot ; I also cut down one of the flag-stale, leaving only that on which the French colours were flying. To judge from the great quantity of powder, shot, water, and provisions of all kinds, which we found in the different cavities near the summit of the Rock. it would be supposed that the enemy could have held out much longer. the prodigious buildings which they had constructed, evider.tly proves that they con sidered themselves as well established here. I cannot even yet conceive -how they should be so soon dis lodged ; it required, no doubt. Frenchmen to do it, and Frenchmen as brave as those you put under my command. From a hasty calculation, lam afraid we have to regret the loss of 50 men, both killed and wounded, which is certainly grrat, when we reflect that it is so many brave men who have fallen ; but, from the difficulty of the enterprise, we might have calculated upon a much greater one. I cannot say too much in praise of the troops em ployed on this expedition—Officers, Soldiers, and Sailors, manifested their usual bravery, coolness, and aiivity. The EU regiment, though but just raised under your auspices, has consecrated its new number in the most brilliant manner. It does not belong to me to speak of the Naval Forces—the behaviour of the whole of the ships employed under Capt. Cas mao, has been generally admired ; I owe a great deal both to him-and Capt. Camos, of the Berwick ; their co-operation with the land forces, in slpplying us with previsions, was of essential service, and their guns greatly assisted in seconding our efforts.— Lieutenant-Dodignon, of the Breeentgur, who com manded the boats, behaved with great merit and bravery ; he had the misfortune to be shut through the knee with a musket ball, but is is a fair way of recovery. I should be happy were it in my power to name here all the brave men who contributed to our suc cess ; at their head I must place Capt. Cortes, who particularly distinguished himself; as did also, Captains Brunet, Pinede, and Balossierrie; Lieute nants Dutil, Blairon, Nocus, Fords!, Lourier, Dau bersmille, and Latour; and Stab-Lieutenant Giran don, who was the first that dared to ascend the lofty Rock, from whence the ene.ny seemed to defy us. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. [From the Merriker.l PAM. JULY 30. In reprisal for the detention of M. De Prony, at Venice, the Police of Paris caused to be arrested an Arlie Counsellor of Vienna ; bat, in conse quence of information received, that through the intervention of the General in Chief Bellegarde, the strange process instituted by M. De Bissingen, at the head of the Police of Venice, had ceased, and that M. De Prosy was set at liberty, the Police of Paris have also liberated the Aulic Counsellor. As to any thing further this cireunsstance will have the most favourable efFecrt, as it will make M. De Prony sensible of the esteem in which he is held by men of enlightened minds, whilst at the same time it will evince the firm determination of Go vernment not to allow any infringement of the law of nations in the person of French Citizens, without constantly enforcing the right of retaliation. Five per Cents. with the Germinal Dividend, 6 1 framer 40 cents. FROM THE Wren PATERS. LP:VD2t4, AUEIVIT I. There is no accurate intelligence relative to the French flotillas, in their ports and along the coasts. except that the preparations continue in the ports with the greatest aaivity. This is also the case in Holland. Since the 27th of July. ten or eleven regi. meats, both French and Batavian infantry and ca. valry, have passed Haetlem. besides An astonishing quantity of artillery and ammunition, which is going to the Helder without intermission. At the latter place the troops are daily exercised. Many troops are also passing through Am►terdam for the Helder; the embarkation proceeds with great atlivity, and ships must take provisions tut six months, according to some accounts. Among the French officers of rank who will assist in the expedition from the Text I. is General Rousseau, Commandant of Rotterdam. We are also informed, that the General in Chief, MArniont, with the Generals Sebastian, De Vignoles, and ether Staff Officers, went, at three o'clock in the morning of the 30th of July, to Driehergen, and thence, as was conjeCured, to the Helder. The camp of Zits is nearly evacuated, and mu►t. by this day, have broken up entirely. 41 . 77 - '"7^ "7.": at. Hews, Maiiktone Chasicery,gee the ta•t ►ap, THE BRITISH PRCS I.ON I ON, FRIDAY. At oust 9. Dispatches from Lord NELSON, brought by Prcile schooner, were yesterday received at th e A miralty. His Lordship, we understand, arrived Gibraltar, on the 19th last, and anchored, i ns 22d, in Tetuan Say, on the African co.tst ; he took in water and other necessaries. Hari ascertained, that the combined fleets had not pass the Streights, and communicated with Ade.; Cotsattowooo, his Lordship put to sea on t fe6th, for Cape Saint Vincent, meaning to st a northerly direetion. Hit Lordship svokild 0. bably have heard in the course of a fete ,i,,• of the battle of the t2d ; ands in that event, i t presumed he would form a junaion w.th n.. Goi.i.stiowooo's squadron, and extend a line acr4 the Streights so as to intercept the enemy, in ,• s they should attempt to enter Cadiz or the Medi• ranean. The latter have Wady a choice of th• a courses. Either they have gone aorth about for 'reset, or they have put into Vigo, or they 1)4 , 1 proceeded for Cape St Vincent, meaning to ps into Cadiz, or escape into the Mediterranean. ' they have taken the latter course, they have bably stretched out far into the Atlantic. they steered directly south, the Lisbon Pickrt which sailed on the 30th, would probably Elvi heard or seen something of them. It is thn si . g y also that they may have divided, as the Metrthrs, brig, arrived at PI ymoti th,spoke, off the Land's Erq a Portuguese, which informed hot, that she SAW fil uil of French line of buck ships and a fri7ate,coa ing to intercept the homeward-bound Op • s fe e off Cape Finisterre. The Prrite schooner am ur a squadron of nearly the same description, in d same quarter. nn the 3d instant. The Oporto fleet, which had pot to ies, had turned, however, to port, upon heariogof the C: bined fleets being off the Coast. The Mary-Ann, FORSTER ; an 1 the ffireil WADE, from Earbadoes, are arrived a.. i:verpciai• they sailed the 30th June, and h Ate br-idtgb. Liters and papers up to that date. The fmlln.cing estr from Thr Itirhadoes Mercury contains soin.! particulars of the capture oh the Antit,tll cuuthy, by the Combined Fleet, in the West Indies: Email from The BariaLes Mere try, dated June ty "If is Marity's ships Galatea, Cipt Maxwell; 11111,'.e 4 Capt. Ekins; and rings Fisher, Capt Cribb ; arrived h.rct:.l day. By these we learn, that on the 17th instant the r. cs Fisher and Osprey fell in with five Froach fr harm, charge of the Antigua convoy, which had been taken by tie Combined Fleets, then anent one hondred and Cghty mats to the north-east of Barbuda. The enemy, 11 . /(1111100111C sloops of war, instantly set fire to the whole of the captor. iressete, and gave chase to the King's Fisher, which indeed Captain Cr;bh to make signals, t,rd ire *meal guns, is to some of our ships were a-head. This hat the desired efe", and the enemy, dreading the approat • /dour /cm, haslet it with great precipitancy towards the burning meets, tom( which, a 'schooner, apparently an American, was very ad.o in removing the people, and encouraging the Aaron. Tlar King's Ftalvir and () T rey proceeded to Antigua with Oise:. count, when Capt. Fahie, of the Anveia, with the Ge.lLa ss Beaulieu, and King's Fisher, proceeded ill quest of themes% but unfortunately erithaut meeting them, or we may wet ,A 4 s what would have been the result." The following are the names of the above erects which had sailed from Antigua on the 7th Jane, under convoy of the rft/ey schooner, takes on c:.e Bth, and destroyed as above : —Emerald, Captata COOK ; the Nanev. CApt. Coos ; Kiri% Data DA Le; Prwte qf Woks, lIE ; arr, PiZVl; Rad the Pwriet. Sties itszsck, for London---Utior. WALKER, for Dii%)lin; Stezfeen, CitiltSTlessos,fs Bellsst ; Rom, D %WIWI ; Martha, Jots room ; IV 4 Indias, Dome; and the ffigbisteder, blat.Lut, LiverpnnL - We have also extr.teted from the Barbadoes Paper. the French of account of the siege and capture of the Diamond Rock, by the combined fleets of France and Spain. It will be found a carious and interesting article. Captain Malts Is, of the Pile grin, who so gallantly defended the place, arrived yesterd.ty at the Admiralty, with dispatches from Admiral Coen aAt4 I. He landed at Liverpool, a" arrived in town at 10 o'clock in the morning. The dispatches from Admiral COC ti R A PIC state, we a'c !.!:at all apprehensions with respea to any attempts of the enemy in that qaarter, have vanish ed ; but it was for some time believed, that 46t combined squadrons were attempting to etude Lord Nttsores vigiLince, and to returr. to Martinique ; from whence intelligence had been received =• Burbadoes, that all the bakers at Saint and Fort Roy 11 had been pot in requisition to : - nisi) large quantities of biscuit, by a given t.:, -• Capt. Motets had been tried by Court Martirl the surrender of the Diamond 1/sock, previous to ...1