# Royal Naval Biography/Mundy, George

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GEORGE MUNDY, Esq A Companion of the most honorable Military Order of the Bath; and M.P. for Boroughbridge, in Yorkshire. [Post-Captain of 1801.]
This officer is a son of the late Edward Miller Mundy, Esq. many years M.P. for Derbyshire, by Frances, daughter of Godfrey Meynell, Esq. of Yeldersley, in the same county. ​He was born Mar. 3, 1777; and after completing his studies at the Royal Naval College at Portsmouth, embarked as a Midshipman on board the Blanche frigate, commanded by the late Vice-Admiral Christopher Parker, whom he accompanied to the West Indies; from whence he was obliged to return home without loss of time, in consequence of a severe illness, occasioned by fatigue and wet during an excursion in the island of Teneriffe. We subsequently find him serving on board the Victory, a first rate, and Juno of 32 guns.
On the llth Jan. 1794, the Juno had a very singular escape from capture at Toulon, the particulars of which will be found in our memoir of Captain W. H. Webley Parry, C.B. She afterwards assisted at the reduction of. St. Fiorenzo in Corsica, and Mr. Mundy appears to have borne a constant share in all the laborious operations carried on during the siege of that place.
After the capture of St. Fiorenzo Mr. Mundy removed with his Captain, the late Vice-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood, into l’Aigle frigate, and was present in her at the reduction of Bastia and Calvi. He then proceeded to the Archipelago, and on that station completed his time as a Midshipman. His first commission bears date Jan. 27, 1796.
As a Lieutenant, Mr. Mundy was successively appointed to the St. George and Blenheim second rates; Victory of 100 guns; and Goliah 74, on the Mediterranean station.
The Blenheim formed part of the fleet under Sir John Jervis in the battle off Cape St. Vincent, Feb. 14, 1797; on which memorable occasion she had 12 men killed and 45 wounded. The Goliah had the distinguished honor of leading Sir Horatio Nelson’s squadron into action on the glorious 1st Aug. 1798; and during the conflict sustained a loss of 21 killed and 41 wounded. On the 24th Dec. following Lieutenant Mundy was promoted to the rank of Commander, in the Transfer brig of 14 guns.
Early in March 1799, the Transfer was detached from the fleet off Cadiz, to cruise in company with the Majestic 74, between Malaga and Cape de Gatt. A few days after they fell in with a French privateer of the same force as the Transfer, and chased her into a small bay, where she obtained shelter ​under a circular fort mounting three 24 pounders. The boats of the Majestic were sent in to destroy her, but failed in the attempt. The next day, however, the Transfer having anchored abreast of the fort to cover them, they succeeded in boarding and setting her on fire.
From this period Captain Mundy was constantly engaged in operations of no small difficulty and hazard, till the autumn of 1800, when he was appointed to the Swan sloop of war on the home station; in which vessel he remained until promoted to post rank, Feb. 10, 1801. His subsequent appointments were to the Vengeance 74, Carysfort 28, and Hydra of 38 guns. Captain Mundy obtained the command of the Hydra at a time when Napoleon Buonaparte was meditating the invasion of Great Britain; and that frigate was one of those selected to watch the French coast, on which anxious and fatiguing service she continued from July 1803, until the summer of 1804, but without any thing remarkable occurring except the capture of two or three small privateers. Captain Mundy afterwards convoyed a fleet of merchantmen to Malta, and then proceeded to join Lord Nelson off Cape St. Sebastian, on the coast of Spain.
In April 1805, when Nelson went down the Mediterranean in pursuit of the French squadron which had escaped from Toulon, the Hydra was left under the orders of the Hon. Captain Capel, to assist in protecting Sardinia, Sicily, &c. from the designs of the enemy. On Nelson’s return from the West Indies, his Lordship received a letter from Vice-Admiral Collingwood, in which we find the following mention made of the subject of this memoir – “I am exceedingly pleased with Captain Mundy of the Hydra. His vigilance and activity are exemplary; he is a clever young man.”
To the great mortification of Captain Mundy, who had been employed for some time blockading the port of Cadiz, he was detached to procure water, stores, and provisions, at Tetuan and Gibraltar, but a very few days before the sailing of the combined fleets, and thus prevented being present at a battle which gave the death blow to Buonaparte’s favourite scheme of obtaining the empire of the sea.
After this great event, Captain Mundy was directed by Nelson’s gallant successor to take a station off Cadiz ​light-house, with the Moselle of 18 guns under his orders, for the purpose of closely watching four French frigates, then lying ready for sea in that harbour. His vigilance in the execution of this duty was soon rewarded by the capture of a fine French brig mounting 18 guns, with a complement of 132 men. The following is a copy of his official letter on the subject, dated Feb. 27, 1806:–
“My Lord,– I have the honor to represent, that last evening at a quarter after nine o’clock, Cadiz light-house bearing East three miles, while standing in shore with a strong easterly wind, we discovered the enemy’s squadron of frigates already outside of us, the Moselle making the signal for them at the same moment. I instantly bore up, intending to steer on a parallel with the enemy, in order to watch their movements . We had the satisfaction to find that we gained upon them. At eleven, seeing they steered a steady course, I commenced firing alarm guns, and throwing up rockets, and ordered Captain Carden (whose attention and assistance has been very great during the short time be has been under my orders) to steer W. by N. in order to give your Lordship the intelligence. At thirty minutes after two I found we had closed the squadron considerably, in consequence of their having altered their course a point to the westward; and on observing one of them to be much astern of the others, I thought it very possible to cut her off; therefore hauled up, and after a chase of two hours, succeeded in coming up with her, when she fired a broadside at our rigging, and surrendered. I find her to be le Furet, French man of war brig, commanded by Monsieur Demay, (Lieutenant de Vaisseau) mounting 18 long 9-pounders, but pierced for 20 guns, with a complement of 132 men, only four years old, and of the largest dimensions, stored and victualled for five months, of all species. The remaining part of the squadron, at the time we chased the above vessel, bore about S.E. by S. by compass, and were steering W.N.W. Cape St. Mary distant forty miles. From the prisoners we learn that the squadron consisted of l’Hortense, la Themis, la Rhin, and l’Hermione frigates, and le Furet, captured by H.M.S. Hydra. The frigates are provisioned and stored for six months, and have each 700 men on board, the greater part soldiers. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)“G. Mundy.”
“The Right Honourable Lord Collingwood, &c. &c. &c.”
On the 28th April following. Captain Mundy, after a chase of two hundred and thirty miles, captured the Spanish King’s schooner Argonauta, pierced for 12 guns, but having only 4 mounted, bound to Buenos Ayres with despatches. He subsequently escorted a fleet of transports to Sicily; conveyed the British Consul to Algiers; attacked and dispersed a division of gunboats on the coast of Grenada, taking one and ​driving another on shore; and captured the Tigre, a Spanish schooner letter of marque. On the 6th Aug. 1807, he chased three armed polacres into the harbour of Begu, on the coast of Catalonia, and having reconnoitred them on the following morning, deemed an attempt on them practicable, although they were under the protection of a battery, mounting four 26-pounders, and a tower on one side of the anchorage, and of rocks and bushes admirably calculated for musketry on the other. At fifty minutes past noon the Hydra was anchored, with springs on her cables, at the entrance of the port, and began the attack. A smart fire was returned by the enemy, which however considerably slackened after somewhat more than an hour’s action; on perceiving which, Captain Mundy ordered 50 seamen and marines, under the command of Lieutenant Edward O’Brien Drury, to land on the flank of the enemy, and drive them from their guns, whilst the frigate kept up a heavy fire to cover the boats as they approached the shore. Disregarding the heavy fire to which they were exposed from the shipping and fort, as well as musketry from the rocks, the detachment mounted the cliff which was most .difficult of access, and attacked the fort with such intrepidity, that the enemy did not think proper to await their closing, but spiking the guns, rushed out on the one side as the assailants entered on the other. The bravery and success of his men on shore gave Captain Mundy an opportunity of employing the Hydra’s broadside solely on the polacres, from which a constant fire was still kept up on the land party. On gaining the battery, Lieutenant Drury advanced with the seamen and a few marines to the town, leaving the remainder of his people to retain possession of the guns, and to occupy the heights that commanded the decks of the vessels. As soon as the town was cleared of the enemy, the crews of the polacres landed and formed in groups among the rocks and bushes, firing on the British seamen, who had now seized the boats on the beach, and were boarding the vessels, while another part of the enemy had gained a height above the marines, and kept them engaged, notwithstanding some guns were continually playing on them from the Hydra. At half-past three, observing Lieutenant Drury in full possession of the polacres, Captain Mundy sent the rest of the boats under ​Lieutenant James Little, to assist in towing them out; and soon after had the satisfaction of seeing them rounding the point; when the marines, commanded by Lieutenants Hayes and Pengelly, re-embarked under a heavy discharge of musketry, the enemy having collected a considerable force to harrass them in their retreat. The following is an extract from Captain Mundy’s unassuming narration of this dashing enterprise, in a letter to Lord Collingwood.
“When I review the circumstances attending the embarkation of this handful of men, and reflect on the many difficulties they had to surmount in an attack on a fort strongly defended by nature as well as art, then opposed to more than three times their own force for two hours, succeeding in possessing themselves of the vessels, and deliberately laying out hawsers to the very rocks that were occupied by the enemy, and warping them out against a fresh breeze, exposed to a galling fire of musketry; I feel perfectly incapable of writing a panegyric equal to their merits: but it has not required this exploit to stamp these officers with the character of cool judgment and determined bravery. During the term of four years, I have witnessed frequent instances of the gallantry of Lieutenants Drury and Hayes; and Lieutenant Pengelly (though not of so long a standing in the Hydra) has ever been a volunteer on such services. I have also the greatest pleasure in adding, that the above mentioned officers speak in enthusiastic terms of the behaviour of all employed under them. To your Lordship’s notice and protection, therefore, I beg most strongly to recommend them. The conduct of the rest of the officers and ship’s company fully equalled my utmost wishes: to the tremendous fire they kept up I attribute the smallness of our loss and damage, namely, 1 killed and 2 wounded ou board, and 4 wounded of the detachment; the fore and mizt-ntopmasts, and fore-top-sail-yard shot through, a few shot in the hull, and the rigging triflingly cut.”
The following are copies of Lord Collingwood’a reply, and a letter from Rear-Admiral Purvis, expressive of the approbation of the board of Admiralty:–
“Ocean, off Sicily, 13th Oct. 1807.
“Sir.– I received with infinite satisfaction your letter of the 7th Aug., relating your proceedings on that day, when you attacked and captured three of the enemy’s armed ships in the port of Begu, where they were securely moored in a narrow harbour, and defended by a battery of considerable force. The gallantry with which this service was achieved in all its parts, both on board the Hydra, and by the party which lauded under Lieutenant Drury’s command, was worthy of the judicious arrangement ​which was made at the commencement; and will doubtless be as highly satisfactory to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, as it is gratifying to me, to lay the high merits of the officers and ship’s company of the Hydra before their Lordships. I am, Sir, with great esteem, &c. &c. &c.
(Signed)“Collingwood.”
“Captain Mundy, Hydra.”
“Atlas, off Cadiz, 30th Oct. 1807.
“Sir.– Having transmitted to iny Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty a copy of your letter to Lord Collingwood, dated the 7th of Aug. last, giving his Lordship an account of the very gallant attack made by you in his Majesty’s ship Hydra, on three of the enemy’s privateers, which had been chased into the Spanish port of Begu, and by a party of the seamen and marines under the direction of Lieutenant Drury, who after having gained possession of the battery which defended the harbour, and driven the enemy from the town, succeeded in capturing and bringing away the above privateers, with a trifling loss on the part of the captors; I have their Lordships directions to express to you their satisfaction at the successful manner in which this enterprising attempt was planned and executed; and their approbation of the good conduct and gallantry displayed by you and the officers and men of the Hydra, and particularly by Lieutenant Drury, and the other officers, seamen, and marines, who were engaged with him on this occasion; to all of whom you will be pleased to make known their Lordships’ high approbation. I have the honor to be, &c. &c. &c.
(Signed)“J. C. Purvis.”
“Captain Mundy, Hydra.”
On the 27th Feb. in the following year, Captain Mundy being on a cruise off Carthagena, discovered six ships of the line coming out of that harbour. Aware of the importance of ascertaining the enemy’s destination, he diligently observed their movements; and although from foggy and blowing weather, and other untoward circumstances, he frequently lost sight of them, yet by dint of perseverance and good judgment, he succeeded in dogging them until they anchored off Palma, the capital of Majorca, from whence, after watching them for several days without perceiving any disposition on their part to stir, he sailed to Gibraltar, to refit his frigate and complete her stores.
The Hydra, however, had by this time become scarcely sea-worthy, and a temporary repair being considered insufficient, the commander-in-chief found it expedient to send her home with upwards of 100 sail of merchant vessels under her protection, the whole of which arrived safely in England about the middle of July.
Towards the latter end of November 1808, the Hydr ​having undergone a complete repair, Captain Mundy was ordered to convoy the outward bound trade to the Mediterranean; and soon after his arrival there we find him employed on the coast of Catalonia with the Leonidas frigate and some smaller vessels under his orders, for the purpose of assisting the Spaniards, who had already manifested much courage in resisting the aggressions of the French forces in that province. Captain Mundy commenced his operations by attacking the enemy’s detachments passing from the eastward to Barcelona. The following is a copy of his first report to Lord Collingwood, dated Feb. 1, 1809:–
“My Lord. According to the orders of Vice-Admiral Thornbrough, I have sent the Cyane to Minorca, to receive any instructions or orders that may be there for me; and I take the occasion to represent to your Lordship, that on receiving information on the 30th inst. that the French troops under the Governor of Barcelona, General Lecchi, had taken possession of Mataro but two days before, I immediately shaped a course for that place; but observing a party of French erecting a battery on Mongat, I anchored the ships, and drove them from their work; and finding that the station was extremely eligible in point of preventing the plunder and ammunition of the army from getting to Barcelona, as we completely commanded the beach over which all carriages must pass, as well as the bridge of Mongat, I determined to retain the anchorage, more especially as it appeared to give spirit and encouragement to the Simotines, an armed peasantry, who are in considerable numbers on the hills, and have already begun to harrass the enemy, who were by us forced to take a route more inland.
“On the first of the month General Lecchi, with several hundred infantry and cavalry, made an attempt to get along the beach; but our fire turned him up the country, where he met with so warm a reception that he got with great difficulty to Barcelona. The same evening I received in ion 11 at ion that forty waggons, laden with the plunder of the King’s store at Mataro, containing flour, corn, &e. &c. were to pass during the night along the beach, under a strong escort. I therefore sent the boats of the Hydra, under the first Lieutenant, Mr. Hawkins, to lay on the beach between the villages of Masnan and Prenria, to look out for them, those of the Leonidas being to the westward of Mongat, to prevent artillery or cavalry from passing from Barcelona. At about 9 P.M. the cavalry and waggons were heard, and the boats had the good fortune to get within twenty yards of them before they were discovered; and having given them several rounds of carronades, the people landed, drove away the escort, consisting of near two hundred men, and seized some waggons laden with flour, killed two cuirassiers and their horses, and wounded forty men and all the draught horses, I am happy to state, without loss or hurt on our side. The rest of the waggons returned to Mataro. ​Every night since, the boats have been in the same station, under the direction of Mr. Hawkins, and have each night killed some of the patroles, generally cavalry. The enemy have likewise lost a great number of men by the peasantry since we have been at the anchorage.
“I calculate it at 200 in killed, prisoners, wounded, and deserters, and 20 horses; and had I had at first a disposable force of 500 men, with the assistance of the Simotines, I am sure we should have increased the enemy’s loss to five times the number. The German and Italian troops desert hourly; and it is evident that the French army in this quarter are much in want of provisions, which has induced their General to attack Mataro, in order to provide his troops with bread. However, if the weather continues moderate, I trust we shall be able to prevent his getting much of the plunder to Barcelona. Captain Staines has been employed in embarking, and conveying the artillery of the Marquis de Lagoses, coming from St. Fiton to Tarragona. By the deserters we learn that General Lecchi certainly intends to evacuate Mataro, as soon as he can get the plunder from it.
“I have written the Captain-General Reding a statement of the business, of which I am surprised to find he is entirely ignorant. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)“G. Mundy.”
In all his succeeding reports, Captain Mundy bore ample testimony to the noble and gallant spirit of the Simotines, whom he constantly supplied with such arms and ammunition as he could obtain for them, which was the means of prolonging the obstinate resistance which was made by the irregulars of that province; and as he conceived that the Spanish authorities did not do sufficient justice to the exertions made by that spirited people, his humanity was ever at work to advocate their cause, as will appear by one of the following letters addressed to the Junta of Mataro:
“H.B.M. Ship Hydra, off Mongat, March 25, 1809.
“Excellent Sirs.– I have the honour to send such ammunition as can be spared from his Majesty’s ship under my command, and wish it was more equal to the grateful service it will be employed upon, that of harrassing the incendiary Lecchi on his return from Spain, in which, I trust, the people of Catalonia will shew themselves worthy of being allied in the great and just cause with the heroes of Saragossa. Gentlemen of the Junta, I call upon you, in the name of my country, that country which has shewn an unalterable attachment and zeal for your welfare, to exert the utmost of your power in raising the whole population of Catalonia to harrass the retreat of the army of Napoleon; indeed not only to harass, ​but to prevent their return to France: for it would be an everlasting stain on Catalonia, were she to permit those monsters who have plundered and ravaged her cities and cottages for more than two years, to repass in tranquillity the Pyrennean mountains, that barrier given by the Almighty to Spain. It remains now for me to congratulate your Excellencies on the present promising and happy change in affairs, and I have the honor to be, &c. &c.
(Signed)“George Mundy.”
“To the Junta of Mataro.”
“Hydra, off Badalona, Aug. 6, 1809.
“Sir.– I have long refrained from making any remarks on the treatment of the people of Badalona, trusting that the just representations of those appointed by law as the heads of the village, had been listened to by the Junta of Mataro, and their sufferings alleviated. However, observing no symptom of change in their favour, but on the contrary, that every day brings forth some fresh mark of severity towards that unfortunate people, I am inclined to suspect that this must arise from wrong and invidious representations having been made of their conduct. Under such conviction, therefore, I take upon me to address you on this interesting subject; and first, will state, that my opinion of the zeal and conduct of the people of Badalona is even better than when I last had the honor to address you respecting them and the then officiating Baillic. When you appointed the present heads of the village, you promised that the people should have a sufficiency to live upon, the Baillie being ordered to give permits according to the necessities of the inhabitants. This has not been the case, for the guard at Mongat have generally scrupled to allow what was granted by the permit to pass, and have actually refused more than sixty-four loaves to go in a day. I shall ask, Sir, whether any man can put his hand upon his heart, and declare upon his honor, that he considers that quantity a sufficiency for the families contained in the village of Badalona, consisting of near six hundred houses ? You require the Badalonians to furnish boats for letters, despatches, or any thing that may occur for the public service, and this, without allowing sufficient to eat. I only ask, is it justice to starve them ? You require the Simotines of Badalona to leave the advanced post on the river Besos, where they are stationed between the enemy and their own houses, families, and every thing that is dear to them, and order them to serve two miles in the rear, without placing others to occupy a post one foot in advance towards the enemy from Badalona. Yes, I know that for a few days a picquet was placed in open day on this side of the river; and one of those picquets, composed of the inhabitants of Mataro, left that post, made use of their arms to force the people of Badalona to embark and convey them on board his Britannic Majesty’s ship under my command, under the impudent pretence of having business with me. A becoming substitute for the hardy and vigilant Badalonians, who, night and day watched on the other side of the river, and under the very walls of the citadel of St. Carlos. Had I acted with half the military severity towards them that the unfortunate Badalonians have met with, for wishing to remain the advanced guard, I should have sent the ​whole picquet under a guard to Mataro, as soldiers who had deserted their post.
“You have now disarmed the Simotines of Badalona, part of whom had been furnished with arms by Captain Taylor, my predecessor, who had the intelligence to see through the dark clouds of clamour and accusation against that unfortunate people, and to discover that they were not surpassed in zeal and patriotism by any of their neighbours. By so doing you have deprived me of the only aid I possessed in the arduous task of blockading Barcelona, and defending the coast against the advances of the enemy, as you must be well aware that I have no assistance from the Spanish navy. Having stated these few instances of what appears to me to be bad policy; and having made these representations under a conviction that they are just and true, and for the good of the cause in which our two nations are mutually embarked; I beg to assure you, that there is nothing meant personally by ine, but that this letter is addressed to you as Supreme of the Junta of the district; and I have the honor to be, &c. &c.
(Signed)“George Mundy.”
“To the Supreme of the Junta of Mataro.”
Had Captain Mundy’s persevering exertions on this coast been met by a corresponding energy on the part of the Spanish leaders, and the enthusiastic spirit of the peasantry been directed by able and active commanders, there is little doubt that the French army would have been driven, out of Catalonia. But such was the apathy and inactivity of those in power, that although the manly appeal addressed to the Junta in the first of the preceding letters, was printed and circulated in the province with excellent effect, yet treachery thwarted, and incapacity paralysed, the ardent energies of the people, and General Lecchi was permitted to escape unmolested; nor was any attempt made on Barcelona, notwithstanding the garrison remaining in that city after his departure amounted to no more than 2500 men.
Mortified as he was at such imbecile conduct on the part of the allies, Captain Mundy was nevertheless indefatigable in his exertions; and by a spirited proclamation addressed to ​the Italian and German troops in the French army, promising them protection on board the British squadron, many were induced to desert.
On the 9th May, 1809, a proposition was made to Captain Mundy, by the commander of the Spanish forces, to co-operate with him in an attack on Barcelona: the following extract from his report to Lord Collingwood on the subject will sufficiently explain why the attack did not take place; and will serve to demonstrate with what description of allies he had to unite his services; how little reliance could be placed on their exertions, and how hopeless were all his views and efforts, under such circumstances, to effect any thing substantially favorable to the general cause. The Simotines, indeed, had always displayed much spirit and activity, and seldom neglected an opportunity of attacking the enemy; but without the aid of regular troops, and without discipline, they could accomplish no very essential service:
“Hydra, off Barcelona, May 13, 1809.
“My Lord,– On the day of the Apollo and Minstrel joining me, and of the fleet appearing off, I endeavoured to communicate with your Lordship, to explain a plan of attack on Barcelona, which had been submitted to my consideration; the outline of which was, that the officer in Montjui being bought over, three or four hundred Spaniards were to proceed by night up to that fortress and take possession, being provided however against any treachery on the part of the French. On getting footing, the Spaniards were to commence a fire on the Tarrosana, and gate of St. Antonio, on which the inhabitants were to rise, and seizing the various gates looking towards the land, were to let in Lieutenant-Colonel Claros, with 500 cavalry, a strong force of Miquelets, and other troops. At the same moment the ships were to commence an attack on the citadel, to keep that garrison from lending their aid to those troops who were in the town.
“This all appeared very well, provided every one acted his part. However, I did not consider the plan as definitively settled; but, on my return the next evening, I found that a letter had been received by Captain Taylor, from the commanders of the troops, stating ‘their full determination to attack the place at eleven at night,’ and requiring the assistance of the ships. The answer returned was, ‘that the ships would do their part, and be at their station, provided the wind and weather permitted them.’ ​To secure a diversion on the side of the citadel in case of calm, or tie wind not answering for the ships, I sent the carronade-boats and two Spanish gun-boats to take a position close in-shore, with orders to commence a fire on St. Carlos, on observing the appointed signal at Montjui or the town. About ten the wind came off the land; I weighed, but at half-past one finding no attack, and the breeze dying away, I anchored again. No symptom of attack took place; and from what I have since learnt, it is most fortunate for the inhabitants that it did not. It appears that the garrison of Montjui was relieved on the day before, therefore that part of the plan was done away with; and I understand, as if with an intention of marring the whole affair, that General Coupigny had (at the same time) ordered one of his aides-de-camp to proceed to Moulins de Re, and take the command of the whole. The imaginary laurels of the other chiefs now vanished from their sight, and ‘like true Spanish Patriots,’ they determined within themselves, that through their assistance the unwelcome aid-de-camp should not gain the wreath: they accordingly threw every difficulty in his way. Moreover, Colonel Green informs me, that this commander was quite appalled at the miserable banditti which had been placed under his orders. They consisted of 200 hussars, the scum of a Spanish regiment, some Miquelets, and the rest Simotines. But, my Lord, the reply that was made by the officer at the head of General Coupigny’s staff, to the inquiry of Colonel Green, ‘what were likely to be the movements of the Spanish army of Tarragona?’ will better explain to your Lordship the style of action, and manner of thinking of the General and his advisers, than if I were to write volumes; viz. ‘That the troops would not change their quarters, until the result of the attack on Barcelona should be known.’ So that 10,000 regular troops were to rest upon their arms and look on, while a handful of armed peasantry should attack one of the strongest fortresses in the Spanish dominions.”
On the llth July following, Captain Mundy writes thus to Lord Collingwood:
“My Lord.– I have the honor to report, that the French General Duhesme, came out of Barcelona on the night of the 7th inst., with a force of near 2,000 troops, 2 howitzers, and 3 field-pieces, and early the next morning occupied the heights in the rear of Badalona and Mougat, also those villages. His intention was to have surprised and surrounded the inhabitants of that part of the country, and to have forced them to repair the bridge and broken roads of Mougat, in order that he might get his artillery towards Mataro, and occupy the coast. The Spaniards, however, got previous notice of his project, and quitting their habitations fled to the mountains. The enemy did not appear in any number until some hours after day-break; and when discovered, were only in small detachments. The carronade-boats under the orders of Lieutenant Hawkins were sent to annoy them, which service was performed with such effect, that the enemy was obliged to bring the whole of his guns, &c. on the beach to their support. The boats returned the fire with their usual firmness. I immediately weighed to cover them; and with a few well-directed broadsides, obliged the artillery to make a precipitate retreat into Barcelona, and with ​some loss. The French troops now appeared in great force, and the ships and boats kept up a constant fire on them till sun-set, while the Simotines resisted their advances. We had the misfortune to have two men wounded by musketry in the boats. On the 9th, the enemy still retained Badalona and Mongat, but the greatest part of the troops had marched up the mountains, and they shewed no guns, notwithstanding the boats kept up a continual fire. The Simotines acted with great spirit. On the 10th, General Duhesme had not advanced his head-quarters from Badalona, but we were informed that he had moved his guns near Mongat. Yet the firing of the boats on his various scattered parties did not draw them out until late in the evening, when the enemy brought them down, and opened a fire of shot and shells behind some houses at the foot of Mongat, just at the moment four Spanish gun-boats arrived from Tarragona, which I immediately pushed in-shore, and with their assistance the fire of the enemy was silenced by eight o’clock, and they thought it advisable to re-enter Barcelona at midnight, with the loss of near 300 killed and wounded, among whom are a large proportion of officers. I have to regret that one of the launch’s crew received a severe wound this evening from a musket-ball; and I beg leave to observe, that the spirit of enterprise and intrepidity of the officers and men employed in the boats during the period detailed, has been most creditable to the service, and that the gun-boats performed their part much to my satisfaction.”
To this letter Lord Collingwood returned the following answer:
“The activity and skill which you opposed to the enemy’s progress, when he attempted to open a communication to the eastward, renders to the Spaniards the greatest benefit, and must reduce the enemy’s force in Barcelona very much; and were the army of Tarragona to take an active part on the other side, would soon bring their case to extremity.”
The Hydra continued on this harrassing service till the month of October, when she was ordered off Toulon for the purpose of watching the enemy’s fleet in that harbour. In Feb. 1810, being surveyed and found very defective, she proceeded to Gibraltar, where Captain Mundy acted as senior officer until Aug. following, when he sailed for England with several transports under his protection, on board of which were embarked 1400 French prisoners, whom the humanity of the British government had redeemed from the truly pitiable situation in which they had been long held by the Spaniards. They were the remnant of General Dupont’s army, the greater part of which had perished on the barren island of Cabrera.
​On her arrival the Hydra was found to be totally unfit for service, and shortly after put out of commission. Captain Mundy’s next appointment was, at the close of 1814, to the Ajax 74; and in the spring of 1815 he joined the fleet under Lord Exmouth on the Mediterranean station, where he was soon employed on a service which required no small degree of discretion and good judgment, and wherein he displayed his accustomed ability and discernment.
Napoleon Buonaparte having returned to France from Elba, was at the beginning of June employed making preparations for that grand conflict, which a few days afterwards decided his fate, and struck the last bolt off the fetters of Europe. Captain Mundy was despatched to Marseilles, with instructions to ascertain, if possible, the sentiments of the inhabitants of that city; and his proceedings there were to be regulated according to a discretionary power vested in him by the commander-in-chief, by such circumstances and events as might occur in the course of the service in which he was engaged, and from the intelligence he might be able to obtain. On his arrival off that port, he received information from the lighthouse, as well as from some fishermen, that almost all the forts and batteries had been dismantled, and the whole of the troops, with the exception of 300, marched over the mountains; that the people were very discontented, assassinations frequent, and that at the barracks, and there only, the white flag was hoisted. This and other important intelligence he immediately forwarded to the Duke d’Angouleme and Lord ​Exmouth, from the former of whom he received the following reply:
“Barcelona, June, 30, 1815.
“Sir.– I received yesterday, by the favour of Captain Lock, your letter of the 26th instant, and I return you all my thanks for the interesting details you give on Marseilles and Toulon. I natter myself that both these places, and all the country, will soon be delivered from the yoke, and able to testify their sentiments of loyalty. Believe, me, Sir, with high regard, your most affectionate,
(Signed)“Louis Antoine.”
“To Captain Mundy, H.B.M. Ship Ajax.”
On the 29th June, Captain Mundy sent another despatch to Lord Exmouth, which we here insert, together with a copy of that officer’s letter acknowledging the receipt thereof:
“My Lord.– I have the honor to inform you, that yesterday morning a detachment from Marseilles came alongside, acquainting me that a great battle had been fought, in which Buonaparte’s army had been defeated; that he had flown to Paris, and abdicated in favour of his son, whom the people of Marseilles refused to acknowledge, and had therefore hoisted the white flag, driven away the troops, and organized themselves, in number effective about 2,500 men; at the same time inviting me to an interview with the Royal Committee appointed as a Provisional Government, which I immediately attended. The enthusiasm of the multitude was great, and they greeted the English in common with the King. On iny appearing at the Prefecture, I was addressed by the President, who congratulated me on the brilliant victory and its consequences, and begged me to assist them as much as lay in my power to forward their intentions of establishing the old monarchy. I offered to proceed immediately to Barcelona for the Duke d’Angouleme, which, however, they requested I would not do, as the appearance of the ship would give confidence to the people, in case Murat should send a force from Toulon against them; and they requested me to anchor close to the town. This I promised to do, provided they shewed such confidence in me as to place the forts of Chateau d’Iff and Ratonneau in my hands, or allow half the garrison to be British. This question they retired to deliberate upon; and when they returned, gave it as their opinion, that they did not conceive themselves authorized to put the King’s forts into the hands of foreigners; on which I told them that they could not expect me to remain in the situation they required, without possessing the sea defences. They then requested I would supply them with such arms as I could spare, which I immediately did, taking a receipt for the same. I then asked for three avisos, one to despatch to your Lordship, another to Sir Hudson Lowe, and a third to the Duke d’Angouleme, which they have promised. The white flag, I am informed, is flying to-day at Cette and Aries. I have almost forgot to mention, that the Committee begged for some British troops. In consequence thereof, I have written this morning to Sir Hudson Lowe, to request such as ​he can spare, and have also informed Sir James Wood of the state of affairs here. The Committee also requested I would press your Lordship to shew yourself off here, and, if possible, to bring the troops. They do not seem to like the idea of any other than English troops, for the plain reason I hinted to them, ‘that our Commissariat pays for every thing,’ which they candidly acknowledged. Should the Volontaire appear off this place, I shall send her for H.R.H. the Duke d’Angouleme. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)“G. Mundy.”
“Admiral Lord Exmouth.”
“Boyne, off Genoa, 4th July, 1815.
“Sir. I have received your letter of the 29th ultimo, with a full and satisfactory account of your proceedings before Marseilles, in the execution of the service confided to you. It affords me much satisfaction in assuring you, that I highly approve of all you have done, and that I consider you to have acted with great prudence and judgment in declining to place your ship within the command of the forts of Marseilles. I am, Sir, &c.
(Signed)“Exmouth.”
“Captain Mundy, Ajax.”
During the time Captain Mundy was employed before Marseilles, he captured several French vessels, which by any other nation than the British would have been deemed legal prizes; for not withstanding they carried the white flag, the whole of their papers had Louis XVIII. partially erased, and “au nom de l’Empereur” inserted in lieu thereof; but policy, perhaps, dictated forbearance on the part of the English government, and the vessels were restored to their respective owners.
In March 1816, Captain Mundy accompanied Lord Exmouth to Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, at which places treaties, having for their object the abolition of Christian slavery, were concluded, and 1792 Europeans released from their chains. The Ajax was paid off in the ensuing month of July, since which period Captain Mundy has not been afloat. He was nominated a C.B. in 1815, and elected M.P. for Boroughbridge in 1818. During the preceding disturbances, occasioned by the disaffection of the lower classes, in the eastern part of Derbyshire, he accepted the command of a troop of yeomanry cavalry, in which he had previously offered to serve ​as a volunteer. It is sufficient to say, that in three months from the period of their enrolment, his patriotic companions were armed, accoutred, and sufficiently disciplined to perform any service that might be required of them.
Agents.– Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.
* ↑ The Mundys of Derbyshire are an ancient and most respectable family, branches of which resided at Mocketon and Quardon. Their estates were considerable, and they still flourish at Mackworth, near Derby, and at Marton. Edward Mundy, Esq. was M.P. for the town of Derby in 1710 and 1713; W. Mundy, Esq. represented Leicestershire in 1741. The late Edward Miller Mundy, Esq. by his union with Miss Meynell, had six children; viz. first, Frances, married Lord Charles Fitzroy, brother of the Duke of Grafton, a General in the army, and Colonel of the 48th regiment; whose son married Lady Mary, eldest daughter of Charles, fourth Duke of Richmond. Second, Edward Miller, a magistrate for the county of Derby. Third, Godfrey Basil, a Major-General, married Sarah, daughter of the celebrated Admiral Lord Rodney. Fourth, George, the subject of this memoir. Fifth, Frederick, Rector of Winston upon Tees, in the county of Durham. Sixth, Henry, in the service of the Hon. East India Company. Mr. Mundy’s second lady was Georgiana, widow of Thomas, fourth Lord Middleton, by whom he had a daughter, who married, in 1807, Henry, the present Duke of Newcastle. By his third marriage (with Catherine, relict of Richard Barwell, Esq. of Stanstead, co. Sussex), he left an infant son. Mr. Mundy died in 1822, breathing his last on the evening of his natal day, aged 72 years.
* ↑ See vol. I. p. 364 and 365.
* ↑ The prizes proved to be the Prince Eugene of 16 twelve-pounders, and 130 men; Belle Caroline 10 nine-pounders, 40 men; and Rosario 4 six-pounders, 20 men.
* ↑ General Lecchi had evacuated Mataro, burning and ravaging all before him in his retreat.
* ↑ Captain Bridges Watkinson Taylor, of the Apollo frigate, was drowned in 1814, by the upsetting of his boat off Brindisi, in the Adriatic, where he had previously caused the destruction of the French frigate Uranie, by threatening to enter the harbour and attack her. His exemplary conduct and amiable character obtained him universal respect. He was the youngest brother of Major-General Sir Herbert Taylor, the present Military Secretary to H.R.H. the Duke of York.
* ↑ The Miquelets are a race of freebooters who occupy the Pyrennean mountains, especially towards the frontier of France, into which country they were formerly accustomed to make incursions, like the predatory ones of the Scottish borderers. Of late years their depredations have been confined to travellers.
* ↑ General Dupont having crossed the mountains of the Sierra Morena, with an army of 15,000 men, entered Cordova on the 7th June, 1808, and surrendered that city for three days to the unlicensed pillage of the soldiery. Oo the 20th July, with 8,000 men, he attacked 25,000 Spaniards commanded by General Castanos; and after a sanguinary battle, during which he was reinforced by another French division, 6,000 strong, under General Wedel, was obliged to surrender at discretion, with the loss of 3,000 killed and wounded. On his return to France, Buonaparte, in whose military code defeat and disgrace found no lenient construction, ordered him to be tried by a court martial. He was condemned to death, and immediately shot by torch light, though it is evident that his discomfiture and surrender arose from no misconduct on his part, but from the positive superiority of force opposed to him. His troops were transported by the Spaniards to Cabrera, an island to the southward of Majorca, producing nothing but water and a few wild goats, with no other inhabitants than the garrison of a small fort at the entrance of the haven, and occasionally a few fishermen. General Wedel and his division were more fortunate, they being allowed to return home by sea.
* ↑ Sir James Athol Wood, in the Pompée 74, was entrusted with the blockade of Toulon, and the command of a squadron employed on the coast of Provence in 1815. He also commanded a division of line-of-battle ships stationed off Catalonia during part of the winters of 1812 and 1813. We were not aware of those circumstances when we compiled the memoir of that officer. See Vol. I, p. 784, et seq. The Pompée was paid off Nov. 27, 1815.