The Press.
London, England, 1854-12-09 00:00:00

1160

the brig was very effective in checking the advance of the
enemy.
As soon as the embarkation had been effected, all the
ships moved out to their anchorage in the bay.
Although this attack proved unsuccessful, I trust that
the gallantry displayed by Captain La Grandiers, of the
Eurydice, and Captain Burridge, and the officers and men
under their command, will be appreciated.
The marines and seamen on the right gallantly gained
the ridge of the hill in spite of the steepness of the ascent,
and in the face of a heavy fire. But, unfortunately, the
dense brushwood in which many of the enemy were
secreted, stopped any further advance in that direction,
and on the left the gorge was found so strongly defended,
not merely by musketry but likewise by guns and fleld-
pieces, that it could not be forced from that quarter; be-
sides which, we had, since leaving the harbour, received
information from the prisoners taken on board the Sitka,
which leads us to believe that the numerical strength and
composition of the troops forming the garrison were far
superior to what we had been led to suppose.
On the 7th September the combined squadron sailed
from Awatska Bay, and when outside the harbour chased
and captured the Russian Government schooner Anadis,
and the Sitka Russian merchant-vessel. The former
vessel was dismantled and burnt, and the latter vessel is
now in company with the squadron. She was last from
Ajan, in the Sea of Ochosk, and had several Russian
officers and Government civilians on board. She was
built at Hamburgh for the Russo-American Company, and
has a miscellaneous cargo, amongst which is a considerable
quantity of gunpowder and flour.
My present intention is to water at Vancouver's Island,
and then proceed to San Francisco to await your further
orders.-1 have, &c.,
(Signed) F. W. E. NICOLSON, Captain.
Tho following correspondence follows :
Frigate La Forte, Sept. 6,1554.
Monsieur le Commandant, —lf the landing was not
happily effected, it is to be attributed to the difficulties of
the ground, and if our men were obliged to re-embark, we
have, at least, acquired the certainty that the two nations
can count upon each other, and that, if new circumstances
should place us in the presence of the enemy, our efforts
will be crowned with success.
Our crews, unaccustomed to fighting on land, showed
great ardour. I beg of you, Monsieur le Commandant,
to accept my thanks, and to present them to your captains,
officers, and crews ; and I shall be happy to make known
to my Government the courage, discipline, and devotion
which they have shown.
(Signed) Rear-Admiral Commander of the
French Naval Forces,
F. DEB POINTER.
Her Majesty's Ship Pique, Petropolopski,
Sept. 6, Mt
Sir,—lt is with great satisfaction that I have received
the letter which you have done me the honour to address
me, in which you mention in high terms the conduct of
our men while engaged on shore with the enemy.
Allow me, sir, to convey to you the heartfelt thanks of
every officer and man in the British squadron for the ex-
pression of your good opinion.
1 hear from all quarters the highest praise of the ardent
courage of your men while advancing, and of their coolness
and discipline during the retreat—remarkable qualities in
seamen, who are, as you truly observe, unaccustomed to
shore operations.
Allow me to take this opportunity of expressing my deep
sympathy for the losses sustained among the officers and
men of your squadron.-1 have, &c.,
F. W. E. NICOLSON,
Captain and Senior Officer,
The return of the killed, wounded, and missing in
both squadrons are appended :
Pique.—A. Bland, lieutenant, contusion ;G. Robinson, mate,
slightly ; 14. Chichester, midshipman, slightly; G. Wcaltum, lieu-
tenant, RM., slightly; W. H. Clement, lieutenant, RM., severely.
Seamen, killed or missing, 8; dangerously, 5; severely, 5: slightly,
4. Marinas, killed or missing, 4; dangerously, 2; severely, 5 ;
slightly, 1. Total, killed or missing, 12 ; dangerously, 7 ; severely,
11 ,• slightly,9;-89.
President.—C. A. Parker, captain, R.M., killed or missing; G.
H. Howard, flag-lieutenant, severely; G. Palmer, lieutenant,
severely; W. G. H. Morgan, lieutenant, slightly. Seamen, killed
or missing, 5 ; dangerously 2 ; severely bruised, 14 ; slightly,
4; Marines, killed or missing, 5; severely bruised,lo ; slightly, 4.
Total, killed or missing,ll; dangerously, 2; severely,2B; slightly,
;-51).
Virogo.—T. Whitelock, boatswain, severely. Seamen, killed
or missing, 1; severely, 3; slightly, 7. Marines, killed or miss-
ing, 2; dangerously,*; slightly, 1. Total, killed or missing, 3 ; dan-
gerously, 3 ; severely, 4; slightly, 8 ;-181
Total, killed or missing and wounded, 107.
Forte.—Lefebvre, lieutenant, killed or missing (left on shore;
Bourasset, lieutenant, (died on board); d'l.acombe, lieutenant,
dangerously; Dumesnil, midshipman, slightly. Seamen killed
or missing, 9 ; wounded, 1e1; slightly, 10.
Eurgdice.—Oisgnel des Touches, mate, Costa, midshipman,
and Guerin, surgeon, dangerously. Seamen killed or missing,
(left on shore).
Obligado.-IrJournel, mate, slightlT ; Gleg. des Touches, mate,
killed or missing (left on shore); Lertre, midshipman, slightly.
Seamen killed or missing, 8 (5 left on shore, 1 died ou board).
Total, killed, missing, or wounded, 102.
A private letter gives some further details of the
disastrous affair
We were landed to be under the orders of Capt. Parker,
of the royal marines, but under the command of Captain
Burridge, R.N., late flag-captain. As soon as the boats
touched the shore, Captain B— cried out, " Follow me,
men ; follow me, marines." Off they all went into the
thicket ; some taking one direction, some another, and
all going in a different one to that which was laid down.
At this time musket and grape shots were flying around us.
After getting through the thicket we ascended a hill, when
the enemy very soon surrounded us. It was dreadful to
see how our poor fellows were falling in all directions.
They drove us over an immense cliff; how we got down it