The National Register.
London, England, 1813-05-30 00:00:00

MAY SO.

firing at daylight on the Mo. 'the enemy at the same moment
opent d a very heavy fire from their mouth-west battery, with such
effect, that notwithstandnig the bask manner in which it was re-
turned from our eighteen pounder carronade mounted on the castle.
the troops on the walls, and our batti ry on the island, they had
made a breach large enough to admit twenty men abreast before
DOOM The enemy were now advancing towards the town in im-
mense numb"rs; and as our position on the island was not tenable
in the event • f their storming, i directed Captain Tayler. ot the
Sparrow, who had undertaken ,he matiaaement of it, to re-eiebark
the guns and men, and made the aiecessary arrangements with the
Governor fir embark the garrison, after having destroyed the guns
and blown ep the castle.
The enemy kasha.. destroyed the walls, turned their guns on the
town and castle, throe ing shells incessantly at the bridge connect-
ins the castle with the landing place. endeavouring to cut off the
retreat of the garri -on ; about nine P. M. at least three thousand
min rushed at once iota the town from ever! quarter, not only by'
the blear. es, but also by scaling They were most gallantly re-
sisted by the garrison, who disputed the tom+, house by house, un-
til they were overwhelmed by numbers, and obliged to retreat to
the ca•tle; tee ships! boats and launches were in readiness to re-
ceive Om, and they were embarked by companies under a tre-
mendous fire of musketry, and distribute d to three brigs and Al-
phea schooner, except two companies which -remained to defend'
the castle mail the toms, &c. were destroyed.
The enemy advanced to the castle, but were successfully resisted,
until every gnu was thrown into the sea; but they unfortunately
gaieed the inner wall before the train fot blowing up the castle was
act on fire, in consequence of which that pair of my wishes was
frustreed ; 1 have however the pleasure to say, that every soldier
was brought off and many of the inhabitants. Tile town was set on
fire in many places, and must I think have been entirely destroyed.
As soon as every thing was endrarked, the squadron weighed and
proceeded to Helmet), where the troops were landed yesterday
morning.
I have the hialiest gratification in having to mention the cheer-
fill, yet fatiguing exertions of every talker and man employed..
Captains Ihemen and Tayler eontrianted ny their advice and assis-
tance every thing, possible for the defence ot the place, and for the
safety of the garrison ; indeed one universal feeling of the warmest
admiration seemed to animate evely one in saving so many brave
men's live.. I• trust readily occur to you, in the execution of such
services as I have-now •:etailed, the most areuous exertions of every
one, in so small a force, must have been necessary.
Nor most I omit my own tribute of applause, at the manner in
which Got crnot Don P. P. Alvarez, and every fficer and man in
the a•etrison, employe ‘l every means in their power to delend the
place, so long as the slightest hope remained of saving it. Every
thing I suggested was a“ecti to with thegreatest pr mptitude, and
every exei lion inar'.e to second my w Was.
The garrison con,i,ted originally of twelve hundred men, and I
am happy to say their loss has been much less than I expected,
consisted of about fifty killed, and as many wounded.
have great pleasure in informing you our loss has been trifling
to what might have been expected, consisting of ten wounded, tour
in the Royalist and six in the Sparrow. Lieutenant Kentish, of the
R- yalist, was slightly wounded in the leg, and Mr. Sutton, midship-
man, received a musket ball in the leg, xvhile embarking the gar-
rison, which- rendered am/nit-tient necessary ; Captain Bremen
seeaks of his general conduct in the highest terms, and I was an
eye witness of his intrepidity in saving the garrison, amidst a shower
of mu•ket balls.
From the intelligence received I have every reason to believe
there were not less than 13,000 men before Castro : the enemy
colt cull his troops from every post in the province, and seemed
determined to take it, let it cost what it would. No terms were
ever offered; but as soon as the breach was sufficiently large they
marched to the assault, petting every one to the bayonet, without
distinction ; 1 cannot, of CuIIITC, torso any estimate of their loss, but
from the tire kept up by the batteries, unit by the troops before they
retrc:ited, I am persuaded it must have been very great.
One hundred and forty French prisoners are just arrived at
Berme°, taken by Don Gaspar ; I have directed the Royalist and
Sparrow, to convey them to Corunna with a company of artillery,
part of the late garrison of Castro, and shall remain with his Ma-
oestya sloop under my command off Castro, to impede the enemy's
communication by sea, and prevent may merchant vessels from
falling into their kaads, until I receive your further orders.
I have the honour to be, &c.

(Sigtea) RorERT BLOYE; Commander.,
119 CaPtaill Sit George collier; Surveillaute.