The National Register.
London, England, 1811-04-14 00:00:00

E NATIONAL REGISTER.

„ . . .
reConnoltring,• 1- discovered the • landing'. 'had already :been
*effected, under the cover of darkness and a fog, and that the
enemy were advancing rapidly and in great numbers.
• On both wings the enemy now far outflanked us, and I aim
that if we continued to advance, they would get between us and
.our works ;-I instantly ordered a retreat, which was effected in
good order, and without loss, although the enemy were within
pistol-ihot of our rear, and seemed determined to enter our bat-
teries by storm ; btit Fort Yorke and Massareene batteries
opened such a well-directed tire of grape and musketry, that the
assailants were obliged to tall back and shelter themselves un-
der the Sand Hills. As the day lightened, we perceived that
the enemy's flotilla, consisting of eighteen gun-boats, had taken
up a position on the south side of the island at point-blank-shot.
I ordered. the signal to be made to the Tartar and Sheldrake, that
the enemy had landed, upon which these vessels immediately
weighed, and under a heavy press of sail used every endeavour
to beat-up the south side, but the extent of shoals threw them
out so many miles, that it was some hours before their intention
could be accomplished. The gun-boats now opened a very
heavy Ere on cur works, while a column of about 600 men cros-
sed the island to the westward, and took up a position on the
breaks and inequality of ground. Another column made
many attempts to carry the Massareene battery by storm, but
*ere so often repulsed, and compelled to cover thene•elves un-
der hillocks of sand, which on this island are thrown up by
every galeb
The column on the sonth side had now succeeded in bringing
up a field piece against us, and Captain Holtoway, who bad
commanded at the advanced posts, joined ua by water I had
been under great apprehensions that this officer had fallen into
the hands of the enemy ; but finding after several gallant at-
tempts, that he was cut off from reaching head-quarters by land,
he, with the coole3t.judgment, launched a boat, and landed his
'party under Fort Yorke amidst the acclamations of the garrison.
Immediately aftetwaids Lieutenant H. 1.. Baker, who, with
Lieutenant Turnbull, of the Royal Marines, and some brave
volunteers, had, in thii Anholt scbouner, gone on the daring en-
terprize of destroying the enemy's flotilla in his ports, bore down
along the north side of the island. Things were in this position
when the column on the northern shore,. which, divided by the
Sand Hills, had approached within fifty paces of our lines, made
another desperate' effort to carry the Massareene battery by
storm ; the column to the south-cast also pushed on, and the re-
serve appeared on the hills ready to support them ; but while
their Commander was leading on his men with great gallantry,
a musket hall put a period to his life. Panic-struck, the enemy
fled behind the Sand Hills. At this critical moment, Lieutenant
Baker anchored his vessel on their flank, and opened a well-di-
rected fire. The Sand Hills being no longer a protection, and
finding it impossible either to advance or retreat, the enemy
hung out a flag of truce, and offered to surrender upon terms ;
but I would listen to nothing but an unconditional surrender,
which after some deliberation was complied with.
In the mean time the gun-boats on the south side, which had
been much galled by the fire of Fort Yorke and Massareene
Battery, got under weigh, and stood to the westward, and the
column of the enemy which had advanced on the south side,
finding their retreat no longer covered by the flotilla, also hung
out a flag of truce, I sent out an officer to meet it. I was asked
to surrender ; the reply that I returned it is unnecessary to men-
tion. The enemy finding my determination, sought permission
to embark without molestation ; but I would listen to nothing
hut 3.:4 unconstitutional submission, and, J have the pleasure to
inform you, that this corps also laid down their arms, and sur-
rendered themselves prisoners of war.
The prisoners, which were now more numerous than my gar-
rison, were no sooner secured, than operations were commenced
'against the reserve, which had been seen retreating to the west-
ward of the island.
I took the field with Major Torrens (who though wounded
insisted on accompanying me) and Lieutenant and Adjutant
Steele ; but as our prisoners were so numerous, and as we had no
place of security in which to place them, I could only employ on
this occasion the brigade of hciwitters. When we arrived at
the west end of the island, we found that the enemy had formed
on the beach, and were protected by 14 gun gun-boats towed
dose to the shore • to attack such a force, with four howitzers
and 40 men, seemed a useless-sacrifice of brave men's lives ; I
therefore, with the advice of Major Torrens, halted on the hills,
while I reluctantly saw the reserve embarked under the cover of
the gun-boats, and the flotilla took a final leave of the island.
4 am happy to say our loss has not been so considerably as
might have been expected, from so desperate an attack, we
hailing only two killed and thirty wounded. The enemy have
suffered severely.
I am happy to add, the property belonging to the merchants
has been fully protected, without meeting with the least ldss.
I have the honour to he, &c.
LW . 11AIJKlegi

(Signe.l)

[Here follows.tivo letterc front the Comma/triers of t)* siiod..
rtilie and Tartar, giving m account of tlvii having pursued-the
Danish flotilla in their retreat, capturing two Danish guu-boatn,
AtiLing another, :Ind taking two transports, fortunately Withinuft
any loss on our side.