Star.
London, England, 1810-09-25 00:00:00

THE ARMY.
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•••••••••••••mm.
General 'FERGUSON, who has labonred under a
vere bilious complaint since his return fiom C
Is is
nbitienta
gone to his seat in Scotland for the benefit of his health.
The London and Tower Hamlets Regii
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to
ho etboetbesartaMe
eZte:t it
al
m said; are
duty.
The Sligo regiment of Militia marched th11:414
Cork last week from Bandon for Limerick.
Detachments- of several regiments are • d
arrive ac
Portsmouth, to embark for Portugal.
A General Court-Martial assembled at Haslar
Barracks, on Monday se'nnight, Colonel Wool), of
the Middlesex Regiment, President; Major PIfILLIN
Northampton Regiment, Judge Advocate.—.Captaia
HOPPER, of the 2d West York, was brought to tiial
by Lieutenant-Colonel 'Jimmie, of that Regiment, ot
three several charges :—the two first for neglect of
duty, &c. and the third for using very strong and
nr
offensive language to Lieutenant-Colonel Toßne, ,his
Commanding Officer. The proceedings
were closed
I yesterday, and await his MAinrv's approbation.._
Captain HoPPIUt was assisted by Mr. GASRIIta and
Mr. MmiNo, and Mr. CRUICKSHANK, Solititor. The
.Prosecutor had no Counsel, but was assisted by I*.
HEwsoN, Solicitor.
W. Cross, of Grub-street, Westminster, was yesies.
day convicted before the Magistrates of Bow.street is
the penalty of £9.0, for harbouring two deserters from
the Marines at Woolwich.
Extract of a Letter from a Surgeon servin, in the
British army in Sicily, to his father in Leith, dated
Mciazri, near Messina, July cz.
a Yon must, before this time, have heard of the
situation of this island. We look every mom* for
a descent on the coast of the Faro of Messini, by
Mun. r, King of Naples. He has assembled on the
opposite coast of Calabria 40,000 men, and an ama.
zing number of boats of every description, for the
transportation of his troops. His army is encamped
on the heights above the castle of Scylla, and his gun.
boats and small craft anchored under cover of nume-
rous heavy batteries, which constantly throw shot and
shells into the English camp in Sicily. The narrowest
part of the straits is scarcely two miles broad. Meaaz
can be' plainly seen in front of his tent every morning,
viewing our preparations to receive him. 'Sir Jona
&rustier has a fine army encamped all along the
straits, from Messina to what is called the Faro-point,
a distance of 10 miles. Our batteries are very nume.
rous, with many breast-works to protect the infantry,
and studded, literally, with heavy cannon. These
works have been raised in less than a month. Our
gun-boats have had several engagements with those
of the enemy, wherein the English have always been
successful. Three actions took place in full view of
both armies—the sight was noble, but very
_galling
to the French, to see their vessels carried off before
their eyes. Yesterday morning, and last night, we
made a general attack on their line of boats, and did
great mischief. We had not less than 14 mortar-boats
with mortars of 10-inch calibre, and on the Faro-point
two of 13i inches, which threw completely across, to
their great annoyance. They, on their part, threw
421 b. shot into our camp, but only one man was kil-
led. Two sloops of war ran in amongst the enemy's
craft, and made terrible havoc. Four line.of-batlW
ships, and some frigates and sloops, are moored within
the Faro, ander the command of Rear-Admiral Mae.
TIN. They are a great terror to King MURAT Not-
: withstanding his vaunting, if he makes the attempt
to land he will get a warm reception. The Court of
Palermo will do nothing ; their kingdom is at stake,
yet, wonderful to say, not a man has been sent to our
aid. The people are much exasperated against their
• pusilanimous and tyrannical Government, and wish
themselves under the BritL.h protection and laws.
Sir ions; STUART has concentrated his whole force at
the Straits, and ours is the only regiment not actively
employed. We arc left to g irrison this place, and
have thrown ourselves into the citadel in c.dt of a
siege. Every thing is ready for a vigorous defence,
should the enemy effect a landing. The place is
strong and will hold out a long time. Should it come
to this, affairs will be bad indeed. Another month
will decide the fate of Sicily. That MURAT will at-
tempt it, not a doubt exists in any mind. He can do
it no where but in the face of cannon ;—dreadful will
be the conflict. We have the advantage of situation,
he in numbers. We have only fifteen thousand,--he
has forty thousand men. We are in no fear. The
army is under arms all night, and they sleep all day.
—Mt7iLaT embarks his army every night at sun-set,
and di:embarks them in the morning. He has two
regiments of cavalry, which lie declares he will swim
over-.-this can easily be effected, provided his infan-
try make good their landing. I have often seen
horses swim across the Straits of Messina. We hear
MURAT's army is getting sickly and discontented;
he has hang many for expressiiie their sentiments too
freely ; we can see with the naked eye the wretches
hanging on the gibbets, at least 30 of them, (tour
of them officers.)
JULY 25.—" I am just informed, ai other attack
has been made by our mortar-boats, and with such
effect, that the enemy have moved their encampments
farther off. Soraie of the enemy's boats have deserted
to us, and some we have destroyed. A vast aumber
of their men have been killed and wounded—on our
side we had very little loss. Reinforcements are daily
looked for from England."
Don SIMON de Bouvaa, one of the Deputies from
the Caraccas, sailed from Spithead, in his ,Majesty's
ship SAPPHIRE. Captain DAViRs, on the 21st inst. di
company with some other Gentlemen from that Pro-
vince. They seemed to be much pleased with the
result of their mission.
Don Luis Lon:a MENDaz, the other Deputy, and
the Secretary, D. ANDaris Bw.o, remain, we under•
stand, in this capital.
A ship yesterday brought letters from Rio Janeiro,
which port she lett on the 10th July. The following
extract is !ruin oat of our communications by the
opportunity :
" Rio Amnia, ',WI.
" We understand that a new bank is to be established beg.±
under the sanction of the Prince Regent, and it Is to taw "
notes payable on demand from SO to 400.000 refs. Yoe In.l
suppose tbsy are eat quite as secure as the Blau k
et
as the want of specie is et thus! very Mate glair °°'',
acceptable."