The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-05-13

sdrbip, that the nature of the couu. 81
Se.vy & ar- a land rn-ered vii n fhrtbs

TO reach the Ret Valley, where we took our
petition for the night. A Comfortable portion
of the proviiions and necefiares with which we
ftarted, had been LOT during the action, and
we occupied our ground under an apprehen-
iion that even the great exertons of Sir Home |
Popham and the navy could not relieve us from
ftarvation.
! My Lord, on every occaion where it has
been found nece1ary to call for the co.opera-
ton of Britifh fearnen in land enterprises, their
valour has been 4, confpicuous, and their fpirit
of labour and perseverance 70 nnconquerabe,
/ that no tribute of my applaufe can add !uitre
| TO their character; but dfchargea moi agree
able portion of my duty in afluring your Lord
! thip, that on the recent employment of their
fervices, they have maintained their reputation
and in this place it behoves me to inform your
Lordiiip, that the uniform good conduct of
thofe gallant fellows, and the zeal of Captain
George Bying who commanded them, together
with that of every subordinate officer, have me-
rited my fulet appreciation.
| The lofs of the enemy in this engagement is
,reputed to exceed feven hundred i'm killed and
wounded /; and it is with the mott fenible graz
LITIGATION that contraft it with the enclofed re-
turn of our catualties. Your Lordillip will per-
ceive the name of Lieutenant Colonel Grant a
moug the wounded but the heroic fpirit of
this officer was not fubdued by his misfortune,
and he continued to lead his men to glory, as
an enemy was oppofed to his Maieity's 72d re-
lgment. ! have the cordial fatisfaetion TO
add, that his wound, though very feve,e, is
not pronounced dangerous; and indulge the
hope and expectation of his early recovery and
|reiumption of command.
On the morning of the 9th, recruited by fuch
IfupPlies is the unwearied diligence and efforts
OF the Navy could throw on fhore, the 59th re-
giment, however, being almott completely def
titute of food, we profecutcd our march to-
wards Cape-Town, and took up petition fouth
o. Salt river, which we trutted might preferve
free communication with the fquadron for
our gathering train, as well as every other ne
ceifary, except water, was to pats to us from
his Maiefty's ihips. In this ftuation flag of
truce was fent to me by the commandant of the
garifon of Cape-Town, (the Governor-Gene-
raj Janfens, having retired after the action of
the Sth, into the country, moving by Hottcn-
tots Holland Koof,) rcqueaing fnfpenion of
hoitiities for 4s hours, in order to negotiate a
capltuatiou. In anfyer to this overture, | diff
patched Brigadier-General Fergufon, accom-
panied by Lieut.. Colonel Brownrgg, to ftipu-
late, as the condition of acquefc ence, the fur
render of the outworks of the town within 6
hours, allowing S6 hours for arranging the Ar
ticles of Capitulation.
My propoiition being afIented to, the 5eth
regiment marched in Fort Knokke and the
pham, the terms were agreed upon, and his
Majeay's forces were put in poIeiiion of the ie-
veral defences of the town. Of the modified
Capituation, as ratified by us, have the ho-
nor TO enclofe copy.
The cordial, able and Jealous cooperation
OF Commodore Sir Home Popham, emulated
by all the officers under his command, merits
/ my warmef acknowledgements and common
dation and have the fstisfaefion TO add, that
no united fervice was ever performed with more
true harmony, than has uniformly been mani
fefted by both branches of his majefty's hips as
could be fpared from the fervice of Lospard'
Bay, contantly coated the euemy's ihore,
throwing ihot among his troops and people, &
contributing TO keep him ignorant of the actual
( place of our decentralization and a very fpirit-
ed effort was made by the marines of the feet,
and party of feamen from the Diadem, under
the commodorc's immediate command, to oc-
cupy petition in Ret Valley, and cooperate
with the army.
The Marines and the Hon. Compauy's re-
| cruits, well as their cadets, headed by Lieut..
Col. Willet, of the Bengal Establishment, have
been ufefully employed in different branches of
the fervce but have to regret the deprivati-
on of the fervices of the goth Dragons, and
| the 38th regiment under conviction that they
could not have failed to difcharge their duty in
the fame exemplary manner, as the reA of his
maIeity' stroops engaged III the action.
Public, as well as perfonal considerations, in
duce me to lament the abfence of Brigadisr Ge-
neral Beresford from whole talents and expert
ence ! fhould have derived the mott effental az
iifance in our difputed and difficult progrefs
from Lofpard's Bay.
The duties of the Ouarter-Mafer General
department were very ably and judiciouny diff
charged by Lieut.. Col Brownrigg and altho'
the army bad the greateft caufe to lament the
sbience from fevere illnefs, of Major Tucker,
Deputy Adjutant- General, yet the zeal and ac-
tivity manifelted by Major rrotter, of the Esd
regiment, and the Afitant-Adjutant General,
Capt. Munro, happily precluded all defcien-
cy in that department. The abfence of Cap
tain Smith of the Royal Engineers, with the
Saldauha Detachment, was alfo matter of
great regret to me, for his knowledge of the
country would have relieved me from much
| embarralfmeni.
To the feverai officers commanding corps
am under comfortable obligations, for their GAL
laut, fprited, jealous, and judicious conduct &
example, in leading their men up to the enemy.
Britifh troops headed by flch men, mutt ever,
under providence, command fuccefs and every
man in this army has, truit it will be confider-
led, preferved the character of the Britifh fol-