cessary to add much to his narrative; but I cannot forbear expressing the pleasure I feel in bearing testimony to the indefatigable exertions, and persevering zeal of capt. Broke during the time he has been under my orders: placing a firm reliance on the valour of his officers and crew, and a just confidence in his system of discipline, he sought every opportunity of meeting the enemy on fair terms; and I have to rejoice with his country and his friends, at the glorious result of this contest: he gallantly headed his boarders in the assault, and carried all before him. His wounds are severe, but I trust his country will not be long deprived of his services. I have the honour to be, &c. THOMAS BLADEN Capel, Capt. and senior officer at Halifax. Shannon, Halifax, June 6, 1813. Sir;-I have the honour to inform you, that being close in with Boston Light House, in his Majesty's ship under my command, on the 1st inst. I had the pleasure of seeing that the United States frigate Chesapeake (whom we had long been watching) was coming out of the harbour to engage the Shannon; I took a position between Cape Ann and Cape Cod, and then hove-to for him to join us; the enemy came down in a very handsome manner, having three American ensigns flying; when closing with us, he sent down his royal yards. I kept the Shannon's up, expecting the breeze would die away. At half-past five p.m. the enemy hauled up within hail of us on the starboard side, and the battle began, both ships I have to lament the loss of many of my gallant shipmates, but they fell exulting in their conquest. My brave first lieutenant, Mr. Watt, was slain in the moment of victory, in the act of hoisting the British colours; his death is a severe loss to the service. Mr. Aldham, the purser, who had spiritedly volunteered the charge of a party of small-arm men, was killed at his post on the gangway. My faithful old clerk, Mr. Dunn, was shot by his side. Mr. Aldham has left a widow to lament his loss. I request the com mander-in-chief will recommend her to the protection of the lords commissioners of the Admiralty. My veteran boatswain, Mr. Stephens, has lost an arm. He fought under lord Rodney on the 12th of April. I trust his age and services will be duly rewarded. I am happy to say that Mr. Samwell, a midshipman of much merit, is the only other officer wounded besides myself, and he not dangerously. Of my gallant seamen and marines we had twenty-three slain and fifty-six wounded. I subjoin the names of the former. No expressions I can make use of can do justice to the merits of my valiant officers and crew; the calm courage they displayed during the cannonade, and the tremendous precision of their fire, could only be equalled by the ardour with which they rushed to the assault. I recommend them all warmly to the protection of the commander-in-chief. Having received a severe sabre wound at the first onset, whilst charging a part of the enemy who had rallied on their forecastle, I was only capable of giving command till as sured our conquest was complete, and then directing second lieut. Wallis to take charge of the Shannon, and secure the prisoners, I left the third lieutenant, Mr. Falki ner (who had headed the main deck boarders) in charge of the prize. I beg to recommend these officers most strongly to the com> mander-in-chief's patronage, for the gallantry they displayed during the action, and the skill and judgment they evinced in the anxious duties which afterwards devolved upon them. To Mr. Etough, the acting master, I am much indebted, for the steadiness in which he conn'd the ship into action. The lieuts. Johns and Law, of the marines, bravely boarded at the head of their respective divisions. It is impossible to particularize every brilliant deed performed by my officers and men; but I must mention, when the ships' yard-arms were locked together, that Mr. Cosnahan, who commanded in our main-top, finding himself screened from the enemy by the foot of the topsail, laid out at the main-yard-arm to fire upon them, and shot three men in that situation. Mr. Smith, who commanded in our fore-top, stormed the enemy's fore-top from the fore-yard-arm, and destroyed all the Americans remaining in it. I particularly beg leave to recommend Mr. Etough, the acting master, and Messrs. Smith, Leake, Clavering, Raymond, and LittleJohn, midshipmen. This latter officer is the son of capt. LittleJohn, who was slain in the Berwick. The loss of the enemy was about 70 killed, and 100 wounded. Among the former were the four lieutenants, a lieutenant of marines, the master and many other officers. Captain Laurence is since dead of his wounds. The enemy came into action with a complement of four hundred and forty men; the Shannon having picked up some recaptured seamen, had three hundred and thirty. The Chesapeake is a fine frigate, and mounts forty-nine guns, eighteens on her main deck, two and thirties on her quarter-deck and forecastle. Both ships came out of action in the most beautiful order, their rigging appearing as perfect as if they had only been gun-boats, I considered, in conseexchanging a salute: I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) P. B. V. BROKE. To Captain the Hon. T. Bladen Capel, &c. Halifax. Admiralty Office, August 14. Dispatches of which the following are copies, have been received at this office from admiral the right hon. sir J. B. Warren, bart. and K. B. commander in chief of his majesty's ships and vessels on the American and West Indian station, addressed to J. W. Croker, esq. San Domingo, Hampton-roads, Chesapeake, June 24. Sir-I request you will inform their lordships, that, from the information received of the enemy's fortifying Craney Island, and it being necessary to obtain possession of that place, to enable the light ships and vessels to proceed up the narrow channel towards Norfolk, to transport the troops over on that side for them to attack the new fort and lines, in the rear of which the Constellation frigate was anchored, I directed the troops under sir Sydney Beckwith to be landed upon the continent, within the nearest point to that place, and a reinforcement of seamen and marines from the ships; but, upon approaching the island, from the extreme shoalness of the water on the sea-side, and the difficulty of getting across from the land, as well as the island itself being fortified with a number of guns and men from the frigate and the militia, and flanked by fifteen quence of the representation of the officer commanding the troops, of the difficulty of their passing over from the land, that the persevering in the attempt would cost more men than the number with us would permit, as the other forts must have been stormed before the frigate and dock-yard could be destroyed; I therefore ordered the troops to be re-embarked, I am happy to say, that the loss in the above affair (returns of which are enclosed) has not been considerable, and only two boats sunk. I have to regret, that capt. Hanchett, of his majesty's ship Diadem, who volunteered his services, and led the division of boats with great gallantry, was severely wounded by a ball in the thigh. The officers and men behaved with much bravery, and if it had been possible to have got at the enemy, I am persuaded would have soon gained the place. I have the honour to be, &c. JOHN BORLASE WARREN. J. W. Croker, esq. A general return of killed, wounded, and missing of the officers, noncommissioned officers, drummers, and rank and file, in the affair, with the enemy, near Craney Island, June 22. Norfolk, I considered it advisable, and with a view to cut off their resources, to direct it to be attacked by the troops composing the flying corps attached to this squadron; and having instructed rear admiral Cockburn to conduct the naval part of the expedition, and placed captain Pechell, with the Mohawk sloop and launches, as a covering force, under his orders, the troops were disembarked with the greatest zeal and alacrity. Sir S. Beckwith, commanding the troops, having most ably attacked and defeated the enemy's force, and took their guns, colours, and camp, I refer their lordships to the quarter-master-general's report (which is enclosed), and that will explain the gallantry and behaviour of the several officers and men employed on this occasion, and I trust will entitle them to the favour of his royal highness the Prince Regent, and the approbation of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. Sir Sydney Beckwith having reported to me that the defences of the town were entirely destroyed, and the enemy completely dispersed in the neighbourhood, I ordered the troops to be re-embarked, which was performed with the utmost good order by the several officers of the squadron, under the orders of rear-admiral Cockburn. I have, &c.. JOHN B. WARREN. J. W. Croker, esq. my in town and camp at Hampton, the troops under my command were put into light sailing vessels and boats during the night of the 25th instant, and by the excellent arrangements of rear-admiral Cockburn, who was pleased in person to superintend the advance, under lieut.-colonel Napier, consisting of the 102nd regiment, two companies of Canadian chasseurs, three companies of marines from the squadron, with two six-pounders from the royal marines artillery, were landed half an hour before day-light the next morning, about two miles to the westward of the town, and the royal marine battalions, under lieut.-colonel Williams were brought on shore so expeditiously, that the column was speedily enabled to move forward. With a view to turn the enemy's position, our march was directed towards the great road, leading from the country into the rear of the town: whilst the troops moved off in this direction, rear-admiral Cockburn, to engage the enemy's attention, ordered the armed launches and rocket boats to commence a fire upon their batteries; this succeeded so completely, that the head of our advanced guard had cleared a wood, and were already on the enemy's flank before our approach was perceived; they then moved from their camp to their position in rear of the town, and here they were vigorously attacked by lieut.-colonel Napier, and the advance; unable to stand which, they continued their march to the rear of the town, when a detachment, under lieut.-col. Williams, conducted by captain Powell, assistant quarter-master general, pushed through the town, and forced their way across a bridge of planks into the enemy's encampment, of which, and the batteries, immediate possession was gained. In the mean time some artillerymen stormed and took the enemy's remaining field-piece. Enclosed I have the honour to transmit a return of ordnance taken. Lieutenant-col. Williams will have the honour of delivering to you a stand of colours of the 68th regi. ment, James City light infantry, and one of the 1st battalion 85th regiment. The exact numbers of the enemy it is difficult to ascertain. From the woody country, and the strength of their position, our troops have sustained some loss; that of the enemy was very considerable: every exertion was made to collect the wounded Americans, who were attended by a surgeon of their own, and by the British surgeons, who performed amputations on such as required it, and afforded every assistance in their power; the dead bodies of such as could be collected were also carefully buried. I beg leave on this occasion to express the obligations I owe to lieutenant-colonel Napier and lieutenant-colonel Williams, for their kind and able assistance, to major Malcolm, and captain Smith, and all the officers and men, whose zeal and spirited conduct entitle them to my best acknowledgments. I have the honour to be, &c. SYDNEY BECKWITH. Quarter-Master-General. Right Hon. J. B. WARREN, K. B., &c. Return of Ordnance Stores taken in Hampton, on the 25th of June. Four twelve-pounder guns on travelling carriages, 3 six-pounder guns on travelling carriages, with limbers, and a proportion of ammunition for each of the above calibres; 3 covered waggons and their horses. A Return of the Killed, Wounded, and Missing at Hampton, 26th June, 1813. Total-5 killed; 33 wounded; 10 missing. London Gazette Extraordinary, WAR DEPARTMENT. Downing-street, Aug. 16. His Serene Highness the hereditary Prince of Orange has arrived at this office with dispatches addressed to earl Bathurst, by field marshal the marquis of Wellington, of which the following are copies : San Estevan, August 1, 1813. My Lord; -Two practical breaches having been effected at San Sebastian on the 24th of July, orders were given that they should be attacked on the morning of the 25th. I am concerned to have to report that this attempt to obtain possession of the place, failed, and that our loss was very considerable. Marshal Soult had been appointed Lieutenant de l'Empereur, and commander-in-chief of the French armies in Spain, and the southern provinces of France, by a Decret Imperial on the 1st of July, and he joined and took the command of the army on the 13th of July, which having been joined nearly about the same time by the corps which had been in Spain under the command of general Clauzel, and by other reinforce |