for marching all the way to Bastia, but not for heavy artillery; probably landing-places may be found to the Northward of it, and much nearer than three miles. I see that the little Camp with two guns, en barbette, is intended to prevent any landing to the Southward, as I make no doubt their shot would reach to the opening of the Lagoon: but our troops may land under cover of Gun-boats and other small vessels, although Ships cannot get in. Every defence of Bastia is plainly to be seen from the Sea, and in my opinion it would soon fall. Yesterday, a very large Swedish Ship from the Levant, laden with corn, was within two miles of Bastia, and I believe intended for that Port; but if not, the boats would have carried her in, had we not been between her and the Town. Saturday evening [the 22nd]: I have just had a boat off from Erbalonga: they say that our landing at l'Avasina, and marching so near Bastia, has been of the greatest service to them, as the Enemy intended that night to have come with Gun-boats and troops, and to have burnt all the revolted villages. All the Corsicans, to the very walls of Bastia, have declared for us, and they tell me not much less than 1000 are now under the outworks of Bastia; and indeed we have seen the firing of musketry the whole evening. Sunday [noon, 23rd of February]. It is only just now that I have been able to examine Bastia more closely. I find the Enemy every hour are strengthening their works. The two guns mounted en barbette are now forming a half-moon battery. I passed close with Romulus and Tartar, and the Enemy opened their fire from the battery. We directly dislodged them, and they to a man quitted the works. The Town opened on us also with shot and shells, but without doing us any damage of consequence: our guns were so exceedingly well pointed, that not one shot was fired in vain; a parcel of powder in one of their batteries blew up, and apparently did considerable damage. Indeed, my Lord, I wish the troops were here: Bastia, I am sure, in its present state, would soon fall. I don't think the Corsicans have the strong 6 Romulus, 36, Captain John Sutton, afterwards Vice-Admiral Sir John Sutton K. C. B. The Tartar, 28, was commanded by Captain, afterwards Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Francis Fremantle, Bart., G.C.B., G.C.M.G. post General Paoli mentions, or I must have known it. They tell me the garrison of Fiorenzo is got into Bastia. I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON. JOURNAL B. February 24th.—The Enemy came out and carried off the guns from the work we fired on yesterday. A Ragusa Ship came out of the Mole, who informed us that our shot had done much damage, and killed several gunners. February 25th.-Lord Hood, with five Sail in sight, to Leeward. Two Corsican boats came off to tell me our troops were on the hills (believe we see them), and to beg ammuniSaw the French attack the Corsicans, and carry a village, which they burned to the ground. At half-past noon we being within shot of the Town, they fired on us with both shot and shells: did not return a single gun. Many went over us, and all round us, but not one struck the Ship. The bursting of one shell shook the Ship very much. The Enemy have begun a new work, just to the Southward of the Town. In the afternoon, at four o'clock, bore down to the Enemy's new work, and began to cannonade it, but it falling calm, could not perceive we did the Enemy much harm: hauled off. Being within shot of the Town, they fired on us with both shot and shells: returned the fire, and did good service. JOURNAL A. February 24th.-Ran down the Town of Bastia, and cannonaded it for two hours. February 26th.-Drove the French from a work they were making to the Southward of Bastia. JOURNAL B. February 26th.-Joined Lord Hood. February 27th.-The Fleet blown off in a gale of wind: none but Agamemnon able to keep her Station. February 28th.-Off Bastia: Lord Hood not in sight. 7 Nelson seems to have run his pen through this date, and did not insert another. TO MRS. NELSON. [From Clark and M'Arthur, vol. i. p. 154.] My dear Fanny, Off Bastia, February 28th, 1794. I write literally to say I am well, never better, and in active service, which I like. Lord Hood expresses himself on every occasion well pleased with my conduct. He is come on this side himself, but would not bring an older Captain than me; therefore the Naval service at Bastia is intrusted to my direction, under his Lordship. I have now six Frigates with me. Our little brush last Sunday, happened at the moment when part of our Army made their appearance on the hills over Bastia, they having marched over land from St. Fiorenzo, which is only twelve miles distant. The General3 sent an express to Lord Hood at Fiorenzo to tell him of it. What a noble sight it must have been! indeed, on board it was the grandest thing I ever saw. If I had carried with me five hundred troops, to a certainty I should have stormed the Town, and I believe it might have been carried. Armies go so slow, that Seamen think they never mean to get forward; but I dare say they act on a surer principle, although we seldom fail. You cannot think how pleased Lord Hood has been with my attack on Sunday last, or rather my repelling of an attack which the Enemy made on me. He is gone to Porto Ferrajo for some supplies, but will return in two days. I am to anchor, to have communication with the Army. Bastia is a large Town, and populous, having 10,000 inhabitants; there is a fine Mole for shipping. If we take Corsica, of which I have not the smallest doubt, I hope we shall keep it. The Natives seem to hate the French, and are a brave people, and free. The attachment of the Corsicans to General Paoli is wonderful. When I took Miomo9 near Bastia, the Corsicans all declared for the English; and a gentleman came down and said, 'I can now venture to say, how attached I am to Paoli;' upon which, taking a miniature of him from his bosom, he kissed it, and hundreds on their knees immediately Lieutenant General Dundas. • Vide p. 356. begged to do the same. This is pure affection. Paoli has nothing to give them, nor any honours to bestow. It is the tribute of a generous people to a Chief who has sacrificed everything for their benefit. I hope he will live to see the Corsicans truly free. It is a fine Island, and well cultivated, but the produce has been kept under by numerous detachments of French soldiers. Their wines interfered with those of France, and in consequence their exportation was almost prohibited. Should it belong to us, it would soon be a rich country; but would materially hurt the Italian We are still in the busy scene of war, a situation in which I own I feel pleasure, more especially as my actions have given great satisfaction to my Commander-in-Chief. The blocking up of Corsica he left to me: it has been accomplished in the most complete manner, not a boat got in, or a single soldier landed, although eight thousand men were embarked at Nice. On the 7th of February, Lord Hood took the command off St. Fiorenzo, and I went off Bastia. We have had active service; four times I have been on shore with the troops, always successful, and induced all the Corsicans in this Port to declare for us. The French kept them in great awe, by quartering troops in every village. On the 23rd February we went against Bastia merely to reconnoitre: it turned into a battle, which lasted one hour and three quarters. I had the Romulus and Tartar frigates with me. We had a strong force against us; but the fire from Agamemnon was so strong and close, that the Enemy ran from their guns, and only fired when we were past. We totally destroyed a battery of six guns just without the town. The Army is within four miles of Bastia. As soon as they are ready to act, I have no doubt Bastia will very soon be taken, although the Enemy have 62 guns mounted, besides mortars. Your picture of Bastia is very like, only adding a Citadel. We did the Enemy great damage, as we learn from a Dane who had been with a cargo of corn, but who was glad to get away. Lord Hood is just arrived,1 but has not brought an older Captain than myself with him. I am to anchor and act with the Army. Maurice Suckling is not yet made a Lieutenant, but, I hope, will in time. Promotion is very slow now Toulon is lost; and the additional Lieutenants being taken away from the small Ships, will make it the longer before it comes to his turn, as they are to be put into Ships as vacancies happen. I should be glad he was made. Your letters give me great pleasure; and I hope, when you feel leisure, you will indulge me by writing. The French have got three Sail of the Line in the outer road of Toulon ready for Sea, a proof that all their stores were not burnt. I beg you will give my kindest remembrances to Mrs. Suckling, Miss Suckling, and all your family. Best respects to Mr. Rumsey and family, who, I hope, are all well. I shall be very glad to shake you all again by the hand. Believe me, Your most affectionate, HORATIO NELSON. TO THE REVEREND MR. NELSON, HILBOROUGH. [Autograph, in the Nelson Papers.] Agamemnon, March 1st, 1794, off Bastia, in Corsica. My dear Brother, As Mrs. Nelson is removed from your neighbourhood, I know you love to hear a little of what is going forward, therefore shall send you some extracts of our Journal. I feel myself very much obliged by your offer about the farm, but don't think I shall make prize-money enough to purchase an estate; and if I do, must look out for a house and grounds See Nelson's Journal, vide p. 366, post. |