am all astonishment: Providence has ever been gracious to me, and has been my protector from the many perils incident to my situation. Yours, &c., HORATIO NELSON. JOURNAL C. 6 On the 22nd of May, our Troops at six in the evening marched from their Posts, the band playing God save the King.' At seven the French colours were struck upon Camponella, Stafforella, Croix de Capuchin, Monseratto Rock, Fort St. Mary's, and all the other out-posts, and the British colours were hoisted under three cheers from every Seaman and Soldier. The French Troops all retired to the Town and Citadel. May 23rd. This morning the British Grenadiers took possession of the Town gates; and the gate of the Citadel: and on the 24th at daylight, the most glorious sight that an Englishman can experience, and which, I believe, none but an Englishman could bring about, was exhibited ;4,500 men laying down their arms to less than 1,000 British Soldiers, who were serving as Marines. Our loss of men in taking Bastia, containing upwards of 14,000 inha bitants, and which, if fully occupied, would contain 25,000, was smaller than could be expected: Seamen killed, and who died of their wounds, 12; wounded 14. Soldiers killed, and who died of their wounds, 7; wounded 23. Total killed 19, wounded 37. Officers wounded, Captain Rudsdale of the 11th Regiment, Captain Clarke of the 69th, and Lieutenant Andrews of the Agamemnon. By the most accurate account we can get of the Enemy's killed and wounded, they had, killed 203, wounded 540, most of whom are dead. We consumed 1,058 barrels of powder, and fired 11,923 shot, and 7,373 shells. TO ADMIRAL LORD HOOD. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. i. p. 169.] [Apparently 23rd May 1794.] My dear Lord, With the most heartfelt satisfaction do I congratulate you on the great event of this day,' accomplished by that solid 1 It is desirable to give Lord Hood's Dispatch, as printed in the London Gazette, on the surrender of Bastia, not only because it is a necessary illustration of an event in which Nelson performed so distinguished a part, but because the manner in which the services of the Officers was mentioned gave great umbrage to him, as he considered that his exertions had not been duly appreciated. (See some subsequent Letters.) That Lord Hood could not have intended to do him injustice is evident from his Lordship's high character, from his whole conduct towards him, and from his private Letters; but it is impossible to deny that Nelson, who was the mainspring of the Enterprize, and upon whom most of the responsibility and labour had fallen, deserved a distinct acknowledgment of his merits; and, at least, as strong an eulogium as a young Captain of Artillery, whom he had himself first brought to Lord Hood's notice. "Sir, Victory, off Bastia, May 24th, 1794. "I have the honour to acquaint you that the Town and Citadel of Bastia, with the several Posts upon the heights, surrendered to the arms of his Majesty on the 22nd. On the 19th I received a message that the garrison was disirous of capitulating upon honourable terms, in consequence of which I sent the enclosed note on shore. This brought on board the Victory three Officers, who informed me that Gentili, the Commandant, would assemble the Officers of the several corps and of the Municipality if a Truce took place, which I agreed to, a little before sunset. The next day I received a note from Gentili, which I also enclose, and sent Captain Young on shore on the morning of the 21st, who soon returned to the Victory with two Officers and two of the Administrative Bodies, which, with Vice-Admiral Goodall, Captain Young, Captain Inglefield, and my Secretary Mr. M'Arthur, settled the Articles of Capitulation, which were signed the following morning, when his Majesty's Troops took possession of all the Posts above the Town, the Troops in each retiring to the Citadel, from whence they marched to the Mole-head, where they grounded their arms and were embarked. You will receive herewith the Articles of Capitulation, which I hope bis Majesty will approve. "I am unable to give due praise to the unremitting zeal, exertion, and judicious conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel Villettes, who had the honour of commanding his Majesty's Troops: never was either more conspicuous. Major Brereton and every Officer and soldier under the Lieutenant-Colonel's orders are justly entitled to my warmest acknowledgments; their persevering ardour and desire to distinguish themselves cannot be too highly spoken of, and which it will be my pride to remember to the latest period of my life. "Captain Nelson, of his Majesty's Ship Agamemnon, who had the command and directions of the Seamen in landing the guns, mortars, and stores, and Captain Hunt who commanded at the batteries very ably assisted by Captain Buller and Captain Serocold, and the Lieutenants Gore, Hotham, Stiles, Andrews, and Brisbane, have an equal claim to my gratitude, as the Seamen under their management worked the guns with great judgment and alacrity. Never judgment which no fears of others could warp from that duty, and love of our Country which has ever shone so conspicuous. My heart is too full to say all I think; but I must not for was an higher spirit or greater perseverance exhibited, and I am happy to say that no other contention was at any time known than who should be most for ward and indefatigable for promoting his Majesty's Service; for although the difficulties they had to struggle with were many and various, the perfect harmony and good humour that universally prevailed throughout the siege overcame them all. "I cannot but express in the strongest terms, the meritorious conduct of Captain Duncan and Lieut. Alexander Duncan of the Royal Artillery and Lieut. De Butts of the Royal Engineers, but my obligation is particularly great to Captain Duncan, as more zeal, ability, and judgment, was never shown by any Officer, than were displayed by him, and I take the liberty of mentioning him as an Officer highly entitled to his Majesty's notice. "I feel myself very much indebted for the vigilance and attention of Captain Wolseley of the Imperieuse, and of Captain Hallowell, who became a volunteer wherever he could be useful, after being superseded in the command of the Courageux by Captain Waldegrave. The former kept a diligent watch upon the Island of Capraia, where the Enemy have magazines of provisions and stores, and the latter did the same by guarding the harbour's mouth of Bastia, with Gun-boats and launches well armed the whole of every night; whilst the smaller boats were very judiciously placed in the intervals between, and rather without the ships (which were moored in a crescent just out of reach of the Enemy's guns) by Captain Young of the Fortitude, the centre Ship, on board of which every boat assembled at sunset for orders, and the cheerfulness with which the Officers and Men performed this nightly duty is very much to be admired, and afforded me the most heart-felt satisfaction and pleasure. "The very great and effectual assistance I received from Vice-Admiral Goodall, Captain Inglefield, and Captain Knight, as well as from every Captain and Officer of his Majesty's Ships under my command, have a just claim to my most particular thanks, not only in carrying into execution my orders afloat, but in attending to and supplying the wants of the little Army on shore. It is to the very cordial and decided support alone I had the honour to receive from the whole that the innumerable difficulties we had to control with were so happily surmounted. "Major Smith and Ensign Vigoreux of the 25th Regiment, and Captain Radsdale and Lieutenant St. George of the 11th, not embarking with their respective regiments, having civil employments on shore; it is to their honour I mention that they relinquished those employments and joined their corps soon after the troops landed. "It is very much my duty to inform you that I am extremely obliged to General Petrecono, Mr. Frediani, and all the Officers of the Corsicans serving with the Army, for their great zeal, ardour, and attention, in forwarding the reduction of Bastia by every means in their power who were of infinite service by preserving good order in the troops. "I transmit an account of the loss on the part of his Majesty in killed and wounded, which I am happy to say is inconsiderable, but the Enemy suffered much, their hospitals being full. "At the commencement of the Siege the number of the Enemy bearing arms was three thousand. get my friend Captain Duncan, who having attained that rank, I understand, for his services at Toulon, will, I trust, have another step through your Lordship's interest: the rank of Major is, as I am informed, not unfrequently given. I need say no more. I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON. TO THE RIGHT HON. SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, K.B., MINISTER AT NAPLES. ["Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton." 8vo. 1814. vol. ii. p. 225.] Bastia, May 24th, 1794. My dear Sir, Will you have the goodness to forward the inclosed to Mr. Brand, and to present my letter to Lady Hamilton? Every lover of his Country will rejoice in our great and almost unexampled success, to the honour of my Lord Hood, and to the shame of those who opposed his endeavours to serve his Country. General Stuart, I am happy to say, is just arrived. We shall now join heart and hand against Calvi. When conquered, I shall hope to pay my respects to your Excellency at Naples, which will give real pleasure to your very faithful and obliged HORATIO NELSON. By the first Ship that sails for England I shall have the honour of sending, to be laid at his Majesty's feet, the several stand of colours taken at Bastia. "Captain Hunt, who was on shore in the command of the batteries, from the hour the troops landed to the surrender of the Town, will be the bearer of this Dispatch, and can give any further information you may wish to know respecting the Siege. "I have the honour, &c., "Right Hon. Henry Dundas." " HOOD. 2 General the Honourable Charles Stuart, fourth son of John, third Earl of Bute, and father of the present Sir Charles Stuart, G.C.B., Lord Stuart de Rothesay," an Officer who, unfortunately for his Country, never had an adequate field for the display of those eminent talents which were, to all who knew him, so conspicuous." General Stuart received the Order of the Bath in January 1799, and died in March 1801.-Southey's Life of Nelson. VOL. I. D D TO WILLIAM LOCKER, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, ROYAL HOSPITAL, GREENWICH. [Autograph, in the Locker Papers.] My dear Friend, Agamemnon, Bastia, May 30th, 1794. I am just got on board after eight weeks' service on shore, where I trust I have acquitted myself in a manner my friends will be pleased with. The more we see of this place, the more we are astonished at their giving it up, but the truth is, the different parties were afraid to trust each other; they can be justified on no other ground. I only yesterday got your letter of the 12th of December, which my brother sent in a box. I have now on board two Captains, twenty-four other Officers, and 300 Seamen of the Ships we fell in with last October. The Officers abuse the crews, the people their Officers; all join against their Commodore for not coming down to us after we were crippled not that I have any idea they could have taken us, but they certainly behaved shamefully ill. The Fortunée is burned, the Minerve and La Flêche taken;—the Melpomene is at Calvi, and I trust will fall into our hands. We are now taking on board shot, shells, powder, &c. for Calvi, which, although very strongly situated, will I believe soon fall, which when done, Agamemnon goes to Gibraltar to get something done to her, having now been without the slightest repair in hull or rigging, sixteen months. Bastia is most pleasantly situated, contains 14,000 inhabitants, and will hold 20,000. A few hours carries parties to Italy. If the Corsicans know their own interests they will be happy with us, but they cannot bear dependence. Remember me kindly to all your family, who I hope to see in August or September; and believe me, Your most obliged and affectionate Direct me a letter to Gibraltar. 1 Vide p. 334, ante. |