INCLOSURE. An Account of Powder, Shot, and Shells, expended before Calvi between the 7th of July and the 17th, both days included. July 18th.-The 50th Regiment were to assist in making a battery for three twenty-six pounders to the right of the Mozelle, at about the distance of 300 yards; the Seamen were ordered to carry forward the guns and mount them, and also one thirteen-inch mortar. Sixty seamen, under Lieutenants Edmonds and Harrison,9 were to carry forward the field-pieces. The disposition of the Troops was as follows: Colonel Wemyss,1 with the 18th Regiment, was to proceed by the left of our six-gun battery, with two field-pieces drawn by Seamen, and with fixed bayonets, was to take possession of the Fountain battery, which having carried, the Colonel was to direct his force against San Francesco, if it fired; when the Of the Navy; nothing has been found of their future career. Lieutenant-Colonel David Douglas Wemyss of the 18th, or Royal Irish Regiment. In 1795 he was made Governor of Calvi: he became a Major General in April 1802; Lieutenant-General in April 1808; and was subsequently Governor of Tynmouth Castle.-Royal Military Calendar, vol. i. p. 136. troops under Colonel Moore, with two field-pieces drawn by Seamen, were to move forward, under cover of the three-gun battery, and carpenters under Lieutenant St. George, were to go before to cut down the palisadoes. A party under Major Brereton3 were to advance by the right of the Mozelle, and cut off the Enemy's retreat from the Town. Colonel Moore's party were to be supported by the 51st Regiment, the 50th Regiment, having finished their work at the battery, was to remain under arms; and the troops were to move forward lying on their arms. We continued all night hard at work, and landed one hundred and twelve Seamen from the Agamemnon, under Lieutenant Suckling. TO ADMIRAL LORD HOOD. My dear Lord, Camp, July 18th, 1794. The General wishes that the battery of eighteen-pounders on the Point may be able to open a fire to-morrow morning at daylight. Moutray tells me he has only twenty cartridges of powder and shot. It is necessary there should at least be one hundred; therefore I shall be glad if your Lordship will order a hundred shot and cartridges and some Match to be landed in the night from L'Imperieuse, for these guns. I take for granted we are to be active to-night. I have received you Lordship's letter, and shall take care, if possible, to give no offence whatever. Your most faithful, HORATIO Nelson. 2 Afterwards Major General Sir Thomas Bligh St. George, C. B., K. C. H. He died in November, 1836. 3 Major Robert Brereton. In 1793, he served in Lord Hood's Fleet, as Captain of Marines; and in October of that year was appointed Major of the 30th Foot. He became, after much active service, a Lieutenant-General in June 1814. Royal Military Calendar, vol. i. p. 266. 4 The following is the Letter alluded to: 'TO CAPTAIN NELSON. "Victory, 18th July 1794. "My dear Nelson,-I thank you for your Letter, and desire to have a daily account how things go on. I would not by any means have you come on board; and do most earnestly entreat you will give no opinion, unless asked, what is TO ADMIRAL LORD HOOD. [Autograph,in the Hood Papers.] My dear Lord, Camp, July 18th, 1794. When I wrote your Lordship last I had no idea I could have wrote again until the Mozelle was carried, but such things are. I hope to God the General, who seems a good Officer and an amiable man, is not led away; but Colonel Moore is his great friend. Yesterday, at noon, I found all was given up as last night, that things might be got forward for the grand battery against the Town. In the evening the General took me aside to say I had got him nearly into a scrape, for that I had wrote your Lordship that the Mozelle was to be stormed as this night, for that a Corsican Colonel (I think) had landed from the Victory, and been to him to offer his services, and that he was told on board the Victory what was to happen. I told the General that I certainly had wrote so to you, but I was sure it went no further; and that as to the Storming, every body these three days past had fixed each night for the Storm. There seems a little jealousy of my communicating with you daily; and I rather think the question to me last evening was to know if I told you anything. We must go on, let Moore say what he pleases. We have lost several days already, and what was as extraordinary, last night not an article was carried forward: therefore we are in right or not right to be done; but whatever that may be, keep it to yourself, and be totally silent to every one, except in forwarding all proposed operations. Have no jealousies, I beg of you, and avoid giving any most carefully. I have not seen a Corsican Officer to have any conversation with respecting Calvi. Colunna was here three days ago with some gentlemen and ladies, from Agiola, and this morning Tartarelli came on board, just to make his bow, and was not with me five minutes, and I said not a word to either about the Siege, and I do entreat you will not suggest the least hint to any person whatever about the Summons to the Garrison. The utmost caution is necessary in you to be silent: say so to Hallowell, or you will both get into a difficulty. You must, I am sure, see the force of what I say, as you cannot be insensible, from what you have said, that there is some of Saint Fiorenzo leaven existing. A word to the wise is sufficient. Ever faithfully yours, 'HOOD. 'P. S.-If you do not bring yourself into a scrape by talking, you may depend upon it I shall not do it, as I shall know nothing to the General of what you have ever written to me; but beware of the Colonel you mention. I can believe nothing dishonourable of Duncan: the situation in which he is placed makes silence highly prudent."-From a Copy, certified by Nelson, in the Hood Papers. the same state to-night. I was in the battery till one o'clock. I should like to come off, if nothing was going forward; but I am sure it would be a conversation that I went to tell all I knew, which is very little indeed. However, I can always say what has happened. Your Lordship will have an application for 600 barrels of powder, and for 15-pounder shot, English. I have landed 500 since your letter, and have now about 500 18-pounder, and 500 24-pounder shot in my Ship, and 300 barrels of powder. Your Lordship will be so good as not to notice any part of this letter to the General; for you must feel that a more free communication has not been kept up by the General; but indeed I don't yet say he is to blame. I wish Moore was 100 leagues of: he will injure him with the Army I see clearly. Captain Duncan is an Aide-de-Camp: therefore says nothing. After Mozelle is taken, why might not the Town then be summoned at that time it might be proper, although not in the first instance. I beg your Lordship to burn this letter. Believe me, with the highest respect, HORATIO NELSON. Duncan is, I think, a little altered; there is nothing like kicking down the ladder a man rises by. TO ADMIRAL LORD HOOD. (Autograph, in the Hood Papers.] My dear Lord, Camp, July 19th, 1794. I wrote you a scrap of paper this morning from the Mozelle, knowing how very anxious you must be to hear of our situation. Every thing, I take for granted, answered the General's wish. The battery of San Francesco, I take for granted, was abandoned soon after daylight. The Enemy have fired smart since daylight, and several of the Royal Irish have been killed and wounded by shells from the Town, before they could get themselves under cover by an entrenchThe Seamen were only sent with four field-pieces, and the rest of us making the battery and getting the guns mounted, which was done by two o'clock. The Royal Irish were to attack the Fountain battery and Tower, and then to fire their two field-pieces at San Francesco. Colonel Wemyss certainly performed his part in an Officer-like manner: then the two field-pieces, with the Grenadiers under Colonel Moore, began to fire into the breach of the Mozelle, and the new battery opened at the same time. Carpenters went forward and cut down the pallisadoes, the Light Infantry went to the right of the Mozelle to cut off the retreat of the Enemy, but before our troops could get to the bottom of the breach all fled, except half a dozen, who threw over two thirteen inch shells. The Grenadiers only found two men in the place, who were killed; and the Light Infantry got a few shots at the fugitives, and took two prisoners, who say they are told succours will certainly soon be sent them. Colonel Moore was hurt by a stone tumbled from the wall. He is come to Camp, but I have sent to the Surgeons, and they say he is not dangerously wounded. Captain M'Donald' is not much hurt. The Mozelle is absolutely a heap of ruins, and the breach easy of ascent. You may rest assured that no cause for jealousies shall arise from me, but I can't help thinking we are sometimes too active. I think General Stuart must be pleased with our services. I could have wished to have had a little part in the Storm, if it was only to have placed the ladders and pulled away the pallisadoes. However, we did the part allotted for us. Duncan, I dare say, will not act a dishonourable part; but he has certainly grown a much greater man to me than he was formerly. His activity and bravery will I am sure remain with him, and I hope his gratitude. Believe me truly, Your Lordship's most faithful, Killed at Mozelle 4, 7 wounded. Capt. M'Donald at Mozelle. Capt. M'Kenzie,5 since. Royals. |