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Kangaroo, in the West Scheld, off the Kaloot, Aug. 11, 1809.

Sir-I beg leave to acquaint you, for the information of the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty, that I am this moment going up to Bathz in South Beveland, which has been attacked by a strong detachment of the enemy's flotilla, and which, by Sir Richard Keats's reports, consists of two frigates, one bearing a vice-admiral's flag, thirty brigs, eight luggers or schooners, and fourteen gun-boats.

I was under the necessity of detaining our flotilla to prevent supplies being thrown into the garrison at Flushing, and to assist in cutting off its communication with Cadsand, which service was effectually done, except during the late heavy gales which drove the gunboats from their stations, and prevented our ships entering the Scheld, from the circumstance of their not being able to weigh their anchors. Since the weather has moderated, the wind has provokingly drawn round to the south-east, which is the only obstacle that prevents Lord William Stuart, with a squadron of ten heavy frigates, passing Flushing, as well as Rear-admiral Lord Gardner, with the effective line-of-battle ships, taking up the anchorage in Dykeshook Bay, where I intend his lordstrip shall remain, with the view of having the assistance of that squadron in our farther operations against the enemy, and eventually to proceed up the Scheld. The divisions of the army under the Earl of Rosslyn and Marquis of Huntley, landed on South Beveland on the 9th.

The cavalry and ordnance ships, with the brigs and some sloops of

war, have passed through the Slough into the West Scheld, and are now availing themselves of every favourable tide to proceed to Bathz. I am also endeavouring to warp the Pallas and Circe through by the same channel, and with every probability of success.

Sir Home Popham was detached with some gun-vessels for the purpose of sounding the river, and of joining Sir Richard Keats at Bathz.

The batteries are not yet ready to open on Flushing, therefore I hope to be here again in time to cooperate with the army in the attack on that garrison.

I am concerned to add, that the enemy has cut the dyke to the right of the town, and the island is likely to be inundated. I have ordered Rear-admiral Otway to send the Monmouth and Agincourt to England for water, as soon as they can be got down from Zierickzee; and earnestly intreat that other means may be adopted for supplying the army and navy from England, as I apprehend all the water in this island will be spoiled by the inundation, and that there is not more in the other islands than is necessary for the subsistence of the inhabitants.

Their lordships must be aware, that in this extensive and complicated service, it is impossible for me to enter so fully into detail as I could wish, especially as our ar rangements must vary in proportion with the movements of the enemy.

In my absence I have directed Rear-admiral Otway to superintend the several duties relative to the investment of this island, and to correspond with the Admiralty on all matters of service.

Captain Dobbie, who acted in

the

the Pallas during the absence of Captain Seymour, is the bearer of this dispatch. He had my flag for some time in that ship, and has been particularly attentive to the public service.

In consequence of the protracted siege of Flushing, and the necessity for the flotilla going up the Scheld, I have ordered guns from the ships of war to fit twenty transports as gun-ships, and with the launches of the ships under Rear-admiral Otway, to form a flotilla for the lower part of the Scheld, which I trust their lordships will approve.

You will please likewise to inform their lordships, that Lord Gardner has ordered the Centaur and Theseus to cruise off the Texel. I have the honour to be,

(Signed) R. J STRACHAN. Honourable W. W. Pole.

Kangaroo, in the West Scheld,

Aug. 12, 1809. Sir-Having directed the frigates named in the margin,* to proceed up the West Scheld, under the orders of Lord William Stuart, captam of the Lavinia, the moment the wind was favourable, that zealous officer availed himself of a light air from the westward, on the afternoon of the 11th instant, notwithstanding the tide was against his proceeding, and passed the batteries between Flushing and Cadsand: the ships were under the eDemy's fire nearly two hours.

The gallant and seaman-like manner in which this squadron was conducted, and their steady and well-directed fire, excited in my breast the warmest sensations of

admiration. The army witnessed their exertions with applause, and I am certain their Lordships will duly appreciate the services of Lord William Stuart, the captains, officers, seamen, and marines, on this occasion.

No very material accident happened, except by a shell striking L'Aigle, an which fell through her decks into the bread-room, where it exploded; one man was killed, and four others wounded: her stern frame is much shattered.

Lord William Stuart's modest letter accompanied this dispatch, together with a return of the killed and wounded, and the damages sustained by his majesty's ships, in forcing the entrance of this river. I have the honour to be, &c.

(Signed) R. J. STRACHAN.

Fort Bathz, Aug. 12, 1809. Sir-I have the honour to inform

you, that, in pursuance of your directions, I arrived at Bathz yesterday, and in order to render, if practicable, an attack on the enemy's flotilla more complete, fordered thirty flat boats, armed with carronades, and some other boats from the ships under my orders, to rendezvous at this place, and meet the flotilla under Sir Home Pop ham, but before the arrival of either, six of the enemy's gun-boats having grounded on a bank within reach of the artillery of the fort, after sustaining some injury by it, were abandoned; five of which were destroyed, and the other brought in.

The arrival of Sir Home Pop: ham and my boats from the East

Lavinia, Heroine, Amethyst, Rota, Nymphen, l'Aigle, Euryalus, Statira, Dryad, and Perlin. VOL. LI.

N n

Scheld

Scheld took place nearly at the same time, but the enemy's flotilla moved up to Lillo with the same tide that brought ours to Bathz, one of which was handsomely burned by the advanced gun-boats almost amongst them.

As the navigation of the West Scheld is now open as far as it can possibly be cleared by the navy, and a flotilla force of upwards of fifty sail in the East Sheld demand attention, and I can at any time return in a few hours to this place, it is my intention to repair in the morning to the Superb, where I have or dered the boats of my division. Sir Home Popham is examining the channels.

Although we are now masters of the navigation to Lillo, it may be proper to observe, that it is in the enemy's power, by sending a superior naval force to deprive us of it, as far as Bathz, (before some larger ships ascend), whenever he pleased. I have, &c. R. G. KEATS. Rear Admiral Sir Richard Strachan, Bart. K, B.

Supplement to the London Gazette

of Saturday, Aug. 19. Downing Street, August 20,

1809.

Dispatch from Lieutenant-General the Earl of Chatham, K. G. dated Head-quarters, Middleburgh, Aug. 11, 1809.

Head-quarters Middleburgh,
Aug. 11.

My Lord-I received yesterday evening your lordship's dispatch of the 8th inst. by the messenger Mills, and I must intreat your lordship to offer my most dutiful acknowledgments to his majesty, for the gracious approbation he has been

pleased to express of my humble endeavours in his service; and I shall feel the greatest satisfaction in communicating to Lieutenant-general Sir Eyre Coote, and the general and other officers, and the troops employed here under my command, the sense which his majesty enter tains of their meritorious conduct in the services in which they have been engaged, as well as the confi dence his majesty feels in their future good conduct, and which, I trust, they will not disappoint.

The enemy has continued to give what interruption he could to the progress of our works; but since the date of my last letter, he has attempted no sortie in any force. He has endeavoured to cause us some embarrassment by opening the sluices at Flushing, and letting in the salt water, but this has been at tended as yet with little inconve nience, as the necessary precautions for letting off the water through the sluices in our possession' at this place and at Veer, I have no doubt will be found effectual. The seve ral batteries will probably be ready to open on the place either the 12th or 13th, and I shall look with great anxiety to the result, as the speedy reduction of Flushing, (particularly under present appearances) is of the last importance, as till then so very large a portion of the force under my command is unavoidably detained before it.

The divisions of Lieutenant-general Lord Rosslyn and Lieutenantgeneral Lord Huntly, were, according to the intention I mentioned in my last letter, landed in South Bevelaud, on the morning of the 9th instant: but I am sorry to say, that the division of transports, with the cavalry and artillery horses, the

heavy ordnance, ammunition, and stores of all descriptions, have not yet been brought through the Slow Passage. The moment they appear, it is my intention to proceed towards Bathz; but as till then no operation can be undertaken, I have thought my presence here was more useful.

A large portion of the flotilla bas proceeded up the river to Bathz, on which place I learn that the enemy had again made an attack, but had been repulsed by the guns on the port.

I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) CHATHAM.

Intercepted Correspondence. Minutes of Dispatches, dated Aug. 14th, and taken on a Peasant going to Avila, at Tomezcus, by a detachment under Sir Robert Wilson's orders.-(The original sent on to General Cuesta )

A Monsieur le Colonel Hays, Governor d'Avila-You will give directions that this letter shall be forwarded with the utmost expedition to his majesty, and you will send me your receipt.

Wilson's corps is cut off. About five days ago it was between Candelario and Villa Neuva. If from your town you move a column of 1000 men, and attack them, they will be compelled to surrender.

I communicate to you the brilliant action of the 8th inst. at P. Arzobispo. We took from the enemy 30 pieces of cannon, 40 tumbrils with baggage, and 600 prisoners, besides a great number of killed. The royal carbineers and corps de garde were cut to pieces.

Send me from your province,

wine, vinegar, and brandy, which shall be paid in ready money; and also send me news from Burgos, Salamanca, Valladolid, &c. (Signed)

DUKE OF DALMATIA. Sire-The orders that you sent me are executed. The Duke of Elchingen will arrive to-morrow at his destination.

I have the intention of besieging Ciudad Rodrigo. If your majesty sends me five corps complete, and if the Duke of Elchingen comes this way, I will attack Marshal Beresford's army, which is now between Almeida and Ciudad Rodrigo, and by news now received, between

* and Gette, and composed of 8000 English, the same number of Portuguese, and 4000 Spaniards; but if this is to be executed, it must be done with the greatest expedition; because, otherwise, the effect of the victories of Talavera and Arzobispo will be lost.

It is probable Venegas has already passed the Sierra Morena; and, in this case, the 2d rps may fall upon Cuesta, keep the Tagus, and open the communication with this corps.

Wilson's corps is cut off. It is between Villa Neuva and Candelario; and, if a column from Avila of 1500 or 1000 men, should come down, it would be compelled to surrender.

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ing is a copy, was this day received. at the office of Viscount Castlereagh, one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state, from Lieutenant-general the Earl of Chatham, K. G. dated Head Quarters, Middleburgh, Aug. 16, 1809.

Head Quarters, Middleburgh,
Aug. 16.

My Lord-I have the honour of acquainting your lordship, that ou the 13th instant, the batteries before Flushing being completed (and the frigates, bombs, and gun-vessels, having at the same time taken their stations), a fire was opened at' about half past one p. m. from fifty-two pieces of heavy ordnance, which was vigorously returned by the enemy. An additional battery of six twenty-four pounders was completed the same night, and the whole continued to play upon the town with little or no intermission til late on the following day.

derable time beyond it having elapsed without any answer being received, hostilities were ordered to recommence with the utmost vigour, and about eleven o'clock at night, one of the enemy's batteries, advanced upon the Sea Dyke in front of Lieutenant-general Fraser's -position, was most gallantly carried at the point of the bayonet, by detachments from the 36th, 71st, and light battalions of the king's German legion, under Lieutenant colonel Pack, opposed to great superiority of numbers; they took forty prisoners, and killed and wounded a great many of the enemy.

On the morning of the 14th instant, about ten o'clock, the line of battle ships at anchor in the Durloo Passage, led by Rear-admiral Sir Richard Strachan, got under weigh, and ranging up along the sea line of defence, kept up as they passed, a tremendous cannonade on the town for several hours, with the greatest gallantry and effect. About four in the afternoon, perceiving that the fire of the enemy had entirely ceased, and the town presenting a most awful scene of destruction, being on fire in almost every quarter, I directed Lieutenant-general Sir Eyre Coote to send in to summons the place; General Monnet returned for answer, that he would reply to the summons as soon as he had consulted a council of war: an hour had been allowed him for the purpose, but a consi

I must not omit to mention, that on the preceding evening an intrenchment in front of Major-general Graham's position was also forced in a manner equally undaunt ed, by the 14th regiment, and detachments of the king's German legion, under Lieutenant-colonel Nicolls, who drove the enemy from it, and made a lodgment within musket-shot of the walls of the town, taking one gun and thirty prisoners. About two in the morning, the enemy demanded a suspension of arms for forty-eight hours, which was refused, and ouly two hours granted, when he agreed to surrender according to the summons sent in, on the basis of the garrison be coming prisoners of war.

I have now the satisfaction of acquainting your lordship, that these preliminaries being acceded to; as soon as the admiral landed in the morning, Colonel Long, adjutant general, and Captain Cockburn, of the royal navy, were appointed to negociate the further articles of capitulation, which I have now the honour to enclose. They were ras

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