under his command: the enemy had received signal proofs of their perseverance and courage in the two preceding attacks. We could see troops approaching in every direction, and we received intelligence, that besides the artillery they had received, from Santona, before our arrival, they had also several guns embarked at Portugalette. I therefore took every precaution to prevent their conveyance by sea; sending at one time the Sparrow off that port, and at another the Royalist; and keeping a strict guard of boats by night.
“On the 10th, the enemy commenced throwing shells, with great effect, from a battery they had constructed to the S.E. of the town: they were likewise busily employed in erecting two other batteries, one to the southward of the town, and the other to flank our works on the island. They also sent a strong body of men behind the rocks to annoy our people with musketry, but they were soon dislodged by the fire of a 4-pounder on the island, and two companies of Spanish troops. A battery for another 24-pounder was begun by Captain Tayler, on the island, flanking the enemy’s principal work, and the gun mounted and ready for firing at day-light on the 11th. The enemy, at the same moment, opened a very heavy fire from their S.W. battery, with such effect, that, notwithstanding the brisk manner in which it was returned from our 18-pounder carronade mounted on the castle, the troops on the walls, and our battery on the island, they had made a breach large enough to admit 20 men abreast before noon. The enemy were now advancing towards the town in immense numbers; and as our position on the island was not tenable in the event of their storming, I directed Captain Tayler, who had undertaken the management of it, to re-embark the guns and men, and made the necessary arrangements with the governor to embark the garrison, after having destroyed the ordnance and blown up the castle.
“The enemy having destroyed the walls, turned their guns on the town and castle, throwing shells incessantly at the bridge connecting the castle with the landing place, thereby endevouring to cut off the retreat of the garrison. About 9 P.M., at least 3000 men rushed at once into the town, from every quarter, not only by the breaches, but also by scaling. They were most gallantly resisted by the garrison, who disputed the town, house by house, until they were overwhelmed by numbers, and obliged to retreat to the castle. The boats were in readiness to receive them, and they were embarked by companies, under a tremendous fire of nmsketry, and distributed to the three brigs and Alphea schooner, except two companies, left to defend the castle until the guns, &c. were destroyed. The enemy advanced to the castle, but were successfully resisted until every gun was thrown into the sea; but they unfortunately gained the inner wall before the train for blowing up the castle was set on fire, inconsequence of which, that part of my wishes was frustrated; I have, however, the pleasure to say, that every soldier was brought off, and many of the inhabitants. The town was set on fire in many places, and must, I think, have been entirely destroyed. As soon as every thing was embarked, the squadron weighed