Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp3.djvu/18

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POST-CAPTAINS OF 1812.
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confidence of Commodore Columbine, whose exertions and ability contributed so effectually to our success[1]. I beg to bear testimony to the indefatigable and zealous exertions of Captain Tetley, Lieutenant Bones, and the other officers of the royal navy and marines * * * * *.”

(Signed)Chas. W. Maxwell, Major, Royal African Corps.”

The ordnance found mounted in the garrison of Senegal consisted of 28 long 24-pounders, 4 brass mortars and howitzers, 2 field-pieces, and 14 guns of small calibre. The only loss sustained by the English on this service, was that of Captain Frederick Parker, of the Derwent, Mr. Francis Atterbury Sealy, midshipman of that sloop, and 6 seamen, drowned in attempting to cross the bar; 1 military officer, who died in consequence of the intense heat, when charging the enemy, in the affair of the 11th; and 1 soldier wounded. We next find Captain Tetley commanding the Guadaloupe brig, mounting fourteen 24-pounder carronades, and 2 long sixes, with a complement of 102 officers, men, and boys, on the Mediterranean station.

On the 27th June, 1811, being then off Cape de Creux, Captain Tetley discovered and chased two strange sail to leeward, which afterward proved to be the French national brig Tactique, of 16 carronades, the same calibre as her own, and 2 long 8-pounders, with at least 150 men and boys; and the xebec Guêpe, of 2 long 18-pounders, 6 light carronades, and about 70 men and boys.

At 40' P.M. the British brig received the Tactique’s starboard broadside; then passing under the latter’s stern, returned it with interest, and immediately afterwards lay her opponent close alongside to leeward. A spirited action now ensued, in which the xebec took a safe, but at the same time very effective part, by raking the Guadaloupe astern. At 1-30, the French brig made an attempt to board the British, but was repulsed with considerable slaughter. The Tactique then passed the stern of the Guadaloupe; on which the latter bore up to close, and renew the action. About this time

  1. Commodore Columbine left Sierra Leone, on his return to England, in a state of great debility, brought on by the deleterious influence of that climate on European constitutions, and died of dysentery, on board the Crocodile frigate, to the westward of the Azores, June 18, 1811.