Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp3.djvu/224

tion with the enemy, when co-operating with the Spanish regiment of Toledo, on the expedition commanded by Lord Blayney.

“The Memorialist, after an action of two hours, was sunk by the enemy, near Malaga^[1]; and though wounded, landed, and remained with the army, then engaged with the enemy, until obliged to repair on board the commodore’s vessel: the commodore, at the time, having made the following complimentary communication to the Memorialist:–

“Rambler, 11 A.M.

“My dear Thomas,– Your firm and spirited example on this expedition, has given celebrity to your character, and placed your merit far above the reach of my praise; be assured I will strongly recommend your gallant conduct to the commander-in-chief. Very sincerely yours,

“‘Robt. Hall.’”

“The commodore ordered the Memorialist the temporary command, and the Memorialist remained on deck, in action with the enemy, until the fulfilment of the commodore’s orders.

“The Memorialist received thanks from the commander-in-chief for his conduct on that expedition.

“The Memorialist, after his vessel was sunk, and himself wounded, instead of returning to England, which his health and private affairs required, rather chose to remain in Spain, and volunteered immediately repairing to Cadiz, to solicit a command in defence of that city, which was then closely invested and besieged by the French; and the Memorialist, immediately on his arrival, was appointed to the British flotilla; and conducted a successful attack against the enemy in the Cano de Trocadero, the night he took the command (of his division).”

The principal actions in which the flotilla was engaged, from this period until the battle of Barosa^{[errata 1]}, have been noticed at pp. 323–326 of Suppl. Part II.

“The Memorialist was strongly recommended to the commander-in-chief, for his services while co-operating with the army under Lord Lynedoch. When proceeding with an expedition to co-operate with the combined armies, the Memorialist was particularly thanked for his circumspection and foresight, in altering the course of the British flotilla, when following the commodore into inevitable destruction! The unskilful pilot of the leading vessel having run the commodore upon the rocks of Sainti Petri; and the Memorialist took the responsibility entirely upon himself of conducting the squadrons through a most difficult navigation, in a heavy gale of wind, without a pilot; and fortunately succeeded in anchoring them at their appointed rendezvous, in time for co-operation with the combined armies: and the Memorialist afterwards returned to afford assistance to

1. See Lord Blayney’s official letter, at p. 199.

---

Errata:

1. Correction: Barosa should be amended to Barrosa