218
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1813.
the 8th Dec. last, of the district of Oyapok, and on the 15th of the same month, with the Confiance and a Portuguese sloop and cutter, reduced that of Approaque, Captain Yeo, proceeded to the attack of the island of Cayenne, with the Confiance, two Portuguese sloops, and some smaller vessels, having on board 550 Portuguese troops. The following is a copy of Captain Yeo’s letter on this subject:–
“H.M.S. Confiance, Cayenne harbour, 15th Jan. 1809.
“Sir– My last letters to you of the 26th ult. informed you of the arrival of the Portuguese troops at Approaque. On the 4th inst. it was determined by Lieutenant-colonel M. Marques and myself, to make a descent on the east side of the island of Cayenne. Accordingly, all the troops were embarked on board the small vessels, amounting to 550, likewise 80 seamen and marines from the Confiance, and a party of marines from the Voador and Infante, brigs. On the morning of the 6th, all dropt into the mouth of the river. In the evening I proceeded, with 10 canoes and about 250 men, to endeavour to gain possession of two batteries; the one fort Diamant, which command the entrance of the river Mahuree, the other Grand Cane, commanding the great road to the town of Cayenne. The vessels, with the remainder of the troops, I entrusted to Captain Sulgado, of the Voador, with orders to follow me after dusk, to anchor in the mouth of the river Mahuree, and wait until I gained the before-mentioned batteries; when, on my making the signal agreed on, he was to enter the river, and disembark with all possible despatch. I reached Point Mahuree at 3 o’clock next morning, with 5 canoes; the others, being heavy, could not keep up. We then landed in a bay half-way between the two batteries. The surge was so great, that our boats soon went to pieces. I ordered Major Joaquim Manoel Pinto, with a detachment of Portuguese troops, to the left, and to take Grand Cane; while I, accompanied by Lieutenants Mulcaster, Blyth, and Read; Messrs. Thomas Savory (purser), William Taylor (carpenter), George Forder, and David Irwin (midshipmen), proceeded to the right, with a party of the Confiance’s crew, to take fort Diamant, which was soon in our possession! mounting two 24-pounders and one brass 9, with 50 men. I am sorry to add, that Lieutenant John Read, R.M. a meritorious young officer, was mortally wounded, as also 1 seaman and 5 marines badly. the French commandant, with 3 soldiers, killed, and 4 wounded. Major Pinto had the same success; the fort mounting two brass 9-pounders and having 40 men: 2 of the enemy were killed. The entrance of the river being in our possession, the signal agreed on was made, and by noon all were disembarked. At the same time I received information of General Victor Hugues having quitted Cayenne, at the head of 1000 troops, to dispossess us of our posts. Our force being too small to be divided, and the distance between the two posts being great, and only 12 miles from Cayenne, it was determined to dismantle fort Diamant, and collect all our forces at Grand Cane. I therefore left my first lieutenant, Mr. Mulcaster, with a party of the Confiance’s, to perform that service, and then join me. On arriving at Grand Cane, I