POST-CAPTAINS OF 1813.
219
perceived two other batteries about a mile up the river on opposite sides, and within half-gun shot of each other: the one on the right bank called Treo, on an eminence commanding the creek leading to Cayenne; the other, at the opposite side, at the entrance of the creek leading to the house and plantation of General Victor Hugues, and evidently erected for no other purpose than its defence. At three o’clock I anchored the __on and Vinganza cutters abreast of them, when a smart action commenced on both sides for an hour; when finding the enemy’s metal and position so superior to ours, the cutters having only 4-pounders, and many of our men falling from the incessant shower of grape-shot, I determined to storm them, and therefore directed Mr. Savory to accompany a party of Portuguese to land at General Hugues’ battery: at the same time proceeding myself, accompanied by Lieutenant Blyth, my gig’s crew, and a party of Portuguese troops, to that of Treo; and though both parties had to land at the very muzzle of the guns keeping up a continual fire of grape and musketry, the cool bravery of the men soon carried them, and put the enemy to flight: each fort mounted two brass 9-pounders and had fifty men. This service was scarcely accomplished, before the French troops from Cayenne attacked the Colonel at Grand Cane. Our force then much dispersed, I therefore, without waiting an instant, ordered every body to the boats, and proceeded to the aid of the colonel, who, with his small force, had withstood the enemy; and after a smart action of three hours, they retreated to Cayenne. At the same time, 250 of the enemy appeared before fort Diamant; but perceiving Lieutenant Mulcaster prepared to receive them, and imagining his force much greater than it was, they, on hearing the defeat of their general, followed his example. There was yet the strongest post of the enemy to be taken, which was the private house of General Victor Hugues: he had, besides the fort above-mentioned, planted before his house a field-piece and a swivel, with 100 of his best troops. It is situated on the main, between 2 and 3 miles in the interior, at the end of an avenue the same length from the river; on the right hand of which is a thick wood, and on the left the creek Fouille. I have also to remark, that there is nothing near appertaining to government, or for the defence of the colony. On the morning of the 8th I proceeded, accompanied by Lieutenant Mulcaster, Messrs. Savory and Forder, with some seamen and marines of the Confiance, and a party of Portuguese troops, with a field piece, to take the said post; but as my only object was to take the troops prisoners, by which the garrison of Cayenne would be much weakened, I despatched Lieutenant Mulcaster in my gig, with a flag of truce, to acquaint the officer commanding, that my only object was to take the post, for which I had force sufficient; and though I might lose some men in taking it, there could be no doubt as to the result: I therefore requested, for the sake of humanity, he would not attempt to defend a place not tenable; but that I was determined, if he made a useless resistance in defending a private habitation, against which I gave him my honor no harm was intended, I should consider it as a fortress, and would level it to
