for the attack, which took place just after the setting of the moon, on the morning of the 29th.
We should here state, that the boats had to row for about six hours before they arrived in the vicinity of the enemy’s vessels. At 4 a.m. they dashed on; and, after a few minutes of desperate fighting, their gallant leader, with 19 men, boarded and carried a schooner of two guns and 39 men. In the meanwhile, Lieutenant Lawrence, Mr. Daly, purser, and the remainder of the party, landed and spiked three 24-pounders in the batteries. Having accomplished this, they boarded a brig; but, before either of the prizes could be removed, the shore was lined with musketry, and three field-pieces brought to bear upon them. In their way out, they unfortunately grounded, and thus became fixed objects for the enemy’s fire. Finding it impossible to get them afloat, and day-light appearing, Captain Coombe was in the act of abandoning them, when a 24-pound shot struck him on the left side, and he almost instantly expired, exclaiming, when asked by Lieutenant Lawrence if he had any commands, “No, I have nothing to say to any one in the world; I die contented; I die for my country!” The boats did not get out of the range of shot until nearly 6 o’clock.
On this occasion, Lieutenant Lawrence was wounded by a musket-ball, just above the wrist. Having distinguished himself in various other boat attacks, he was promoted to the rank of commander, as soon as he had served the time necessary to render him eligible; his commission consequently bears date May 19, 1810.
This officer’s next appointment was. May 28, 1814, to the Alceste 38, armed en flûte, which ship he commanded in the expedition against New Orleans, where he received the thanks of Sir Alexander Cochrane for his active and zealous services. He was advanced to post rank (on paying off the Weser troopship, in which he had served at the Leeward Islands), Sept. 2, 1816.
Captain Lawrence has two brothers in the royal marine-artillery, both of whom served with great credit in that corps, during the late war between Great Britain and America.
Agent.– J. Woodhead, Esq.
