Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp4.djvu/226

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POST-CAPTAINS OF 1819.
211

particularly of the very great assistance he derived from Lieutenant Robertson of the artillery. Lieutenant Alexander of the Dragon, Lieutenant Lewis, of the Highflyer, and Captains Wyborn and Carter, of the royal marines.

“I have now anchored the above mentioned brigs and tenders near a farm, on the right bank of this river, where there appears to be a considerable quantity of cattle, which I intend embarking for the use of the fleet under your command, and if I meet with no resistance or impediment in so doing, I shall give the owner bills on the Victualling Office for the fair value of whatsoever is taken; but should resistance be made, I shall consider them as prize of war, which I trust will meet your approbation; and I purpose taking on board a further supply for the fleet to morrow, on similar terms, from Spesuçie Island, which lies a little below Havre de Grace, and which I have been informed is also well stocked. I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed)G. Cockburn.”

The Rear-admiral’s subsequent proceedings have been officially described in our memoirs of Captains John Lawrence, C.B. and the Hon. Henry Dilkes Byng, then commanders of the Fantome and Mohawk. By reference to p. 124, it will be seen that Lieutenant Westphal received a shot through his hand whilst leading a party in pursuit of some American troops at Havre de Grace, on the 3rd May; and that, with his remaining hand, he made prisoner, and brought in, a captain of their militia. “From a thorough conviction of his merits,” says Rear-admiral Cookburn, “he having served many years with me as first lieutenant, I always, on similar occasions, expect much from him; but this day he even outstripped those expectations, and though in considerable pain from his wound, he insisted on continuing to assist me to the last moment with his able exertions: I therefore, Sir, cannot but entertain a confident hope that his services of to day, and the wound he has received, added to what he so successfully executed at French Town, will obtain for him your favorable consideration and notice, and that of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.”

On the 11th July following, Rear-admiral Cockburn, in the Sceptre 74, Captain Charles Bayne Hodgson Ross, took up the anchorage off Ocracoke bar, with the Romulus, Fox, and Nemesis, troop-ships, the Conflict brig, and the Highflyer and Cockchafer, tenders, having on board a body of troops under Lieutenant-Colonel Napier, of the 102nd regi-