against the republican armies[1], to whose fire he was constantly exposed for a period of three weeks.
Previous to the final evacuation of Toulon, Lieutenant Bullen was promoted to the rank of Commander; and la Mulette of 20 guns, the ship intended for him, being absent, he received an order to act as Captain of the Proselyte frigate, in which he narrowly escaped being captured, in consequence of his having voluntarily remained after every other ship had left the harbour, and thereby rescued 300 Spanish and Neapolitan troops, who had been deserted by their countrymen, and but for his humanity would inevitably have been taken prisoners, if not massacred by the ferocious enemy.
Captain Bullen subsequently obtained permission from Lord Hood to serve as a volunteer with his friend Captain Serecold, who, after the retreat from Toulon, had superseded him in the command of the Proselyte; out of which ship they were both burnt by the hot shot from the French batteries, during the siege of Bastia. Our officer afterwards commanded an advanced battery, and continued on shore until the surrender of that place. We find his name mentioned in the highest terms by Nelson, when writing an official account of the operations of the siege to Lord Hood[2].
On his return to England, Captain Bullen embarked as a volunteer with his friend the present Sir T. Byam Martin, in the Santa Margaritta; and he appears to have been on board that ship, when she captured the Tamise, French frigate[3]. His last service afloat was as acting Captain of the Alexander 74, stationed off Brest. He obtained post rank Nov. 24, 1796; and on the renewal of the war was appointed to the command of the Lynn Regis district of Sea Fencibles. His superannuation took place Aug. 28th, 1819.
On reference to the memoranda in our possession, we observe that Rear-Admiral Bullen has been sixty-nine times engaged with the enemies of his country, in ships, boats, and batteries; and that he has repeatedly received the thanks of his superior officers. He married, in 1801, Margaret Ann, only daughter of the late W. Seafe, Esq. of the Leazes, co. Durham, Barrister at Law.
Residence.– Bath.
- ↑ See Vol. I, pp. 46 and 294.
- ↑ See Vol I, p. 251.
- ↑ See Vol. I, p. 492.
