the covering party entrusted to his charge; and to Lieutenants Brown and Decker, of that regiment, attached to the marines. With such examples our brave fellows swept the ramparts like a whirlwind; and, in addition to the providential circumstance of the service being performed with scarcely a hurt or wound, I have the satisfaction of reporting that there was no instance of irregularity arising from success[1].
“The day now beaming on the British flag, discovered to us the fort of Nassau, and the sea defences at our feet, and the enemy at their guns at the different posts. I dispatched Captain Kenah with a flag of truce to the Governor, requiring the immediate surrender of Nassau, and with a promise of protection for private property. At sun-rise the Dutch flag was hoisted in Nassau, and the sea-batteries opened a fire on the Caroline (followed by the Piedmontaise and Baracouta, then approaching the harbour[2]). Having selected a detachment to secure Belgica, the remainder, with their scaling ladders, were ordered for the immediate storm of Nassau; but Captain Kenah had returned with the verbal submission of the Governor, and I was induced to send a second flag, stating my determination to storm Nassau that instant, and to lay the town in ashes, if the colours were not immediately struck. This threat, and a well-placed shot from Belgica into one of
- ↑ The ladders being found too short for the escalade of the inner walls, a rush was made for the gateway, which had at that instant been opened by the guard to admit the Colonel-Commandant, and three other officers, who lived in houses at the foot of the hill. The Colonel refused to receive quarter, and fell in the gateway, sword in hand, and covered with honorable wounds; several of the guard were also slain, and many of the panic-struck garrison threw themselves over the walls, but the greater part escaped. Four officers surrendered their swords to Captain Cole immediately under the flag-staff; forty artillery-men were disarmed on the same spot, and the British colours were immediately hoisted with three hearty cheers. At break of day the assailants found themselves in complete possession of the citadel, with 52 pieces of heavy cannon mounted on its walls; but neither the ships nor the remainder of the landing party were to be seen, the violence of the weather during the night having prevented their approach.
- ↑ The Caroline did not return a shot; but her first Lieutenant led into the harbour, and anchored abreast of Fort Nassau, uncertain of the fate of his Captain until the guns of Belgica silenced the fire of the battery.
