“The people of the country seem very firm in the cause, and keep the neighbourhood clear of Mehemet Ali’s troops. Abundance of ammunition and stores have been found in the place, and arms have been sent in the Benbow and Powerful, for distribution to the inhabitants to the northward. Among those who surrendered themselves was the Polish Colonel Schultz, the chief engineer, who has been sent as a prisoner to Constantinople; he was wounded, and says it was quite impossible to withstand such an incessant stream of fire as was poured from our guns, which I found, on going round the ramparts with Sir Charles Smith, had torn and almost demolished many of the embrasures, and disabled the guns in such a manner, that it did appear extraordinary that the garrison should have made so good a defence; for the state of devastation was beyond description.
“When I see the effects of our fire upon so formidable a fortress, I cannot help feeling the greatest obligation to every officer and man engaged in this enterprise. The cool, steady, and beautiful[beautiful] style in which the ships and vessels, through shoals and banks, came into their positions, and the noble spirit that animated the whole, in the destructive fire opened and maintained against a very smart return from the forts and batteries, were most gratifying, and drew forth my admiration, being enabled in the steamer to observe the simultaneous attacks on both faces; but where all were animated with the same spirit, and each did his duty to my heart’s content, it cannot be possible for me to single out cases of individual merit. I may be allowed to observe, however, that in confiding to Captain Fanshawe, my flag-captain, (who had been of great service to me in the previous details and arrangements on this and former occasions during the expedition,) the charge of conducting my flagship, while it behoved me to survey and direct the whole, he most ably fulfilled his trust.
“Lieutenant Granville, my flag-lieutenant, besides the duties he had to perform in the signals, was actively employed in the boats communicating with the different ships along the line of the two divisions, as necessity required; I would, therefore, beg to recommend him to their Lordships’ notice, and I should feel gratified by any mark of approbation their Lordships may be pleased to bestow on the senior officers of each class for their gallant conduct, in common with all, on this important occasion.
“I am, &c.,
“Robert Stopford, Admiral.”
“R. More O’Ferrall, Esq., &c.”
Return of killed and wounded in the squadron under the orders of Admiral the Hon. Sir Robert Stopford, Commander-in-Chief, in the attack of the fortifications of St. Jean d’Acre, on the 3rd of November, 1840:—
Princess Charlotte—Killed, 1 seaman.
Powerful—Wounded, 1 seaman severely, 2 seamen and 1 royal marine slightly.