"Culloden, Naples Bay, 29th July 1799.
"MY LORD,
"Agreeable to your lordship's orders, I marched on the 20th inst. with the English and Portuguese troops from Naples, and arrived at Caserta the following morning. After resting the people, we marched and encamped near Capua. The Swiss, under Colonel Tschudy, the cavalry under General Acton, and the different corps of infantry under General Boucard and Colonel Gams, took up their appointed situations: the former, to the left of the camp; and the latter, to the right of the river.
"On the 22d, a bridge of pontoons was thrown over the river, to establish a communication. Batteries of guns and mortars were instantly began, within five hundred yards of the enemy's works: and, on the 25th, the gun-battery of four twenty-four pounders, another with two howitzers, and two mortar-batteries, were opened, and kept up a constant and heavy fire; which was returned, by the enemy, from eleven pieces of cannon. On the 26th, trenches were opened, and new batteries began, within a few yards of the glacis.
"The enemy, on finding our approach so rapid, sent out terms, which I rejected in toto; and offered, in return, the inclosed terms of capitulation, which the French general agreed to, and signed the following morning at six o'clock. The French garrison marched out this morning, at three; and, grounding their arms, proceeded to Naples, under the escort of four hundred English marines, and two squadrons of General Acton's cavalry.
"In performing this service, I feel much indebted to Captains Hallowell and Oswald; to whose abilities and exertions, I attribute the reduction of the place in so short a time; as they staid night and day in the field, to forward the erecting of the batteries. I also beg leave to recommend Lieutenant-Colonel Strickland and Major Cresswell, the officers and marines, for their constant and unremitted attention; as well as the officers and men of her most faithful majesty, the Queen of Portugal. The Russian forces, under Captain Builie, rendered every assistance. Generals Acton and De Boucard, and Colonel Gams, merit much for their zeal in chearfully performing all the different services that arose. Colonel Tschudy's zeal merits great attention, for his constant readiness to send working parties to the batteries, as well as pushing his men forward on all occasions.
"To M. Monfrere, a volunteer gentleman from the Seahorse, whom I had the honour to recommend to your lordship's notice at St. Elmo, I feel indebted for his great ability and assistance as an engineer, which forwarded our operations much.
"Lieutenants Lowcay and Davis, who served as aides-du-camp to me, have also great merit; as well as Mr. Greig, an officer in the Russian service, serving in his majesty's ship under my command, whom I beg your lordship to recommend to the court of Petersburgh as a promising officer. Count di Lucci, chief of the etat-major, was unremitting in his attention. I have the honour to inclose your lordship a return of the ordnance, stores, and provisions, found in Capua, as well as a return of the garrison, not including Jacobins, which were serving with the French.
"I have the honour to be, &c.
"T. Troubridge."