"Lieut.-Col. Smith, Royal Marines."
Our victorious armies and fleet, which were destined for other services, were suddenly stayed by the tidings of a cessation of arms.
The feats of our squadrons and ships in the Mediterranean lost none of their wonted splendor. Sir James Saumarez's attack upon the French squadron, under the numerous batteries of Algeziras, yields to no one upon record, for boldness of design or spirit in execution. Although the event of the 6th of July was unprosperous, still the gallantry exhibited on that day was productive of the most signal consequences, and it, no doubt, had its effect upon a superior force, who, panic struck, felt the retaliating vengeance of Sir James and his little detachment, on the 12th. In the first action 375 Seamen and Marines were killed, wounded, and missing; amongst the former detail was 1st Lieutenant J. D. Williams, on board the Hannibal, who behaved with true British courage, and with the latter were numbered Lieutenants George Dunford and J. W. Day, of Marines.
Sir James Saumarez, after speaking of the bravery of the men under his command, says, "that Captain Maxwell and the Officers of my corps on board the Cesar, were entitled to much praise." Captain Keates of the Superbe, whose personal intrepidity and zeal were highly instrumental in gaining the victory of the 12th of July, by capturing the St. Antonio, thus acknowledges the merits of his crew to the Commander in Chief: "It is my duty to represent to you, that the Officers of all descriptions, Seamen, and Marines, conducted themselves with the greatest steadiness and gallantry."
The bravery of Captain Hood, his Officers, Seamen, and Marines was also highly conspicuous. A branch of my corps was again included in the legislative thanks of a grateful Country, and Sir James Saumarez, whose name is superior to panegyric, deservedly was crowned with honorary, as well as pecuniary marks of his Sovereign's favor.
The action of the Phœbe, Captain Barlow, with L'Africaine French frigate was marked by an immense carnage, and afforded an evident display of superior discipline in the Sailors and Marines under his orders. That Officer was deservedly knighted after her capture.
Lord Cochrane in the Speedy, who was nobly supported by all his followers, gave early hopes of what may yet be expected from him by his Country, by boarding and carrying the frigate Gamo of 32 guns and 319 men, while his own force was only 14 guns and 54 men.
Lieutenant Wilson, of Marines, with his party from the Mercury, was noticed by Captain Rogers, for their courage and good conduct, first in boarding a French Pirate amongst the rocks in the Tremite Islands, and afterwards driving her renegado crew from the hills which they occupied, with a four pounder gun and musquetry. Lieutenant Wilson covered Lieutenant Mather and the Seamen while heaving the vessel off the rocks, and then re-embarked with some prisoners.
Those Officers had been highly distinguished upon a former occasion in bringing his Majesty's late sloop, the Bull Dog, from the port of Ancona under a heavy fire of cannon and musquetry from the Mole, but they were obliged to abandon her to the enemy from an insetting current, and a calm, after all their gallant efforts. This ship was reserved for a future but more successful attempt by the Seamen and Marines of the Champion, who bravely assaulted her, and brought her out from under the guns of Gallipoli, guided by the daring zeal of Lord William Stuart.