"I have the honor to enclose to your Lordship, a copy of a despatch from Brigadier-General Prevost, dated Dominica, 1st of March, 1805. The details contained therein are so highly reputable to the Brigadier-General, and the small portion of troops employed against so numerous an enemy, that I have great satisfaction in recommending that their gallant exertions may be laid before His Majesty.
"The zeal and talent manifested by the brigadier-general upon this occasion, it is my duty to present for the royal consideration, and at the same time I beg to be permitted to express the high sense I entertain of the distinguished bravery of His Majesty's troops, and the militia of the colony, employed on that service.
"The vigorous resistance which the enemy have experienced, and the loss which they have sustained in this attack, must evince to them, that however inferior our numbers were on this occasion, British troops are not to be hostilely approached with impunity; and had not the town of Roseau been accidentally destroyed by fire, we should have little to regret, and much to exult in.
"Your Lordship will perceive by the returns, that our loss in men, compared to that of the enemy, is but trifling; but I have sincerely to lament that of Major Nunn, of the First West India regiment, whose wound is reported to be of a dangerous kind; he is an excellent man, and a meritorious officer.
"I have, &c.,
(Signed) "W. Myers.
"Lieut.-General."
"Head Quarters, Prince Rupert's,
Dominica, March 1st, 1805.
"Sir,
"About an hour before the dawn of day on the 22nd ultimo, an alarm was fired from Scots Head, and soon after a cluster of ships was discovered off Roseau. As our light increased, I made out five large ships, three frigates, two brigs, and small craft under British colours, a ship of three decks carrying a flag at the mizen. The frigates ranging too close to Fort Young, I ordered them to be fired on, and soon after nineteen large barges, full of troops, appeared coming from the lee of the other ships, attended and protected by an armed schooner, full of men, and seven other boats carrying carronades. The English flag was lowered, and that of the French hoisted.
"A landing was immediately attempted on my left flank, between the town of Roseau and the post of Cachecrow. The light infantry of the First West India regiment were the first on the march to support Captain Smart's company of militia, which, throughout the day, behaved with great gallantry; it was immediately supported by the grenadiers of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment. The first boats were beat off, but the schooner and one of the brigs coming close on shore, to cover the landing, compelled our troops to occupy a better position, a defile leading to the town. At this moment I brought up the grenadiers of the St. George's regiment of militia, and soon after the remainder of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment, and gave over to Major Nunn these brave troops, with orders not to yield to the enemy one inch of ground. Two field-pieces (an amuzette and a six-pounder), were brought into action for their support, under the command of Serjeant Creed of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment, manned by additional gunners and sailors. These guns, and a twenty-four pounder from Melville battery, shook the French advancing column by the execution they did.
"I sent two companies of St. George's militia, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Constable, and a company of the FORTY-SIXTH, to prevent the enemy from getting into the rear of the position occupied by Major Nunn.