Earl of Chatham, dated Middleburgh, 2d. and 3d. of August, 1809. Middlevargh, August 2. MY LORD, I have the honour of acquainting your lordship, that having sailed from the Downs early in the morning of the 28th. ult. with Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Strachan, in his Majesty's ship Venerable, we arrived the same evening and anchored in East Capelle Roads, and were joined on the following morning, by the division of the army under Lieut.-Gen. Sir John Hope. It blew in the course of that day a fresh gale from the westward, which created a heavy swell, and the small craft being much exposed, it was determined to seek shelter for them in the anchorage of the Room Pot, where Lieut.-Gen. Sir John Hope's division was also directed to proceed, in order to possess such points as might be necessary to secure the anchorage; as well as with a view to future operations up the East Scheldt. The left wing of the army, under Lieut.Gen. Sir Eyre Coote, particularly destined for the operation against Walcheren, arrived on the 29th. and morning of the 30th. but the wind continuing to blow fresh from the Westward, and occasioning a great surf on the beach, both on the side of Zoutland, as well as near Domburg, it became expedient, in order to effect a landing, to carry the whole fleet through the narrow and difficult passage into the Vere Gat, hitherto considered impracticable for large ships; which being successfully accomplished, and the necessary preparations for debarkation being completed, I have the satisfaction of acquainting your lordship, that the troops landed on the Bree Sand, about a mile to the Westward of Fort der Haak, without opposition, when a position was taken up for the night on the sand-hills, with East Capelle in front. Lieut.-Gen. Fraser was detached immediately to the left, against Fort der Haak and Ter Vere; the former of which, on his approach, was evacuated by the enemy; but the town of Vere, which was strong in its defences, and had a garrison of about 600 men, held out till yesterday morning, notwithstanding the heavy and well-directed fire of the bomb-vessels and gun-boats during the preceding day, and until the place was closely invested. Early on the morning of the 31st, a deputation from Middleburgh, from whence the garrison had been withdrawn into Flushing, having arrived in camp, terms of capitulation were agreed upon, copies of which I have the honour herewith to inclose, as well as that of the garrison of Ter Vere; and the divisions of the army, under the orders of Lieut. Gen. Lord Paget and Major-Gen. Graham, moved forward, and took up a position with the right to Maliskirke, the centre at Gryperskirke, and left to St.Laurens. On the morning of the 1st inst. the troops advanced to the investment of Flushing, which operation was warmly contested by the enemy. In this movement he was driven by Major-General Graham's division on the right, from the batteries of the Dykeshook, the Vygeter, and the Nole, while Brig.-Gen. Honston's brigade forced the enemy posted on the road from Middleburgh to retire, with the loss of four guns, and many killed and wounded. Lieut.-Gen. Lord Paget's division also drove the posts of the enemy, and took up his position at West Zouberg. Nothing could exceed the gallantry of the troops throughout the whole of this day, and my warmest praise is due to the several general officers for their judicious disposition in the advance of their respective columns. To Lieut.Gen. Sir Eyre Coote I feel much ipdebted for his exertions in this service, and the prompt and able manner in which he has executed my orders. The light troops under Brig. Gen. Baron Rottenburgh have been admirably conducted; and with the officers commanding the several corps engaged, I have every reason to be most perfectly satisfied. The 3d battalion of the royals and flank companies of the 5th regiment, maintained the right under difficult cir cumstances, with great gallantry, and killed and wounded a great many of the enemy. Ter Vere being in our possession, Lieut.-Gen Fraser's division marched in the evening upon Ruttern, detaching a corps for the reduction of Ramakins, which, when effected, will complete the investment of Flushing. I have to regret the temporary absence of Brig.-Gen. Browne, who was wounded late in the day, but I trust not to be long deprived of his services. I have the honour to inclose a return of the killed, wounded, and missing. Deeply as the fall of every British soldier is at all times to be lamented, the loss will not appear to have been great, when the serious impediments it was in the power of the enemy to oppose to our progress are considered, as well as the formidable state of the batteries of Flushing, to which the troops were necessarily exposed. The pressure of circumstances has prevented the commanding officer of artillery from furnishing a detailed account of the guns and ordnance stores taken in the several batteries, and fortress of Ter Vere, but which will be hereafter transmitted, with a return of the prisoners taken since our landing, supposed to amount to 1000. Commodore Owen's squadron,with Lieut.-Gen. the Marquis of Huntley's division, remains at anchor in the Wreling passage, and the divisions of Lieut.-Gen. the Earl of Rosslyn, and Lieut.-Gen. Grosvenor, are arrived in the anchorage in the Vere Gat. I cannot conclude without expressing, in the strongest terms, my admiration of the distinguished ability with which the fleet was conducted through the passage into the Vere Gat, nor can the advantages resulting from the success of this operation be too highly estimated, as by it we were not only enabled to effect a disembarkation, which, in the then state of the wind, was impracticable in any other quarter, but also that the enemy, probably relying on the difficulty of the navigation, was less prepared for resistance. I must also warmly acknowledge the great assistance the service has derived from the zealous exertions of the officers of the navy, and of the seamen employed in drawing a considerable proportion of the artillery through a heavy sand, and without whose aid the advance of the army must necessarily have been suspended, the strength of the tide rendering the landing of the horses for a time extremely difficult. I have the honour to be, &c. CHATHAM. P. S. Since writing the above letter, I have received intelligence from Lieut.Gen. Sir J. Hope, that the reserve of the ariny had effected their landing on South Beveland, and that a detachment had occupied the town of Goes. CHATHAM. [Then follow the articles of capitulation at Middleburgh, agreed to by Sir Eyre Coote, of which the following is the substance: Security given to all who shall con→ › duct themselves peaceably, and all pri VOL. VI. vate property to be respected the arms to be given up to the British-the troops to be quartered in the barracks, if circumstances will admit, or to be as little burdensome to the inhabitants as possible-the sick to be taken care of by their own medical people, but to be considered as prisoners of war. The articles of capitulation at Vere and at Ramakins were similar to the above. The return of our loss in the island of Walcheren, from the time of their landing on the 30th of July to the 1st of August inclusive-1 officer, 2 serjeants, 2 drummers, 41 rank and file killed13 officers, 15 serjeants, 1 drummer, 184 rank and file wounded-34 rank and file missing. The total of prisoners'taken-artillery, infantry, and Marines is 519. Middleburgh, August 3, 1809. MY LORD-Since my letter of yesterday's date, I have received intelligence from Lieut.-Gen. Sir John Hope, of his having occupied Bathz, and taken pos session of the whole island of South Beveland. I have also the the satisfaction to acquaint your lordship, that upon the batteries being prepared to open, the fortress of Ramakins surrendered this evening, and I have the honour to inclose the articles of capitulation. I have the honour to be, &c. CHATHAM, Admiralty-Office, August 7. Lieutenant James Duncan, commanding his Majesty's hired cutter, the Idus, arrived yesterday evening at this Office, with dispatches from Sir R. J. Strachan, Bart. and K. B. Rear-Admiral of the White, &c. addressed to the Hon. Wm. Wellesley Pole, of which the following are copies : Venerable, off the Vere Gat, Aug. 4. SIR, You have been already ac quainted that I had hoisted my flag in the Amethyst, and that it was my intention to have preceded the expedition, in company with the Venerable, on board which ship Lord Chatham had embarked; but, finding that the public service might suffer from the commanders in chief being separated, I therefore shifted to the Venerable, and sailed from the Downs at day-light, on the 28th ult. I have now to acquaint you, for their lordships' information, of my arrival, on the evening of that day, in the Stone Deeps, with the Amethyst and several smaller vessels, where I was joined by the Fisgard, Captain Bolton, who had with great judgment placed vessels on the various shoals off this coast. After dark, Lieutenant Groves, of this ship, with some skilful pilots, in Deal boats, were dispatched to sound the Roompot Channel, and to station vessels at its entrance. Early next morning, the 29th, the division of Lieut.-Gen. Sir J. Hope, conducted by Captain Bathurst, in the Salsette, joined me, as did also RearAdmiral Sir Richard Keats, in the Superb. This zealous officer had the command of the blockading squadron, off the entrance of the Scheldt, but observing the armament pass, he, with his usual promptitude, left that squadron under the orders of Lord Gardner, and resumed the charge of Sir John Hope's division; I therefore directed the rearadmiral to shift his flag to the Salsette, and to proceed to the Roompot. The entrance to that channel is very narrow, and, as I was aware of Sir Home Popham's local knowledge of the insular navigation before me, I entrusted to that officer the service of leading Sir Richard Keats', division in, and which he did with great skill, in the Sabrina, Captain Kittoe; the whole were anchored in safety, opposite Zeerickzee, situated between the islands of Schowen and North Beveland. That afternoon Rear-Admiral Otway, with the left wing of the army, under Sir Eyre Coote, joined me in the Stone Deeps, but it blew up too fresh to have any communication. On the morning of the 30th, Sir Home Popham returned with a letter from Sir Richard Keats, acquainting me that the division under his charge were all safely anchored; and I was likewise informed that there was sufficient space in the Roompot to contain all the ships, to which anchorage Sir Home Pophain undertook to conduct them; and as it blew fresh, with all the appearance of an approaching gale, the squadron was instantly got under sail, and led in by the Venerable, when they all came-to in safety off the Vere Gat. As soon as the ships were secured, measures were instantly taken to prepare to land the army on the island of Walcheren. I did not wait for the gun-boats coming up, but ordered those who happened to be near the Venerable, together with the mortar brigs, to push in-shore to eover the landing, and to force the Der haak battery. At half past four the boats put off under the direction of Lord Amelius Beauclerc, of the Royal Oak, and Captain Cockburn, of the Belleisle, and the troops were landed in excellent order, without opposition; the firing from the mortar and gun-vessels having driven the enemy completely from the Derhaak battery. Having thus accomplished this first object, I lost no time in directing the bombs and gun-vessels to proceed up the Vere Gat, off Camvere, and having given Sir Home Popham, who, at the request of Lord Chatham, had remained on shore with his lordship, permission to employ them as the service might require, he the next morning began to cannonade Camvere, which had been summoned but held out. The fire of the gun-boats was exceedingly well directed, and did much dainage to the town. The officers and crews engaged in that service had a great claim to my admiration for their conduct. Three of our gun-boats were sunk. In the afternoon it blew fresh, and, as the strength of the tide prevented the bombs from act ing, I directed the flotilla to fall back, preserving a menacing posture. At night, Captain Richardson, of the Cæsar, who was in the dyke on shore, threw some rockets at the nearest battery of Camvere, and soon after the commanding officer of the town sent out an offer to surrender. The army under Sir John Hope, landed at South Beveland, on the first of this month, and, by a letter from Sir R. Keats, of yesterday's date, I find the whole of the island is in our possession; the enemy's ships are all above Lillo, and those most advanced, as high up as Antwerp. We are getting our flotilla through the Slough into the Western Scheldt, to prevent succours being thrown into Flushing by the canal of Ghent. When the Ramakins battery is taken, we hope to pass the lighter vessels to the Western Scheldt, for the purpose of following up the other objects of the expedition. I cannot conclude this letter without acknowledging the assistance I have received from Rear-Admiral Otway; and how much I approve of the arrangement he made for landing the division under Sir Eyre Coote, which was carried into effect by Lord Amelius Beauclerc, and Captain Cockburn, with much skill and activity. Sir R. Keats, in the execution of the arduous duties he has had to perform, has shewn his accustomed zeal and judgment. The captains, officers, and crews of his Majesty's ships are indefatigable in the execution of their respective duties, and I have much pleasure in adding, that there is a most perfect co-operation and army I have, &c. of the navy. R. J. STRACHAN. P. S. I send this by Lieut. Duncan, whose cutter, the Idas, was close inshore, and covered the landing. Venerable, off the Vere Gat, Aug. 1. SIR,-It is with great satisfaction that I am enabled to inclose, for their lordships information, a copy of the capituJation of the fort of Ramakins, which surrendered to his Majesty's forces, under Lieut.-Gen. Fraser yesterday afternoon. The possession of this post is of great importance to our further operations in the West Scheldt, as it will enable me, without molestation, to advance the whole of the flotilla, together with the Camilla and Pallas, by the Slough, and which I trust will effectually prevent any succours being thrown into Flushing, either by Cadsand, or by the Ghent Channel. I have also the honour of forwarding copies of Sir Richard Keats's accounts of his proceedings in South Beveland, by which their lordships will perceive that the operations of the combined force under the rear-admiral and Sir J. Hope have been very successful, and that the important post of Bathz has been evacuated by the enemy. I came here to forward this dispatch to England, and shall leave the command of this division with Rear-Admiral Otway, and return to the flotilla, which It is my intention to hoist my flag in Sabrina, off South Beveland, Aug. 1. SIR,-I have the satisfaction to inform you, that Sir John Hope and 7000 of his division of the army were landed at South Beveland this afternoon, since which I have been informed, by message from him, that he was met on his ap proach towards Goes, by the magistrates, into which place he is at liberty to enter whenever he pleases. Three of of the enemy's ships of the line, and six brigs, are at anchor off the east end of South Beveland, the others I conclude have › moved higher up the Scheldt. Three of the four sloops I brought up with me struck in coming up. I have hoisted my flag in the Sabrina, and am not without hopes of getting the remaining parts of the division on shore, and most part of the army supplied, to morrow. I have the honour to be, &c. R. G. KEATS. Half past seven, P. M.-The substance of this letter was sent by telegraphic communication, from the Sabrina, at 5 o'clock. The six brigs are getting under sail, and moving up the Scheldt, apparently, but the ships of the line are still fast. Sabrina, off Wemeldinge, Aug, 3. Soon after I landed, I was informed, by letter from Sir John Hope, that Bathz had been evacuated in the night; and, as he informed me the communication was open between Walcheren and this island, and he had sent to Lord Chatham an account of the evacuation, I concluded you would hear it from hence, and went on to Bathz to make observations, and from which I am this moment returned. R. G. KEATS. Rear-Admiral Sir R. J. Strachan. Downing-street, Aug. 11. Dispatches, of which the following are copies, have been received at the office of Lord Castlereagh, from Lieut.-Gen. the Earl of Chatham, K. G. Middleburg, Aug. 7. MY LORD-Nothing very material has occurred since my last dispatch of the 3d instant. We have been unremittingly employed in bringing up the artillery of siege, ammunition and stores to the vicinity of Flushing, and the troops have been occupied in the construction of the batteries, and in carrying on the several works before the place, but which have been necessarily interrupted by the very heavy rains which have fallen here. The enemy is active and enterprising, and the garrison has certainly received considerable reinforcements from the opposite coast; nor has it been in the power of the flotilla hitherto to prevent it. Under these circumstances it has been found necessary to 1 land Lieut-General Grosvenor's division, and the two light battalions of the King's German legion have been also for the present brought on shore. Immediately on the fall of Ramakins, I determined, as soon as the necessary arrangements were made, to pass the infantry of Lieut.-Gen. the Earl of Rosslyn's corps, together with Lieut.-Gen. the Marquis of Huntly's division, and the light brigades of artillery, into South Beveland, to form a junction with the reserve under Lieut.Gen. Sir John Hope, and that the cavalry and ordnance ships, together with the transports for Lieut.-Gen. Grosvenor's division, the moment their service could be spared from Flushing, should be brought through the slow passage, and proceeded up the West Scheldt, but of course this latter operation cannot take place until a sufficient naval force shall have been enabled to enter the river, and to proceed in advance, but the very severe blowing weather we have constantly experienced, added to the great difficulty of the navigation, has hitherto baffled all their efforts. By letters from Lieut.-Gen. Sir John Hope, I' find that the enemy had, on the 5th inst. come down with about 28 gun-vessels, before Batz, on which place they kept up a smart cannonade for some hours, but were forced to retire by the guns from the fort, and every thing has since remained quiet in that quarter. I have the honour to enclose a statement of the casualties that have occurred in the several corps before Flushing, since the last returns of killed and wounded. I have the honour to be, &c. CHATHAM. Return of the number of killed, wounded, and missing, since last return (August 2), to August 6, inclusive. Total, 1 assistant-surgeon, 25 rank and file killed; 1 major, 6 lieutenants, 2 ensigns, 4 serjeants, 114 rank and file wounded; 4 rank and file misisng. Middelburg, August 8. MY LORD-Since closing my dispatch of yesterday's date, the enemy, towards five o'clock in the evening, in considerable force made a vigorous sortie upon the right of our line, occupied by MajorGeneral Graham's division. The attack was principally directed upon our advanced piquets, which were supported by the 3d battalion of the royals, the 5th and 35th regiments under Col. Hay. These corps, together with detachments of the royal artillery, the 95th and light battalions of the King's German legion, received the enemy with their accustomed intrepidity; and after a sharp contest of some duration, forced him to retire with very considerable loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners. In this affair the enemy has had another opportunity of witnessing the superior gallantry of British troops; in no instance has he succeeded in making the least impression throughout our line; and on this occasion, so far from profiting by his attempt,. he has been obliged to relinquish some very advantageous ground where our ad vanced posts are now established. I cannot too strongly express my sense of the unremitting vigilance and ability manifested by Major-General Graham, in securing and maintaining his post against the repeated attempts of the enemy to dislodge him; and I have great satisfaction in acquainting your lordship, that the major-general mentions, in terms of the warmest approbation, the distinguished conduct and gallantry of the officers and troops engaged on this occasion. I am now enabled to transmit, for your lordship's information, an abstract return of the ordnance, ammunition, and stores that have fallen into our hands since our arri val in this island. I have the honour to be, &c. CHATHAM. [Here follows a return of sundries, ordnance, stores, &c. taken at different places.] Return of the number of killed, wounded, and missing, in the affair of the 7th of August. Total, 1 serjeant, 13 rank and file killed; 1 captain, 4 lieuts. 3 ensigns, 7 serjeants, 126 rank and file wounded: 1 brevet major, 4 rank and file missing, Admiralty-Office, August 12. (Copy of a Letter transmitted by Lord Collingwood.) Spartan, Trieste, April 27. MY LORD-I have the honour to inform your lordship, that being with the Amphion and Mercury off the town of Pesaro, on the 23d instant, I observed a number of vessels lying in the Mole, and thought it practicable to take pos session of them, for which purpose the ships were anchored with springs upon their cables, within half a mile of the town, the boats formed into two divisions, the first consisting of launches with carronades and other boats carry |