Undaunted

Posted by Brian on Saturday 17th of May 2014 22:30

1813/03/30 Landing party destroyed works near Marseilles
H.M.S. Undaunted, at Sea; March 20.
Sir. I have the honour to report to you, that, on the 18th instant, a Tartan took shelter under the battery of Carey (four or five leagues westward of Marseilles); light winds preventing the ship setting up, Lieut. Tozer offered his services with Mr. Clenuan, Master Mr. Salkeld, acting lieutenant, and Lieut. Hunt, Royal Marines, with the boats, to destroy the battery, and bring out the vessel; which I consented to, as I considered it's destruction of some consequence, from it's affording considerable protection to the trade of the coast. Lieut. Tozer, speaks in the highest terms of commendation of the officers and men employed with him, who, in a few minutes after landing, carried the battery, although the enemy were strongly posted behind palisadoes, and stood until our Marines were in the act of pushing bayonets, when the turned and suffered a severe loss. We found in the battery, four 24 pounders, a 6 pounder field gun, and one 13 inch mortar, all which were destroyed and the tartan was afterwards brought out. It affords me the greatest satisfaction to inform you, that our loss has been small which is to be attributed to the decision and boldness with which our gallant party made the attack. Thomas Usher, Captain - 2 killed 1 wounded.