網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版

Colonel d'Arcey, the chief engineer, and every engineer under him, have given the most unequivocal proofs of science and indefatigable industry; the works under their direction have gone on, with fresh parties, without ceasing. General Bloomfield, and the officers and corps of royal artillery, have done great honour to themselves, and to that branch of his majesty's service, of which their fire upon the gun-boats, and the rapidity and success of the mortar practice, afford sufficient proofs: nor is the distribution of battering ordnance, and if so much ammunition at so many points in this extensive line, in so short a period, a small proof of the method and resources of that corps Lieutenant-col. Smith, with the Sed regiment under his command, held the post at the windmill on the left, which, for he greater part of the time, was the most exposed to the gun-boats and sorties of the enemy; and the unremitting attentions of that officer claim particular notice. By the naval blockade, the force opposed to us has been limited to the resources of this, and the adjacent islands, separated only by narrow ferries; and almost every wish of asistance has been anticipated, and every requisition of boats, guns, and stores, has ben most amply and effectually provided for, with the greatest dispatch, and the mos perfect cordiality; and every possible attention-has been paid, and every accommodaion given, by every officer in that service, from admiral Gambier downwards. A batalion of seamen and marines, with three divisions of carpenters, were landed on the 5th, under captain Watson, of his majesty's ship Inflexible; and had the effort been hade, which would have been resorted to in a few days, if the place bad not capituated, their services in the passage of the ditch, would have been distinguished. I send this dispatch by lieutenant Cathcart, who has become for some time my first aid-de-camp, who has seen every thing that has occurred here and at Stralsund, and will be able to give any further details that may be required. I have the honour to be, &c. CATHCART.

List of killed, wounded, and missing-Killed.-4 officers, 1 serjeant, 1 drummer, 36 rank and file, and 8 horses.-Wounded.-6 oficers, 1 serjeant, 138 rank and file, and 25 horses.-Missing.-1 serjeant, 4 drummers, and 19 rank and file.

Names of officers killed.-Lieutenant Lyons, of he royal artillery; ensign Robert Dixon, of the 82d foot; lieutenant Rudoff, of the 1st regiment light dragoons, king's German legion; ensign Jennings, of the 23d foot, or royal Welch fuzileers.

Names of officers wounded.-Captain Hastings, of the 32d foot; lieutenant Suter of ditto; captain During, 1st battalion king's German legion; lieutenant-general sir David Baird, in the shoulder and hand, slightly; ensign Bilson.

ARTICLES of CAPITULATION for the town and citadel of Copenhagen, agreed upon between major-general the right hon. sir Arthur Wellesley, K. B. sir Home Popham, knight of Malta, and captain of the feet, and lieutenant-colonel George Murray, deputy quarter-master-general of the British forces, being thereto duly authorized by James Gambier, esq. admiral of the blue, and commander in chief of his Britannic majesty's ships and vessels it the Baltic sea, and by lieutenantgeneral the right hon. lord Cathcart, knight of the thistle, commander in chief of his Britannic majesty's forces in Zealand, and te north of the continent of Europe, on the one part, and by major-general Waltersirff, knight of the order of Dannebrog, chamberlain to the king, and colonel of he north Zealand regiment of infantry, rear-admiral Liitken, and J. H. Kerhoff, aid-de-camp to his Danish majesty, being duly authorised by his Excellent major-generai Peymann, knight of the order of Dannebrog, and commander chief of his Danish majesty's forces, in the island of Zealand, on the other jrt.

Art. I. When the capitulation shall have beersigned and ratified, the troops of his Britannic majesty are to be put in possession ofhe citadel.

II. A guard of his Britannic majesty's troops shalkewise be placed in thedock-yards, III. The ships and vessels of war of every desiption, with all the naval stores belonging to his Danish majesty, shall be delivered to the charge of such persons as shall be appointed by the commanders in chief ofis Britannic majesty's forces; and they are to be put in immediate possession of thelock-yards, and all the buildings and store-houses belonging thereto.

IV. The store-ships and transports in the servicef his Britannic Majesty are to be allowed, if necessary, to come into the harbourr the purpose of embarking such stores and troops as they have brought into this isla.

V. As soon as the ships shall have been removed from the dock-yard, or within six weeks from the date of this capitulation, or sooner if possible, the troops of his Britannic majesty shall deliver up the citadel to the troops of his Danish majesty in the state in which it shall be found when they occupy it. His Britannic Majesty's troops shall likewise, within the before-mentioned time, or sooner if possible, be embarked from the island of Zealand.

VI. From the date of this capitulation, hostilities shall cease throughout the island of Zealand.

VII. No person whatsoever shall be molested, and all property, public or private, with the exception of the ships and vessels of war, and the naval stores before mentioned, belonging to his Danish majesty, shall be respected; and all civil and military officers in the service of his Danish majesty, shall continue in the full exercise of their authority throughout the island of Zealand; and every thing shall be done which can tend to produce union and harmony between the two nations.

VIII. All prisoners taken on both sides shall be unconditionally restored, and those officers who are prisoners on parole shall be released from its effect.

IX. Any English property that may have been sequestrated, in consequence of the existing hostilities, shall be restored to the owners.

This capitulation shall be ratified by the respective commanders in chief, and the ratifications shall be exchanged before twelve o'clock at noon this day.

Done at Copenhagen, this seventh day of September, 1807.

[blocks in formation]

ADMIRALTY OFFICE SEPT. 16, 1807.-Captain Collier, of his majety's ship the Surveillante, arrived at this office this morning, with a dispatch from admiral Gambier, commander in chief of his majesty's ships and vessels in the Baltic, addressed to the honourable William Wellesley Pole, secretary of the Admiralty, dated Prince of Wales, in Copenhagen road, 7th Sept, 1807, of which the following is a copy:SIR,-The communications which I have already had the honour to transmit to you, will have made the lords commissioners of the Admiralty acquainted with the proceedings of the fleet under my command down to the 2d instant, I have now to add, that the mortar batteries which had been erected by the army in the several positions they had taken round Copenhagen, together with the bomb vessels, which were placed in convenient situations, began the bombardment in the morning of that day, with such power and effect, that in a short time the town was set on fire, and by the repeated discharges of our artillery, was kept in flames, in different places, till the evening of the 5th, when a considerable part of it being consumed, and the conflagration having arrived at a great height, threatened the speedy destruction of the whole city, the general commanding the garrison sent out a flag of truce desiring an armistice, to afford time to treat for a capitulation. After some correspondence had passed between the Danish general and lord Cathcart and myself, certain articles were agreed upon, of which I have the honour to transmit, you a copy. From these their lordships will perceive, that all the Danish ships and vessels (of which I enclose a list,) with the stores in the arsenal, were to be delivered up to such persons as should be appointed to receive them on the part of his majesty. I accordingly appointed Sir Home Popham for this purpose, and having made the necessary arrangements for equipping them with the utmost dispatch, I have committed the execution of this service to vice-admiral Stanhope, in whose ability and exertions I can place the fullest confidence. I am happy on this occasion to express the warm sense I entertain of the cordial co-operation of the army, by whose exertions, with the favourable concurrence of circumstances, under Divine Providence, ever since we left England, our ultimate success has been more immediately obtained. I must also convey to their lordships, in terms of the highest approbation and praise, the conspicuous zeal, and earnest endeavours, of every officer and man under my command, for the accomplishment of this service; and although the operations of the fleet have not been of a nature to fford me a general and brilliant occasion for adding fresh testimony to the numer

[ocr errors]

ous records of the bravery of British seamen and marines, yet the gallantry and energy displayed by the advanced squadron of sloops, bombs, gun-brigs, &c. which were employed under the command of captain Puget, to cover the operations of the left wing of the army from the Danish flotilla, ought not to be passed over in silence. I have beheld with admiration, the steady courage and arduous exertion with which, on one occasion in particular, they sustained for more than four hours a heavy and incessant cannonade with the Danish batteries, block ships, praams, and gun-boats, in a situation where, from the shoalness of the water, it was impossible to bring any of the large ships to their support.

I feel it my duty to make a particular acknowledgment of the aid I have derived from sir Home Popham, captain of the fleet, whose prompt resources, and complete knowledge of his profession, especially of that branch which is connected with the operations of an army, qualify him, in a particular manner, for the arduous and various duties with which he has been charged. I herewith inclose an account of the killed and wounded. I beg leave to refer their lordships to captain Collier, whom I have charged with this dispatch, for any further particulars they may desire to know.

I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) J. GAMBIER.

An Account of Killed and Wounded on board the Advanced Squadron, on the 23d
August, 1807.

Cruizer-lieutenant Woodford, killed.-Fearless-2 seamen, killed; lieut. Williams (slightly) 1 seaman, and 4 marines, wounded.-Indignant-1 seamen killed; 1 seaman, wounded.-Urgent-1 seaman and 1 marine, wounded,-Valiant's launch-3 seamen, wounded.-Africaine's boat-1 seaman, wounded.-Total-4 killed, 13 wounded.

List of Killed and Wounded by the Explosion of the Charles armed transport, attached to the Advanced Squadron, on the 31st August, 1807,

Belonging to the Valiant-2 seamen, killed; lieut. N. Rowe, Mr. Philip Tomlinson, master's mate(since dead of his wounds,) and 12 seamen, wounded.-Be longing to the transport-Mr. James Moyase, master, and 7 seamen, killed; 7 seamen, wounded. J. GAMBIER.

A List of the Danish Ships and Vessels delivered up by the Capitulation of Copenhagen to his Majesty's Forces, September 7, 1807.

Christian the Seventh, of 98 guns-built in 1803.-Neptune, of 84 guns-built in 1789.-Waldemaar, of 84 guns-built in 1798.-Princess Sophia Frederica, of 74 guns-built in 1775.-Justice, of 74 guns-built in 1777.-Heir Apparent Frederick, of 74 guns-built in 1782.-Crown Prince Frederick, of 74 guns-built in 1781.-Fuen, of 74 guns-built in 1787.-Oden of 74 guns-built in 1788.-Three Crowns, of 74 guns-built in 1789.- Skiold, of 74 guns-built in 1792.-Crown Princess Maria, of 74 guns-built in 1791.-Danemark, of 74 guns-built in 1794.Norway, of 74 guns-built in 1800.-Princess Carolina, of 74 guns-built in 1805.Detmarsken, of 64 guns-built in 1780.-Conqueror, of 64 guns-built in 1795.Mars, of 64 guns-built in 1784.

Frigates.-Pearl, of 44 guns-built in 1804.-Housewife, of 44 guns-built in 1789.-Liberty, of 44 guns-built in 1793.-Iris of 44 guns-built in 1795.-Rota, of 44 guns-built in 1801.-Venus of 44 guns-built in 1805.Nyade, of 30 guns built in 1796--Triton, of 28 guns--built in 1790.-Frederigstein, of 28 guns→→→ built in 1800.-Little Belt, of 24 guns---built in 1801.---St. Thomas, of 22 guns--built in 1779.---Fylla, of 24 guns---built in 1802.---Eibe, of 20 guns---built in 1800.Eyderen, of 20 guns---built in 1802.---Gluckstad, of 20 guns---built in 1804.

Brigs.---Sarpe, of 18 guns---built in 1791.---Glommen, of 18 guns---built in 1791.--Ned Ilven, of 18 guns---built in 1792.---Mercure, of 18 guns---built in 1806.---Courier, of 14 guns---built in 1801.---Flying Fish,---built in 1789.

Gun-boats.---Eleven with two guns in the bow. Fourteen with one gun in the bow, and one in the stern. J. GAMBIER.

Printed and published by G. SIDNEY, No. 1, Northumberland-Street, Strand; Sold by H. T. HODGSON, Wimpole-sucet; J. BELL, Sweeting's-alley, Cornhill; and by all the News-venders in Town and Country.

Val. III. No. 13.

Saturday, September 26, 1807.

Price 10d.

241

HISTORICAL DIGEST.

CAPTURE OF THE DANISH FLEET ITS CAUSES AND PROBABLE CONSEQUENCES. In the present, and the two preceding numbers, all the operations of the expedition against Denmark are completely detailed from the moment of its arrival in the Sound until the period of the surrender of Copenhagen and the Danish fleet. The official documents in which these important events are recorded, are so clear and circumstantial in themselves, that no amplication is necessary in order to make them familiar to the public. In the dispatches, both of the admiral and the general, there is an unOstentatious simplicity of narration, which is the more commendable, when we recollect the cold-blooded gaiety, and turgid insensibility, which pervade the columns of every French bulletin when Buonaparte takes the field. The impertinent and ferocibus garrulity which distinguishes a French narrative of military operations renders the circumstances, detailed in them, not only suspicious but disgusting; and if it were not for the names of the places whence they are dated, their contents would be altogether discredited. The genius of the British nation, as well as the energetic manliness of our language, could not admit of such coarse and flippant ribaldry. Our official bulle tins state what has happened, and nothing more; they contain merely an accurate ac count of the transactions which have taken place, and without pretending to teach mankind how they ought to think, leave them to form their own unbiassed judgments upon events according to their own merits. Thus, instead of expatiating on the generosity and humanity of the British army, in the mode of conducting the military operations against Copenhagen, the most splendid offices of benevolence are simply mentioned as matters of course. Accordingly, we are informed, that the royal house hold, wardrobe, and plate, were allowed to be forwarded from the invested city to the residence of the king of Denmark; that the princesses also were suffered to quit Copenhagen, and were received by a brigade of the British guards, with all the honours due to their rank; and that the same attention was shewn to the king of Denmark's nephew. Besides these civilities, which banish every idea of rancour towards the Danes, the most rigorous discipline was observed; persons and property were pro tected; and every exertion was used to carry on the military operations with as little inconvenience as possible to the inhabitants of the country. Indeed, this exemplary conduct of our army inspired the country people with such confidence in the charac teristic honour and gallantry of our soldiers, that the peasants, without experiencing the smallest interruption, got in their harvest, and pursued the ordinary occupations of husbandry. The same punctilious delicacy was manifested by our government, in every thing relative to the commerce of the Danes. The order of council autho rising the detention of their vessels, contains, at the same time, a special injunction that the utmost care be taken for the preservation of their cargoes. The greatest forbearance was observed to the last moment; and when, at length, our general was compelled, from the inflexible determination of the Danish governor, to resort to open hostilities, the bombardment was twice suspended, to afford time for an amicable termination of the conflict. After the capitulation of the city, the consent of lord Cath cart, that our officers and soldiers should be excluded from an admission into it, during its state of ferment and confusion; the entrusting the guard of the city gates to the Danish troops; the leaving them in the undisturbed exercise of their police and general administration; and, in short, displacing no one from his civil or military capacity; all these facts prove, that it was the arm, and not the heart, which struck the blow, and are calculated to impress Europe with a just sense of the motive which compelled us to act against Copenhagen, and to mitigate the distress which the unbounded ambition, and unprincipled career of France, have constrained us to inflict upon a power against which we cherish no enmity or resentment. The whole of this transaction, without making the least deduction for irregularities common to all VOL. IIL,NO, 13.

armies, inasmuch as not a single instance of cruelty, pillage, or inhumanity, marked the conduct of our soldiers, is honourable to their military character, and worthy of the brighter days of chivalry, of the glorious ages of a Philip Sidney, and a Peterborough.

These notices are the least which we owe both to the commanders and troops engaged in this unpleasant and difficult service; and it would be a real act of injustice towards admiral Gambier, lord Cathcart, and sir Arthur Wellesley, if we did not acknowledge that their humane, yet vigorous conduct has redounded to their own honour, and reflected great lustre upon their country. The highest praise is also due to the Hanoverian general Lensingen. We hear no more complaints in the opposition papers, of the want of celerity and energy in the execution of the duties with which the commanders of the expedition were charged: we hear no more scruples of conscience respecting the disgrace that would befal us in the event of our failure, the last recource of their envy and rage being now confined to a paltry atttempt to diminish the importance of our achievement, and to show that, while we have only gained a few unserviceable hulks, the Danish seamen will be transferred to Buonaparte, who is now discovered to be in want of mariners, and not of shipping. This is the language of the Morning Chronicle, whose oracular fits of prophesying are copied and commented upon by the minor tribe of political writers. But the public will not surely suffer confident assertions, and loud clamours of a party, unsupported by any proofs, though sought for with all the diligence of persevering malice, to prevail against conclusive arguments, supported by established facts. A man must possess no common degree of effrontery to sit down coolly at his table, for the purpose of composing an article for publication, in which the Danish navy is declared to be not worth the capture, and, in the same breath, it is pronounced to be fit only for the accomodation and transport of a large body of troops. If the reader will turn to our last number, page 240, he will find that out of 18 line of battle ships, 15 frigates, 6 brigs, and 26 gun-boats, forming altogether sixty five ships of war, there is but one vessel so old as the year 1775, while the greater part of them have been built since the French revolution. They cannot, therefore, be considered as old, crazy vessels, unfit for service, unless we allow that the greatest part of the British navy, now actually at sea, which have buffeted all weathers, during the war, and which are older than any of these ships, are also unfit for service. As soon as the opposition writers had made their communication to the public of the inconsiderable value of the Danish ships, I referred to two official accounts of the state of the Danish navy, which were in my possession, n, the one taken in the year 1791, and the other in 1802; and though they do not exactly correspond with the dates of construction affixed by admiral Gambier to each ship of the line, yet the difference is not material. According to these statements, and the condition the vessels were in, at the period to which I allude, it is most certain that they formed a strong and effective navy; so much so, that the accounts now before me, actually draw a distinction between those fit and unfit for service, which they denote either as new or old vessels. In the statement of 1802, the only vessels classed as old and unfit for sea are, Christian the Seventh, afterwards called the Touchstone, built in 1767, the Jutland in 1760, the Elephant in 1769, the Dannebrog in 1772, the Mars in 1784, the Vagrien in 1773, the Indfoestretten in 1786, all ships of the line, and the Cronborg frigate in 1781; every one of these vessels, with the exception of the Elephant, was either burnt, taken, or destroyed, by our squadron under lord Nelson, in the battle of April 2, 1801. All the rest of the Danish ships of war, now in our possession, were reported, in 1802, to be in an excellent condition for service, and some of them have been built since that year. It is an abuse, therefore, of the good sense of the nation to affirm, that the Danish navy was not worth the pains we took to secure it. In fact, the value of these ships is not to be estimated according to the positive use they are of to this country, but according to the use the enemy would have made of them if they had fallen into his power Even the opposition writers acknowledge, that they are exceedingly commodious for the transport of troops, and their equipage, whence I infer, that, considered in That only, their capture was absolutely necessary to our security. For the ruler ces betty guided by military principles, pursues the same system against our has practised on the day of battle against the independence of

[ocr errors]

OMON

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors]
« 上一頁繼續 »