re brought into
action for their support under the command of Sergeant Creed of the
46th 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
Lieutenant-Colonel Constable, and a company of the 46th, to prevent
the enemy from getting into the rear of the position occupied by
Major Nunn.

"On my return I found the _Majestueuse_, of 120 guns, lying opposite
to Fort Young, pouring into the town and batteries her broadsides,
followed by the other seventy-fours and frigates doing the same.

"Some artillery, several captains of merchantmen with their sailors,
and the militia artillery, manned five twenty-four-pounders and
three eighteens at the fort, and five twenty-fours at Melville
battery, and returned an uninterrupted fire; from the first post
red-hot shot were thrown. At about 10 o'clock, a.m., Major Nunn,
most unfortunately for His Majesty's service, whilst faithfully
executing the order I had given him, was wounded, I fear mortally.

"This did not discourage the brave fellows. Captain O'Connell, of
the 1st West India Regiment, received the command and a wound almost
at the same time; however, the last circumstance could not induce
him to give up the honour of the first, and he continued on the
field animating his men and resisting the repeated charges of the
enemy until about one o'clock, when he obliged them to retire from
their position with great slaughter. It is impossible for me to do
justice to the merit of that officer; you will, I doubt not,
favourably report his conduct to His Majesty, and at the same time
that of Captain James of the 46th Regiment, and Captain Archibald
Campbell, who commanded the grenadiers of that corps.

"Foiled and beat off on the left, the right flank was attempted, and
a considerable force was landed near Morne Daniel. The regulars, not
exceeding 200, employed on the left in opposing the advance of three
columns, consisting of upwards of 2000 men, could afford me no
reinforcement; I had only the right wing of the St. George's
Regiment of militia to oppose them, of about a hundred men. They
attacked with spirit, but unfortunately the frigates had stood in s