SOME RECOLLECTIONS OF THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS.

BY AN OFFICER SERVING ON BOARD THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE.

DURING some discussions which took place in the House of Commons, in 1816, relative to the necessity, propriety, or expediency, of attacking the "warlike city" of Algiers, Lord Castlereagh, being much urged by ardent orators, unshackled by responsibility, to humble, or even to destroy that regency, avoided giving an affirmative or a negative to their importunities by this singular expression,-that it was a question having "a broad face with large features." The very ambiguity of the observation gave hope, and seemed to contain a promise of exertion and enterprise to my companions, then nearly twenty years. younger, and whose sanguine temperaments did not permit them to doubt that some humble part of the drama which they considered certainly about to be enacted would be assigned to their performance. Our occupations were at that time peaceable enough: we were stationed in my native county of Kent, in the beautiful village of Alesford, whither we had been sent to be removed from the vicinity of an election contesting at Rochester for a member of Parliament. My friends were not disappointed in the expectations they had formed, for in a short time most were employed in various preparations for the coming service in which they were destined to share.

It is so well known that Lord Exmouth, previous to leaving England, made such arrangements for the attack of Algiers, even to minute details, that it may be thought uncalled for to illustrate further than has already been done by others, that invaluable quality, foresight, which his lordship displayed upon so many occasions; but I cannot resist the temptation to relate two anecdotes. A few days previous to the departure of the expedition, an officer of the Rocket Corps and one of the Marine Artillery, who were to proceed from Woolwich in a transport, with rockets, carcasses, fire-torches, and other matters of this kind, for the service of the flotilla, breakfasted with Sir William Congreve, the Director of the Laboratory, who explained to them the intended plan of attack which he had the day before received in a conversation with Lord Exmouth. As the bold nature of it was eloquently developed by Sir William, the ears and eyes of his auditors, knowing they were to become actors, opened very wide, and their serious attention was attracted (at least that of one of them). Sir William, thinking, perhaps, that he brought a forlorn hope to view, considerately and laughingly added, "But all this is not gospel, for Lord Exmouth will not do all he says he will." However, Lord Exmouth did what he said he would, almost to the letter. Immediately on the arrival of the expedition at Gibraltar, it was arranged for the Dutch squadron to co-operate with ours. The Dutch Admiral wished to have some Congreve rockets, and desired to be shown the method of using them. Accordingly Mr. Gaze, the Master of the Fleet, other officers whose names I do not remember, and myself, went on board one of their frigates after dark, and fired some 32-pounder carcass rockets from one of her boats, then returned to the frigate, where the Captain regaled us in his cabin with hock and Seltzer water. The weather being very warm, the beverage

was very agreeable, and a conversation took place, in which Mr. Gaze detailed what was intended to be done; in effect the same as Sir William' Congreve related in the Repository at Woolwich, but in a manner still more filled up.

"Here we will drop our anchor," said Gaze.

"But suppose the cable should be shot away," said the Dutch Captain.

Then we have two others."

"But suppose these should also be destroyed."

"Then we will lash the Queen Charlotte to a brig we know to be there."

"But suppose all these resources fail; that the brig is no longer there; and all your cables are shot away."

Mr. Gaze's good-humour was not exhausted; he quietly replied, "We shall then ground the ship alongside the Mole-head battery." And the conversation ended with a laugh.

Everywhere people may be found who think they excel in criticising. At Gibraltar some of this description were very bright in ridicule, and sharp in sarcasm, because of some certain expenditure of powder and shot in the exercise of the not-very-lately practised crews of our fleet, on the passage from England; but like most of Lord Exmouth's precautions, dictated as they were by foresight, it was justified by the result.

The fleet sailed from Gibraltar on the 14th of August, but owing to a strong easterly wind, called a bright Levanter, and during which the weathermost part of the horizon glows with a red dazzling haze, not very unlike the mouth of a heated oven, the fleet made but slow progress, and in consequence a little impatience of delay was excited. There were souls "all on fire" to know "the rich reprisal was so near, and yet not theirs." The suspense was almost intolerable, and every good-humoured expedient was thought of to pass an hour in the evening after the duties of the day were in some degree finished; for so light and easy were the thoughts of honest men-ready, willing, all about to risk, and some to devote their limbs or lives for their King and country-that chess, charades, riddles, and conundrums, were not thought unworthy to occupy an hour, or to create mirth or amusement in those whose minds were already made up for sterner matters. Curiosity, too, as well as impatience at delay, was an annoyance; for some of us wished to know what terms were to be offered to the Dey; and Mr. Salamé was continually beset with questions on the subject, but without any particular result; for the only answer to be obtained was given in a very proper, provoking, oriental, and diplomatic sort of manner,—“Oh, dear me, I never have any news."-"Well, but, Salame, what are we to do with the Dey?"" Oh, dear, we must cut his head off!" Nothing more was to be obtained from the trusty, excellent, and respected interpreter. However, our curiosity was about to be gratified in a manner the relation of which may be a warning to secretaries. Some pieces of paper were thrown overboard by the writers in the Admiral's cabin, to be destroyed; but instead of falling into the water, as no doubt they were intended to do, they were wafted by an eddy wind into a part of the ward-room. They contained a full and complete draught of the terms to be offered,

and which were found to be precisely those afterwards accepted by his Highness.

During the night of the 26th we drew near to the African shore, not far from the object of our destination. The mountains are very high, and their summits were blazing with immense alarm-fires, indicating our approach. The easterly wind slowly died away, and was succeeded by a moderate or rather light westerly breeze. Early on the 27th Algiers lay before us, and as the sun rose we saw a "fair city on the side of a hill," shining bright and beautiful; for at our distance its defects were not discernible. On nearer approach the defences became visible; and the batteries were discovered to be studded with artillery, as thickly set as space permitted, amounting to several hundred guns. Numerous clear red flags formed a sparkling contrast to the whiteness of the houses. Flags variously striped were also seen on the walls; these were the banners of different Moorish chiefs assembled to defend the Crescent.

The Dey's Palace, in 1816, was in the middle of the town, or rather lower, towards the sea. A very large crimson flag, the largest I ever saw, waved slowly and majestically over it. It was said to be composed of silk, decorated with silver stars and crescents. This may have been the case; but I could neither distinguish the materials of which it was made nor the emblems it bore. Smoke from numerous fires curled above the parapets, which were then concluded to proceed from furnaces for heating shot. I did not hear, however, that any such were used.

Breakfast on this morning, as usual, in the ward-room was a cheerful and animated repast. The probable result of the approaching combat was minutely discussed by those whose experience enabled them to form a judgment, and by some others. Many officers wrote memorandums for friends whom the events of the next few hours might separate in this world for ever; but no gloomy forebodings clouded any brow. Several previous arrangements were now made known: the First Lieutenant (Mitchell) was appointed Commander of the flotilla, and Lieutenant Peter Richards to succeed to his station, which he filled during the remainder of the service.

A flag of truce was to be sent in charge of Lieutenant Burgess, and Mr. Salamé was of course to accompany it. This gentleman had hitherto worn an oriental costume, which, being considered inappropriate to the British interpreter, and ill calculated to produce a good moral effect, he was in haste equipped in a blue surtout, black cravat, and round hat -I think Mr. Burgess furnished them for the occasion-and the boat, under escort of a frigate, departed on its mission. Shortly afterwards I was summoned by the Chief, and received his directions for a distribution of rockets to the Impregnable and to other ships. I have in my possession a memorandum on the subject, corrected in his handwriting. On returning from the execution of this duty I found the ship quite cleared for action; the men and officers had dined, but I had not; the consideration of the caterer, however, soon removed any apprehension of fighting without a dinner, which is not to be desired, and I was quickly furnished with a sufficiency.

Ascending the deck, I found the fleet lying to, perhaps a mile and a half from the town. Lord Exmouth was standing on the brink of the poop,

attired as usual in an undress uniform coat, without epaulets, white cravat and waistcoat, with nankeen trowsers, gaiters, and shoes, having a spy. glass in his hand; the crew were called aft, and spoken to by his lordship in a few clear and expressive sentences, which were answered by one short cheer, followed by an instantaneous quick movement, approaching to a rush, down to their respective quarters. Those who heard that cheer can scarcely have forgotten it; it was not loud, boastful, or arrogant, but seemed a respectful assurance and reply from men who were determined to do their duty to extremity. I believe the word "Infallible" was at this time signalized to the fleet; but writing from recollection, unassisted by notes, I may be mistaken. The order was given to "annul the truce," and to "hoist the jib;" the ship paid off and stood slowly towards the anchorage. About this time the Captain of a French frigate, who was thought to have been rather too friendly with the Algerines, came on board to answer some questions put to him by the Commander-in-Chief. He was a tall, handsome, well-dressed gentlemanlike man, and seemed deeply impressed with what he saw, and what few of his brother officers could ever have seen, the main, middle, and quarter-deck of a British three-decker cleared for action, and running down to battle.

The bombs had taken their station; one appearing too close, was ordered by signal to move farther out; circumstances, perhaps, did not permit this to be effected. Captain Brisbane ascended a few steps of the starboard poop-ladder to address Lord Exmouth, who was standing near the top of it, and asked if the men should lie down at their quarters. Lord Exmouth replied, "If the enemy do open any fire the men can lie down as we run in; however, I don't think they will." The enemy were seen loading their guns, which appeared too much elevated; on nearer approach, and coming opposite to them, their muzzles frowned like black full moons upon us; crowds of people gathered round the Mole Head, and I saw Lord Exmouth, in a manner indicating pity and impatience, mutter something, and wave to them with his hat to get out of the way.

We brought in a light and pleasant breeze, but when we anchored it was nearly calm; the sudden glow of heat, and many sorts of eflluvia we then became sensible of, would have reminded us how close we were to our foes, even if we had not seen them. A minute's pause enabled us to look around; the Moors' faces-even their eyes-were visible. Two shots were now fired from the Fish-market Battery; whether they hit any of the ships I cannot say, but they boomed close along the Queen Charlotte's starboard broadside-whilst at that instant not another sound moved over the sea. I looked steadfastly at Lord Exmouth, and saw his countenance light up (which before was thoughtful), and it appeared to me that an expression of triumph shone in his face, as he said "You may fire away now." Prompt was the obedience to this order-every gun on the starboard broadside seemed discharged in one tremendous salvo: the cannon on all the defences of the town were quickly fired, but no great mischief appeared to be done to us by the first round: a shot struck a carronade on the after-part of the poop; the splinters flew from its carriage as chips from a woodman's axe, but not so harmless, for one poor fellow was hit, and borne off; blood

trickling on the deck marked his route to the cockpit. Some sixpounder rockets were fired from the poop, and the Marines kept up an incessant discharge of musketry on gun-boats crowded with poor wretches, who, it is said, and I suppose it was the case, were making a demonstration, it could hardly be called an attempt, to board: however, it is certain few of them escaped the fire of the Leander and Queen Charlotte; the boats were sunk, many of their crew killed, and the rest were swimming,—even of these few could have survived.

The continued firing of the fleet and town-perhaps from 700 or 800 guns, besides mortars-produced a sound more like a continued roar than a succession of reports: it was difficult to hear, or to make any one hear, which I found depended more on the tone, perhaps I should say key, in which the voice was pitched, than the loudness of it. The thickness of the smoke preventing much being seen, produced impatience to know the effects that resulted from our firing, and as I mounted a few ratlings of the mizen-rigging in order to look around, a cheering and animating sight presented itself-but not unaccompanied by a feeling of pity for the suffering wretches we were opposed to, and who were so distinctly visible. The guns on the upper tier of the battery opposite the Queen Charlotte's broadside were nearly all dismounted, and jammed in various positions amidst the ruins of the parapet: crowds of the enemy were rushing through a narrow postern, making a desperate effort to escape the destruction which threatened them. The distant batteries continued firing until the end of the action; but those close to us being greatly quieted, it was determined to board and burn the outward frigate. Observing Major Gosset of the Engineers, Lieutenant Peter Richards of the Navy, and Lieutenant Wolrige of the Marine Artillery, in a boat under the larboard entering-port, ready to start for this enterprize, I sent to them some fire, or laboratory torches, that had been supplied from the Arsenal at Woolwich for the service against Algiers. Casualties were occurring from the enemy's musketry: one man said he was shot in the breast, but on opening his coat and shirt to examine the supposed wound, the ball fell out, and seemingly had done no injury; he was told that he was not hurt, and to cheer up, when the poor fellow, showing his arm covered with blood, said, quietly, although writhing with pain-" Ah, Sir, but the ball went through my arm first."

There were coils and ranges of bass cables on the pier-head, in which many of the enemy sheltered themselves, galling us with their musketry,-which became so troublesome, if not serious in its effects, that Lord Exmouth beckoned to an officer near him to come to the starboard-gangway, where his Lordship, fully exposed, very deliberately said "You see we are a good deal annoyed by the musketry of those fellows," pointing to them; "try if you can dislodge them with a few eight-inch shells from the howitzer that is in the launch alongside." On endeavouring to execute this order, it was found that the manner in which the howitzer was mounted would not admit of its being directed to objects so near as the Algerines in the cables-not more than sixty yards without blowing out the bows of the boat; the piece, therefore, at this time, was not attempted to be discharged at them. Fire had communicated to some materials on the jib-boom of the Queen Char