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 A MAP 
 
 »f NORTH HOLLAND in.lu.lm>> WEST FlUES LAM), Illustrative of til 
 
 /"\/v />// /r' V In !!>>r I i\lt
 
 A 
 
 NARRATIVE 
 
 -OF THE 
 
 EXPEDITION TO HOLLAND, 
 
 IN 
 
 THE AUTUMN OF THE YEAR 1799 i 
 
 ILLUSTRATED WITH 
 
 A MAP OF NORTH HOLLAND, 
 
 AND 
 
 SEVEN VIEWS 
 
 OF 
 
 THE PRINCIPAL PLACES OCCUPIED BY THE BRITISH FORCES. 
 
 By E.WALSH, M. D. 
 
 SECOND EDITION, CORRECTED AND ENLARGED. 
 
 LONDON 
 
 PRINTED FOR G.G.AND J.ROBINSON, PATER-NOSTER-ROW; 
 
 BT i. HAMILTON, FALCON-COURT, FLEET-STREET.
 
 21/ 
 
 l/V 
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 JL HE late Expedition to Holland naturally excited a very lively interest 
 in the public mind during its progress, and no small share of inquisitive 
 curiosity respecting its final issue. The author of the following Narra- 
 tive, however, cannot promise that he has been enabled completely to 
 gratify this curiosity; — in truth, he has no pretensions whatsoever to 
 boast of extraordinary information, derived from high authorities, or 
 from any particular authenticated documents, other than those which 
 have been already published, and which will be found collected in the 
 Appendix. 
 
 This work, indeed, is nothing more than a journal, a little altered, so 
 as to admit an account of various transactions and incidents connected 
 with the subject, but which could not possibly altogether fall under the 
 <laily observance of any single person. 
 
 From this candid avowal, it will not be expected that the publication 
 can be totally free from errors and mis-statements. For any such, the au- 
 thor must deem himself responsible ; but he expects and hopes they will 
 be found neither numerous nor important. 
 
 The various situations in which the author was placed, while in Hoi 
 land, presented him with many obvious and favourable occasions for re- 
 mark, of which he was not unmindful to avail himself. He was amon°- 
 the foremost of those who landed in the country, and among the last who 
 left it. 
 
 /0G£^ C C
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 History has been but too justly censured, for betraying rather the opi- 
 nions of the writer, than giving a true and unprejudiced detail of inci- 
 dents ; and the truth of the annals of mankind is more frequently- 
 trusted to the naked chronological series of events than to the historic 
 pa^e. If this remark be applicable to former celebrated historians, who 
 have treated of subjects remote in time and of foreign relation, with how 
 much more propriety will it apply to those who treat of contempo- 
 rary and domestic concerns, at a period in which .party is bigoted, and 
 opinion is despotic ! 
 
 The author, aware -of this capital failing, has endeavoured to clothe 
 his narrative in the simplest colouring, free from any prevailing or par- 
 tial tints, as far as his judgment would permit. -He professes to have no 
 cause to serve but that of Truth, — no interests to promote but those of 
 Justice. 
 
 The Map of North Holland, prefixed to the work, was reduced from 
 a Dutch map on a large scale, in which the topographical situations of 
 towns, villages, dykes, and canals, were laid down from actual mea- 
 surement ; but to avoid the confusion which would ensue from crowd- 
 ing such a number of parts in such contracted limits, the principal of 
 these only have been retained. 
 
 The views were all sketched on the spot; and, besides being illus- 
 trative of the work, they are recommended by their novelty ; inasmuch 
 as North Holland is one of the very few countries on the continent of 
 Europe which have hitherto escaped the researches of the tourist.
 
 ADVERTISEMENT 
 
 TO THE 
 
 SECOND EDITION. 
 
 IN revising this work for a second edition, the author has been obligingly 
 assisted by some British Officers, as distinguished for rank as abilities, who 
 bore an active part in the late Expedition; and he feels great satisfaction in 
 being enabled to mention, that the general statements have been found so near 
 the truth, and the details so accurate and circumstantial, that little room is 
 left for further additions or corrections. 
 
 It is hoped, notwithstanding, this edition zoill be found to be considera- 
 bly improved. It has been corrected with mmute attention ; several interesting 
 incidents are added; and the Appendix is augmented by some official papers, 
 with a vieto of more completely elucidating the subject.
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 lNlATIONS, like individuals, are frequently indebted for their 
 characters to local situations, first impressions, and early habits. The 
 insulated flat lands, forming the delta of the Rhine, were originally 
 colonised by a German tribe, called the Bat la ; and thence their new 
 country was named Batavia. 
 
 Amongst the many free and courageous nations that peopled the 
 north of Europe, the Batavians were remarkable for their courage 
 and their love of freedom ; and when all Germany at length submit- 
 ted to the superior discipline of the Roman arms, these civilising 
 conquerors distinguished the Batavians above all the rest, by leaving 
 them in full possession of their laws and customs, and requiring only 
 military service. This service was cheerfully and ably performed. 
 The eminent good conduct and singular bravery of the Batavian le- 
 gions contributed to prop the declining empire, and for a long time 
 retarded its fall. 
 
 The feudal power rose on the ruins of Rome: even under that 
 slavish and oppressive system of government, the Batavians preserved 
 z comparative portion of freedom. Their chiefs, or counts, seem 
 
 B
 
 to have been actuated by far more generous and liberal notions than 
 those which prevailed, at that time, on the continent of Europe ; and 
 the Batavian people themselves, from the very beginning of their po- 
 litical existence, turned their attention to commercial pursuits j to 
 which they were impelled, as much by the love of liberty and inde- 
 pendence which commerce inspires, as by the physical situation of 
 their country. 
 
 In 1477, the government of the Low Countries devolved to the 
 House of Austria, in consequence of the marriage of the emperor 
 Maximilian with the heiress of Burgundy, who was countess of Hol- 
 land, and had the Netherlands for her dowry ; and in 1555, the sove- 
 reignty was resigned by the emperor Charles V. in favour of his son, 
 Philip II. of Spain. 
 
 The ever-memorable resistance to the coercive measures of that 
 cruel and bigoted tyrant laid the foundation of the republic of the 
 Seven United Provinces. Great military talents, discipline, and per- 
 severance, were opposed by heroic courage, and the enthusiasm of li- 
 berty. Murders, massacres, public executions, and private assassina- 
 tions of characters pre-eminent for rank, virtue, and abilities, toge- 
 ther with repeated violations of public faith and honour, — all these 
 odious means were employed in aid of the fair appeal of arms, to sub- 
 jugate a people who were resolved not to survive the loss of their 
 liberties. 
 
 It is worthy of remark, that the first effectual resistaice to the 
 progress of the Spanish arms was male by the people of North Hoi-
 
 land. The city of Haarlem sustained a siege of eight months, which 
 has few parallels in history. Reduced at length, by every privation, to 
 the last extremity, it was compelled to submit on terms of capitula- 
 tion, which, however, were basely broken by that execrable execu- 
 tioner of merciless tyranny, the duke of Alva, who gave up the 
 town to pillage, and its brave inhabitants to indiscriminate slaughter. 
 — Alkmaar was more fortunate than Haarlem ; for, after having 
 made several desperate assaults, and kept the trenches open for three 
 months, the Spaniards were forced to raise the siege with great loss. 
 
 But other causes contributed, with the undaunted courage and for- 
 titude of the inhabitants, to establish the independence of the Seven 
 United Provinces. The reformation, pushed on in the ardour of 
 inquiry to the very verge of fanaticism, by the impetuous Calvin, found 
 a congenial spirit in the Hollanders, and confirmed their natural 
 habits of freedom ; for it is generally allowed that the Calvinistic 
 tenets are more favourable to republicanism than those of any other 
 sect. — To the rejection, therefore, of the reformation by the ten pro- 
 vinces ©f the Low Countries, and to its reception by the other seven, 
 may be ascribed the success of the one and the failure of the other, in 
 their respective efforts to shake off the Spanish yoke. But all these 
 causes combined, though supported by the talents and virtues of that 
 illustrious patriot William I. prince of Orange, must have been ulti- 
 mately ineffectual against the gigantic power and immense resources 
 of Spain, had not his exertions been countenanced and aided by two 
 of the wisest, most beneficent, and most powerful sovereigns that 
 ever swayed a sceptre, — Henry the Fourth of France, and queen 
 Elizabeth of England. 
 
 B 2
 
 The independence of the Seven United Provinces having been at 
 length conceded by Philip III. of Spain in the year lCOy, and, at the 
 same time, acknowledged by all the governments of Europe, the 
 republic forthwith began to acquire the most rapid accessions of 
 political strength and population, in consequence of the general per- 
 secution of the protestants, in almost every country, where the Ro- 
 man-catholic faith was the religion of the state. By the revocation of 
 the edict of Nantes, the wealthiest, most industrious, and most enlight- 
 ened of the persecuted people of France fled into Holland, which 
 they suddenly enriched with their property, ingenuity, and experience. 
 Hence, perhaps, may be deduced the predelictions of the Hollanders 
 for the French, in preference to any other nation. But it was chiefly 
 on the ruin of the Netherlands that the Dutch republic rose to the 
 zenith of power and prosperity. Antwerp, once the emporium of 
 Europe, saw her commerce transferred from the spacious, navigable, 
 and commodious Scheld, to the intricate channels and dangerous shoals 
 of the Zuider Zee ; whilst the trade and manufactures of Bruges and 
 Ghent were transplanted to Lcyden, Middleburg, and Rotterdam, 
 From the south of Europe too, that unfortunate race, heretofore the 
 devoted vidtims of persecution, the Jews, found at last their long- 
 sought asylum in Holland, to which,, in return, they imported im- 
 mense wealth, and their own peculiar habits of ceconomy and traffic. 
 
 The treaty of union, signed at Utrecht in the year 1 579, was the 
 basis upon which was erected the irregular but substantial fabric of 
 the constitution of the United Provinces. Conformably to the tenor 
 of this treaty, each province preserved its laws and customs, its ma- 
 gistrates, sovereignty, and independence. But, besides the provinces,
 
 the principal cities, to the number of fifty-six, retained their own in- 
 terior governments j so that, in reality, each city was itself a republic, 
 pursuing its distinct interests, and being governed by its own magi- 
 strates and municipal laws. The government of the towns, however, 
 was completely aristocratical ; the legislative power was vested in a 
 senate, and the executive in burgomasters and syndics. All thefe 
 magistrates held their offices during life, and were chosen from 
 among a privileged class of the citizens. 
 
 The constitutions of the provincial states, which, collectively con- 
 sidered, formed the vital principle of the whole political body, dif- 
 fered more or less from each other. 
 
 The province of Holland, which, in wealth, population, and poli- 
 tical importance,, equals all the rest, sent nineteen deputies to the ge- 
 neral provincial assemblage. The first deputy represented the nobles 
 of the province, the eighteen others as many cities ; for, although 
 this flourishing province contains thirty-seven cities, amongst which 
 may be reckoned the Hague, yet only eighteen were invested with 
 the right of depating representatives ; and of these, the Hague itself, 
 the seat of government, was not one; nor had Amsterdam, with its 
 immense population and commerce, and its vast contributions to the 
 public expenditure, more weight or authority in the general repre- 
 sentation, so far as regarded its vote, than the little obscure city of 
 Purmerend. 
 
 The constitutions of Guelderland, Utrecht, and Zealand, did not 
 considerably differ from that of Holland. In Zealand the nobility
 
 had become extinct. Guelderland and Utrecht, partaking of the 
 customs and manners of the neighbouring circle of Westphalia, re- 
 tained longest the remnants of feudality, and supported a race of he- 
 reditary but indigent nobles. In the former, the nobles who pos- 
 sessed baronial manors formed half the states, the other half being 
 composed of representatives of the cities ; and in Utrecht, eight de- 
 puties of the clergy had seats in the provincial representation j but 
 these representatives of the church were laymen, who possessed the 
 revenues that formerly belonged to the five chapters of the province. 
 
 In the country parts of the provinces of Over-Yssel and Groningen 
 the people had a share in the elections, but the government of the 
 towns was aristocratical. 
 
 The constitution of Friesland, however, differed materially from 
 all the rest. In this province there never was any nobility. The 
 representation consisted of four members ; one for the cities, and 
 three for the country. The country was divided into cantonments 
 or bailiwicks, in which every individual, possessing so many acres of 
 landed property, acquired the right of voting for a representative. 
 The electors, therefore, were composed of all descriptions, peasants, 
 burghers, citizens, and gentlemen. In fine, the rights of election in 
 Friesland seem not to have been different from those of England. 
 Indeed Sir William Temple alleges, that this province was the parent, 
 not only of the language of England, to which its dialect is similar at 
 this day, but of its customs, laws, and constitution. East Friesland 
 had its own stadtholder, until it was incorporated with the other pro- 
 vinces, under the stadtholderate of William the Fourth.
 
 The privileges and interests of the provinces were the prime ob- 
 jects of provincial representation ; but their union was collectively 
 represented by a more dignified assembly, called the States -General. 
 The states-general were composed of delegates from every province ; 
 but though each province had the right of sending as many as it 
 chose, yet, on the ultimate decision of a measure, there was but one 
 vote for each province. 
 
 The states-general bore the exterior marks of sovereignty, but 
 it was not the sovereign power of the republic ; that power was really 
 vested in the provincial states, who alone could enact laws, make war 
 and peace, levy taxes, raise soldiers, and nominate the greater num- 
 ber of the highest offices, civil and military. The states-general 
 had the sole prerogative of appointing commanders of the fleet. 
 
 The last branch of this singularly constructed commonwealth was 
 the council of state and the stadtholder. The council of state, like 
 the other assemblies, was formed of deputies of provinces: the de- 
 putation, however, was more equally divided ; Utrecht, Over-Yssel, 
 and Groningen, sent each one deputy ; Guelderland, Zealand, and 
 Friesland, two each ; and the province of Holland sent three. The 
 stadtholder had likewise a seat and vote in this council. 
 
 The office of stadtholder, which had no resemblance of any other 
 chief-magistracy in the world, requires more particular consideration. 
 The stadtholder was an officer of state peculiar to the Low Countries, 
 and existed there long before the union and independence of the Seven 
 United Provinces. This magistrate was then only the deputy-go- 
 vernor of a province, acting with delegated power under the count or
 
 8 
 
 duke who was the sovereign. William the First, prince of Orange, 
 was invested with the magistracy by his liege lord Philip the Second : 
 afterwards, when, by the virtue and talents of William and his son 
 Maurice, the Dutch were enabled to emancipate themselves from 
 the Spanish yoke, they established the office in the house of Orange. 
 It is not very evident, that the stadtholderate was, at first, intended to 
 be either perpetual or hereditary : it appears rather to have been an 
 occasional power, created on grand emergencies, like the dictatorship 
 cf ancient Rome. Indeed the republic seems to have dispensed with 
 this office, without any apparent violation of the constitution, at one 
 time, for twenty -two years, when it was abolished by the perpetual 
 edict ; and again, on the elevation of William III. to the throne of 
 Great Brirain, for a period of forty-five years, on that prince having 
 abdicated,, with little self-satisfaction, the republican chief-magistracy 
 for the regal power. 
 
 But the necessity of a chief magistrate to connect and consolidate 
 a constitution composed of such various materials is sufficiently ap- 
 parent, and was fully admitted by the states themselves in the pre- 
 amble to the instrument by which they conferred their first authority 
 on the prince of Orange. It sets forth, *' That all republics and 
 " communities ought to preserve, maintain, and fortify themselves 
 '* by unanimity, which being impossible to be kept up always by so 
 " many members often differing in inclination and sentiments, it is 
 " consequently necessary that the government should be placed in 
 " one single chief magistrate," &c. 
 
 On the great national concerns of peace and war, alliances and tax- 
 ation, the stadtholder had only a single voice in the council of state.
 
 9 
 
 On the other hand, he was hereditary captain-general of the army, 
 ■and high-admiral of the navy of the republic, with the appointment 
 of army commissions, up to a colonel, inclusive. In the provinces 
 of Utrecht, Guelderland, and Over-Yssel, he mi?ht change and 
 augment at pleasure the several members of the state ; but, in the 
 four remaining provinces, he could only nominate the magistrates 
 from amongst a number that had been previously elected. Finally, 
 the stockholder was allowed, by the constitution, to judge and advise 
 respecting the affairs of the united republic, and to interpose his 
 authority in any disputes that might arise amongst the cities and pro- 
 vinces, from local interests, or a misconstruction of the fundamental 
 articles of the union. In the year ] 74-9, the power of the stadtholder 
 was augmented, and his prerogatives and office better defined. He 
 was created governor-general and supreme director of the East and 
 West-India Companies, by which he obtained a great accession of 
 influence and patronage. 
 
 From a government thus constructed, it is not difficult to account 
 for the indecision and ruinous delays that impeded its operations, and 
 frequently rendered its measures null and abortive. Before a measure 
 could be put in execution, the proceedings on it were obliged to be 
 transmitted to the particular states of the provinces : by them they 
 were sent to be examined by their respective constituents j they were 
 then to be returned to their provincial states, and thence to their states- 
 general : where, after all this precaution, if the affair in question 
 were of primary concern that related to the united republic, it was 
 necessary that it should be carried unanimously ; for it was lost by a 
 single dissentient voice. 
 
 c
 
 10 
 
 Nevertheless, such a constitution seemed admirably adapted to the 
 nature of the country, and the character of the people. It was the 
 true interest of the Dutch to be at peace with their neighbours ; 
 whatever were the means that might procrastinate a declaration of 
 war, were, for them, salutary. On the other hand, when their in- 
 terests compelled them to wage war, as it was necessarily an unani- 
 mous measure, no nation on earth has carried it on with more per- 
 tinacious constancy and courage ; — qualities, which their enemies, 
 with a view of lessening them, have been accustomed to term obsti- 
 nacy. For nearly two centuries the Dutch have maintained them- 
 selves in an unprecedented continuance of political happiness and 
 national prosperity. At one period they were indisputably the first 
 maritime power in the world. They terrified the navies of Spain 
 and Portugal within their own ports. They successfully combated 
 the combined fleets of France and England. They wrested from the 
 English the sovereignty of the ocean. They colonised the West, and 
 monopolised the East. Whilst they carried their triumphant flag 
 from Nova Zembla to Cape Horn, and from the British Isles to those 
 of Japan. 
 
 It may be useful, and cannot be uninteresting, to trace the causes of 
 their present misery and degradation, as it may tend to justify the 
 efforts of the British government in its attempt to restore that form 
 of constitution, under which they had so long and so greatly pro- 
 spered. 
 
 Notwithstanding the limited power and moderate privileges an- 
 nexed to the stadtholderate, that office of the state was, at all times,
 
 11 
 
 regarded by the aristocracy with jealousy and distrust. On the other 
 hand, the army and navy, from principle and affection, were attached 
 to the House of Orange ; and the people, for a long period, in the 
 history of the United Provinces, inclined to its interests ; so much 
 so, indeed, that their sudden, powerful, but unwarrantable inter- 
 ference, in two important instances, restored the stadtholderate, 
 which in both had been abolished by the predominant power of the 
 aristocracy*. 
 
 Thus a political schism was engendered in the bosom of the state, 
 which, more than once, nearly effected its ruin : and thus it was, 
 that the same causes, which, by a steady and gradual progress, esta- 
 blished a third estate in the constitution of England, produced a 
 similar effect in Holland. The people, who hitherto had no share 
 in the constitution, began to find they possessed some weight, as 
 their favour and support were assiduously cultivated, at the same 
 time, by the cabinet of the Hague, and the provincial aristo- 
 cracies. 
 
 But a prime cause of the misfortunes of the republic was the un- 
 accountable partiality the Dutch had shown, on all occasions, for 
 political connexions with France, in preference to England ; unac- 
 countable on any other score than that of commercial jealousy, and 
 national rivalry ; inasmuch as the United Provinces were indebted to 
 
 * When Holland was invaded by the armies of Lewis XIV. in 1(372, the people, having 
 iisen at Dort and the Hague, caused the prince of Orange to be declared stadtholder, and mas- 
 sacred his two powerful opponents — the Dutch Gracchi— the De Wits. Afterwards, in 
 1747, the office was again restored by means of another insurrection, in consequence of the 
 -invasion of Dutch Brabant by marshal Saxe. 
 
 C 2
 
 12 
 
 England not only for their original independence and subsequent 
 prosperity, but for her unremitting friendship and protection to pre- 
 serve them in that state. 
 
 Although the Englifh influence predominated in Holland, on the 
 restoration of William the Fourth to the stadtholderate, in the year 
 1748, yet, by the death of that prince, and a long minority suc- 
 ceeding, the French party once more gained the ascendency; so that, 
 on the breaking out of the American war,, the measures which the 
 Dutch republic pursued, on that momentous event, were unfriendly, 
 if not openly hostile, to Great Britain. It eagerly embraced the 
 scheme of the armed neutrality ; and, under its fanction, fupplied 
 the enemies of England with the materials of warfare. Thus a rup- 
 ture between two powers, whose political views and interests ought 
 for ever to be inseparable, became unavoidable. The ruinous con- 
 sequences of that war continued after the general peace, and gave a 
 fatal blow to a constitution, that for two centuries had surmounted 
 such formidable obstacles, and secured such unparalleled prosperity 
 to a people. On the plea that the stadtholder had sacrificed the in- 
 terests of his country to his connexions with the court of St. James, 
 and his partiality for the English nation, the republican party pro- 
 ceeded to entrench upon his constitutional prerogatives. As captain- 
 general of the land forces, the army, not less from duty than affection, 
 were attached to his cause. Of this post he was deprived; and, 
 under the pretext of strengthening the military forces of the republic 
 against the unjust proceedings of the emperor, relative to his claims 
 of the Scheld, but, in reality, to oppose the troops in the prince's 
 interests, a new volunteer army was suddenly created, raised from
 
 13 
 
 among the citizens and burghers throughout all the cities, towns, and 
 villages of the seven provinces. 
 
 This new armed power soon discovered its own strength. The 
 success of the Americans, in breaking the ties of connexion with 
 their old government, loosened those of all others. A vigorous and 
 aspiring democracy was, at once, established in Holland, whose 
 claims and pretensions were now reluctantly admitted by the aris- 
 tocratic party, not only from an inability to refuse them, but from 
 a combination of interests in one grand object, that of abrogating the 
 stadtholderate. In most of the cities and provinces, therefore, dele- 
 gates, chosen by the people, were elected into the provincial states y 
 in some of which they reckoned upon a majority of democratic mem- 
 bers. At this critical conjuncture, the stadtholderians were not de- 
 pressed or inactive ; they had secured the army and navy ; but their 
 chief dependence was on the support of England and Prussia, whilst 
 the hopes of their adversaries, on the protection and assistance of 
 France, were less probably founded.. 
 
 At length the opposite parties came to an open rupture. It was 
 found expedient to remove the prince of Orange's court from the 
 Hague to Nimeguen. The cities of Amsterdam, Haarlem, Alkmaar, 
 Dort, Leyden, and Utrecht, took the lead in the opposition. The 
 latter city, in particular, was most violent ; and, in an attempt 
 made by the troops of the stadtholder to seise the advanced post of 
 Jutphaas, they were repulsed by the armed burghers of Utrecht. 
 Thus the flames of civil war had actually been lighted up in the 
 Seven United Provinces.
 
 14 
 
 The king of Prussia was not an indifferent spectator of these pro- 
 ceedings ; he only waited a plausible occasion to march an army into 
 Holland. This occasion fortunately very soon presented itself. The 
 princess of Orange, his sister, was arrested near Schoonhoven, on her 
 journey from Nimeguen to the Hague, and detained as a prisoner for 
 two days in that town. The states of Holland made a show of justi- 
 fying the arrest : upon which his Prussian majesty, to punish the 
 public affront of his sister, collected an army of 20,000 men in Sep- 
 tember, 1787, and placed it under the command of the duke of 
 Brunswick. The duke immediately set out from the duchy of 
 Cleves, entered the province of Holland at Arnheim, and marched 
 directly towards the capital. After a short, vigorous, but inef« 
 fectual attempt of the burghers of Amflerdam to defend the ap- 
 proaches to that city, the republican party, not finding that as- 
 sistance from France upon which they had founded their last hope, 
 submitted, with as good a grace as they could, " to the re-establish- 
 " ment of the tottering constitution." At the intercession of the 
 princess of Orange, the affront of her arrest was pardoned ; a general 
 amnesty was proclaimed ; the constitution was restored to its primi- 
 tive form, and the stadtholder re-established in all his privileges and 
 prerogatives ; in the peaceable possession of which he was guaranteed 
 by the governments of England and Prussia. 
 
 Such was the state of the Seven United Provinces at the com- 
 mencement of the French revolution. The Dutch republicans, dur- 
 ing all their struggles for power, were accustomed to look up to 
 monarchical France for assistance and protection. What then must 
 have been their secret exultation, at seeing the throne, and all the
 
 15 
 
 authorities emanating from it, at once overturned and destroyed, and 
 a congenial democracy usurping its powers ? The Anti-orangists, 
 however, possessing the constitutional apathy of Dutchmen, were 
 enabled to keep under the ebullition of their spirits, and to await, in 
 apparent tranquillity and forbearance, a favourable opportunity to co- 
 operate with their friends in France. That opportunity, as will be 
 seen, anticipated their most sanguine expectations. Meanwhile, the 
 several governments of Europe, particularly such as were situated 
 nearest the revolutionary conflagration, were preparing to guard 
 against and divert its terrible approaches. The Dutch republic,, al- 
 though its obvious interests were neutrality and peace, found itself 
 irresistibly hurried into the vortex of this formidable anti-revolu- 
 tionary alliance. The Dutch government saw its danger without a 
 possibility of escaping it ; and scarcely could the threatened opening 
 of the Scheld, that old bone of contention, backed by the pressing 
 remonstrances of the allied powers, extort from its tardy councils a 
 cautious and feeble manifesto. That, however, formed a sufficient 
 pretext to include the states-general and the prince of Orange in the 
 list of enemies against whom the French convention thought proper 
 to declare war. 
 
 The Dutch fight sturdily when actuated by emotions of interest or 
 dislike ; but, in the present instance, the nominal assistance of their 
 forces, to the allies, was worse than negative. On the first disaster 
 at Dunkirk, the Dutch troops ran off, in a body, and never halted 
 until they got within their own frontier; and, on the subsequent re- 
 verses of the allied armies, the conduct of the Dutch was not merely 
 disaffected to the common cause,— it was openly hostile.
 
 16 
 
 The recollection of the calamitous retreat from Nimeguen to Bre- 
 men never fails to awaken the most painful sensations ; and the 
 ■treatment our soldiers experienced from the Hollanders, during that 
 dreadful march through part of their country, cannot be thought of 
 by those brave men, who have survived their sufferings, but with the 
 most lively indignation*. What followed it was not difficult to fore- 
 see ; the French entered Holland, and were received there, not as 
 conquerors, but deliverers. They had the address and policy, even 
 while exacting their requisitions, to respect the private property, the 
 customs, and the prejudices of the inhabitants ; and, though outrages 
 and disorder could not fail to have been committed by an invading 
 army, yet the general demeanour and conduct of the enemy were, 
 comparatively, so just, moderate, and conciliating, that the Dutch 
 became as much enamoured of their newly-assumed character as they 
 were already prepossessed in favour of their new principles. 
 
 No sooner had the allied armies retired from the United Provinces, 
 and the French advanced, than the democracy assumed the powers of 
 government. The example had been given, for some time before, 
 by the province of Friesland ; which, indeed, might be deemed, 
 from the first charter of the union, a distinct republic, federatively 
 but not constitutionally connected with the jest. 
 
 On this trying occasion, the stadtholder did all that could be ex- 
 
 * Instances are told of actual murders having been perpetrated on our wounded men, who 
 were left behind in the Dutch churches. But these stories axe scarcely credible. That they 
 suffered from still more cruel neglect, is more probable. Such reports, however, having been 
 circulated in the army, during the late expedition, gave very unfavourable impressions of 
 Dutch humanity and hospitality.
 
 17 
 
 pected from a prince in his desperate circumstances, without the 
 means of enforcing his authority. He set forth manifestoes and pro- 
 clamations, exhorting the people to rise in a mass. But the popu- 
 lace, which heretofore supported the cause of the House of Orange, 
 now deserted it. The prince, therefore, finding all further exertions 
 fruitless, having previously sent off his family and effects, embarked 
 himself, not without difficulty and opposition, at Scheveling, on board 
 an open boat, navigated by three men, and arrived safe at Harwich 
 on the Cist January, 1795. 
 
 A provisional government for the Seven United Provinces, like 
 that of the convention of France, was established by the ruling party, 
 whose first act was to conclude an alliance offensive and defensive 
 with the French republic ; while the long connexion and friendship 
 between Great Britain and Holland ended with a mutual declaration 
 of war, and an immediate commencement of hostilities. The French 
 government having new-clothed and fed for six months its army in 
 Holland, withdrew it. The strong places, however, on the southern 
 frontier were garrisoned with French troops, in order to be retained 
 by France until a general peace. 
 
 In the year 1797, a representative government, not greatly dif- 
 ferent in form and principles from the late directorial one of France, 
 excepting that it recognises the obligation on religious worship in the 
 state, superseded the conventional government; whilst the title of 
 The. Batavian Republic was, in future, to designate the Seven 
 United Provinces. Hence, therefore, the partisans of the new con- 
 
 n
 
 18 
 
 stitution, and of the French connexion, began insensibly to lose their 
 former appellatives of patriot and democrat, and to be known by their 
 newly-restored ancient name of Batavian. 
 
 It must be confessed, that the new- modelled government has dis- 
 played an energy and activity in opposing the numerous and formidable 
 dangers which assail it on every side, not usual with the torpid pro- 
 ceedings of Dutch councils. These exertions are the more remark- 
 is 
 
 able, as the directorial form of government was imposed on the Hol- 
 landers by a foreign power, and is likely to take root in Holland, after 
 it has been overturned by the fickle and restless nation by whom it 
 was at first instituted. 
 
 Although there has been less bloodshed, outrage, and change of 
 property in Holland, during its revolutionary transit from the old to 
 the new order of things, than took place in contemporary revolu- 
 tions, because the aberrations were neither so great nor so sudden, 
 and the people themselves were of a less impassioned character, yet 
 the consequences have been highly calamitous and ruinous to the 
 Dutch nation. Abroad, their navy has been annihilated, their colo- 
 nies possessed, and their commerce destroyed by their old allies, 
 whilst their wealth, and moveable property, at home, have fallen a 
 prey to the requisitional plunder of their new friends. In fine, there 
 is nothing valuable remaining to the republic, but the dykes, the 
 sluices, and the water-works, to which the soil is indebted for its 
 existence. But as these artificial means of preservation require con- 
 tinual repairs, and the exterior resources which commerce can alone
 
 19 
 
 supply, the country already exhibits symptoms of relapsing into that 
 primitive state of morass and inundation in which it was found fifteen 
 hundred years ago, when the intrepid Batavians first conceived the 
 bold and arduous project of giving stability to the quicksands of the 
 Rhine, and limiting the incursions of the ocean. 
 
 D 2
 
 NARRATIVE, 
 
 &'c. SCc. 
 
 A HE affairs of the British empire having proved remarkably 
 prosperous in the early part of the year 1799, by her critical and 
 decisive naval victories, and by the complete suppression of rebellion 
 and insurrection at home, — a great military force remained, without 
 any immediate object to engage its operations, at the disposal and 
 direction of government. 
 
 About the middle of the summer very active preparations for some 
 impending and important service became general throughout the 
 army. A camp was formed at Shirley-Common, near Southampton ; 
 all the regiments of the line on duty in Ireland were embarked, with 
 the greatest possible dispatch, and at the most convenient ports, 
 chiefly at Cork, for England ; and those that were ordered first for 
 service had their full complements of men made up from skeleton 
 regiments, which last were afterwards wholly recruited, many of 
 them with additional battalions, by volunteers from the English mi- 
 litia, conformably to a recent act of parliament made expressly for 
 that purpose.
 
 22 
 
 All these preparations began very much to engage and interest the 
 public mind, whilst, from the appearance of bustle and secrecy with 
 which the armament was conducted, it acquired the name of the Se- 
 cret Expedition. 
 
 Indeed so- long as the place of rendez-vous continued to be near 
 Southampton, it might reasonably enough give rise to a variety of 
 conjectures respecting its final destination. Accordingly, the coasts 
 of Brittany, Portugal, and the Mediterranean, were severally men- 
 tioned, together with Holland and the Netherlands, as the supposed 
 objects of the intended expedition. But when, at the latter end of 
 June, the camp broke up at Shirley-Common, and the troops marched 
 into Kent, and encamped on Barham-Downs, while transports were 
 collecting at the different neighbouring ports, there was no longer a 
 divided opinion as to its object and destination : it began to be uni- 
 versally believed that it was intended for Holland. 
 
 The French and Dutch governments seem to have been early ap- 
 prised of the projected invasion ; nor could it well have been other- 
 wise, as the correspondence that was necessarily kept up with the 
 Dutch loyalists, for the purpose of concerting with them on the best 
 and speediest modes of re-establishing their former constitution and 
 government, could not long have escaped the suspicion and vigilance 
 of the existing government. Indeed, so early as in the month of June 
 last, the enemy seemed to have penetrated the design of the expedition, 
 and they immediately began to adopt the most active measures to 
 counteract and defeat it. Their military force in the Netherlands was
 
 23 
 
 suddenly augmented by means of conscripts ; an army of observation 
 was stationed along the coast of Flanders, from Dunkirk to Ostend ; 
 the fortifications in the island of Walcheren, and at the mouths of the 
 Scheld, were repaired and strengthened ; and a French army began 
 forthwith to be organised in Holland under the command of general 
 Brune. 
 
 On the part of the expedition no time was to be lost, as the season 
 was fast approaching when the most wisely planned and best con- 
 ducted military operations were liable to be defeated by the ele- 
 ments alone. Of this government seemed to be sufficiently aware, 
 for the equipment and embarkation of the first division were pushed 
 on with the utmost vigour and celerity. On the 8th of August the 
 camp on Barham-Downs broke up ; and the troops collected there 
 marched off the ground to Margate, Ramsgate, Deal, and Dover, pre- 
 paratory to their embarkation. 
 
 The first division of troops for this service was unquestionably 
 composed of the flower of the British army. It consisted chiefly of old 
 regiments whose courage and conduct had been proved on former oc- 
 casions, and who were inured to a military life, and disciplined by 
 actual service in various climates ; the several brigades were com- 
 manded by experienced generals; and the commander in chief was 
 an officer who had devoted a long life to the service of his country, 
 during which, on many trying occasions, in different countries, he 
 was distinguished for his courage and ability, and the most un- 
 blemished reputation. The whole effective military force of the
 
 24 
 
 first division amounted in round numbers to about fifteen thou- 
 sand men*. 
 
 From the oth to the 1 3th August the troops were occupied in em- 
 barking on board the transports and men of war at their respective 
 stations ; and on the morning of Tuesday, the 1 3th of August, the 
 whole fleet, amounting to upwards of <200 sail of every description 
 of vessels, under the command of vice-admiral Mitchel, who hoisted 
 his flag on board the Isis, put to sea with the most favourable au- 
 spices. The weather, which had previously been very inclement for 
 the season, had now the appearance of becoming settled. The day 
 itself was uncommonly fine, the wind was as fair as could be wished, 
 and the whole armament, on getting under way, was accompanied 
 by the prayers, the wishes, and the hopes of millions j not merely 
 arising from patriotic or national emotions, but from feelings of 
 friendship and affection, in consequence of the widely-extended re- 
 lative connexions of those who were embarked or concerned in it. 
 
 Towards evening, the several divisions of the fleet were united, and 
 the whole armament, which now nearly covered the straits, held 
 
 * The following is a detail of the forces which composed the first division. Sir Ralph 
 Abercrombie, K. B. commander in chief. Sir James Pultency, K. B. second in command. 
 
 First brigade, two battalions guards; major-general D'Oyley. 
 
 Second brigade, two battalions guards ; major-general Barrard. 
 
 Third brigade, 2d, 27th, 29th, 69th, and 85th regiments ; major-genera] Coote. 
 
 Fourth brigade, 1st royals, 25th, 49th, 79th, and 92d regiments, (the two last Highland); 
 major-general Moore. 
 
 Reserve attached to third brigade, 23d and 55th regiments; two troops 1 8th light dragoons; 
 colonel Macdonald. 
 
 A detachm< nl of the dying artillery and of the corps of enj inei
 
 25 
 
 a north-easterly course, with a pleasant and favourable breeze. Dur- 
 ing the night, the fleet had made fast approaches to the coast of 
 Zealand ; and on the following day, the weather having assumed a 
 very threatening appearance, the admiral hauled his wind, upon 
 which the whole fleet wore, and held a course north by west. On 
 the 15th August, the wind still blowing fresh, a junction was formed 
 with the north-sea fleet under admiral lord Duncan, who however 
 did not assume the command, which remained with vice-admiral 
 Mitchel. From the 15th to the 20th of August, the weather con- 
 tinued exceedingly stormy, accompanied with squalls and showers. 
 Many of the ships sustained damage, and the fleet was widely scat- 
 tered and separated. However, the wind having considerably abated 
 on the evening of the 20th, signals were made to collect the scat- 
 tered ships round the admiral ; and on the following day the head- 
 most ships fell in with the coast of Holland, upon which the fleet 
 lay off and on shore all night with a gentle breeze from the west. 
 The next day, 2 2d, the weather being moderate, the whole fleet 
 came to an anchor, the Texel Roads being distant about five miles. 
 The signal was now given, and every preparation made for landing ; 
 but, towards evening, the wind again freshened, and the fleet was 
 compelled to weigh anchor, and to put to sea in the night, it blow- 
 ing hard on a lee-shore from the south-west. 
 
 Nothing could have happened more unfortunately than this disap- 
 pointment. Although a descent on the coast of Holland was judged, 
 from the very beginning, to be the object of the expedition, yet the 
 particular part of the country chosen for the attempt was known only 
 to the commanders in chief, and remained to the last a profound secret 
 
 E
 
 26 
 
 to all others. It is now, however, generally believed, that the coast 
 of Zealand, either at the entrances of the Meuse or the Scheld, was 
 pitched upon, in the first instance, for the enterprise ; and it must be 
 owned that there were many good reasons for this preference. 
 
 In that part of the United Provinces the friends of the prince of 
 Orange had concentrated their force, which was considerable and 
 respectable. The neighbouring provinces of Brabant were in a 
 state of insurrection, which held the French in check, and they only 
 waited for a proper occasion to make a powerful diversion. Fine 
 commodious harbours would be secured for our shipping, and an easy 
 and speedy intercourse kept up with England. Finally, in the event 
 of a successful descent and consequent junction with the Orangists, 
 the position which the British army must necessarily have assumed 
 would have broken the connexion between the northern and southern 
 provinces, and have secured a short and easy route, through a fine 
 fertile country, by Rotterdam to the capital. The possession of the 
 Dutch fleet would not, perhaps, have been the immediate conse- 
 quence, but its surrender must eventually have followed the fate of 
 the country. 
 
 It was the near prospect of succeeding, in this last important en- 
 terprise, that ukimately determined the descent to take place on the 
 coast of North Holland, — the weather having prevented any prompt 
 and sudden attempt to land in a more southern situation. When, 
 therefore, the armament anchored the first time, near the Texel, the 
 enemy had no suspicion of a descent, and were quite unprepared to 
 oppose an invading army in that quarter. The recurrence of the
 
 27 
 
 storm that forced the armament to put to sea, after having been re- 
 viewed by the enemy, must therefore be considered as a very serious 
 misfortune ; for if the weather had proved favourable, the disembark- 
 ation would have been effected without opposition, and not the 
 Dutch fleet only, but the whole province of North Holland would, in 
 consequence, most probably, have fallen an easy and speedy con- 
 quest. 
 
 On the other hand, it was fortunate for one grand object of the ex- 
 pedition, that the Dutch admiral, mistrustful of the fidelity of his 
 seamen, did not embrace the favourable opportunity afforded — by the 
 British fleet having been blown off the coast, — of trusting to the 
 chance of the elements in an attempt to make some of the ports of 
 Zealand, or Brest harbour, in which attempt it is probable he might 
 have succeeded, at least, with some of his ships. 
 
 On the two following days after leaving the coast, the storm rather 
 increased than abated, and some of the transports were obliged to bear 
 away for England. By this time all the fresh provisions and vege- 
 tables in the fleet were consumed ; and wine, vinegar, and even water, 
 began to be scarce. Indeed the general aspect of affairs appeared so 
 unpromising, that serious apprehensions were entertained for the fate 
 of the expedition, and the return of the armament to England began 
 to be deemed an event of absolute necessity. However, on the Goth, 
 the general hope was revived by the weather having moderated, and 
 on the morning of the 26th the \- hole fleet once more came to an- 
 chor off the northern extremity of the province of Holland. 
 
 e 2
 
 28 
 
 The most active exertions were now made to expedite and facili- 
 tate the disembarkation, The various descriptions of vessels com- 
 posing the armament were arranged in the following order. The 
 transports were stationed on the outside ; nearest to these were moored 
 the ships of the line ; the frigates lay next in order, still nearer the 
 shore ; and the armed brigs, cutters, bomb-vessels, and gun-boats, 
 were moored close along-shore, to cover the landing. 
 
 While thus, on the eve of the arduous enterprise, every individual 
 was busied in his respective station, not a moment was lost in dis- 
 covering the situation of the Dutch fleet, and in sounding the dispo- 
 sition of the crews. For this purpose flags of truce passed between 
 the English and Dutch admirals*, and the result proved highly sa- 
 tisfactory as to one grand achievement of the expedition. 
 
 At three o'clock in the morning of Tuesday, 27th August, the 
 signal was given for disembarkation, the troops having been previ- 
 ously furnished with sixty rounds of ball-cartridge, and two days' 
 provisions in their haversacks ; besides which, their canteens were 
 filled with spirits and water. 
 
 To effect a landing on an hostile coast, in the face of an enemy pre- 
 pared to dispute it, must be allowed to be a bold and hazardous at- 
 tempt, under the most favourable circumstances : in the present in- 
 stance it was peculiarly so. The extremity of the province of North 
 
 * See admiral lord Duncan's summons, and the answer of admiral Story, in the Appendix
 
 C Z9 
 
 Holland forms a narrow peninsula, whose west side, where the land- 
 ing was effected, is washed by the German Ocean j and the northern- 
 most end, whose angle forms the Helder Point, faces the Texel 
 Island : the channel between, called the Mars Diep, is the principal 
 entrance into the Zuider Zee, which sea washes the eastern shore. 
 The Helder Point is a bold bluff beach, from which several piers of 
 huge unhewn stones project into the sea*: it is crowned by a strong 
 battery, called Kyckduyn, which commands the passage to the Texel 
 Roads, but is itself commanded, on the land side, by the heights of 
 Heuysden. From this point the coast stretches due south, present- 
 ing to the sea a flat beach, on which a heavy surf breaks even in the 
 calmest weather; but when it blows, no boat can live in an attempt 
 to approach the shore. Ascending from the strand, the land presently 
 rises into sand-hills, which are formed into three irregularly-parallel 
 ranges of unequal heights, the easternmost being the highest. The 
 valleys between are narrow and winding, and the hills, intersected by 
 ravines and defiles, rise into abrupt ridges, which form so many na- 
 tural redoubts. Between the Sand-Hills and the Zuider Zee, the 
 land extends into a marshy plain, divided by dykes and inundations. 
 About seven miles from the Helder, the road turns off at right angles 
 with the sea-coast, and, passing in front of some farm-houses, leads 
 directly into the country. 
 
 This description will serve for the whole coast of Holland, from 
 the Texel to the Meuse, except that, proceeding to the southward, 
 
 * The labour and patience with which the Hollanders constructed tiiese piers of immense 
 stones, chiefly for the purpose of breaking the force of the ocean, must appear astonishing, 
 when it is remembered that there is not, in the whole country, a stone to be found as big as a 
 boy's marble.
 
 30 
 
 the Sand- Hills extend in breadth, and are skirted by thick woods, 
 which separate them from the flat country. 
 
 It was at first intended, and so ordered, that all the launches which 
 carried troops from the transports should rendezvous under the stern 
 of such frigates as lay nearest the landing- place v ; the army was then 
 to disembark in the following order: — Major-general Coote's brigade, 
 with a detachment of the light-artillery, were to effect a landing on 
 the right of the whole, under the command of Sir James Pulteney. 
 After which, the rest of the army, under the commander in chief, 
 was immediately to follow; major-general D'Oyley's brigade taking its 
 position on the right ; major-general Burrard's occupying the centre; 
 and that of major-general Moore being posted oh the left. This plan, 
 of operations, however, was not precisely executed, — for the first 
 boats that received the men from the transports, having been taken 
 into tow by wherries and schooners, pushed on directly to the beach, 
 under a press of sail, without attending to the general rendezvous ; 
 whilst the soldiers, as soon as ever the boats took the ground, jumped 
 out on the strand, and instantly formed under cover of the flotilla, 
 which kept up an incessant and tremendous fire of shot and shells 
 during the whole of the engagement that succeeded. Thus it was 
 that the body of troops which attacked and defeated the enemy was 
 composed of the reserve, and of detached parties of different regiments,, 
 chiefly of the third brigade. 
 
 Meanwhile the enemy, who the preceding evening only had col- 
 lected his forces at the village of Callants-Oge, posted his infantry, 
 among; which were some battalions of riflemen, on the Sand-Hills,
 
 31 
 
 and his cavalry and artillery on the marshy plain behind. In this 
 position he observed our landing with apparent indifference : but as 
 soon as the British marched from the strand, and began to ascend the 
 heights, the enemy advanced, and the action commenced. 
 
 It is, however, wholly unaccountable, that the enemy should have 
 suffered the British troops to land without interruption. He might 
 have annoyed them severely while disembarking and forming on the 
 strand; as the first ridge of Sand-Hills, which sheltered him from the 
 fire of the flotilla, was within half-musquet shot of the margin of 
 the sea. 
 
 The first contention was in attacking an eminence, on which was 
 erected a telegraph or signal-post, which was afterwards of use to us 
 in directing the fire of the armed vessels and gun-boats. This point 
 of defence, after a smart contest, was carried by the flank companies 
 of the third brigade*; and in like manner the enemy was pushed 
 from one eminence to another, not without a warm dispute for each, 
 by the persevering ardour and intrepidity of the British troops, en- 
 couraged by the gallantry and bravery of their officers. About noon 
 the action became general, and very brisk : the inequalities of the 
 ground did not allow of more than one battalion to be drawn up in 
 line, so that our advanced parties were supported and relieved by fresh 
 
 * The gallantry and spirit of the grenadiers of the 29th regiment deserve to be mentioned. 
 Finding themselves encumbered with their knapsack.;;, &c. whilst charging theenemv through 
 the heavy sand, they threw away both them and their provisions. After the battle, these brave 
 men petitioned to have their necessaries replaced, which in truth they much wanted; but, from 
 
 a strick adherence to the rules of military discipline, their request could not be granted: 
 
 the officers and soldiers have however been since remunerated for their losses of ba°-ga°-e, &c 
 during the campaign.
 
 detachments, who, as soon as they were landed, marched up from 
 the strand to the scene of action. The British army had neither 
 cavalry nor artillery ; but these wants were in a great measure 
 remedied by the steady co-operation of the armed vessels, whose 
 terrible fire prevented any attempt of the enemy to turn its right 
 Hank. The enemy, nevertheless, made some ineffectual manoeuvres, 
 with a view of charging with his cavalry ; but he fired his field- 
 pieces and howitzers from the plain with considerable effect. 
 
 About five o'clock in the evening the enemy was driven from the 
 last ridge of the Sand-Hills, and retired further, between the inunda- 
 tion and farm-houses on the plain ; at which time the brigade of 
 guards, under major-general D'Oyley, marched along the strand with 
 two field-pieces, which had just been brought up by a party of sailors, 
 to attack the enemy in his last position. The enemy, forming a close 
 column, with some artillery in front, sustained the attack with firm- 
 ness, and retired in good order to a position about six miles distant, 
 without being pursued on our part, for the want of cavalry. 
 
 Thus ended an irregular but well-contested action, which esta- 
 blished a British army in Holland, and which was immediately fol- 
 lowed by the most important consequences. 
 
 The force that the enemy had been able to collect to oppose our 
 descent was estimated at seven thousand men, all Dutch troops, well 
 cloathed and appointed, and commanded by a general of some re- 
 pute (Daendels). The prompt and vigorous attack of the British 
 was therefore a measure of the first necessity j for if the enemy had
 
 33 
 
 been allowed time to collect a more considerable army, and to take 
 advantage of the strong ground, by planting cannon on some of the 
 heights, the dislodging of them would have been a task of far greater 
 difficulty. 
 
 The loss of the Dutch in this engagement, according to their own 
 account, amounted to eleven hundred men, among whom, however, 
 they reckoned no officer of rank, except one colonel (Luk) killed. 
 
 The British loss, considering the small proportion of the army 
 actually engaged, was by no means inconsiderable : it amounted to 
 five hundred, and fell chiefly on the reserve, consisting of the 23d 
 and 5.5 th regiments, commanded by colonel Macdonald, who, though 
 wounded, never left the scene of action. The detachments of the 
 third brigade, from the Queen's, 2?th, 29th, and S5th regiments, 
 under the command of major-general Coote, did not suffer propor- 
 tionably less than the reserve. Lieutenant-general Sir James Pultenev, 
 second in command, was unfortunately disabled by a wound in the 
 arm : his place, however, was ably supplied by major-general Coote. 
 
 The principal officers who fell during the action were, lieutenant- 
 colonel Smollet of the guards, and lieutenant-colonel Hay of the en- 
 gineers. The latter received a cannon shot, which shattered his 
 thigh ; he had the satisfaction, however, of commending, with his 
 latest breath, a numerous family to the care of his friend the com- 
 mander in chief, and of dying with the consolatory reflexion that they 
 would be provided for by his country*. 
 
 * The total return of killed and wounded, corrected from the official detail, is as follows : — 
 Two lieutenant-colonels, 1 subaltern, 3 Serjeants, 51 rank and file, killed; I lieutenant- 
 
 F
 
 34 
 
 The left wing of the British army was not engaged ; it was com- 
 posed of major-general Moore's brigade, and the brigade of guards 
 under major-general Burrard, and was destined to attack the batteries 
 at the Helder. But the enemy saved us the trouble ; for, on per- 
 ceiving the event of the battle, the garrison, consisting of between 
 two and three thousand men, silently and secretly evacuated the forts, 
 having first spiked the guns and destroyed some of the carriages ; 
 upon which, under cover, of the dusk of the evening, they retreated 
 along the dyke, on the edge of the Zuider Zee, directly in front of 
 our whole army ; and in some points not half a mile from our ad- 
 vanced picquets. The same night, detachments from major-general 
 Moore's brigade occupied the batteries at the Helder Point ; and the 
 next day the British troops marched into the Helder town *, accom- 
 panied by numbers of loyal Dutchmen, whose first acts were to cut 
 down the tree of liberty, to mount the Orange cockade, and to hoist 
 the Orange flag on the steeple of the church. 
 
 Thus were the first efforts of the British army in Holland crowned 
 with complete success, — a landing was effected, the enemy defeated, 
 and a safe port for our shipping secured ; and, on the day after the 
 engagement, we had the satisfaction to witness the first fruits of our 
 victory, by the disembarkation of a reinforcement of five thousand 
 men at the Nieuve Diep, just arrived from England under the COm- 
 general, 1 colonel, 1 lieutenant-colonel, 1 major, nine captains, 6 subalterns, IS Serjeants, 
 1 drummer, 334- rank and file, wounded; 26 rank and file missing. The casualties are not 
 included in this return. 
 
 * The Helder is a dirty disagreeable town, inhabited by sea-faring people, not unlike Sheer- 
 ness. The streets are unpaved; and the soil, being a heavy slimy sand, is converted, in rainy 
 weather, to a thick slab. Through this slab a horse flounces up to his belly at every plunge. 
 The roads throughout the country, being composed of the same materials, are, with few excep- 
 tions, very little better.
 
 35 
 
 mand of major-general Don*. For these troops, owing to a conti- 
 nuance of the storms, could not possibly have disembarked on the 
 beach where the first division effected a landing. 
 
 All the Dutch men of war that were afloat in the Mars Diep, in 
 consequence of the decided success of the British arms, got under 
 weigh, retired further within the Zuider Zee, and anchored in a 
 narrow and intricate channel behind the Texel Island, called the 
 Vlieter. 
 
 Admiral Mitchel having anchored in the Mars Diep with his 
 whole fleet, consisting of eleven sail of fifty and sixty-four gun ships, 
 including two Russian men of war, proceeded, without loss of time, 
 to follow the enemy ; meanwhile he dispatched the Circe, captain 
 Winthorp, to take possession of the ships that were laid up in the 
 Nieuve Diep, together with the arsenal and naval stores. This service 
 was performed without the least show of opposition on the part of 
 the enemy. Thirteen ships of war and three Indiamen were found 
 there -f-. 
 
 In exploring the winding channels of the Texel Roads, the Ame- 
 rica, and the Ratisvaw (Russian ship), took the ground ; and as they 
 
 * This division consisted of 17 th, 20th, and 40th regiments, two battalions each, and the 
 63d regiment. 
 
 f The ships laid up in the Nieuve Diep, were, one guard-ship of o4 guns, one ship of 66 
 guns, six of 44- guns, one of 32 guns, and four of 24 guns, together with three Indiamen and a 
 sheer-hulk. 
 
 F 2
 
 36 
 
 could not immediately be got off, the fleet proceeded without them, 
 and, in the morning of the 30th August, anchored in line, a short 
 distance from that of the enemy. 
 
 A flag of truce from the Dutch admiral now came on board the 
 Isis, with proposals, for the purpose of gaining time, under pretext of 
 receiving instructions from the Batavian government. An answer 
 was immediately returned, with positive orders not to alter the posi- 
 tion of the Dutch ships, and to submit within an hour under pain of 
 the consequences. Captain Rennie of the Victor was also the bearer 
 of a summons from vice-admiral Mitchel to admiral Storey; in 
 which the latter, and those under him, were exhorted instantly to hoist 
 the flag of his serene highness the prince of Orange, and, by so dc- 
 ing, to be considered as friends of the king of Great Britain, other- 
 wise the blood that must be shed by a contrary conduct would be 
 on the heads of those who resisted. The Dutch admiral, finding his 
 situation hopeless and irretrievable, struck his flag, attempting at the 
 same time to justify his conduct in an official answer to the sum- 
 mons of the British admiral, in which he alleges, that he acknow- 
 ledges no sovereign but the representatives of the Batavian people, 
 and that, in consequence of the mutiny of his fleet, he was under 
 the necessity of surrendering it, submitting himself and his office?s 
 as prisoners of war. 
 
 The flag of the Batavian republic having been struck, a number 
 of officers was sent from the British fleet to take possession of each 
 of the Dutch ships, accompanied by a proclamation from vice-admi-
 
 37 
 
 ral Mitchel, with a view of tranquillising the minds of the people or 
 board*, and of restoring order and subordination. 
 
 This last remnant of the Dutch navy,- that so happily yielded to 
 the flag of Great Britain, consisted of eight ships of the line, three 
 frigates, and a sloop of war -j-. 
 
 During these successful operations by sea and land, the Dutch seem 
 to have been astonished and panick-struck at the boldness and ra- 
 pidity of our movements. They fondly imagined, that their bat- 
 teries on shore, and their channels and shoals, scarcely navigable by 
 themselves, would have rendered the situation, at least of their fleet, 
 impregnable ; as if any dangers were too great to be encountered, or 
 any obstacles insurmountable, by the combined efforts of a British 
 army and navy. 
 
 The Dutch admiral has been severely censured for the line of con- 
 duct he pursued. By not adopting the measures of the loyal part of 
 his fleet, in declaring openly for the prince of Orange, he for ever 
 forfeited his countenance and protection. On the other hand, he 
 was suspected by the Batavian government, who employed him, of 
 betraying the high trust reposed in him, by surrendering the fleet of 
 the republic to its enemy without so much as firing a gun. On the 
 
 * For the correspondence of the English and Dutch admiral*, .and the memoir of the latter 
 in justification of his conduct, see the Appendix. 
 
 f The Dutch ships, stores, &c. of which possesion were supposed to have been taken ca 
 behalf of the prince of Orange, have been since condemned as lawful prizes, and sold to go- 
 vernment for the benefit of the captors, among whom, very justly, are included the first di- 
 vision of British troops that effected- the landing at- the Helder.
 
 38 
 
 whole, however, if the statement the Dutch admiral has given for 
 his own justification is to be credited, and there is no good reason 
 to doubt of its truth, he appears to have been more unfortunate thin 
 culpable. 
 
 Whilst thus a sensible impression was made by a British army and 
 navy on the coast of Holland, the hereditary prince of Orange, with 
 not a numerous party, which he had collected in the eastern provinces, 
 attempted a diversion on the frontiers of Over-Yssel ; but his efforts 
 were unsuccessful. He, in vain, summoned the fortress of Coevor- 
 den. His party were dispersed by a body of the national guards of 
 Arnheim, and the prince himself was constrained to embark at Emb- 
 den for the Texel ; where he arrived, just after the Dutch fleet had 
 surrendered to admiral Mitchel. 
 
 As soon as complete possession was obtained of the Helder and its 
 dependencies, the republican municipalities were suppressed, and ma- 
 gistrates elected agreeably to the former constitution. Two procla- 
 mations were also issued in the Dutch and English languages, and 
 distributed among the inhabitants. The first was from the com- 
 mander in chief, Sir Ralph Abercrombie, setting forth, That the 
 British army enters the territory of the United Provinces, not as ene- 
 mies, but as friends and deliverers from the oppression of France, — it 
 calls upon the Dutch to be instrumental to their own deliverance, 
 recommending to all parties union, concord, and a forgiveness of in- 
 juries ; but, at the same time, it asserts, that if any Dutchmen should 
 in future be found to adhere to the oppressors of their country (the 
 French), they would be treated as decided and irreconcileable enemies.
 
 39 
 
 The other proclamation was a temperate, persuasive, and conciliating 
 address from his serene highness the prince of Orange to his country- 
 men. It was to the same purport as the former, and promised, that 
 the hereditary prince of Orange would soon put himself at the head 
 of all loyal Dutchmen, to co-operate with the allied army in re-esta- 
 blishing their former free and lawful government*. 
 
 But neither the brilliant career of the British arms, nor these pro- 
 clamations, had the immediate effect expected from them. The in- 
 habitants of the part of the country in our possession displayed no 
 cordiality in their attachment to the cause we maintained, which 
 seemed to be the effect rather of necessity than choice, and a new 
 feature of the Dutch character soon betrayed itself, — they proved cool 
 and cautious in their friendship, but active and vindictive in their 
 enmity. 
 
 During these transactions, the weather continued unusually severe 
 and tempestuous. Admiral lord Duncan, having superintended, 
 though he did not command the naval operations, returned in the 
 Kent man-of-war to England, 
 
 From the 27th August to the 1st September, the army was sta- 
 tioned on the line of Sand-Hills, extending about seven miles from 
 the northern point at the Helder to the village of Callants-Oge. In 
 this exposed situation it suffered severely from the inclemency of the 
 weather, for there was no other shelter from the unusual coldness, 
 accompanied with frequent heavy showers that prevailed during the 
 
 * For these proclamations, see Appendix.
 
 40 
 
 nights, than what could be obtained by digging trenches in the sand. 
 The supplies of provisions were also for a few days irregular and 
 precarious, owing to the intercourse with the fleet being interrupted 
 by the unceasing storms. As these hardships however extended to 
 all without distinction, they were sustained by all, not only with for- 
 titude but with cheerfulness. 
 
 Whilst the army occupied this position, it was employed in throw- 
 ing up breast-works and redoubts at several points of defence, and in 
 receiving parties which every day came over from the enemy to 
 declare for the prince of Orange, though their numbers were by no 
 means considerable. 
 
 About this time another proclamation was issued, signed by the 
 hereditary prince of Orange, which, in consequence of the present 
 favourable posture of his affairs, was conceived in more peremptory 
 language than the former. It especially enjoins to the people of 
 the seven provinces to establish forthwith a provisional government, 
 until the legal constitution shall be effectually restored j and directs 
 all those persons, who, prior to the French invasion, had been em- 
 ployed in the departments of police, finance, and justice, immediately 
 to assume the provisional administration of those departments, with 
 the exception of such as had a share in the revolution, or were at- 
 tached to rhe present illegal government. Nevertheless, to prevent 
 confusion, it tolerates the public functionaries of the existing go- 
 vernment, until the provisional one is prepared to exercise its 
 powers*. 
 
 * For the proclamation, see Appendix.
 
 41 
 
 At length, on the 1 st September, to the great satisfaction of every- 
 one, the army received orders to quit their position on the Sand- 
 Hills, and to advance into the country. 
 
 And here it may neither be improper nor irrelevant to the sub- 
 ject, to consider, whether all the advantages proposed to be derived 
 from undertaking the expedition might probably have been greater, 
 or more decided, if any other plan of operation had been adopted at 
 its commencement than that which was actually followed; — for the 
 ■world, in judging of events, is prone to make its conclusions, not al- 
 ways in consonance with the causes by which they were produced, 
 but from their successful or unfortunate issues. 
 
 Immediately consequent to the possession of the enemy's fleet, and 
 the establishment of a victorious army in the country, formidable in- 
 deed more from its discipline, appointments, and courage, than from 
 its numbers,— three several plans of operation obviously presented 
 themselves. 
 
 The first was, to reimbark the troops, and to withdraw them alto- 
 gether from North Holland, after having brought off, with the cap- 
 tured ships, as much of the artillery and the military and naval stores 
 as were worth the removal, and then to destroy the remainder. By 
 this expedient, it is true, a grand exploit would have been achieved, 
 of incalculable advantage to Great Britain, and with an incomparably 
 small proportion of expenditure of life and treasure ; but, by so do- 
 ing, the main intention and scope of the expedition would have been 
 frustrated, which were — to effect the re-establishment of the former 
 
 G
 
 4<2 
 
 legal constitution, and to restore the stadtholderate to the House of 
 Orange. Yet, even supposing conquest only was the sole object of 
 pursuit, the eclat of our arms, as well as the solid advantages already 
 obtained, warranted a further prosecution of them. To abandon 
 therefore the expedition in its first successful onset, — to relinquish 
 at once the fair prospect of the speedy completion of all its objects, 
 and to return home without so much as one discouraging circum- 
 stance or occurrence, would be an extraordinary line of conduct in- 
 deed, that might well challenge animadversion. 
 
 Directly opposed to so contracted and timid a plan, another equally 
 apparent offered itself. — After having secured the enemy's fleet and 
 the forts of the Texel, to have profited by the first successes, and, 
 without the loss of a moment, to have followed them up, as far as 
 possible, with the utmost energy and promptitude. In favour of 
 such a plan of operations, arguments not unplausibie might be ad- 
 duced : it might be alleged, that the enemy, weak in numbers, hav- 
 ing as yet not been joined by the French, and disheartened by our 
 unexpected victorious commencement, would not dared to have op- 
 posed the rapid advance of the British army j— that apprehensive of 
 this, he had evacuated for a short time Alkmaar ; that possession 
 therefore might have been gained, without loss, of a tract of country 
 adequate to the maintenance and accommodation of an army of 
 50,000 men, and for which we afterwards so warmly contended; — 
 that we might have then secured a tenable position, by establishing 
 a line of posts through a strong country, from Hoorne to Egmont-op- 
 Zee, having Alkmaar as a principal intermediate post; — that, by such 
 a vigorous movement, those of the inhabitants who were sincerely
 
 43 
 
 attached to the interests of the prince of Orange would be induced 
 to come forward, and evince their loyalty, not by a mere display of 
 its symbols, but by a manly and active co-operation with the British 
 army; and finally, supposing the worst, that a retreat would have 
 become necessary, the same security in effecting it would have ex- 
 isted then as at any subsequent period. 
 
 Induced by such considerations, it is not improbable that the 
 British army, flushed with victory, would have pushed on to Alk- 
 maar immediately after the battle of the 27th August, if its numeri- 
 cal force had been greater. But although that city might have then 
 been taken, and the country possessed without opposition, yet to 
 have maintained, for any time, a secure position there, inasmuch as 
 the line of defence, extending from sea to sea, must have been very 
 weak, would be a doubtful and extremely hazardous undertaking. 
 
 Between those two measures of leaving the country, and advancing 
 farther into it, a medium was chosen by our veteran and experienced 
 commander. The army took up a position on the course of the 
 Groot-Sluys of the Zype, having Oude-Sluys on the Zuider Zee on 
 its left flank, and Petten on the German Ocean on its right. By 
 this position a fertile tract of country was gained, which, though of 
 no great extent, was sufficient to subsist the army that then occupied 
 it. It furnished an abundant supply of excellent black cattle and 
 sheep, and also of horses and waggons, — or which last the army stood 
 in great need. The position was likewise a remarkably strong one; 
 for it was defended by the great dyke or embankment, running in 
 
 G 2
 
 44 
 
 front of the canal, and extending across the isthmus. The course of 
 this bank is not in a straight line, it forms several half-moon and 
 angular projections, and has a fine gravel road all along the top. At 
 convenient distances, small redoubts were immediately erected, and 
 cannon mounted upon them, so that the dyke, thus fortified, was 
 not less adapted to stop the progress of an- enemy than of an inun- 
 dation,. 
 
 In this secure situation, the army waited impatiently for the power- 
 ful reinforcements which were hourly expected; meanwhile it oc- 
 cupied quarters which might be termed comfortable, compared with 
 those on the Sand -Hills. The troops were cantoned in large and 
 commodious farm-houses, which made excellent barracks, all the 
 offices being contained under one roof. These houses were so nume- 
 rous.and equally distributed, that the face of the country had the ap- 
 pearance of a continued village. 
 
 It was now two hundred and fifty years since the peace and hap- 
 piness of this part of the United Provinces had been interrupted by 
 hostile armies: — no wonder then, that, during so long a repose, the 
 virtuous and industrious inhabitants had attained the summit of poli' 
 tical prosperity. The dates on the fronts of all the houfes prove 
 them to have been built in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, 
 during which last a?ra the country appears to have acquired as- 
 many people as it could possibly maintain : ever since, the over- 
 flowing population must have been disposed of, occasionally, in the 
 marine and in the colonies.
 
 45 
 
 The manners, customs, and fashions of the people of North Hol- 
 land perfectly coincide with the dates on their houses — they exhibit 
 a picture of centuries past : and as neither riches nor poverty, palaces 
 or hovels, are to be seen there, the inhabitants must, for ages, have- 
 been in the actual and unquestionable enjoyment of that genuine li- 
 berty and equality which is founded on just laws, adapted to the ge- 
 nius and character of the people ; — but of the modern metaphysical- 
 import of these words they were totally ignorant, until, by bringing 
 calamity and destruction on the human race, it, at length, involved 
 them in the dreadful consequences*. 
 
 The enemy not finding himself pursued, and being, at this time^, 
 reinforced by the advanced guard of the French army, which had 
 proceeded by forced marches through South Holland, began to re- 
 cover from his panic, and to take up positions in our front. . 
 
 From the first to the tenth of September the army was exercised' 
 by frequent false alarms, which might be so far useful, as it accus- 
 tomed the troops to assemble underarms without beat of drum ; — 
 sometimes at any given hour in the night, and always at two hours, 
 before day-break. 
 
 At length, the commander in chief, having been duly apprised that 
 a formidable attack was in meditation against our right, made the ne- 
 cessary preparations to repel it. Some skirmishing had occurred be~ 
 
 * The people of North Holland are very religiously disposed. It was as certain to find a 
 prayer or psalm book on the person of the killed and wounded, as a pipe or canteen. Reli- 
 gious books were generally met with in the farm-houses, and frequently also political pam- 
 phlets; which last, apparently, had been lately distributed.
 
 46 
 
 fore this, at our advanced post at Warmanhuysen, and in front of 
 Oude-Carspel, which occasioned those posts to fall back, it being 
 intended to strengthen our position, and to act on the defensive until 
 the arrival of the expected reinforcements. 
 
 The Batavian government, by uncommon and forcible exertions, 
 had collected a number of Dutch troops from the general levy, called 
 the National Volunteer Guards, and raised by the several towns and 
 districts throughout the Seven United Provinces. These troops, hav- 
 ing been recently joined by a part of the promised succours from 
 France, composed a considerable force, — not exceeding, however, 
 twelve thousand men. 
 
 On the morning of the 1 Oth September, at day-break, the com- 
 bined enemy commenced the attack. They divided all the force they 
 were able to muster into three columns ; the right column, composed 
 whollv of Dutch troops, under the command of general Daendels, di- 
 rected its operations against the British ports of Saint Maarten and 
 Eenigenburg; the centre column, likewise Dutch, marched on to 
 the attack of Krabendam and the Sleiper Dyke ; while the left, con- 
 sisting entirely of French troops, under the direction of general 
 Brune, advanced upon Camperduyn, and the Dyke towards Petten. 
 
 Our position at the head of the dyke of the Zype was very strong 
 and commanding, and was bravely defended by the two battalions of 
 the 20th regiment, under lieutenant-colonel Smyth, who was severely 
 wounded. The enemy advanced, notwithstanding, with great intre- 
 pidity. His right column pushed on to St. Maarten's, of which it ob- 
 tained a temporary possession ; but the centre, not being able to pe-
 
 47 
 
 netrate the British lines, and the left column of French having been 
 checked in its career by the British right, consisting of the two bri- 
 gades of guards, while one flank of that column was for some time 
 exposed to a destructive fire from our centre, and the other to the 
 fire of some armed vessels stationed on the coast, — the whole of the 
 enemy's force was compelled to retreat before eleven o'clock in the 
 morning. His retreat was quickened by colonel Macdonald with the 
 reserve. After which, both armies re-assumed the positions they had 
 respectively occupied before the action ; the head-quarters of the 
 British being at Schagen*, and that of the enemy at St. Pancras, a 
 village to the north of Alkmaar. 
 
 This experiment cost the enemy near a thousand men in killed 
 and wounded, including about forty officers, and one general (David), 
 who was killed. It was made at the express order of the Batavian 
 Directory, but with what intention is not very obvious, as the whole 
 of the enemy's force was easily repulsed by little more than a third 
 of ours. 
 
 The loss of the British army, in killed, wounded, and missing, was 
 two hundred men, including ten officers wounded. Major-general 
 Moore received a flesh wound, which, however, did not oblige him 
 to quit the field -{-. 
 
 * Schagen is a handsome market-town, situated immediately on the outside of the great 
 dyke of the Zype, and midway between the Zuider Zee and German Ocean. It became a 
 post of the first importance to the allied army. 
 
 f The total loss, according to the official returns, was 37 rank and file killed; 1 lieutenant- 
 colonel, 1 major, 4 captains, 4 subalterns, 2 Serjeants, 131 rank and file, wounded; I serjeant, 
 18 rank and file, missing.
 
 48 
 
 Although no ground was gained by this victory, it impressed the 
 enemy however with a due sense of the strength of our position, and 
 the courage of our men, while it intimidated him from trying any 
 more offensive operations. The whole British army, in consequence, 
 remained for some time in perfect security and repose, ardently ex- 
 pecting the time when its augmented strength should enable it to 
 act offensively in turn. 
 
 Hitherto the troops, though harassed by severe duty, and con- 
 stantly exposed to the vicissitudes of a most inclement sky, retained 
 the highest health. To this, the lively hope of conquest inspiriting 
 the mind, and a daily allowance of rum, being a gratuitous dole from 
 the King, acting as a salutary stimulus on the body, no doubt essen- 
 tially contributed *. 
 
 To the general joy of the army, field-marshal his royal highness 
 the duke of York arrived on the 1 3th September, in the Amethyst 
 frigate, at the Helder, after a passage of four days from Deal. His 
 royal highness brought over three brigades of British troops -f-, — and, 
 immediately upon landing, had the satisfaction to witness the disem- 
 barkation of eight battalions of Russian auxiliaries, consisting of 
 
 * The allowance of grog or wine in the navy has been found of essential service in contri- 
 buting to preserve the health of seamen. A similar allowance extended to the army, while m 
 active service, would be certainly not less useful, — as soldiers, in the course of a campaign, are 
 liable to greater fatigues and exposures, without shelter, to inclement weather, than even 
 sailors. 
 
 t The brigades which disembarked on the 13th September were,— 5th foot, 2 battalions ; 
 35th, 2 battalions ; his royal highness prince William of Gloucester :— 4th foot, 3 battalions ; 
 31 st regiment; major-general earl Chatham : — 9th foot, 3 battalions; major-general Manners; 
 —7th light dragoons, artillery. — N. B. The 1 1th light dragoons landed some time before.
 
 49 
 
 seven thousand men, under the command of lieutenant-general 
 D 'Hermann. 
 
 The Russian forces had arrived from Revel the preceding day, and 
 were speedily followed by the remainder of that division, consisting of 
 three thousand men. Another division from Yarmouth soon after 
 joined the allied armies, making, altogether, the Russian auxiliary 
 troops amount to between seventeen and eighteen thousand effec- 
 tive men. 
 
 The fame of the Russian arms had already filled every quarter of 
 the habitable globe. The courage, vigour, and discipline of those 
 invincible troops claimed and obtained universal commendation, — and 
 British soldiers, for the first time, were about to take lessons in the 
 science of war from their redoubtable allies. It must, however, be 
 confessed, that the Russian troops were little or nothing indebted to 
 external appearance for their high reputation. Their cloathing, 
 arms, and accoutrements, were certainly, at least, not superior to our 
 own. Their uniform was green, with black, yellow, or red facings; 
 yellow breeches, and long black leggings. The grenadiers were only 
 distinguished by conical caps, with fronts of white or yellow latten 
 metal. Many of the men had one, two, and, some few, three silver 
 medals, appending by a short ribbon from the lapels of their coats. 
 These medals, which were stamped either with the effigies of the 
 emperor Paul„or of the late empress Catharine, with a Russian in- 
 scription on the reverse, were tokens of military merit, bestowed on 
 account of some signal exploit. How far such rewards might con- 
 tribute to excite military emulation in the breast of the soldier, de- 
 
 H
 
 50 
 
 serves to be considered. There was a similar practice in the French 
 armies, but on a much -more comprehensive and elegant plan*. The 
 Russian officers wore no epaulets, but they were known by a very 
 large silver gorget, which possibly might be intended as a defensive 
 armour for the breast. 
 
 In their persons, the Russians, for the most part, were rather under 
 the middle size, but broad chested, robust, and muscular. Their 
 countenances, however, could not be thought prepossessing; — to 
 those who were unaccustomed to view them, they seemed even 
 repulsive and ferocious. 
 
 The Russian grenadiers had not been selected on account of their 
 height, but for their superior strength of form ; — and this choice 
 seems to be founded in a just estimate of the qualities which con- 
 stitute bodily vigour; for men of the middle size are found to be 
 proportionably stronger, and better able to endure fatigue, than tall 
 men. 
 
 The only cavalry attached to the Russian army consisted of one 
 troop of hussars, and two or three troops of Cossacks. The former 
 was a part of the gardes- du-corps of the emperor, and was composed 
 of picked men of the largest dimensions, and of the finest propor- 
 tions, most superbly appointed. The Cossacks were of a slenderer 
 
 * A medal of this last description was found on the person of a French soldier, who had 
 died of his wounds ; — it hung by a string round his neck, within-side his shirt. It was of silver, 
 larger than a crown-piece; and the action for which it was granted was represented on it, with 
 a suitable inscription. The whole was executed in a masterly style. This medal is now in the 
 possession of an officer of the 29th regiment.
 
 51 
 
 make, and had better countenances than the Russians. Their arms 
 were— a carabine slung across the back in a kind of cradle-sling, a 
 scimitar, pistols in the waist-belt, and a spear twelve feet long in the 
 hand. This furniture, together with their oriental dresses, and fine 
 bushy beards, produced an effect more picturesque and romantic 
 than formidable. They were mounted on a wretched looking race 
 of small ambling horses, with long tails and manes, and of different 
 colours ; notwithstanding which, these animals were reported to be 
 docile, sure-footed, and indefatigable. 
 
 The general appearance of the Russian army, when drawn up un- 
 der arms, announced, at the first glance, that it was composed of 
 troops formed altogether for service, and not for show. There ap- 
 peared to have been established throughout all ranks the most ab- 
 solute subordination. Several priests accompanied the army, to 
 whom was yielded implicit and reverential obedience *. 
 
 Prior to the arrival of field- marshal his royal highness the duke of 
 York, and the last reinforcements, the British army had been esta- 
 blished in an advanced position in the country, as already described. 
 The 69th regiment was encamped outside the Helder, where it re- 
 mained, as a rear guard, during the campaign. A body of marines 
 from the fleet did duty on the Texel Island, at the island of Wa- 
 rengen, and at the arsenal at the Nieuve Diep. His serene high- 
 
 * The Russians are members of the Greek church, in which there is much fasting. A few 
 fast-days happened during the campaign, w^hich were strictly enjoined, and as strictly observed 
 —and, it must be remarked, sometimes very opportunely. 
 
 H 2
 
 52 
 
 ness the hereditary prince of Orange had landed at the Helder a few' 
 days before his royal highness the duke of York, and was employed 
 in forming into regiments a number of Dutch loyalists — volunteers 
 from the fleet, and deserters from the enemy. But many refractory 
 Dutchmen, who, in the revolt of the fleet, had joined the British 
 standard, were now obliged to be confined in the island of Warengen. 
 
 The reinforcements, as soon as they joined the army, were distri- 
 buted along the lines, which now became necessarily more extended. 
 Major-general Moore's brigade assumed a more advanced position on 
 the left, at Colhorn ; and the Russian forces now formed the right 
 wing of the allied army, having relieved the guards who were posted 
 at Petten. Field-marshal his royal highness the duke of York, 
 having been declared, in public orders, captain-general and com- 
 mander in chief of the allied forces on the continent, established his 
 head-quarters at Schagenburg *. 
 
 Whilst the most active exertions were employed in making the 
 necessary arrangements, preparatory to the commencement of offen- 
 sive operations, vice-admiral Mitchel was busied in preparations not 
 less active in the fleet, in order to co-operate on the Zuider Zee 
 with the movements by land. A flotilla of gun- vessels was fitted 
 out under the direction of Sir Home Popham, calculated to act, not 
 only on either coast, but also on the inland navigation. 
 
 * Schagenburg is a village situated immediately on the great sluys or canal of the Zype, 
 fourteen miles south of the Helder, and two miles due north of the town of Schagen, within the 
 great dyke or embankment.
 
 53 
 
 Every arrangement having been made, upon Thursday, September 
 the 19th, at an hour defore day-break, the allied army was under 
 arms and in motion, — its whole force amounting at that time to about 
 thirty-six thousand effective men, — all in high health and spirits, ex- 
 cellently appointed, and furnished with a fine train of artillery. 
 
 This force was formed into four columns, besides the reserve un- 
 der colonel Macdonald, which had advanced on the left the preceding 
 evening, preparatory to the turning of the enemy's right. 
 
 The first column on the right, composed principally of Russians, 
 was under the command of lieutenant-general D'Hermann. It was 
 destined to attack the left wing of the enemy, which consisted wholly 
 of French, commanded by general Vandamme, — to force his position 
 on the heights of Camperduyn, and in the villages under those heights, 
 and, finally, to take possession of Berghen. 
 
 The second column, commanded by lieutenant-general Dundas, 
 was intended to co-operate with the first, by carrying the enemy's 
 posts at the villages of Warmanhuysen and Schoreldam. The first of 
 these places was the advanced post of the enemy on the plain ; the 
 other was situated behind it, nearer the Sand-Hills. 
 
 The object of the third column, under lieutenant-general Sir James 
 Pulteney, was to attack and take possession of Oude-Carspe', at the 
 head of the long dyke leading to Alkmaar. This post covered the 
 enemy's right wing, which occupied the plain in front of Alkmaar 
 and was composed wholly of Dutch troops under general Daendeis.
 
 54 
 
 The fourth column* was commanded by lieutenant-general Sir 
 Ralph Abercrombie ; — it was posted considerably to the left of the 
 whole ; and meeting no enemy whatever, it marched on without op- 
 position to Hoorne, which city, having been always wel) inclined to 
 the interests of the House of Orange, immediately threw open its 
 gates, hoisted the Orange flag on the steeples, and received the Bri- 
 tish troops with as lively demonstrations of joy as Dutchmen are ca- 
 pable of showing. 
 
 The obstacles that presented themselves on every side, to obstruct 
 the advance of an army in this country, cannot readily be conceived 
 from the most accurate description. The Sand-Hills begin to rise 
 abruptly from the flats, immediately behind the town of Campe, and 
 stretch considerably in breadth in a south-easterly direction towards 
 Alkmaar. The plain at the feet of the hills is intersected by a large 
 canal, running in the same direction, and terminating at Alkmaar : it 
 is a continuation of the Groot-Sloot, to which it is joined at Kraben- 
 dam. The whole plain is moreover divided into distinct portions 
 by cross canals, which have no communication with each other. At 
 the principal intersections, some village is situated, which requires 
 
 * First column — twelve battalions of Russians, major-general Manners' brigade, 7th light 
 dragoons. 
 
 Second column— two brigades guards, major-general his royal highness prince William of 
 Gloucester's brigade, and two squadrons 1 lth light dragoons. 
 
 Third column — major-general Coote's brigade, major-general Don's brigade, and two 
 squadrons 11th light dragoons. 
 
 Fourth column — major-general earl Chatham's brigade, major-general Moore's brigade, 
 major-general earl Cavan's brigade, first battalion British grenadiers, first battalion light in- 
 fantry, and two squadrons 18th light dragoons. 
 
 Reserve — 23d and 55th regiments.
 
 55 
 
 nothing more to make it a strong point of defence, than mounting 
 cannon on the top of the dykes, and posting troops behind them. 
 
 On the first ridge of the Sand-Hills, and in the several fortified 
 villages, which connected his line, the left wing of the enemy was 
 posted and intrenched. His right occupied the plain, which was 
 covered by the strong redoubts he had constructed at Oude-Carspel. 
 The bridges across the few passes that led to these places were de- 
 stroyed, and abbatis laid at different distances. 
 
 At half past three in the morning, the first attack was made by 
 the Russian column, led on by lieutenant-general D'Hermann, and 
 with such vigour and vivacity, that the enemy gave way on the out- 
 set. In vain did he attempt to avail himself of the natural strength 
 of the ground, by rallying his scattered troops behind the eminences. 
 The intrepid column pressed so close, as not to allow him a moment's 
 pause, still destroying or making prisoners of his rear. Thus the pur- 
 suers and the pursued poured along the open downs and hills, until 
 they arrived at the wooded tract of country that skirts the Sand-Hills 
 and surrounds the town of Berghen. Here the enemy, who was 
 perfectly acquainted with the ground, found shelter and a rallying 
 point. Berghen is situated four miles north-west of Alkmaar, at the 
 termination of the plain. Close to the suburbs is a chateau belong- 
 ing to the prince of Nassau, — the whole is surrounded by thick groves 
 of tall trees, with roads and alleys between them at irregular inter- 
 vals; so that this spot might be deemed a labyrinth, easier to enter 
 than to get out of.
 
 56 
 
 The Russians, in the ardour of victory, entered the town of Berghen 
 about eight o'clock in the morning, sword in hand; but finding the 
 place abandoned, they relaxed their efforts, and, according to their 
 custom in taking towns by storm, gave themselves up to pillage. 
 
 The vigilant enemy instantly seized this opportunity to retrieve 
 the day. He rallied his broken battalions under cover of the woods, 
 which were critically supported by fresh troops from Alkmaar, as 
 well as by a detachment from his centre, which turned the left flank 
 of the column, and, highly favoured by the situation, attacked the 
 Russians, at different points at once, with his usual impetuosity. 
 The Russians, who had supposed their victory complete, were 
 totally disconcerted at this unexpected renewal of the combat. Their 
 forces were divided and dispersed, some battalions being too far ad- 
 vanced among the woods, whose borders they had not the precaution 
 to guard, others too far retired ; but the main body was busied in 
 collecting the spoil in the ruined church of Berghen. Thus, not- 
 withstanding the utmost exertions of their generals and officers, and 
 the natural courage of the men, the first and second in command 
 havinp- unfortunately been taken prisoners, they were compelled to 
 retire from Berghen, and to measure back the ground they had con- 
 quered in the morning, to Schorel. 
 
 Meanwhile, the second column, under lieutenant-general Dundas, 
 commenced the attack at day-light on the village of Warmanhuysen, 
 which was strongly fortified with cannon. Three battalions of Rus- 
 sians, led on by major-general Sedmoratsky, most gallantly stormed
 
 57 
 
 the place on its left flank, while, at the same time, it was entered at 
 the right by the first regiment of guards. Upon this success, the 
 greater part of the column marched on to Schorel ; the remainder 
 was detached to keep up the communication with that of lieutenant- 
 general Sir James Pulteney. 
 
 The first column of Russians was hard pressed by the enemy in 
 its retreat upon Schorel. At this point the Russians attempted to 
 make a stand ; but they were forced to yield to the enemy, just as 
 the reinforcements from the second column came up to their sup- 
 port. Upon this, the village of Schorel was attacked and retaken 
 in the face of a heavy fire by major-general Manners' brigade j and 
 this brigade being immediately reinforced by two battalions of Rus- 
 sians, which had co-operated with major-general Dundas in storming 
 Warmanhuysen, by major-general D'Oyley's brigade of guards, and 
 by the 35th regiment, under the command of his royal highness 
 prince William of Gloucester, the action was renewed for some 
 time with success ; but the Russians having expended all their am- 
 munition, and the whole corps being exhausted by such great exer- 
 tions, they retired in good order upon Petten and Zyper-Sluys. 
 
 In the mean time, that part of the second column which had 
 taken Warmanhuysen, having been joined by the first battalion of the 
 5 th regiment, advanced upon Schoreldam, which position they main- 
 tained, under a heavy and most galling fire, until the fate of the right 
 wins: rendered it no longer tenable. 
 
 During these sanguinary operations on the right, the centre or 
 third column, under lieutenant-general Sir James Pulteney, proceeded 
 
 i
 
 58 
 
 on to attack the enemy's right wing in its strong position at Oude- 
 Carspel. Here the obstacles which presented themselves were truly 
 formidable. This place is a long village, extending three or four 
 miles to the suburbs of Alkmaar ; it is surrounded by deep canals and 
 embankments, and its northern extremity was fortified with re- 
 doubts and batteries, bristling with cannon. The third brigade 
 (major-general Coote's) was destined to attack on the right flank, 
 while the remainder of the column stormed the centre and left. It 
 was stopped, however, in its advance by a broad and deep canal, that 
 run in front of the enemy's work, over which the bridge was de- 
 stroyed. This brave brigade, therefore, had the extreme mortifica- 
 tion of being witnesses of the gallantry of their fellow soldiers, with- 
 out a possibility of sharing their danger. However, the two bat- 
 talions of the 40th regiment, under colonel Spencer, supported by the 
 two battalions of the 17th, having discovered an approach on the 
 left, instantly prepared to storm it. This intrepid corps was received 
 by a terrible discharge of small arms, grape and round-shot, and shells. 
 From this destructive tempest it took a momentary shelter behind 
 an angular embankment, upon which the enemy, supposing the Bri- 
 tish had retreated, sallied out from behind his works in pursuit. 
 He was, however, soon compelled to face about, and was so closely 
 followed by the 40th, that that regiment entered the lines with the 
 fugitives at the point of the bayonet, just at the time when part of 
 the 3d brigade (2d and 29th) found means to enter on the other side, 
 by crossing the canal in canoes ; upon which the enemy abandoned 
 them, and retreated in confusion towards Alkmaar. This brilliant 
 achievement cost the two battalions of the 40th upwards of one 
 hundred and fifty men, including eleven officers. It put the third 
 column, however, in possession of the important post of Oude-
 
 59 
 
 Carspel, and of the batteries and guns of the enemy ; but in conse- 
 quence of the irretrievable disaster on the right, lieutenant-general 
 Sir James Pulteney found it expedient to withdraw his column the 
 same night from that position. The troops, after a dismal and ha- 
 rassing march, during which they were lighted by the blaze of burn- 
 ing villages, arrived, at an early hour in the morning, at the respec- 
 tive stations which they occupied before the battle. 
 
 The same cause rendered it necessary to recall the fourth column, 
 under lieutenant-general Sir Ralph Abercrombie, from the city of 
 Hoorne, upon which the whole of the army re-assumed its former 
 position. Such was the termination of the buttle of Bergen . 
 
 The enemy, previous to this affair, had made uncommon efforts to 
 augment his army, and to strengthen his line of defence. The actual 
 number he was able to bring into action cannot be accurately ascer- 
 tained. Perhaps thirteen thousand French, and fifteen thousand 
 Dutch, approaches sufficiently near to a fair estimate. 
 
 Opposed to this force, that of the allied army amounted to little 
 more than twenty thousand men ; inasmuch as about fifteen thousand, 
 though contributing by their movements to the general design, were 
 not eventually engaged. 
 
 It was, and must be allowed, by every candid and impartial judge, 
 that the plan of operations, and the disposition of the force employed, 
 were conceived and arranged, by his royal highness the commander 
 in chief, with the greatest judgment and ability. Of the truth of 
 
 I 2
 
 60 
 
 this remark, there requires no stronger proof than the events and 
 circumstances of the action. The execution of the three grand 
 movements was completely successful, and even of the fourth on the 
 right, so far as depended on the exertions of the British troops. 
 The failure there, which rendered all the other successes inefficient, 
 may be candidly ascribed as much to the mischances inseparable 
 from the hazardous game of war, as to the misconduct of the Russian 
 column. 
 
 The loss the enemy sustained in this attack must have made a most 
 sensible impression on him ; it amounted to three thousand men and 
 sixty officers, prisoners; and it may be presumed that two thousand 
 more were killed and wounded. Sixteen pieces of cannon also, which 
 could not be brought away, were destroyed. 
 
 The loss * of the allied army in this battle was also very conside- 
 rable ; it amounted to nearly fifteen hundred British, and to three thou- 
 
 * Total of the official British returns : — 1 lieutenant-colonel, 2 captains, 2 subalterns, I staff", 
 2 Serjeants, and 109 rank and file, killed ; 7 lieutenant-colonels, 6 majors, 15 captains, 15 sub- 
 alterns, 20 serjeants, 2 drummers, and 3-1-5 rank and file, wounded; 22 Serjeants, 5 drum- 
 mers, and 463 rank and file, missing. 
 
 350 of the first battalion of the 35th regiment, killed, wounded, and missing; and 70 of the 
 waggon train, and of the royal navy, not in the above return. 
 
 The loss of the Russians had not been ascertained when the other returns were given in: it 
 was supposed to be 1500 men; the enemy make it four, and the Russians themselves acknow- 
 ledge it to be 3000 ; which last estimate has been adopted. See the Russian general D'Essen's 
 official letter in the Appendix, wherein he attempts to justify the failure of the Russians,, on 
 the supposition that they were not allowed time to recruit after their voyage, &c. &c; as if 
 the British troops had not a much stronger plea an that score, particularly those of the first di- 
 vision, who got into action immediately after a long and stormy voyage. See also two other 
 official papers, of a subsequent date, on this subject.
 
 61 
 
 sand Russians, in killed, wounded, and missing. The Russians also 
 lost almost the whole of their field artillery, amounting to twenty 
 pieces of cannon; and their first and second in command, lieutenant- 
 generals D 'Hermann and TchertchekofF, were made prisoners. The 
 latter was mortally wounded, and died the following day. 
 
 The immediate advantages proposed to be obtained by the attack 
 of the 19th September, obviously appears, from the movement on the 
 left, to take possession of Hoorne, — to have been the establishment 
 of the allied army in a stronger and more advanced position, and the 
 acquisition of a larger and more fertile territory for its subsistence. 
 
 The peninsula of North Holland very suddenly enlarges itself from 
 the narrow slip of land at its northern extremity, projecting into the 
 Zuider Zee at Enkhuysen ; from which place, to that of Camper- 
 duyn, on the opposite coast, it extends in breadth about thirty- six 
 miles. It then as suddenly becomes narrower towards Hoorne ; so 
 that two miles south of that city, at Shaerdam, it is not more than 
 sixteen miles across. This then appears to have been the most ele- 
 gible, as well as the securest position for an invading army. At 
 Shaerdam, all the transverse canals unite and have one common sluys 
 or outlet into the Zuider Zee ; these canals at their western extre- 
 mity surround Alkmaar, which city is but eleven miles due west 
 from Shaerdam, and five east from Egmont-op-Zee. The country 
 between Alkmaar and Egmont is partly a plain, and partly sand-hills. 
 
 In this situation, therefore, an army would be protected in front 
 by broad canals, and high dykes or embankments of great solidity,
 
 62 
 
 running in parallel directions across the country ; its wings would 
 be covered by the two seas, and its centre by a large and strong for- 
 tified town, — while a fine and productive territory in its rear, a- 
 bounding in many large towns, would have furnished it with ample 
 supplies. 
 
 To co-operate with the movements of the army, vice-admiral 
 Mitchel had fitted out a small squadron of bomb-vessels and armed 
 brigs, calculated for shoal water, and shifted his flag to the Babet 
 sloop of war. With this little fleet he proceeded successfully to 
 counter-revolutionise the towns on the Zuider Zee. At Enkhuysen, 
 Medenblic, Steveren, and Lemmer*, the trees of liberty were cut 
 down, the Orange-flag displayed, the proclamations posted, the mu- 
 nicipalities abolished, and the old magistrates or burgo-masters, to- 
 gether with the former administration, as far as was possible, rein- 
 stated ; and all these changes were effected with as much apathy 
 and indifference on the part of the inhabitants as a scene-shifter would 
 feel in converting, before the astonished spectators, a wood into a 
 city. BLut how far their sincerity, in their professions of allegiance, 
 was to be trusted, could only be judged of by their subsequent 
 conduct. 
 
 From the landing of field-marshal his royal highness the com- 
 mander in chief at the Helder, to the latter end of the month (Sep- 
 tember), several partial reinforcements of troops arrived from time 
 to time in Holland, and joined the army. They belonged to the dif- 
 
 * Steveren and Lemmer are two ports of East Friezland, nearly opposite Enkhuysen ; the 
 ZuiJer 'Zee being there only a few leagues across.
 
 63 
 
 ferent divisions, and had either been compelled to put back, or into 
 some neutral port during their stormy passages, or had not been pre- 
 pared to sail with the rest ; amongst these came, a few days after the 
 action of the 19 th, a body of six thousand Russians, very seasonably, 
 to reinstate the loss that had been sustained on that da*. Two thou- 
 sand of these troops were encamped between the Nieuve Diep and 
 the Helder ; the rest reinforced the Russian column j— the whole 
 effective numerical strength of the army amounting at this time, in 
 round numbers, to about forty thousand men. 
 
 Towards the latter end of the month, the most active preparations 
 prevailed from right to left of the line. Pontoons were constructed, 
 and waggons and horses collected, all indicative of a speedy advanced 
 movement, and all sounding " the dreadful note of preparation," for 
 another general attack. But hitherto the weather had been such as 
 to have baffled the greatest military skill, and the most strenuous ef- 
 forts. The storms and rains were violent and incessant, — the effect of 
 this inclement season on a country like Holland, which would seem 
 to require the utmost aridity of climate to give stability to its marshes, 
 may be easily conceived,— the roads became impassable, and the 
 fields might be easier navigated than marched through. The enemy 
 did not fail to profit by this suspension of operations. He strength- 
 ened all his advanced posts, which were the same he had occupied 
 before the affair of the 19th, by additional works, and his army was 
 augmented by daily reinforcements. 
 
 At length, on the 29th of September, the weather having assumed 
 the appearance of becoming a little more settled, the whole army got
 
 64 
 
 under arms before day-light ; and, at the first dawn of the morning, 
 the several brigades were in motion, apparently for the purpose of 
 advancing upon the enemy ; but, on the right, the tide rose so high 
 with a tremendous surf, that there was no possibility of marching 
 along the beach ; and the roads were so completely converted into a 
 quagmire, that the troops were frequently up to their knees. No- 
 thing, therefore, could be effected on this day, and the several bri- 
 gades returned to their respective stations. 
 
 Exclusively of the hostility of the elements, the movement might, 
 nevertheless, have been useful, as tending to divide the attention of 
 the enemy, respecting the true point of time and the exact place of 
 the meditated attack. 
 
 On the 1st of October, the heavy rains having ceased, and the 
 roads having become more passable, by the wind shifting to a drier 
 quarter, a change of position was effected along the whole line, 
 preparatory to another general action. All the brigades on the left 
 marched on to the right, whilst those on the right gave them place, 
 by inclining to the centre. 
 
 Every previous arrangement having been made, on the morning 
 of Wednesday the cd of October, at half past six, (for not until then 
 did the tide of ebb admit of marching along the strand,) the right 
 wing was in mction. 
 
 The disposition of the combined British and Russian forces was 
 materially different from the disposition and order of the 19th of Sep-
 
 65 
 
 tember. In this action the right and left wing were composed of 
 British troops, whilst those of the Russians formed the centre. The 
 enemy, however, defended the same ground nearly in the same 
 manner as at the battle of Berghen : his left, composed of French 
 troops, being stationed on the ridges of Sand-Hills that overlooked 
 the plain, through the villages of Campe, Groete, Schorel, and so 
 round to Berghen ; — but he had strongly fortified the advanced post 
 of Schoreldam at the head of the Koe-Dyke. The Dutch troops, 
 as before, occupied his right, and were chiefly concentrated at Lang- 
 Dyke and Oude-Carspel, which points of defence were much im- 
 proved by additional works since the last attack. 
 
 The British and Russian combined movements were executed in 
 four columns. That on the right, commanded by general Sir Ralph 
 Abercrombie, marched along the beach towards Egmont-op-Zee, for 
 the purpose of turning the enemy's left flank. 
 
 The second column, composed wholly of Russian troops, was 
 commanded by major-general D'Essen. It marched by the Sleiper- 
 Dyke to Camperduyn, and then defiled off along the feet of the 
 Sand-Hills towards Berghen. A detachment of this column, under 
 major-general Sedmoratzky, proceeded from the Zuyper-Sluys, to 
 co-operate with the British, who were destined for the assault of 
 Schoreldam ; after which it was to support the principal part of the 
 column in attacking Berghen. In aid of the troops appointed to at- 
 tack the post of Schoreldam, seven gun-boats moved along the 
 Alkmaar canal, under the direction of Sir Home Popham. 
 
 K
 
 66 
 
 The third column, commanded by lieutenant-general Dundas, 
 after having seconded the operations of the Russians, was to pene- 
 trate in the midst of the Sand- Hills, and to sustain the efforts of 
 general Sir Ralph Abercrombie's corps on the right, in pushing the 
 enemy from his last position. 
 
 The fourth and last column, commanded by lieutenant-general Sir 
 James Pulteney, might properly enough be deemed a corps of obser- 
 vation. It was stationed on the left of the whole, opposed to the 
 enemy's right, and was intended to take all advantages of the turns 
 of the day, either by attacking the enemy with effect, or by sustain- 
 ing, if necessary, the centre columns*. 
 
 At half past six, the right column, as already observed, marched 
 out of Petten, and proceeded along the Sea-Dyke. Its advanced 
 
 * The force and arrangement of the columns were as follow : 
 
 Field-marshal his royal highness the duke of York commander in chief. 
 
 First column, on the right,— three brigades and the reserve of~\ 
 
 ■_, I Commanded byge- 
 
 infantry, of major-generals D'Ovley, Moore, the earl ot Cavan, and 1 J ° 
 
 •' , J ° . J : - ,. , , , , lL > neral Sir Ralph Aber- 
 
 of colonel Macdonald ; nine squadrons of light dragoons under the / 
 
 command of lord Paget ; and one troop of horse artillery. J 
 
 Second column, centre, — ten battalions of Russian infantry; three \ Major-general D'Es- 
 troops of hussars and cossacks ; artillery. J sen. 
 
 Third column, centre, — three brigades of infantry, of major-ge- ~l 
 
 nerals the earl of Chatham, Coote, and Burrard; one squadron 11th > nan £ enera 
 
 I Dundas. 
 light dragoons ; artillery. ) 
 
 Fourth column, on the left,— three brigades of infantry, of major- } Lieutenant-general 
 generals his highness prince William, Manners, and Don; two bat- > Sir James Pultenev. 
 talions Russians, and two squadrons 13th light dragoons ; artillery, j
 
 67 
 
 guard, being colonel Macdonald's reserve *, immediately attacked 
 and carried a redoubt in front of the village of Campe, and drove the 
 enemy from that village, and from the heights above it; upon 
 which it continued its route along the ridge of Sand-Hills next the 
 sea, but rather inclining to the left. The main body of the first co- 
 lumn was conducted, at the same time, by general Sir Ralph Aber- 
 crombie, along the strand, close to the margin of the tide, towards 
 Egmont-op-Zee. 
 
 The road leading to the Sand-Hills being thus cleared on the 
 right, the centre columns began to move. The Russians advanced 
 and drew up on the plain, in a line parallel to the feet of the Sand- 
 Hills, and proceeded to attack the enemy's lines in front of Schorel ; 
 but lieutenant-general Dundas, having detached a part of the third 
 column to support the Russian corps, marched briskly on with the 
 remainder, consisting of major-general Coote's brigade; and, ascend- 
 ing the Sand-Hills at the town of Campe, immediately attacked the 
 enemy, who were posted on the heights above Schorel. The enemy 
 did not long stand the conflict, he retreated precipitately over a wide 
 range of hills ; and, in the pursuit, the regiments -f composing this 
 brave and steady brigade became necessarily separated. 
 
 While major-general Coote's brigade and colonel Macdonald's re- 
 serve were pushing the enemy before them, with equal spirit and 
 
 * The term reserve, applied to the gallant corps of colonel Macdonald, appears to have been 
 a misnomer, as that corps never failed to lead the attack in every action in which it was en- 
 gaged. If it were allowable to borrow a word from the revolutionary nomenclature, dcuii- 
 
 brigade would have been a more proper term. 
 
 t The 2d or Queen's, 27th, 29th, and 85th. 
 
 K 2
 
 68 
 
 success, the enemy maintained the contest in great force between 
 Schorel and Schoreldam, from whence, and from the Koe-Dyke, he 
 kept up a heavy cannonade. At length, about noon, he was driven 
 from this position by the Russian column, supported by the gun- 
 boats on the Alkmaar canal, and by major-general Burrard's brigade, 
 which last took possession of Schoreldam. 
 
 At this juncture, field-marshal his royal highness the commander 
 in chief perceiving that the corps on the Sand-Hills were unequally 
 engaged, and needed support, as the enemy from time to time rallied 
 as he retreated towards Berghen, from whence also he received fresh 
 succours, immediately ordered the brigade of major-general lord Chat- 
 ham to advance from the plain to sustain them. This movement 
 was executed with great effect ; the brigade arrived critically to the 
 support of the 85th regiment ; and then, by extending its line, it 
 was enabled to out-flank the enemy, who was thus driven from the 
 left range of Sand-Hills, and forced to take shelter in the thick 
 woods that line their eastern border. Protected by the woods, the 
 enemy again rallied, and attempted to regain his position on the 
 heights by a particular pass which led between them. This pass 
 was defended by the 35th regiment j and, notwithstanding the re- 
 iterated attempts to force it, this gallant corps maintained its position 
 the remainder of the day. In like manner was the 27th attacked in 
 a similar position ; but the reception the enemy met with was so 
 warm, that, after having experienced one repulse, he did not choose 
 to renew the attack. 
 
 It was now three o'clock in the afternoon, when the third column
 
 69 
 
 possessed the ranges of Sand-Hills quite across, from the wood of 
 Berghen to the sea, where it joined the reserve of colonel Macdonald. 
 
 Meanwhile, the enemy having rallied at Berghen, once more ap- 
 peared in great force in front, occupying a long ridge which 
 stretched across a sandy plain, from right to left. From this formi- 
 dable position it was absolutely necessary to dislodge him. A gene- 
 ral charge was ordered : this charge was bravely led on by the 29th 
 regiment, and briskly followed up by the whole line ; and, not- 
 withstanding the ascent was to be gained amidst a terrible discharge 
 of musquetry, cannon, and howitzers, the position was carried, 
 and the enemy effectually repelled, from his last position on the 
 Sand-Hills. 
 
 Whilst these arduous conflicts were maintained in the neighbour- 
 hood of Berghen, the first column, under general Sir Ralph Abercrom- 
 bie, proceeded along the strand, with little opposition, to within a 
 mile of Egmont-op-Zee. 
 
 The enemy, who had constantly kept an eye upon this corps, al- 
 ways found means to establish a strong body of troops in its front. 
 
 The hills surrounding Egmont-op-Zee might almost be said to 
 rise into mountains. On these hills the select infantry of the ene- 
 my were posted, whilst a strong body of his cavalry, with artillery, 
 were drawn up on the beach, determined to dispute our further 
 progress.
 
 70 
 
 It would be difficult to find, in the memoirs of other battles, two 
 adverse corps more equally matched, or a contest more hotly dis- 
 puted, than in the present instance. The French were superior in 
 numbers, and had the 'vantage ground j but the British had greatly 
 the superiority in cavalry. 
 
 Major-general Moore's brigade, led on by that spirited officer, 
 charged the enemy's strongest position. The enemy, however, 
 sustained the push of the British bayonet with firmness, and charged 
 in turn. Thus a most sanguinary conflict was maintained till the 
 close of the day, and great numbers fell on both sides. The 92d 
 regiment distinguished itself, where all were brave, and suffered se- 
 verely. Its gallant colonel, the marquis of Huntley, was struck with 
 a rifle-shot in the shoulder, whilst animating his men to the charge. 
 Major-general Moore received a musquet-ball in the thigh ; how- 
 ever he continued his exertions, as if nothing had happened, until a 
 second ball wounded him in the face, and compelled him, reluctantly, 
 to quit the field. 
 
 But it was to the inspiriting example, and cool orders, of the vete- 
 ran general, Sir Ralph Abercrombie, that his brave column owed its 
 success. He exposed his person every where amidst showers of bul- 
 lets, with the vigour and vivacity of five and twenty ; and, though two 
 horses were shot under him, he seemed wholly insensible of danger. 
 
 The shades of evening now began to prevail, when the enemy 
 determined to make one desperate effort. — His chasseurs very spirit-
 
 71 
 
 edly advanced in the face of the British column, and charged with 
 great impetuosity the corps of horse artillery. They even cut down 
 several men of that corps, and carried off in triumph two guns. 
 But this success was short-lived ; for some squadrons of the 7th and 
 1 1th light dragoons, with lord Paget at their head, suddenly issuing 
 out from a recess between two sand-hills, charged them at full gal- 
 lop. The French cavalry, wholly incapable of sustaining the shock, 
 were either cut to pieces, or rushed into the sea, to avoid the Bri- 
 tish sabres. A small proportion, favoured by the approaching dark- 
 ness, effected an escape — without making any attempt to carry off 
 their prize cannon. 
 
 About sun-set, the reserve under colonel Macdonald joined the 
 first column, to which it had been attached in the morning ; upon 
 which the enemy yielded up the well-fought ground, and retired 
 towards Beverwyck. 
 
 Whilst the right and centre columns were every where victorious, 
 the column stationed on the left, under lieutenant-general Sir James 
 Pulteney, though not engaged, had been useful in overawing the 
 enemy's right, so that he could by no means detach any troops to 
 the support of his left, which had been in the utmost need of them. 
 
 Although the action might be said to have been decided at sun- 
 set, yet the firing between the flank companies of major- °-eneral 
 Coote's brigade, and those of the enemy, posted in a small angular 
 wood, did not cease before eleven o'clock at night. Nor was it till
 
 72 
 
 the break of day, of the 3d October, that the enemy withdrew all his 
 troops, which were strongly posted in the woods about Bergen, and 
 retreated across the flat lands towards Alkmaar. 
 
 The force the enemy was able to oppose to the combined armies 
 in this battle was computed at five and twenty thousand men, of 
 which about fifteen thousand were French. It was these last troops 
 that maintained the fight ; for the Dutch and our left wing were very 
 little, if at all, engaged. The enemy's loss must have been great, 
 from the important consequences of the victory. It was supposed to 
 amount to about three thousand. Seven pieces of cannon and three 
 hundred prisoners remained with the victors. Generals Brune (in 
 chief), and Vandamme, commanded the left wing of the enemy; 
 Daendels the right. 
 
 As the British were much more engaged in this action than the 
 Russians, so their loss was proportionably greater. Indeed it ex- 
 ceeded that of any single battle in which a British army was con- 
 cerned during the whole war. It amounted to near sixteen hundred 
 men, including twelve officers killed, and one major-general and 
 seventy-nine officers wounded. The Russians lost six hundred men; 
 one of their generals was also wounded*. 
 
 * Total of the official returns: — 1 major, 5 captains, 5 subalterns, 11 serjeants, 215 rank 
 and file, and 44 horses, killed ; 1 lieutenant of the navy and 3 seamen drowned ; 1 major- 
 general, 2 colonels, 2 lieutenant-colonels, 3 majors, 22 captains, 39 subalterns, 1 staff, 45 
 serjeants, 7 drummers, and 9S0 rank and file, and 7 8 horses, wounded; 1 captain, 4 sub- 
 alterns, 7 serjeai.ts, 3 drummers, 178 rank and file, and 3 horses, missing. 
 
 Russians,— 170 killed or missing; 423 wounded; 50 horses killed.
 
 73 
 
 In this engagement, the very judicious disposition which was made 
 of the allied forces, by field-marshal his royal highness the duke of 
 York, appears strikingly evident. From the experience of the 19th 
 September, great advantages were derived; — for by placing British 
 troops on the right, and directing the most vigorous efforts against 
 the enemy's left, composed wholly of French, his right was unco- 
 vered, and left unprotected. It must consequently have surrendered, 
 notwithstanding the strength of its position, had it attempted to 
 maintain its ground. The Dutch troops, therefore, that composed 
 the right wing, following the fate of the field, evacuated their works 
 during the night, retreated beyond Alkmaar, and fell back upon Pur- 
 merend. 
 
 On the night of the 2d October, the combined British and Russian 
 army occupied the scene of action, and lay upon their arms ; and, 
 on the next day, the whole line advanced, and took possession of all 
 the places which the enemy had abandoned ; namely, Oude-Carspel, 
 Berghen, Alkmaar, Egmont-op-te-HoofF, and Egmont-op-Zee. Such 
 was the result of the well-contested battle of Alkmuar*. 
 
 This affair proved more decisive than could well have been ex- 
 pected, from the obstinacy with which it was disputed. The enemy 
 retired upon his last position in North Holland, the pass of Be- 
 verwyck ; and the whole peninsula was considered as subdued by the 
 possession of Alkmaar, its capital. 
 
 * This action has been termed " The Battle of Alkmaar," as much for the sake of dis- 
 tinction, as because that place fell in consequence of it. But as battles derive their appella- 
 tions most commonly from vicinity,— in strictness, this ought to be called the Second Battle of 
 .Berghen. 
 
 L
 
 74 
 
 Alkmaar (or Alcmaer), lately the seat of the provincial states of 
 North Holland, is a city of considerable size and strength, situated 
 in a fertile plain, five miles from the Ocean, twelve from the Zuider 
 Zee, eighteen north-west of Amsterdam, fifteen north of Haarlem, 
 and twenty-six miles due south of the Helder. It is encompassed 
 with a thick wall, faced with brick, about three miles in circum- 
 ference, and strengthened with bastions at regular intervals, outside 
 of which is a broad and deep fosse, always full of water. The town 
 is intersected with canals, whose quays are lined with large ware- 
 houses. The streets are considered, even in Holland, as remark- 
 able for neatness and cleanliness. The houses are built in the old 
 style j but they look so fresh and gay with paint and varnish, that 
 they appear as if but just finished, — although there are very few of 
 them which can boast a more modern date than two hundred years. 
 The public buildings, however, though of a mixed style of architec- 
 ture, have an imposing effect, especially the cathedra], with its lofty 
 roof. The environs of Alkmaar are remarkably pleasant ; the town 
 is surrounded by groves of fine tall trees, with broad avenues lead- 
 ing to the ramparts in radiated directions. The intervals are laid out 
 in gardens, ornamented with a variety of summer-houses in the Chi- 
 nese style. Formerly, the cultivation of flowers was carried on here 
 to a most extravagant degree. An imaginary value was annexed to 
 those fanciful but transitory productions of horticulture, equal to 
 that which the world had consented to bestow on gems and pearls 5, 
 and a tulip-root was considered as a suitable dowry with the daughter 
 of a burgomaster. This frivolous pursuit, in which Dutch ceco- 
 nomy lavished its superfluous wealth, was, however, a striking 
 proof of the profound tranquillity and exuberant prosperity of the
 
 75 
 
 country. At present, butter and cheese, which are reckoned the 
 best in Holland, are the staple commodities of Alkmaar. Few places 
 on the surface of the globe, except, perhaps, some parts of China, 
 could boast, with Alkmaar, that they had enjoyed an undisturbed re- 
 pose for 226 years; for so long is it since the town was besieged by 
 the Spaniards, after the taking of Haarlem in 1573. On that occa- 
 sion the women excelled the men in acts of heroism, — they fought, 
 mounted guard, and underwent all the fatigues of garrison-duty, 
 without regarding the weaknesses of their sex. The Spaniards were 
 at length obliged to raise the siege, with disgrace, after having in- 
 vested the town for three months. At present the place, with a 
 strong garrison, might be capable of arresting the progress of an 
 army for a short time, provided the inhabitants consented to submit 
 to the consequences of a bombardment. 
 
 On the British troops entering Alkmaar, they found the gates 
 thrown wide open, and they were further welcomed by a display of 
 Orange flags, and by the chimes of the cathedral tinkling " God 
 save the king." Stores, forage, and provisions in abundance, were 
 found laid up there : on this occasion, also, several Dutch troops 
 joined the standard of the prince of Orange. Head-quarters were 
 forthwith established at Alkmaar ; the old magistracy were, as far as 
 possible, reinstated ; and, on the part of the British, a town-major 
 was likewise appointed. 
 
 With this successful progress by land, the flotilla, fitted out by 
 vice-admiral Mitchel on the Zuider Zee, kept equal pace. A small 
 detached squadron, under the command of captain Bolton of the 
 
 l 2
 
 76 
 
 Wolverene, proceeded against the town of Lemmer, the garrison of 
 which seemed determined on resistance, having rejected the sum- 
 mons to surrender, and planted cannon on the pier-head. Upon 
 which the armed vessels, with some difficulty, owing to the shoal 
 water, brought their broad-sides to bear on the place, and soon drove 
 the enemy from his guns. Immediately, possession was taken of the 
 town by a party of British seamen. This little force, however, which 
 did not amount to two hundred men, was attacked the next morning 
 on all sides by very superior numbers. The enemy, notwithstand- 
 ing, was vigorously repulsed with considerable loss on his side ; but 
 on the part of the British without the loss of a man. 
 
 After these rapid successes, the flotilla coasted onwards to the en- 
 trance of the Pampus (the channel leading to the Wye), where k 
 captured four gun-boats, being part of the force destined for the de- 
 fence of the capital by water. 
 
 After the loss of the battle of Alkmaar,. the enemy concentrated 
 all his forces, so as to cover a more contracted line of defence ; for 
 he seemed determined to risk another engagement before he should 
 betake himself to his last strong position near Beverwyck. 
 
 The situation of Beverwyck is at the head of the inlet of the Zur- 
 der Zee, called the Wye (or Y), which divides North from South 
 Holland, rendering the former a peninsula. The isthmus that con- 
 nects these two divisions of the province begins at that town ; from 
 which to Wyck-op-Zee on the Ocean it is three miles. It is, how- 
 ever, seven miles in depth from Beverwyck to the city of Haarlem,
 
 77 
 
 The pass being further strengthened on the east by a chain of villages 
 running along the Lake of Haarlem, and on the western side by the 
 Sand-Hills and the Ocean. The estuary of the Wye communicates 
 with the Lake of Haarlem, a few miles to the west of Amsterdam, 
 by water- works of stupendous construction j by means of which all 
 the waters of the Zuider Zee might be poured down on the southern 
 provinces. By having the command of so extensive an inland na- 
 vigation, centering at Beverwyck, the troops of the enemy received 
 supplies and reinforcements from Haarlem and the capital with great 
 ease and expedition. 
 
 It was therefore, undoubtedly, the interests of the allied forces 
 to follow up their recent successes by another vigorous attack on 
 the enemy, without allowing him time to receive his expected re- 
 inforcements, or to fortify himself in the strong passes of Beverwyck. 
 
 From the 3d to the 6th. of October, the combined British and 
 Russian troops were suffered to enjoy a short respite from their ex-* 
 cessive fatigues; part being quartered at Alkmaar, and part cantoned 
 in villages and farm-houses between that town and the sea. 
 
 On the morning of the 6th of October, the advanced posts of the 
 allied army pushed forward from the villages of Egmont, to gain 
 more favourable positions in front, preparatory to a general move- 
 ment. Possession was taken, with little opposition, of the villages 
 of Schermerhoorn, Acher Sloot, Limmen, Baccum, and of the Sand- 
 Hills near Wyck-op-Zee ; all these posts being in front of Bever- 
 wyck. At length the Russian column, under the command of ma-
 
 7S 
 
 ]or general D 'Essen, attempting to gain the heights near the post 
 of Baccum, was firmly opposed, and afterwards vigorously attacked 
 by a strong body of the enemy's troops. Upon which the British 
 column on the right, commanded by general Sir Ralph Abercrombie, 
 marched up to the support of the Russians ; and the enemy at the 
 same time sustaining his advanced corps by fresh forces, — the ac- 
 tion, though perhaps not intended to have been fought on that day, 
 "became general along the whole line, from Limmen to the Ocean, 
 and was contested on both sides with the greatest fury and ob- 
 stinacy. 
 
 About two o'clock in the afternoon, the French cavalry, led on by 
 general Brune in person, having attacked the advanced British and 
 Russian lines with great impetuosity and effect, the right and centre 
 of the allied army began to lose ground, and to retire upon the vil- 
 lages of Egmont*. There, however, the British and Russian co- 
 lumns made a determined stand, and vigorously repulsed the enemy 
 in their turn. Meanwhile, the brigade of major-general Coote had 
 marched out of Berghen in the morning, and, passing by Alkmaar, 
 and through the village of Heyloo, took up a position at Limmen, 
 where it maintained itself the whole day with so good a countenance, 
 by the assistance of a few field-pieces and howitzers, that the enemy 
 was held effectively in check on that side. 
 
 Evening now set in, accompanied with deluges of rain, yet still 
 the engagement continued with changeable success, but with un- 
 
 * The three battalions of the 4th principally sustained the shock of the enemy's horse, by 
 which they suffered severely.
 
 79 
 
 abating obstinacy. Even the darkness of the night, combined with 
 the severity of the weather, did not terminate it. The fire of the 
 small arms was incessant, and became quite vivid, running along the 
 undulating line of the hills, and extending in various directions into 
 the plain, whilst the gloomy horizon was every now and then illu- 
 minated by the flashes of the cannon, and the curved train of fire of 
 the fhells. At length, about ten o'clock at night, the firing entirely 
 ceased, the enemy every where retired, and the allied, army was left 
 in undisturbed possession of the scene of action.. 
 
 The British and Russian troops lay on their arms all night, occu- 
 pying the ground where the action terminated, which was on the 
 heights a little to the south of the villages of Egmont. The enemy 
 fell back upon his positions in front of Beverwyck, having fixed his 
 head-quarters at Castricum. — Such was the indecisive buttle of Eg- 
 mont. 
 
 In this, as in the last battle, their country has to regret the fate of 
 many brave and valuable men, who were deprived of life, or disabled 
 by wounds in its service. Major-general Hutchinson received a 
 rifle-ball in his thigh ; lieutenant-colonel Bainbridge of the 20th, and. 
 lieutenant-colonel Dickson of the 4th, were killed during the action ; 
 and colonel Maitland of the guards, and major Campbell of the 20th,. 
 died afterwards of the wounds they received in it. 
 
 The regiments that chiefly suffered were, — the third battalion 1st 
 p-uards, the three battalions 4th foot, the two battalions 20th foot, 
 and the 31st and 63d regiments. The loss of the British, in killed.
 
 80 
 
 wounded, and missing, amounted to upwards of fourteen hundred, in- 
 cluding seventy officers. That of the Russians was between eleven 
 and twelve hundred men *. 
 
 Five hundred prisoners, mostly Batavians, fell into our hands ; but 
 of the loss of the enemy, in killed and wounded, no estimate could be 
 formed, as that is a circumstance which he is ever most sedulous to 
 conceal ; it was supposed to equal his loss on the 2d of October. 
 
 The allied army now found itself placed in a situation so critical, 
 that it required the greatest military talents, joined with the raa- 
 turest experience, to direct its future operations. Directly opposed 
 to it lay the enemy, in a position almost impregnable, and confident, 
 from an accession of strength, having been just reinforced by six 
 thousand French troops. A naked, barren, and exhausted country 
 extended all around, thinly scattered with a few ruined villages that 
 scarcely afforded a scanty shelter for the wounded. The right wing 
 of the allied army was indeed protected by the Ocean ; but a con- 
 siderable body of troops threatened the left, which the enemy had 
 detached to the strong little city of Purmerend, where it occupied 
 an inaccessible position, surrounded with water, being prepared to 
 act either on our flank, or on the rear, should the allied army ad- 
 
 * Total of official returns : — 2 lieutenant-colonels, 2 subalterns, 3 Serjeants, 1 drummer, 
 S3 rank and file, 7 horses, killed ; 1 major-general, 1 colonel, 1 lieutenant-colonel, 3 majors, 
 7 captains, 23 subalterns, 1 staff", 23 Serjeants, 666 rank and file, and 13 horses, wounded ; 
 2 lieutenant-colonels, ] major, 5 captains, 7 subalterns, 13 Serjeants, 2 drummers, and 569 rank 
 and file, missing. 
 
 ^Russians, — 3S2 killed or missing, and 735 wounded.
 
 81 
 
 vance ; or, in case of necessity, this hostile corps might easily effect 
 its retreat upon the Wye, and so across the Ferry to Amsterdam. 
 
 To these formidable local obstacles, there were super-added others, 
 proceeding from accidental causes, even still more formidable. — The 
 weather had set in, since the evening of the 6th October, with in- 
 creased inclemency ; the clouds discharged themselves in torrents ; 
 and the roads were so entirely broken up, that the urgent necessities 
 of the troops could not, with the utmost exertions, be presently re- 
 lieved. To these complicated evils the whole army lay exposed on 
 the unsheltered sand-hills, — their arms and ammunition spoiled, and 
 their cloaths drenched with rain-water. 
 
 Impelled by such imperious circumstances, and actuated by just 
 and humane feelings, his royal highness the commander in chief, 
 with the concurrence of general Sir Ralph Abercrombie, and the 
 lieutenant-generals of the army, was induced to withdraw the troops 
 from their advanced position, and to retire to the former position 
 upon the Zype. 
 
 It might be alleged, in favour of maintaining our ground, that the 
 severity of the weather bore equally hard upon the enemy ; that he 
 was moreover disheartened by two successive defeats ; so that it was 
 not probable that he would venture to disturb us in our situation ; 
 and that the large and commodious town of Alkmaar would have af- 
 forded quarters for a number of our troops, and supplies for them all. 
 
 But it must be remembered, that the relative situation of the two 
 
 M
 
 82- 
 
 hostile armies were widely different ; — the enemy occupied compa- 
 ratively but a short line of defence ; his advanced posts could be 
 frequently relieved, and his rear was supported and sheltered by a 
 chain of villages, extending to the gates of Haarlem; from which city, 
 and from Amsterdam, supplies in abundance were easily and speedily 
 conveyed. Thus the enemy was enabled to seize every favourable 
 occasion to act offensively, whilst his situation gave him the most de- 
 cided advantages, in acting on the defensive. 
 
 With respect to the propriety of retaining Alkmaar, it may be ob- 
 served, that that place would always follow the fortune of the 
 field, — so that, in the event of a serious reverse, the garrison would 
 inevitably be cut off, and be obliged to surrender on any terms. 
 
 But in order to take a fair retrospect of the plan and conduct of 
 the expedition in every possible point of view, it may be here worth 
 inquiring, whether it would not have been more practicable and ad- 
 vantageous to have rather carried on the military operations by the 
 coast of the Zuider Zee, and to have attempted to gain an access to 
 the capital, in conjunction with the fleet, by that route ? 
 
 In support of this plan, at least, the passive concurrence of the in- 
 habitants might be relied on ; for, in the party feuds which con- 
 vulsed the whole country prior to the revolution, the towns on the 
 Zuider Zee, namely, Medenblic, Enchuysen, Hoorne, and Edam, 
 were in the interests of the House of Orange, or rather supporters of 
 the prerogatives of the stadtholder. On the other hand, Monniken- 
 dam was an exception ; for that town, together with Purmerend and
 
 83 
 
 Alkmaar, were inveterately hostile to the prince of Orange, and vio- 
 lent upholders of the democracy. 
 
 Favoured by the inhabitants of the eastern coast, and supported by 
 a fleet on the Zuider Zee, an invading army might possibly advance 
 by this route, without interruption, even to the dykes of the Wye. 
 But then, if it unfortunately suffered a repulse in its attempt on the 
 capital, it would be liable to be cooped up in an angle of the penin- 
 sula, without a possibility of escaping, where it would run the ha- 
 zard of being either starved or slaughtered into a surrender. 
 
 It was a generally-received opinion, that the city of Amsterdam 
 depended for its security on the Texel, so that its fall would be 
 the inevitable consequence of that entrance into the Zuider Zee 
 being in possession of an enemy. A little reflection respecting the 
 real site of that celebrated city would prove in how much error such 
 an opinion was founded. 
 
 Amsterdam, like every other place of great extent, could place 
 little dependence for its defence against a besieging army on its own 
 particular fortifications. Its high brick wall, of eleven miles in 
 circumference, and its six and twenty bastions, would require an 
 army to defend them nearly as numerous as that by which they 
 would be invested. Besides, no great commercial city, crowded 
 with opulent citizens, could hold out against the destructive ef- 
 fects of a general bombardment. It is not, therefore, to its walls 
 that Amsterdam is, or ever was, indebted for its security; — but its 
 admirable situation, inaccessible on every side by which it can be 
 
 m 2
 
 84 
 
 approached, if well defended, may be said to render it almost im- 
 pregnable. 
 
 It is sufficiently evident that the shoals and intricate channels of 
 the Zuider Zee do not admit of ships of the line, or even frigates, 
 to act against the city itself, or any of its fortified approaches. The 
 firth of the Zuider Zee, called the Wye, runs, in a crooked direc- 
 tion from its eastern entrance to its north-western termination, for 
 about thirty miles. On its southern side, twelve miles from the Zui- 
 der Zee, it is joined by the river Amstel. At the junction of the 
 Amstel and the Wye the city of Amsterdam is built. Opposite the 
 western angle of the city, and on the north side of the channel, lie 
 the port and dock-yards of Shaerdam, which may be justly termed the 
 Chatham of Holland. The breadth of the Wye is various; in some 
 places it is not one mile, in others it is nearly six miles over; but 
 the approaches to its banks, through North Holland, are so difficult, 
 and the obstacles so numerous, that mere description could convey 
 but a faint idea of them. From the fortress of Purmerend to the 
 Wye, the country is so completely under the power of its wonder- 
 ful artificial fences, that an inclosure of a few acres may be immedi- 
 ately flooded without permitting the water to encroach upon the ad- 
 jacent lands. The channel itself is defended on each side by re- 
 doubts and batteries, erected upon every projecting head-land ; and 
 the channel of the Pampus, which leads into the Wye, after several 
 windings, takes a course under the shore of South Holland, where it 
 is commanded by the fortresses of Naarden and Meuden, which de- 
 fend the east side of the capital.
 
 85 
 
 The marine defences of Amsterdam are also very formidable. 
 The Wye is covered with floating batteries and gun- boats, of which 
 the arsenal of Shaerdam affords ample supplies *. . 
 
 Notwithstanding the possession of the Texel, no motives, unless 
 an unanimous and sincere invitation of the inhabitants, could induce 
 the allied army to risk the extreme hazard of attempting to gain the 
 capital by the route along the eastern coast of North Holland. 
 
 It would, indeed, be possible, by collecting a great number of 
 vessels of a small draught of water, such as schuyts, luggers, &c. 
 to transport an army from the Texel, or rather from Hoorne, across 
 the Zuider Zee, to South Holland. The descent might be made 
 near the fort of Meuden ; and, after the taking of that fort, the army 
 would be enabled to possess the same ground, to the east of Am- 
 sterdam, which was occupied by the Prussians, under the duke of 
 Brunswick, in the year 17S7- Every thing considered, the capital 
 seems most vulnerable on that side. 
 
 The country to the south-east, south, and south-west of Amster- 
 dam, extending from Meuden to the Haarlem Meer, is composed of 
 low meadow-grounds, intersected with wet ditches, which are com- 
 pletely commanded by the dykes of the Amstel and the Wye. 
 Over those flat lands there are five approaches to the city, being so 
 many roads running on the top of the dykes. These dykes are all 
 defended by batteries, which flank them in every direction ; so that 
 
 * Upwards of sixty French gun-boats, with their crews were convened, with great expedi- 
 tion, from Dunkirk tj Amsterdam, through the inland navigation.
 
 86 
 
 an invading army, in advancing, could only present the front of a very 
 narrow column, the breadth of the road, and not more than three or 
 four pieces of cannon. 
 
 The approach on the west side was that by which the combined 
 British and Russian army intended to have proceeded. It took a 
 wide circuit ; at first, in a direction due south, through the cities 
 of Haarlem and Leyden ; and then, turning the Lake of Haarlem, it 
 assumed a northerly course, by the strongly fortified advanced post 
 of Amstelveen. There lay, indeed, a nearer route from Haarlem, 
 along the Track- weg, and over the great sluices which admit of the 
 conflux of the waters of the Wye, with those of the Lake of Haar- 
 lem ; but no passage could be attempted by that route, as fifty men 
 could defend it against any number. 
 
 Nothing more strongly evinces the natural strength of Amsterdam, 
 improved from time to time by the utmost exertions of art and ge- 
 nius, than its having been, from its very foundation in the fifteenth 
 century, an asylum for the oppressed of every nation, who, there 
 protected, were enabled to brave the greatest fury of their oppres- 
 sors. The most accomplished generals, commanding the finest troops 
 in the world, have at various periods been baffled in their attempts 
 on Amsterdam ; and Don John, of Austria, and the duke of Parma, 
 as well as marshal Luxemburg, and the prince of Conde, have alike 
 found its capture impracticable. Even during the recent convul- 
 sions of the country, the duke of Brunswick, at the head of 20,000 
 Prussians, found himself stopped in his attempts to approach the city 
 by a handful of its armed burghers ; nor could he without much
 
 87 
 
 difficulty have taken the place, had not the republican party through- 
 out the seven provinces accepted of the terms offered them. 
 
 In the late invasion by the French, the city could not be said to 
 have been taken. Pichegru, indeed, entered its open gates with 
 six thousand troops, but certainly not in a hostile manner. 
 
 The surrender of Amsterdam, as connected with the plan and 
 views of the expedition, should seem, therefore, to depend rather on 
 the disposition of the majority of its inhabitants favouring those views, 
 than from the exterior operations of the allied army,— which, after 
 being victorious in five sanguinary battles in the course of as many 
 weeks, had yet to attain the threshold of the enterprize, by forcing 
 the passes of Beverwyck. 
 
 On the morning after the engagement (the 7tb of October), the 
 allied forces found themselves extended over a wide tract of country. 
 The left wing was at Heyloo, and at the villages to the south of 
 Alkmaar. The Russians occupied Egmont-op-te-Hooff* ; and the 
 right wing, with general Sir Ralph Abercrombie, Egmont-op-Zee. 
 In the course of the morning the troops became more concentrated, 
 the principal part of the army assembling round Egmont-op-Zee. 
 
 All the day the men were busily employed in preparing some kind 
 
 * Egmont-op-te-Hooff is a place of great antiquity. It appears formerly to have been a 
 considerable town for size and strength. It abounded with large religious edifices; but on 
 raising the siege of Alkmaar in 1573, the Spaniards were so enraged at their failure before 
 that town, that they sacked and plundered Egmont ; — even the abbeys and monasters 
 secrated by the faith they professed, and which the Reformation had not yet disturbed, were 
 destroyed. The place, at present, exhibits extensive and picturesque ruins, — perhaps the on- 
 ly ruins in the Seven United Provinces.
 
 ss 
 
 of shelter on the Sand-Hills against the night, such as constructing 
 sheds of rushes, and digging trenches in the sand. About seven 
 o'clock in the evening a very unexpected order was issued, for the 
 troops to fall in, and the different brigades immediately to form. It 
 was pitchy dark, and the clouds descended in cataracts. In this situa- 
 tion the arrangements were at length effected ; but with how much 
 difficulty and confusion may be easily conceived. About ten o'clock 
 at night the whole army was in full retreat. The right wing faced 
 towards Petten, and marched along the strand close to the tide. 
 The rest of the army retired by Alkmaar. Fires had been previously 
 lighted on the heights, at the advanced picquets, to deceive the ene- 
 my. Thus, by a sudden and decided measure, the retreat of a large 
 army was effected before the face of a most vigilant and active foe, 
 without disorder or any immediate pursuit, and with little compara- 
 tive loss. 
 
 To have gained some hours march of such an enemy was a mea- 
 sure of the first necessity. A retiring army, in a hostile country, 
 under the most favourable circumstances, cannot proceed unaccom- 
 panied with distresses j but so urgent were these, in the memorable 
 night of the 7 th of October, that, if the enemy were not disabled by 
 his recent defeats from attempting any enterprising operations, by 
 pressing on our rear during the darkness and horrour of the night, 
 he might have occasioned so much confusion along the whole line of 
 march, as must have been' productive of very serious misfortunes. 
 Indeed, a general consciousness of our critical situation operated as a 
 bond of union, which kept the whole army in some order, until 
 they arrived at their own lines. But then, the line of march 
 was entirely broke up, by the different regiments attempting to
 
 8.9 
 
 move off, in various directions, towards their respective stations. In 
 the disorder which ensued, numbers were thrown out, who found it 
 impossible to recover their different corps during the remainder of 
 the march. 
 
 The intense darkness was still accompanied by deluges of rain. 
 There was no sure footing ; all was quagmire ; but the firmest bot- 
 tom, and, on the whole, the safest way, lay through pools of water, 
 though it was impossible to guess whether the next step would be up 
 to the knees or the neck. 
 
 Notwithstanding so many difficulties and dangers, the greater part 
 of the troops arrived safely at their different quarters in the evening 
 of the 8 th ; and those who were thrown behind dropped in the en- 
 suing day. The medium length of this harassing march (from Eg- 
 mont to Schagen) was about thirty miles. 
 
 The enemy, as soon as it was discovered that the allied army had 
 changed its position, dispatched some regiments of French chasseurs 
 to observe its motions. These cavalry showed themselves within 
 cannon-shot of our advanced posts, and were enabled to make pri- 
 soners of about five or six hundred stragglers. They took also some 
 baggage waggons, and about three hundred women, belonging to the 
 British troops who had followed the army for the laudable purpose of 
 picking up whatever they could find by the way. The women, after 
 being detained three days at Amsterdam, were sent back ; — they did 
 not complain of ill usage. The children amongst them were much 
 caressed, and were all presented with new cloaths. 
 
 N
 
 90 
 
 On the pth of October, the combined British and Russian army 
 established itself in its old position, on the great dyke of the Zype j 
 its advanced posts being those of Winckel, Dirxhorn, and Petten, 
 on the left, centre, and right; and its head-quarters being again fixed 
 at Schagen-brug. The enemy also assumed the position he had occu- 
 pied prior to the battle of Alkmaar, at which town he established his 
 head-quarters. 
 
 On the following day, the enemy commenced offensive operations : 
 he attacked, with great superiority of numbers, the posts of Winckel 
 and Dirxhorn; from which, after a gallant defence, the British troops 
 were withdrawn. The former, in particular, was defended with great 
 spirit and skill by his highness prince William of Gloucester, at the 
 head of the 35th regiment, who did considerable execution on the 
 enemy, and retired not until the party was nearly surrounded. 
 
 It now became expedient to inundate a small tract of country to the 
 left of the town of Schagen, as it was of great importance to retain 
 that post, which the enemy in some degree commanded, by having 
 gained possession of Winckel. 
 
 The season now began to assume the aspect of an early and rigour- 
 ous winter. It could not be supposed that an army of near forty 
 thousand men could be maintained until spring within the narrow 
 limits of a tract of country already impoverished, with an active and 
 enterprising army in front, furnished with every necessary for under- 
 taking a winter campaign.
 
 91 
 
 It was therefore ultimately determined to withdraw the combined 
 British and Russian troops from North Holland, and to return to 
 England as expeditiously as possible. 
 
 To render safe and effective this resolution, there were left to 
 choose but two practicable expedients, — either to flood the country in 
 front of our lines, and to fortify the heights that command the Helder, 
 in order to cover the embarkation, or to negotiate an armistice with 
 the enemy. 
 
 The command of the waters of the Ocean and of the Zuider Zee 
 was certainly in our power, by possessing the sluices at Colhorn, 
 Oude-Sluys, and Petten ; but to take advantage of this power 
 would be to destroy the country, and involve the unoffending inha- 
 bitants in irretrievable ruin, — for whose protection and security the 
 expedition was undertaken. So calamitous an expedient was never 
 executed by the enemy, either to protect Alkmaar, or to cover his 
 own retreat. 
 
 This desperate measure, therefore, was so utterly repugnant to 
 the feelings and sentiments of his royal highness the commander in 
 chief, and so contrary to the well-known generous and liberal mode 
 of warfare exercised by a British army, that nothing but the most ur- 
 gent plea of self-preservation could induce its adoption. At the fame 
 time, it must be acknowledged, that it would be extremely hazardous 
 to trust entirely to any works thrown up on the heights of Heuysden, 
 or round the Helder ; for should the enemy once succeed in forcing 
 
 those works, he would entirely command the embarkation. 
 
 n 2
 
 92 
 
 Induced by such motives, the negotiation for an armistice was 
 preferred j and, on the 14th of October, an overture was made, in 
 the form of a message, from his royal highness the commander in 
 chief, to the French general Brune, at his head-quarters, Alk- 
 maar. The message met with all the attention to which it was so 
 highly entitled -, a favourable answer was returned, and major-general 
 Knox was dispatched the next morning to treat on the conditions of 
 the armistice. 
 
 The terms of the enemy, as might be naturally expected, were at 
 first extravagant. The restitution of the Batavian fleet, and the giv- 
 ing up, without exchange, fifteen thousand Batavian and French 
 prisoners, were the terms infisted upon. The first demand was pe- 
 remptorily rejected by his royal highness the commander in chief; 
 but as it was concluded that some loss must necessarily be sustained, 
 in consequence of an interrupted embarkation, a reasonable number 
 of men was consented to be given up. The number ultimately agreed 
 upon was eight thousand, among whom was included the Dutch ad- 
 miral De Winter. 
 
 It was further stipulated, that the combined British and Russian 
 armies were to embark, and quit the territories and coasts of the Ba- 
 tavian republic, by the last day of November; and that the ordnance 
 and military stores, which were previously mounted on the batteries 
 within, the British lines, should remain, and be preserved for the Ba- 
 tavian republic*. 
 
 * For the negotiation, and the articles of agreement, see the Appendix.
 
 93 
 
 On the 1 8th of October, the agreement was concluded at Alkmaar, 
 which was immediately followed by a suspension of hostilities ; ma- 
 jor-general Knox being to remain with the enemy, until the stipula- 
 tions were fulfilled. 
 
 While preparations for embarkation were actively going forward, 
 much hospitable civility passed between the general-officers of both 
 armies ; even the men seemed to forget that they were enemies, and 
 a salutary restraint was necessary to keep them within their respec- 
 tive out-posts. So much more prone is the human mind to emotions 
 of amity than of hatred! 
 
 Meanwhile the British flotilla withdrew from its station near the 
 principal towns of the Zuider Zee. At Enchuysen, vice-admiral 
 Mitchel attempted to destroy some armed vessels and Indiamen 
 that could not be brought off, This measure was justified, in a suit- 
 able address * to the loyal inhabitants, in which the town was threat- 
 ened to be reduced to rubbish, if the lawful magistrates were molested. 
 Unluckily, the enemy arrived in time to save a part of the ships, to 
 restore the republican municipality, and to send " the provisional re- 
 gency" to prison. 
 
 On the 2 2d of October, the first of the troops, being detachments 
 of cavalry, began to embark at the Nieuve Diep, and they were spee- 
 dily followed by others, who marched successively into the Helder as 
 the transports were ready for their reception. 
 
 * For the address, see Appendix,
 
 91< 
 
 On the first of November, his royal highness the commander 
 in chief embarked in the Juno frigate, which immediately hoisted sail, 
 and, after a stormy passage of two days, his royal highness landed, 
 in perfect health, at Yarmouth. 
 
 By the 20th of November the whole of the combined British and 
 Russian forces had embarked and left the Texel. Some casualties 
 happened, and some losses were sustained, in the different passages 
 to England ; but these were less than might be expected, from the 
 extent of the embarkation, and the inclement season in which it took 
 place. 
 
 After the departure of his royal highness the commander in chief, 
 the conduct of the remaining embarkation devolved on lieutenant- 
 general Sir James Pulteney, assisted by vice-admiral Dickson, who 
 had succeeded vice-admiral Mitchel in the command of the North- 
 Sea fleet. This arduous and troublesome service was aided by the 
 oood offices and exertion of the French general who commanded at 
 the Helder. Every thing of value, except some cast-horses that were 
 o-iven to the poor inhabitants, was removed, and all just demands were 
 satisfied. After which, some British schooners were left to cruise off 
 the Texel, to advise ships that the British and Russian combined army 
 had evacuated North Holland. 
 
 The exterior appointments of so many troops, in such a country, 
 durin^ a severe campaign, were not furnished without great diffi- 
 culty ; and though neither expense nor exertions were wanting, the 
 army suffered occasionally from privations of the first necessity. The
 
 95 
 
 want of wheel -carriages, adapted to the nature of the country, was 
 often severely felt, and would, mi many pressing occasions, be irre- 
 mediable, if the inland navigation did not, in some measure, supply 
 the deficiency. No suttlers were allowed to follow the army, until 
 the close of the campaign. This, no doubt, was intended to be a 
 salutary regulation ; but, more than once, every article of consump- 
 tion became so scarce, that the necessary refreshments for the sick and 
 wounded were not to be purchased. Even fresh water began to fail 
 at the Helder, and a contract was actually agreed upon to procure re- 
 gular supplies from the Ems. Fortunately, the country was well. 
 stocked with black cattle and sheep ; in consequence of which there 
 was no want of fresh meat. 
 
 The hospital staff was undoubtedly selected with judgment. Great 
 talents, and unremitting activity, were requisite to encounter the dif- 
 ficulties and embarrassments that every where presented themselves, 
 especially at the beginning of the campaign.. 
 
 The first use made of the victory of the 27th of August was to 
 provide an hospital. , For this purpose the village of Heuysden was 
 almost entirely appropriated ; but the number of sick and wounded 
 increased so fast, that it was found necessary to convert five or six old 
 Dutch men of war and Eaft-Indiamen, lying at the Nieuve Diep, 
 into hospital-ships ; and, in addition to all these means, two or three 
 large transports were employed in conveying to England some of the 
 worst cases. 
 
 There cannot be a more striking instance adduced of the skill and.
 
 96 
 
 care with which the wounded were treated than from the small pro- 
 Dortion ot deaths amongst mcK numbcrc Tf is observable, how- 
 ever, that wounds received in the field of battle are disposed to heal 
 more speedily and kindly than fimilar wounds inflicted under other 
 circumstances. 
 
 Contrary to aH reasonings deduced from the supposed effects of a 
 very wet autumn, and from the natural insalubrity of a Dutch cli- 
 mate, the troops continued healthy for the first five or six weeks. 
 Some few diseases of active inflammation, pleurisies, and peripneu- 
 monies, occurred during that period; and, about tbe middle of Octo- 
 ber, those never-failing attendants of a wet campaign — diarrhoeas 
 and dysenteries, made their appearance; they were, however, neither 
 so common nor so severe as might be supposed. But towards the 
 latter end of the month, an irregular intermittent fever began to pre- 
 vail, rather generally, throughout the army. This fever was attended 
 with much debility and dejection of spirits, but its intermissions 
 were well marked. During the passage home, the disorder seemed 
 to have been checked or suspended. However, soon after the de- 
 barkation of the troops in England, and whilst on their march to 
 their several quarters, this fever broke out with more dangerous 
 symptoms : — it now became continued, and changed its type into 
 that of the more malignant typhus. By the rapidity of its progress, 
 several regiments were reduced to half their complements of men fit 
 for duty. Notwithstanding such alarming appearances, from the ju- 
 dicious mode of treatment pursued at the different military hospitals, 
 the fatal cases were proportionably very few ; and, by the setting in of 
 frosty weather, the complaint seems entirely to have been got under 
 before the beginning of the year.
 
 97 
 
 No attempt will be made to reconcile the different opinions re- 
 specting the causes of the failure of the Dutch expedition. The un- 
 biassed and dispassionate reader may perhaps refer these causes to the 
 unusual severity of the season, singularly co-operating with the phy- 
 sical obstacles * of the country — in aid of the formidable military force 
 opposed to us. It is indeed remarkable, that the opposite extremes 
 of weather, both uncommon for their severity, should have so highly 
 favoured the views and operations of the French in Holland. By an 
 extraordinary frost they were enabled to gain possession of the coun- 
 try ; and by a remarkably wet season, to maintain it. 
 
 But all these difficulties might probably have been surmounted, if 
 the efforts of the allied army had been properly seconded, and 
 spiritedly supported, by the active and hearty co-operation of the in- 
 habitants -f-. 
 
 Although the expedition failed with regard to its most essential 
 object, namely, the restoration of the Stadthclder and the legitimate 
 constitution, yet many important advantages were gained by it ; — an 
 hostile navy, being the last remnant of the maritime power of a nation 
 which once rivaled Great Britain, was drawn from a position where 
 it was capable ofexciting much alarm, and added to the already gigan- 
 tic force of the Britifh fleet j — a very considerable army, which the 
 enemy could at no time so badly spare, was detached from the great 
 
 * The part of the coast of Holland chosen for the descent appears to have been more fa- 
 vourable for a coup-de-muin than for the progressive operations of an invading armv. 
 
 t In Italy the allied arms have, hitherto, been crowned with complete success, because 
 there they have been actively aided by the natives: whereas, in Switzerland and in Holland, 
 wanting that powerful auxiliary, they have proved unsuccessful. 
 
 O
 
 98 
 
 theatre of the war ;— finally, the campaign in Holland was productive 
 of additional experience and reputation to the British army. Hereto- 
 fore the British troops had acted only in a subordinate and secondary* 
 rank on the continent of Europe ; but in this instance they were 
 principals: and, assuredly, their intrepid valour in the field, their* 
 moderation and humanity when victorious, and their calm forti- 
 tude under adverse circumstances, must reflect a permanent lustre on 
 the British arms, and render even misfortune respectable.
 
 APPENDIX, 
 
 OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 LONDON GAZETTE. 
 
 Given in the Order in which they were received by Government. 
 
 ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, AUG. 31. 
 
 LIEUTENANT Clay, of his majesty's ship Kent, arrived this morn- 
 ing with a dispatch from admiral lord Duncan, K. B. to Mr. Nepean, se- 
 cretary of the Admiralty, of which the following is a copy : 
 
 SIR, Kent, at anchor off the Texel, Aug. 28. 
 
 BE pleased to acquaint the lords commissioners of the Admiralty, that 
 I shall go on from my letter of the 25th instant, and say, It blew so fresh 
 on Sunday that we could not approach the land ; but the weather becom- 
 ing more moderate on Monday, the whole of the fleet, with the trans- 
 ports, were at anchor close in shore by noon on that day. I shall not 
 enter into a detail of the landing of the troops, or what happened on 
 Tuesday, as their lordships will have that stated by vice-admiral Mitchel: 
 suffice it to say, the troops rowed towards the shore at day-break, 
 and landed, though immediately opposed by numbers, and from that 
 time till half past four P. M. were continually in action. However, the 
 gallantry of the British troops surmounted all difficulties, and drove the 
 enemy wherever they met them. 
 
 The Ratisvaw, Russian ship, got ashore on the South Hiak, in coming 
 to the anchorage, where she remained some time in great danger; but 
 by timely assistance, and exertion of her captain and officers, in getting 
 out some of the guns and lightening her, she was got off", and last night 
 reported to be again fit for service. 
 
 o 2
 
 100 
 
 At five P. M. the Belliqueux, with, her convoy from the Downs, an 
 chored. 
 
 This day it blows strong from the westward, with a great surf, so that 
 I fear little can be done ; but I am sure the vice-admiral will avail him- 
 self of every opportunity to carry on the service,, as I never witnessed 
 more attention and perseverance, in spite of most unfavourable weather, 
 to get the troops landed ; and nothing shall be wanting on my part to- 
 wards furnishing him with every aid in my power, in order to bring the 
 business to a happy termination. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 
 DUNCAN. 
 
 P. S. Eight P. M. The weather is still bad ; but a lugger is just re- 
 turned with an answer to a letter I wrote vice-admiral Mitchel this 
 morning, by which I find the Helder Point was last night evacuated, and 
 the guns in it spiked up. The lieutenant cf the lugger likewise reports, 
 that the general and vice-admiral had not sent off their dispatches ; and 
 as I think it of the greatest consequence that government should have the 
 earliest notice, I dispatch a cutter with this interesting intelligence, al- 
 though it was my original intention only to have sent one away after the 
 general and vice-admiral had forwarded their dispatches ; and as I havs 
 not time to alter my other letter to you of this date, I beg to refer their 
 lordships to lieutenant Clay, of his majesty's ship Kent, an intelligent 
 and deserving officer, for further particulars. 
 
 DOWNING-STREET, SEPT. 2. 
 
 A dispatch, of which the following is a copy, was this day received 
 by the right honourable Henry Dundas, one of his majesty's principal 
 secretaries of state, from lieutenant-general Sir R. Abercrombie, K. B: 
 
 SIR* Helder, Aug. 28, 1799. 
 
 FROM the first day after our departure from England, we experienced 
 such, a series of bad weather, as is very uncommon at this season of the 
 year. 
 
 The ardour of admiral Mitchel for the service in which we were
 
 101 
 
 jointly engaged left it only with me to follow his example of zeal and 
 perseverance, in which I was encouraged by the manner that he kept a 
 numerous convoy collected. 
 
 It was our determination not to depart from the resolution of attacking 
 the Helder, unless we should have been prevented by the want of water 
 and provisions. 
 
 On the forenoon of the 21st instant the weather proved so favourable, 
 that we stood in upon the Dutch coast, and had made every preparation 
 to land on the 22d, when we were forced to sea by a heavy gale of 
 wind. 
 
 It was not until the evening of the 25th that the weather began once 
 more to clear up. 
 
 On the 26th, we came to anchor near the shore of the Helder ; and on 
 the 27th, in the morning, the troops began to disembark at day-light. 
 
 Although the enemy did not oppose our landing, yet the first division 
 had scarcely begun to move forward before they got into action, which 
 continued from five in the morning until three o'clock in the afternoon. 
 
 The enemy had assembled a very considerable body of infantry, ca- 
 valry, and artillery, near Callants-Oge, and made repeated attacks on our 
 right with fresh troops. 
 
 Our position was on a ridge of sand-hills, stretching along the coast 
 from north to south. Our right flank was unavoidably exposed to the 
 whole force of the enemy. We had no-where sufficient ground on our 
 right to form more than a battalion in line ; yet, on the whole, the po- 
 sition, though singular, was not, in our situation, disadvantageous, hav- 
 ing neither cavalry nor artillery. 
 
 By the courage and perseverance of the troops, the enemy was fairly 
 worn out, and obliged to retire in the evening to a position two leagues 
 in his rear. 
 
 The contest was arduous, and the loss has been considerable. We 
 have to regret many valuable officers lost to the service, who have either 
 fallen, or been disabled by their wounds. The corps principally engaged' 
 were, the reserve under the command of colonel Macdonaid, consisting 
 of the 23d and 55th regiments. 
 
 The regiments of major-general Coote's brigade, which have been 
 much engaged, were the Queen's, the 27th, 29th, and 85th regiments.
 
 102 
 
 Major-general D'Oyley's brigade was brought into action towards the 
 close of the day, and has sustained some loss. 
 
 As the enemy still held the Helder with a garrison of 2000 men, it 
 was determined to attack it before day-break on the morning of the 28th , 
 and the brigade under major-general Moore, supported by major-general 
 Burrard's, were destined for this service; but about eight o'clock yes- 
 terday evening, the Dutch fleet in the Mars Diep got under weigh, 
 and the garrison was withdrawn, taking their route through the marshes, 
 towards Medenblic, having previously spiked the guns on the batte- 
 ries, and destroyed some of the carriages. About nine at night, major- 
 general Moore, with the 2d battalion of the royals, and the 92d regiment, 
 under the command of lord Huntley, took possession of this important 
 post, in which he found a numerous artillery of the best kind, both of 
 heavy and field train. 
 
 All that part of the Dutch fleet in the Nieuve Diep, together with 
 their naval magazines at Nieuve Werk, fell into our hands this morning, 
 a full detail of which it is not in my power to send. This day we have 
 the satisfaction to see the British flag flying in the Mars Diep, and part 
 of the 5.000 men, under the command of major-general Don, disembark- 
 ing under the batteries of the Helder. 
 
 During the course of the action, I had the misfortune to lose the ser- 
 vice of lieutenant-general Sir James Pulteney, from a wound he received 
 iii his arm; but not before he had done himself the greatest honour; and 
 I was fully sensible of the loss of him. Major-general Coote supplied 
 his place with ability. 
 
 Colonel Macdonald, who commanded the reserve, and who was very 
 much engaged during the course of the day, though wounded, did not 
 quit the field. 
 
 Lieutenant-colonel Maitland returning to England, to go on another 
 service, and major Kempt, my aide-du-camp, and bearer of this letter, 
 whom I beg leave to recommend to your notice and protection, will be 
 able to give any further information which may be required. 
 
 A list of the killed and wounded, as far as we have been able to as- 
 certain it, accompanies this letter. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &c. 
 
 RALPH ABERCROMBIE.
 
 103 
 
 [Then follows a return of killed and wounded, of which the following 
 is the amount :] 
 
 Total. — l lieutenant colonel, 1 subaltern, 3 Serjeants, 51 rank and file, 
 killed ; 1 colonel, 1 lieutenant-colonel, 1 major, 9 captains, 6 subalterns, 
 18 Serjeants, 1 drummer, 334 rank and file, wounded 3 26 rank and file 
 missing. 
 
 ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, SEPT. 2. 
 
 A letter from lord Duncan incloses the following from admiral 
 Mitchel to his lordship : 
 
 MY LOFJD, Isis, at anchor off the Tcxel, Aug. 29. 
 
 IN a former letter I had the honour to write your lordship, I there 
 mentioned the reasons that had determined Sir Ralph Abercrombie 
 and myself not to persevere longer than the 26th in our resolution to at- 
 tack the Helder and port of the Texel, unless the wind became more 
 moderate. Fortunately the gale abated that morning ; and, although a 
 very heavy swell continued to set in from the northward, I thought a mo- 
 ment was not to be lost in making the final attempt. The fleet therefore 
 bore up to take the anchorage, and I was happy to see the transports and 
 all the bombs, sloops, and gun-vessels in their stations, to cover the 
 landing of the troops by three in the afternoon of that day — when the 
 signal was made to prepare for landing. The general, however, not 
 thinking it prudent to begin disembarking so late on that day, it was de- 
 termined to delay it until two in the morning on the 27th. The inter- 
 vening time was occupied in making the former arrrangements more com- 
 plete, and by explaining to all the captains individually my ideas fully to 
 them, that the service might profit by their united exertions. The 
 troops were accordingly all in the boats by three o'clock ; and the sig- 
 nal being made to row towards the shore, the line of gun-brigs, sloops 
 of war, and bombs, opened a warm and well-directed fire to scour the 
 beach — and a landing was effected with little loss. After the first party 
 had gained the shore, I went, with Sir Ralph Abercrombie, that I might 
 superintend the landing of the rest ; and with the aid of the different 
 captains, who appeared animated but with one mind, the whole wore
 
 104 
 
 disembarked with as great regularity as possible. The ardour and glo- 
 rious intrepidity which the troops displayed soon drove the enemy from 
 the nearest Sand-Hills, and the presence of Sir Ralph Abercrombie him- 
 self, whose appearance gave confidence to all, secured to us, after a long 
 and very warm contest, the possession of the whole neck of land between 
 Kiek Down and the road leading to Alkmaar, and near to the village of 
 Callants-Oge. 
 
 Late last night the Helder Point was evacuated by the enemy, and 
 taken possession of by our troops quietly in the morning, — as were the 
 men of war named in the inclosed list, and many large transports and 
 lndiamen by us the next day. I dispatched captain Oughton, my own 
 captain, to the Helder Point last evening, to bring off the pilots ; and 
 he has returned with enough to take in all the ships necessary to re- 
 ducing the remaining force of the Dutch fleet, which I am determined to 
 follow to the walls of Amsterdam, until they surrender or capitulate for 
 his serene highness the prince of Orange's service. 
 
 I must now, my lord, acknowledge, in the warmest manner, the high 
 degiee of obligation I am under to your lordship, for the liberal manner 
 in which you continued to entrust to my directions the service 1 have 
 had the honour to execute under your immediate eye j a behaviour which 
 added to my wish to do all in my power to forward the views of Sir 
 Ralph Abercrombie. 
 
 It is impossible for me sufficiently to express my admiration of the 
 braverv and conduct of the general and the whole army, or the unani- 
 mity with which our whole operations were carried on ; the army and 
 navy on this occasion having (to use a seaman's phrase) pulled heartily 
 together. 
 
 AVhere the exertions of all you did me the honour to put under my 
 orders have been so great, it is almost impossible to particularise any ; 
 but captain Oughton has had so much to do, from the first embarking 
 of the troops to the present moment, and has shown himself so strenuous 
 in his exertions for the good of the expedition, as well as given me much 
 assistance from his advice on every occasion, that I cannot but mention 
 him in the highest manner to your lordship, and at the same time ex- 
 press my wish that your lordship will suffer him to accompany whoever 
 may bear your dispatches to England, as I think the local knowledge he
 
 105 
 
 has gained may behighly useful to be communicated to their lordships 
 of the Admirajty. 
 
 The manner in which the captains, officers, and seamen, landed from 
 the fleet, behaved, while getting the cannon and ammunition along to 
 the army, requires my particular thanks; and here let me include in a 
 special manner the Russian detachment of boats, from whose aid and 
 most orderly behaviour the service was much benefited indeed. 
 
 I am also much indebted to captain Hope for the clear manner in 
 which he communicated to me your lordship's ideas at alL times, when 
 sent to me by your lordship for that purpose, as every thing was better 
 understood from such explanation than they could otherwise have been 
 by letter. 
 
 It is impossible for me to furnish your lordship at present with any list 
 of the killed, wounded, or missing seamen, or of those that were unfor- 
 tunately drowned on the beach in landing the troops, having as yet no 
 return made me ; but I am very sorry to say that I was myself witness to 
 several boats oversetting in the surf, in which I fear several lives were 
 lost. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &c. 
 
 A. MITCHEL. 
 
 A List of Men of War, XV. taken Possession of in the Nieuve Diep. 
 
 Guns. Guns. 
 
 Broederschap (guard-ship), of 54 Dalk -- - - - - - 44 
 
 Veswagting ------ 64 Minerva ... 04, 
 
 Heldin ----- - -32 Hector - - - - - • _ 44 
 
 Venus ------- 24 
 
 And about 13 Indiamen and transports. 
 
 ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, SEPT. 3. 
 
 Lieutenant Collier, of his majesty's ship Isis, arrived this day with 
 dispatches from vice-admiral Mitchel to Evan Nepcan, esq. secretary 
 of the Admiralty, of which the following are copies : 
 
 Isis, at anchor at the Red Buoy, near the Vlieter, 
 SIR, August 30, Two P. M. 
 
 I have the very great satisfaction to acquaint you, for the information 
 
 v
 
 106 
 
 of my lords commissioners of the Admiralty, that the whole of the Dutch 
 fleet near the Vlieter surrendered to the squadron under my command 
 without firing a gun, agreeable to a summons I sent this morning. The 
 Dutch squadron was to be held for the orders of his serene highness the 
 prince of Orange, and the orders I may receive from the lords commis- 
 sioners of the Admiralty for my farther proceedings. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, &c. 
 
 A. MITCHEL. 
 
 Isis, at anchor at the Red Buoy, near the Vlieter, 
 SIR, Aug. 13, 1799. 
 
 IT blowing strong from the south-west, and also the flood tide, I could 
 not send away my short letter of last night; — I therefore have, in addition, 
 to request you will lav before the lords commissioners of the Admiralty, 
 that on the morning of yesterday I got the squadron under weigh at five 
 o'clock, and immediately formed the line of battle, and to prepare for 
 battle. 
 
 In running in, two of the line of battle ships, Ratisvaw and America, 
 and the Latona frigate, took the ground. We passed the Helder Point 
 and Mars Diep, and continued our course along the Texel, in the chan- 
 nel that leads to the Vlieter, the Dutch squadron laying at anchor in a 
 line at the Red Buoy in the east-south-east course. 
 
 The Latona frigate got off and joined me ; but as die two line of battle 
 shins did not, I closed the line. About half past ten I sent captain Ren- 
 r.ie of the Victor with a summons to the Dutch admiral, as it was lord 
 Duncan's wish that I should do so ; and in her way she picked up a flag 
 of truce, with two Dutch captains from the Dutch admiral to me. Captain 
 Rennie very properlv brought them on board, and, from a conversation of 
 a few minutes, I was induced to anchor in a line, a short distance from 
 the Dutch squadron, at their earnest request. They returned with my 
 positive orders not to alter the position of the ships, nor do any thing 
 whatsoever to them, and in one hour to submit, or take the conse- 
 quences. 
 
 In less than the time they returned with a verbal answer, that they 
 submitted according to the summons, and should consider themselves
 
 107 
 
 (the officers) on parole, until I heard from the lords commissioners of the 
 Admiralty, and the prince of Orange, for my farther proceedings. 
 
 I have now the honour to inclose you herewith the line of battle in 
 which the squadron advanced, a copy of my summons to the Dutch ad- 
 miral, and also a list of the Dutch fleet. 
 
 Admiral Story's flag is down, and I have sent an officer on board each 
 of his ships to have an eye over, and the charge of them, as they them- 
 selves requested that it should be so. 
 
 I have also furnished them with the prince of Orange's standard, many 
 of them not having had it before, and they are now all under these 
 colours. 
 
 To maintain quiet among their crews, I issued a short manifesto, of 
 which I also inclose a copy herewith. 
 
 The animated exertions and conduct of the whole squadron are far 
 above any praise I can bestow on them ; but I shall ever feel most sen- 
 sibly impressed on my heart their spirited conduct during the whole of 
 this business. AVe have all felt the same zeal for the honour of our sove- 
 reign and our country; and although the conclusion has not turned out 
 as we expected, yet the merit I miy say, in some measure, is still not the 
 less due to my squadron; and if I had brought them to action, I trust it 
 would have added another laurel to the navy of England in this present 
 war. The Dutch were astonished and thunder-struck at the approach 
 of our squadron; never believing it possible that we could so soon have 
 laid down the buoys, and led down to them in line of battle, in a channel 
 where thev themselves go through but with one or two ships at a time. 
 
 I have sent lieutenant Collier with these dispatches, who will give 
 their lordships every information, as he has been employed in the whole 
 of the communication with the Dutch squadron, and was also on shore 
 with me. as my aide-du-camp, on the day of landing. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &c. 
 
 A. MITCHEL. 
 
 P. S. Since writing the above, I received the Dutch admiral's answer 
 in writing, which I inclose herewith. 
 
 [Then follows the line of battle.]
 
 103 
 
 SIR, Isis, under sail, in line ot' battle, Aug. 30.- 
 
 I desire you will immediately hoist the flag of his serene highness the 
 prince of Orance. If vou do, you will immediately be considered as 
 friends of the king of Great Britain, my most gracious sovereign ; other- 
 wise, take the consequences. Painful it will be to me for the loss of 
 blood it may occasion ; but the guilt will be on your own head. 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient humble servant, 
 ANDREW MITCHEL, 
 Vice-admiral and commander in chief of his- majesty's 
 ships employed on the present expedition. 
 
 To Rear-admiral Story, or the Commander 
 in Chief of the Dutch Squadron. 
 
 On board the Washington, anchored under the Vlieter^ 
 Admiral, 30th August, 1799. 
 
 NEITHER your superiority, nor the threat that the spilling of human 
 blood should be laid to my account, could prevent my showing you to. 
 the last moment what I could do for my sovereign, whom I acknowledge 
 to be no other than the Batavian people, and its representatives, when 
 your prince's and the Orange flags have obtained their end. The traitors 
 whom I commanded refused to fight ; and nothing remains to me, and 
 mv brave officers, but vain rage, and the dreadful reflection of our present- 
 situation : — therefore deliver over to you the fleet which I commanded.. 
 From this moment it is your obligation to provide for the safety of my 
 officers, and the few brave men who are on board the Batavian ships — 
 as I declare myself and my officers prisoners of war, and remain to be 
 
 considered as such. 
 
 I am, with respect, 
 
 S. STORY. 
 
 To Jdtniral Mitchel, commanding his Britannic 
 fs Squadron in the Texel. 
 
 A List of the Dutch Squadron taken Possession of in the Texel by Vice- 
 Admiral Mitchel, Aug. 30. 
 
 Guns. 
 
 Washington — rear-admiral Story, captain Capelle - 7 4- 
 
 Guelderland — captain Waldeck - - - 68 
 
 Admiral de Ruyter — captain Huijs - - - 6S 
 
 Utrecht — captain Kolf - - - t>8
 
 109 
 
 Guns 
 Cerberus — captain de Yong - - g .-.--; 68 
 
 Leyden — captain Van Braam - - - - 68 
 
 Bechermer — captain Eilbracht - -- - 54 
 
 Batavier — captain Van Sendca - - - 54 
 
 under the VJieter. 
 
 Amphitrite — captain Schutter - - - -44 
 
 under the Vlieter. 
 
 Mars — captain de Beck, - - - - - 44 
 
 Ambuscade — captain Riverij - - 32 
 
 Galatea — captain Droop - - - - - 16 
 
 Isis, Aug. 30, 1799. 
 THE undersigned, vice-admiral in the service of his majesty the King 
 of Great Britain, charged with the execution of the naval part of the ex- 
 pedition to restore the Stadtholder, and the old and lawful constitution of 
 the Seven United Provinces, guaranteed by his majesty, having agreed 
 that, in consequence ot the summons to rear-admiral Story, the ships, 
 after hoisting the ancient colours, will be considered as in the service of 
 the allies of the British crown, and under the orders of his serene high- 
 ness the hereditary Stadtholder, captain and admiral-general of the Seven 
 United Provinces, has thought it proper to give an account of this agree- 
 ment to the brave crews of the different ships, and to summon them by 
 the same to behave in a peaceable and orderly manner, so that no com- 
 plaints may be represented by the officer the undersigned will send on 
 board each of the ships to keep proper order, until the intentions of his 
 majestv, and his serene highness the prince of Orange, as admiral-gene- 
 ral, shall be known, tor the farther destination of these ships, on account 
 of which dispatches will be immediately sent off. And to make them 
 aware, that in case their conduct should noibe so as may be expected 
 from the known loyalty and attachment of the Dutch navy to the illustri- 
 ous House of Orange on this occasion, any excess or irregularity will be 
 punished with the severity which the disorders may have been committed 
 merit. 
 
 ANDREW MITCHEL. 
 
 Ims, at anchor at the Red Buoy, near the Vlieter, 
 SIR, Aug. 31, 
 
 SINCE my letter of the 29th by captain Oughton, I received a letter
 
 110 
 
 from captain Winthorp, of the Circe, containing a more particular ac- 
 count of the men of war, &c. taken possession of in the Nieuve Diep, than 
 I had then in my power to send, of which you will receive a copy here- 
 with for the information of my lords commissioners of the Admiralty. 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 
 A. MITCHEL. 
 
 SIR, Helder, Aug. 28, 1799. 
 
 I have the honour to inform you that I this morning took posses- 
 sion of the Nieuve Diep, with the ships and vessels under-mentioned, and 
 also of the naval arsenal, containing ninety-five pieces of ordnance. A 
 copy of the naval stores I will transmit you as soon as it can be made 
 out. 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 
 R. WINTHORP. 
 
 Guns. Guns. 
 
 Urwachten - . .... 66 Unie 44 
 
 Broederschop - - - - -54 Helder 32 
 
 Hector 44 Follock 24 
 
 Diuffee - - 44 Minerva ------- 24 
 
 Expedition ------ 44 Venus - 24 
 
 Constitute ------ 44 Alarm 24 
 
 Belle Antionette - - - 44 
 
 Dreishlerlahn, Howda, Vreedelust, Indiamen.; and a sheer hulk. 
 
 DOWNING-STREET, SEPT. 9. 
 
 A dispatch, of which the following is an extract, has been received 
 from lieutenant-general Sir Ralph Abercrombie, by the right honourable 
 .Henry Dundas, one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Schagen-brug, Sept. 4. 
 FROM the 27 th of August to the 1st of September, the troops con- 
 tinued to occupy the Sand-Hills on which they fought. On that day the 
 army marched and took post with its right to Petten on the German 
 Ocean, and its left to Oude-Sluys on the Zuider Zee, with the canal of 
 the Zype in front.
 
 Ill 
 
 A better country is now open to us. We have found some horses and 
 waggons, and a plentiful supply of fresh provisions. 
 
 The troops continue healthy, and behave extremely well. 
 
 The 1 lth regiment of dragoons are arrived, and have begun to disem- 
 bark. The transports have been ordered to return to the Downs. 
 
 I have the honour to inclose herewith a return of the artillery, ammu- 
 nition, and engineers' stores captured at the Helder. 
 
 [Then follows the return of ordnance, &c] 
 
 DOWNING-STREET, SEPT. 16. 
 
 A dispatch, of which the following is a copy, was this morning re- 
 ceived from lieutenant-general Sir Ralph Abercrombie, K. B. at the office 
 of the right honourable Henry Dundas, one of his majesty's principal 
 secretaries of state. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Schagen-brug, 
 SIR, Sept. 11. 1799. 
 
 HAVING fully considered the position which the British troops had 
 occupied on the 1st inst. and having in view the certainty of speedy and 
 powerful reinforcements, I determined to remain until then on the de- 
 fensive. 
 
 From the information which we had received, we were apprised of 
 the enemy's intention to attack us, and we were daily improving the ad- 
 vantages of our situation. 
 
 Yesterday morning at day-break the enemy commenced an attack on 
 our centre and right, from St. Maarten's to Petten, in three columns, and 
 apparently with their whole force. 
 
 The column on the right, composed of Dutch troops, and under the 
 command of general Daendels, directed its attack on the village of St. 
 Maarten's. 
 
 The centre column of the enemy, under the orders of general de Mon- 
 ceau, likewise composed of Dutch troops, marched on to Crabbendam 
 End Zyper-Sluys. 
 
 The left column of the enemy, composed of French, directed itself on 
 the position occupied by major-general Burrard, commanding the second 
 brigade of guards.
 
 .112 
 
 The enemy advanced, particularly on their left and centre, with great 
 intrepidity, and penetrated with the heads of their columns to within a 
 hundred yards of the post occupied by the British troops. They were, 
 however, every-where repulsed, owing to the strength of our position, 
 and the determined courage of the troops. About ten o'clock the enemy 
 .retired towards Alkmaar, leaving behind them many dead and some 
 wounded men, with one piece of cannon, a number of waggons, pon- 
 toons, and portable bridges. Colonel Macdonald with the reserve pur- 
 sued them for some time, and quickened their retreat. 
 
 It is impossible for me to do full justice to the good conduct of the 
 troops. 
 
 Colonel Spencer, who commanded in the village of St. Maarten's, de- 
 fended his post with great spirit and judgment. 
 
 Major-general Moore, who commanded on his right, and who was 
 wounded, though I am happy to say slightly, was no less judicious in the 
 management of the troops under his command. 
 
 The two battalions of the 20th regiment, posted opposite to Crabben- 
 dam and Zyper-Sluys, did credit to the high reputation which that regi- 
 ment has always borne. Lieutenant-colonel Smyth of that corps, who 
 had the particular charge of that post, received a severe wound in his 
 leg, which will deprive us for a time of his services. 
 
 The two brigades of guards repulsed with great vigour the column of 
 French which had advanced to attack diem, and where the slaughter of 
 the enemy was great. 
 
 I continue to receive every mark of zeal and intelligence from the offi- 
 cers composing the staff of this army. 
 
 It is difficult to state with any precision the loss of the enemy, but it 
 t be computed at less than 800 or 1000 men ; and on our side it 
 does not exceed, in killed, wounded, and missing, 200 men. Exact re- 
 turns shall be transmitted herewith. 
 
 I have the honour to be, S:c. 
 
 R. ABERCROMBIE. 
 
 [Then follows a list of killed and wounded, of which the following is 
 tl ie total: — 27 rank, and rile killed; 1 lieutenant-colonel, 1 major, 4 cap- 
 tains, 5 subalterns, 2 Serjeants, 131 rank and file, wounded ; 1 serjeant, 
 12 rank and tile, missing.]
 
 113 
 
 Return of Officers wounded. 
 
 Major-general Moore; captain Halket, of the 76th regiment, aide-de- 
 camp to commander in chief; lieutenant Simpson, of the royal artillery; 
 captain Xevill, of the grenadier battalion of guards ; captain Nevill, of 
 the 1st battalion of the 3d regiment of guards ; lieutenant Gordon, of the 
 2d battalion of the royals ; captain the honourable John Ramsav, of the 
 92d regiment of foot. 
 
 Lieutenant-colonel George Smyth, major Robert Ross, lieutenants 
 John Colborne, Charles Dervoeux, Christopher Hamilton, lieutenant and 
 adjutant Samuel South, of the 1st battalion of the 20th regiment of foot. 
 
 Captain-lieutenant L. Ferdinand Adams, of the 2d battalion of the 20th 
 regiment of foot. 
 
 ALEX. HOPE, Assistant Adj. Gen. 
 
 ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, SEPT. 17. 
 
 Qopy of a Letter from Vice-Admiral Mitchel to Evan Kepean, Esq. dated on 
 board the Isis, in the Mars Diep, Sept. 4, 1799. 
 SIR, 
 BY lieutenant Gibbons, of his majesty's ship Isis, I have the honour 
 to present to my lords commissioners of the Admiralty, admiral Story's 
 flag, and the colours of the Batavian republic, being the first fruits of my 
 endeavours in the discharge of the duties for which their lordships have 
 been pleased to confide in me. Lieutenant Gibbons having been un- 
 remittingly employed in the arranging the signals for the convoys, trans- 
 ports, cutters, &c. till the present time, he is most justly entitled to my 
 warmest regard and esteem; I therefore beg leave to recommend him 
 to their lordships' notice. I have been a great deal employed in the 
 disposal of the Dutch officers on their parole, a business in which I had 
 to pay regard to the wishes of many whom I found entitled to some con- 
 sideration ; I have not therefore yet been able to finish that business, 
 which obliges me to defer giving their lordships an account thereof until 
 my next letter. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &c. 
 
 A. MITCHEL. 
 
 Q
 
 114 
 
 DOWNING-STREET, SEPT. 19. 
 
 A dispatch, of which the following is a copy, was this morning re- 
 ceived from field-marshal his royal highness the duke of York, at the of- 
 fice of the right honourable Henry Dundas, one' of his majesty's principal 
 secretaries, of state. 
 
 The Helder, North Holland, 
 SIR, Sept. 14-. 
 
 I have to acquaint you with my arrival at this place yesterday even- 
 ing, having sailed from Deal on board the Amethyst frigate, on Monday 
 morning the 9th instant. 
 
 Upon coming on shore, I had great satisfaction in witnessing the dis- 
 embarkation of eight battalions of Russian auxiliary troops, consisting of 
 7000 men, under the command of lieutenant-general D'Hermann, which 
 had arrived from Revel in the course of the preceding day and yester- 
 day morning. I afterwards saw these troops upon their march towards 
 the position occupied by the British near Schagen ; and I have great 
 pleasure in assuring you, that, from their appearance in every respect, 
 the most happy consequences may be expected from their co-operation 
 with his majesty's arms in this country: lieutenant-general D'Hermann 
 seems to enter most heartily into our views, and I form very sanguine 
 hopes of receiving essential assistance from his zeal and experience. 
 
 I understand that Sir Ralph Abercrombie has made you acquainted 
 with his having repulsed the enemy in an attack made upon him on 
 Tuesday last. I proceed to join him at his quarters at Schagen imme- 
 diately. 
 
 I have had the pleasure to meet the hereditary prince of Orange here. 
 His serene highness is occupied in arranging into corps a large body of 
 deserters from the Batavian army, and volunteers from the crews of the 
 Dutch ships of war which have proceeded to England. Every assistance 
 shall be given to his serene highness, to render these corps an efficient 
 addition to our force, 
 
 FREDERICK.
 
 115 
 
 DOWNING-STREET, SEPT. 24. 
 
 A dispatch, of which the following is a copy, has been this day re- 
 ceived from field-marshal his royal highness the duke of York, by the 
 right honourable Henry Dundas, one of his majesty's principal secreta- 
 ries of state. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Schagen-brug, 
 SIR. Sept. 20. 
 
 IN my dispatch of the 16th inst. I acquainted you with my intention 
 of making an attack upon the whole of the enemy's position, the mo- 
 ment that the reinforcements joined. — Upon the 19th, every necessary 
 arrangement being made, the army moved forward in four principal co- 
 lumns, in the following order : 
 
 The left column, under the command of lieutenant-general Sir Ralph 
 Abercrombie, consisting of two squadrons of the 18th light dragoons, 
 major-general the earl of Chatham's brigade, major-general Moore's bri- 
 gade, major-general the earl of Cavan's brigade, first battalion of British 
 grenadiers of the line, and first battalion of light infantry of the line. 
 
 The 23d and 55th regiments, under colonel Macdonald, destined to 
 turn the enemy's right on the Zuider Zee, marched at six o'clock on the 
 evening of the 18th. 
 
 The columns upon the right, the first commanded by lieutenant-gene- 
 ral D'Hermann, consisting of the 7th light dragoons, 12 battalions of 
 Russians, and major-general Manners' brigade. 
 
 The second, commanded by lieutenant-general Dundas, consisting of 
 two squadrons of the 11th light dragoons, two brigades of foot guards, 
 and major-general his royal highness prince William's brigade. 
 
 The third column, commanded by lieutenant-general Sir James Pul- 
 teney, consisting of two squadrons of the 11th light dragoons, major- 
 general Don's brigade, major-general Coote's brigade, marched from the 
 positions they occupied at day-break the morning of the 19th. The ob- 
 ject of the first column was, to drive the enemy from the heights of 
 Camperduyn, the villages under these heights, and finally to take pos- 
 session of Berghen ; the second was to force the enemy's position at War- 
 manhuysen and Schoreldam, and to co-operate with the column under 
 lieutenant-general D'Hermann ; and the third, to take possession of Oude- 
 
 Q 2
 
 116 
 
 Carspel at the head of the Lange-Dyke, a great road leading to Alk- 
 maar. 
 
 It is necessary to observe, that the country in which we had to act 
 presented, in every direction, the most formidable obstacles. The enemy, 
 upon their left, occupied to great advantage the high Sand-Hills which 
 extend from the sea in front of Petten to the town of Berghen, and were 
 entrenched in three intermediate villages. The country over which the 
 columns under lieutenant-generals Dundas and Sir James Pulteney had 
 to move for the attack of the fortified posts of Warmanhuysen, Schorel- 
 dam, and the Lange-Dyke, is a plain, intersected every three or four 
 hundred yards by broad deep wet ditches and canals. The bridges 
 across the only two or three roads which led to these places were 
 destroyed, and abbatis were laid at different distances. 
 
 Lieutenant-general DTIermann's column commenced its attack, which 
 was conducted with the greatest spirit and gallantry, at half past three 
 o'clock in the morning, and by eight had succeeded in so great a degree 
 as to be in possession of Berghen. In the wooded country which sur- 
 rounds this village, the principal force of the enemy was placed ; and 
 the Russian troops, advancing with an intrepidity which overlooked the 
 formidable resistance with which they were to meet, had not retained 
 that order which was necessary to preserve the advantages they had 
 gained ; and they were in consequence, after a most vigorous resistance, 
 obliged to retire from Berghen (where, I am much concerned to state, 
 lieutenant-generals DTiermann and Tchertchekoff were made prisoners, 
 the latter dangerously wounded), and fell back upon Schorel, which vil- 
 lage they were also forced to abandon, but which was immediately re- 
 taken by major-general Manners' brigade, notwithstanding the very heavy 
 fire of the enemy. Here this brigade was immediately reinforced by 
 two battalions of Russians, which had co-operated with lieutenant-ge- 
 neral Dundas in the attack of Warmanhuysen, by major-general D'Oy- 
 ley's brigade of guards, and by the 35th regiment, under the command 
 of his highness prince William. The action was renewed by these 
 troops for a considerable time with success ; but the entire want of am- 
 munition on the part of the Russians, and the exhausted state of the 
 whole corps engaged in that particular situation, obliged them to retire^ 
 which they did in good order, upon Petten and the Zyper-Sluys.
 
 117 
 
 As soon as it was sufficiently light, the attack upon the village of 
 Warmanhuysen, where the enemy was strongly posted with cannon, was 
 made by lieutenant-general Dundas. Three battalions of Russians, who 
 formed a separate corps, destined to co-operate from Krabendam in 
 this attack, commanded by major-general Sedmoratzky, very gallantly 
 stormed the village on its left flank, while, at the same time, it was en- 
 tered on the right by the 1st regiment of guards. The grenadier battr.-* 
 lion of the guards had been previously detached to march upon Schorel- 
 dam, on the left of lieutenant-general D'Hermann's column, as was the 
 3d regiment of guards, and the second battalion of the 5th regiment, to 
 keep up the communication with that under lieutenant-general Sir James 
 Pulteney. The remainder of lieutenant-general Dundas's column, which, 
 after taking possession of Warmanhuysen, had been joined by the 1st bat- 
 talion of the 5th regiment, marched against Schoreldam, which place 
 they maintained under a very heavy and galling fire, until the troops eh-, 
 gaged on their right had retired at the conclusion of the action. 
 
 The column under lieutenant-general Sir James Pulteney proceeded to- 
 its object of attack at the time appointed, and, after overcoming the 
 greatest difficulties, and the most determined opposition, carried by 
 storm the principal post of Oude-Carspel, at the head of the Lange- 
 Dyke ; upon which occasion the 40th regiment, under the command of 
 colonel Spencer, embraced a favourable opportunity which presented' 
 itself of highly distinguishing themselves. This point was defended by 
 the chief force of the Batavian army, under the command of general 
 Daendels. The circumstances, however, which occurred on the right 
 rendered it impossible to profit by this brilliant exploit, which will ever* 
 reflect the highest credit on the general-officers and troops engaged in it; 
 and made it necessary to withdraw lieutenant-general Sir James Pulte- 
 ney's column from the position which he had taken within a short di- 
 stance of Alkmaar. The same circumstances led to the necessity of re- 
 calling the corps under lieutenant-general Sir Ralph Abercrombie, who 
 had proceeded without interruption to Hoorne, of which city he had 
 taken possession, together with its garrison. The whole of the army- 
 has therefore re-occupied its former position. 
 
 The well-grounded hopes I had entertained of complete success in 
 this operation, and which were fully justified by the result of the three.,.
 
 118 
 
 and by the first successes of the fourth attack upon the right, add to the 
 great disappointment I must naturally feel on this occasion ; but the 
 circumstances which have occurred I should have considered of very 
 little general importance, had I not to lament the loss of many brave 
 officers and soldiers, both of his majesty's and the Russian troops, 
 who have fallen. The gallantry displayed by the troops engaged, the 
 spirit with which they overcame every obstacle which nature and art op- 
 posed to them, and the cheerfulness with which they maintained the fa- 
 tigues of an action, which lasted, without intermission, from half past 
 three o'clock in the morning until five in the afternoon, are beyond my 
 powers to describe or to extol. Their exertions fully entitle them to the 
 admiration and gratitude of their king and country. 
 
 Having thus faithfully detailed the events of this first attack, and paid 
 the tribute of regret due to the distinguished merit of those who fell, 
 I have much consolation in being enabled to state that the efforts which 
 have been made, although not crowned with immediate success, so far 
 from militating against the general object of the campaign, promise to 
 be highly useful to our future operations. The capture of sixty officers 
 and upwards of 3000 men, and the destruction of sixteen pieces of can 
 non, with large supplies of ammunition, which the intersected nature 
 of the country did not admit of being withdrawn, are convincing proofs 
 that the loss of the enemy in the field has been far superior to our own ; 
 and in addition to this it is material to state, that nearly 15,000 of the al- 
 lied troops had unavoidably no share in this action. 
 
 In viewing the several circumstances which occurred during this ar- 
 duous day, I cannot avoid expressing the obligations I owe to lieutenant- 
 generals Dundas and Sir James Pulteney, for their able assistance ; and 
 also to mention my great satisfaction of the conduct of major-generals 
 his highness prince William, D'Oyley, Manners, Burrard, and Don, to 
 whose spirited exertions the credit gained by the brigades they com- 
 manded is greatly to be imputed. 
 
 Captain Sir Home Popham, and the several officers of my staff, ex- 
 erted themselves to the utmost, and rendered me most essential services 
 I feel also much indebted to the spirited conduct of a detachment of 
 seamen, under the direction of Sir Home Popham and Captain Godfrey 
 of the navy, in the conduct of three gun-boats, each carrying one
 
 119 
 
 12-pound carronade, which acted with considerable effect on the Alk- 
 maar canal ; nor must I omit expressing my acknowledgments to the 
 Russian major-generals D'Essen, Sedmoratzky, and Schutorff. I transmit 
 herewith returns of the killed, wounded, and missing. 
 
 I am, sir, yours, 
 
 FREDERICK. 
 
 P. S. Not having yet received returns of the loss sustained by the Rus- 
 sian troops, I can only observe, that I understand their loss, in killed, 
 wounded, and missing, amounts to 1,500 men. 
 
 [Then follows a return of killed and wounded, of which the follow- 
 ing is the total : — 1 lieutenant colonel, 2 captains, 2 subalterns, 1 staff, 
 2 Serjeants, and 109 rank and file, killed ; 7 lieutenant-colonels, 6 ma- 
 jors, 15 captains, 15 subalterns, 20 Serjeants, 2 drummers, and 345 rank 
 and file, wounded ; 22 Serjeants, 5 drummers, and 463 rank and file,, 
 missing.] 
 
 ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, SEPT. 20. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from Andrew Mitchel, Esq. Vice-Admiral of the Blue, to 
 Evan Nepean, Esq. 
 SIR, Babet, Enchuysen Road, Sept. 2\-. 
 
 I have the honour to acquaint you, for their lordships' information, 
 that the weather having moderated on the 21st instant, I shifted my flag 
 to the Babet : — though blowing a gale of wind the day before, captain 
 Mainwaring, by his great exertions, had lightened her sufficiently for 
 the pilot to take charge, and the captains of the bomb-vessels made 
 equal exertions for the same purpose, having lightened their respective 
 ships to twelve feet eight inches : I left the Isis, Melpomene, and Juno, 
 with yards and top-masts struck, having taken all the seamen and ma- 
 rines that could be spared from them, with Sir Charles Hamilton, Cap- 
 tains Dundas and Oughton, and a proper number of officers in large 
 schuyts to assist me in the expedition ; about ten we weighed in the Ba- 
 bet, accompanied by the four bombs, 1'Espiegle and Speedwell brigs, 
 and Lady Ann lugger, and Prince William armed-ship. 
 
 We fortunately had a fair wind, which raised the tide considerably
 
 '120 
 
 ever the flats, though in many parts we had only twelve feet six inches. 
 On our approaching Medenblic at noon, I made the signals for the Dart 
 and gun-brigs to weigh and join me : and at three P. M. I anchored with 
 the squadron off Enchuysen, and a boat came off with four men wear- 
 ing orange cockades; Ln> consequence of which I went on shore, at- 
 tended by the captains ; we were received by all the inhabitants with 
 every testimony of joy at their deliverance from their former tyrannical 
 government, and in the highest degree expressive of their loyalty and 
 attachment to the House of Orange. 
 
 I proceeded to the Stadthouse ; and having summoned all the old and 
 faithful burgomasters, who had not taken the oath to the Batavian re- 
 public, I instantly reinstated them, until his highness the hereditary 
 prince of Orange's instructions were received ; to whom, and to his 
 royal highness the duke of York, I immediately sent an express, and at 
 the same moment summoned before me and dissolved the municipality, 
 amidst the joyful acclamations of the inhabitants around the Stadthouse, 
 part of them at the same time cutting down the tree of liberty, which 
 they instantly burned ; — all of which was done in the most loyal, quiet, 
 and regular manner. 
 
 I have detached Captain Boorder, in the Espiegle, with the Speed- 
 well, to scour the coast from Steveren to Lemraer ; but previous to his 
 going on that service, I sent him to Steveren, to bring me intelligence 
 of the disposition of the inhabitants: — he returned yesterday morning 
 with the pleasing information of their having hoisted the Orange co- 
 lours, and most of the neighbouring towns had done the same, and 
 the inhabitants joyfully complying with the same terms as Enchuy- 
 sen and Medenblic ; I have likewise detached the Dart, with two gun- 
 brigs, to cut off the communication with Amsterdam, and the towns in 
 East-Friczland that have not returned to their allegiance. 
 
 Our appearance. in the Zuider Zee with such an unexpected force has 
 had a most wonderful and happy effect, and given the greatest confi- 
 dence to those well disposed to the House of Orange. 
 
 I shall not lose a moment's time in moving forward, when the wind 
 and tide will permit, to complete, as far as lays in my power, what is 
 finally entrusted to my charge. 
 
 I have the honour to be, 8cc. 
 
 A. MITCHEL.
 
 123 
 
 DOWNING-STREET, OCT. 7. 
 
 A dispatch, of which the following is a copy, was received late this 
 evening from field-marshal his royal highness the duke of York, by the 
 right honourable Henry Dundas, one of his majesty's principal secreta- 
 ries of state. 
 
 SIR, Hoad-Quarters, Zyper-Sluys, Oct. 4. 
 
 THE inclemency of the weather which prevailed at the time of writ- 
 ing my last dispatch, and which, as I therein explained, alone prevent 
 ed me from putting the army in motion, having in some measure sub- 
 sided, and the necessary previous arrangements having been made, the 
 attack was commenced on the whole of the enemy's line on the morning 
 of the 2d ; and I have now the happiness to inform you, that after a se- 
 vere and obstinate action, which lasted from six in the morning until 
 the same hour at night, the distinguished valour of his majesty's and 
 the Russian troops prevailed throughout ; and the enemy, being en- 
 tirely defeated, retired in the night from the positions which he occu- 
 pied in the Lange-Dyke, the Koe-Dyke at Berghen, and upon the ex- 
 tensive range of sand-hills between the latter place and Egmont-op-Zee. 
 The points where this well-fought battle was principally contested were 
 from the sea shore in front of Egmont, extending along the sandy de- 
 sert or hills to the heights above Berghen, and it was sustained by the 
 British columns under the command of those highly distinguished offi- 
 cers, general Sir Ralph Abercrombie and lieutenant-general Dundas, 
 whose exertions, as well as the gallantry of the brave troops they led, 
 cannot have been surpassed by any former instance of British valour. 
 
 On the night of this memorable day, the army lay upon their arms, 
 and yesterday moved forward and occupied the positions of the Lange- 
 Dyke, Alkmaar, Berghen, Egmont-op-te-Hooff, and Egmont-op-Zee. 
 
 The enemy's force, according to the best information I have been 
 able to obtain, consisted of between 25 and 30,000 men, of whom 
 a very small proportion only were Dutch. General Daendels, who 
 commanded the latter, is wounded. The French troops, who have 
 been continually reinforcing themselves, and whose loss has been very 
 great, were commanded by generals Brune, Vandamme, and Bouter. 
 From the continuance of the action, and the obstinacy with which it 
 
 R
 
 120 
 
 was contested, the victory has not been gained without serious loss. 
 At present I am not in possession of particular returns, but I have the 
 satisfaction to say that no officer of rank has fallen. The British army 
 has to regret major-general Moore's being wounded in two places ; and 
 the Russian army, major-general Emme's being also wounded; but I 
 am happy to say that their wounds are not of a nature to lead me to ap- 
 prehend that I shall long be deprived of the assistance of their abilities 
 and gallantry. It is impossible for me at this moment to do justice to 
 the merits of the other generals and officers of the allied army who 
 distinguished themselves, as I must defer, until to-morrow, paying my 
 tribute of praise to them and to the troops generally, as well as giving 
 the details of the battle of the 2d instant. My- attention is seriously en- 
 gaged in making the arrangements which are necessary for occupying a 
 forward position in front of Beverwyck and Wyck-op-Zee, to which line 
 the enemy has retreated. I entertain no doubt that the extent of coun- 
 try which will now be under the protection of the allied army, and res- 
 cued from French tyranny, will afford an opportunity to its loyal inhabi- 
 tants of declaring themselves. The town of Alkmaar, which is the seat 
 of the states of North Holland, has opened its gates to our troops, and 
 a considerable number of Dutch troops have come over to the prince of 
 Orange's standard. 
 
 In order that vou may be in possession of such information as want of 
 time will not at present allow me to detail, I charge my aide-de-camp-, 
 captain Fitzgerald, with this dispatch. Me is entirely in my confidence, 
 and I request leave to recommend him to his majesty as an officer of su- 
 perior merit and intelligence. 
 
 I am, Sir, yours,. 
 
 FREDERICK 
 
 ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCT. 8. 
 
 Extract of a Letter from Viee-Admiral Mitckel to Evan Xepcan. Esq.. 
 dated Babet, of Eitclnnjsen, Oct. 1, 1799. 
 This morning a lieutenant of the Espiegle brought me the accom.- 
 panying letter, which I have sent for their lordships' information. Much
 
 123 
 
 zeal and gallantry have been displayed by captains Bolton and Boorder, 
 with their officers and men. 
 
 SIR, Wolverene, Lemmer Roads, Sept. 29. 
 
 ON Friday morning, at six o'clock, I came to an anchor with the 
 Haughtv and Piercer, close to 1'Espiegle, distant about six miles from 
 Lemmer : from captain Boorder I received every information I could de- 
 sire. Finding the enemy had 1000 regulars in the town, and desperately 
 determined to defend it, I immediately gave directions for completing 
 the flotilla, which captain Boorder, with his usual judgment, had begun. 
 He had pressed two sxhouts ; on board of each were put two of 
 1'Espiegle's 6-pounders, which, with the two flat-bottom boats, and Isis's 
 launch, formed a respectable armament. Being willing to spare the ef- 
 fusion of human blood, especially of innocent victims — on Saturday, at 
 day-light, I sent captain Boorder on shore with the following letter : 
 
 SIR, 
 Resistance on your part is in vain; I give you one hour to send away 
 the women and children ; at the expiration of that time, if the town is 
 not surrendered to the British arms for the prince of Orange, your sol- 
 diery shall be buried in its ruins. 
 
 I have the honour to be, your obedient servant, 
 
 W. BOLTON, 
 Captain of his majesty's ship Wolverene. 
 
 To the Commandant of Lemmer. 
 
 Soon after captain Boorder's departure, I weighed and stood in shore. 
 About nine A. M. I observed him returning, and soon after a flag of 
 truce came out of the harbour. Before captain Boorder arrived, I no- 
 ticed the gun-boats, which had been moored across the harbour, moving 
 towards the canals : I instantly dispatched lieutenant Simpson with a flag 
 of truce, to inform them, that I considered their removal, or any other 
 militarv arrangement, as a breach of the armistice, and if persisted in, I 
 should instantlv bombard the town : before he returned, the flag of truce 
 came on board with the following letter : 
 
 R 2
 
 124 
 
 To Captain Bolton, Co»wia?ida?it. 
 I have received your summons: the municipality request twenty -four 
 hours, to send to their proper authority, to accede to your demands. 
 
 P. VAN GROUTTEN, Commandant. 
 N. B. Please to send an answer by the bearer. 
 
 I immediately replied as follows : 
 
 SIR, 
 I have received your letter; and have the honour to inform you, that 
 if the prince's colours are not hoisted in half an hour after the receipt of 
 this, I shall bombard the town. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 W. BOLTON. 
 
 To Mynheer P. J an Groutten, Commandant of Lemmer. 
 
 I dispatched the Dutch officer, and informed him I was coming down 
 into my disposition before the town. I found by captain Boorder, that 
 the north part of the pier was considerably reinforced by some 18-pound- 
 ers, taken from the gun-boats, which made a little alteration in our 
 disposition necessary ; and I was much concerned to find my brave able 
 Dutch pilot declare, that, from the southerly winds, the water was so low, 
 the Wolverene could not get in. Finding it a regular oozy fiat for two 
 miles, I pushed through the mud until within a musquet-shot of the shore. 
 The gun-brigs passed a-head within pistol-shot of the pier; but both, 
 as well as myself, were, and not in the most favourable position, com- 
 pletely a-ground; but seamen ought never to be at a loss. The enemy, 
 notwithstanding the flag of truce, commenced a heavy fire, which, in 
 an instant, was returned, from every part of the squadron : the action 
 continued nearly an hour, when the enemy flew from their quarters, the 
 soldiers deserted the town, and the Piercer's boat's crew planted the Bri - 
 tish standard on the pier. I do not wonder at the strong opposition, as 
 the troops Avere mostly French. 
 
 I cannot too much praise the valour and conduct of the officers and. 
 men under my command. Lieutenants Mends and Field led their gun- 
 bri"-s in with great courage ; the same with the officers who commanded
 
 125 
 
 the schouts and flat-boats. I feel great obligation to captain Boorder for 
 his assistance ; but his praise is beyond my commendation. Lieutenant 
 Reddy, of the Speedwell, and lieutenant Simpson, of the Isis, distin- 
 guished themselves particularly ; the former I sent with a flat-boat to get 
 off the Piercer ; the latter the Haughty. — To captain Boorder I confided 
 the arrangement on shore. The gale freshened fast, and it was neces- 
 sary to preserve the Wolverene : with some diffieulty her bow was hove 
 round; the wind fortunately came round to the southward; and by start- 
 ing all the water, with a heavy press of sail for two miles, I dragged her 
 through the mud, steering by sails only into eleven feet water, where 
 she now lies. All last night it blew excessively hard, the ship struck re- 
 peatedly; but using every means to lighten her, she rode it out tolerably 
 well. This morning, at ten o'clock, I observed a body of the ene- 
 my advancing against the town along the northern causeway ; I imme- 
 diately sent to captain Boorder to apprise him of the danger : in a little 
 time the town was attacked on all sides, but very soon I had the satisfac- 
 tion of seeing the enemy retreat. From the mast-head I perceive the 
 town is nearly surrounded by water, so that a few brave men, with a 
 flotilla on the canal, can most effectually defend it. I have no doubt 
 but a well-timed succour to these people would cause the whole pro- 
 vince to throw oft' the French yoke. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, &c. 
 
 WILLIAM BOLTON. 
 
 DOWNING-STREET, OCT. 13. 
 
 Dispatches, of which the following are copies, were this afternoon 
 received from field-marshal his royal highness the duke of York, by the 
 right honourable Henry Dundas, one of his majesty's principal secreta- 
 ries of state. 
 
 SIR. HteadrQuarters, Alkmaar, Oct. 6. 
 
 I dispatched my aide-de-camp, captain Fitzgerald, on the 4th instant, 
 with an account of the success obtained over the enemy on the 2d ; and 
 circumstances at that moment not enabling me to give the particulars of 
 that day's action, I shall now enter into a detail of the occurrences which
 
 126 
 
 then look place. The disposition I have already transmitted to you of 
 the intended attack will show that it was determined that a vigorous 
 effort should be made on the left of the enemy, where the French troops 
 were posted and concentred about Berghen, a large village surrounded by 
 extensive woods, through which passes the great road leading to Haar- 
 lem, and between which and the sea lies an extensive region of high 
 Sand-Hills, impassable for artillery or carriages, difficult, and very em- 
 barrassing, from their depth and broken surface, for cavalry, and ex- 
 ceedingly forbidding, from all these and other circumstances, to any 
 movements being attempted in them by a large body of infantry. Be- 
 hind these Sand-Hills, and to the enemy's right, through the whole ex- 
 tent of North Holland, lies a wet and low country, every-where inter- 
 sected with dykes, canals, and ditches, which it rested with the enemy 
 to occupy and strengthen in whatever manner and in whatever points 
 he pleased, and thereby to prevent our making any successful attempts 
 against his right. His centre was supported by the town of Alkmaar, 
 and water communication gave him in every direction the advantage of 
 drawing from and profiting by the resources of the country. The delays 
 which the unusual severity of the weather at this season, and the whole of 
 our situation, rendered inevitable, enabled him to improve his position by 
 new works, which bore a formidable appearance, and threatened much 
 resistance. Under all circumstances, it was evident, that it was only by 
 a great advantage gained on the enemy's left that we could drive him 
 back, and force him to evacuate North Holland, thereby materially bet- 
 tering our situation, by opening the sphere of our resources and future 
 exertions. The combined attacks were therefore made in four principal 
 columns : the first on the right, under general Sir Ralph Abercrombie, 
 consisting of major-general D'Oyley's brigade, major-general Moore's 
 ditto, major-general earl of Cavan's ditto, colonel Macdonald's reserve, 
 nine squadrons of light dragoons, commanded by colonel lord Paget, 
 and one troop of horse-artillery, marched by the sea-beach against Eg- 
 mont-op-Zee, with a view to turn the enemy's left flank. Of the second, 
 consisting of Russian troops, commanded by major-general D'Essen, 
 the greater proportion marched by the Sleiper-Dyke through the villages 
 ©f Cjroete and Schorel upon Berghen, by the road which all the way 
 skirts the foot of the Sand-IIills of Camperduyn, about three jjundred
 
 127 
 
 feet high, presenting a steep face to the country, much wooded, but 
 from their summit more gradually sloping towards the sea. Part of this 
 column, under major-general Scdmoratzky, debouched from the Zyper- 
 Sluys, and were destined to cover the left flank of the remainder of the 
 Russian troops moving under the Sand-Hills, to co-operate with the bri- 
 gade under major-general Burrard in the attack of Schoreldam, and to 
 combine their attack upon Berghen, with the troops upon their right. The 
 third column, under the command of lieutenant-general Dundas, con- 
 sisted of major-general earl Chatham's brigade, major-general Coote's 
 ditto, major-general Burrard's ditto, and one squadron of the 11th light 
 dragoons. Major-general Coote's brigade was ordered to follow the ad- 
 vanced-guard of Sir Ralph Abercrombie's column from Petten, to turn 
 to the left at the village of Campe, and, proceeding under the hills, to 
 take the Sleiper-Dyke in reserve, and clear the road to Groete, and the 
 heights above it, for that part of the Russian column which marched by 
 the Sleiper-Dyke, whose right major-general Coote was to cover, during 
 its progress towards Berghen, by detaching the required number of troops 
 into the Sand-Hills. Major-general lord Chatham's brigade was to follow 
 that part of the Russian column which marched from the Zyper-Sluys, 
 to turn to the right, and, falling into the road in the rear of major-general 
 D'Essen's corps, to join such part of major-general Coote's as moved 
 along that road, to proceed in support, of the Russian column, covering 
 its right upon the Sand-Hills, and from them ultimately to combine with 
 that column in its attack upon Berghen ; for which purpose these two brir 
 gades were to extend as much as possible to the right, and endeavour to 
 connect themselves with the right column. Major-general Burrard's 
 brigade was ordered to move from Tutenhoorn and Krabendam upon 
 the left of the Alkmaar canal, to combine, with the corps under major- 
 general Sedmoratzky, its attack upon Schoreldam, which was further 
 supported by seven gun-boats moving along the above canal. Major- 
 general Burrard was to communicate upon his left with the fourth cor 
 Kimn under lieutenant-general Sir James Pultenev, consisting of major- 
 general his highness prince "William's brigade, major-general Manners' 
 ditto, major-general Don's ditto, two squadrons of the 18th light dra- 
 goons, and two battalions of Russians. This column covered the whole 
 of the left of our positun to the Zuiclcr Zee, and was destined to
 
 123 
 
 threaten the enemy's right, and to take advantage of every favourable 
 circumstance that should offer. Proportions of artillery of reserve were 
 attached to each column, and to the Russian column about 200 Cossacks 
 and hussars. The force of the enemy was computed at 25,000 men, 
 much the greater proportion of which were French. The state of the 
 tide determined the march of the right column, which proceeded from 
 Petten at half past six o'clock in the morning. Its advanced guard, 
 composed of the reserve under colonel Macdonald, viz. 1st battalion of 
 grenadiers of the line, 1st battalion of light-infantry ditto, 23d regi- 
 ment of infantry, and 55th ditto, drove the enemy from Campe, and 
 from the Sand-Hills above that village, and continued its march upon the 
 ridge of those hills, inclining a little to the left. Major-general Coote's 
 brigade, which next followed, turned to its left at Campe, and, advanc- 
 ing as far as the extremity of the Sleiper-Dyke and the village of Groete, 
 cleared the road for the Russian column under major-general D'Essen. 
 Part of this brigade, in connexion with colonel M acdonald's corps, drove 
 the enemy from the Sand-Hills to the right and front of the Russian co- 
 lumn, and continued moving forward upon the Sand-Hills a little in ad- 
 vance of the Russian troops. Major-general Sedmoratzky's corps had 
 marched from the Zyper-Sluys as soon as the enemy had abandoned 
 Groete, and advanced across the plain between the Alkmaar canal and 
 the road by which major-general D'Essen moved, whose left he joined, 
 whilst his own left was protected by the fire of the gun-boats and the ad- 
 vance of major-general Burrard's corps. The enemy, who had gra- 
 dually retired from Schorel, were now formed in considerable force from 
 Schorel to Schoreldam, and kept up a very warm fire from the cannon 
 which they had posted at different points of their line. Major-general 
 lord Chatham's brigade moved in the rear of major-general Sedmoratzky's 
 corps, close behind which it was formed in the plain. The column un- 
 der major-general D'Essen proceeded along the road upon Schorel, 
 whilst major-general Coote's brigade was rapidly driving the enemy from 
 the ridge of Sand-Hills above that village and to its right. Colonel 
 Macdonald's corps had moved considerably to the right, with a view to 
 connect itself with the right column, and continued warmly engaged 
 •with the enemy, who were in very considerable force in the Sand-Hills. 
 After some delay, the enemy were driven, about eleven o'clock, by
 
 129 
 
 the Russian troops, and by the gun-boats and major-general Burrard's 
 brigade upon their left, from Schorel and Schoreldam, between which 
 major-generals D'Essen's and Sedmoratzky's corps took post, and conti- 
 nued the remainder of the day engaged in a cannonade with the enemy 
 posted in the village of Berghen, and between it and the Koe-Dyke. 
 Schoreldam was occupied by major-general Burrard, whence he continued 
 his attack (in conjunction with the gun-boats) upon the enemy, who 
 was strongly posted on the Koe-Dyke. In this situation it became ne- 
 cessary to make a great effort to clear the summit of the Sand-Hills of the 
 enemy, who occupied them in great numbers, and for a great visible ex- 
 tent, quite beyond Berghen. The left of major-general Coote's brigade 
 was then above Schorel, and the regiments which composed it were se- 
 parated by very considerable intervals, and extended a long way into 
 the Sand-Hills. The 85th regiment being on the right, and considerably 
 advanced, was warmly engaged with the enemy, who showed a dispo- 
 sition to come upon the right of the brigade. I therefore directed lieu- 
 tenant-general Dundas to march major-general lord Chatham's brigade 
 from the plain into the Sand-Hills, to the right of major-general Coote's, 
 leaving one battalion (the 31st), to move close under the hills parallel 
 with the left of major-general Coote's brigade. This movement was ad- 
 mirably executed ; and major-general lord Chatham's brigade having ar- 
 rived at some distance behind the 85th regiment, and outflanking it 
 by about two battalions, the line was formed, and the whole was order- 
 ed to advance at a brisk pace, to gain the heights about three-quarters of 
 a mile distant, across a scrubby wood, and then by a gradual ascent to 
 the summit of the Sand-Hills: the 85ih regiment at the same time charg- 
 ed, and drove the enemy before them, who, being thus taken in flank 
 and rear, retired precipitately towards the right, and took post on the 
 summit of the heights which hang over Berghen; whilst the remainder of 
 major-general Coote's brigade, having also moved forward, joined the 
 left of major-general lord Chatham's. — The 85th regiment took po^t in a 
 favourable situation below those heights, so as to block up and command 
 the avenue and great road which lead through Berghen. From the 
 heights the enemy were seen in the village ot B:rghen, and the woods 
 and plains about it, wavering, and apparently in great uncertainty : but 
 lieutenant-general Dundas's corps not being able tu undertake the-
 
 130 
 
 attack of the village and woods, or to bring cannon into the Sand-Hills, 
 the enemy re-occupied the village in force, and kept up a brisk fire of 
 cannon and musquetry on the heights occupied by the British, and by 
 which the latter were sheltered. A considerable body of the enemy ad- 
 vanced along the avenue, and made a spirited attack to regain the 
 heights on the post of the 85th, but were driven back with loss, and that 
 regiment gallantly maintained their situation during the rest of the day 
 against other attempts of the enemy. A large body of the enemy having 
 been seen moving to their left, three battalions of major-general Coote's 
 brigade were marched beyond the right of lord Chatham's, to support him, 
 and extend the line. The 27th regiment, posted at the termination 
 of another avenue from Berghen, was attacked by a considerable body 
 issuing from the woods : the regiment having, however, by a spirited 
 charge, driven the enemy into the wood, no farther attempt was made 
 by them from that time (about half past three, P. M.) to dislodge lieu- 
 tenant-general Dundas's corps. — The extension of his line had now 
 brought its right very near to the reserve under colonel Macdonald, who 
 had been advancing rapidly, notwithstanding the considerable resistance 
 he had experienced, and was now warmly engaged with a body of the 
 enemy, lining a sand-hill ridge, which crosses the Downs in a perpendi- 
 cular direction, and which body probably had moved from Berghen and 
 Egmont-op-te-Hooff, with the view of turning lieutenant-general Dun- 
 das's rio-ht flank. Lieutenant-general Dundas, therefore, sent down the 
 29th regiment on the left of colonel Macdonald, close to the road lead- 
 in"- from Berghen to Egmont; and although the enemy's position appear- 
 ed steep and formidable, a general and rapid attack was made. The ad- 
 vance of the 2^'th regiment was the signal for the whole on the right of 
 it to move forward briskly, which was done with such spirit, that 
 they were soon at the bottom of the enemy's position; and as- 
 cending the hill without stopping, they pursued their advantage with 
 such vigour as to drive the enemy totally from the Sand-Hills. — This was 
 the last event which took place on the side of Berghen ; and as the close 
 of the day was fast approaching, colonel Macdonald, with two battalions, 
 was sent to the support of Sir Ralph Abercrombie. The heights of the 
 Sand-Iliils, surrounding Berghen for about three miles, remained crowned 
 and possessed by eleven British battalions. — General Sir Ralph Aber-
 
 131 
 
 crombie had marched, according to the disposition, along the beach, with 
 major-general D'Oyley's, major-general Moore's, and major-general lord 
 Cavan's brigades, the cavalry and horse-artillery (the reserve, under co- 
 lonel Macdonald, not having been able, owing to the great extent of the 
 Sand-Hills, to rejoin him, after turning to the left at Campe). The main bo- 
 dy of Sir Ralph Abercrombie's column had proceeded without meeting 
 with much resistance in the early part of the day, but was nevertheless 
 much inconvenienced, and his troops harassed, by the necessity of detach- 
 ing continually into the Sand-Hills to his left, to cover that flank against 
 the troops whom the enemy had placed in the Sand-Hills. The admirable 
 disposition, however, which he made of his troops, and their determin- 
 ed spirit and gallantry, enabled him to arrive within a mile of E^mont. 
 Here he was seriously opposed by a very considerable corps of French 
 infantry, which occupied Egmont-op-Zee and the high Sand-Hills in its 
 front, and who had formed a very strong corps of cavalry and artillery to 
 their left upon the beach. The engagement was maintained, during se- 
 veral hours, with the greatest obstinacy ; and in no instance were the 
 abilities of a commander, or the heroic perseverance of troops in so dif- 
 ficult and trying a situation, more highly conspicuous. Animated by the 
 example of general Sir Ralph Abercrombie, and the general and other 
 officers under him, the troops sustained every effort made upon them 
 by an enemy then superior in number, and much favoured by the 
 strength of his position. Late in the evening the enemy's cavalry, hav- 
 ing been defeated in an attempt which they made upon the British horse- 
 artillery on the beach, and having been charged by the cavalry under 
 colonel lord Paget, was driven, with considerable loss, nearly to E°-- 
 mont-op-Zee : his efforts then relaxed considerably upon the right : and 
 general Sir Ralph Abercrombie having soon after been joined by the re- 
 inforcements under colonel Macdonald, took post upon the Sand-Hills 
 and the beach, within a very short distance of Egmont-op-Zee, where the 
 troops lay upon their arms during the night. — Lieutenant-general Sir 
 James Pulteney had assembled the greater part of his corps in front of 
 Drixhoorn, whence he threatened an attack on Oude-Carspel, in and 
 near which was placed the principal force of the enemy's right, and 
 could at the same time have supported any part of the line which might 
 be attempted. Lieutenant-general Sir James Pulteney, seconded by the 
 active exertions of the general-officers and troops under his command, 
 
 s 2
 
 132 
 
 executed, with his usual ability, that part of the disposition with which 
 he was entrusted, and effectually prevented the enemy from sending any 
 detachments to his left. On the 3d, at day-break, the enemy evacuated 
 their strongly fortified posts at Oude-Carspel and the Lange-Dyke, re- 
 tiring Upon St. Pancras and Alkmaar : the above posts were very soon 
 after occupied by lieutenant-general Sir James Pulteney. The enemy 
 still continued in the woods and town of Berghen, and appeared with 
 cannon and in some force on that side of it next to the Koe-Dyke. They 
 had. however, withdrawn the greater part of their force during the 
 night, and before mid-day the village was taken possession of by the 
 85th regiment. About one, general Sir Ralph Abercrombie entered 
 Egmont-op-Zee ; and in the evening the Russians, under major-general 
 D'Essen, advanced from the ground where (as I have already stated) they 
 had halted the preceding day, to Egmont-op-te-Hooff. Major-general 
 Burrard, who, when the enemy retired from Berghen, had advanced to 
 Koe-Dyke, was ordered in the evening to occupy, with a detachment 
 from his brigade, the town of Alkmaar, which had been abandoned by 
 the enemy, and had been entered nearly at the same time by patroles 
 from his and lieutenant-general Sir James Pulteney's corps. — The ex- 
 hausted state of the troops, from the almost unparalleled difficulties and 
 fatigues which they had co encounter, prevented me from taking that ad- 
 vantage of the enemy's retreat to Beverwyck and Wyck-op-Zee, which, 
 in any other country, and under any other circumstances, would have 
 been the consequences of the operations of the army upon the 2d. — Gf 
 the loss sustained by the enemy, the reports are so various, that I cannot 
 venture to say any thing decisive ; but, from all circumstance.-, I have 
 reason to think it must have exceeded 4000 men. Seven pieces of can- 
 non, and a great proportion of tumbrils, were taken. The prisoners 
 having been immediately sent to the Helder, I cannot at present give any 
 statement of their number, but I do not believe it exceeds a few hun- 
 dred men. — Under divine Providence, this signal victory obtained over 
 the enemy is to be attributed to the animating and persevering exertions 
 which have at all times been the characteristics of the British soldier, 
 and which on no occasion were ever more eminently displayed ; nor has 
 it often fallen to the lot of any general to have such just cause of acknow- 
 ledgment for the distinguished support he that day experienced from the 
 officers under his command. — I cannot in sufficient terms express the
 
 133 
 
 obligations I owe to general Sir Ralph Abererombie, and lieutenant-ge- 
 neral Dundas, for the able manner in which they conducted their respec- 
 tive columns, whose successes are, in no small degree, to be attributed to 
 their personal exertions and example. The former had two horses shot 
 under him.— I must also state my warm acknowledgments to lieutenant- 
 general Hulse, major-generals lord Chatham, Coote, D'Oyley, Burrard, 
 and Moore, for their spirited efforts upon this occasion, and the abilities 
 which they showed in the conduct of their respective brigades. The 
 latter, by his ability and personal exertion, very materially contributed 
 to the success of his column; and, although severely wounded through 
 the thigh, continued in action for near two hours, until a second wound 
 in the face obliged him to quit the field. Much praise is due to major- 
 general Hutchinson, for the manner in which he led the 5th or lord Ca- 
 van's brigade; and I hope it will not be considered as an improper intru- 
 sion, if I take this occasion to express my sincere regret that an unfortu- 
 nate blow from a horse, in going into action, by fracturing his leg, should 
 have deprived me of his lordship's services. Colonel Macdonald distin- 
 guished himself by his usual spirit and ability in the command of the 
 reserve, as did lord Paget, who commanded the cavalry upon the beach, 
 and whose exertions are deserving of every praise. Nor must I omit ex- 
 pressing my thanks to lieutenant-colonels Whitworth and Smyth, who 
 commanded the artillery of reserve, and to major Juuson, of the horse- 
 artillery. The detachment of seamen, under the command of captains 
 Goddard and" Jourcoing, were upon this, as upon a former occasion, of the 
 most essential service, in the direction of the gun-boats. The conduct 
 of major-general Knox, who was attached to the column of the Russian 
 troops, was such as to afford me the greatest satisf action. — I inclose the 
 returns of the loss of the British and Russian troops, and must repeat my 
 sincere regret that the advantages we have obtained (however brilliant) 
 have been so dearly bought. — In closing this dispatch, I cannot deny my- 
 self the pleasure of expressing my approbation of the staff of my army, 
 and in particular of the exertions and abilities shown by lieutenant-colo- 
 nel Anstvuther, deputy quarter-master-general. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 
 FREDERICK, 
 
 Tkt Right Honourable Htnry Dundas, .'•.
 
 134 
 
 Refiu-n of the killed and wounded in the action of the 2d, of which the fol- 
 lowing is the total: 
 1 major, 5 captains, 5 subalterns, 11 Serjeants, 215 rank and file, 44 
 horses, killed ; 2 colonels, 2 lieutenant-colonels, 3 majors, 22 captains, 
 39 subalterns, 1 staff', 46 Serjeants, 7 drummers, 980 rank and file, 78 
 horses, wounded; 1 captain, 4 subalterns, 7 Serjeants, 3 drummers, 178 
 rank and file, 3 horses, missing. 
 
 SIR, Head-Quarters, Alkmaar, Oct. 7. 
 
 THE enemy, after the action of the 2d, having taken up the position 
 between Bevervvyck and Wyck-op-Zee, I determined to endeavour to 
 force him thence before he had an opportunity of strengthening by works 
 the short and very defensible line which he occupied, and to oblige him 
 stilf further to retire before he could be joined by the reinforcements 
 which I had information were upon their march. 
 
 Preparatory, therefore, to a general forward movement, I ordered the 
 advanced posts which the army took up on the 3d inst. in front of this 
 place, of Egmont-op-te-Hooff and Egmont-op-Zee, to be pushed for- 
 ward, which operation took place yesterday morning. At first little op- 
 position was shown, and we succeeded in taking possession of the vil- 
 lages of Schermerhoorn, Acher Sloot, Limmen, Baccum, and of a posi- 
 tion on the Sand-Hills near Wyck-op-Zee : the column of Russian troops 
 under the command of major-general D'Essen, in endeavouring to gain 
 a height in front of their intended advanced post at Baccum (which was 
 material to the security of that point), was vigorously opposed and after- 
 wards attacked by a strong body of the enemy, which obliged general Sir 
 Ralph Abercrombie to move up in support with the reserve of his corps. 
 
 The enemy on their part advanced their whole force ; the action be- 
 came general along the whole line from Limmen to the sea, and was 
 maintained with great obstinacy on both sides until night, when the 
 enemy retired, leaving us masters of the field of battle. The conflict 
 however has, I am concerned to state, been so severe, and has been at- 
 tended with as serious a loss (in proportion to the numbers engaged) as 
 anv of those which have been fought by the brave troops composing this 
 army since their arrival in Holland. The gallantry they displayed, and 
 the perseverance with which they supported the fatigues of this day, rival 
 «.heix former exertions.
 
 135 
 
 The corps engaged were : 
 
 Major-general D'Oyley's brigade of guards. 
 
 Major-general Burrard's brigade. 
 
 Major-general earl Chatham's brigade. 
 
 Major-general Coote's brigade. 
 
 Major-general the earl of Cavan's brigade, commanded by major-ge- 
 neral Hutchinson. 
 
 The reserve under the command of colonel Macdonald. 
 
 Part of the 7th and 11th dragoons. 
 
 And seven battalions of Russians. 
 
 To general Sir Ralph Abercrombie, and the other general-officers in- 
 command of the brigades before-mentioned, as also to colonel Macdonald, 
 my warmest acknowledgments are due, for their spirited and judicious 
 exertions during this affair ; nor ought I to omit the praise due to co- 
 lonel Clephane, commanding four companies of the 3d and one of the 
 Coldstream regiments of guards, who, by a spirited charge, drove two> 
 battalions of the enemy from the post of Acher Sloot, making two hun- 
 dred prisoners. I have sincerely to regret, that, in the course of the ac- 
 tion, major-general Hutchinson received a musquet-shot wound in the 
 thigh, which, however, is not serious. 
 
 I have not yet received any reports of the killed and wounded, but I 
 am apprehensive that the number of British is not less than five hun- 
 dred, and that the loss of the Russian troops,, as far as I can understand, 
 amounts to twelve hundred, men. I shall, as early as circumstances pos- 
 sibly admit, transmit particular returns. 
 
 The loss of the enemy upon this occasion has been very great ; and, 
 in addition to their killed and wounded, five hundred prisoners fell into 
 our hands. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 
 The Right Hon. Henry Dundas, .A>r. FREDERICK 
 
 SIR, Head-Quarters,. Schagen-brug, Oct. 9. 
 
 I have already acquainted you with the result of the action of the 
 6th inst. which terminated successfully to the allied arms, and at th^ 
 same time pointed out the necessity of the movement which produced 
 this affair. 
 
 From the prisoners taken upon the 6th. inst. I learnt the certaintv of
 
 136 
 
 the enemy having been reinforced since the action of the 2d by two de- 
 ini brigades, amounting to about six thousand infantry, and of their hav- 
 ing strengthened the position of Beverwyck, and fortified strongly in the 
 rear of its point, which it would still be necessary to carry before Haar- 
 lem could be attacked. 
 
 It ought also to be stated, that the enemy had retired a large force 
 upon Purmerend, in an almost inaccessible position, covered by an inun- 
 dated country, and the debouches from which were strongly tortified 
 and in the hands of the enemy : and further, that as our army advanced, 
 this corps was placed in our rear. 
 
 But such obstacles would have been overcome, had not the state of 
 the weather, the ruined condition of the roads, and total want of the ne- 
 cessary supplies arising from the above causes, presented difficulties 
 which required the most serious consideration. 
 
 Having maturely weighed the circumstances in which the army was 
 thus placed, and having felt it my duty, on a point of so much import- 
 ance, to consult with general Sir Ralph Abercrombie and the lieutenant- 
 generals of this army, I could not but consider (and their opinion was 
 unanimous on the subject) that it would be for the benefit of the gene- 
 ral cause to withdraw the troops from their advanced position, in order 
 to wait his majesty's further instructions. 
 
 I must request you will again represent to his majesty the distinguished 
 conduct of his army, which, while acting under the pressure of uncom- 
 mon difficulties, never for a moment ceased to be actuated by the noblest 
 feelings for the success of the public cause, and the honour of the British 
 arms. 
 
 As there are many points resulting from our present situation upon 
 which you may require particular information, and such details as cannot 
 be brought within the compass of a letter, I have thought it necessary to 
 charge my secretary, colonel Brownrigg, with this dispatch, who will be 
 able to explain fully all matters relating to this army. 
 
 I transmit a return of killed, wounded, and missing, of his majesty's 
 and the Russian troops in the action of the 6th instant. I most heartily 
 lament that it has again been so serious, and that so many brave and va- 
 luable men have fallen. 
 
 I am, yours, 
 
 FREDERICK
 
 137 
 
 [Then follows a list of killed and wounded, of which the following is 
 the total :] 
 
 2 lieutenant-colonels, 2 subalterns, 3 Serjeants, 1 drummer, 83 rank 
 and file, 7 horses, killed ; 1 colonel, 1 lieutenant-colonel, 3 majors, 7 
 captains, 23 subalterns, 1 staff, 23 Serjeants, 666 rank and file, 13 horses, 
 wounded; 2 lieutenant-colonels, 1 major, 5 captains, 11 subalterns, 13 
 Serjeants, 2 drummers, 569 rank and file, missing. 
 
 N~a?)ies of Officers killed. 
 Lieutenant-colonel Philip Bainbridge, and ensign M'Curris, of the 1st 
 battalion of the 20th regiment of foot. 
 
 Lieutenant-colonel Dickson, of the 2d battalion of the 4th ditto. 
 Lieutenant Forster, of the 3d battalion of the 4th ditto. 
 
 Names of Officers wounded. 
 
 Grenadier battalion line. — Lieutenant Dunn, of the 1st battalion of the 
 4th regiment of foot ; lieutenant Hamilton, of the 1st battalion of the 5th- 
 ditto. 
 
 Light-infantry battalion. — Lieutenant Alexander, of the 3d battalion of 
 the 4th foot; lieutenant Nicholson, of the 2d battalion of the 35th ditto: 
 ensign Parsons, and volunteer J. MTnnis, of the 1st battalion of the 9th 
 ditto. 
 
 Colonel Maitland, and ensign Burke, of the 3d battalion of the 1st 
 guards. 
 
 Surgeon Babington, of the 1st battalion of the 3d ditto. 
 
 Major Campbell, captain Newman, lieutenant Stevens, and ensigns 
 Fevel and Humphries, of the 1st battalion of the 20th regiment of foot. 
 
 Captains Masters, Wallace, and Torrence, and ensign Drurie, of the 
 2d battalion of the 20th ditto. 
 
 Captain-lieutenant John Wardlow ; lieutenants Bennet; Puscall, San- 
 key, and MTntosh ; of the 63d regiment of foot. 
 
 Lieutenant-colonel Hodgson ; ensigns- Johnston, Carruther, and John 
 Nicholls ; of the 1st battalion of the 4th ditto. 
 
 Captains Gilman and Palman ; lieutenants Deare and Wilson ; ensiVns 
 Highmore and Archibald ; of the 2d battalion of the 4th ditto. 
 
 Majors Wynch and Horndon, of the 3d battalion of the 4th ditto. 
 
 Ensigns Williams, Johnston, and King, of the 3 1st regiment of foot 
 
 T
 
 138 
 
 Names of Officers missing. 
 Lieutenant-colonel Lake, of the 3d battalion of the 1st guards. 
 Lieutenant-colonel Cholmondeley ; major Pringle ; captains Archdail, 
 Brodie, Gilmoiv, Chaplin ; lieutenants Gasley, Wilson, Deare, Wilbra- 
 ham ; ensigns Brown, Ellis, Hill, Anderson, M'Phersom Tryor ; of the 2d 
 battalion of the 4th foot. 
 
 Captain Williamson, and ensign Algeo, of the 3d battalion of ditto. 
 
 ALEX. HOPE. 
 Assistant Adjutant-General, 
 fThe Russians lost 382 killed or taken prisoners, and 735 wounded.] 
 
 ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, OCT. 22. 
 
 Extract of a Letter from Vice-Admiral Mitchel to Evan Nepean, Esq. dated 
 on board his Majesty's Ship Isis, near the Vlieter, dated the 1 5th inst. 
 I inclose a copy of a letter from captain Campbell, giving an account 
 of the capture of four gun-boats in the Zuider Zee, and a copy of a letter 
 from captain Boorder, containing an account of two unsuccessful attacks 
 made by the enemy on Lemmer ; by all which their lordships will per- 
 ceive that I cannot too highly extol the gallantry and good conduct of 
 captains, and of the officers and men under their command. 
 
 His Majesty's Gun-brij 
 SIR, off Marken, Oct. 7, 1799. 
 
 1 beg to 'inform you, that I yesterday sailed from Usk, with the Hasty, 
 Defender, and Cracker brigs, and Isis schuyt ; and having reached this 
 ■ by four A. M. I proceeded with the boats to attempt cutting out 
 the Dutch gun-boats lying on or near the Pampus, and, am happy to say, 
 succeeded in getting possession of four without the loss of a man. They 
 mount four long guns or carronades, and have between twenty and 
 thirty men ; one of them built on purpose for a gun-vessel, and quite 
 arrying two long eighteen-pounders in her bow, and two eight en- 
 pounder carronades on her broadside ; the rest are schuyts. 
 
 I beg to recommend to your notice Messrs. Hall and Winter, mid-
 
 139 
 
 shipmen, for their spirited behaviour on this occasion, as also all the sea- 
 men engaged, lor their alacrity in boarding, and good conduct after hav- 
 ined possession. I have sent the Defender with charge of the 
 gun-boats, and have the honour to be, &c. 
 
 PATRICK CAMPBELL, 
 Commander of his Majesty's sloop Dart. 
 
 1 bmral Mitchel, Enchuysen. 
 
 Lemmer Town, West-Friezland, 
 SIR, Oct. 11, 17 99. 
 
 I have the honour to inform you, that at five o'clock thismornino- the 
 enemy made a general attack on this town in four different parts. Their 
 advanced party attempted to storm the north battery. We soon got 
 them between two fires ; our tars, with pikes, surrounded them, and they 
 immediately laid down their arms. Their force was one officer, one Ser- 
 jeant, one corporal, and '28 men, two of the latter killed. We had no 
 sooner secured our prisoners, than they attacked us with the remainder 
 of their force, 670 in number. Our little army did wonders; for with 
 sailors and marines our force was only 157. We fought them for four 
 hours and a half, when the enemy gave way in all directions : I imme- 
 diately ordered the marines to pursue them. Their breaking down a 
 bridge prevented their colours and two field-pieces from falling into our 
 hands ; but before this was effected, the heavy fire from the marines had 
 killed 18 of the enemy, and wounded about 20; and in their general at- 
 tack they had 5 men killed and 9 wounded. 
 
 It is impossible for me to speak too highly of the officers and men un- 
 der my command. Lieutenant Wyburn of the marines, as also lieute- 
 nants Howel, Higginson, and Gardner, behaved with honour to them- 
 selves and credit to their country. Lieutenant Norman of the navy, as 
 also Mr. Lane, Mr. Iron, Mr. Wheatly, Air. Travers, and Mr. Petrv, 
 distinguished themselves in a most gallant manner, as did likewise the 
 whole of the sailors and marines. 
 
 It affords me great satisfaction to inform you we had not a man hurt. 
 
 I am, Sec. 
 
 JAMES BOORDER. 
 
 T 2
 
 140 
 
 Vice-Admiral Mitchel to the Regency and Inhabitants of Enchuysen, on leav- 
 ing that Place. 
 
 Previous to my quitting this place, I wish to express my feelings, to 
 convince you that is it entirely owing to the smallness of my forces that 
 I do not remain to make a needless defence against superior numbers. 
 Convincedof your agreeing with me in this point, I have thought proper, 
 after the tidings received from Hoorne and Medenblic, rather to evacuate 
 the town, than expose it to the vengeance of our enemies. 
 
 It is with great concerc I state, that the laws of war oblige me to de- 
 stroy your armed shipping in this port, &c. yet I find consolation that 
 none of the buildings of your city will receive the least injury, &c. I 
 iiope that the members of your provisional regency, established by my 
 express. orders, will not suffer the least molestation; but should I hear 
 that any of them have been injured, I shall return with my fleet to bom- 
 bard the town, until not one stone remains on another, 
 
 MITCHEL, Vice-Admiral. 
 
 On board his Majesty's Ship Babct, 
 October 12. 
 
 BOWNING-STREET, OCT. 26. 
 
 Lieutenant-colonel Clinton, aide-de-camp to his royal highness the 
 duke of York, arrived this morning at the office of the right honourable 
 Henry Uundas, with dispatches, of which the following are copies. 
 
 SIR, Head-Quarter';, Schagen-brug, Oct. 20. 
 
 IN my late communications I have represented to you the circum- 
 stances under which I found it expedient to withdraw the army from its 
 forward position in front of Alkmaar, within that which it at present oc- 
 cupies, and which I trust will have appeared to his majesty sufficient to 
 warrant the measure. The season of the year, which has already assumed 
 here the aspect of winter, gave me, from day to day, additional reason to 
 apprehend that any attempt towards a prosecution of the campaign in 
 this country could not be attended with decisive advantages, whilst the 
 impossibility of covering the troops in the narrow district of the country 
 in our possession during the winter, and the precarious state of supplies 
 to be expected in that season,, added to the conviction I felt, that the
 
 141 
 
 most adviseable measure to be pursued was to remove •with the army to 
 England, an operation which, although it might have exposed the army 
 to some loss in its execution, I judged in my mind preferable to any other 
 which could be adopted. Under this impression, and considering that 
 serious loss might ensue from delay, I have been induced to conclude 
 an armistice, in conjunction with vice-admiral Mitchel, with general 
 Brune, commanding the French and Batavian armies, of which the con- 
 ditions are inclosed, and which, although they provide for delivering up 
 a large number of prisoners of war, now in our hands, yet I trust will 
 not be thought by his majesty an inadequate compensation for many va- 
 luable lives which must have been lost, after the object which has hitherto 
 directed them no longer promised success ; and when the only means 
 which presented themselves of ensuring a secure retreat were those of 
 resorting to the destructive measure of inundation from the sea, which, as 
 it would have involved the inhabitants in the northern parts of this pro- 
 vince in ruin for a series of years, must have been highly repugnant to 
 the feelings, as well as contrary to the character and practice of the Bri- 
 tish nation. I rest confident that the motives which I have here de- 
 tailed will excuse me to his majesty for having acted without waiting 
 for previous instructions from home, and that I shall have the satisfac- 
 tion of knowing that my conduct in this respect has met with his ma- 
 jesty's gracious approbation. 
 
 I am, Sec. 
 
 FREDERICK. 
 
 Articles agreed upon between major-general Knox, duly authorised by 
 his royal highness the duke of York, commander in chief of the com- 
 bined English and Russian army, and citizen Rostollant, general 
 of brigade and adjutant-general, duly authorised by citizen Brune, 
 general and commander in chief of the French and Batavian army. 
 
 Art. I. From the date of this convention all hostilities shall cease be- 
 tween the two armies. 
 
 Art. II. The line of demarcation between the said armies shall be the 
 line of their respective out-posts, as they now exist. 
 
 Art. III. The continuation of all works, offensive and defensive, shall 
 be suspended on both sides, and no new ones shall be undertaken.
 
 142 
 
 Art. IV. The mounted batteries taken possession of at the Helder, or 
 at other positions within the line, now occupied by the combined English 
 and Russian army, shall be restored in the state in which they were taken, 
 or (in case of improvement) in their present, state, and all the Dutch ar- 
 tillery taken therein shall be preserved. 
 
 Art. V. The combined English and Russian army shall embark as 
 soon as possible, and shall evacuate the territory, coasts, islands, and in- 
 ternal navigation of the Dutch republic, by the 30th of November, 1799, 
 without committing any devastation, by inundations, cutting the dykes, 
 or otherways injuring the sources of navigation. 
 
 Art. VI. Any ships of war, or other vessels, which may arrive with re- 
 inforcements for the combined British and Russian army, shall not land 
 the same, and shall be sent away as soon as possible. 
 
 Art. VII. General Brune shall be at liberty to send an officer within 
 the lines of the Zype and to the Helder, to report to him the state of the 
 ies and the progress of the embarkation. His royal highness the 
 duke of York shall be equally at liberty to send an officer within the 
 French and Batavian lines, to satisfy himself that no new works are car- 
 ried on on their side. An officer of rank and distinction shall be sent 
 from each army respectively, to guarantee the execution of this conven- 
 tion. 
 
 Art. VIII. Eight thousand prisoners of war, French and Batavians, 
 before the present campaign, and now detained in England, shall 
 be restored, without conditions, to their respective countries. The propor- 
 tion and choice of such prisoners for each to be determined between the 
 two republics. Major-general Knox shall remain with the French 
 rantee the execution of this article. 
 Art. IX. The cartel agreed upon between the two armies, for the ex- 
 ;e of the prisoners taken during the present campaign, shall continue 
 in full force till it shall be carried into complete execution ; and it is 
 further agreed that the Dutch admiral De Winter shall be considered as 
 exchanged. 
 
 Concluded at Alkmaar, the 18th of October, 1799, by the un- 
 dersigned general-officers, furnished with full powers to this 
 effect. 
 
 KNOX, Major-general. 
 ROSTOLLANT.
 
 143 
 
 [Then follows a return of the killed, wounded, and missing, between 
 the 6th and 10th of October, of which the following is the total :] 
 
 15 horses killed: 1 lieutenant-colonel, 1 captain, 4 horses, wounded; 
 1 subaltern, 1 staff, 3 Serjeants, 33 rank and file, 1 horse, missing. 
 
 Return of Officers wounded and missing. 
 18th light dragoons. — Honourable lieutenant-colonel Stewart, captain 
 Hay, wounded ; quarter-master, Mr. Kelly, missing. 
 2d~ battalion royals. — Lieutenant Lyster missing. 
 
 ALEX. HOPE, 
 Deputy Adjutant-Gene ml. 
 
 DOWNING-STREET, NOV. 23. 
 
 A Letter, of which the following is a copy, has been received by lieu- 
 tenant-colonel the honourable Alexander Hope, deputy adjutant-general 
 to the army lately serving in Holland, from lieutenant-general Sir James 
 Pulteney, baronet, and, by order of his royal highness the commander in 
 chief, transmitted by him to the right honourable Henry Dundas, one of 
 his majesty's principal secretaries of state. 
 
 SIR. Swan Cutter, at Sea, Nov. 20. 
 
 I have from time to time reported to you, for the information of his 
 royal highness the commander in chief, the progress which had been 
 made in the embarkation and departure of the British and Russian troops 
 which were left under my command in the province of North Holland • 
 and I am now happy to acquaint you, that the last of them emb 
 yesterday morning, when, the wind being fair, the whole of the shi 
 war and transports remaining in the Texel left that port. 
 
 Every thing belonging to the army was brought off, excepting a small 
 proportion of damaged provisions, a few waggons, and above 300 draft 
 horses of little value, tor which there was no tonnage ; of these the latter 
 alone were saleable; but they bore so small a price, that I thought it 
 better to distribute the whole to the magistrates of the different villages 
 in and near which the army had been cantoned, to be delivered to any of 
 the inhabitants who might have suffered from the inevitable conse- 
 quences of war.
 
 144 
 
 Several large Dutch Indiamen, and other ships, which it was impossi- 
 ble for us to remove in their present state, but which might have been 
 fitted out as ships of war by the enemy, were completely disabled and 
 rendered useless for any further purpose, through the exertions of a de- 
 tachment of seamen, under the direction of captain Bovar. The desire 
 of complying most strictly with the articles of the agreement entered 
 into between his royal highness and general Brune prevented their being 
 blown up, which could not have been done without endangering the 
 navigation of the Nieuve Diep. 
 
 Vice-admiral Dickson, as well as myself, made it our study to comply 
 in this, as in every other instance, with the articles of the agreement ; and 
 I must do the French general the justice to say, that he seemed actuated 
 by the same spirit. 
 
 Previous to quitting the Helder, I had, in obedience to his royal high- 
 ness's instructions, discharged every just demand of the inhabitants of the 
 country which has been occupied by the army ; and I was happy to find 
 that very few claims were brought forward beyond those which it was in 
 my power to satisfy. 
 
 The embarkation of the troops, difficult from the multiplicity of the 
 arrangements required, and sometimes arduous from the state of the 
 weather, was carried on with the utmost zeal and activity by vice-admiral 
 Dickson, and the officers and seamen under his command. I feel parti- 
 cularly indebted to captain Lawford, of his majesty's ship Romney, who 
 was left on shore, and had the immediate direction of the embarkation, 
 for his exertions and his attention to every branch of his majesty's ser- 
 vice, and to captain Woodriffe, principal agent of the transport service, 
 fcr his great zeal in the execution of the duties of that situation. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &;c. 
 
 JAMES PULTENEY. 
 
 The Hon. Col. Hope, Adj. Gen. Sfc. 
 
 P. S. The three armed vessels have been left to cruise off the Texel, 
 to give warning to any British ships of our having evacuated the port. 
 
 It was agreed by the French general, that if any should arrive previous 
 to the expiration of the month, they should, as a matter of course, be al- 
 lowed to depart,
 
 145 
 
 Supplement to the Account of the Armistice concluded between his Royal High- 
 ness the Duke of York and Gen. Brune, published in the Gazette of the 
 26th ult. 
 
 General, Head-Quarters, Schagen-brug, Oct. 15. 
 
 THE late hour at which your letter reached me last night prevented 
 my sending sooner to Alkmaar major-general Knox, the officer alluded 
 to in my letter of yesterday's date. He is entirely in my confidence, and 
 is fully authorised to treat and conclude with you on the subject respect- 
 ing which he has received my instructions. 
 
 FREDERICK, Duke of York, 
 Commander in Chief of the combined English and Russian Army. 
 To Gen. Brune, Commander in Chief, SfC. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Schagen-brug, Oct. 15. 
 
 BY virtue of the authority, and in obedience to the order of his royal 
 highness the duke of York, commander in chief of the combined English 
 and Russian army, major-general Knox will have the honour of commu- 
 nicating with general Brune, commander in chief of the French and Ba- 
 tavian army, and of stating to him, 
 
 That in consequence of the difficulties arising from the very unfavour- 
 able and unusual state of the weather at this season, we have judged it 
 expedient to re-occupy the position of the Zype. 
 
 That in this situation, with cantonments amply adequate to the amount 
 of our forces, having an uninterrupted and certain means of keeping up 
 our communication with England, and masters as we are of the Helder, 
 the Texel, the Zuider Zee, and the Ocean, it depends upon us either to 
 await the period when a favourable change of weather and of circum- 
 stances may enable us to renew offensive operations, or to withdraw our 
 army by degrees, and without risk from this country, retaining possession 
 of such detached points as might be judged most favourable for annoy- 
 ing the enemy, or for securing real advantages to ourselves. 
 
 In the event of our recurring to this last-mentioned measure, it will 
 become our duty to neglect no means which can contribute to the 
 preservation of the brave troops entrusted to our care; and for this pur- 
 pose (however distressing, however ruinous to the inhabitants and to 
 the country, the alternative may be) we shall be compelled to avail our- 
 
 u
 
 146 
 
 selves of those dreadful expedients which it is in our power to adopt. 
 Having perfectly at our disposal the sea-dykes, both towards the Ocean 
 and the Zuider Zee, as well as the interior dykes, we should in that case 
 be reduced to the terrible necessity of inundating the whole country of 
 North Holland, and of adding to this calamity every destructive evil 
 which must necessarily result from an attempt to force or interrupt our re- 
 treat. We should, under such circumstances, also be constrained to 
 make use of the ample means we possess, of rendering the navigation of 
 the Zuider Zee henceforth impracticable, by obstructing the Mars Diep, 
 and destroying the Nieuve Diep, — works upon which so many years' la- 
 bour, and such immense sums, have been expended. 
 
 Our system of carrying on war having on all occasions been governed 
 by the most liberal principles, necessity, and the strongest sense of duty, 
 could alone induce us to adopt a system repugnant to the sentiments 
 which have ever directed the conduct of the English nation. From these 
 considerations, and from our persuasion that general Brune and the Dutch 
 people must be actuated by similar motives, and equally desirous to pre- 
 vent an useless effusion of blood by the amicable arrangement of a point 
 which is perhaps the object of both parties, and from our anxiety, in case 
 of a different result, to stand justified to the whole universe, from what- 
 ever destruction may in consequence devolve upon this country, we pro- 
 pose and offer to general Brune, and to the Batavian republic, That the 
 English and Russian troops shall evacuate, before the end of November 
 next, all the coasts, the islands, and the interior navigation of Holland, 
 without committing any act detrimental to the great sources of its naviga- 
 tion, or laying the country under any inundations : — for this purpose, we 
 propose that a suspension of hostilities shall take place until the period 
 above specified ; that during this interval we shall remain in full pos- 
 session of all the points, and of the whole extent of country we occupy 
 at this moment, and that the line of the respective advanced posts shall 
 also be that of separation between the two armies ; and that this line 
 shall not, under any pretence, be passed by the troops of either,, even in 
 the event of our chusing to retire from any part of our present position, 
 or of our quitting it altogether ; — that during the above-mentioned inter- 
 val no interference shall be allowed, nor any objections be started, with 
 respect to the conduct of cither of the parties within the limits of their 
 icspective possessions j and that all the rights of war (every act of hosti-
 
 147 
 
 lity excepted) shall continue mutually in force ;— that we will grant to 
 the persons and property of the inhabitants of the country occupied by 
 us every protection consistent with discipline, in the circumstances 
 under which we are placed, and all the advantages which the conduct 
 generally observed by British troops entitles them to expect on such an 
 occasion. If these proposals accord with the wishes, and are conform- 
 able to the intentions of general Brune, there can be no difficulty what- 
 ever in carrying them into execution in three days from the date hereof. 
 By order of his royal highness the commander in chief, 
 
 H. TAYLOR, Sec. 
 
 The FRENCH and BATAVIAN ARMIES. 
 
 EQUALITY. LIBERTY. 
 
 Head-Quarters at Alkmaar, the 15 th Oct. 1799, 
 the 8th Year of the French Republic. 
 
 Brune, General in Chief, to the Duke of York, Commander in Chief of the 
 combined English and Russian Army. 
 General, 
 Major-general Knox, who was instructed to confer with me on your 
 part, upon the subject of a Note which he has delivered, signed by your 
 secretary, will communicate my answer, contained in the explanatory 
 Note. 
 
 CITIZEN BRUNE, 
 General in Chief of the combined French and Batavian Army. 
 
 Head-Quarters at Alkmaar, the 15 th Oct. 1799, 
 the 8th Year of the French Republic. 
 
 THE duke of York, commander in chief of the English army, proposes 
 that a cessation of hostilities shall take place, in consequence of the ap- 
 proach of the inclement season. He promises to withdraw from the Ba- 
 tavian territory, between the present period and the end of November 
 next, the whole army under his command ; and consents that no damage 
 shall be committed, no sluices opened, or dykes broken up, on condition 
 of his retreat not being molested by the French and Batavian army. 
 
 v 2
 
 148 
 
 These motives would not have been brought forward by the duke of 
 York, if he had considered himself possessed of means sufficient for ad- 
 vancing into the country ; for, in that case, he would have had the facility 
 of extending his quarters, of procuring subsistence, and, in short, of 
 placing himself beyond the reach of the inconveniences arising irom the 
 unfavourable season. We ought consequently to look to advantages in 
 an arrangement, proportionate to the insufficiency of the forces under his 
 command. The terms proposed by the duke of York contain nothing 
 but what would be the necessary result of a cessation of hostilities, tt can 
 scarcely be supposed that the duke of York will cause the dykes to be 
 destroyed, the country to be inundated, and the villages to be burnt, for 
 the mere purpose of committing such acts of violence, — as such conduct 
 would be contrary to the laws of war, and must draw upon him the re- 
 probation of all Europe, and of his own nation. It appears therefore evi- 
 dent, that the duke of York would confine himself to such measures as 
 might be useful to his own army, or detrimental to ours ; but we look 
 upon such accidents as inseparable from a state of war. No object of 
 advantage to us appears therefore to result from the proposals which have 
 been made. Since, however, the sufferings of humanity come under the 
 consideration of the duke of York, general Brune is ready to meet this 
 honourable feeling, and, in doing so, declares that the following stipula- 
 tions, on which he offers to consent to a suspension of hostilities, are so 
 obviously just, that he cannot depart from them. 
 
 Art. I. The Batavian fleet, which was surrendered to admiral Mit- 
 chel by admiral Story, shall be restored to the Batavian republic, with its 
 stores and crews. In case the duke of York shall not be invested with 
 sufficient powers to comply with this article, his royal highness shall en- 
 gage to obtain from his court an equivalent compensation. 
 
 Art. II. Fifteen thousand prisoners of war, French and Batavians, de- 
 tained in England, shall be conditionally released and sent home. The 
 mode of selection, and the proportion for each country, to be settled be- 
 tween the governments of the two republics. The Batavian admiral De 
 AVinter shall be considered as exchanged. This article shall in no degree 
 prejudice or interfere with the cartel of exchange at present established. 
 
 Art. III. The batteries and fort of the Helder shall be restored in the 
 condition in which they were found at the period of the invasion of the
 
 149 
 
 English and Russian army. An officer of artillery shall be sent to the 
 Helder by general Brune, to see that this article is complied with. 
 
 Art. IV. The army under the command of the duke of York shall 
 within forty-eight hours evacuate the position of the Zype ; its advanced 
 posts shall be withdrawn to the height of Callants-Oge. The French and 
 Batavian army shall preserve the positions it occupies at present, taking 
 up however its advanced posts at Petten, Krabendam, Schagen-brug, and 
 Colhorn. It shall have merely a vidette at the height of Callants-Oge. 
 
 Art. V. The troops composing the English and Russian army shall 
 be embarked successively, and as speedily as possible. All the British 
 shipping shall quit the Texel, and all the English and Russian troops be 
 withdrawn from the seas, coasts, and islands of the Batavian republic, be- 
 fore the 20th of November next, and shall not damage the great sources 
 of navigation, or occasion any inundation in the country. 
 
 Art. VI. All ships of war or other vessels, having on board reinforce- 
 ments for the combined English and Russian army, shall put to sea as soon 
 as possible, without landing the same. 
 
 Art. VII. To guarantee the execution of these articles, hostages shall 
 be given by the duke of York, to be selected amongst the officers of rank 
 in his army. 
 
 By order of general Brune, commander in chief of the combined 
 French and Batavian army. 
 
 VEVRY, Sec. 
 
 General, Head-Quarter 1 ;, Schagen-brug, Oct. 17- 
 
 I send back major-general Knox with my answers to the explanatory 
 
 note which he has delivered to me in your name. He is fully authorised 
 
 to conclude, on my part, upon every point which relates to the subject of 
 
 his mission. 
 
 FREDERICK, Duke of York, 
 Commander in Chief of the combined English and Russian Army. 
 
 To Gen. Brune, Commander in Chief, Ire. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Schagen-brug, Oct. 17. 
 
 HIS rcyal highness the duke of York, commander in chief of the 
 
 combined English and Russian army, proposed to general Brune, com-
 
 150 
 
 tnander in chief of the French and Batavian army, an arrangement, 
 equally to the advantage of both parties, originating in his desire to pre- 
 vent the farther effusion of blood, and to preserve this country from the 
 terrible effects of an inundation, as also from the destruction of the best of 
 its ports, involving the total ruin of the principal channel of its interior 
 navigation and commerce. — In answer to which general Brune observes, 
 that he cannot imagine his royal highness will recur to measures not less 
 revolting to humanity than repugnant to the character of the British na- 
 tion, and to the general feeling of all Europe. — Devastation or destruction 
 is certainly incompatible with the character and with the uniform conduct 
 of the English nation ± and as little do either accord with the disposition 
 of his royal highness the commander in chief; but there are duties pe- 
 remptorily prescribed by the nature of particular situations, the odium of 
 which must fall, not on those who execute, but on such as render the 
 measures necessary, by rejecting the conditions of a just and honourable 
 agreement. Deeply impressed with what is due to his country on the one 
 hand, and to the claims of humanity on the other, — persuaded, likewise, 
 that general Brune is equally guided by these sentiments, his royal high- 
 ness has taken his proposals into consideration, and consents to abide by 
 the agreement as it stands in the answers annexed to the different ar- 
 tlcles. 
 
 Major-general Knox, who is charged therewith, is authorised to sign 
 and conclude this agreement, as well as to arrange any points of detail 
 which may arise out of it. It being the duty of every officer command- 
 ing his Britannic Majesty's troops to make an exact report of whatever 
 relates to his command, his royal highness the duke of York will, of 
 course, lay before the British government every communication which 
 has taken place between his royal highness and general Brune. 
 
 Articles proposed in the Explanatory Note from General Brune. 
 
 Answer to Art. I. — His royal highness will on no account treat upon 
 this article, the execution of which, it must be evident to both parties, is 
 impossible. 
 
 Answer to Art. II. — This demand appears to rest upon a supposed loss 
 the combined army must sustain should its embarkation be resolved 
 upon. It is by no means admitted that such would be the result ; but as,
 
 151 
 
 in the event of the army's carrying on the campaign during the winter, the 
 loss of a certain number of men must naturally be expected, his royal high- 
 ness, influenced by this consideration, agrees to promise, in the name of 
 the British government, that 5000 French and Batavian prisoners, the pro- 
 portion of each to be regulated according to the terms of the article, shall 
 be unconditionally released and sent home. Nothing further in this ar- 
 ticle can be agreed to. 
 
 Answer to Art. III. — The fort and batteries of the Helder will be left, 
 generally considered, in an improved state. None of the Dutch artillery 
 shall be carried away. 
 
 Answer to Art. IV. — On no account will it be consented that the army 
 shall be withdrawn from the position of Zype, until every preparation 
 requisite to render its embarkation easy and complete can be arranged at 
 the Helder. It must be evident, that it cannot be desirable that any de- 
 lay should take place in this respect. No addition shall be made to the 
 works at the Zype, and persons properly authorised shall be admitted 
 from time to time to ascertain and report upon this point for the satisfac- 
 tion of general Brune ; but no armed detachment will be permitted to 
 approach, or to take post, nearer than they already are to our position. 
 It must be further understood, that, on his part, general Brune will not 
 allow any approaches or offensive preparations to be carried on, and that 
 the French and Batavian army shall remain in the line of advanced posts 
 which it occupies at present, which shall also be the line of separation 
 between the two armies respectively. 
 
 Answer to Art. V. — The embarkation of the English and Russian 
 troops will take place with all possible expedition ; and at this season of 
 the year any unnecessary delay will naturally be avoided as much as pos- 
 sible; but to prevent any difficulty or future discussion upon this point, 
 it is proposed', that the suspension of hostilities shall be limited to the 
 end of the month of November next, in order to secure sufficient time for 
 the complete evacuation of the country, which, however, shall be effected 
 sooner if practicable. 
 
 Answer to Art. VI. — The ships of war, or other vessels immediately 
 expected with reinforcements for the combined English and Russian 
 army, or which may hereafter be sent, shall not land their troops, but 
 shall put to sea again as soon as possible.
 
 152 
 
 Answer to Art. VII. — Hostages shall be reciprocally given, to be se- 
 lected among the officers of rank of the two armies, to guarantee the exe- 
 cution of this agreement. 
 
 By order of his royal highness the duke of York, commander in chief 
 of the combined English and Russian army. 
 
 H. TAYLOR, Sec. 
 
 SIR Alkmaar, Oct. 17. 
 
 I have seen general Brune, and have talked over with him fully all the 
 articles on which I have received his royal highness's instructions. I have 
 found the greatest disposition on the part of general Brune to enter fairly 
 on the subject. In respect to the essential article of the fleet, general 
 Brune has already received a letter from the Dutch directory, to make 
 the delivery of it a si?ie qua non ; and I much doubt whether there is any 
 chance of his being brought to give way on this point, at least without some 
 assurance that his royal highness would forward the demand to his court. 
 In respect to the other very essential article of the prisoners, after much 
 conversation, I brought the general to lower his demands to 8000 men, be- 
 yond which he cannot recede. Every other point can be amicably settled. 
 I beg his royal highness's orders on these points ; and I hope to receive 
 them by noon to-morrow. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &c. 
 
 J. KNOX. 
 
 To the Hon. Col Hope, Adj. Sen. Arc. 
 
 SIR, Head-Quarters, Schagen-brug, Oct. IS. 
 
 HIS royal highnesss the commander in chief, in his instructions to you 
 of yesterday's date, having declared that every paper or proposal from ge- 
 neral Brune, and consequently that relative to the whole Dutch fleet, will 
 of course be regularly transmitted to England, can give no other answer 
 than what you are already empowered to make : viz. " His royal high- 
 ness will, on no account, treat upon this article, the execution of which, 
 it must be evident to both parties, is impossible." If general Brune ex- 
 pects anything further to pass on that subject, the sooner the negotiation 
 is put an end to the better. In regard to the number of prisoners, if 
 every other point is clearly and immediately decided upon, his royal high-
 
 153 
 
 ness may be induced to relax ; if not, it is unnecessary to enter further 
 into the subject; and he directs you to finish the negotiation. 
 I have the honour to be, &c. 
 
 ALEX. HOPE, 
 
 The Hon. Major Gen. Knox, $c. Dep. Adj. Gen. 
 
 SIR, Alkmaar, Oct. IS, 3 P.M. 
 
 I have received your h-tter, and have the pleasure to inform you that 
 every thing is settled to his royal highness's satisfaction ; in consequence 
 of which general Brune has given immediate orders to all his posts that 
 hostilities shall cease, and that no further work of any kind shall be car- 
 ried on: he requests that his royal highness will be pleased to give si- 
 milar orders without loss of time, as a report has just been made that 
 some houses have been set on fire on the road leading to Herenhuysen. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &c. 
 
 J. KNOX. 
 
 To the Hon. Col. Hope, Jilj. Gen. tfC. 
 
 P. S. General Brune has sent off to Amsterdam, to direct that nothing 
 hostile shall be attempted on the part of the flotilla there fitted out ; and 
 he begs that similar notice may be sent to admiral Mitchel.
 
 154 
 OFFICIAL DUTCH ACCOUNTS, 
 
 RELATIVE TO THE BAT AVIAN FLEET. 
 
 Hague, 23d Fructidor. 
 Tlie Executive Directory of the Batavian Republic to the First Chamber 
 of the Representative Body of the Batavian People. 
 CITIZEN Representatives, After having last night informed your pre- 
 sident, and this morning early your assembly, of the appearance of an 
 English fleet off the Texel Roads, we have deliberated more maturely on 
 the reply which the commander in chief of the republican fleet shall give 
 to the letter and the summons of admiral Duncan, to which he has 
 merely sent a provisional reply; in consequence of which we have com- 
 missioned the agent of marine to reply to the said letter and summons in 
 the manner which you will see by the extract of our resolutions, which 
 we join to this message, not being willing to fail in giving information. 
 Health and respect, E. EMERINS. 
 
 By order of the Directory, 
 HUTMAN. 
 
 On board his Britannic Majesty's ship Kent, 
 SIR 20th August. 
 
 MORE than 20,000 men being at this moment debarked at the Helder, 
 who will be followed by many others, you have now a favourable oppor- 
 tunity of manifesting your zeal for your legitimate sovereign the prince of 
 Orange bv declaring for him, together with all the ships which may 
 choose to follow your example. All those who shall declare for him in 
 like manner, hoisting the Orange flag, shall be considered as allies and 
 friends. As soon as I shall have made Sir Ralph Abercrombie, com- 
 mander in chief of the British land forces, and admiral Mitchel, who 
 commands the naval part of the expedition under me, acquainted with
 
 DD 
 
 this declaration, all the ships which are desirous of so doing may come 
 out and join me ; they will be treated with the most sincere friendship as 
 allies, and will be received in the bosom of the English fleet, with which 
 they may remain until they shall receive the commands of the prince of 
 Orange, with respect to the conduct which they are to pursue. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &c. 
 
 DUNCAN. 
 
 The bearer of this letter, captain , is commissioned to assure the 
 
 officers of the Batavian fleet of my esteem for them. 
 
 DUNCAN. 
 
 The Commander in Chief of the Batavian Fleet to Admiral Duncan, Com- 
 mander of the English Fleet in the North Sea. 
 
 On board the Washington, Texel Road, 
 Admiral, August 22, 1799. 
 
 I should be unworthy of lord Duncan, and should forfeit the esteem 
 of every honest man, were I to accept the proposal you make me. I 
 know the duty which I owe the flag I obey, and to my country : were 
 your force double, my sentiments would still remain the same. Your 
 lordship may therefore expect from me a defence worthy of my nation, 
 and of my honour. I shall, however, immediately send your summons 
 to my government; and, if you please, to await its determination, I will 
 inform you of the result. 
 
 Be assured, my lord, 
 
 That I am, with esteem, 
 
 STORY. 
 
 Extract of the Register of the Deliberations of the Executive Directory of 
 the Batavian Republic, 23d August, five o'clock in the morning. 
 
 THE executive directory, having read an address written bv the mi- 
 nister of the marine this morning at a' quarter before three o'clock in 
 
 x 2
 
 156 
 
 which he states the appearance of the English fleet before the Texel, and* 
 the summons of admiral Duncan, decree, that the agent of the marine 
 shall be commanded to make, in the name of the chief of the fleet, the 
 following answer to admiral Duncan, 
 
 " That the English admiral had formed an erroneous supposition in 
 his letter of the 20th of this month, which he addressed to him, in which 
 he states that general Abercrombie had disembarked with 20,000 men 
 at the Helder ; that dispositions had been made to make him repent of 
 his enterprise ; and that even if the disembarkation had succeeded, that 
 would not induce the brave and faithful commanders of the Batavian 
 ships to surrender to a hostile power, as they are disposed to put in force 
 every means of defence to protect the Batavian flag, and from which they 
 expect the happiest result. The answer already given bv the com- 
 mander of the Batavian fleet, and from which lord Duncan might have 
 anticipated the present, with which it agrees in substance, would have 
 been deemed sufficient, if the conduct of one of the officers who brought 
 the summons did not deserve to be reported to lord Duncan, in the per- 
 suasion that it will not only be disavowed by him, but severely punished — 
 that officer having taken advantage of the opportunity to put into the hands 
 of one of the Batavian officers, who fell in his way, a pretended proclamp- 
 tion in Dutch and English, the object of which was to seduce and alienate, 
 if possible, the minds of the inhabitants of the Batavian republic from the 
 confidence which they repose in their constituted authorities; that this 
 perfidious conduct having been discovered after the departure of the Eng- 
 lish officer, it was not possible to seizj him as a seducer of the military ; 
 that it was expected no such proceedings in future should take place, as 
 otherwise those who should behave in a manner so inconsistent with the 
 laws of war must be answerable tor the fatal consequences ; that hence- 
 forth no flags of truce could be received, the object of which was merely 
 to bring summonses and messages, which patriotism requires should be 
 rejected. In future, therefore, those who bring these proclamations 
 will be considered not as the bearers of a flag of truce, but as prisoners ot 
 wai
 
 15' 
 
 Letter from Rear-Admiral Story to the Minister of Marine of the Batavian 
 
 Republic. 
 Washington, at Anchor under the Vlieter, Aug. 31. 
 Penetrated by the most oppressing sensations of despair and con- 
 tempt, I take up my pen to give you an account of the most fatal event 
 that ever will appear in the annals of history. In my letter of the 27th 
 instant, I informed you that the evacuation of the Helder and its batte- 
 ries would oblige me to effect the last retreat that was left, and which 
 you had pointed out in your letter of the 23d. Not before the English 
 had appeared on the batteries of Revolution and Union, I made the sig- 
 nal for weighing anchor, and for sailing, which was effected on the 28th, 
 in the morning. At that instant the Orange flag was flying from all the 
 steeples of the Texel, the Helder, and from the batteries. This extra- 
 ordinary circumstance effected very critical sensations on board of seve- 
 ral ships ; but, notwithstanding this, our retreat was effected, and at ele- 
 ven o'clock in the morning we cast anchor before the Vlieter, the wind 
 preventing us to enter it, and to take the intended station. On the 2.9th, 
 at day-break, we discovered, that already a great part of the enemy's 
 frigates and transports had cast anchor in the roads of the Texel ; the 
 wind was then north, which led me to conclude that the enemy's men 
 of war were not yet able to sail up the Texel. I resolved, therefore, to 
 return with my whole force to the roads of the Texel, to drive 
 from thence, or to destroy, all the enemy's ships which I should find 
 there; but the wind blowing strong from the north, my plan became 
 impracticable ; I ordered the fleet to cast anchor again, and resolved to 
 sail to the roads with the next tide. On the evening of the same day a 
 spirit of insubordination and mutiny appeared amongst the crews of se- 
 veral ships. At nine o'clock I was informed that the people of the 
 Washington refused, in a mass, to go to their birth, saying, They were 
 sure that ship would be blown up in the night. Some ot the mutineers, 
 armed with sabres and pistols, made themselves masters of the powder- 
 magazine, and would not suffer any one to approach it. Others pre- 
 vented the few well-disposed to go to their birth. Captain Van De Ca- 
 pelle, with all his officers, immediately went between decks, and endea- 
 voured to bring the mutineers back to their duty, with resolute couute-
 
 158 
 
 nances, and using every means of persuasion. I ordered all the subal- 
 tern officers to appear before me, and reminded them of their duty, and 
 of the oath they had sworn to the republic. They all assured me they 
 were unacquainted with the causes of this mutiny, and saw no possibi- 
 lity of opposing it. Captain Van De Capelle succeeded so far between 
 decks, that the whole of the crew went to the cabin, those excepted 
 who guarded the powder-magazine. At that moment I would have em- 
 ployed turce, had I not been persuaded that it would be in vain to op- 
 pose the whole mass. The same afternoon I also received several ac- 
 counts, that on board most of the largest vessels disturbances had broke 
 out. Captains Van Braam and De Yong assured me, that for some hours 
 they had found the spirit of mutiny increasing so much in their respec- 
 tive crews, that little or nothing could be expected of them, should an 
 engagement take place. On board the Ruiter it was the same : captain 
 Iluis had already been compelled to confine two of his quarter-masters 
 on account of their mutinous conversation. Captain Kolf freely declared 
 that his crew were so disposed, that not a single shot could be expected 
 to be fired from his ship. Thus elapsed the first day, and the night of the 
 29th. On the morning of the 30th, we saw die English appearing in the 
 roads of the Texel, partly directing their course towards the Vlieter, This 
 division consisted of eleven ships of the line, five or six large frigates, and 
 four corvettes: they carried what is called the prince's flag. On the ap- 
 proach of this fleet, mutinous movements took place on board the Wash- 
 ington, and, as I afterwards learned, on board several other ships. This 
 moment was the most painful to me that ever I experienced. A hostile 
 fleet, nearly double the strength of my own, sailed against me before 
 ,the wind, and at a time when I was uncertain whether one of my ships 
 would fire a shot. Forced by this disagreeable circumstance, I resolved 
 -to send captains Van De Capelle and De Yong, in a sloop, to meet the 
 .English admiral, to represent to him in substance — that we were at our 
 last retreat, and were determined to defend our ships to the utmost ; that 
 . he would, therefore, not gain any thing by his attack, but the destruc- 
 . tion of a fleet, which, according to his own declaration, he wished to 
 spare, and to treat in the most friendly manner ; that we proposed to him 
 to cast anchor at a sufficient distance from our fleet, to enable us to wait 
 the resolution of our government, concerning our present situation. My
 
 159 
 
 object in sending this message was to gain time. I made signal to our 
 ships to prepare for an engagement, but this moment perfectly convinced 
 me of what I might expect. When the alarm was beaten on board 
 the Washington, the whole of the crew, the officers, and a few of 
 the men excepted, instead of instantly repairing to their guns, went to 
 different parts of the ship, loudly exclaiming, That not one of them 
 would fight for a moment, nor make the least preparation for it. Accom- 
 panied by captain Van Braam, who happened to be on board the Wash- 
 ington at that time, I went among them ; we first used persuasions, and 
 afterwards the severest threats, to induce the mutineers to go to their 
 guns; but in vain. All at once, with repeated huzzas, &c. they ran to 
 the guns, extracted the balls, and threw them overboard, and also a great 
 number of cartridges. A few brave men, who had taken possession of 
 two guns in the hold ; were driven away by force, and orders were given, 
 under the severest threats, not to undertake any thing for the defence of 
 the ship. From some of the other ships I also heard, at different times, 
 the cries of mutiny. At that moment captains Van De Capelle and De 
 Yong had approached the English fleet, which had cast anchor at some 
 distance. On their return, the two admirals brought me a letter from the 
 English admiral (the summons, which we have already laid before our 
 readers), telling me, at the same time, that, with great difficulty, they had 
 obtained an hour for me to consider about an answer, and that two Eng 7 
 lish officers had come with them to carry it. Previous to this, I had or- 
 dered all the commanding officers of our fleet on board of my ship, to 
 consult upon our situation, and what we were to do. I was convinced 
 that not a single shot would be fired from the Washington ; captain Kolf 
 declared that the same was the case with the Utrecht; captains Van Braam 
 and De Yong stated, that their crews refused to fight ; all the other cap- 
 tains complained more or less, excepting captain Van Senden, who said 
 that his crew were, at the present moment, in the best order, but that he 
 could not expect any thing from them if the admiral's ship made no de- 
 fence. The Batavier, the ship which he commanded, was next to the 
 admiral's. Under these circumstances, and convinced that we could, at 
 the utmost, only fire a few shots upon the enemy, who was our superior 
 in point of number, it was soon determined what resolution we should 
 take. We agreed unanimously to strike the Batavian flag, and to declare
 
 160 
 
 myself, and all the officers, prisoners of war, without going into detail, 
 upon the assurances of friendship made to us, or hoisting any other flag 
 I then sent an answer to the English admiral (which we have likewise al- 
 ready given). The two English officers, who had arrived along with 
 captains Van De Capelle and De Yong, remained on board the Wash- 
 ington from that moment to this day. In the evening, at their desire, the 
 ci-devant prince's flag was hoisted. To-day they demanded that we 
 should salute the fleet, by firing some guns ; but this I refused, declaring 
 that we could not be considered otherwise than as prisoners of war, and 
 therefore could not be obliged to any service. — What will become of us, 
 with this extraordinary manner of carrying on war, and of taking of 
 ships, I cannot conceive. We must wait the result of this, as well as of 
 the whole business. Meanwhile you can have no idea of the disagreea- 
 ble situation of myself and my officers. The spirit of mutiny on board 
 the fleet is not yet quelled. This morning, among other circumstances, 
 we were informed that the crew of the Ambuscade frigate had proceeded 
 to the most unexampled excesses, and were not ashamed to commit the 
 barbarous action ol throwing a man overboard, who was known as an 
 advocate of the cause of liberty, and that the officers were not able to do 
 any thing for the safety of this unfortunate man. Once more, judge 
 from all this how little I could expect to be able to do with this traitor- 
 ous and inhuman set ! Judge what must be my present situation ! — I shall 
 endeavour to give you still more circumstantial accounts. 
 Health and respect. 
 
 S. STORY, Rear-Admiral.
 
 161 
 
 PROCLAMATIONS 
 
 ADDRESSED TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS. 
 
 Proclamation by his Excellency Sir Ralph Abercrombie, K. B. 8fc. 
 Lieuten a NT-general Sir Ralph Abercrombie, being intrusted by his 
 majesty the king of Great Britain, the ancient and good ally of the United 
 Provinces, with the command of a body of British troops to be employed 
 in delivering these provinces from the degrading tyranny of the French 
 republic, has received his majesty's commands to make this public and 
 explicit declaration of the intentions of his majesty, and of the august 
 sovereigns who are united with him in this great work. It is not as ene- 
 mies, but as friends and deliverers, that the British troops enter into the 
 territory cf the United Provinces. It is to rescue the inhabitants of this 
 once free and happy country from the oppression under which they now 
 groan ; to protect their religion from the intolerant and persecuting spirit 
 of infidelity and atheism ; to deliver their civil government from the des- 
 potism of a rapacious anarchy; and to re-establish their ancient liberty 
 and independence, by restoring to them the benefits of that constitution, 
 for which, under the auspices of the illustrious House of Orange, their 
 ancestors fought and conquered, and in the enjoyment of which they 
 so long flourished, in friendship and alliance with Great Britain. For 
 this object, and under the same auspices, his majesty doubts not that the 
 ancient valour and energy of the Dutch nation will be now exerted with 
 the same spirit and success. The hand of Providence has already shown 
 itself in the deliverance of a great part of Europe from those miseries in 
 which the arms and principles of French republicanism have for a time 
 been permitted to involve it. The forces which his majesty has confided 
 to lieutenant-general Abercrombie, and those which his majesty's allies 
 have destined to the same object, are abundantly sufficient for the pro- 
 tection of those who shall stand forth in the cause of their countrv. It 
 is principally by the efforts of the Dutch nation that these sovereigns 
 wish the deliverance of the republic to be accomplished. In the steps 
 which are to lead to this salutary end, his majesty earnestly recommend; 
 
 x
 
 162 
 
 to all the inhabitants of these provinces union and concord, forgiveness 
 past, and a determined resolution to protect, against every tumul- 
 tuous or vindictive excess, the lives and properties of their fellow-citi- 
 zens, even of those whose errors or misconduct have contributed to the 
 calamities of their country, but whom the irresistible conviction of ex- 
 perience shall now unite in this great cause. On these principles, and 
 in this spirit, the British army will conduct itself amongst a people 
 whom Englishmen have long been accustomed to regard as their friends 
 and allies : but if from henceforth there shall be found any Dutchmen, 
 who, by their adherence to the oppressors of their country, at the mo- 
 ment when, by the blessing of God, its deliverance is at hand, shall 
 show themselves unworthy of the blessings of tranquillity, of lawful go- 
 vernment, and of religious and civil liberty, those, and those alone, his 
 majesty's troops will consider and treat as decided and irreconcileable ene- 
 mies, not only to his majesty and to his allies, but to the prosperity of 
 own country, and to the general interests and safety of Europe. 
 
 RALPH ABERCROMBIE, Lieutenant-General. 
 FREDERIC MAITLAND, 
 
 Secretary to the Commander in Chief. 
 
 The Prince of Orange's Proclamation* 
 
 Deae Countrymen, 
 THE long wished-for moment, when you are at last to be delivered 
 from so many calamities, under which you have suffered for more than 
 ears past, is., we hope, arrived; and we now enjoy the satisfaction 
 again to address you under that pleasing prospect. It would be super- 
 fluous to enumerate the different hardships under which you have groan- 
 ed ever since the violence you have suffered in consequence of the 
 French invasion, and the events which have followed it. If cruel ex- 
 perience has made you feel them but too severely, and if our ardent 
 s couJd have been sooner fulfilled, you would have been relieved long 
 ago from that intolerable burden. "We have been but too long obliged 
 to confine ourselves to the deploring your fate in silence, without having 
 it in our power to alter it. At last that time is come. His majesty, the
 
 163 
 
 king of Great Britain, moved by his affection and friendship towards the 
 republic of the United Provinces, and pitying your misfortunes, has 
 taken the generous resolution, as soon as the general circumstances of 
 Europe have allowed it, to employ, in concert with his allies, vigorous 
 measures for your deliverance. The military force which is now sent 
 for that purpose is to be followed by still more numerous troops. The 
 object of this expedition is made known to you, in the name of his 
 Britannic majesty, by the commander in chief of the first body of troops 
 which is to open this glorious career. Those troops do not come to vou 
 as enemies, but as friends and deliverers, in order to rescue you from 
 tire odious oppression under which you are held by the French «rovern- 
 ment, and by the French troops, and to restore you to the enjoyment of 
 your religion and liberty, those invaluable blessings for which, with the 
 Divine assistance, you and our own ancestors fought and conquered, 
 Hesitate not, therefore, brave inhabitants of the United Provinces, to 
 meet and to assist your deliverers. Receive them among you as friends 
 and protectors of the happiness and welfare of your country. Let 
 every difference of political sentiments and opinions vanish before 
 this great object. Do not suffer the spirit of party, nor even the sense 
 of the wrongs you may have suffered, to induce you to commit any 
 acts of revenge or persecution. Let your hands and your hearts be 
 united in order to repel the common enemy, and to re-establish the liber- 
 ty and independence of our common country. Let your deliverance be 
 as much as possible your own work. You see already, and you will ex- 
 perience it still more in future, that you may depend upon being vigo- 
 rously and powerfully assisted. As soon as the first efforts which are 
 making towards your delivery shall have acquired some consistencv, our 
 dearly beloved son, the hereditary prince of Orange, who is in possession 
 of our entire confidence, and is deserving of yours, and who is perfectly 
 well acquainted with our intentions, will join you, put himself at vour 
 head, and, following the steps of our illustrious ancestors, spare neither 
 his property nor his life, in order to assist with you, and for vour sake, in 
 bringing this great undertaking to a successful issue. We ourselves also 
 will then, as soon as circumstances shall allow it, proceed to join vou. 
 And as we have always considered our own happiness and welfare as in- 
 
 y 2
 
 164 
 
 separably connected with that of our dear country, we will then, after 
 having seen your laws and privileges restored, and yourselves re-esta- 
 blished in the possession of those benefits which belong to a free people 
 under a lawful government, make our greatest and most heart-felt satis- 
 faction consist (under the Divine blessing) in the advancement of the 
 public good, and of that prosperity and welfare which formerly made 
 our once happy country an object of admiration to the surrounding 
 nations. 
 
 Done in the palace of Hampton-Court, the 28th of July, 1799. 
 
 W. PRINCE of ORANGE. 
 
 THE HEREDITARY PRINCE OE ORANGE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE 
 UNITED NETHERLANDS. 
 
 We William Frederick, Hereditary Prince of Orange, Nassau, Sic. 
 Providence having crowned with the happiest success theendeavours 
 of the allied powers who have taken up arms in defence of their reli- 
 gion and independence ; the moment being at last arrived, when, with 
 the powerful assistance of his Britannic majesty, and of his allies, our 
 country will at length be liberated from the yoke under which it has 
 groaned for four years ; and his highness the prince of Nassau Orange, 
 hereditary stadtholder, governor, captain-general, and admiral of the 
 United Netherlands, as well as hereditary captain and admiral-general 
 of the Union, &c. our father, having, in a proclamation, dated at 
 Hampton-Court the 28th of July, 1T9P, already declared his sentiments 
 and intentions with which he is animated towards the good inhabitants 
 of the state : — We invite you, empowered and ordered by our father, 
 by a decree dated December 19, 1798, and agreeably to his intentions, 
 to assist us in gaining the object by which we are animated, namely, the 
 re-establishment of religion and liberty., according to the principles of 
 our legal constitution. Instead of the long slavery which has hitherto 
 oppressed you, that true liberty is again offered to you which alone is 
 able to promote your happiness. You may rest assured that you have 
 to expect the protection of the laws, and freedom of persons and pro-
 
 165 
 
 perty, it you offer no resistance to your deliverers, but assist them as 
 much as lies in your power. Be therefore united, lay aside all discord 
 tmd party spirit, abstain from revenge, endeavour to maintain tranquil- 
 lity and order, and be persuaded, that, on our parts, we are animated 
 by the same sentiments, and that it is our most ardent desire to awaken 
 peace and harmony among the inhabitants, to establish which we shall 
 do every thing in our power. AVe promise to all those who shall return 
 to their duty, and assist in liberating our dear country, that their senti- 
 ments and actions during the revolution shall be forgotten, and that they 
 shall receive protection ; those, in particular, who have been in any of- 
 ficial capacity, have nothing to fear upon that head, except they have 
 neglected their duty, or been guilty of crimes which are considered as 
 such in every country, and are punishable before every impartial judge. 
 All inhabitants may therefore rely upon perfect security, and we expect 
 that no opposition will be made to our endeavours. Should, unexpect- 
 edly, the contrary be the case, every one will have to ascribe the disa- 
 greeable consequence to his own conduct, as such persons will expe- 
 rience the rigour of the laws. We caution likewise all present rulers, 
 and public functionaries, not to offend any one belonging to the ancient 
 legal government, or who shall be known as a partisan of the house of 
 Orange, as they will have to answer for their safety with their persons 
 and property. 
 
 It being also necessary, to prevent anarchy, immediately to establish a 
 government, we invite and request all those, who, before the invasion of 
 the seven provinces and of the country of Drenthe by the French, have 
 been employed in the departments of police, finance, and justice, imme- 
 diately to take upon themselves the provisional administration of those de- 
 partments, till a government shall be properly re-established ; and als > 
 to put again into activity the administration of government of towns and 
 villages, with exception of those who have had a share in the revolution, 
 or who have made any declaration for supporting that illegal form of go- 
 vernment, or given evident proofs of their attachment to it. 
 
 AVe likewise order all public functionaries of the present illegal °-o- 
 
 vernment to continue in the exercise of their duties till the provisional 
 
 ernmsnt shall be established ; enjoining them, however, not to em-
 
 166 
 
 bezzle any money, or secrete documents or papers. We particularly for- 
 bid all receivers to make any payments to them whatever, and they shall 
 be answerable with their property. 
 
 Concerning the United States in general, we have thought proper, till 
 the proper government shall be re-established, to appoint a provisional 
 government, consisting of able persons from the respective provinces, 
 which we shall appoint by letters, to represent the states of the United 
 Netherlands, 
 
 Lastly, we order the army and navy to contribute to the re-establish- 
 ment of the legal government, to maintain order and tranquillity, and to- 
 obey the commands of the officers nominated by his highness. The offi- 
 cers in the service of the illegal government, who shall assist in effecting 
 this, shall be particularly remembered. 
 
 WILLIAM FREDERICK, Hereditary Prince of Orange.
 
 167 
 
 OFFICIAL RUSSIAN ACCOUNTS. 
 
 Major-General D' Essen, from //is Head-Quarters at Zyper-Sluys. 
 (From the PETERSBURGH GAZETTE of Oct. 22.) 
 
 I humbly acquaint your imperial majesty, that, on the 4th of Septem- 
 ber, I arrived from Yarmouth with the first division of troops before the 
 Texel. We disembarked immediately in row-boats, and landed all our 
 troops on the 6th at the Helder, though in a violent gale of wind. Gene- 
 ral D'Hermann was arrived before me, and was at the distance of 35 
 wersts from the Helder towards Alkmaar. By his orders I joined him on 
 the 7th; and on the 8th, in the morning, at four o'clock, we proceeded 
 in three columns, and attacked the enemy with a bravery only character- 
 istic to your majesty's subjects. We drove him from three strong in- 
 trenchments, took all the batteries with the bayonet, and entered Three 
 strong villages, with the town of Berghen. We had already taken fourteen 
 pieces of cannon, about 1000 prisoners, and killed upwards of 2000 of the 
 enemy. However, all our ammunition being exhausted, we could no 
 longer carry on offensive operations against a numerous enemy, who em- 
 ployed all his forces against us, who forced the right wing of our allies 
 who intended to attack at the same time, but who, for causes unknown 
 to me, were two hours too late, which considerably injured the victory 
 which we had already gained. Lieutenant-general D'Hermann was made 
 prisoner.— I cannot conceal from you, most gracious sovereign, that the 
 troops of your majesty am in want of the most necessary articles. I will 
 not, however, pretend to say that this is owing to the want of care of our 
 allies, but rather to their late arrangements, when, contrary to the first 
 a, they landed all the troops, their own as well as ours, in a crowd, so
 
 108 
 
 that it was impossible the small tract of ground which we occupied could 
 furnish us with provisions, and we are under the necessity to wait for 
 supplies from England. We were in want of sufficient artillery and horses, 
 and the troops were not yet recovered from a violent sea-sickness. Our 
 ammunition being exhausted, we had no means of attack and defence 
 but the bayonet ; but through the extreme fatigue of our troops, their 
 retreat be^an in confusion. The commander in chief being a prisoner, 
 lieutenant-general Sherebzow killed, and major-general Suthof wounded, 
 the chief command devolved on me. I strove to collect our troops, and 
 retired to our first advantageous position in such a manner that the ene- 
 my found it impossible to follow. Our whole loss in killed, wounded, 
 and prisoners, amounts to about 3000 men; but the enemy has lost 
 many more, the prisoners taken by the English and ourselves amounting 
 to above 3000 men, &c. 
 
 Report from the General of Infantry, Count Woronzoxc*. 
 
 (From the PETERSBURGH GAZETTE of Feb. 21.) 
 
 London, January 11, O. S; - 
 
 Finding that lieutenant-genera) D'Essen, in his relation of the unfor- 
 tunate battle on the 19th of October, has not named to your imperial 
 majesty the regiments which were then in confusion; and as you, most 
 gracious master, have been pleased to deprive several of them of the 
 grenadiers' march, which has driven them to despair; I am induced to be- 
 lieve that he has made a particular report to your majesty, or that, per- 
 haps, he has charged a person, sent by him to St. Petersburgh, verbally to 
 inform your majesty of it, and that in those reports all the regiments and 
 battalions, without exception, are stated to have been in confusion. 
 The commanders of them have made remonstrances to me on that ac- 
 count, particularly major-general Sedmoratzky, whose regiment, as well 
 as the battalion of Erichsen, have not only remained in proper order, 
 but have, on the contrary, greatly distinguished themselves; and colonel 
 Ikklonowski, as commander of the regiment of Fersen, which, on that
 
 169 
 
 occasion, was not with our troops, but with the right wing of the Eng- 
 lish, where that regiment fought with manly courage, and observed the 
 strictest order and discipline.— The regiment of major-general Emme, 
 and the united battalions of Ogarew and Mituschin were not at all pre- 
 sent in this unfortunate affair, but having been disembarked at the 
 Helder at a later period, only joined the army three or four days after- 
 wards. However, as I had not been an eye-witness, I thought it neces- 
 sary to make every possible inquiry, previously to my informing your 
 majesty of it; on which account I asked the duke of York, who con- 
 firmed the statements of the above-mentioned chiefs. His royal high- 
 ness added, that these officers deserved the greatest pity, knowing that 
 they were driven to despair, on seeing their regiments punished in con- 
 sequence of the unjust report of their leader ; that he, as commander in 
 chief, had thought it his duty to convince your majesty of the innocence 
 of the troops ; and that immediately after having been informed of the 
 concern and grief of their commanders, he had written to me officially, 
 which letter I should find on returning home, and which he would have 
 delivered to me in person, had he known that I had intended to come to 
 him. That letter I actually found, as the duke had informed me; and 
 being obliged to dispatch the chasseur Trosin, I inclose that letter in ori- 
 ginal, expecting your imperial majesty's most gracious resolution. On 
 this occasion, I cannot omit to represent to your imperial majestv, that 
 the regiment Sawalishin, then Benkendorf, in the battle of the 19th of 
 September, attempted to make up for the loss of one of its colours, by tak- 
 ing one of the enemy's, which is yet retained in the regiment. The cir- 
 cumstances attending that loss, according to the reports and general or- 
 ders, were as follow: In the battle of the 8th (19th), that regiment was 
 stationed at the most dangerous point, and suffered considerably more 
 than all the others; but it only lost them when the ensign Schtschegolo- 
 witz, during the severest and desperate attack of the enemy, saw that it 
 would be impossible to save them. Encouraged by ensign Bagoo-ewut, 
 who was with the colours, he tore them off the pole, wrapped them round 
 his body, and thus remained, together with ensign Bagogewut, on the 
 field of battle. The remaining nine stand of colours belonging to the 
 regiment are all full of holes.
 
 170 
 
 Letter of his Royal Highness the Duke of York to the Embassador of his 
 Imperial Majesty of Russia, Count Woronzoxo, in London, 
 dated Jan. 14, 1800. 
 
 Having learnt, with the greatest concern, that his imperial majesty, 
 inconsequence of inaccurate and uncertain reports, has signified his dis- 
 pleasure to the whole of the Russian troops who had been in Holland, I 
 think it my duty, and it gives me pleasure, to do justice to several regi- 
 ments, who, in different actions with the enemy, have evinced as much 
 order as bravery. The musqueteers of general Sedmoratzky, and the bat- 
 talion of Erichsen grenadiers, in the battle of the 19th of September, 
 took possession of the village of Warmanhuysen, made 700 prisoners, and 
 took three pieces of cannon. On the 2d of October the same three bat- 
 talions made themselves masters of two batteries near the canal of Alk- 
 maar, forcing the enemy to retreat ; and in the last action, on the 6th of 
 October, they took the village of Baccum, again making some prisoners. 
 In the battle of the 19th of October, the whole regiment of Person mus- 
 queteers was with the right wing of the English, and its discipline and 
 bravery merit the highest praise. The battalions of grenadiers of majors 
 Ogarew and Mituschin were not disembarked before all the other troops 
 had landed, on which account they could not join the army till after the 
 unfortunate battle of the 19th, but in the actions of the 2d and 6th they 
 distinguished themselves, as did also the regiment of Emme, by order and 
 bravery. — I have been an eye-witness of the order and bravery with 
 which all these corps fought against the enemy, and have always testified 
 to them my satisfaction ; it was, therefore, with regret I observed that 
 they had incurred his imperial majesty's displeasure, which would not 
 have been the case, had their praise-worthy behaviour been properly re- 
 presented. I should certainly not have omitted to write myself to his 
 imperial majesty, had I not been afraid to discommode him : but since 
 I know how much his imperial majesty is attached to his army, and with 
 what satisfaction he administers justice to every individual, I think it my 
 duty to apply to your excellency, as commander in chief of the Russian
 
 171 
 
 troops in England, persuaded that you will feel with me how painful it 
 must be to these brave soldiers to have done their duty, and nevertheless 
 to be loaded with the displeasure of his imperial majesty, and that you 
 will omit nothing in your reports to his imperial majesty, to do justice 
 to those who have rendered themselves deserving of it. 
 
 [In consideration of the above statements, the regiment of grenadiers, 
 Sawahschin, is to have new colours, on which their bravery is to be in- 
 scribed.] 
 
 FINIS. 
 
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