ley, of the 62d regiment, reporting the military operations at Palinuro, on the 1st and 2d of the latter month:
“It would be presumptuous on my part, Sir, in attempting to pass encomiums on the very superior judgement and heroic gallantry of the commandant, Captain Duncan, of H.M.S. Imperieuse, as also in the gallant manner of laying his ship alongside a strong battery and fortified tower, flanked by several gun-boats, which were shortly silenced by a powerful and well-directed fire, in conjunction with Captain Napier, of H.M.S. Thames, whereby the commandant was left in possession of the enemy’s flotilla, convoy, battery, and tower. I have also much gratification in stating, that Captain Napier, who did me the honor to accompany me on shore with a party of seamen and marines, contributed materially by his cool, judicious, and actively intrepid conduct, ably seconded by the gallantry of Lieutenant Travers, of H.M.S. Imperieuse, to surmount all difficulties in gaining the heights – in the face of an opposing and strongly posted numerous enemy, whom we had afterwards the satisfaction of dislodging and obliging to retreat, leaving us in full possession of the heights and telegraph tower.”
“To Major-General Heron, &c. &c. &c, Melazzo.”
Sir Edward Pellew’s opinion of the exploit at Palinuro will be seen by reference to p. 995 of Vol. II. Part II.
In the spring of 1812, we find Captain Napier employed as senior officer on the coast of Calabria, and making the following report to Rear-Admiral Freemantle, whose reply we shall subjoin:
“I this day (May 14), in company with the Pilot, attacked the port of Sapri, defended by a strong battery and tower, mounting two 32-pounders, with an officer and 38 men, which surrendered at discretion, after being battered for two hours within pistol-shot; but in consequence of their gallant defence, I allowed them to march out with the honors of war. We found 28 large vessels on the beach, loaded with oil, some of them nearly a quarter of a mile in the country, all of which were launched, and the battery in ruins before sun-set. I owe much to the support I received from Captain” (John Toup) “Nicolas, who flanked the battery in a most judicious manner, and afterwards commanded the launching, assisted by my first Lieutenant, Alexander Campbell, an officer of six years’ standing, as well as Mr.” (Roger) “Langlands, acting master of the Pilot, who, by his able disposition of the marines, placed under his command (there being no officer of that corps on board); kept upwards of 200 armed peasantry in check, and had only one man wounded. The firing of both ships’ companies was superior to any thing I ever saw, and their conduct on shore was no less praise-worthy. Neither ship lost a man on board: our bowsprit wounded in three places is the only material injury we have suffered.
