JOHN MARSHALL, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1814.]
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath; Knight of the Highest Russian Military Order of St. George; and Knight of the Swedish Military Order of the Sword.
This officer obtained the rank of commander, Oct. 24, 1812; and was a passenger on board the Java, when that frigate was captured by the Americans, in the month of Dec. following[1].
On the 11th Nov. 1813, Captain Marshall was appointed to the Shamrock brig, then employed in the arduous and severe services which led to the investment, and finally to the surrender, of Gluckstadt and Hamburgh.
Immediately after he had joined the Shamrock, off Cuxhaven. Captain Marshall was sent higher up the Elbe, with a detachment of gun-boats under his orders, for the purpose of watching the enemy at Gluckstadt until the arrival of Baron de Boyé, who was then marching towards that fortress. The subsequent operations of the allied Anglo-Swedish forces, are thus officially described by Captain Arthur Farquhar, the senior British officer:–
“December, 23, 1813.
“On Sunday, the 19th instant, I was made acquainted, by letter from Captain Marshall, that a detachment of the Swedish army was advancing towards Gluckstadt; I determined to move up next morning with H.M.S. Desirée and the Blazer, but the weather was so extremely thick that it was impossible to move: the same day I received another communication from Captain Marshall, that Stoar battery, a little below Gluckstadt, was attacked by the Swedes, when the enemy set fire to the gun-carriages, spiked their guns, and retreated into the town ; I therefore resolved to proceed up the river that night in a gun-boat, and ordered the frigate and brig to come up as soon as the weather should clear. They arrived this morning.”
“January 2, 1814.
