Captain Adam’s next appointment was to the Invincible 74, on the Mediterranean station. In that ship he was employed on the coast of Catalonia, co-operating with the Spanish patriots, to whose cause he rendered great service by his activity and exertions.
The Invincible formed part of a squadron under Captain (now Sir Edward) Codrington, assisting in the defence of Tarragona, during the siege of that ill-fated city, by Marshal Suchet’s army, in 1811. The following is an extract from the public letter of that excellent officer, to Admiral Sir Charles Cotton, Bart., dated June 29:
“I cannot conclude my history of our operations at Tarragona without assuring you, that the zeal and exertion of those under my command, in every branch of the various services which have fallen to their lot, have been carried far beyond the mere dictates of duty. The Invincible and Centaur have remained with me the whole time, immediately off Tarragona; and Captains Adam, White, and myself, have passed most nights in our gigs, carrying on such operations under cover of the dark, as could not have been successfully employed in sight of the enemy; I do not mean as to mere danger, for the boats have been assailed with shot and shells both night and day, even during the time of their taking off the women and children, as well as the wounded, without being in the smallest degree diverted from their purpose. It is impossible to detail in a letter all that has passed during this short, but tragic period. But humanity has given increased excitement to our exertions; and the bodily powers of Captain Adam have enabled him, perhaps, to push to a greater extent that desire to relieve distress, which we have all partaken in common[1].”
- ↑ The French army under Marshal Suchet inarched upon Tarragona about the end of April, 1811, and the investment of that city was completed to the sea, on the 4th May. Its defence became more obstinate as the siege advanced; for being open by sea, it was able to receive succours of every kind, by means of the English squadron on the coast. On the 21st June, the enemy made a furious assault, and after much bloodshed on both sides, obtained possession of the lower town and its dependencies, by which event 80 pieces of cannon fell into their hands. Although scarcely any hopes now remained of an effectual resistance, the garrison in the body of the place still held out, and determined to await a final assault. This took
