severely wounded. We, next find him sent with the boats of the Herald alone, to board a large armed transport ship, which had been driven on shore, in the middle of the day, within musket-shot of a martello tower, about half-way between Brindisi and Otranto, where she was also protected by about forty Italian grenadiers, with a field-piece on the beach. This service was performed in the most gallant and masterly manner, under a very heavy fire of grape shot from the ship, the tower, and field-piece. After carrying the former, the launch, armed with a carronade, drove the soldiers out of the tower, the gun upon which was soon dismounted, by turning those of the prize against it. She proved to be laden with corn, and bound to the island of Corfu; but, unfortunately, she could not be warped out, and was consequently set on fire. In the performance of this brilliant exploit, one of the gallant party was shot through the body, by a musket-ball from the shore. A few days afterwards, Lieutenant Forman landed in the island of Santa Maura, under a heavy discharge of musketry, and succeeded in bringing off a brig, with a similar cargo, and likewise bound to Corfu, then strictly blockaded: his loss on this occasion consisted of one man killed, one mortally and two severely wounded.
On the 4th June, 1809, the following letter was addressed to Lord John Thynne, by the officer who had some time before succeeded Captain Hony in the command of the Herald:
“My Lord, – Though I have not the pleasure of your lordship’s acquaintance, yet, at the desire of my first lieutenant, Mr. Walter Forman, I am induced to address you, in order that his merits may not pass un-noticed.
“Understanding that your lordship is about to intercede with the Admiralty to get him promoted, may I beg to assure you that there cannot be a person more worthy than he is; that I have several times been an eye-witness of his gallantry and judgment as an officer, in very dashing affairs; and there is no one in the service, whom I am more desirous to see promoted than my worthy friend Mr. Forman. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)“George Jackson.”
During the period that Lieutenant Forman served in the
