Royal Naval Biography/Mulcaster, William Howe
WILLIAM HOWE MULCASTER, Esq.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath, and a Knight of the Portuguese Order of the Tower and Sword.
[Post-Captain of 1813.]
This officer is a son of the late Major-General Mulcaster, R.E. He was made a lieutenant early in 1800: and we first find him mentioned in an official letter from the late Sir George Collier to Rear-Admiral (now Sir Eliab) Harvey; of which the following is an extract:–
“Minerva, off Cape Finisterre, June 23, 1806.
"Having reason to believe there were some lugger privateers in Finisterre bay, under the protection of the fort, I last night, it being calm, despatched two boats from H.M. ship under my command to scour the bay. From among the volunteers for this service, it fell to the lot of Lieutenant Mulcaster, first lieutenant, accompanied by Lieutenant Menzies, R.M. to command the cutter; the barge was directed by Lieutenant Ogle Moore.
“This forenoon, I had the satisfaction to see the boats returning, accompanied by five Spanish luggers and chasse roardes, mostly laden with wine, bound to Ferrol and Corunna. Lieutenant Mulcaster speaks very handsomely of the support he received from the officers, petty officers, seamen, and marines, employed on this occasion. I feel I should be deficient in my duty did I omit to state the circumstances attending the execution of this service, so creditable to Lieutenant Mulcaster and his companions.
“The first object was the fort, mounting 8 brass guns, 24 and 12-pounders, which commanded the vessels. This was carried in a most neat and masterly manner by the bayonet and pike, before the guard had either time to raise the drawbridge or discharge a 12-pounder, which had been brought to face the gate (a fishing-boat having apprized them of the approach of our boats). Part of the Spanish guard laid down their arms, and are now on board; the rest escaped.
“As the day began to dawn, and as the men were much harassed from a long row to the shore, and a fatiguing march over a heavy sand, the party were obliged to confine themselves to spiking the guns, and throwing some of them into the sea, ere they took possession of the vessels. The circumstance from which I derive most pleasure is, that this service was executed without a man being hurt on either side, although the boats in their return, during a calm of near three hours, were exposed to the fire of a 2-gun battery on a hill to the southward of the town.”
This was considered by Earl St. Vincent as “a very neat exploit,” conducted by an officer whom he “felt great pride in acknowledging as an elève” of his own. On the 29th July, 1806, his lordship transmitted to the Admiralty “another instance of the enterprising spirit of Lieutenant Mulcaster.”
“Minerva, off Oporto, July 12, 1806.
“Finding it was likely H.M. ship under my command might be detained in these roads a couple of days, and being informed the Oporto and Lisbon trade were hourly expected from England, for which several Spanish privateers and row-boats were lurking in Portuguese creeks and rivers, I determined upon sending a boat to the northward, and at the solicitations of my first lieutenant, Mr. Mulcaster, I despatched him on the 9th instant, in the barge, with his former companion. Lieutenant Menzies, R.M. who, upon every opportunity, has most handsomely volunteered his services, and Mr. Turrell, midshipman, to cruise a few leagues north of this port, with the hope of intercepting some of the piratical cruisers belonging to Guarda.
“On the evening of the 11th, I had the satisfaction to be rejoined by the barge, having a Spanish lugger in company, la Buena Dicha privateer, armed with one 9-pounder, blunderbusses, and musketry, manned with 26 of the Guarda desperadoes, and capable of rowing 20 sweeps.
“The very active and enterprising character of Lieutenant Mulcaster will not, I trust, suffer by my giving you the particulars of the capture of the privateer, which, though insignificant in herself, is one of those, from their peculiar construction, which have done much mischief to British Oporto traders. The lugger having been apprised by a fishing-boat of the barge being near her, was far from avoiding the contest, which, though short, was very severe. The barge advanced under a discharge of grape-shot, from the prow gun, which was soon cleared, when the enemy prepared to defend themselves with the sabre and pistol, which the activity and resolution of the officers, seconded by the boat’s crew, soon rendered unavailing. One Spaniard was killed; the captain and 4 others miserably wounded. The regret I should feel on any other occasion is considerably diminished by a knowledge of the character and description of the people the boat’s crew had to deal with; and I have little doubt but this check, so much desired by the British factory at Oporto, will destroy, in a great measure, that spirit of enterprise vhich has so long marked the inhabitants of Guarda. I have the greatest pleasure in staling Lieutenant Mulcaster’s report of the very active and determined conduct of Lieutenant Menzies, the inferior officers and boat’s crew, after a fatiguing row of near 40 miles; and am sure you will feel equal pleasure in a knowledge that none were killed or wounded.
(Signed)“G.[errata 1] R. Collier.”
“To Rear-admiral Harvey.”
We next find Lieutenant Mulcaster serving as first of the Confiance 22, commanded by the late Sir James Lucas Yeo, at the capture of Cayenne, in Jan. 1809. The following account of that conquest is taken from the London gazette:–
“Admiralty Office, April 16.
"Captain James Lucas Yeo, of H.M.S. Confiance, has transmitted copies of his letters to Sir William Sidney Smith, detailing his proceedings against Cayenne.
“Having, in conjunction with the Portuguese land forces, under the command of Lieutenant-colonel Manuel Marques, taken possession, on the 8th Dec. last, of the district of Oyapok, and on the 15th of the same month, with the Confiance and a Portuguese sloop and cutter, reduced that of Approaque, Captain Yeo, proceeded to the attack of the island of Cayenne, with the Confiance, two Portuguese sloops, and some smaller vessels, having on board 550 Portuguese troops. The following is a copy of Captain Yeo’s letter on this subject:–
“H.M.S. Confiance, Cayenne harbour, 15th Jan. 1809.
“Sir– My last letters to you of the 26th ult. informed you of the arrival of the Portuguese troops at Approaque. On the 4th inst. it was determined by Lieutenant-colonel M. Marques and myself, to make a descent on the east side of the island of Cayenne. Accordingly, all the troops were embarked on board the small vessels, amounting to 550, likewise 80 seamen and marines from the Confiance, and a party of marines from the Voador and Infante, brigs. On the morning of the 6th, all dropt into the mouth of the river. In the evening I proceeded, with 10 canoes and about 250 men, to endeavour to gain possession of two batteries; the one fort Diamant, which command the entrance of the river Mahuree, the other Grand Cane, commanding the great road to the town of Cayenne. The vessels, with the remainder of the troops, I entrusted to Captain Sulgado, of the Voador, with orders to follow me after dusk, to anchor in the mouth of the river Mahuree, and wait until I gained the before-mentioned batteries; when, on my making the signal agreed on, he was to enter the river, and disembark with all possible despatch. I reached Point Mahuree at 3 o’clock next morning, with 5 canoes; the others, being heavy, could not keep up. We then landed in a bay half-way between the two batteries. The surge was so great, that our boats soon went to pieces. I ordered Major Joaquim Manoel Pinto, with a detachment of Portuguese troops, to the left, and to take Grand Cane; while I, accompanied by Lieutenants Mulcaster, Blyth, and Read; Messrs. Thomas Savory (purser), William Taylor (carpenter), George Forder, and David Irwin (midshipmen), proceeded to the right, with a party of the Confiance’s crew, to take fort Diamant, which was soon in our possession! mounting two 24-pounders and one brass 9, with 50 men. I am sorry to add, that Lieutenant John Read, R.M. a meritorious young officer, was mortally wounded, as also 1 seaman and 5 marines badly. the French commandant, with 3 soldiers, killed, and 4 wounded. Major Pinto had the same success; the fort mounting two brass 9-pounders and having 40 men: 2 of the enemy were killed. The entrance of the river being in our possession, the signal agreed on was made, and by noon all were disembarked. At the same time I received information of General Victor Hugues having quitted Cayenne, at the head of 1000 troops, to dispossess us of our posts. Our force being too small to be divided, and the distance between the two posts being great, and only 12 miles from Cayenne, it was determined to dismantle fort Diamant, and collect all our forces at Grand Cane. I therefore left my first lieutenant, Mr. Mulcaster, with a party of the Confiance’s, to perform that service, and then join me. On arriving at Grand Cane, I perceived two other batteries about a mile up the river on opposite sides, and within half-gun shot of each other: the one on the right bank called Treo, on an eminence commanding the creek leading to Cayenne; the other, at the opposite side, at the entrance of the creek leading to the house and plantation of General Victor Hugues, and evidently erected for no other purpose than its defence. At three o’clock I anchored the __on and Vinganza cutters abreast of them, when a smart action commenced on both sides for an hour; when finding the enemy’s metal and position so superior to ours, the cutters having only 4-pounders, and many of our men falling from the incessant shower of grape-shot, I determined to storm them, and therefore directed Mr. Savory to accompany a party of Portuguese to land at General Hugues’ battery: at the same time proceeding myself, accompanied by Lieutenant Blyth, my gig’s crew, and a party of Portuguese troops, to that of Treo; and though both parties had to land at the very muzzle of the guns keeping up a continual fire of grape and musketry, the cool bravery of the men soon carried them, and put the enemy to flight: each fort mounted two brass 9-pounders and had fifty men. This service was scarcely accomplished, before the French troops from Cayenne attacked the Colonel at Grand Cane. Our force then much dispersed, I therefore, without waiting an instant, ordered every body to the boats, and proceeded to the aid of the colonel, who, with his small force, had withstood the enemy; and after a smart action of three hours, they retreated to Cayenne. At the same time, 250 of the enemy appeared before fort Diamant; but perceiving Lieutenant Mulcaster prepared to receive them, and imagining his force much greater than it was, they, on hearing the defeat of their general, followed his example. There was yet the strongest post of the enemy to be taken, which was the private house of General Victor Hugues: he had, besides the fort above-mentioned, planted before his house a field-piece and a swivel, with 100 of his best troops. It is situated on the main, between 2 and 3 miles in the interior, at the end of an avenue the same length from the river; on the right hand of which is a thick wood, and on the left the creek Fouille. I have also to remark, that there is nothing near appertaining to government, or for the defence of the colony. On the morning of the 8th I proceeded, accompanied by Lieutenant Mulcaster, Messrs. Savory and Forder, with some seamen and marines of the Confiance, and a party of Portuguese troops, with a field piece, to take the said post; but as my only object was to take the troops prisoners, by which the garrison of Cayenne would be much weakened, I despatched Lieutenant Mulcaster in my gig, with a flag of truce, to acquaint the officer commanding, that my only object was to take the post, for which I had force sufficient; and though I might lose some men in taking it, there could be no doubt as to the result: I therefore requested, for the sake of humanity, he would not attempt to defend a place not tenable; but that I was determined, if he made a useless resistance in defending a private habitation, against which I gave him my honor no harm was intended, I should consider it as a fortress, and would level it to the ground. The enemy’s advanced guard allowed the flag of truce to approach them within a boat’s length; then fired two vollies at them, and retreated. I then landed; but reflecting it was possible this outrage was committed from the ignorance of an inferior officer, I sent Lieutenant Mulcaster a second time, when on his approaching the house, they fired the field-piece at him. Finding all communication that way ineffectual, yet wishing to preserve the private property of a general-officer, who was perhaps ignorant and innocent of his subaltern’s conduct, I sent one of the general’s slaves to the officer with the same message, who returned with an answer that any thing I had to communicate must be in writing; at the same instant he fired his field-piece as a signal to his troops, who were in ambush on our right in the wood, to fire, keeping up a steady and well-directed fire from his field-piece at the house. It was my intention to have advanced with my field-piece; but finding he had made several fosses in the road, and the wood being lined with musketry, not a man of whom we could see, and the field-piece in front, I ordered ours to be thrown into a fosse, when our men cheering, advanced with pike and bayonet, and took the enemy’s gun: they retreated into the house, and kept up a smart fire from the windows; but on our entering they flew through the back premises into the wood, firing as they retreated. Every thing was levelled with the ground, except the habitations of the slaves. As we received information that about 400 of the enemy were about to take possession of Beauregard plain, on an eminence which commands the several roads to and from Cayenne, it was determined between the lieutenant-colonel and myself to be beforehand with the enemy, and march our whole force there direct. We gained the start of the enemy on the 9th, and on the 10th Lieutenant Mulcaster and a Portuguese officer, were sent into the town with a summons to the general. In the evening these officers returned, accompanied by Victor Hugues’ aid-de-camp, requesting an armistice for 24 hours, to arrange the articles of capitulation. This being granted, and hostages exchanged, on the 11th the lieutenant-colonel and myself met the general, and partly arranged the articles. A second-meeting on the morning of the 12th finally fixed them, and on the morning of the 14th, the Portuguese troops and British seamen and marines marched into Cayenne, and took possession of the town. The enemy, amounting to 400, laid down their arms on the parade, and were immediately embarked on board the several vessels belonging to the expedition; at the same time the militia, amounting to 600, together with 200 blacks, who had been incorporated with the regular troops, delivered in their arms.
“It is with pleasure I observe, that throughout the expedition the utmost unanimity has prevailed between the Portuguese and the British, and I have myself experienced the most friendly intercourse with Lieutenant-Colonel Manoel Marques.
“The conduct of Captain Salgado of the Voader in the post I assigned him, was that of a zealous and energetic officer, and I feel I should do him an injustice were I to withhold my testimony of his merit. I must also acknowledge with satisfaction the services of Lieutenant Joze Pedro Schultz, who landed the Voader’s marines, and indeed every individual belonging to the Portuguese squadron.
“It has always been with the highest gratification to my feelings, that I have had to mention the good conduct of the officers, seamen, and marines of the ship I have the honor to command; but during the whole course of my service I have never witnessed such persevering resolution as they have displayed, from the commencement of the campaign to the reduction of Cayenne.
“To my first lieutenant, Mr. William Howe Mulcaster, I feel myself principally indebted for the very able support I have received from him throughout, though it was no more than I expected from an officer of his known merit in the service.
“Lieutenant Samuel Blyth continued his exertions, notwithstanding his wounds; and the assistance I derived from his active intrepidity can never be forgotten. * * * * * *
“To Mr. Savory, who has made himself remarkably useful on various occasions, and who, from my having so few officers on so detached a service as this has been, was of the greatest utility to me, I feel myself much indebted. * * * * * *
“To Messrs. Taylor, Forder, and Irwin; and Mr. Thomas Sevestre, who gave particular attention to the wounded, my warmest thanks are due. It is but just that I should take notice of the exertions of Mr. James Arscott, acting-master, who has passed for lieutenant, whom I left in charge of the ship, and who proved himself worthy of the confidence reposed in him. The Topaze, French, frigate, appeared in the offing on the 13th, with a reinforcement for the garrison, when, though with only 25 Englishmen and 20 negroes, and no other officers than 2 young midshipmen, Messrs. George Yeo and Edward Bryant, he contrived, by his skillful manoeuvres, to drive her off the coast[1].
“As to the seamen and marines, all praise I can bestow fall short of their merit, from the 6th Dec. they never slept in their beds; the weather was constantly both boisterous and rainy; the roads almost impassable; and from the time we landed until tle surrender of the place, they had not the least cessation from fatigue. * * * * * *
(Signed)“James Lucas Yeo.”
The total loss sustained by the Confiance, during the above operations, was 1 killed; 2 mortally wounded, 9 dangerously, 3 severely, and 9 slightly. Lieutenant Blyth received no less than five arrows in his arm; and from their being barbed, they could not be extracted but by the knife. The Portuguese had 1 killed and 8 wounded; the enemy, 16 slain and 20 wounded.
The following copy of an official note, and the extract of its enclosure, will shew how highly the Prince Regent of Portugal was pleased at the expulsion of the French from South America: and the various marks of favor which his Royal Highness was pleased to confer upon Captain Yeo, and the officers and crew of the Confiance, in consequence of their gallant and successful exertions in effecting the reduction of Cayenne:–
“The undersigned, counsellor, minister, and secretary of state for the departments of foreign affairs and war, has the honor to inform his Excellency Lord Viscount Strangford, his Britannic Majesty’s envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, that H.R.H. the Prince Regent of Portugal, justly appreciating the services and co-operation of the Confiance. in the expedition against Cayenne, the conquest of which settlement was achieved for the greater part by the valor and activity of her officers and men, and wishing to give to each of the individuals belonging to that ship, a mark of his gratitude, following as nearly as possible the usages practised in England upon similar occasions, has been pleased to order the gratifications and rewards specified in the enclosed paper to be distributed among them; and, as the said ship is to depart immediately for England, H.R. Highness’s envoy at London will receive instructions to carry H.M. Highness’s commands upon this subject into execution, without loss of time. His Royal Highness hopes that Lord Strangford will communicate the subject of this note, as well to his court as to the commander of the Confiance, in order that he may announce it to the officers and men previously to the departure of that ship from Rio de Janeiro. The undersigned requests Lord Strangford to accept the assurances of his highest regard, respect, and consideration.
(Signed)“Conde de Linhares.”
“Palace of Rio de Janeiro, Aug. 21, 1809.
“His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, as a special and singular favor, not to serve as example or precedent, grants to Captain Yeo the permission to wear the ensigns of a commander of the military order of St. Bento d’Avis: Captain Yeo receiving at the same time other mark of his Royal Highness’s good-will and consideration[2].
“To Lieutenant Mulcaster, H.R.H. gives a gold sword, with a suitable inscription; to Lieutenant Samuel Blyth, the sum of 150l. for the purchase of a sword, or of any other memorial of the conquest of Cayenne: to Mr. Thomas Savory, a gratuity of 100 guineas, for a similar purpose: to Mr. Thomas Sevestre, by his own desire, the Order of the Tower and Sword: to Mr. James Largue[3] and Mr. William Taylor, the sum of 50 guineas each, for the purchase of swords, &c; to each of the midshipmen employed at Cayenne, viz. Messrs. George Forder, David Irwin, William Moore, Edward Bryant, and George Yeo, a sword, with the word ‘Cayenne,’ and a suitable inscription engraved thereon; and to each individual of the ship’s company, a large silver medal, to be struck in England, to commemorate the occasion. * * * * * *
An annual pension of £14 sterling each was also given by H.R.H. to 5 of the badly wounded men; and all the others received gratuities varying from 40l. to 10l. according to their respective hurts!
The subject of this sketch was made commander May 13, 1809; and appointed to the Emulous sloop, on the Halifax station, about Oct. 1810. He captured l’Adele, French letter of marque, laden with cotton, Aug. 26, 1811; and the Gossamer, American privateer, of 14 guns and 100 men, July 30, 1812. The Emulous was wrecked on Sable Island, Aug. 3, following.
Captain Mulcaster’s next appointment was about Mar. 1813, to the Princess Charlotte 42, then building at Kingston, on Lake Ontario. His promotion to post rank took place Dec. 29 in the same year.
On the 6th May, 1814, only 22 days after the launching of the Princess Charlotte, Captain Mulcaster received a dangerous wound, when in the act of storming fort Oswego, the capture of which has been related at pp. 216-217 of Suppl. Part II. He was nominated a C.B. in June 1815, and granted permission to accept and wear the insignia of the Portuguese Military Order of the Tower and Sword, in Oct. 1825.
Captain Mulcaster enjoys a pension of 300/. per annum. He married, Oct. 13, 1814, Sophia Sawyer, youngest daughter of the late Colonel Van Cortlandt.
- ↑ Mr. James erroneously states that Mr. George Yeo had charge of the Confiance, see Nav. Hist. Vol. V. p. 310. Mr. Arscott obtained the rank of lieutenant, April 14, 1810; and died at Teignmouth, Sept. 27, 1816.
- ↑ The Prince had previously presented Captain Yeo with a valuable diamond ring, from off his own finger.
- ↑ Master’s-Mate.
- ↑ Original: C. was amended to G.