tish he supposed might be on shore, he replied, when the last reenforcements would be landed (which he had met three days before near Villeré's canal) there would be, marines and sailors inclusive, from thirteen to fifteen thousand men; he was certain of this, for he had seen some returns previous to his departure;, this was an intelligent officer, having the grade of captain, who had been sent by the commander-in-chief to ascertain the quantity of provisions in the fleet.

London, Admiralty Office, March 9, 1815.

Despatches addressed by Vice-Admiral the honourable Sir Alexander Cochrane, G. C. B. &c. to John Wilson Croker, Esq.

Armide, off Isle au Chat, Dec. 16, 1814.

SIR Having arrived at the anchorage, off Chandeleur islands, on the 8th inst. captain Gordon, of the Seahorse, (which ship, with the Armide and Sophie, I had sent on from off Pensacola to the anchorage within Isle au Vaisseau) reported to me that two gunvessels of the enemy, apparently large sized sloops, of very light draught of water, had fired at the Armide, upon her way down from within the chain of small islands that run parallel to the coast from Mobile towards Lac Borgne, and having afterwards joined three others, cruising in the lake, were then visible from his mast head.

The Bayone Catalan, (or des Pecheurs) at the head of Lac Borgne, being the contemplated point of disembarkation, the distance from the inner anchorage of the frigates and troop-ships to the Bayone full sixty miles, and our principal means of transport open boats, it became impossible that any movement of the troops could take place till this formidable flotilla was either captured or destroyed.

Rear-admiral Malcolm joined me with the fleet upon the 11th instant, and upon the 12th I placed the lanches, barges, and pinnaces of the squadron, with captain Montressor, of the Manly,

and captain Roberts, of the Meteor, under the command of captain Lockyer, of the Sophie, and sent them into Lac Borgne, in pursuit of the enemy, while the frigates, troop-ships, and smaller vessels, moved into the inmost anchorage, each vessel proceeding on until she took the ground.

After an arduous row of thirty-six hours, captain Lockyer had the good fortune to close with the flotilla, which he attacked with such judgment and determined bravery, that, notwithstanding their formidable force, their advantage of a chosen position, and their studied and deliberate preparation, he succeeded in cap. turing the whole of the vessels, in so serviceable a state as to afford at once the most essential aid to the expedition.

For the particulars of this brilliant affair, I refer their lordships to the accompanying copy of captain Lockyer's letter, detailing his proceedings, which, I am fully aware, their lordships will duly appreciate.

Captain Lockyer's conduct on this occasion, in which he has been severely wounded, and his long and actual services ascommander, justly entitling him to their lordship's protection, and finding it expedient to place this flotilla collectively upon the establishment of a thirty-six gun frigate, I have appointed him to the command thereof.

Captain Montressor, whom I have placed in the command of the gun-vessels until captain Lockyer's wounds, will admit of his serving, and captain Roberts, whom I have before had occasion to mention to their lordships, together with lieutenants Tatnell and Roberts, and the officers mentioned by captain Lockyer, I trust will not fail to meet their lordship's notice.

Our loss has been severe, particularly in officers: but, considering that this successful enterprise has given us the command of Lac Borgne, and considerably reduced our deficiency of transports, the effort has answered my fullest expectations..

I have the honour to be, &c.

ALEXANDER COCHRANE,

Vice-admiral and Commander-in-chief.

Letter from Nicholas Lockyer to admiral Cochrane.

H. M. sloop Sophie, Ca Island Roads, December 17, 1814. SIR-I beg leave to inform you, that in pursuance of your orders the boats of the squadron, which you did me the honour to place under my command, were formed into three divisions, (the first headed by myself, the second by captain Montressor, of the Manly, and the third by captain Roberts, of the Meteor) and proceeded, on the night of the 12th instant, from the frigate's anchorage in quest of the enemy's flotilla.

After a very tedious row of thirty-six hours, during which the enemy attempted to escape from us, the wind fortunately obliged him to anchor off St. Joseph's island, and nearing him, on the morning of the 14th, I discovered his force to consist of five gun vessels of the largest dimensions, which were moored in a line abreast, with springs on their cables, and boarding nettings triced up, evidently prepared for our reception.

Observing also, as we approached the flotilla, an armed sloop endeavouring to join them, captain Roberts, who volunteered to take her with part of his division, succeeded in cutting her off and capturing her, without much opposition.

About ten o'clock, having closed to, within long gun-shot, I directed the boats to come to a grapnel, and the people to get their breakfasts; and as soon as they had finished we again took to our oars, and pulling up to the enemy against a strong current, running at the rate of nearly three miles an hour, exposed to a heavy and destructive fire of round and grape, about noon I had the satisfaction of closing with the commodore in the Seahorse's barge.

After several minutes' obstinate resistance, in which the greater part of the officers and crew of this boat were either kill. ed or wounded, myself among the latter, severely, we succeeded in boarding, and being seconded by the Seahorse's first barge, commanded by Mr. White, midshipman, and aided by the boats of the Tonnant, commanded by lieutenant Tatnell, we soon carried her, and turned her guns with good effect upon the remaining four.

** This ‘armed sloop,' which required a division of barges to capture mounted one four-pounder, and carried eight men.

During this time captain Montressor's division was making every possible exertion to close with the enemy, and, with the assistance of the other boats, then joined by captain Roberts, in about five minutes we had possession of the whole of the flotilla.

I have to lament the loss of many of my brave and gallant companions, who gloriously fell in this attack; but considering the great strength of the enemy's vessels, (whose force underneath described) and their state of preparation, we have by no means suffered so severely as might have been expected.

I am under the greatest obligations to the officers, seamen and marines, I had the honour to command on this occasion, to whose gallantry and exertions the service is indebted for the capture of these vessels; any comments of mine would fall short of the praise due to them. I am especially indebted to captains Montressor and Roberts, for their advice and assistance. They are entitled to more than I can say of them, and have my best thanks for the admirable styl in which they pushed on with their divisions to the capture of the remainder of the enemy's flotilla.

In an expedition of this kind, where so many were concerned, and so much personal exertion and bravery was displayed, I find it impossible to particularize every individual who distinguished himself, and deserves to be well-spoken of; but I feel it my duty to mention those whose behaviour fell immediately under my own eye.

Lieutenant George Pratt, second of the Seahorse, who commanded that ship's boats, and was in the same boat with me, conducted himself to that admiration which I cannot sufficiently express. In his attempt to board the enemy he was several times severely wounded, and at last so dangerously, that I fear the service will be deprived of this gallant and promising young officer. I cannot omit to mention also the conduct of lieutenants Tatnell and Roberts, of the Tonnant, particularly the former, who, after having his boat sunk alongside, got into another, and gallantly pushed on to the attack of the remainder of the flotilla. Lieutenant Roberts was wounded in closing with the enemy.

I have the honour to be, &c.

NICHOLAS LOCKYER, Captain,

No. 1-Gun-vessel, 1 long twenty-four-pounder, 4 twelve-pound carronades, and 4 swivels, with a complement of 45 men; captain Jones, commodore.

No. 2-Gun-vessel, 1 long thirty-two-pounder, 6 long six-pounders, 2 five-inch howitzers, and 4 swivels, with a complement of 45 men; lieutenant M'Ives [M Keever.]

No. 3--Gun-vessel, 1 long twenty-four-pounder, 4 long six-pounders, and 4 swivels, with a complement of 45 men.

No. 4-Gun-vessel, long twenty-four-pounder, 4 twelve-pound carronades, with a complement of 45 men.

No. 5-Gun-vessel, 1 long twenty-four-pounder, 4 twelve-pound carronades, with a complement of 45 men.

No. 6-Armed sloop, 1 long six pounder, 2 twelve-pound carronades, with a complement of 20 men.

NICHOLAS LOCKYER, Captain.

A list of killed and wounded in the boats of his majesty's shifis, at the capture of the American gun vessels, near New Orleans. Tonnant-1 able seaman, 2 ordinary seamen, killed; 1 lieutenant,

4 midshipmen, 4 able seamen, 4 ordinary seamen, 2 landsmen, 3 private marines, wounded.

Norge- quarter-master, killed; 1 master's-mate, 4 able seamen, 3 ordinary seamen, 1 private marine, wounded.

Bedford-1 seamen, killed; 2 lieutenants, 1 master's-mate, 2 seamen, wounded.

Royal Oak-1 seaman, wounded.

Ramilies-4 seamen, killed; 9 seamen, wounded..

Armide-1 seaman, killed.

Cydnus-1 midshipman, 1 seaman, 2 private marines, wounded. Seahorse-1 midshipman, 1 volunteer of the first class, 1 able seaman, 1 ordinary seaman, 1 landman, 4 private marines, killed; 1 lieutenant of marines, 7 able seamen, 7 ordinary seamen, 1 landman, 4 private marines, wounded.

Traave- volunteer of the first class, 1 captain of the foretop killed; 1 private marine, wounded.

Sophie-1 captain, wounded.

Meteor 3 seamen, wounded.

Belle Poule-2 seamen, wounded.

Gorgon-1 master's mate, wounded.