12 
Beresford's brigade made an attempt to land; but on ap- 
proaching the shore, the sea was found to break with such 
violence, that it was thought prudent to desist. As that 
part of the coast was known to be subject to a heavy surge, 
and the situation of the fleet was such as forbade any unne- 
cessary delays, the Diomede, with the transports carrying the 
38th regiment and General Beresford, was despatched to 
Saldanha Bay, and the whole fleet would have followed next 
day, had not the Highland brigade been fortunate enough to 
effect a landing about six miles farther to the. Soiukward, in 
Sospiras Bay. The enemy’s riflemen appeared lurking 
among the bushes, and showed a disposition to annoy us; 
but they were speedily dislodged by a few shots from the gun 
brigs that covered our approach. The only serious accident 
that occurred was the loss of one of our boats, having on 
board about forty men of the 93d regiment, which was over- 
set on a bank of shore-weed, and every soul lost. 
* The "th of January was employed in disembarking the 
remainder of the troops and the field artillery. Five hundred 
volunteers from the ships of war and Indiamen were also 
landed, for the purpose of dragging the guns, a service which 
they performed with their accustomed enthusiasm. At four 
o’clock, on the morning of the 8th, we moved from the sand 
hills along the road that leads over the shoulder of the Blue- 
berg. When we arrived on the crest of the hill, we per- 
ceived the enemy drawn up on the other side. Our disposi- 
tion was soon made. We were formed in echellons of bri- 
gades; the left, or Highland brigade, being about two hun- 
dred yards in advance of the other. In this relative position 
we advanced, sometimes in line, at others in file from the 
heads of companies, according to the nature of the ground. 
We no sooner arrived within range of the enemy’s artillery, 
than he opened his fire on us from twenty field-pieces, which 
were advanced considerably in front of his line* The 
* Capt. Carmichael's account of this action is that of a soldier: a peaceful 
missionary, the Rev. Henry Martyn, who witnessed it from the fleet, thus 
notices it in his interesting Journal :— 
