260 NARRATIVE OF THE MUTINY, &c. 



rode with u lantborn) and Captain Hodson, the Town Major, 

 came and offered me a reinforcement from the party that was 

 approaching': which however I declined, as it was not at all 

 probable that the mutineers would attack me on the town side. 

 After serving that party with musket ammunition, I made dispo- 

 sitions to receive an attack from the country side, and remained 

 with the men at their quarters the whole night. 



In the morning I was informed the mutineers had surrendered 

 at discretion ; but as I was desired to keep my station, I moved 

 a ten inch howitzer loaded with canister shot ; which, to check 

 any rapid advance that might be made, was placed about one 

 hundred yards on the road, on the ovitside of the works. As the pass 

 is very narrow, a single discharge would make great slaughter ; 

 and throw any body of men into confusion, and this in a situation 

 where my guns, on the inside of the works, would have full efffect. 



The next day I received an order from you to advance two 

 guns on the first turning of the road, above the soldiers' barracks, 

 with directions to fire on any party that might attempt to force 

 their way out of the barracks. In obedience to that order, two 

 5j inch howitzers, being the two most disposable guns I had, 

 were advanced under the command of Lieutenant Wilson ; and, 

 at the same time, I pointed as many guns to the parade, opposite 

 the main guard, as could be brought to bear on that point. 



This, I trust, you will find to be a correct statement of the oc- 

 currences of the mutiny which commenced on the night of the 

 23d ©f December 1811, as far as concerned the post which I had 

 the honour to command. 



I have the honour to remain. Honourable Sir, 

 your very obedient Servant, 



B. HODSON, 



Ladder Hill, Dec. 31, 1811. Captain oJArtilleri/ comtnanding Ladder Hill, 



