212 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS EOWNMAN, R.A. 
fire. The 32-prs. at my wharf annoyed their boats and galleys and 
di I much damage to the fort. The morning is fine, the wind moderate 
and fair. Oar men-of-war approach close to the chevaux-de-frise ; all 
the rebel galleys go from Red Bank and attack them, but are obliged 
to retire. The ships, our batteries, all are pouring a constant and 
well-directed fire into the fort. The blockhouses are entirely demol¬ 
ished. Several explosions in the fort. They seem to be in the great¬ 
est distress and confusion. The;*” have made signals for assistance. 
A number of boats go to them through our fire. About 12 o’clock 
the Vigilant appeared, instantly brought to in her station, and began 
to fire on the fort. The sloop drew up in her place and kept a con¬ 
stant fire. It was a glorious sight. On one side of the fort was to be 
seen a number of galleys, floating batteries and ships keeping a con¬ 
stant fire on our ships; on the other side, all our batteries, the 
Vigilant and sloop pouring in a tremendous fire on the fort, and from 
the men-of-war a no less vigorous fire was directed into the fort and 
at their galleys. At length, after firing on both sides without inter¬ 
mission the whole afternoon, the galleys, floating batteries and xebecs 
all moved away. The fort seemed to be totally in pieces; necessary 
orders were given to storm in the morning. Before dark six or seven 
of the rebel galleys rowed up towards the fort as if to attack our ships 
again, but we soon perceived that they had some other intention. 
They collected at the wharf on the other side Mud Island, and we 
concluded that they were either landing more troops or taking off 
those that were in the fort. They were in this situation about an hour, 
small boats also passing and repassing between the fort and Red Bank. 
Our cannon here did much execution in both galleys and boats for 
they were quite exposed. The fort at this time was totally silenced. 
The night brought on a cessation of firing, except now and then a few 
shot and shell from our battery. About 12 o’clock at night we were 
all surprised to see the fort in flames, and to all appearances every 
part of it seemed to be on fire. We now concluded the rebels had 
quitted it at the time the galleys were lying at the wharf, leaving only 
a small party to destroy it. It burnt very fiercely all night. 
November 16th .—At break of day we discovered the rebel colours 
still flying and the fort almost totally destroyed but no appearance of 
any person. In a little time the Vigilant sent her boat well manned 
ashore; one of the jacks mounted the flagstaff, toie down the rebel 
and hoisted in their stead English colours. I got a boat and went 
over. One man was found upon the island who informed us that the 
rebels had suffered very much, losing about 50 men killed and between 
70 and 80 wounded. The fort is strong and had it been stormed a 
very considerable loss would have been the consequence. Nothing 
that could add to its strength was left undone. The island is nothing 
but a marsh enclosed with a bank. They have cut ditches, they have 
made trous de loujp and stuck a frise in every part outside the stock¬ 
ades, which are very high and put close together, loop holes being cut 
through these pickets from which they could pick off your men and 
you could not possibly hurt them. The fire had not consumed the 
