LIEUT.-GENERAL THOMAS DYNELEY, C.B., R.A. 401 
Owing to the state of affairs in Europe in 1806, England sent troops 
to the Mediterranean and thus was established in Italy and Sicily a 
garrison of the Royal Artillery which remained in those countries for 
some years. In July of that year an expedition of about 5000 men 
under Sir John Stuart was sent from Sicily into the Neapolitan pro- 
vince of Calabria to assist the forces of the King of Naples in their 
struggle against those of Napoleon. On the 6th, the French under 
General Regmer were signally defeated at the battle of Maida and the 
castle of Scylla was afterwards besieged and taken. Letter I. describes 
these events. 
Though over-shadowed at the time by the victories of Ulm and 
Austerlitz, the moral effect of the battle of Maida had a most important 
influence wpon the progress of the war. A desire to adopt a more 
vigorous military policy was aroused in the public mind in England, 
which resulted eventually in the Peninsular war.—Hd. 
LETTER I. 
(To Carrain J. K. Dovatas, R.A.) 
Messina, August 14th, 1806. 
I doubt not ere this, my dear John, you have heard of our late 
exploits. 
I sailed from Malasco about June 26th, arrived at St. Huphemia on 
the 31st, and disembarked at 1 a.m. next morning. Soon after day- 
light a few French gentlemen made their appearance ; a regiment was 
sent to their assistance, about 186 were killed, wounded and taken 
prisoners, ‘‘ the rest they ran away,” but soon afterwards gave them- 
selves up as prisoners. Nothing extraordinary happened until July 
3rd, when a sergeant who was straggling from camp was shot through 
the head by a Frenchman who had concealed himself in a bush. At 
10 o’clock that night I received orders to march with two guns under 
my command, and after marching all night, at daybreak found myself 
on the plain of Maida; owing to the dreadful state of the roads only 
four officers were able to get their guns into the field, one of whom I 
had the honour to be. We advanced about three miles and came upon 
some skirmishers placed to lead us on; and a slight “‘ poppery” took 
place. We then discovered General Regnier in a most beautiful and 
commanding position in a wood of full blown myrtle bushes as white 
as snow with between 7000 and 8000 men, including 500 cavalry, of 
which we had none. It was an anxious moment as we had only about 
5000 men in the field. Had the enemy kept their position, I think, be- 
tween ourselves, the wisest thing would have been to have made the 
best of our way on board ship again, for it would have been impossible 
to have moved them; but they were too confident of success. Their 
General told them the English were advancing loaded with riches and 
that they would go down, plunder and drive them into the sea. And 
sure enough down they did come, in line, in the finest order it is pos- 
sible to conceive. 
We halted, formed in line to oppose them, and then advanced, It 
