Copy of a Letter from Vice-Admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart and K.B. &c to John Wilson Croker Esq. dated in London the 8th inst

SIR - I have the highest satisfaction in transmitting to you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a letter I have this morning received from Captain Maurice, Governor of Anholt, acquainting me of an attack having been made on that island by a formidable military force, supported by 18 heavy gun-boats, and other armed vessels, on the 27th Ult.; which was defeated in the most gallant manner by Governor Maurice and the brave garrison under his orders, with the loss to the enemy of their Commander, and three other officers killed, and 16 officers and upwards of 500 rank and file taken prisoners.

I cannot too strongly express to their Lordships my high admiration of the very gallant conduct of Governor Maurice, and Major Torrens, senior officer of the Royal Marines, and the other officrs and men composing the brave garrison, and my satisfaction that this brilliant service has been performed with so little loss on our part.

I have also great pleasure in transmitting a letter from Captain Baker of the Tartar, giving an account of the operations of that ship, and his Majesty's sloop Sheldrake, in support of Captain Maurice, and in pursuit of the retreating flotilla of the enemy. Their Lordships will, I doubt not, also appreciate the good conduct of Captain Stewart in attacking and defeating so superior a force as that opposed to him, each of the gun-boats carrying heavy metal, and being manned by 60 or 70 men.

Lieutenant Baker, who has brought the dispatches, bore, as their Lordships will observe, a distinguished part in this gallant affair, and is strongly recommended to their favourable attention.

I have, &c.

JAMES SAUMAREZ

More Despatches on Anholt 1811

Admiralty Office, April 9, 1811
Fort Yorke, Island of Anholt, 27th March 1811
Return of the Garrison Killed and Wounded March 27, 1811
Account of Danish Officers Killed and Taken 27th March 1811
Return of Ordnance Stores Captured the 27th of March, 1811
His Majesty's Ship Tartar, off Anholt, March 31st 1811
His Majesty's Sloop Sheldrake, Anholt, March 28
Anholt Map (76K)