Sir - I reported to you in my letter of the 10th Ult. my having received information of an intended attack on this island by the Danes. On the 8th inst. I received corroboration of this intelligence, but as every exertion had been made to complete the works as well as our materials would allow, and as picquets were nightly stationed from one extreme of the island to the other, in order to prevent surprise, I awaited with confidence the meditated attack.

Yesterday his Majesty's ship Tartar anchored on the north side of the island. The enemy's flotilla and army, consisting of nearly 4000 men have this day, after a close combat of four hours and half, received a most complete and decisive defeat, and are fled back to their ports, with the loss of three pieces of cannon, and upwards of 500 prisoners; a number greater by 150 men than the garrison I command.

I am now to detail the proceedings of the day. In the morning, just before dawn, the out-picquets, on the south side of the island, made the signal for the enemy being in sight. The garrison was immediately put under arms, and I lost not a moment in proceeding with the brigade of howitzers, and two hundred infantry, accompanied by Captain Torrens [who had hitherto acted as Major-Commandant to the battalion] in order to oppose their landing. On ascending an elevation, for the purpose of reconnoitring, I discovered the landing had already been effected, under the cover of darkness and a fog, and that the enemy were advancing rapidly and in great numbers.

On both wings the enemy now far outflanked us, and I saw, that if we continued to advance, they would get between us and our works, I instantly ordered a retreat, which was effected in good order, and without loss, although the enemy were within pistol-shot of our rear, and seemed determined to enter our batteries by storm; but Fort Yorke and Massareene batteries opened such a well directed fire of grape and musketry, that the assailants were obliged to fall back and shelter themselves under the sand hills. As the day lightened we perceived that the enemy's flotilla, consisting of 18 gunboats, had taken up a position on the south side of the island at point blank shot. I ordered the signal to be made to the Tartar and Sheldrake, that the enemy had landed, upon which these vessels immediately weighed, and under a heavy press of sail used every endeavour to beat up the south side, but the extent of shoals threw them out so many miles, that it was some hours before their intention could be accomplished.

The gun-boats now opened a very heavy fire on our works, while a column of about 600 men crossed the island to the westward and took up position on the northern shore, covered by hillocks of sand, by breaks, and inequality of ground. Another column made many attempts to carry the Massareene battery by storm, but were as often repulsed, and compelled to cover themselves under hillocks of sand, which on this island are thrown up by every gale.

The column on the south side had now succeeded in bringing up a field piece against us, and Captain Holloway, who had commanded at the advanced post, joined us by water. I had been under great apprehensions that this officer had fallen into the hands of the enemy; but finding, after several gallant attempts, that he was cut off from reaching headquarters by land, he, with the coolest judgement, launched a boat, and landed his party under Fort Yorke amidst the acclamations of the garrison.

Immediately afterwards Lieutenant H.L. Baker, who, with Lieutenant Turnbull, of the Royal Marines, and some brave volunteers, had, in the Anholt schooner, bore down on the north side of the island. Things were in this position when the column on the northern shore, which, divided by the sand hills, had approached within fifty paces of our lines, made another desperate effort to carry the Massareene battery by storm; the column to the south-east also pushed on, and the reserve appeared on the hills ready to support them; but while the commanding officer was leading on his men with great gallantry, a musket ball put a period to his life.

Panic-struck by the loss of their chief, the enemy again fell back, and sheltered themselves behind the sand hills. At this critical moment Lieutenant Baker, with great skill and gallantry, anchored his vessel on their flank, and opened a well directed fire. The sand hills being no longer a protection, and finding it impossible either to advance or retreat, the assailants hung out a flag of truce, and offered to surrender upon terms; but I would listen to nothing but an unconditional surrender, which after some deliberation was complied with.

In the mean time the gun-boats on the south side, which had been much galled by the fire of Fort Yorke and Massareene battery, got under weigh, and stood to the westward, and the column of the enemy which had advanced on the south side, finding their retreat no longer covered by the flotilla, also hung out a flag of truce, and I sent out an officer to meet it. I was asked to surrender; the reply I returned it is unnecessary to mention. The enemy finding my determination, sought permission to embark without molestation; but I would listen to nothing but an unconditional submission, and I have the pleasure to inform you that this corps also laid down their arms, and surrendered themselves prisoners of war.

The prisoners, which were now more numerous than my small garrison, were no longer secured, than operations were commenced against the reserve, which had ben seen retreating to the westward of the island.

I took the field with Major Torrens [who, though wounded, insisted on accompanying me] and Lieutenant and Adjutant Steele; but as our prisoners were so numerous, and as we had no place of security in which to place them, I could only employ on this occasion the brigade of howitzers under Lieutenant R. Steele and Bezant of the Royal Marine Artillery, and part of the light company commanded by Lieutenant Turnbull.

When we arrived at the west end of the island, we found that the enemy had formed on the beach, and were protected by fourteen gun- boats towed close to the shore; to attack such a force, with four howitzers and forty men, seemed a useless sacrifice of brave men's lives; I therefore, with the advice of Major Torrens, halted on the hills, while I reluctantly saw the reserve embarked under cover of the gun-boats, and the flotilla take a final leave of the island.

I am happy to say our loss has not been so considerable as might have been expected from so desperate an attack, we have only two killed and thirty wounded. The enemy have suffered severely; we have buried between 30 and 40 of their dead, and have received in the hospital 23 of their wounded, most of them have undergone amputations, three since dead of their wounds, besides a great number which they carried off the field to their boats. Major Melsteat, the commandant, fell in the field; Captain Borgan, the next in command wounded in the army; Captain Prutz, Adjutant-General to the Commander of the Forces in Jutland, lost both his legs, since dead.

The most pleasing part of my duty is to bear testimony to the zeal, energy, and intrepidity of the officers and men I had the honour to command; to particularize would be impossible; the same ardour inspired the whole. To Lieutenant Baker, next in command, who will have the honour of delivering this dispatch, and will give you every information you may require, I am much indebted; his merit and zeal as an officer, which I have some years been acquainted with, and his volunteering with me on this service, claim my warmest esteem.

Captain Torrens, the senior officer of the Royal Marines, and who acted as commandant of the garrison, bore a conspicuous part on this day, and although wounded, I did not lose his valuable service and able support. The discipline and state of perfection to which he had brought the battalion is highly creditable to him as an officer.

Lieutenant R.C. Steele, senior officer of Royal Marine Artillery, also claims my warmest acknowledgements for the arrangements he made, which enabled us to keep up so heavy and destructive a fire. Captain Steele, Lieutenant and Quartermaster Fischer senior Subaltern, Lieutenant and Adjutant Steele, Lieutenants Stewart, Gray, Ford, Jellico, Atkinson and Curtayne, all merit my warmest acknowledgements for the assistance they afforded me. Lieutenant Bezant of the R.M. Artillery, deserves every commendation I can give him for his cool and able judgement in the direction of the guns on the Massareene battery; Lieutenant Turnbull, who acted as Captain of the Light Company, when we pursued the reserve, manifested such zeal and energy, that I have no doubt had we brought the enemy again to action, he would have borne a very conspicuous part.

I cannot sufficiently express my thanks to Captains Baker and Stewart, of the Tartar and Sheldrake, for their great exertions to get round to the flotilla; and had the wind the least favoured them, they would have destroyed the whole.

I am happy to add, that the property belonging to the merchants has been fully protected without meeting with the least loss.

The expedition sailed from Randers, commanded by Major Melsteat, an officer of great distinction, and consisted of the following corps;

2nd Battalion of Jutland Sharp-shooters; 4th Battalion, 2nd Regiment of Jutland Yagers; lst RegimentJutland Infantry; with some others, the names of which cannot be ascertained.

I have the honour to enclose the article of surrender, a return of killed and wounded, and a list of Danish officers killed and taken. Also a return of ordnance stores taken.

I have the honour to be, &c.

[Signed] J.W. MAURICE, Commandant

The Commanding Officer of the troops of his Danish Majesty, occupied in the attack of Anholt, agrees to surrender prisoner of war at discretion with all the troops, to the forces of his Britannic Majesty; with the reserves, that their personal property shall be retained by them, and that, at the convenience of the Commander of the Island of Anholt, a cartel with unsealed letters shall be sent to Jutland.

Given at Anholt, the 27th of March 1811 [signed] BORGEN, Captain and Commander in Chief of the Danish troops on Anholt

J.W. Maurice, Captain Royal Navy, Governor and Commandant of the Island of Anholt.

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)