Sir - In obedience to your signal yesterday to keep on the north side of the island, my attention was particularly occupied in preventing the escape of the enemy's flotilla to leeward, hoping by so doing I anticipated your wishes.

At two P.M. observing the Tartar to windward of the island, and the gun-boats endeavouring to push through the passage inside the reef, I endeavoured to place myself in such a situation as to turn them, or render an action unavoidable. About four P.M. we closed within range of shot, their force consisting of sixteen gunboats and armed vessels, in close and compact order, formed in line, steering down with the apparent determination of supporting each other; but they, finding us equally determined to bring them to close action, began to disperse just when we were in hopes of placing ourselves in such a situation as must have annihilated the whole of them in a short time. However, as five of them kept in one direction, I kept after hem, and have the pleasure to inform you we brought them to close action at half past four, when one of them, No.9, immediately struck; she mounts two long 18-pounders and four brass howitzers, 65 men, and commanded by a Lieutenant of repute in the Danish Navy.

Immediately the prisoners were on board, we made all sail after the largest lugger, which, I am also happy to inform you, we captured about eight P.M. after exchanging a few shot. She proved to be gun-vessel No.1, mounting two long 24pounders, and four brass howitzers, with a complement of 70 men, only 60 of whom we found on board; from the number of shot she received I am convinced she must have lost many of her crew; her Commander is also a Lieutenant in the Danish Navy.

I am extremely rejoiced to say we have no person hurt; our sails and rigging being a little cut, and a few grape shot in the hull, is the extent of our damage.

I feel great pride in being able to inform you, the Officers and crew I have the honour to command, behaved so as to meet my warmest praise, and I can assure you, Sir, all on board were greatly annoyed at the enemy not allowing us the pleasure of making an example of the so much talked of Danish gun-boats.

Night coming on, and we having on board forty more prisoners than our own people, I am sorry to say we could not succeed in capturing any more of them, as they separated after the first had struck; but several that escaped were under fire, and appeared to have suffered much - so much so, that some of the people say one sunk.

I have &c.

J.P. STEWART

Postscript:

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE April 11

The whole force that Captain Maurice had to protect the Island of Anholt, and which effected its gallant defence, amounted only to 350 officers, seamen, marines, and marine artillery. He received the colours for the battalion on the evening previous to the attack, and they received a ball through them on the field of battle.

The dignity of Baronet will be conferred on the gallant Capt. Maurice. The garrison of Anholt was composed entirely of Royal Marines, an invaluable corps, who, on shore as well as afloat, have so often distinguished themselves.

All papers taken from: THE GENERAL CHRONICLE AND LITERARY MAGAZINE FOR MAY 1811

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)