by John Marshall

“ Sir,– On our closing with the schooner, which had warped among the rocks, under a two-gun battery, flanked by two heavy batteries nearer Basse Terre, I sent our boats with one from the Unique, the whole under the command of Lieutenant Fellowes of that brig, with directions to land and storm the battery. ”

“ One redoubt of 4 guns, near Santa Maria, was stormed by the marines of the Milford, led on by Captain Fottrell; a second, to the south of the Guadaleto, was taken by Captain Fellowes; and the guns of all the sea defences, together with the small fort of Puntilla, from Rota (which the enemy evacuated) to Santa Maria, with the exception of Catalina, were spiked, and the works dismantled.”
In the performance of this highly important service, the British had one gun-boat sunk before Catalina; but their whole loss amounted to only 3 men killed and 13 wounded, 2 of whom mortally. ”

“ The combined fleet was formed in the order of sailing in two columns, the British and French forming the weather or starboard line, and the Russian the lee line.
“The Asia led in, followed by the Genoa and Albion, and anchored close alongside a ship of the line, bearing the flag of the Capitan Bey, another ship of the line, and a large double-banked frigate, each thus having their opponent in the front line of the Turkish fleet. The four ships to windward, part of the Egyptian squadron, were allotted to the squadron of Rear-Admiral de Rigny ”

“ Before they got on shore, a troop of cavalry, some infantry, and an immense number of militia had collected in the fort; and notwithstanding our people had to climb up a very steep precipice, with musketry annoying them from every point, they charged and drove the enemy from their guns, spiking them, killing several men, and bringing away their arms and colours. Lieutenant Fellowes then formed his men and retreated to the boats ”

“ Mr. Samuel Hawkins, midshipman of the Norge, also fell gallantly, which, with 4 Spanish and 4 English seamen wounded, constitutes our whole loss on a service, the execution of which merits my warmest praise.”
On the above occasion. Captain Fellowes was engaged with fort Catalina from 2-30 P.M. until 10 o’clock at night. Towards the close of the following month, a combined attack was likewise made upon the enemy’s flotilla below Puerto Real; the castle of Puntales at the same time engaging the forts on the opposite tongue of land, and the bombs keeping Catalina in play. ”

“ This government is penetrated with the liveliest sense of gratitude for the zeal and ability which you have manifested in driving the enemies of peace and commerce from these coasts, and securing them from their prejudicial depredations. ”

“ His Royal Highness will be aware that so complete a victory by a few, however perfect, against an excessive number, however individually inferior, cannot be acquired but at a considerable sacrifice of life ”

“ The consolation is, that they died in the service of their country, and in the cause of suffering humanity.
“The commander-in-chief returns his most cordial thanks to his noble colleagues, the two Rear-Admirals, for the able manner in which they directed the movements of the squadron; and to the Captains, Commanders. Officers, Seamen, and Royal Marines, who so faithfully obeyed their orders, and so bravely completed the destruction of their opponents. ”

“ Captain Fellowes returned hoiae from the Mediterranean in Feb. 1830; and paid off the Dartmouth frigate, at Chatham, on the 15th of the following month. On the 23d June in the same year, the honorary degree of Doctor in Civil Law was conferred on him at Oxford. Dr. Bliss, Deputy Professor, in presenting him to the heads of the University, after Viscount Combermere, observed, – “You behold another chieftain, glorious as a conqueror like the former, though he has warred upon another element. ”

“ Lad run under one of the enemy’s forts.
“To punish such perfidy, I permitted, contrary to my usual custom, the Julia and Unique to run under several batteries, in order to bring her out; but she was found so fast on shore that we could not move her. Captain Dowers, a copy of whose letter I herewith transmit to you, sent Lieutenant Fellowes, who commands the Unique, on shore with twenty-four seamen, to storm the battery and spike the guns ”

“ To annoy the enemy’s naval force, and to retard the completion of additional batteries at the different posts occupied by the army under Marshal Soult, eleven heavy Spanish gun-boats were officered and manned by the British squadron at Cadiz ”

“ Such union of spirit and of purpose – such coolness and bravery under fire – and such consequent precision in the use of their guns, ensured a victory over the well-prepared arrangements of greatly superior numbers: and the whole Turkish and Egyptian fleets have paid the penalty of their treacherous breach of faith. The boasted Ibrahim Pacha promised uot to quit Navarin, or oppose the allied fleets ”

“ Sir! that you will be pleased to Excuse this freedom as it proceeds from no other motive than our Gratitude to a Commander we so much Esteem and Respect. We have the honor to be (Sir) Your Very humble Servants,
⁠“The Ship’s Company in Geniral.”
Here follow 43 signatures. From this period, Captain Fellowes remained unemployed till Feb. 21, 1827, when he was appointed to the Dartmouth frigate, of 42 guns. In that ship he proceeded to the Mediterranean station, just after the conclusion of the treaty entered into between his Majesty and the Courts of the Tuilleries and of St. ”