by John Marshall

“ I am informed, that the lieutenant and his party made their escape in a boat, and went towards Ragusa. The island I have left in the quiet possession of the inhabitants, who appear much attached to the English. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) ⁠“J. Harper.” Zupano was one of three islands which the enemy had garrisoned for the protection of vessels conveying supplies from Stagno to Ragusa, and thence to Boco di Cattaro. Constantly expecting an attack, the soldiers composing the garrison were always under arms, by night, in the market-place, which was surrounded by a breast-work. ”

“ From Captain Black, of the Weazle, I received every assistance. To the conduct of Captain Moresby is to be attributed our success without loss: the order in which the boats advanced, his judgment in landing, and his determined manner of leading the men up to the batteries, so intimidated the enemy, that they did not wait for the charge, but hastily fired and fled. He speaks in the highest terms of Lieutenants Quin and Hancock, and every man employed under him. I have the honor to be, &c. ”

“ Captain Harper immediately hoisted British colours, disbanded and re-organized the national guard, dismissed the mayor from his office, and requested the Count Natali, a much respected nobleman, to assume that of civil governor, – arrangements which completely put down the French party, and gave universal satisfaction to the loyal inhabitants.
One of the other fortified islands was Mezzo, situated between Zupano and Ragusa, garrisoned by an officer and 59 regular troops, including artillery-men, and defended by a strong castle and the pinnacle of an almost inaccessible hill. ”

“ John, a very strong place about 15 miles up the river, and the only one in the Boco di Cattaro, then possessed by the enemy. “I cannot mention in too warm terms,” he added, “the conduct of Captain Harper; he is ever ready, and most indefatigable: the capture of Isle St. George does him, the officers, and men, the greatest credit.” ”

“ It is with the greatest pleasure I have to report the good conduct of every officer and man employed; and if I had been obliged to storm the island, as I intended, I feel confident the result would have been complete success.
“Lieutenant Francis Gostling, of the Bacchante, to whom I gave the command of the gun-boats, brought them up to the attack under a heavy fire from the enemy, in the most cool and determined manner. I have landed the marines, and given him the command of the island until your pleasure is known. ”

“ H.M. sloop Saracen, Harbour of Mezzo, July 23, 1813. “Sir,– Having received information, that the enemy at Ragusa had prepared 200 troops, and 2 long guns, as a reinforcement for the island of Mezzo, they knowing it to be of the greatest consequence in protecting their convoys, and annoying the British cruisers, I determined, with Captain Black, of the Weazle, on instantly besieging it, and, on the 15th instant, declared the island to be in a state of strict blockade. On the 16th, the Weazle’s boats succeeded in surprising and taking prisoners two advance parties of the enemy. ”

“ Sir,– Upon reconnoitring the coast and islands, on the station you did me the honor of appointing me to, the harbour in the island of Zupano appeared the only place where there were vessels of any burthen, and from information received, it was supposed that some of the last convoy, with grain for Ragusa, was still detained there. ”

“ At sun-set the Weazle joined with your despatches. Having light airs and calms during the night, she could not proceed 10 the S.E. faster than we did. Captain Black, knowing our situation respecting men (the senior lieutenant of the Saracen and the marines of both brigs being on shore at Mezzo, and the master of the Saracen and 10 men in a tender, blockading Stagno, and surveying the coast) , most handsomely offered his marines and small-arm men, which I gladly accepted. ”

“ The troops to march out of the castle with shouldered arms, and to ground them on the glacis; to be considered prisoners of war, to be landed near Ragusa, and nut to serve against Great Britain or her allies until regularly exchanged. ”

“ On the 8th, at noon, observing a body of miqueleta hard pressed by the enemy, I was induced to make a sortie from the citadel with the seamen and marines, and the officers commanding them; but the very superior force of the enemy, who endeavoured to surround us, obliged us to retire ”

“ Harper was one night ordered to row guard, in a 6-oared boat, off the Carenage, which harbour he entered, and, taking advantage of a heavy shower of rain, boarded and captured a French schooner privateer, mounting ten guns, fully manned, and perfectly ready for sea. The crew of this vessel had gone below for shelter ”

“ Late on the evening of the 9th, I received from the governor the unpleasant advice, that a large breach was made in the rampart of the citadel, by a part of the bulwark falling down, sufficiently capacious to admit 25 men abreast. ”

“ He is a most invaluable officer.”
Captain Harper took possession of Cattaro, and retained the command there until arrangements were made for attacking Ragusa, the fall of which place, Jan. 28, 1814, made the allies masters of every strong hold in Dalmatia, Croatia, Istria, and the Frioul, with all the islands in the Adriatic, The official account of that conquest is given at p. 480 et seq. of Vol. II. Part I. Rear-Admiral Freemantle’s despatches state, that Cattaro and Ragusa, together, contained 268 guns, and were garrisoned by 1400 officers and men. ”

“ Agents.– Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.
↑ See Vol. II. Part II. p. 912. ↑ See Vol. I. Part I. note at p. 254. ↑ See Captain James Wallis. ↑ Excellent, 2 killed, 2 slightly wounded; Bustard, Mr. Kalty Robinson, master, severely, 1 seaman, mortally, and the pilot and 1 marine, slightly wounded. ↑ To the Nore, for the purpose of getting manned. ↑ Lieutenant Holmes obtained the rank of commander, Aug. 19, 1815; and perished in the Arab sloop, on the N.W. coast of Ireland, Dec. 12, 1823. ↑ United Service Journal, No. I. p. 8. ↑ See Suppl. Part II. p. 483.. ↑ Vol. II. Part II. small type at p. ”