by John Marshall

“ Captain Thornbrough was advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral of the Blue, Jan. 1, 1801; and, with his flag in the Mars, of 74 guns, commanded the in-shore squadron off Brest, alternately with Sir James Saumarez, during the remainder of the war. On the renewal of hostilities, in 1803, he was appointed to the command of a division of the North Sea fleet, under the orders of Lord Keith. ”

“ They passed so near to the British frigate as to discharge their broadsides at her, but without causing any injury. Captain Thornbrough most gallantly luffed up, and returned their fire with great effect; and, according to the account given by the prisoners taken on board a recaptured vessel soon afterwards, killed and wounded a number of their people. The Bellerophon, Latona, and Phoenix, lost sight of the British fleet in the night, and found themselves on the next morning near four ships of the enemy’s line; but being unsupported, they were reluctantly obliged to discontinue the chace. ”

“ After being at sea sixteen days, Sir John Warren anchored with his squadron and the transports between Isle Dieu and that of Noirmoutier; but as this was not considered by the French officers a proper situation to disembark, they proceeded for Quiberon Bay, where they anchored on the 25th. On the 27th most of the emigrant troops were landed near the village of Cramac. At first about 200 Republicans shewed a disposition to oppose the disembarkation ”

“ The whole force which occupied the peninsula amounted to about 12,000 men. On the night of the 16th, M. d’Hervilly, at the head of about 5000 Royalists, made an attempt to carry by storm the Republicans’ works and entrenched camp on the heights of St. ”