by John Marshall

“ In Sept. 1811, the Columbine was sent to cruise between Rota and San Lucar, from which places small privateers were frequently sent to sea, disguised as fishing boats, and partly manned by deserters from the British squadron at Cadiz. On the last day of that month, acting Commander Westphal planned an attack upon two armed vessels lying under the batteries at Chipiona, from whence they were brought out by Lieutenant Green, of the Columbine, whose force consisted of only three small boats, and who had the satisfaction of reporting only one man wounded ”

“ An advanced division of the best pulling boats, with armed seamen, and some marines of the Sceptre, were directed to precede the others, for the purpose of attacking the enemy’s shipping, and of occupying and diverting the fire of any armed vessels stationed at the place; Lieutenant Westphal, then first of the Sceptre, was entrusted with this division, supported by Captain Ross, with the rocket-boats. ”

“ On the 1st July, 1813, Lieutenant Westphal followed Rear-Admiral Cockburn into the Sceptre 74; on the 8th of the same month, he was promoted by the Admiralty to the rank of commander; and four days afterwards he again distinguished himself as the leader of an advanced division of boats, at the capture of Portsmouth and Ocracoke Island, in North Carolina. ”

“ In a few minutes he found himself surrounded by armed men, who, on discovering that he was an English officer, which he gallantly declared himself to be, demanded his immediate surrender. To this he made no reply, but resolutely dashed through them, firing his pistols right and left, and slashing away with his sword in all directions. ”

“ Early in Feb. 1810, Captain Cockburn was appointed to the command of the Implacable 74, with a frigate [2] and two small vessels under his orders. He was directed to receive the Baron de Kolli and his friend on board, and to proceed in the execution of his orders, which were to land him in Quiberon bay, and to await his return, and that of Ferdinand, to the sea-shore. Jewellery to the amount of £10,000 was placed in the hands of Captain Cockburn, who, with the assistance of Mr. Westphal, (his first lieutenant,) and the Baron himself, sewed them up in the dresses of the latter. ”

“ On the 11th July following, Rear-admiral Cockburn, in the Sceptre 74, Captain Charles Bayne Hodgson Ross, took up the anchorage off Ocracoke bar, with the Romulus, Fox, and Nemesis, troop-ships, the Conflict brig, and the Highflyer and Cockchafer, tenders, having on board a body of troops under Lieutenant-Colonel Napier, of the 102nd regiment. ”

“ The Implacable was next ordered to Cadiz, from whence Lieutenant Westphal accompanied his captain in an expedition sent against the French at Moguer, a town on the Huebla, over a branch of which river the Spanish troops commanded by General Lascy, were transported by eleven flat boats under his directions; thereby greatly facilitating the object in view. ”

“ The Anaconda was immediately purchased into the service, and commissioned by Captain Westphal, whose crew at first consisted of only sixty men, and those chiefly the bad characters of the fleet, who had been drafted from different ships by order of Sir John B. Warren. When ready for sea, he was directed to escort twelve valuable merchant vessels from Halifax to the West Indies ”

“ Captain David Paterson, of the Fox, commanded the division of flat and heavier boats, with as many soldiers as they could carry, destined to attack and occupy such positions on the surrounding lands as circumstances and the enemy’s means of defence might point out the propriety of, after day-light. ”

“ Rear-Admiral Cockburn afterwards anchored off Spesuçie Island, from whence a supply of cattle was obtained for the fleet in Chesapeake Bay. Whilst in the act of anchoring, he observed guns fired, and American colours hoisted at a battery lately erected at Havre-de-Grace, at the entrance of the Susquehanna river. ”

“ I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) ⁠“G. Cockburn.” The Rear-admiral’s subsequent proceedings have been officially described in our memoirs of Captains John Lawrence, C.B. and the Hon. Henry Dilkes Byng, then commanders of the Fantome and Mohawk. By reference to p. 124, it will be seen that Lieutenant Westphal received a shot through his hand whilst leading a party in pursuit of some American troops at Havre de Grace, on the 3rd May; and that, with his remaining hand, he made prisoner, and brought in, a captain of their militia. ”

“ As I was ordered up the lake, I was many days on board the Anaconda. I have great pleasure in bearing testimony to the above statement, and cannot too strongly recommend Captain Westphal to their Lordships’ protection. He then volunteered his services, with the greater part of his crew, to assist in the batteries before New Orleans. Given under my hand this 20th day of April, 1818.
(Signed) ⁠“T. M. Handy.” ”

“ These are to certify the Right Honorable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that having been witness to the meritorious and indefatigable exertions of Captain George Augustus Westphal, when in the command of H.M. sloop Anaconda, at the time the attack was made on New Orleans, in Dec. ”