CHAPTER IX. The Walcheren Expedition-Captain Richardson commands the Brigade of Seamen on Shore-Lord Chatham's Incapacity and Indolence-Captain Richardson's Battery of 24-pounders-Race on the Flanders Mare -Capture of Six Cannon by Sailors-Richardson appointed to the Semiramis, 36-He intercepts the French Admiral's Claret-Gallant Exploit in the River Gironde -The Portsmouth Harbour-master falls into the Dock and is saved by Captain Richardson-The Semiramis paid off at Portsmouth-The Captain retires for a time from the Service, and purchases an Estate in Yorkshire. A.D. 1809 TO 1814. NAPOLEON finding the port of Antwerp not deep enough to float a large line-of-battle ship, with her stores on board, obliged his brother Louis to cede Flushing. By this the emperor became entire master of the Scheldt, and possessed a capacious harbour, in which twenty sail of the line could lie in perfect readiness for sea. Such a dangerous acquisition attracted the attention of Great Britain, and preparations began to be made early in May, 1809, for a very large and formidable expedition. Its objects were the capture and destruction of the enemy's ships, either building at Antwerp and Flushing or afloat in the Scheldt; also the reduction of the island of Walcheren, and filling the river with obstructions, so as to render it no longer navigable for ships of war. Towards the end of July upwards of forty thousand troops were collected, supported by the powerful aid of thirty-seven sail of the line. Four-fifths of the ships had their lower deck guns out, and their main hold prepared for the reception of horses. In addition, there were two fifty-gun ships and three fortyfour's, twenty-four frigates, thirty brigs and sloops, five bomb-vessels, one hundred and twenty cutters and gun-boats, accompanied by four hundred transports. The nation had not witnessed so numerous a body of soldiers, marines, and sailors assembled for any purpose before, and the number of the whole amounted to about one hundred thousand men. Although the government endeavoured to keep the precise object of this expedition a profound secret, yet, long before it sailed, the point of attack was known to our enemies, and the object on which it was directed appeared in the French newspapers. The expectations of the English were raised to the highest pitch; and, while the fleet lay in the Downs, it was a spectacle grateful to the pride and flattering to the hopes of the beholders. Dover, Deal, Ramsgate, and Margate were full of visitors, who came to see the sailing of this great armament. The ministers felt so certain of obtaining their object with such an overwhelming force, that the command was confided to the Earl of Chatham, a man whose very name was proverbial for weakness, irresolution, and inactivity. When this injudicious selection of a commander-in-chief was announced, the nation no longer looked forward to the result with any confidence or hope. The appointment excited greater surprise and indignation because Lord Chatham's habits of indolence and self-indulgence were such that, during the administration of his brother, Mr. Pitt, it had been found necessary to remove him from the admiralty. In soliciting this command, the earl was not roused from his habitual state of torpor by a passion for glory, but he trusted that this appointment might be attended or followed by results that would greatly augment his embarrassed fortune. It was openly stated at the time, that a reluctance on the part of the ministry, to employ such an incapable commander, was overcome by court influence, since it was not desired that any reflections should be cast on the two failures of a royal duke by the brilliant success of an able and energetic general. The naval part of the expedition was placed under the orders of Sir Richard Strachan, who hoisted his flag in the Venerable, 74, having on board Lord Chatham and his staff. On the 28th and 29th the armament sailed in two divisions. The right anchored in the Roompot, when Lieutenant-General Sir J. Hope's division was directed to proceed up the East Scheldt, with a view to further operations. The left wing of the army, under Lieutenant-General Sir Eyre Coote, particularly destined for the attack against Walcheren, arrived on the morning of the 30th. The wind continuing to blow from the westward, it became expedient, in order to effect a landing, to carry the whole fleet through the Veer Gat, hitherto considered impracticable for ships. This being accomplished, the troops disembarked about a mile westward of Fort der Haak without opposition, as the firing from the mortar and gun vessels had completely driven the enemy from their batteries. Twelve of the French cannons were found spiked in the fort, when John Skinner, a private in the first regiment of Foot Guards, applied to his commanding officer to allow him permission to make an attempt to work the spikes out. Having made himself a tool, he commenced his task, and with the assistance of some sand, he completely accomplished his object of unspiking them. This was considered such a meritorious act, that the Duke of York, the colonel of the regiment, gave directions for a die to be cast, in order that an appropriate medal might be presented to him on his return to England. From Der Haak the flotilla proceeded, under the direction of Sir H. Popham, to the town of Veer, which had strong defences, and a garrison of six hundred men. On the 31st the British opened a cannonade upon the town and fort, which mounted thirty-eight guns. The fire was continued with mutual spirit until evening, when, owing to the tide, the vessels were obliged to fall back, having sustained a loss of three gun-boats sunk by shot. Captain Richardson, of the Cæsar, 80, although the junior post-captain in the fleet, had been selected, on account of his experience and distinguished services on shore, to command the brigade of seamen attached to the army. He was very busy getting his guns into position, when the flotilla retired ; and the town, feeling safe on the sea quarter, did not apprehend any further molestation that night. Suddenly, however, a loud report was heard, and a flight of congreve rockets, aided by an unceasing cannonade, compelled the commander to surrender and capitulate. The advance of the brigade, under Richardson's command, towards Flushing, is thus described in his own words to Rear-Admiral Otway: “SIR, "East Zouburg, before Flushing. "On the 30th ult. I landed with the army on the sand-hills, near the signal-post, in the island of Walcheren. On the 31st the officers and seamen under my orders were composed of three divisions, having charge of nine pieces of |