Chapter IV: Front Matter (4)

Agreeable to your lordship's orders, I landed with the English and
Portuguese marines of the fleet, on the 27th of June: and, after
embarking the garrisons of the castles of Ovo and Nuovo, composed
of French and rebels, I put a garrison in each; and, on the 29th,
took post against Fort St. Elmo, which I summoned to surrender.
But, the commandant being determined to stand a siege, we opened a
battery of three thirty-six pounders and four mortars, on the 3d
inst. within seven hundred yards of the fort; and, on the 5th,
another, of two thirty-six pounders. The Russians, under Captain
Buillie, opened another battery of four thirty-six pounders and
four mortars, against the opposite angle; intending to storm it, in
different places, as soon as we could make two practicable breaches
in the work. On the 6th, I added four more mortars: and, on the
11th, by incessant labour, we opened another battery of six
thirty-six pounders, within a hundred and eighty yards of the wall
of the garrison; and had another, of one eighteen pounder, and two
howitzers, at the same distance, nearly completed. After a few
hours cannonading from the last battery, the enemy displayed a flag
of truce, when our firing ceased; and, their guns being mostly
dismounted, and their works nearly destroyed, the inclosed terms of
capitulation were agreed to and signed.

"In performing this service, I feel much satisfaction in informing
your lordship, that I received every possible assistance from
Captain Ball, for the first seven days: when your lordship ordered
him on other service, and did me the honour to place Captain
Hallowell under my orders in his room; whose exertions and
abilities your lordship is acquainted with, and merit every
attention.

"Lieutenant-Colonel Strickland, Major Cresswell, and all the
officers of marines, and men, merit every praise I can bestow: as
does Antonio Saldineo de Gama, and the officers and men belonging
to her most faithful majesty the Queen of Portugal; their
readiness, on all occasions, does them great honour. The very
commanding situation of St. Elmo, rendered our approaches
difficult; or, I trust, it would have been reduced much sooner. The
ready acquiescence to all our demands, and the assistance received
from the Duc di Salandra, I beg, may be made known, by your
lordship, to his Sicilian Majesty.

"I feel myself also much indebted to Colonel Tschudy, for his great
zeal and exertions on all occasions.

I have the honour to be, &c. T. Troubridge,

The Right Honourable Lord Nelson, K.B."

_Articles of Capitulation agreed upon between the Garrison of
Fort St. Elmo and the Troops of his Sicilian Majesty and his
Allies._