38th regiment, the cavalry ships, and a proportion of artillery, under the orders of Brigadier-general Beresford, preceded by the Espoir and escorted by the Diomede, sailed for that destination.

Just as the Diomede had weighed the westerly wind began to abate ; and on the morning of the 6th, it appearing that the surf during the night had considerably subsided, measures were taken to land the remainder of the troops at the spot originally fixed upon. The Diadem, Leda, and Encounter, then stationed themselves in a situation to render the most effectual assistance, and the boats of the Raisonable and Belliqueux, containing two regiments and some field-pieces, rendez-voused alongside the two first-named ships. At that moment the gun-brig Protector, Lieutenant Sir George Morat Keith, Bart., joined the squadron, and was placed by Captain Rowley, an officer of great local experience, to the northward, so as to cross the fire of the Encounter, and more effectually cover the landing of the troops. Captain Downman, at the same time, stood in with a light transport brig, drawing only six feet, to run her on shore as a breakwater.

Owing to these excellent arrangements, and the absence of any obstruction on the part of the enemy, the greater part of the troops effected their landing in the course of the afternoon ; but unfortunately not without a serious casualty, 35 men of the 93d regiment being lost owing to the upsetting of a boat, occasioned by the eagerness of the troops to get on shore, whereby the line of beach became extended further than was prudent. The surf increasing considerably as the day shut in, the remainder of the troops were not landed until the morning of the 7th.

The commodore, with the Leda, Encounter, and Protector, and a division of transports containing the battering train, then proceeded to the head of Blaw-berg bay, and, by firing over the bank towards the Salt Pans, drove the enemy from an eligible position in that neighbourhood. On the morning of the 8th the British army, about 4000 strong, and formed into two brigades, with two howitzers and six light field-pieces, moved off towards the road that leads to Capetown, and, having ascended the Summit of the Blaw berg, or Blue mountain, and dislodged a party of the enemy's light troops there stationed, discovered the Dutch main body, supposed to consist of about 5000 men, chiefly cavalry, with 23 pieces of cannon, under the command of Lieutenant-general Janssens. These, after giving and returning a few rounds of cannon and musketry, retired from before the British bayonet ; suffering a loss in killed and wounded, as represented, of 700 men, while the loss on the part of the British amounted to no more than 15 killed, 189 wounded, and eight missing.

On the 9th General Baird reached Salt river, where he proposed encamping to await the arrival of his battering train ; but a flag of truce arriving from the commanding officer of the town

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