the entrance of victualling vessels into the town was rendered impracticable. The attack on the land side availed nothing; for the troops never durst approach beyond the parapet of their batteries on the summit of the hill. But famine at length was felt in the town, by which the garrison was compelled to capitulate on the 23rd of May. On that very day, an aide-de-camp of the French commander came over to the British advanced picket, and requested to speak to Colonel Moore. He told him that he had orders to deliver up the post in front of the English immediately, and therefore wished some troops to be sent to take possession of it.

Moore entered into conversation with this officer, who informed him, that there were six thousand men in arms in Bastia; four thousand five hundred of whom were well trained; consequently they never had the least apprehension of being taken by force, but that want of provisions compelled them to surrender.

A few days after this Moore was introduced to General Gentile, whom he asked, why, with his numerous garrison, he had never made one sally. He replied,

sally could bring us in bread.'

Because no

A short time before Bastia yielded, six hundred recruits arrived from Gibraltar; and soon after General Sir Charles Stuart came commissioned from England, to whom General D'Aubant resigned the command of the army.

CHAPTER V.

THE SIEGE OF CALVI-CORSICA WON AND LOST.

THE arrival of Sir Charles Stuart, who was endowed with superior military talents, was a most agreeable event to Lieutenant-Colonel Moore. A confidential and friendly intercourse was soon formed between them, and the General resolved upon undertaking the siege of Calvi, the only remaining place which the French possessed in Corsica. About this time General Trigge reached. Bastia with eight hundred men, and was appointed to the command of that town. All the flank companies were then formed into corps, denominated the reserve, the command of which was given to Moore; and the army, amounting only to about two thousand men, sailed in transports, and were

one corps,

landed, on the 29th of June, near Calvi, where they were joined by a body of Corsicans.

In the front of the town there was a strong stone fort, named the Mozello, and upon a rock towards the coast, another, flanking the first, called Mollinochesco. The town itself was surrounded with entrenchments, and had a garrison exceeding the British in numbers. This enterprise was a very arduous one: for independent of the strength of the fortifications, the town is situated in a marsh, where the ague is endemic, and the weather was then sultry and most oppressive to northern soldiers. The General perceived that, if he proceeded by regular approaches, sickness would waste down his force, and compel him to withdraw. Success could only be hoped for by daring and precipitate measures. He, therefore, pressed forward the landing of the ordnance, ammunition, stores and provisions; and not having sufficient means, he made repeated representations to Lord Hood for naval aid: at last fifty seamen were obtained, commanded by Captain Nelson,-re

nowned subsequently for his glorious achievements. While these preparatory measures were advancing, the French were labouring incessantly to strengthen their works; and before the first battery was raised against the Mollinochesco, they sallied forth, assisted on their flank by a gun-boat, and attacked the advanced Corsican post. The Corsicans fell back, but the General dispatched Moore, with some British light infantry and two fieldpieces, to their assistance, who, after a sharp skirmish, repelled the French.

On July 4th, a battery opened against the Mollinochesco, and preparations were made to erect a strong breaching battery as near as possible to the Mozello. The General had fixed upon a spot within seven hundred yards of the fort; and upon the success of this operation the fate of the siege depended. The attempt was made on the night of the 6th of July, and Sir Charles went himself to see what progress was making: but found that, owing to the negligence of an officer of engineers, the battery could not be finished