“5.

     “Frigates to anchor as soon as possible after the alarm is given,
     or the forces ashore near the battery in the north-east part of the
     bay.

     “6.

“Immediately as the forces get ashore, they are to get in the rear of the battery marked S, in the north-east part of the bay, and to instantly storm it; and, also, to take post on the top of the hill which is above it.

“Every ship to land the number of men as against their names expressed, with a proper proportion of officers, exclusive of commissioned officers and servants—­[as stated in the letter to Captain Troubridge]—­and the captains are at liberty to send as many more men as they please; leaving sufficient to manage the ship, and to man the launch and another boat.  Every captain, that chuses, is at liberty to land and command his seamen, under the command of Captain Troubridge.

     “It is recommended to put as many marine coats or jackets on the
     seamen as can be procured; and, that all should have canvas crop
     belts.

“The marines to be all under the direction of Captain Oldfield, the senior marine officer:  and he is directed to put himself under the direction of Captain Troubridge; as is Lieutenant Baynes of the Royal Artillery, with his detachment.”

To these general regulations were added the following particular instructions—­

     “Theseus, July 21, 1797.

“The Culloden’s officers and men, with only their arms, to be ready to go on board the Terpsichore, at one P.M. this day.  To carry with them four ladders—­each of which to have a lanyard four fathoms long—­a sledge hammer, wedges, and a broad axe.

     “The boats oars to be muffled with either a piece of canvas or
     kersey.

     “Horatio Nelson.

     “Memorandum—­The Culloden and Zealous to each make a platform for
     one eighteen pounder, the Theseus to make a sley for dragging
     cannon.

     “Each ship to make as many iron ramrods as possible; it being found
     that the wooden ones are very liable to break, when used in a
     hurry.

     “The Seahorse to make a platform for one nine pounder.”

The whole plan of proceedings being thus judiciously arranged, the attempt was commenced with every hope of success:  but it turned out, that a very erroneous representation had been given of the forces of the enemy, which appear to have been far too numerous for so small a body of men successfully to encounter; and, indeed, there were other unexpected difficulties and disappointments.

The following letter, from Captain Troubridge to Sir Horatio Nelson, will account, in a considerable degree, for the miscarriage of the enterprise.

     “Culloden, 25th July 1797.

     “SIR,