1810	Colonial Expeditions - East Indies	326

pieces had taken a strong position, to check the advance of the invaders. The French, however were soon overpowered by numbers, with the loss of their guns and several men killed and wounded. The loss on the part of the British, including that sustained on the 30th, amounted to 28 officers and men killed, 94 wounded, and 45 missing.

Immediately after the termination of this battle, General Decaen, who, in the slight support he received from the colonial militia, now learnt to appreciate the effects of the proclamations so industriously spread among them by Captain Willoughby in the spring, proposed terms of capitulation ; and on the following morning, the 3d, the articles were signed and ratifications exchanged, surrendering to the island of Great Britain. The garrison of the Isle of France consisted, it appears, of no more than 1300 regular troops, including, to their shame be it spoken, a corps of about 500 Irishmen, chiefly recruits taken out of the captured Indiamen. But the militia force amounted to upwards of 10,000 men ; a number which General Decaen, no doubt, would have gladly exchanged for as many more regulars as he had under his command. Upon the numerous batteries of the Isle of France were mounted 209 pieces of heavy ordnance ; the guns in excellent order, and the batteries completely equipped with shot, ammunition, and every other requisite for service. In Port-Louis were the men of war already named ; also the Charlton, Ceylon, and United Kingdom, late English Indiamen, and 24 French merchant ships and brigs : two of the ships, the Althée and Ville-d'Auten, measured 1,000 tons each.

Of the four captured 40-gun frigates, the Bellone, under the name of Junon, and the Astrée under that of Pomone, were all that were purchased for the use of the British navy. The Iphigenia was restored to her rank among the 18-pounder 36s ; but the old battered Néréide rendered so famous by the gallantry of her captain and crew, was in too bad a state to be removed from Grand Port, and was sold only to be broken up.

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