Captain, now Sir William D'Arley, of Marines, landed singly in the Neapolitan territory, in order to acquire a knowledge of the state, strength, and views of the Royal party; during which period he made many a hair-breadth escape. So judiciously did he discharge this important mission, that the command of a district was assigned him; he was entrusted with a high military post, in which he continued to animate the motley army of Ruffo, by his counsels and his energies. In a variety of actions they fought, and beat the united French and rebel troops, who had possessed themselves of the kingdom of Naples, and had organized it into a republic; taking also Cotrona and Cantanzaro.
Introductory to their principal operations, the British squadron was extremely active. In April, Captain Hallowell, with some Seamen and Marines, obtained Procita and its castle, in the Gulf of Naples; while Captain Knox, of my Corps, was detached to the Isle of Ischia, which, with its strong fortress, was delivered up without resistance.
The robberies, murders, and rapine committed by their French friends in Italy had alienated almost every heart, and wherever an Englishman appeared, he was greeted as the deliverer of a country groaning under the bitterest sufferings.
A partial debarkation of some Marines and Sailors at Salerno, after having effected its capture, was obliged to retreat, before very superior numbers of the enemy. The cool gallantry of Lieutenant Vyvion, of Marines, upon that occasion, gave a strong earnest of future eminence. He was a young man of the most promising talents, but his country and his brethren have now to deplore his subsequent fall.
Cardinal Ruffo, learning the evacuation of Naples, and the defeats of the French armies by the Russian General Suwarrow, put in motion his army towards that Capital; part of which he gained upon the day of St. Anthony's feast. Exceeding his powers, a treaty which he had concluded with the Members of the Republican Government, and the Patriots in the Forts, was cancelled by his Sicilian Majesty, and the transports in which they were embarked for Toulon, were blockaded by the British squadron.
Many of the rebel party, united with their allies the French, retiring to the strong holds of St. Elmo, Ovo, and Nuova, it was judged expedient to land the Marines, who, with other auxiliaries, were destined to reduce them. On the 27th of June they were disembarked, to the number of 800 men, under the following Officers, who had the honour of accomplishing the important services that ensued, with much credit.