“Marines and Seamen,”

“This night we are going to give the enemy a mortal blow.  Tomorrow you will present yourselves proudly before Callao, and all your comrades will envy your good fortune.  One hour of courage and resolution is all that is required of you to triumph.  Remember, that you have conquered in Valdivia, and be not afraid of those who have hitherto fled from you.”

“The value of all the vessels captured in Callao will be yours, and the same reward in money will be distributed amongst you as has been offered by the Spaniards in Lima to those who should capture any of the Chilian squadron.  The moment of glory is approaching, and I hope that the Chilenos will fight as they have been accustomed to do, and that the English will act as they have ever done at home and abroad.”

   “COCHRANE.”

On issuing this proclamation, it was stated that I should lead the attack in person, volunteers being requested to come forward, on which the whole of the marines and seamen on board the three ships offered to accompany me.  As this could not be permitted, a hundred and sixty seamen and eighty marines were selected, and after dark were placed in fourteen boats alongside the flag-ship, each man armed with cutlass and pistol, being, for distinction’s sake, dressed in white, with a blue band on the left arm.  The Spaniards I expected would be off their guard, as, by way of ruse, the other ships had been sent out of the bay under the charge of Captain Foster, as though in pursuit of some vessels in the offing—­so that the Spaniards would consider themselves safe from attack for that night.

At ten o’clock all was in readiness, the boats being formed in two divisions, the first commanded by my flag-captain Crosbie, and the second by Captain Guise,—­my boat leading.  The strictest silence, and the exclusive use of cutlasses were enjoined; so that, as the oars were muffled, and the night dark, the enemy had not the least suspicion of the impending attack.

It was just upon midnight when we neared the small opening left in the boom, our plan being well-nigh frustrated by the vigilance of a guard-boat, upon which my launch had luckily stumbled.  The challenge was given, upon which, in an under-tone, I threatened the occupants of the boat with instant death if they made the least alarm.  No reply was made to the threat, and in a few minutes our gallant fellows were alongside the frigate in line, boarding at several points simultaneously.

The Spaniards were completely taken by surprise—­the whole, with the exception of the sentries, being asleep at their quarters—­and great was the havoc made amongst them by the Chileno cutlasses whilst they were recovering themselves.  Retreating to the forecastle, they there made a gallant stand, and it was not until the third charge that the position was carried.  The fight was for a short time renewed on the quarter-deck, where the Spanish marines fell to a man, the rest of the enemy leaping overboard and into the hold to escape slaughter.