A battery having been erected by the enemy on the heights of _Arenes_, which much annoyed one of the principal outposts, a party of the EIGHTEENTH joined the troops under Major-General David Dundas, which issued from Toulon on the morning of the 30th of November, crossed the river, traversed olive-grounds, intersected with stone walls, ascended a height cut into vine-terraces, and, surprising the French on their post, drove them from the battery with signal gallantry. The object in view was thus accomplished, but the impetuosity of the soldiers could not be restrained; they pursued the enemy too far, and, encountering fresh adversaries, were forced to retire with loss. The ROYAL IRISH regiment had seven men killed on this occasion, twenty-four wounded, four serjeants, one drummer, and twenty-nine rank and file missing. Much difficulty was experienced in defending Toulon with twelve thousand men, of five different nations, against thirty to forty thousand French troops; a circumference of fifteen miles having to be occupied by a number of posts which required nine thousand men for their protection, so that three-fourths of the men were constantly on duty. On the 17th of December, the French attacked the British quarter under Captain William Conolly of the EIGHTEENTH, who defended his post with great gallantry until the enemy had forced the Spanish side, when he fell back fighting to another position. The regiment lost Ensign George Minchin and two rank and file on this occasion. The enemy afterwards attacked the posts on the mountain of Pharou, where another party of the EIGHTEENTH was engaged, and lost one serjeant and five rank and file. The line of posts being forced, it was found impossible to preserve the town and harbour, and the French shipping, arsenal, and magazines were set on fire, and the troops of the several nations embarked on board of the fleet on the 19th of December. [Sidenote: 1794] After the evacuation of Toulon, the fleet proceeded to the bay of Hières, and arrangements were made for attacking the island of _Corsica_: the fleet weighed anchor on the 24th of January, 1794; but was dispersed by a gale of wind. Early in February a landing was effected in the gulf of Fiorenzo in the island of Corsica, and a series of operations were commenced by which the greater part of the island was speedily reduced, and an assembly of Deputies afterwards agreed to unite Corsica to the British dominions.