On the way I saw some boats swamped, which had been struck with large shot; but the men who were in them had been picked up by the small boats, which followed those that had troops in them, for this express purpose. The number of boats, that were seriously damaged, was small, compared with what might have been expected; but they were in general less or more perforated with grape shot and musketry. The boat in which I was had an oar broken, and was otherwise damaged; but none of the men were killed or seriously wounded in her. We soon reached the shore, at a place where it was deeper than common: and with a leap I landed dry shod. The first thing I saw, as I passed along the beach, was some Frenchmen lying dead within the edge of the water. The beach was strewed with dead and wounded men, with horses, and artillery taken from the enemy: but the action was over. We formed in a hollow on the left of the centre height, where the 42d had repulsed a charge of cavalry; some of the 42d, and also of the cavalry, with their horses, were stretched dead upon the sand:--we were soon ready, and advanced through the first range of sand-hills, and found the first division formed with their artillery, which had landed along with them, and was drawn by seamen. This circumstance had materially contributed to the success of the landing; for the enemy were astonished to find that our artillery was landed as soon as the troops, and began to fire upon them as soon as the musketry of the infantry. Eight pieces of cannon were taken from the enemy; but the army lost in this affair, one hundred and two killed, five hundred and fifteen wounded, and thirty-five missing; the loss of the navy was twenty-two killed, seventy-two wounded, and three missing, making a total of seven hundred and forty-nine, the greater part of which were killed or wounded in the boats, previous to landing. During the course of the day the troops were all landed; we did not however advance far that day, but took up a position at no great distance from the shore. Our first concern was to learn whether water could be got in this sandy desert; and we were glad to find that it could be obtained in the hollows, by digging a little way in the sand. When night came on we stationed our guards, and lay upon the sand, covering ourselves with our blankets. This night I was surprised to find that I could see nothing, and I continued to be in this state every night, until the night of the 20d: in the day time I saw as well as ever I did, and had no pain in my eyes.