“About 200 cavalry and two field-pieces were encamped at the watering-place on the main land, immediately opposite to the island, and I was informed that two squadrons (each of 200 men, with two field-pieces) were stationed about nine miles distant to the north and south, with orders to prevent any persons taking water, and to obstruct all communication between the inhabitants of the country and the ships. We also learned that the whole of these troops depended upon the stores in Tortosa for subsistence, and that these stores were very considerable, consisting of grain, rice, &c. The island of Ruad is very small, and dependent on tanks and cisterns for water, which are generally quite sufficient for its ordinary population, said to amount to 1500; but, in consequence of the influx of refugees, there cannot be less than 5000 souls upon it just now, and therefore an extra supply of water became necessary; but the cavalry prevented any boats from the island approaching the watering-place. We therefore, at daylight next morning, dislodged them by throwing a few shot and shells, and the ships were moved nearer the watering-place, and, every precaution being taken, all Her Majesty’s ships were completed with water; and ever since the place (being under our guns) has been quite free to the people of Ruad to water. “My attention was now anxiously turned towards Tortosa; all information concurred in representing its great importance to the enemy’s troops, and all agreed in declaring that, could we destroy the provisions, the troops must shift their quarters, and thus leave the communication with the mountains (whose inhabitants were most anxious for arms) comparatively open. We were also informed that the chief storehouses were situated close to the sea, that a breach might be made in the outer wall, and immediate access obtained to them. “I therefore directed some large bags of powder, with bores and fuzees, to be prepared, and ordered the Carysfort and Zebra to anchor close off it, which they did within 500 yards. Four successive deserters from the enemy’s cavalry (each arriving on different days) stated that there were no soldiers quartered in Tortosa, but a party was regularly sent down every night to bring away sufficient provisions for their different detachments, and the last deserter, who left Tortosa so late as the night of the 24th, stated confidently that there was not then a soldier in it—that even had any come in after his departure, they could only be dismounted cavalry, with short carbines—that a sort of council of war had been held two days before, when it was resolved, that, as they had no infantry, cavalry alone could not protect it, and that they must get camels, &c., to remove the stores from it as speedily as possible: and he offered, if we could give him an axe, to land with a single boat’s crew, and break the corn store door open; and the three other deserters likewise offered to go.