Nelson's writing desk with letters (c) Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth

On the 23rd: I got to the Southward of Bastia, with Romulus & Tartar frigates having a fine wind & smooth water, I determin’d to examine as close as possible the Enemies defences having learnt that the Garrison of St: Fiorenza had got into Bastia & that the Enemy where increasing & strengthening their Works. 
I had determin’d not to fire unless they fired on me. The enemy had erected a fascine Work for four guns to the Country & 2 to the Sea, they had a Camp in the Works. I no sooner got within shot under an easy sail, than they began to fire, as soon as I could take my distance we opened, & very soon drove them entirely out of the Works, and they run for the Town, unfortunately I had not troops sufficient to land to destroy their Works

I determined to pass the Town which is strong towards the Sea mounting abt: 23 or 25 Cannon but not to fire unless fired upon, for to examine was my object at this time not to fight. 
But no sooner did we get within reach, than they begun at us, with Shot & Shells. 
I back’d our Main topsail that we might be as long as possible in passing & return’d their fire for one hour & half when we were drawing to too great a distance for our shot to do execution. The fire from the Ships was well kept up, & I am sure that not ten shot were fired which did not do Service. On one battery a vast explosion of gun powder took place & the fascines which they have lined the Sea Wall with, took fire, and it was some time before they could extinguish it.

The Enemy’s fire was very badly directed, each Ship had a few shot struck her, but not a Man killed or wounded. If I had force to have landed, I am sure the town might have been carried without any great trouble.
Letter from Nelson to John Udney. Courtesy, National Maritime Museum