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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/38178-8.txt b/38178-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..482dbb4 --- /dev/null +++ b/38178-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6841 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of An Account of the Campaign in the West +Indies, in the Year 1794,, by Cooper Willyams + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: An Account of the Campaign in the West Indies, in the Year 1794, + Under the Command of their Excellencies Lieutenant General + Sir Charles Grey, K.B., and Vice Admiral Sir John Jervis, + K.B. + +Author: Cooper Willyams + +Release Date: November 30, 2011 [EBook #38178] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ACCOUNT OF THE CAMPAIGN *** + + + + +Produced by StevenGibbs, LN Yaddanapudi and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + AN + ACCOUNT + OF THE + CAMPAIGN IN THE WEST INDIES, + IN THE YEAR 1794, + + UNDER THE COMMAND OF THEIR EXCELLENCIES + _LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR CHARLES GREY, K. B._ + AND + _VICE ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K. B._ + COMMANDERS IN CHIEF IN THE WEST INDIES; + + WITH + THE REDUCTION + OF THE + ISLANDS OF MARTINIQUE, ST. LUCIA, GUADALOUPE, + MARIGALANTE, DESIADA, &c. + + AND THE EVENTS THAT FOLLOWED THOSE UNPARALLELED SUCCESSES, + AND CAUSED THE LOSS OF GUADALOUPE. + + _By the Rev. COOPER WILLYAMS, A. M._ + VICAR OF EXNING, SUFFOLK, + AND LATE CHAPLAIN OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP BOYNE. + + LONDON: + _PRINTED BY T. BENSLEY_; + + FOR G. NICOL, BOOKSELLER TO HIS MAJESTY, PALL-MALL; B. AND J. WHITE, + FLEET-STREET; AND J. ROBSON, NEW BOND-STREET. + + 1796. + + + + + TO + + GENERAL SIR CHARLES GREY, + KNIGHT OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, + + AND + + ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, + KNIGHT OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, AND COMMANDER + IN CHIEF OF HIS MAJESTY'S FLEETS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN, + + _THIS SHORT ACCOUNT_ + + OF + + THEIR BRILLIANT EXERTIONS IN THEIR COUNTRY'S CAUSE, + + IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY + + THEIR OBEDIENT + + AND GRATEFUL HUMBLE SERVANT, + + COOPER WILLYAMS. + + EXNING, AUGUST 10, 1796. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +When an author lays his book before the public, unless it be a work of +genius, some account of his motives for so doing is generally expected. +As this is a work that pretends to nothing but authenticity, and to be a +plain relation of facts, I shall only premise, that, placed in a +situation which gave me an opportunity of being witness to most of the +principal transactions of the expedition under Sir CHARLES GREY and Sir +JOHN JERVIS in the West Indies, and having leisure and inclination to +minute down the occurrences as they presented themselves, I venture to +appear before the public with such humble pretensions alone, as the +result of that opportunity and leisure can give me. + +My original intention reached no further than to publish a few views of +some interesting subjects, which abound in the Caraibean Islands; but I +selected those only which were rendered most so by particular events. +Though I pretend not to the powers of an artist (being self-taught), yet +I beg leave to urge in excuse for that want of spirit and picturesque +effect which, I fear, is but too apparent in my drawings, that they are +scrupulously exact, and accurately delineate the subjects they profess +to represent. + +When I at first communicated my design of publishing a few drawings, +taken during the West India Expedition, many of my friends, and some of +the officers who served with me, knowing that I had kept a journal of +the transactions, desired me to add a short account of them to accompany +the engravings. + +To those, at all conversant with writing such accounts, it will not +appear strange, that, as I proceeded to retrace those events which form +the most prominent feature of my life, I found a pleasure in recognising +many a transaction that had almost faded from my memory, and by degrees +it increased under my hand, till it became of size sufficient to form a +volume, and I was enabled to lay it before the public in a more +respectable form than I at first intended. But, that I may not +appropriate to myself merit belonging to another, I take a pleasure in +avowing, that through the kindness of an officer, who, from his rank, is +not more conspicuous than respected by the general tenor of his conduct, +I have been favoured with the assistance of a journal by an ingenious +and active officer of his division, which has greatly contributed to the +embellishment of my work, by the communication of many local +circumstances, impossible for me otherwise to have been acquainted +with. The like assistance I have also to acknowledge from a friend who +served under General Prescott during his gallant defence of Fort +Matilda. + +By the favour and indulgence of the Commander in Chief, I have been +permitted to make extracts from the public order-book of the army; these +form a large appendix, which, I trust, will not only confirm the +accuracy of my narration, but will prove both useful and entertaining to +the army in general. + +Such has been the origin and progress of this publication; to the +candour, therefore, of the public I commit myself, trusting that, as my +ambition has been humble, I shall not be exposed to the severity of +literary criticism for not having obtained that which I have never +attempted. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. + +_Expedition to the West Indies determined on ... Sir Charles Grey and +Sir John Jervis appointed Commanders in Chief ... The Boyne sails from +Spithead ... Occurrences on the voyage from thence to Carlisle Bay, +Barbadoes._ + + +CHAPTER II. + +_The Commanders in Chief prepare for the expedition against Martinique +... Gun-boats constructed, and described ... A short account of +Barbadoes ... Sale of slaves ... A list of the fleet._ + + +CHAPTER III. + +_The fleet sails from Barbadoes ... Anchors on the south coast of +Martinique ... Capture of a battery ... General Grey lands with his army +... Flag of truce fired on by the enemy ... The Commanders in Chief +attack the island at three different places at the same time._ + + +CHAPTER IV. + +_March of the Commander in Chief from Trois Rivieres to Sallée ... +Occurrences on the march ... General Whyte detached.... Takes Pigeon +Island ... The Admiral anchors off Pigeon Island ... Description of the +Bay of Fort Royal ... The third brigade lands at Cas de Navires._ + + +CHAPTER V. + +_General Dundas lands on the north east side of the island ... Trinité +taken ... Colonel Cradock attacked, Captain McEwen killed ... General +Dundas forms a junction with Sir Charles Grey ... March towards St. +Pierre ... Colonel Campbell killed ... St. Pierre attacked by sea, and +taken ... Description of that town._ + + +CHAPTER VI. + +_The enemy retire into Fort Bourbon and Fort Louis ... The Admiral +attacks Fort Louis with the bomb-ketch and gun-boats ... Camp of seamen +formed at Point Negro ... A wharf built in the Cul de sac de Cohée; +stores and ammunition landed there ... General Bellgarde attempts to cut +off the communication between the army and navy, but is beaten, and his +camp on Sourier taken ... Head Quarters established on Sourier ... +General Rochambeau sends an aid-de-camp to the Commanders in Chief ... +The navy make a road, and drag the guns to the heights of Sourier._ + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Forts Bourbon and Louis closely invested ... Batteries on the first +parallel erected ... The seamen employed in getting guns to the +batteries on the west side ... A dangerous pass described ... Captain +Miln mortally wounded; he dies; his character ... Bellgarde delivers +himself and army into the hands of Sir Charles Grey ... His Royal +Highness Prince Edward arrives, and takes a command ... Batteries opened +against Fort Bourbon ... Lieutenant Bowen's spirited conduct ... Fort +Louis taken by storm ... Captain Faulknor's gallant conduct ... Fort +Bourbon surrenders._ + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +_General Prescott is left governor of Martinique ... The Commanders in +Chief sail for St. Lucia ... General Dundas lands near Pigeon Island ... +The fleet anchors at Marigot de Rosseaux ... Prince Edward lands with +the grenadiers, and marches towards Morne Fortuné ... Colonel Coote +lands with the light infantry ... The fleet anchors in Barrington's Bay +... Colonel Coote storms a redoubt on the Morne ... General Ricard +surrenders the island ... Colonel Sir Charles Gordon left governor of +St. Lucia ... The Commanders in Chief sail to Martinique._ + + +CHAPTER IX. + +_Expedition against Guadaloupe ... The Isles de Saintes attacked and +taken ... The Boyne and Veteran anchor off Grozier ... The troops land +under cover of the Winchelsea frigate ... Captain Lord Garlies wounded +... Fort Fleur d'Epée taken by storm ... Fort Louis and the town of +Point à Pitre taken ... Casualties ... General description of the +island._ + + +CHAPTER X. + +_The General embarks his army, and lands on Basse Terre at Petit Bourg +... Occurrences on the march towards Palmiste ... The Admiral anchors in +Ance de Baillif ... General Dundas lands, and forms a communication with +Sir Charles Grey ... The Palmiste taken by assault ... General Collot +delivers up Fort St. Charles, and the island of Guadaloupe and its +dependencies to the Commanders in Chief._ + + +CHAPTER XI. + +_The charges of extorted contributions and oppressions, alledged against +the Commanders in Chief by certain interested individuals, refuted ... +The real causes of the loss of Guadaloupe._ + + +CHAPTER XII. + +_General Dundas dies of the yellow fever ... His character ... A French +squadron arrives in the West Indies, and takes possession of Grande +Terre ... The Commanders in Chief on receiving an account thereof return +to Guadaloupe ... General Grey lands at Grande Terre, and takes +possession of the heights of Mascot ... Several actions take place ... A +truce to bury the dead ... An unsuccessful attack on Point à Pitre._ + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +_The Commanders in Chief sail to Martinique ... Proceedings there and at +Guadaloupe ... Camp Berville taken ... Occurrences thereupon ... General +Prescott enters Fort Matilda, which is invested by the French ... Sir +John Vaughan and Admiral Caldwell arrive in the West Indies ... Sir +Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis resign their command, and return to +Europe._ + + + + +LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. + +_His Royal Highness Field Marshal the Duke of York._ + + +A + +Charles Abbott, Esq. Queen's Square, Bloomsbury. + +John William Adams, Esq. + +.... Armit, Esq. Army Agent, Dublin. + +Colonel Harvey Aston, 12th regiment. + +Lieutenant Colonel Astley, Norfolk light dragoons, Burgh Hall, Norfolk. + +J. P. Allix, Esq. Swaffham Court, Cambridgeshire. + +Richard Allnutt, Esq. South Park, Penthurst, Kent; two copies. + +Mr. Alken, No. 2, Francis Street, Gower Street. + + +B + +Right Honourable Lord Blaney, Lieutenant Colonel 66th regim. + +Honourable Captain Charles Boyle, 62d regiment, Aid-de-camp to the Lord +Lieutenant of Ireland. + +Colonel Brownrigg, Coldstream regiment of guards. + +Lieutenant Colonel Bayley. + +Thomas Barrett, Esq. Lee, near Canterbury. + +I. Bargrave, Esq. Eastry Court, Kent. + +S. Baker, Esq. Lynn Regis, Norfolk. + +James Rickard Barker, jun. Esq. Swaffham, Cambridgeshire. + +Reverend Dr. Bates, Freckingham. + +Major Barnard, New Romney light dragoons. + +Henry Bell, Esq. Wallington, near Downham, Norfolk. + +Colonel Blackwood, 33d regiment light dragoons. + +William Boys, Esq. F. R. S. and F. S. A. Sandwich, Kent. + +Mr. Boys, Eastry, Kent. + +Rev. Edward Tymewell Brydges, Wootton Court, Kent. + +Lieutenant Colonel Brydges, New Romney light dragoons. + +Samuel Egerton Brydges, Esq. F.S.A. Denton Court, Kent, Captain in the +New Romney light dragoons; two copies. + +Mrs. Brydges, Precincts, Canterbury. + +Mrs. Bryant, Exning, Suffolk. + +Mrs. Breton, Gogmagog Hills, near Cambridge. + +Lieutenant Colonel Brereton, 63d regiment. + +Lieutenant Samuel Brown, New Romney light dragoons. + +Major Burnet, 43d regiment. + +Mr. Brome, Dublin Castle. + +..... Blades, Esq. + +Mr. Bensley, Bolt Court, Fleet Street. + + +C + +His Grace John Lord Archbishop of Canterbury; two copies. + +His Excellency Earl Camden, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. + +The Right Hon. Lieutenant Colonel, Viscount Conyngham. + +Colonel Lord Clements. + +Colonel Sir Edward Crofton. + +Honourable Lieutenant Colonel George Lowry Cole. + +Right Hon. General Cuningham, Commander in Chief in Ireland. + +Right Honourable William Burton Conyngham. + +Brigadier General Cradock, Quarter Master General in Ireland. + +Lieutenant General Crosbie. + +Reverend Edward Cage, Eastlinge, Kent, Chaplain to the New Romney light +dragoons. + +Reverend Thomas Cookes, Barbourne House, Worcestershire. + +Mrs. Cookes. + +Lieutenant Henry Cookes, New Romney light dragoons. + +Mr. Thomas Secundus Cookes, of his Majesty's ship St. George. + +Mr. Denham Cookes, Worcester college, Oxford. + +Mr. Charles Cookes. + +Colonel Coote, 70th regiment. + +Mrs. Coote. + +.... Coote, Esq. + +Christopher Cooke, Esq. Beaufort Buildings, Strand. + +T. Collingwood, Esq. Gray's Inn. + +Rev. T. Cogan, East Deane, Surrey. + +T. W. Coke, Esq. Holkham, Norfolk. + +Lieutenant Colonel Crosbie, 22d regiment, and Deputy Adjutant General in +Ireland. + +Robert Cromp, Esq. Frinsted, Kent. + +Mr. John Cruikshank, Rector of the Academy in Banff. + + +D + +Right Honourable Lord Delaval. + +Reverend Dr. Dering, Prebendary of Canterbury. + +Col. Cholmely Dering, New Romney light dragoons. + +John Thurlow Dering, Esq. Crow Hall, Norfolk; two copies. + +Captain Donkin, 44th regiment. + +James Dallaway, M. B. F.S.A. + + +E + +Right Honourable Mr. Elliott, Secretary at War, Ireland. + +Edward Everard, sen. Esq. Lynn Regis, Norfolk. + + +F + +Right Honourable Earl Fitzwilliam; two copies. + +Honourable Edward Foley, M. P. Lower Seymour Street. + +Mr. Farringdon, Foulkes Buildings, London. + +Miss Farringdon, Camberwell. + +Mrs. Faulknor. + +Lieutenant Colonel Fisher, 9th regiment, Manchester Square. + +Captain Finlay, Richmond House. + +Lieutenant Foster, 38th regiment. + +Reverend Dr. Frampton, D. D. Exning, Suffolk. + + +G + +General Sir Charles Grey, K.B.; three copies. + +Right Honourable Lord Glentworth. + +Sir Henry Grey, Baronet, Howick, Northumberland. + +Lady Gresley, Drakelow, Derbyshire. + +Sir Robert Goodere, Cavendish Square. + +Mrs. Goodere, Exning, Suffolk. + +W. Gordon, Esq. Aberdour, Banff. + +Charles Grey, Esq. M. P. Hertford Street, Mayfair; two copies. + +Mrs. Grey, Hertford Street, Mayfair. + +Lieutenant Colonel Henry Grey, 18th regiment light dragoons. + +Major Thomas Grey, 39th regiment. + +Captain George Grey, Commander of his Majesty's ship Victory. + +Captain William Grey, 21st regiment. + +Edward Gregory, Esq. Leman Street, Goodman's Fields. + +J. Græme, Esq. + +George Gipps, Esq. Canterbury. + +Isaac Gervais, Esq. Doctors Commons. + + +H + +Sir Henry Harpur, Baronet, Upper Brook-street. + +Sir Benjamin Hammett, Knight, Lombard Street. + +Major General Hewitt, Adjutant General of Ireland. + +Mrs. Harrison, Bourne Place, Kent. + +Major Hare, 12th regiment light dragoons, Aid-de-camp to the Lord +Lieutenant of Ireland. + +Mr. K. S. Haggerstone, Cambridge. + +Christ. Hand, Esq. Cheveley Green. + +Reverend James Hand, Cheveley, Cambridgeshire. + +C. J. Harford, Esq. Stapleton, Gloucestershire. + +Henry Wise Harvey, Esq. Hearnden, Kent. + +Captain John Harvey, of his Majesty's ship Prince of Wales. + +Mr. George Gerard Haughs. + +Mrs. Herring, Precincts, Canterbury. + +Reverend J. Hippisley, A.M. Stow on the Wolde, Gloucestershire. + +Reverend Thomas Hey, D. D. of Wickham Breux, Kent. + + +J + +Admiral Sir John Jervis, K. B. Commander in Chief in the Mediterranean; +three copies. + +Christopher Jefferson, Esq. Dullingham, Cambridgeshire. + +Henry Jackson, Esq. 106, Fenchurch Street, London. + +Major General Johnson. + + +K + +Honourable George King, Colonel of the Cork regiment of militia. + +George Kittoe, Esq. Ridge House, Antigua. + +Sir Edward Knatchbull, Bart. M. P. Marsham Hatch, Kent. + + +L + +His Grace the Duke of Leinster. + +Right Honourable Lady Charlotte Lenox. + +Honourable Colonel Lenox. + +Sir William Lemon, Baronet, M. P. Carelew, Cornwall. + +John Lagier Lamotte, Esq. + +Mr. Henry Lamotte, Clapton, Middlesex. + +Captain Locke, 26th regiment light dragoons. + +Reverend Dr. Lynch, Archdeacon and Prebendary of Canterbury. + +Rev. William Long, LL.D. Sternfield, Suffolk. + +Reverend Daniel Lysons, F.R.S. and F.S.A. Putney, Surrey. + +Mr. W. H. Lunn, Bookseller, Cambridge; four copies. + +Rev. N. C. Lane, A. M. Christ's College, Cambridge. + + +M + +Lady Mill, Arlingham, Gloucestershire. + +Brigadier General Myers. + +Lieutenant Colonel Manley, royal artillery. + +Lieutenant Col. M'Clary, Aberlash, Carmarthenshire; two copies. + +Lieut. Col. Madden, 15th regiment. + +Lieutenant Colonel M'Donald. + +Sir Charles Mitchell, Knt. Commander of the William Pitt East Indiaman. + +Mr. James Miln, Arbroath. + + +N + +Major General Needham. + +Reverend James Nasmith, A.M. Leverington, Cambridgeshire. + +Reverend Edward Nares, A.M. Fellow of Merton College, Oxford. + +Mr. Norton, Bookseller, Bristol. + + +O + +William Owen, Esq. Trinity College, Cambridge. + + +P + +Right Hon. Sir John Parnell, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ireland. + +James Palmer, Esq. Dulwich, Surrey; two copies. + +Reverend Dr. Pennington, D. D. Eastry, Kent. + +Rev. Montagu Pennington. A. M. + +Mr. Philpot, Canterbury. + +George Ponsonby, Esq. Bishop's Court, near Dublin. + +J. Plumptre, Esq. Fridville, Herts. + +Reverend Charles Powlett, A. M. junior, Hackwood Farm, Hants. + +Edward Roger Pratt, Esq. Ryston Hall, Norfolk. + +Lieutenant Colonel Pratt, royal Irish artillery. + +Captain D'Arcy Preston, royal navy. + +George Purvis, Esq. Titchfield, Hants, Secretary to Admiral Sir John +Jervis. + +Major Perryn, Great George Street. + + +R + +Reverend Anth. Luther Richardson, LL. B. Kennet, Cambridgeshire. + +Mr. James Robertson, Gellymell, near Banff. + +William Rose, Esq. Mountcoffer, near Banff. + +E. Rolfe, jun. Esq. Hankoe, Norfolk. + + +S + +Right Hon. Lord Sondes, Rockingham Castle. + +Colonel Sir James St. Clair Erskine, Bart. 12th reg. light dragoons. + +Charles Henry Selwyn, Esq. Lieutenant Governor of the island of +Montserrat. + +Reverend George Selwyn, King's Road, Bedford Row. + +Matthew Henry Scott, Esq. Captain in the royal navy. + +W. Sharpe, Esq. Fulham, Middlesex. + +Samuel Shirt, Esq. 27, Mincing Lane, London. + +Rev. Stebbing Shaw, B.D. F.S.A. Fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge. + +Reverend Mr. Alexander Simpson, Old Aberdeen. + +Rev. Thomas Jenyns Smith, A. M. First Fellow of Dulwich College. + +Mr. David Souter, Melrose, near Banff; five copies. + +Mr. Stewart Souter, Duff House, Banff. + +Lieutenant Colonel Stuart, 3d regiment guards. + +Rev. James Symes, Hollis Street. + +Powell Snell, Esq. Guiting Orange, Gloucestershire, and Captain of the +royal Gloucestershire yeomen cavalry. + +Richard Sill, Esq. A. B, Clare Hall, Cambridge. + + +T + +Right Honourable the Earl of Tyrconnel. + +George Talbot, Esq. Temple Guiting, Gloucestershire. + +T. Tyndall, Esq. Weston Lodge, Somersetshire. + +Captain Thomas, 28th regiment. + +Captain Herbert Taylor, 2d dragoon guards, and Aid de Camp to his Royal +Highness the Duke of York. + +Captain Edward Taylor, New Romney light dragoons. + +Mr. William Thompson, Mile-End Green. + +Mrs. Treacher, Henley on Thames. + +Reverend Stephen Tucker, A. M. Linsted, Kent. + +John Townley, Esq. Clare Hall, Cambridge. + +Lieutenant Colonel Thewles, 30th regiment light dragoons. + + +V + +Captain George Vaughan, of the royal navy. + +Mrs. Vernon, Norwich. + +Captain Vaumorel, 30th regiment. + + +W + +Colonel, the Earl of Westmeath. + +Sir Charles Watson, Baronet, Swaffham, Cambridgeshire. + +Sir Edward Winnington, Bart. M. P. Winterdyne, Worcestershire. + +Major General Whyte. + +Mrs. Watson, Swaffham, Cambridgeshire. + +Mr. J. Webster, Merchant, Banff. + +Charles Hollis Western, Esq. M. P. Felix Hall, Essex. + +Edw. Weatherby, Esq. Newmarket. + +Thomas M. Waller, Esq. Lieutenant royal navy. + +Samuel Whitbread, sen. Esq. M. P. + +Samuel Whitbread, jun. Esq. M. P. 17, Lower Grosvenor Street; two +copies. + +Rev. Edward Wilson, B. D. Moulton, Suffolk. + +Mrs. Willyams, Exning, Suffolk. + +John Hanbury Williams, Esq. Coldbrook, Monmouthshire. + +Major Wilder, Pall Mall. + +Captain Isaac Wolley, royal navy. + +Reverend Godfrey Wolley, Hutton Bushel, Yorkshire. + +J. Whatley, Esq. Wraxall Lodge, Somersetshire, and Captain in the Royal +South Gloucestershire regiment of militia. + +James Wyborn, Esq. Hull, Kent + +.... Western, Esq. + +Mr. Thomas Henry Wilson, No. 13, Cornhill. + + + + + EXPEDITION + + AGAINST THE + + _FRENCH WEST INDIA ISLANDS_. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + EXPEDITION TO THE WEST INDIES DETERMINED ON ... SIR CHARLES GREY AND + SIR JOHN JERVIS APPOINTED COMMANDERS IN CHIEF ... THE BOYNE SAILS + FROM SPITHEAD ... OCCURRENCES ON THE VOYAGE FROM THENCE TO CARLISLE + BAY, BARBADOES. + + +In the latter end of the year 1793, his Majesty having determined to +send a formidable armament to the West Indies, to reduce the French +islands in that quarter, and to secure his own from any attack of the +enemy, Lieutenant General Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the Bath, was +promoted to the rank of General in America, and Commander in Chief in +the West Indies. Several officers of distinguished abilities were also +appointed to act under him; and Vice Admiral Sir John Jervis, Knight of +the Bath, was nominated Commander in Chief of the naval force on the +same expedition. + +After much delay, occasioned by nearly half the original force being +withdrawn from the armament intended for the West Indies, and applied to +another purpose, on the 24th of November, 1793, the Boyne of 98 guns, +Captain Grey commander, having Vice Admiral Sir John Jervis's flag +flying at the fore-topmast head, made the signal for sailing to the +fleet destined with her for this expedition, and dropped down to St. +Helen's, where she lay at single anchor, waiting for those ships that +were not ready; the ordnance storeships were particularly tardy. This +morning an unfortunate accident befel Mr. Scott, second lieutenant of +the Boyne, whose arm was broken by a block giving way in the fore part +of the ship, where he was stationed; but happily, by the care and skill +of Mr. Weir the surgeon, he was nearly recovered by the time the ship +reached Barbadoes. + +On Tuesday the 26th of November the Boyne weighed anchor, and with the +rest of the fleet sailed from St. Helen's with a fair wind down channel. +On the 27th we lay to off Portland Road, waiting for the Quebec frigate, +which remained at Spithead to hasten the storeships and transports (that +were not at first ready to sail with the Boyne), and to convoy them +through the Needles. + +On the 28th of November, in the morning, we were off the Land's End, and +were soon afterwards becalmed for a short time. In the evening, a fresh +breeze springing up, we proceeded on our voyage. Before it was dark +eight sail were seen from the mast head. + +On the 29th we passed Commodore Paisley in the Bellerophon, with several +frigates in company. The Commodore saluted the Admiral's flag with +thirteen guns, which was returned from the Boyne with eleven guns. + +As it may be proper to inform the reader that, in consequence of a +particular invitation from the Admiral, the Commander in Chief and his +suite, with several of the officers on the staff under him, were +passengers in the Boyne, I shall here subjoin their names. + + His Excellency Sir Charles Grey, K. B. Commander in Chief. + + Major General Thomas Dundas. + + Lieutenant Colonel Symes, Quarter Master General. + + Major Henry Grey, Deputy Quarter Master General. + + Lieut. Col. Fisher, Secretary to the Commander in Chief. + + Major Lyon, Deputy Adjutant General. + + Captain Finch Mason, } + Lieut. John Cunningham,} Aid de Camps to the Commander in Chief. + Captain Newton Ogle, } + + Capt. Maitland, Aid de Camp to Major General Dundas. + + Dr. Wardle, Surgeon on the Staff. + + Also Chevalier Sancée, a brave and ingenious French Officer, whom + the Commander in Chief took with him, as being acquainted with the + island of Martinique, and the fortifications of Fort Bourbon and St. + Louis, having served under the Marquis de Bouillé at the construction + of the former works. + +Thus, by the friendly intercourse subsisting between the two Commanders +in Chief, the time on the passage was most usefully employed in forming +plans of operation, which could not have been executed with that +promptness that distinguished the ensuing campaign, had it been +otherwise. + +On Tuesday the 3d of December, the Rose frigate, Captain Riou, parted +company; as did, on the 7th following, Commodore Thompson and part of +the convoy, and we proceeded with the greater dispatch on our voyage. + +On the 8th of December the wind proved foul, with rain and hazy weather. +At night, in the middle watch, we were attacked by a squall of wind and +rain, accompanied by a heavy sea, which struck the rudder with such +violence, that the men at the wheel losing their hold, were thrown down; +and the tiller breaking loose, stove in the gunner's cabin; at the same +time the pinnace, a six-oared boat, that was suspended over the stern, +was washed away, and totally lost. + +On the 9th of December in the morning, the ship was taken aback by a +sudden squall of wind, attended with thunder and lightning, with a most +tremendous sea; we then wore ship, and stood to the south west. Those +who have never sailed in a ship of war of the first or second rate, can +form no idea of the grandeur and awfulness of the scene when so large a +body is struggling with contending elements. As the ship rolls through +the high swell her sides appear to twist and bend in a surprising +manner. The guns hanging on one side, and pressing against the other, +seem as if, at every roll, they would, by their immense weight, force +their way through; which, added to the cracking of the cordage, the +roaring of the wind, and a variety of other noises, forms a scene of +surprise and alarm to the inexperienced voyager. + +This squally weather continued at intervals for four days. On the 12th +we saw some sea gulls. On the 13th two strange sail hove in sight; the +Ulysses chased one of them, and we made sail after the other, and fired +several shot at her to bring her to; but in the evening were obliged to +give up the pursuit, for fear of parting from our convoy, which however +happened in the following night, during a heavy gale of wind. + +On Saturday the 14th we saw a gull, and several turtle passed near the +ship. + +On the 16th land was discovered at four P. M. supposed to be the island +of Porto Santo. All this day we sailed at the rate of seven and eight +knots an hour. Tuesday the 17th of December we found that during the +night we had passed by the island of Madeira; but this morning tacked +and stood towards it, and arrived off Funchial, the capital of that +island, of which we had a delightful view. As we approached the land the +surrounding country had a very beautiful appearance, especially after a +long voyage, when the eye has been wearied by the uninteresting sameness +of an extended ocean. The town of Funchial, so named from the Portuguese +word funcho, fennel, which grows in great abundance on the neighbouring +rocks, is situated at the bottom of a bay, and is a large ill-built +town: it has many churches and convents; but as we did not go on shore, +I can give no particular description of them. Immediately behind the +town the hills rise gradually one above the other, terminating in +prodigious high mountains, which are plentifully covered almost half-way +up with plantations of vines, interspersed with churches and elegant +houses. High up in the mountains, in a valley is seen a convent, which +we were informed is dedicated to our Lady of the Mountain. All the +buildings being white, formed very conspicuous, and not unpleasing +objects in the landscape. The mountains in this island are very high. +Pico Ruevo is supposed to be from its base near a mile in perpendicular +height, much higher than any land in England or Wales. The sides of all +the hills are well covered to a certain height with vines, above which, +to a vast extent, are woods of pine, chesnut, and a variety of other +trees unknown to Europe. The principal refreshments to be procured here +are wine, water, and onions; the latter are the finest in the world, and +in great plenty. + +It being the Admiral's determination to lose no time, we only lay-to off +Funchial, till the wine intended for the use of the officers and ship's +company was taken on board; and it being the birth day of the Queen of +Portugal, we saluted the fort in honour of the day with twenty-one guns, +which was returned with an equal number. In the evening we made sail for +our destination; and fortunately from this time had a fair wind till we +got into the trades. On the 24th we passed the tropic of Cancer, lat. at +noon 23. 21. N. long. 32. W. The usual ceremony was observed by the +crew (having first obtained the Captain's permission): a grotesque +Neptune and Amphitrité were drawn by their attendants on the +quarter-deck, where, after a solemn ditty chaunted by his aquatic +majesty, the usual collections were made, which, from the munificence of +the General and his friends, together with the contributions of those +officers of the ship who had never crossed the tropic before, amounted +to a sum sufficient to supply the ship's company with plenty of +vegetables on their arrival at Barbadoes. + +The 25th of December, being Christmas day, divine service was performed +on the quarter-deck by the Chaplain, the crew appearing as on a Sunday, +in clean trowsers and jackets: and here I must beg leave to mention, +that I never saw more regularity and decorum in any place of worship +than is invariably observed on board of his Majesty's ships of war. + +This day we passed an American brig; and the weather being fair, +Lieutenant Bowen and Captain Mason went on board her. She was from +Cadiz, and reported, that yesterday she passed a Spanish man of war +bound for Europe. + +On the 26th of December we saw several albicores, dolphins, and grampus, +and shoals of flying fish; lat. at noon 22. 10. N. long. 34. 46. W. + +On the 29th of December, being Sunday, and the weather fair, divine +service was performed as usual. + +The heat of the climate now began to be troublesome to those who had +been unaccustomed to it. + +On Monday the 6th of January, 1794, land was discovered from the +mast-head, which proved to be the island of Barbadoes; and by noon the +Boyne anchored in Carlisle Bay[1]. + + [1] On our arrival we found several of the ships that had parted + company on the voyage; and each day after brought more of them, + till the whole were collected. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF PREPARE FOR THE EXPEDITION AGAINST + MARTINIQUE ... GUN-BOATS CONSTRUCTED, AND DESCRIBED ... A SHORT + ACCOUNT OF BARBADOES ... SALE OF SLAVES ... A LIST OF THE FLEET. + + +The first news we received on our arrival at Barbadoes was, that the +yellow fever had, in the course of last year, carried off fifty-eight +officers of the army in this and the neighbouring islands, and privates +in proportion. It proved fatal to great numbers of the inhabitants also +of Barbadoes; from fifteen to twenty whites died daily in the town of +Bridgetown, and about half that number of blacks and people of colour. +We were at the same time comforted with an assurance that the disease +had entirely subsided; but the reader will soon see how fallacious were +our hopes in this respect. Alas! too many families have to lament the +fatal effects of this dreadful disorder; and the kingdom at large may +attribute to it the losses we afterwards sustained, rather than to any +other cause. But of this more hereafter. + +His Excellency Sir Charles Grey landed at Bridgetown on the 7th of +January, and resided at a house called the Government House, on +Constitution Hill, a healthy situation, about half a mile out of town, +where he was busily employed during his residence on the island in +concerting plans for future operations, in reviewing the troops, and +providing against those exigencies which in an enemy's country an army +must be exposed to. A report was here circulated that General Rochambeau +the commanding officer at Martinique, and Bellegarde the popular leader +of the people of colour, were at variance; but this news by no means +caused the least relaxation on the part of our commanders, who continued +their preparations with as much ardour as before; and it is well they +did so, as we afterwards found the enemy on their guard, and prepared to +resist us with their united force. + +The Admiral in the mean time was equally employed in preparing every +thing in his department, and for that purpose remained on board (a +conduct he invariably followed), by which every thing was carried on +under his own inspection, and delay (the consequence of neglect) was +thus prevented.--On our voyage, whenever the weather permitted, a +certain number of seamen were exercised, and formed into companies, to +be commanded by lieutenants of the navy, with the rank of captains on +shore. While in Carlisle Bay these seamen were again exercised, and +instructed in the use of small arms and pikes. This plan of training the +seamen for more duty was highly beneficial on this expedition, as will +hereafter appear. + +Every exertion was now made both by sea and land. The gun-boats, which +were constructed in England, then taken to pieces, and brought to the +West Indies in storeships, were put together with as much speed as +possible; yet, from the nature of their structure, could not be finished +until a day or two before we sailed. There were six gun-boats, each +carrying a twenty-four pounder in the bow, which moved backwards and +forwards on a groove: round the whole on the gun-whale was a moveable +barricade or breast-work, composed of several folds of bulls' hides, +nailed to some boards of an inch thick in partitions, and capable of +turning a musket ball. Each boat had two masts; the foremast inclined +forward (to give more room for the gun to recoil), and had a latine sail +and jib: the mizen was a lug-sail. Sweeps, or large oars, were also +supplied, to be used when there was no wind, or when becalmed by the +high lands near the shore. Each of these vessels was at first commanded +by a midshipman, who, as his conduct merited, was promoted to the rank +of lieutenant[2]. + + [2] I have given an exact representation of one of these boats in + the view of the town and bay of St. Pierre. + +In the mean time the troops were landed from the transports, the sick +comfortably lodged in the hospitals, and every attention paid, to render +the service complete. As the major part of our army consisted of the +flank companies, great pains were taken by the commanding officers to +train them for the most active service: the light infantry were +exercised daily by Major General Dundas, who had, in America and on the +continent, distinguished himself at the head of that battalion. +Particular attention was paid to instruct the army in the absolute +necessity of strict obedience to orders; for which purpose the +Commander in Chief published in the general orders to the army such full +and comprehensive instructions, as to preclude the necessity of +multiplying them in future, and to take away the possibility of any one +pleading ignorance of them[3]. + + [3] See in the Appendix, page 1. + +Before we quit this island, it may be agreeable to the reader to have +some account of it, and of the general appearance of the country. +Barbadoes is situated in 13. 10. N. lat. and 59. W. long. from London. +It is called one of the British Charaibé Islands, though at present none +of those ancient inhabitants remain on it. The island has a flat +appearance; but, from the variety of plantations, the beauty and +freshness of the verdure, and the numerous houses, mills, and other +buildings, scattered in great profusion, it presents a delightful +prospect to strangers on their approach to it after a long voyage. I +shall not pretend to give an history of the island, but must refer the +reader to the elegant work of Bryan Edwards, Esq. whose account of the +British West India Islands is written with every advantage to be derived +from local residence and connections, as well as from the indefatigable +attention and abilities of the author. + +During our residence at this island curiosity led me to be present at a +sale of slaves, just imported from the coast of Africa. As this horrid +traffic in human flesh has been the topic of public investigation for +some time past, and much learning and ingenuity has been displayed on +both sides of the question, I shall not give any opinion on it, but +merely state facts that came within my own knowledge. The sale is +proclaimed by beat of drum, and is held (at Barbadoes at least) not in +the open air, as I had been taught to believe, but in a commodious house +appointed for that purpose. At the time I am speaking of, there were +about forty men, women, and children, sitting on benches round a large +room, with no other covering than a cloth round their waists. Some of +them were decorated with beads, given to them by their captors, and +bracelets round their wrists and ancles, and were much tattooed on their +faces and breasts, which I understood from a seaman who came with them, +was a mark of distinction in their own country. I was also informed that +they had buried one hundred and forty-nine on the passage, having had a +very bad and protracted voyage: the crew had suffered equally, and had +buried one third of their original complement. As soon as the planter +has fixed on a slave he retires with him and the salesman to another +room, there concludes the bargain, and departs with his purchase to his +plantation, where the newcomer, being clothed in a coarse jacket, and +provided with a hat, knife, and other trifles, is placed with one of the +old negroes, by whom he is instructed in his business. In regard to the +severity exercised by the slave owners on their slaves, whatever may +have been the case, I am well assured that now there are seldom +instances of those cruelties which have been so feelingly described, at +least in the islands we visited on this expedition. At Barbadoes they +appeared to be in as comfortable a situation as the lower ranks of +society generally are; and as the climate is peculiarly favourable to +poverty (clothes and firing, the great articles of expence to the poor +in other countries, being here hardly required), I may venture to +affirm, that the slaves in the West Indies are in a better situation, +_as to the necessaries of life_, than the labouring poor in England, or +any other country in Europe. Far be it from me, however, to justify +slavery in itself; it most certainly is an evil: but when a matter of +great importance is in agitation, every information should be obtained, +and both sides of the question ought to be strictly examined. Certainly +the benevolent intentions of the friends to the abolition of slavery in +the West Indies have, by their exertions in the cause of humanity, +occasioned a more minute inquiry into the situation of the slaves than +had ever been made before; and several excellent laws to regulate the +treatment of that unfortunate class of human beings have in consequence +been passed in the different islands. It is affirmed by many very humane +people, that the entire abolition of the traffic _itself_ would not help +the cause of humanity so much as was at first contended (for I believe +the former plan of immediately emancipating those already imported, is +allowed by all to be dangerous in the extreme); and it is the opinion of +many writers, that the greater part of those Africans sold to our +plantations would remain slaves in their own country, or be put to death +by their captors. If so, surely it is better for them to be carried to a +country where they have a chance at least of better treatment, and where +many of them are instructed in their duty to their God, of which before +they had no idea. + +While we were lying in Carlisle Bay the fleet that sailed with us from +Europe, and parted company on the voyage, came in, together with the +transports, &c. from Ireland. The following is, I believe, a correct +list of the men of war that composed our fleet at the commencement of +the campaign. A few others that are hereafter mentioned joined us in the +course of it. + + Boyne 98 guns {Vice Admiral Sir John Jervis, K. B. + { Commander in Chief of the naval + { force in the West Indies. + {Captain G. Grey. + + Vengeance 74 {Commodore C. Thompson. + {Captain Henry Powlett. + + Irresistible 74 John Henry. + + Veteran 64 Charles Edmund Nugent. + + Blanche 32 Christopher Parker. + + Terpsichore 32 Samson Edwards. + + Blonde 32 John Markham. + + Solebay 32 William Hancock Kelly. + + Beaulieu 40 John Salisbury. + + Quebec 32 Josias Rogers. + + Rose 23 Edward Riou. + + Vesuvius bomb Charles Sawyer. + + Nautilus 18 James Carpenter. + + Rattlesnake 18 Matthew Henry Scott. + + Seaflower 16 William Pierrepoint. + + Zebra 18 guns Captain Robert Faulknor. + + Experiment 44 Simon Miller. } + Woolwich 44 John Parker. } armed + Dromedary 44 Sandford Tatham.} en flute. + +These ships joined us in Fort Royal bay during the siege of Forts +Bourbon and Louis. + + Asia 64 guns Captain John Brown. + + Santa Margarita 36 Eliab Harvey. + + Assurance 44 Velters Cornwall Berkley. + + Ceres 32 Richard Incledon. + + Winchelsea 32 Lord Viscount Garlies. + + Roebuck 44 hosp. ship Andrew Christie. + +The land force employed on this expedition was as follows. A detachment +of white and a detachment of black light dragoons, three battalions of +grenadiers, three battalions of light infantry, the sixth, ninth, +fifteenth, thirty-ninth, forty-third, fifty-sixth, fifty-eighth, +sixty-fourth, sixty-fifth, and seventieth regiments, with detachments +from the second, twenty-first, and sixtieth regiments. The troops were +divided into three brigades; the first commanded by Lieutenant General +Prescott, the second by Major General Thomas Dundas, and the third by +Major General his Royal Highness Prince Edward (till whose arrival from +Canada the command of this brigade was given to Lieutenant Colonel Sir +Charles Gordon.) The total force that embarked for the attack of +Martinique was six thousand and eighty-five, two hundred and twenty-four +sick, and nine hundred and seventy-seven left sick at Barbadoes[4]. + + [4] An idea was started of raising four hundred white men in the + island of Barbadoes to augment the army; but there was not time to + arm and discipline them; therefore it was dropped. However, a + certain number of negroes were provided to attend the army, four + hundred of whom were sent from Dominica for that service; some more + were brought from St. Vincent's; and the council of Barbadoes made + an offer of supplying a large number of them to serve on very + liberal terms; but when the matter came to be investigated, the + terms were found to be far from equitable, and therefore were + rejected.--Mr. Baillie and Mr. Monro, two planters of Grenada, were + here introduced to the Commanders in Chief, and were received on + board the Boyne as guests, and treated with the greatest + hospitality; they proceeded with us on the expedition. Mr. Gibbs, + one of the council of Barbadoes, also accompanied us. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + THE FLEET SAILS FROM BARBADOES ... ANCHORS ON THE SOUTH COAST OF + MARTINIQUE ... CAPTURE OF A BATTERY ... GENERAL GREY LANDS WITH HIS + ARMY ... FLAG OF TRUCE FIRED ON BY THE ENEMY ... THE COMMANDERS IN + CHIEF ATTACK THE ISLAND AT THREE DIFFERENT PLACES AT THE SAME TIME. + + +On Monday, Feb. 3, 1794, the fleet of men of war, transports, +storeships, &c. sailed from Carlisle Bay, and the next morning land was +seen, which proved to be the island of St. Lucia, bearing west several +leagues. On Wednesday, Feb. 5, we approached the island of Martinique on +the south east coast, off the bay of Maran; two forts, one at Pointe du +Jardin, the other at Pointe de la Borgnesse, which defended the entrance +to that bay, began to fire on our ships as they approached; +notwithstanding which, the Boyne and the rest of the fleet anchored by +four P.M. not far from the battery on Pointe de la Borgnesse, Lieutenant +Bowen having previously run along shore in a small schooner to sound the +depth of water. Our troops were now preparing to land, and had filled +several flat-boats which lay along-side the men of war, when the +battery opened a heavy fire on them, which was quickly answered by the +ships; the troops at the same time pushed in and landed, covered by the +gun-boats: seeing which, and alarmed by some well-directed shot from the +Boyne and Veteran, the enemy fled in disorder from the fort, which our +troops immediately entered, and having hoisted the British colours, were +saluted with three cheers from the fleet. A trench was found in the +battery, communicating with the magazine, in which a train was laid, and +a brand or match laid across it. Happily (by the exertions of the +officers and men) this dastardly plot was prevented taking effect. The +guns were immediately turned upon the enemy in their retreat, and +against the town of St. Anne; but as this was a post of no great +consequence, after they had spiked the guns and broke the carriages, the +troops reimbarked[5]. + + [5] During the landing of our troops, Lieutenant Bowen, who was in + a gun-boat, perceived a number of the enemy collecting in the woods + near the shore, and being scarce noticed by them, was suffered to + approach without molestation, and having loaded his gun with + langrege, he dealt such destruction among them, that they fled in + all directions. A shot from the battery, which stuck in the + larboard bow of the Boyne, when cut out, proved to be a thirty-four + pounder, and to have been heated, but not sufficiently to do any + mischief by fire. + +In the evening the enemy in the battery on Pointe du Jardin burnt the +sugar plantations near them, as we suppose, out of revenge for our +success at Pointe de la Borgnesse; from the dryness of the canes the +fire spread with great rapidity, and did much damage. Near us was the +village of St. Luce, where a two-gun battery, directed by the curé of +St. Luce, seeming disposed to trouble us, the Veteran opened her lower +deckers on it, and soon drove the enemy from thence[6].--On Thursday +morning, Feb. 6, our troops landed at Trois Rivieres, in the bay of St. +Luce, without opposition, to the number of two thousand four hundred and +eighty-four men, under the direction of Lieutenant General Prescott. Sir +Charles Grey and his suite then landed, and the whole army moved off +from the landing-place in two divisions; the first division began to +march about twelve at noon, the second division at five in the +afternoon. Lieutenant Rogers of the Boyne soon after landed at the +curé's battery at St. Luce, and found the two cannon there to be +twenty-four pounders, that had belonged to the Raisonable man of war, +wrecked some time since on this island. They destroyed these guns, and +returned on board without any loss. This evening a gun-boat and +flat-boat with seamen, under the command of Lieutenants Rutherford and +Ogle of the Boyne, and Mr. Johnson, midshipman, attempted to cut out +some vessels in the harbour near Maran, where they were much exposed +both to the great guns and musquetry of the enemy; but they succeeded so +far as to bring off two American schooners; two others saved themselves +by running ashore close under the guns of Fort St. Etienne. + + [6] The Generous Friends transport, laden with officers' baggage, + &c. dragged her anchor on the night of the 5th, struck against a + rock at the entrance of the bay, and was wrecked. Fortunately, + however, the hands on board and the baggage were saved. + +On Feb. 7th the Admiral sent (with a flag of truce) Lieutenant Miln of +the Boyne, accompanied by Lieutenant James of the fifteenth regiment, +and the Chaplain of the Boyne, with a letter for the municipality or +governor of Maran. As they approached the town they perceived hostile +preparations making in the fort of St. Etienne; but, in hopes of +preventing a flag of truce being insulted, Mr. Miln boarded one of the +American ships that had been run aground the day before, intending, in +case the captain of it was on board, to take him in his company. Being +now within half gun-shot of the fort, the enemy began to fire on the +boat, notwithstanding the flag of truce, and continued to do so, +although Mr. Miln endeavoured to proceed towards the shore: but the +enemy seeming determined to oppose his landing, and several of their +shot falling close by the boat, he at length judged it most prudent to +return. As he passed Pointe du Bourgnesse he perceived some negroes near +the fort, and sent the two gentlemen who accompanied him armed, to +endeavour to cut off their retreat, and to give them the papers which +were to have been delivered to the commander at Maran; but the negroes, +on perceiving them land, immediately made off towards the town: they +however found a wounded man, whose leg had been broken by a cannon ball, +with whom they left the papers, adding a note to express their surprise +and indignation at a flag of truce being fired on[7]. + + [7] The French have since said that they fired on the boat because + it had a white flag hoisted: this was a most ridiculous objection; + for, though with them a mark of aristocracy, it has ever been + acknowledged by all nations as a signal of peace and cessation from + hostilities. However, we found it necessary afterwards to comply + with their wishes; and whenever a boat was sent from either party + on a truce, they carried the flag of the opposite party in the bow + of the boat, and their own colours abaft. + +In the afternoon Mr. Miln went with the gun-boats against Maran, to form +a diversion in favour of Lieutenants Rutherford and Rogers, who had +landed with two companies of seamen to carry fresh provisions to Sir +Charles Grey's army. This had the desired effect, as soon after a large +body of troops came down from the hills to the town and fort, which +might otherwise have fallen in with the seamen on their march. + +The next day, Feb. 8, the Admiral sent another flag of truce by the same +officer to the town of St. Anne. He took with him an American captain of +a ship, in addition to his former complement; and having been so roughly +handled the day before, he also ordered a gun-boat to attend. St. Anne's +was entirely deserted. The American then proceeded a mile up the country +to the house of a planter, who had left it; but finding his mulatto +mistress there, he left the papers with her, to forward to the +commanding officer at Maran. On this estate the American told us he saw +three hundred slaves, and every thing in perfect order; from whence we +judged the owner of it had been a friend to the revolution, the houses +and plantations of the royalists being universally destroyed. The enemy +now entirely evacuated this part of the country, to throw themselves +into Fort Bourbon; and in their retreat burnt several fine plantations, +and murdered many slaves of the royalists with circumstances of the most +horrid cruelty. + +I should have mentioned that, on our approach to this island, the +Commanders in Chief dispatched General Dundas with Commodore Thompson to +the attack of Trinité, and another division under the command of Colonel +Sir Charles Gordon, assisted by Captain Rogers of the Quebec, to Case de +Navirre; while Sir Charles Grey, assisted by Lieutenant General +Prescott, and under cover of the Boyne, &c. made good his landing at +Trois Rivieres: thus, by making three attacks upon distant parts of the +island at the same time, the force and attention of the enemy was +divided; and by that spirited conduct, which animated all parties, more +particularly by the unanimity which prevailed between the army and navy, +they all happily succeeded. And here I must beg leave to observe, that +where the commanders are united in friendship, and equally inspired with +an earnest desire to serve their king and country, their example will +always have such influence on the conduct of those under their command, +that the same friendly intercourse will be sure to subsist between the +subordinate ranks of the two services; and, from the Commanders in Chief +to the private soldier and sailor, they will join hand and heart, and +form a phalanx that nothing can withstand. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + MARCH OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF FROM TROIS RIVIERES TO SALLEE ... + OCCURRENCES ON THE MARCH ... GENERAL WHYTE DETACHED ... TAKES + PIGEON ISLAND ... THE ADMIRAL ANCHORS OFF PIGEON ISLAND ... + DESCRIPTION OF THE BAY OF FORT ROYAL ... THE THIRD BRIGADE LANDS AT + CAS DE NAVIRES. + + +I have already said that his Excellency Sir Charles Grey, with +Lieutenant General Prescott, and that part of the army which landed at +Trois Rivieres, marched from thence on Feb. 6th across the country to La +Riviere Sallée, a distance of two leagues, over very mountainous roads, +and that evening they reached the town of the same name, situated on its +banks, where the troops were lodged. They met with no opposition on +their march, and lost only one man (a sergeant), who died of fatigue and +heat. On the march the Commander in Chief detached Brigadier General +Whyte, with the second battalion of light infantry commanded by +Lieutenant Colonel Close, with two amuzettes, to force the batteries of +Cape Solomon and Point a Burgos, in order to get possession of Pigeon +Island, as our shipping could not go into the bay of Fort Royal till +that was accomplished; nor indeed could our boats with provisions and +ammunition go with safety round to the army at Riviere Sallée. On Feb. +7th General Whyte took two small pieces of cannon loaded, at a village +in the bay of d'Arlet (one hundred and fifty mulattoes having fled at +his approach); and immediately marching to the attack of the two posts +above mentioned of Point Solomon and Burgos, the enemy surrendered at +discretion, their retreat being cut off. In the interim the Commander in +Chief received intelligence of a body of the enemy having crossed the +bay from Fort Royal, and landed near Morne Charlotte Pied, where they +took post to intercept the communication between General Whyte and head +quarters at Sallée: on which he instantly dispatched Adjutant-General +Colonel Dundas, with the seventieth regiment, commanded by Lieutenant +Colonel Johnson, with two howitzers, to dislodge them. This was executed +that night with great spirit, and the post taken possession of early the +next morning, the enemy being completely defeated at the first charge. +In this action Captain Nares of the seventieth regiment distinguished +himself so as to gain the notice of the Commander in Chief in public +orders[8]. + + [8] Vide Appendix, page 14. + +Brigadier General Whyte (being now reinforced with a detachment of the +royal artillery, some ordnance, mortars, &c.) Colonel Symes, with a +detachment of the fifteenth regiment and two hundred seamen from the +Admiral, armed with pikes and pistols, under the command of Lieutenants +Rogers and Rutherford, ascended the heights on the 9th instant, and got +possession of Mount Matharine, which commanded Pigeon Island, at the +distance of not more than four hundred yards, where they erected their +batteries. On this day his Excellency the Admiral sailed from Maran Bay, +and anchored in Petite Ance d'Arlet, from whence he could send succours +of men and ammunition to General Whyte; who accordingly instantly landed +two companies of seamen, with several cannon, which they in vain +attempted to drag over the hills to General Whyte's post, a distance of +four or five miles; for the steepness and ruggedness of the roads, +rendered every effort ineffectual. However he sent him a plentiful +supply of shot and other ammunition, with one howitzer; and in the +evening Lieutenant Miln was dispatched with a party, carrying provisions +and spirits for the army. We found the country on the march from Ance +d'Arlet to General Whyte's camp beautiful in a high degree, but the +roads almost impassable: a succession of steep roads, through thick +woods, at length brought us to the summit of a hill (on which our seamen +were posted), commanding a fine view of the bay of Fort Royal, with +Islet aux Ramieres, or Pigeon Island, in front; and on each side rose +hills finely clothed with wood, on one of which our little army was +posted. During the time we were there, the enemy on Pigeon Island +annoyed us with their shells and shot, by which one of our seamen was +killed, and another mortally wounded. The two five and a half inch +howitzers, brought by the seventieth regiment from head quarters, being +now placed in a battery under the direction of Captain de Rivigne of +the royal artillery, so as to take the island in reverse, and Colonel +Dornford having also joined with a company of artificers, the batteries +were completed during the night of the 10th instant, and opened on +Tuesday morning, February 11th, under the conduct of Major Manley, who +kept up so incessant and well-directed a fire upon Pigeon Island, that +in two hours the garrison struck their colours, and surrendered at +discretion, having fifteen killed and twenty-five wounded. When our +batteries opened, it consisted of two hundred and three men. + +After the strong orders the Commander in Chief issued during the time he +was preparing for the commencement of the campaign at Barbadoes, in +which, among other things, he declared his determination to punish with +the utmost severity any one who should presume to maraud or plunder the +inhabitants, it is surprising that on the first day's march any soldier +should have had the temerity to offend against that order: but we had a +melancholy instance of it in William Milton of the tenth light dragoons, +and Samuel Price of the black dragoons, who were tried and convicted of +a robbery in the house of Jacques, an inhabitant of Sallée; and the +General, being determined to put an early stop to such enormities, had +the sentence put in execution, and they were both hanged in view of the +whole army on February 8th[9]. + + [9] Vide Appendix, pages 10, 11, 12. + +On the capture of Islet aux Ramieres, or Pigeon Island, the Admiral +sailed with the rest of his fleet from Ance d'Arlet on Wednesday, Feb. +12th, and anchored in Fort Royal Bay, off Pigeon Island, by which means +he could co-operate with his colleague, and supply the army with +ammunition and provisions at pleasure. As the ships worked into the bay, +several shells were thrown at them from Fort Louis, but happily without +doing any mischief.--It is impossible to conceive a more beautiful scene +than presented itself on our entrance into this fine bay. On the north +side we saw Fort Louis and the town of Fort Royal; and immediately +behind it, on the top of a steep hill, was the strong fortification of +Fort Bourbon, which, with the tri-coloured flag waving on its walls, +formed a conspicuous object in the landscape; the parapet being built of +white stone, strongly contrasted with the vivid glow of verdure on the +surrounding hills. To the westward rose majestically prodigious +mountains, called Les Pitons du Carbet, the hills on the side of which +were cultivated, while the mountains themselves were covered with wood +to their summits. Eastward the bay opens to several bays and harbours, +into which some noble rivers discharge themselves, and pleasant islands +of different dimensions and forms, embellish the whole. Pigeon Island, +or Islet aux Ramieres, is situated on the south side of the bay of Fort +Royal, about two hundred yards from the shore, and is a steep rock, +inaccessible except on one side by a ladder fixed against a +perpendicular wall. The summit is about thirty yards above the level of +the sea, and is three hundred paces round. It contained the following +ordnance, viz. Eleven forty-two pounders, six thirty-two pounders, four +thirteen-inch mortars, and one howitzer, with an immense quantity of +stores and ammunition, and a large stove to heat shot; it also had good +barracks. It is famous for having prevented Admiral Rodney with twelve +sail of the line from entering the bay in 1782. + +On the 12th of February the fifteenth regiment, led by Major Lyon, and +commanded by Captain Paumier, surprised several hundreds of the enemy, +very strongly posted on the heights of le Grande Bouclain, killed +several of them, and took all their ammunition and arms, with their +cattle.[10] + + [10] Vide Appendix, page 16. + +Sir Charles Gordon with the third brigade had landed on the 8th instant +to leeward, on the side of Cas de Navires, under cover of a division of +the fleet commanded by Captain Rogers in the Quebec[11]. The enemy being +masters of the grand road and the heights above it, he made a movement +towards the mountains, and turning them (unperceived) with part of his +force, gained the most commanding post in that part of the country. By +day-break on the 9th instant Colonel Myers, descending the heights, took +possession of la Chapelle, and a post established by the enemy above it; +and on his return to the column, Sir Charles Gordon proceeded through +most difficult ground to the heights of Berne, above Ance La Haye. The +enemy, after having abandoned the battery of Cayman, and set fire to the +village, still keeping a constant fire on him from the batteries of St. +Catharine, he took a position which gave him an easy communication with +the transports; when on the 12th he observed the battery and works at +St. Catharine, and the posts which guarded the first ravine, abandoned +by the enemy, on which he took possession of them, while Colonel Myers, +with five companies of grenadiers and the forty-third regiment, crossed +four ravines higher up, seizing all the batteries that defended them. +This movement was completely successful, the enemy flying on every side, +and our troops were soon in possession of the five batteries between Cas +de Navires and Fort Royal. They then proceeded, and occupied the posts +of Gentilly, La Coste, and La Archet, within a league of Fort Bourbon. + + [11] They met with considerable opposition in this business; and + the boats employed in landing the troops by some mistake got close + under the enemy's batteries, before they discovered their + situation. Our loss however was less than might have been expected. + The Dromedary, venturing too near the battery of Point Negro, + received a shot between wind and water, entering under the counter, + and a second shot went through the quarter-deck barricade, killed + one man, and wounded four, among whom was Captain Tatham. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + GENERAL DUNDAS LANDS ON THE NORTH EAST SIDE OF THE ISLAND ... + TRINITE TAKEN ... COLONEL CRADOCK ATTACKED, CAPTAIN M'EWEN killed + ... GENERAL DUNDAS FORMS A JUNCTION WITH SIR CHARLES GREY ... MARCH + TOWARDS ST. PIERRE ... COLONEL CAMPBELL KILLED ... ST. PIERRE + ATTACKED BY SEA, AND TAKEN ... DESCRIPTION OF THAT TOWN. + + +When Commodore Thompson with his division (having on board Major General +Dundas and the second brigade) parted from the fleet on their voyage +from Barbadoes, he proceeded with the utmost expedition to the north +east part of the island; and on Feb. 5th arrived off the bay of Gallion. +Captain Faulknor in the Zebra led in, and placed himself along-side of +the battery on Point a Chaux, from whence he soon drove the enemy. The +Beaulieu, Captain Salisbury, and the Woolwich, Captain Parker, followed; +and the troops were landed without further opposition about a league +from the town of Trinité, which was situated on the further side of the +isthmus that formed the bay of Gallion. Here General Dundas halted for +that night. Early the next morning he began his march towards Trinité. +As he moved off from the ground he had occupied during the night, the +enemy annoyed him much by a brisk fire of musketry from the cane fields, +where a large body of them were concealed; from thence however they were +soon driven by the bayonet, which (as the Commander in Chief +observed[12]) in the hands of a gallant British soldier is the first of +weapons. In this business we had one artilleryman killed, and two +officers and three privates wounded. The General then continued his +march to La Bruen, a strong post situated on an eminence immediately +over the town of Trinité. The light infantry drove the enemy from this +post after an action of about fifteen minutes. We had two men killed and +seven or eight wounded, among which were two officers. The enemy's loss +was much greater. Early on the night of the 6th our troops took +possession of Fort Louis (and changed its name to Fort Dundas), and Fort +Bellgarde, a post that commanded the harbour of Trinité. Mons. +Bellgarde, general of the army composed of people of colour, finding +that we had taken possession of the forts, made a precipitate retreat +towards the mountains, having previously set fire to the town of +Trinité, the best part of which, together with a great quantity of +stores of all kinds, was consumed; but Commodore Thompson took +possession of the vessels in the harbour and road. In all these attacks +the seamen (under command of Captain Salisbury) bore a part, and by +their intrepidity and good conduct gained the esteem as well as +applause of the army. + + [12] Vide Appendix, page 7. + +On the evening of the 7th General Dundas proceeded with his brigade to +the attack of Gros Morne, where he was informed General Bellgarde was +strongly posted in considerable force; but on his arrival he found the +forts evacuated. Gros Morne is a situation of great importance, being +strongly fortified, and commanding the principal pass between the +northern and southern parts of the island, and famous for being the +rendezvous of the democrats during the revolution, previous to our +arrival. Besides the principal fort, there is a redoubt on either side, +about a mile distant, commanding the road leading to the fort. A +detachment of the queen's regiment and a party of the marines being left +to garrison Trinité, under command of Major Skerret, and the battalion +of the 64th to garrison Le Gros Morne, the remainder of the brigade +marched early in the morning of the 9th instant, and on the evening of +the same day took possession of a strong situation called Bruno, where +there had formerly been a fort, some of the guns of which were still +remaining: it lies about two leagues north east of Fort Bourbon, and +from it our army could see the enemy in their out-posts from that +fort[13]. After the troops had halted for some time, Colonel Cradock +with three companies of the second battalion of grenadiers was ordered +to advance and take possession of the post of Maltide, where a +considerable number of the enemy were assembled with their colours +flying; but on his approach they evacuated the place in haste. Of this +post our troops had the quiet possession that night, and all the next +day; but in the night between the 10th and 11th they were attacked by a +party of the enemy, commanded by Mons. Bellgarde, amounting to about +eight hundred men, who, having crept up under cover of the canes and +underwood, commenced a heavy fire on our troops, who, though rather +taken by surprise, charged the enemy in their turn with such vigour and +determined bravery, as forced them sorely to repent their temerity, and +retreat towards Fort Bourbon with considerable loss. In this action +Captain M'Ewen of the thirty-eighth regiment and seven privates were +killed, and nineteen wounded. Next day a great quantity of fire arms +were picked up, which the enemy had left behind them in their +precipitate retreat. In the evening of the 11th the post was reinforced +by three companies of grenadiers and part of the second battalion of +light infantry; but that night all was quiet. Early on the morning of +the 12th the grenadiers were ordered back to Bruno, and the battalion of +the sixth regiment, commanded by Major Scott, took their place at +Maltide, and the wounded were sent on board the hospital ship. + + [13] About this time the army had nearly experienced an irreparable + loss. As General Dundas was writing in his tent, a notorious + villain, of the name of Barbarose, presented himself at the door of + the tent, demanding to speak with the General, who, to drive him + away, called to the centinel to "bayonet the fellow;" on which, in + his fright, he dropped a dagger well oiled; and on being seized, + proved to have been the assassin of a French royalist. + +As the bay and harbour of Fort Royal were now completely opened to our +shipping by the capture of Pigeon Island, the Commander in Chief moved +forward on the 14th from La Riviere Sallée to Bruno with the remainder +of the first brigade, a principal part of which had, under General +Prescott, reached that place the day before; having previously concerted +the attack of St. Pierré with General Dundas, that general marched on +the evening of the 13th from Bruno with the second battalion of +grenadiers, the thirty-third and fortieth light companies, and the +sixty-fifth regiment, to Gros Morne, where he halted that night, and +early on the 14th marched to Trinité; from whence he dispatched a sloop +with the packs and blankets of his army round towards la Basse Pointe, +in order to expedite his march toward St. Pierre, the capital of the +island, the capture of which was now his object. From Gros Morne General +Dundas had detached Colonel Campbell through the woods by Bois le Buc +with the second battalion of light infantry and sixty-fifth regiment to +Montigné. At five o'clock in the evening of the 14th General Dundas +marched from Trinité (being joined by a company of the second or queen's +regiment, commanded by the Honourable Captain Ramsay): after marching +all night he halted for three hours; and soon after day-break on the +morning of the 15th, having passed the river Capot, arrived at the +heights of Calbass, after a march of thirty miles over a rough +mountainous country. The fatigue of such a march in a tropical climate +can only be conceived by those who have experienced it: harassed and +worn down, it was necessary to give the troops some rest before they +attempted to ascend the steep and craggy mountain, over the top of which +was their road, commanded by a battery, where the enemy appeared in +great force, with their colours flying. The spirit of our soldiers +however overcame all difficulties, and they ascended the heights with +such alacrity, that the enemy, alarmed at their determined conduct, +evacuated the fort (fortunately for our men), without making any +resistance; as, by the time they reached the summit of the mountain, +they were so exhausted, that a steady opposition might have proved fatal +to them. From hence (the post having previously been destroyed by the +enemy, who had broken the guns and scattered the ammunition) General +Dundas proceeded about four miles further, to a place called Morne +Rouge: here he halted, and shortly after saw Colonel Campbell at Post au +Pin, half a mile short of Montigné, under a heavy fire from five or six +hundred of the enemy, strongly posted. General Dundas instantly pushed +forward his advanced guard, under command of the Hon. Captain Ramsay, +who gained the summit by extraordinary exertions, fired on the enemy, at +that time engaged with Colonel Campbell, and silenced their fire; and, +when joined by the second battalion of grenadiers, took possession of +Montigné, where he was reinforced by two companies of grenadiers. The +major general took post himself on Morne Rouge, and visiting Colonel +Campbell's column, found he had been attacked at half past nine o'clock +in the morning, and the enemy being within twenty yards of the fortieth +light company, at the head of which he was, had charged them with +bayonets, when, to the great grief of the whole army, he fell by a ball +through his head from the musket of a mulatto, who had concealed himself +behind a bush till the Colonel came close up to it. Colonel Campbell +was a man high in estimation as a military character, and no less +respected for his private worth, being sincere in his friendships and +steady in his attachments. When General Dundas arrived at Morne Rouge, +the enemy were on their march to re-attack our troops; but the +appearance of our grenadiers so near them, caused them to relinquish +their plan at that time: but in the evening of the same day the General +observed bodies of the enemy moving towards his front at Morne Rouge, +and forming under a small redoubt near that post. The thirty-third, +thirty-fourth, and forty-fourth companies of grenadiers, with a field +piece, and Captain Whitworth of the artillery (the whole under the +command of Major Forbes), were ordered to advance, when a smart +engagement commenced. The enemy were covered by a brisk fire from two +field pieces on Morne Bellvieu, a strongly situated battery immediately +in their rear. The action continued for about half an hour, when the +enemy gave way, and during the night abandoned the fort, leaving two +field pieces behind them. From the number of graves observed the +following day (corroborated by the accounts of some prisoners), their +loss must have been considerable; ours consisted of one officer +(Lieutenant Keating of the thirty-third regiment) and two privates +wounded, and one private killed.--At two o'clock the following morning +the sixteenth, thirty-fifth, and fifty-fifth companies of grenadiers +were ordered to advance and storm the battery upon Morne Bellvieu, and +were to be supported (if necessary) by the ninth and sixty-fifth +companies. All their flints were taken out, the bayonet alone to be the +soldier's defence. However, the enemy had been so roughly handled the +day before, that they thought fit to decamp during the night, and our +troops took possession of the fort without any opposition. Our army had +now arrived within two leagues of St. Pierre, from whence by day-break +the enemy sent a flag of truce, requiring three days to consider of a +capitulation; to which General Dundas returned an answer, that instead +of three days, he would allow them only three hours; and if they did not +surrender within that time, he would advance against the town. The +fifty-fifth company of grenadiers being left in possession of Bellvieu, +the remainder of the battalion moved on towards St. Pierré. In the mean +time the Admiral, Sir John Jervis, to co-operate with the land forces +under General Dundas, had ordered the following ships to sail for the +bay of St. Pierre, the Asia, Veteran, Santa Margarita, Blonde, +Rattlesnake, Zebra, and Nautilus, with the Vesuvius bomb. On board of +this fleet Colonel Symes had embarked with three light companies, and +Major Maitland with a detachment of the fiftieth regiment; Colonel Myers +with five companies of the first battalion of grenadiers, and five +companies of the third battalion of light infantry, (for the same +purpose of co-operating with General Dundas) had marched from Camp la +Coste towards Trinité. + +The fleet on their arrival in the bay prepared for instant operation. +Colonel Symes, with the troops and seamen who were to land with him, +had, previous to their entering the bay, embarked on board of the Zebra +and Nautilus sloops, and some other vessels, which, being small, could +get nearer the shore, thereby rendering the debarkation of the troops +much less difficult. + +In the evening of Feb. 16th they began to work towards the north part of +the bay, beyond the Jesuits' College, the other men of war standing +towards the town to cover them. About eleven o'clock the vessels with +troops and seamen on board were under a cross fire from two batteries of +red hot shot, which happily did them no damage, though they fell round +and near them. Captain Harvey in the Santa Margarita, perceiving the +troops were likely to be much annoyed, went close under the guns of the +most considerable of the two batteries, which he silenced; and about +four in the morning of the 17th the troops and seamen made good their +landing, and found that the enemy had left the other battery. During the +night the Vesuvius bomb did much execution with her shells, many of them +falling in the town, to which it set fire in some places: the fire +however was soon extinguished. The batteries in the town and on the +adjacent hills kept up a constant fire of shot and shells on the men of +war, as they advanced towards the town, which was returned with great +spirit. The Santa Margarita was struck with a shell, which fortunately +neither fired her, nor did any considerable damage. Colonel Symes on +landing advanced with the troops towards St. Pierre, which the enemy +evacuated on his approach, leaving their guns primed and loaded, and +their colours flying, which were hauled down by our people, and the +British union hoisted. About ten the whole of the troops and seamen had +marched into the town. No man was suffered to quit his ranks, nor was +the least injury done to any of the inhabitants, who, with the women and +children, sat at their doors and windows to see our army march in, the +same as when troops pass through a town in England. While our men were +drawn up in the market place, a flag of truce came in from General +Dundas, who with his army was on the hills near the town, and was on his +march to attack it. This flag was in answer to one sent by the enemy to +him, offering to capitulate. The officer who brought the flag was +agreeably surprised to find on his entering the town that it was already +in the possession of his countrymen. In the evening General Dundas with +the army marched in; and having taken possession of the +government-house, he instantly established quiet and good order in the +town. As our troops marched into St. Pierre a drummer was discovered in +the act of plundering one of the peaceable inhabitants, for which he was +instantly hung up at the gate of the Jesuits' College, by order of the +provost marshal. In the evening the seamen embarked on board their +respective ships. The men of war having anchored in the bay, were busily +employed in taking an account of and unbending the sails of the +different ships in the harbour. Unfortunately at day-break of this +morning, when the town surrendered, a schooner got out of the south side +of the bay, in which it was reported there was a considerable quantity +of money and some people of distinction. She passed within gun-shot of +the Santa Margarita, who (for some reason or other) did not fire at her +to bring her to. The next morning the Santa Margarita sailed to Fort +Royal bay with Mons. Au Cane[14], the mayor of St. Pierre, and Abbé +Maunier, the vicar general of the island, and other prisoners. + + [14] On our first arrival at the island of Martinique, the + Commanders in Chief dispatched Captain Mason (aid de camp to the + General) bearing a flag of truce, with a summons to the town of St. + Pierre. Au Cane, the mayor, met him on the quay on horseback, + attended by a numerous body of armed men, with a field piece; &c. + and instead of reading the letter and summons, dismissed him rudely + with threats. + +St. Pierre is a long handsome town, situated on the shore of an open +bay, and flanked by a strong battery at either end; also defended by two +redoubts on the hills which overhang the town. The surrounding country +rises in a succession of hills beautifully variegated with woods and +sugar plantations; and near the town are some fine gardens, which before +the revolution had been kept up in a superior stile of elegance and +convenience. Each street of this beautiful town is watered by a clear +stream from the mountains, running rapidly down the middle, which adds +greatly to the health as well as convenience of the place. The streets +in general are narrow and rough paved, but very regular; the houses are +built of a fine stone like free-stone, the lower apartments of which +were in general handsomely, and sometimes superbly, furnished. + +There are two convents of nuns, one dedicated to St. Ursuline, the other +called Les Blancs. The Ursuline convent has very beautiful gardens, +situated at the declivity of a hill, which rises immediately behind the +town: it was in a wretched state when we took it, the poor nuns having +been deprived of their revenues by the revolutionists. Near this convent +is a neat church, whose high altar, as well as pavement, is of good +marble. Not far from the church is the opera house, which, from its high +roof, is a very conspicuous object. Towards the south end of the town is +the church of Notre Dame de bon Porte du Mouillage (of which Pere +Maunier, one of the chiefs of the revolution, was curé). It is a +handsome building: round the grand altar (which is of polished and well +sculptured marble) are several tolerable paintings of saints and the +Virgin Mary, as large as life. Over the bridge, at the north end of the +town, is another large church, and several others, small and mean in +their outward appearance and inside decorations. I was informed that +most of these churches were well endowed before the revolution, and the +religious houses were amply provided for, as is the case in all parts of +the new world where the Roman Catholic religion is professed. + +At the northern extremity of St. Pierre is a spacious handsome house, +with good offices, stables, and gardens, which formerly belonged to the +Jesuits, in whose district the town and surrounding country is situated. +The Capuchins and Dominicans had the two other parts of the island.--The +government-house, which on our taking it was inhabited by Au Cane, the +mayor, is conveniently situated near the centre of the town, and was +formed for the residence of the chief magistrate or governor of the +island. The rooms are large and lofty, and there is a good garden at the +back of the house, in which, amongst a variety of fruit trees, was a +fine bread-fruit tree: how it came there, I could not learn, unless +some French ships had paid a visit to the islands in the South Sea, for +the same purpose that our ships of late have made that voyage; but then +I think more of the trees would have been seen in this and the +neighbouring French islands.--Towards the southern end of the town is a +large and commodious hospital, which had good revenues attached to it, +and was well regulated and attended. This we found of infinite use for +our sick and wounded, who were far better provided for here than they +could be in the hospital ships, or with the army. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + + THE ENEMY RETIRE INTO FORT BOURBON AND FORT LOUIS ... THE ADMIRAL + ATTACKS FORT LOUIS WITH THE BOMB-KETCH AND GUN-BOATS ... CAMP OF + SEAMEN FORMED AT POINT NEGRO ... A WHARF BUILT IN THE CUL DE SAC DE + COHEE, STORES AND AMMUNITION LANDED THERE ... GENERAL BELLGARDE + ATTEMPTS TO CUT OFF THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ARMY AND NAVY, + BUT IS BEATEN, AND HIS CAMP ON SOURIER TAKEN ... HEAD-QUARTERS + ESTABLISHED ON SOURIER ... GENERAL ROCHAMBEAU SENDS AN AID DE CAMP + TO THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF ... THE NAVY MAKE A ROAD, AND DRAG THE + GUNS TO THE HEIGHTS OF SOURIER. + + +St. Pierre being now captured[15], the enemy's strength was concentrated +in one point at Forts Louis and Bourbon: the latter is a work of late +date, being built under the directions of the present Marquis de +Bouillé, and is a well planned as well as strongly situated +fortification; but in this mountainous country it is hardly possible to +find any spot that may not be commanded by some neighbouring height, +unless on the tops of the mountains, where it would be difficult to +procure water and provisions sufficient for the subsistence of an army +during a siege of any length. The town of Fort Royal is situated on a +flat and swampy ground, at the foot of the hill on which is Fort +Bourbon; and Fort Louis, the ancient strong-hold of this island, is on a +neck of land running into the sea, and forms one side of the Carénage, +an excellent harbour for shipping of all kinds.--The Admiral, from the +day he anchored in Fort Royal Bay, began a heavy cannonade on Fort +Louis. The Vesuvius bomb, commanded by Captain Sawyer, and under the +direction of Captain Suckling of the artillery, threw shells into the +fort from an eighteen-inch and twelve-inch mortar with great effect; and +as soon as the evening shut in, the gun-boats, attended by several +row-boats from the ships in the fleet (to assist in case of their being +sunk by the enemy's shot) moved towards the mouth of the Carénage, and +commenced a brisk fire on the fort, which was generally returned with +equal spirit; but, from the smallness of the object, and frequently +shifting their situation, they were less often hit than could have been +expected, considering that they constantly were within the range of +grape-shot, which fell in showers round them. Towards day-break they +returned to their respective ships.--In the night of February 15th, the +second and third companies of seamen, under the command of Lieutenants +Miln and Ogle, left the Boyne; and, with other seamen from the fleet, +the whole under command of Captain Rogers of the Quebec, landed at Cas +Navire, and (occupying the posts that the troops under Colonel Myers had +that day quitted, to assist in the attack on St. Pierre) formed a camp +near Point Negro.--Our shipping having now, by the capture of Pigeon +Island, free ingress to Fort Royal bay, most of the transports and +store-ships, under convoy of his majesty's ships Santa Margarita, +Solebay, Nautilus, &c. got up into the Cul de sac de Cohée, an harbour +at the north-east end of the bay, from whence they had a communication +with the army under Sir Charles Grey, and where they built a wharf to +land provisions and stores; and a chain of posts was established from +thence to the heights of Bruno, on which duty the fifteenth and +twentieth regiments were employed.--On February 18th in the morning, +General Bellgarde moved with nearly his whole force from his camp on the +heights of Sourier, to attack the landing-place in the Cul de sac de +Cohée, and by that means to cut off the communication between the army +and the fleet. Sir Charles Grey, with that quickness of perception that +has rendered him so often useful to his country, instantly perceived his +design, and without loss of time ordered the grenadiers, under the +command of Colonel Buckridge, and the light infantry, under that of +Colonel Coote, to advance with the utmost expedition, and attack Mons. +Bellgarde's camp at Sourier; and detached a strong corps from the +heights of Bruno to support them. They began their attack on the enemy +in the wood; and having driven them from thence, began to mount the +rugged and almost inaccessible sides of the hill on which Sourier was +situated. The troops gallantly forced their way through every +obstruction, and mounted the heights under a heavy fire from the +retreating enemy, whom they fairly drove up the precipice, and gained +the heights, where they found an excellent dinner (provided for +Bellgarde and his people) to refresh them after their fatigue. Our loss +in this affair[16] was by no means so great as might have been expected, +considering the length of ground, and the many disadvantages under which +our troops engaged. While this was doing, General Sir Charles Grey +cannonaded Bellgarde from the camp at Bruno, whose troops soon retired +in confusion to their late camp at Sourier, which they found occupied by +the British grenadiers, who turned their own guns on them (consisting of +three brass field pieces), and drove them in confusion under the walls +of Fort Bourbon. Our soldiers could not now be restrained, but with an +impetuosity that General Prescott could not for the moment prevent, +advanced so near the fort, that the enemy opening a heavy fire of grape +shot on them, obliged them at length to retire with some loss to their +new acquisition on Sourier, a post which Sir Charles Grey had intended +to have attacked the following day, as being absolutely necessary to +enable him to carry on his plan of attack against Fort Bourbon, and +which the temerity of Bellgarde had thus put into his hands a day +sooner.--The whole business of this action was conducted in such a +manner, that each individual concerned partook of the glory of it; and +when considered as to its utility, it was perhaps one of the most +fortunate, as well as the best conducted, enterprises that happened +throughout the campaign. The day after this event General Rochambeau, +who commanded in Fort Bourbon, sent an aid de camp on board the Boyne, +who went thence with Captain Grey to the Commander in Chief at head +quarters. The terms of capitulation that he brought were, that the whole +island should be delivered to the English on condition that, in case +Louis the Seventeenth should ever come to the throne, it should be +restored to him; if not, and the republic should be established, it +should be given up to that government. The Commander in Chief returned +for answer, 'that he came expressly to take this island for his +Britannic Majesty; and that he hoped to take all the French islands in +this quarter on the same account.'--The troops now pitched their tents, +and formed their camp on Sourier. General Prescott's quarters were in +this camp, where he commanded; and Sir Charles Grey established his head +quarters at a small distance in the rear.--General Dundas having +arranged every thing relative to the government of St. Pierre, left +Colonel Myers of the fifteenth regiment with the battalions of the +fifty-eighth and sixty-fifth regiments to garrison that town, and on +February 20th embarked with the grenadiers on board the Veteran for Fort +Royal Bay. The morning following they disembarked in the Cul de sac de +Cohée, and marched directly to head quarters at Sourier, where they +pitched their tents, and with regret parted from General Dundas, their +commander hitherto, who went to Camp la Coste to take the command of +the light infantry.--The artillery, artificers, and engineers, were now +busily employed in landing stores and ammunition preparatory to the +formation of the batteries necessary for the siege; in which business +they received great assistance from a body of seamen landed for that +purpose: three hundred of these brave fellows were landed at the wharf +in the Cul de sac Cohée from his majesty's ships Santa Margarita, +Captain Harvey, with his Lieutenants Woolley and Harrison; the Solebay, +Captain Kelly, with Lieutenants Carthew and Schomberg; and Nautilus +sloop, Captain Carpenter; with Lieutenant Bennet, Lieutenant Collins, +and a party of marines, from the Santa Margarita. They instantly began +to proceed with a twenty-four pounder and two six pounders[17] towards +Sourier. They halted with the twenty-four pounder that evening on the +side of the road between Fort Royal and the town of Lamantin, as they +were obliged to cut a road through a thick wood for nearly a mile. The +next day they completed the road, and also made a sort of bridge, or +rather passage, across a river, which at times was of considerable +depth, though fortunately there was now only four feet water in it. This +they effected by filling it up with large stones and branches of trees, +and then they proceeded with the twenty-four pounder and two eight-inch +howitzers, which they left that night in charge of a piquet from the +post above mentioned. On the third day they, to the astonishment of the +whole army, got a twenty-four pounder to the heights of Sourier before +the night shut in, and two howitzers within a mile of it; and to add to +the difficulty, a considerable part of that day was employed in +levelling the banks of the river that runs by Dillon's plantation, and +making it fordable, by removing immense stones and fragments of rock. On +the fourth day (notwithstanding they were obliged to employ a +considerable party in making the road more complete) they got the two +howitzers above mentioned, and two more twenty-four pounders, to the +heights of Sourier. The distance from the wharf to those heights is near +five miles; and when we consider that the road was to be formed for near +four miles of the way, one of which was through a very thick wood, and +that, as they approached the heights of Sourier, for near a mile the +road was so steep, that a loaded mule could not walk directly up it, it +seems scarce credible that so small a number as three hundred men should +be able to have undergone such severe fatigue, considering the climate +and the nature of the soil, which was a very stiff clay, intermixed with +large rock stones.--A few days after, a reinforcement of seamen was +landed from the Veteran, Captain Nugent, with Lieutenants Leaf and +Whitlock, and the Winchelsea, Lord Viscount Garlies, with his +Lieutenants Dixon and Watson; also Lieutenant Treminere of the marines, +with a sergeant's party. They took post by the side of the road leading +from Lamantin to Fort Royal, where the first twenty-four pounder was +halted.--The first party of seamen took post on the banks of the river +running past Dillon's plantation, at the foot of the heights of +Sourier. But the Veteran being wanted for other service, in the course +of the week one hundred and fifty men were reimbarked on board her, and +the Winchelsea's crew joined the former party. The compliments paid the +seamen in general orders for their spirited conduct, is a convincing +proof that they never once relaxed from their first exertions from the +beginning of the siege to the surrender of Fort Bourbon, a period of +five weeks. Indeed their astonishing exertions were almost beyond +probability: after rain (which in this climate is frequent) the steep +parts of the road were so slippery, that a man even with the greatest +care would frequently slip back ten and sometimes twenty feet at a time: +but so determined were the honest tars not to fail in what they +undertook, that when once they set out with their gun after a heavy +rain, and they found it impossible to keep their feet, they have crawled +up as they dragged the twenty-four pounder, and kept themselves from +sliding back by sticking their fingers in the ground. But among the many +compliments paid the seamen, none pleased them so much as having a +battery appointed solely for them[18], where they used to relieve one +another by turns, without even an additional allowance of grog as an +encouragement. Sir Charles Grey paid the highest compliments to the +zeal and ability with which the Admiral seconded all his plans. Indeed +there never was an instance in which two commanders carried on a +business of such importance so unalloyed by the least difference in +opinion, or jealousy of command: each strove to prove his readiness to +assist his friend and colleague; of course every thing succeeded, and +was carried on with a promptness of execution that seldom has been +equalled, never exceeded. + + [15] Information having arrived that some of the enemy had retired + from St. Pierre to a five-gun battery on that part of the island, + Major Manningham was dispatched with a strong detachment in + flat-boats, under the protection of the Zebra sloop of war, and was + completely successful in driving them from thence. + + [16] According to the best account I could collect, ten killed and + forty-four wounded.--I must here beg the reader will pardon the + inaccuracy of my account of the killed and wounded in this and the + other actions that took place. Though I have made every possible + inquiry, I have not been able to meet with the regular returns, + which must have been given in to the adjutant general's office at + Martinique. + + [17] The two six-pounders were to strengthen the post that + commanded the road to Fort Royal by Dillon's house. + + [18] One day, when the Commander in Chief met them on the road, + they (being ignorant that a battery was appointed for them to serve + in) surrounded the General, and offered him their services, + swearing they thought it d----d hard to have all work and no + fighting; and hoped his Honour would let them have some share in + it. The General, with that kindness which won the hearts of all + that had the happiness to serve under him, said, "Well, my lads, + you shall have a battery to yourselves." On which, having saluted + him with three hearty cheers, the honest fellows went readily to + their work again. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + FORTS BOURBON AND LOUIS CLOSELY INVESTED ... BATTERIES ON THE FIRST + PARALLEL ERECTED ... THE SEAMEN EMPLOYED IN GETTING GUNS TO THE + BATTERIES ON THE WEST SIDE ... A DANGEROUS PASS DESCRIBED ... + CAPTAIN MILN MORTALLY WOUNDED; HE DIES; HIS CHARACTER ... BELLGARDE + DELIVERS HIMSELF AND ARMY INTO THE HANDS OF SIR CHARLES GREY ... + HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE EDWARD ARRIVES, AND TAKES A COMMAND ... + BATTERIES OPENED AGAINST FORT BOURBON ... LIEUTENANT BOWEN'S + SPIRITED CONDUCT ... FORT LOUIS TAKEN BY STORM ... CAPTAIN + FAULKNOR'S GALLANT CONDUCT ... FORT BOURBON SURRENDERS. + + +From the 20th of February Forts Bourbon and Louis, with the town of Fort +Royal, were completely invested, and the General was busily employed in +erecting batteries on his first parallel. On the north-east side the +army under General Prescott broke ground on the 25th of February, and on +the west side towards La Coste (where Sir Charles Gordon commanded, +Prince Edward not having as yet arrived from Canada) fascine batteries +for mortars and cannon were erecting with every possible expedition. In +this business the seamen, who formed a camp at Point Negro under Captain +Josias Rogers of the Quebec, eminently distinguished themselves; and +though the roads were not quite so bad as on the Sourier side, yet they +had many severe difficulties to encounter, that rendered dragging the +mortars and heavy ordnance to the batteries fatiguing and hazardous in a +great degree. Part of the way which they were obliged to go was in sight +of Fort Bourbon; soon after which they descended into a hollow way or +ravine, where a rivulet invited them to refresh themselves, and it was +with difficulty their officers could prevent them from slaking their +thirst at this stream, which crossed them at a time when the fatigue and +heat they sustained rendered the temptation almost irresistible, +especially to men fearless of danger, and thoughtless to a proverb. No +sooner did they begin to descend into this ravine, than the enemy threw +their shells with such judgment, that they frequently fell at the moment +our people were passing the rivulet. It was in the afternoon of the 22d +of February that Lieutenant James Miln of the Boyne was proceeding with +his company of seamen to relieve those who had been the fore-part of the +day at work on one of the advanced batteries, and having been observed +on his march by the enemy in Fort Bourbon, they as usual began to fire +their mortars into the ravine; Mr. Miln, who, added to the greatest +courage, possessed much prudence, was hurrying his men through this +dangerous pass, and was in the act of calling to two men who were +drinking at the rivulet (the rest of his company having passed on), when +a shell burst near him, carried off one of his legs, and shattered the +other in a dreadful manner. At the same time one of the men, who had +loitered, lost a leg. In this dreadful situation he was carried two +miles to Sir Charles Gordon's camp, before his wounds could be bound up, +and from thence to his own quarters at Point Negro, where he suffered +amputation of one leg. The next day the surgeon general of the navy went +to him from the Boyne, and finding his situation dangerous in the +extreme, having no better place than the ground, in an open sugar-house, +part of which was the head quarters of the naval officers, and being +within range of the enemy's guns, which frequently threw their shot and +shells over him, he was conveyed to the royal hospital at St. Pierre; +but from the loss of blood he had sustained, and the nature of the +climate, he was seized with the lock jaw, of which he died on Sunday the +9th of March, and the next day was buried in the garden of the hospital +with the honours of war, together with Lieutenants Spencer and +Rosehill[19] of the Beaulieu, and Lieutenant Smith of the fifty-eighth +regiment. The burial service was performed by the Chaplain[20] of the +Boyne, and attended by Colonel Myers, commandant of St. Pierre, Captain +Salisbury of the Beaulieu, and the other naval and military officers, +and the principal English gentlemen who were in that town. The Admiral, +who always distinguished merit, and rewarded it when in his power, had +promoted Mr. Miln[21] to the command of the Avenger sloop, late +Marseillois, taken at St. Pierre. + + [19] The Admiral had lately promoted Mr. Rosehill to the rank of + Lieutenant for his spirited behaviour at Trinité. + + [20] Who this day performed the funeral service over thirteen + people belonging to the army and navy. + + [21] As it was my lot to be much in the society of this excellent + young man, having from the time we arrived in the West Indies + enjoyed his friendship, and on several occasions accompanied him on + service, afterwards attending him from the camp at Point Negro to + the hospital at St. Pierre, and remaining with him at intervals + till the time of his death: these circumstances will, I trust, + plead my excuse for detaining the reader from more important events + of the campaign while I pay the tribute of respect to the memory of + my gallant but ill-fated friend. Mr. James Miln was a native of + Arbroath in Scotland, and after serving for near thirteen years + with credit in the navy, was promoted to a lieutenancy on board the + Blanche frigate by Admiral Sir John Laforey, and was afterwards + taken on board the Boyne as fifth lieutenant by Sir John Jervis on + his arrival at Barbadoes. His general good conduct as a man and + officer soon attracted the notice of the naval Commander in Chief + (than whom no man is more quick sighted to discern merit, and happy + to reward it). By him no doubt he would have been much employed on + the most active service, had not that melancholy event taken place, + which deprived the service of a good and brave officer, and left me + only the sad task of deploring, while I commemorate the death of a + friend, from the excellency of whose heart and understanding I was + in hopes of reaping future entertainment and improvement. + +Bellgarde found it in vain to attempt any thing further, after his last +shameful defeat; and being with his black army shut out of Fort Bourbon +by General Rochambeau (who, when he retreated after the loss of his camp +on Sourier under cover of the fire of that fort, shut the gates against +him), he now determined to make the best bargain he could for himself; +and accordingly on the 25th of February sent a message to Sir Charles +Grey, offering to give up his army, on condition that himself, and +certain others that he named, should be permitted to go to America; +which request the Commander in Chief complied with; and on the 4th of +March, Bellgarde, with his secretary, a white man, by whose councils he +had always been guided, and eight people of colour, sailed in a +schooner for America, whither he had taken the precaution at various +times to forward a quantity of wealth against any change of +circumstances should make such a retreat desirable[22]. + + [22] Since writing of this, news has arrived from the West Indies + of the capture of a ship belonging to Victor Hughes (the present + republican tyrant of Guadaloupe) loaded with wealth amassed by this + plunderer to the amount of half a million sterling. Such has been + the general conduct of the French Commanders, while ours have been + vilified for claiming even the legal bounty for their suffering and + exhausted followers. + +On Tuesday the 4th of March his Royal Highness Prince Edward arrived at +this island, and was received with a royal salute from the fleet. +Immediately he took the command of that brigade of the army encamped on +the Cas Navire side, and at La Coste, which had hitherto been under the +direction of Sir Charles Gordon[23].--Intelligence having reached the +Commander in Chief that a number of brigands, composed of some runaways +from Bellgarde's army, and other wretches, had committed many +depredations and murders, pillaging and burning houses and villages in +several parts of the island; he dispatched a detachment of the fifteenth +regiment, commanded by Lord Sinclair, with a party of the Prince of +Wales's light dragoons, commanded by Lieut. Shadwell, and conducted by +Captain Cunningham (one of his Excellency's aid de camps), who surprised +one hundred and fifty of these people in the act of burning and +plundering the village of Francois[24]. At the first charge the enemy +were routed, thirty-six of them, with their chief (who was cut down by a +dragoon), were killed, and four taken prisoners, who were instantly hung +up, to deter others from such infamous acts as had been committed by +these miscreants.--Every preparation was now made for opening our +batteries against Fort Bourbon, which were constructed only about eight +hundred paces from the fort, and about six hundred in front of our own +lines. These batteries would have been constructed much sooner, but, +owing to the heavy rains that fell almost constantly, and which, at this +season of the year, were unusual, the works had been greatly retarded, +and the difficulties encreased. On the morning of the 6th of March, +every thing being ready for a heavy cannonade, Sir Charles Grey sent a +flag of truce with a summons to the garrison to surrender, which was +refused by General Rochambeau. Accordingly, at day-break on the 7th (the +gun-boats having as usual attacked Fort Louis during the night) mortars, +howitzers, and great guns, opened from five batteries at the same +instant, keeping up an incessant fire on the fort and advanced redoubt +the whole of that day and the night, from each of which it was returned +with equal fury. All the following day the same spirited attack and +defence was continued. On the 9th the enemy made a sortie from the fort, +and attacked the advanced picquet from the camp at La Coste, composed of +part of the third battalion of light infantry, and some sailors under +command of Captain Faulknor of the Zebra. After an engagement of some +length the enemy gave way, and were imprudently followed by our troops +under the guns of the fort; by this excess of ardour we lost some men, +while the enemy suffered but little. The gun-boats and Vesuvius now kept +up a constant fire from Fort Royal Bay: in the former two seamen were +killed by grape, and part of the head of the bomb ketch was shot away. +On the 13th a melancholy accident occurred in one of our batteries, +which was formed and manned entirely by seamen. Captain Faulknor of the +Zebra, who commanded in it, being provoked by the interference of an +officer of artillery in the works which one of the seamen of the Asia +was employed in, and the sailor not obeying him with alacrity, was +provoked to strike him with his sword, which unfortunately wounded him +mortally, and he died in a few minutes. Captain Faulknor was acquitted +by the court martial that was instantly summoned by the Admiral to +investigate the matter; and the circumstance of its happening in the +heat of action, when the least disobedience of orders involves the most +fatal consequences, as well, as that it appeared there was no +premeditated intention of killing the unfortunate man, but was a blow +given from the impulse of momentary passion; the sentence was confirmed +and approved.--From this time the siege was carried on with unremitted +exertion by night and day; shot and shells were constantly flying, and +new batteries daily constructed; so that our advanced batteries were at +length brought within five hundred yards of the fort, and not more than +two hundred from the redoubt: the latter indeed was so battered, that it +might with ease have been stormed; but the General knew that a mine +which communicated from the fort would involve in certain destruction +all who attempted so desperate an action; and therefore preferred the +more sure means of success, by regular and methodical approaches. On +Monday the 17th of March two new batteries opened on Fort Louis from +Point Carriere, a neck of land that forms the south-west side of the +Carénage, and not more than two hundred yards across the mouth of that +harbour to the walls of the fort; one of these was commanded by Captain +Riou[25] of the Rose.--The French had a fine frigate called the +Bienvenu, which was anchored in the centre of the Carénage, on board of +which it was reported a number of English prisoners were confined, and +were consequently exposed to the fire of our batteries. Lieut. Bowen of +the Boyne formed a resolution to extricate his countrymen from their +perilous situation; and having obtained the Admiral's permission, and +approbation of his plan, at noon he boldly pushed into the harbour from +Point Carriere, where he had collected his boats destined for the +enterprise, well manned by tried and determined seamen. The instant he +appeared round the point, the enemy prepared to give him a warm +reception. The walls of Fort Louis were covered in an instant with +troops, which kept up an incessant fire of musquetry on him; at the same +time the frigate endeavoured to keep him off, by plying both her great +guns and small arms; but at length, intimidated by the boldness of the +attempt, they fled from their quarters, and Mr. Bowen at the head of his +men boarded the frigate, and took the captain, officers, and crew of her +prisoners without resistance. All this time the enemy in the fort +continued to pour vollies of grape and musketry on the frigate, which +was returned with great spirit by the British seamen, who now turned +their own guns upon them, and would have brought her out of the harbour, +but the sails being all unbent, it was impossible in such a situation to +bend them: the tri-coloured flag, which was fastened to the gaff of the +mizen, they were not able to strike, though a sailor had the audacity to +go aloft for that purpose, scorning the musketry of the enemy. Mr. +Bowen, seeing no chance of getting the ship out of the harbour, and +finding that the English prisoners were in another vessel further up, +from whence it was rendered impossible to release them, contented +himself with securing the officers and crew of the frigate, whom he +brought off, in spite of every effort made by the republicans to prevent +him. As the bullets were flying thick around him, he suffered the +Frenchmen to lie down in the bottom of the boats, that they might not be +killed by their own countrymen; a very different conduct from what they +had observed to our people who were in the same situation[26]. In this +business he lost only three men killed, and four or five wounded. The +success of this enterprise gave the Commanders in Chief confidence, that +a spirited attack by land and sea on Fort Louis would succeed. +Accordingly the Admiral ordered a number of bamboos of thirty feet long +to be cut and made into scaling ladders, connected with strong line. The +gun-boats and row-boats were collected in the bay round the Point +Carriere, and the sailors' camp at Point Negro, with Prince Edward's +camp at La Coste and Cas Navire, held themselves in readiness to +co-operate in the grand attack. The navy to be employed in this business +was under the immediate direction of Commodore Thompson. On Thursday the +20th of March, before day-break, the third battalion of grenadiers, +commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Buckridge, and the first battalion of +light infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Coote, marched by the +hill on which Fort Bourbon is situated from the camp on Sourier, +unperceived by the enemy, and took a position that gave them the command +of the bridge that connected the town of Fort Royal to the road leading +up to that fort, the batteries on the second parallel being ready, those +on Morne Tortenson and Point Carriere kept up a well-directed and heavy +fire on Fort Louis, and all the other batteries cannonaded Fort Bourbon +during the whole of the day and night of the 19th instant, and on the +morning also, till about ten o'clock, when the Asia of 64 guns, Captain +Browne, and the Zebra sloop of 16 guns, Captain R. Faulknor, got under +way. The Zebra led in towards the mouth of the harbour, receiving the +fire of grape and round, without returning a shot: the Asia had got +within the range of grape shot, when, to the surprise of every body, she +wore and made sail from the fort[27]. The Admiral, Sir John Jervis, had +previously made the signal for the rest of the fleet to be ready to +second the attempt of these two ships, by loosing the topsails of the +Boyne, and lying at single anchor ready to slip and run in; on +perceiving the Asia was foiled in her attempt, and supposing, as she was +under a heavy fire from the fort, that either Captain Browne was killed, +or that some other desperate accident had happened, he instantly +dispatched Captain George Grey of the Boyne to take the command of the +Asia, and if he could not get in, to run her aground under the walls of +the fort. Captain Grey soon returned, and brought the pleasing +intelligence that not a man was hurt on board of the Asia. She then +stood in again, and again put about, when near the mouth of the harbour, +and sailed from it. Captain Faulknor, seeing that he stood no chance of +being seconded by the Asia, and being all this time under a dreadful +fire from Fort Louis, boldly pushed in towards that fort, still +reserving his fire till he came close to the walls of it; and then +running his ship aground, plying his small arms and great guns, he drove +the enemy from thence, and leaping into a boat, scaled the ramparts. +Seeing the Zebra go in, all the boats with scaling ladders, attended by +the gun-boats, seemed to fly towards the scene of action. Those from +Point Carriere mounted the walls near where Captain Faulknor had so +gallantly run his ship, and seconding him, drove the enemy out of the +fort, hauled down the republican flag, and hoisted the British union in +its stead[28]. The storming party of seamen from the camp at Point +Negro, under Captain Rogers, landed at the town of Fort Royal, of which +they soon took possession, being aided by the first battalion of +grenadiers, under Lieutenant Colonel Stewart, and third light infantry, +under Lieutenant Colonel Close, from Prince Edward's camp at La +Coste.--While this was doing, Lieutenant Colonel Coote kept up a heavy +fire of musketry on the bridge and road, over which the enemy were +retreating to throw themselves into Fort Bourbon; and Captain de Revigne +covering the attack of the infantry by a well-directed fire of some +field pieces, the whole action was so eminently successful in every +part, that it is hard to say where was the greatest glory, every one +performing the service allotted to him in so excellent a manner. General +Rochambeau, seeing that all resistance would now be useless, Fort Royal, +his grand depôt of provisions and ammunition, being lost, sent a flag to +General Grey, offering terms of capitulation; and commissioners being +named, who met at the house of Madame Dillon to arrange the preliminary +articles of it, the terms were finally adjusted and agreed to on the 22d +instant; and the ratification thereof being signed by the Commanders in +Chief on both sides, on the 23d following, at four o'clock in the +afternoon, his Royal Highness Major General Prince Edward took +possession of both gates of the fort with the first and third battalions +of grenadiers, and first and third light infantry. On Tuesday the 25th +of March, 1794, the garrison marched out of Fort Bourbon, to the number +of nine hundred men; and being allowed the honours of war for their +gallant[29] defence, they marched down the hill with their colours +flying; and laying down their arms on the parade of Fort Royal, were +embarked on board of ships which took them immediately to France. Our +troops, both army and that part of the navy that had served (during the +siege) on shore, lined the road as the enemy passed; and entering the +fort, they struck the French and hoisted the British colours, changing +the name from Fort Bourbon to Fort George, in compliment to our gracious +Sovereign, which it now bears, and Fort Louis bears the name of Fort +Edward.--At the commencement of the siege the garrison of Fort Bourbon +consisted of one thousand two hundred men, which were reduced to nine +hundred at the conclusion of it. Five stands of colours laid down by the +garrison, and two colours of Fort Bourbon, were brought to England by +Major Grey, second son of his Excellency the Commander in Chief, and +presented by him (with the dispatches) to his Majesty, who ordered them +to be hung up in the Cathedral of St. Paul, as a lasting memorial of the +gallant action atchieved by Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis, and +their brave forces[30]; by which one of the most valuable of the French +islands in the West Indies was added to the British dominions, +possessing (besides great revenues and prodigious sources of wealth) one +of the finest harbours in the world, in which the whole British fleet +might safely anchor. + + [23] See Appendix, page 24. + + [24] See Appendix, page 25. + + [25] The same officer who distinguished himself by his gallantry in + saving his Majesty's ship the Guardian at the Cape of Good Hope in + the year 1789. See Gent. Mag. vol. lx. page 465. + + [26] See Appendix, pages 26 and 27. + + [27] Monsieur de Tourelles, the ancient lieutenant of the fort, + either through fear, ignorance, or treachery, refused to run the + ship in under pretence of shoals. + + [28] The whole fleet, witnessing this gallant action, instantly + saluted the British colours with three hearty cheers. + + [29] The gallant defence made by General Rochambeau and his + garrison was strongly manifested on our entering Fort Bourbon, as + there was scarce an inch of ground untouched by our shot or shells; + and it is but justice to say, it did them the highest + honour.--Among the casualties that happened during the siege, the + following deserves notice. A party of the besieged were in one of + the chambers of the Bomb-proof in the Traverse, when a shell from + one of our batteries fell into the arched way, and rebounding, + burst the door of the chamber, and killed the whole party. + + [30] It is much to the credit of the officers, who served on shore + from the landing on the island till the reduction of Fort Bourbon, + a period of forty-seven days, that they shared the same hardships + as the privates without a murmur, sleeping in their clothes the + whole time; and being so situated that they seldom could have the + benefit of tents or any kind of hovel, they were exposed + continually to the heavy rains and nocturnal damps which in a + tropical climate so severely try the constitution; but, owing (as + it was imagined) to the flannel shirts which were invariably worn + by all ranks, they, as yet, suffered less from sickness than could + have been expected. + + + ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION OF FORT BOURBON. + + On the 21st of March, 1794, by order of their Excellencies Sir + Charles Grey, K. B. General and Commander in Chief of his Britannic + Majesty's forces in the West Indies, &c. &c. &c. and Vice Admiral + Sir John Jervis, K. B. commanding his Majesty's fleet, &c. &c. + Commodore C. Thompson, Colonel R. Symes, and Captain J. Conyngham, + met at Dillon's house to receive proposals of capitulation for Fort + Bourbon, from Colonel d'Aucourt, Captain Dupriret, and Gaschet + Dumaine, jun. nominated Commissioners for that purpose by General + Rochambeau. + + _The following_ ARTICLES _were proposed, discussed, and modified, + at a second conference held at Fort Royal on the 22d of March, + 1794_. + + Article I. The garrison, composed of the troops of the line, + artillery, gunners of the marine, and national guard, shall march + out with colours flying, thirty rounds a man, and two field pieces + with twelve rounds.--ANSWER. The colony of Martinique, already + reduced by the arms of his Britannic Majesty, and the forts and + towns of St. Pierre and Fort Royal taken with sword in hand, + General Rochambeau can only capitulate for Fort Bourbon, and what + it contains.--Granted. But they are to lay down their arms at a + place appointed, and not to serve against his Britannic Majesty, + or his allies, during the present war. + + II. Three months pay to be allowed to the troops of the + line.--ANSWER. No pay will be given. All their effects will be + allowed them; and they will be provided with whatever may be + necessary for their voyage to France. + + III. The thirty-seventh regiment, formerly Marshal Turenne's, shall + keep their colours and arms.--ANSWER. Refused, being contrary to + all customs of war. The officers may keep their swords. + + IV. They shall be furnished with ships to carry them to + France.--ANSWER. Granted. + + V. The emigrants, who have returned to Martinique, shall not be + present where the garrison lay down their arms or embark.--ANSWER. + Granted. + + VI. Such persons of the national guard, who can give proofs of + their property, shall be permitted to remain in the island, giving + that property as security for their conduct.--ANSWER. Those of the + national guard in Fort Bourbon who have affairs to settle, and + whose sojourn may not be deemed dangerous to the colony, may remain + according to the declaration of the General, dated January 1, 1794. + + Such as wish to go to France shall be allowed, leaving their agents + here.--ANSWER. Granted. + + VII. Persons not included in the above article, who are compelled + to return to France, shall be allowed a certain time to settle + their affairs.--ANSWER. A proper time shall be allowed: fifteen + days at least. + + VIII. Persons belonging to the garrison of Fort Convention, + possessing no landed property, but who exercised some profession or + trade previous to the present capitulation, shall be allowed to + continue their trade or calling; nor sent to France, provided their + future conduct should not make such a measure necessary.--ANSWER. + They are regarded in the same predicament with those in Article VI. + + IX. The legal regulations of the constituted authorities shall be + confirmed.--ANSWER. Refused. + + X. The code of civil judicature in force through the island shall + be continued for the space of two years.--ANSWER. Granted, till his + Britannic Majesty's pleasure be known. + + XI. The property of owners and captains of ships shall be secured + to them on board and on shore.--ANSWER. Granted, as to their + property in Fort Bourbon. + + XII. The inhabitants of St. Pierre, embarked on English ships, + shall be set at liberty, and their property, under seal, secured to + them.--ANSWER. This article cannot come within the present + capitulation. The claimants may apply to the commanders of the + fleet and army. + + XIII. The ordonateur and officers of administration shall have + permission and time to regulate their accounts, and to take with + them the papers relative to that end.--ANSWER. Granted. + + XIV. There shall be an entire and absolute oblivion of the past, + and an end to all animosities.--ANSWER. Granted, according to the + proclamations. + + XV. The rights of free citizens inrolled in the national guard + shall be preserved.--ANSWER. Refused. + + XVI. The liberty of individuals composing the companies of + l'Enclume, d'Octavius, de la Croire, and de Pontouur, shall be + confirmed.--ANSWER. Refused. The slaves must be restored to their + owners. + + XVII. A period shall be fixed for the taking possession of the + fort, and the necessary time allowed for the garrison to take out + their effects.--ANSWER. The two gates of Fort Bourbon to be + delivered up to the troops of his Britannic Majesty immediately + after the exchange of the present articles. The garrison will march + out at the great gate, and be conducted to the place appointed for + each corps, by the commissioners who have managed the present + capitulation, and will lay down their arms at the place of their + embarkation. Three days will be allowed for the evacuation of the + fort, and the commissaries of artillery and stores will remain in + the forts to take inventories of all the magazines. + + XVIII. The greatest attention shall be paid to the sick and + wounded; and they shall be furnished with ships to carry them to + France as they recover.--ANSWER. Granted; but at the expence of the + French government, and to be attended by their own surgeons; if not + sufficient for the purpose, surgeons shall be furnished. + + XIX. General Rochambeau, immediately upon the surrender of the + fort, shall be at liberty to take his measures for his return to + France. A frigate to be furnished him, his aides de camp, + secretaries, and suite.--ANSWER. A commodious vessel shall be + allowed to General Rochambeau, with the necessary passports for his + safe return to France. + + XX. The effects, trunks, chests, private papers, and all that + General Rochambeau shall declare to belong to himself and suite, + shall be put under the protection of an English guard, when the + troops of that nation shall have taken possession of Fort + Convention, and shall be embarked with him.--ANSWER. Granted. + + XXI. The civil ordonateur, or intendant of the colony, shall have + liberty also, with the officers of administration, comptroller and + treasurer, with those employed in the public offices at St. Pierre + and Fort Royal, to return to France.--ANSWER. Granted. + + XXII. The same demands made by General Rochambeau in Art. XX. shall + be granted to the intendant and those under him.--ANSWER. Granted. + + XXIII. All papers of accounts in the forts or town shall be + carefully collected by the principals of each department to which + they belong, and embarked in the same ship with the + ordonateur.--ANSWER. All papers, not essential to be left in the + colony, shall be given, and free access to take authentic copies of + such as it may be thought necessary to retain. + + XXIV. Captains and officers of merchant ships, who have not settled + their affairs, shall be allowed time to do so. The former the space + of four months, the latter of two months, under the protection of + the commander of his Britannic Majesty's forces, that they may + recover their debts; after which they will procure the readiest + passage to whatever place may be expedient for their affairs, with + passports from the English commanders.--ANSWER. Granted. + + _Additional Article._ Fort Bourbon to be delivered up to his + Britannic Majesty in its present state, with no deterioration of + its batteries, mines, magazines of artillery or provisions, and + every thing it contains which is not the private property of the + garrison. + + Fort Royal, March 22, 1794. + + Signed. + + D'AUCOURT. C. THOMPSON. + GASCHET, Fils. RICH. SYMES. + DUPRIRET. JOHN CONYNGHAM. + + Approved by me, Approved by us, + + DTE. ROCHAMBEAU, CHARLES GREY. + Commander in Chief of the French JOHN JERVIS. + West India Islands. + + * * * * * + +On the 21st of March Captain Faulknor was promoted from the Zebra sloop +to the command of the Bienvenue French frigate of 40 guns, taken in the +Carénage of Fort Royal, and which was now named the Undaunted by the +Admiral, to express the greatness of that action, which finished the +capture of the whole island. At the same time Lieutenant Bowen was +promoted to the command of the Zebra sloop, for his gallant conduct on +the 17th instant, as well as at various other times. + +The gun-boats, which by the French were called "Les Petit Diables," were +of infinite service, and gained the officers commanding them immortal +credit, by the steady and well-directed fire they kept up constantly, +both night and day, on Fort Louis; and though continually exposed to an +heavy fire both of grape and round shot, their loss was small, not more +than four killed and wounded, during the siege. The several ships of the +line contributed their aid, by sending row-boats armed to attend them in +case of accident. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + GENERAL PRESCOTT IS LEFT GOVERNOR OF MARTINIQUE ... THE COMMANDERS + IN CHIEF SAIL FOR ST. LUCIA ... GENERAL DUNDAS LANDS NEAR PIGEON + ISLAND ... THE FLEET ANCHORS AT MARIGOT DE ROSSEAUX ... PRINCE + EDWARD LANDS WITH THE GRENADIERS, AND MARCHES TOWARDS MORNE FORTUNE + ... COLONEL COOTE LANDS WITH THE LIGHT INFANTRY ... THE FLEET + ANCHORS IN BARRINGTON'S BAY ... COLONEL COOTE STORMS A REDOUBT ON + THE MORNE ... GENERAL RICARD SURRENDERS THE ISLAND ... COLONEL SIR + CHARLES GORDON LEFT GOVERNOR OF ST. LUCIA ... THE COMMANDERS IN + CHIEF SAIL TO MARTINIQUE. + + +His Excellency the Commander in Chief, having left Lieutenant General +Prescott to command at Martinique, with the fifteenth, thirty-ninth, +fifty-eighth, sixty-fourth, and seventieth regiments to garrison that +island, on the 30th of March he embarked the following troops on board +his Majesty's ships in the bay of Fort Royal, viz. the brigade of +grenadiers, commanded by his Royal Highness Prince Edward; the brigade +of light infantry, under command of Major General Dundas; and the sixth, +ninth, and forty-third regiments, commanded by Colonel Sir Charles +Gordon; with engineers under Colonel Dornford, and a detachment of Royal +artillery, with some light ordnance, under Lieutenant Colonel +Paterson.--On the 31st the Admiral made the signal for the fleet to sail +by eleven A. M. and by half past nine the next morning was off the north +part of the island of St. Lucia, where he lay to for the rest of the +fleet that had fallen to leeward. Every thing having been previously +arranged between the General and Admiral, they effected three different +landings on the island with little resistance, and no loss. By half past +one P. M. Major General Dundas's division, consisting of the third +battalion of light infantry, under Lieutenant Colonel Close, and +conducted by Captains Kelly and Lord Garlies of the navy, made good +their landing at Ance du Cap, not far from Le Gros Islet[31]; and the +second light infantry, under Lieutenant Colonel Blundell, conducted by +Commodore Thompson, at Ance du Chocque, who were ordered to join the +first column, taking the enemy's batteries in reverse, and to occupy a +position for the purpose of investing the works of Morne Fortuné on the +side of the Carénage; all which, notwithstanding a sharp fire kept up by +the enemy from several small batteries, was executed by General Dundas +with his usual spirit and abilities. As the Boyne and the rest of the +fleet passed along the coast they received the fire of many small forts +and batteries, without returning it; and though considerably within the +range of their shot, which passed over and through their sails and +rigging, not a man was hurt in any of them. At four P. M. the fleet +anchored in twenty fathom water, within a cable's length of the shore, +at Marigot de Rofeaux; at which place his Royal Highness Prince Edward +with the grenadiers landed about six o'clock in the evening, under the +immediate direction of the Admiral, and began their march soon after. At +night they halted on the heights opposite to Morne Fortuné, from which +they were separated by the Grand Cul de Sac, or Barrington's Bay. Soon +after sun-set, Lieutenant Colonel Coote, with the first battalion of +light infantry, landed from the Boyne at Ance de la Tocque, proceeded to +and took the four-gun battery of Ciceron, investing Morne Fortuné on +that side; at the same time covering Cul de Sac, or Barrington's Bay, +for the entrance of our fleet, which anchored there the next morning, +being the 2d of April. This morning early the Prince dispatched two +companies of grenadiers, with Lieutenant Smyth of the 7th regiment, his +brigade major, to attack two batteries on the coast, which they found +evacuated, with the tri-coloured flag still flying; this they brought +off with them, and spiked the guns. Sir Charles Grey, visiting the +Prince's quarters, found his men were halted in a very swampy and +unhealthy place, and ordered them to change their ground, and move on to +a house at the bottom of Morne Fortuné, which they performed that night +without any loss, though part of their road (near a mile in length) was +exposed to the fire of the fort on the Morne, as also of a little +two-gun battery on a point of land under the fort, which, as they passed +the ravine at the head of the Grand Cul de Sac, played upon them with +round shot and grape: however, the distance was too great for any +mischief to happen from the latter. In their march they had to pass a +swampy thicket of plantain trees, which concealed them from the view of +the enemy, who nevertheless kept up a constant fire of random shot; and +though the distance was now very trifling, and the cannonade extremely +heavy for a long time, not a man was killed, and a few only slightly +hurt by the splinters of stones and rock which flew in great plenty +round them.--Early in the morning of the 3d of April, Lieutenant Colonel +Coote, with four light companies, stormed a redoubt and two batteries +close to the enemy's principal work on the Morne, and killed two +officers and thirty men, made one prisoner (a surgeon), and liberated +one British seaman from captivity: he then spiked six pieces of cannon, +and fell back to Morne Ferré, where he established his quarters[32]. The +Commander in Chief now determined to carry the works on Morne Fortuné by +assault, and accordingly a plan was formed for a general attack to be +made on it the next morning by the troops which now invested it, aided +by a party of seamen under command of Lord Garlies: but General Ricard, +perceiving the determined behaviour of our troops, prevented the plan +being put in execution, by agreeing to terms of capitulation, which had +been offered by Sir Charles Grey, who had sent in Major Maitland with a +flag of truce to summon the garrison to surrender. The gates of the fort +were put into our possession the same evening by nine o'clock. On the +4th the enemy marched out of the fort, with the honours of war, to the +glacis, where they piled their arms, and were embarked on board of +transports, which conveyed them to France, under conditions that they +should not serve against his Britannic Majesty during the war[33]. When +his Royal Highness Prince Edward marched into the fort of Morne Fortuné, +and hoisted the British colours, he changed its name to Fort Charlotte, +in honour of his august parent.--Major Maitland had been dispatched to +Pigeon Island with a summons, which, by order of General Ricard, was +delivered up to his Majesty's troops on the same terms as the Morne. The +Commander in Chief left the sixth and ninth regiments, with detachments +of artillery and engineers, as a garrison for this island, under the +command of Colonel Sir Charles Gordon, who was appointed governor till +his Majesty's pleasure was known. + + [31] By us called Pigeon Island. On it is a very strong battery, + which commands a great distance. + + [32] The conduct and abilities of Colonel Coote in this enterprise + gained him the particular thanks of the Commander in Chief, whose + orders he had so ably executed; and he was well supported by the + whole of his department, particularly by Major Evatt, Captains + Buchanan, Crosbie, Welch, Thomas Grey (one of the General's aid de + camps), and Stovin; also by Major of Brigade Vischer, with + Lieutenant Drozier, and the detachment of royal artillery, who + spiked the guns. + + [33] The garrison that marched out with General Ricard, and laid + down their arms as prisoners of war, were about three hundred men, + troops of the line (among which one hundred and twenty-five were of + the regiment d'Aunai), some artillery, and a few people of colour. + General Ricard, at his own request, was sent to America, as had + been General Rochambeau, who chose that place in preference to his + own distracted country, where the system of blood that was then the + order of the day under the tyranny of Robespierre, would have + immolated even these men, who had with so much bravery defended the + posts intrusted to them by their country. + +The island of St. Lucia had its name from the day, dedicated to the +virgin martyr St. Lucia, on which it was discovered. It is about six +leagues south of Martinique, and twenty-one north-west from Barbadoes: +it is fifteen miles long, and eleven broad; is very hilly, and covered +in a great many places with thick woods, of whose timber the planters +of Martinique and the neighbouring islands build their houses and mills. +The fustic and cocoa tree is found here also in great abundance. This +island has frequently changed its masters, being alternately possessed +by the French and English: it has many good bays and harbours, and is +well watered by several fine clear rivers. Two of the mountains are said +to have been volcanos. Morne Fortuné is a high hill which overhangs +Basse Terre, the principal town of the island. On the summit of the +Morne is a fortification, as yet unfinished; by nature it is very +strong, but art has done little for it; for, when the outworks fall, the +fort is incapable of withstanding a siege. We found but little +ammunition or military stores, and one small uncovered tank was the only +reservoir for water. Here is also a Pigeon Island, which is called by +the French Gros Islet, and is so strongly fortified both by nature and +art, that if it was well supplied with provisions and stores, would be +capable of braving a very formidable attack. The bay of the Grand Cul de +Sac is a fine harbour for ships of any size to ride in, during the +hurricane months. + +Lieutenant D'Arcy Preston, being promoted from a lieutenancy in the +Boyne to the command of the Rattlesnake sloop of war, sailed for England +this day, carrying Captain Mason, one of the aid de camps of the +Commander in Chief, and Captain Parker of the Blanche, with an account +of the further success of his Majesty's arms in the reduction of the +island of St. Lucia[34], happily effected without the loss of a single +man, though there had been a good deal of cannonading from the enemy's +batteries and works. The flank battalions being reimbarked on board of +their respective ships, and Sir Charles Grey with his suite being as +usual with the Admiral on board the Boyne, the whole fleet weighed and +made sail from this island by eight in the morning of the 5th of April, +and by nine at night they anchored in Fort Royal harbour, Martinique. +Thus, in the short period of something more than two months, by the +efforts of this army and navy, inconsiderable indeed in numbers, but +united in an ardent desire to prove themselves faithful to their +country, and strenuous to defend and promote her welfare, and increase +her consequence, was the British standard a second time hoisted on the +walls of a republican fortress, and another island added to the British +dominions. + + [34] The General transmitted also a plan of the projected works on + Morne Fortuné, earnestly recommending them to be finished, as it + was a very strong post, not commanded, but commanding every other + post around it. + +To provide for the future order and good government of their conquests +was now the task of Sir Charles Grey and his friend and colleague, Sir +John Jervis; and as, in the attainment of them, their hearts and +counsels were in unison, so in this most arduous business were their +united exertions employed to establish a system of government for the +conquered islands, which might be equally serviceable to their country, +as conciliatory to the minds of the newly acquired subjects of it; but +at a moment like this, when they were pushing on from one field of +conflict and glory to another, it was impossible to render any system of +government perfect; they therefore thought that the best mode would be +to leave them a government which appeared to have been most desired by +the majority of the people, and which agreed better with our own forms +than the wild confusion of democratic and revolutionary power. +Accordingly, they for the present left them in the exercise of their +accustomed laws, such as they had been at the happiest period of their +own government, and which appeared best calculated to forward a system +of confidence among their own order, and to prepare them for that form +of government (we from experience know the blessings of, and) which +unquestionably, on the same experience, would become earnestly desired +by all ranks of people. To further also the desirable object of +conciliating the minds of the conquered by an act of moderation and +indulgence, the conduct of all civil affairs[35] was principally +entrusted to those whose influence in the colony pointed them out as +proper to be confided in; and whilst every tendency to licentiousness +would be checked by the vigorous direction of General Prescott under his +military government, the former courts, for the administration of +justice agreeable to the laws and customs before the revolution, were +allowed to go on, that the affections and gratitude of his majesty's new +subjects might in the surest manner be attached and secured. However an +arrangement of officers, guided by the constitution of the other British +colonies, was not neglected, and accordingly several nominations were +made and transmitted home for approval. St. Lucia was left in the same +state, as to its government, as Martinique. + + [35] The revenue department was however an exception to this + arrangement of the civil departments, as the purpose of trade could + not of course be answered through the forms of a French + custom-house, or the revenue laws adhered to but by the + establishment of our own people to carry on that necessary branch. + Those places therefore in the district of the island of Martinique, + which were immediately necessary to be filled, were attended to, + and a list of them sent home, that when his majesty's pleasure + should be made known with regard to the future civil government, + they might be put in motion without any delay. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + EXPEDITION AGAINST GUADALOUPE ... THE ISLES DE SAINTS ATTACKED AND + TAKEN ... THE BOYNE AND VETERAN ANCHOR OFF GROZIER ... THE TROOPS + LAND UNDER COVER OF THE WINCHELSEA FRIGATE ... CAPTAIN LORD GARLIES + WOUNDED ... FORT FLEUR D'EPEE TAKEN BY STORM ... FORT LOUIS AND THE + TOWN OF POINT A PITRE TAKEN ... CASUALTIES ... GENERAL DESCRIPTION + OF THE ISLAND. + + +On Tuesday the 8th of April, the fleet[36], having the Commander in +Chief on board, with the remainder of the forces which were not left to +garrison the two islands of Martinique and St. Lucia, weighed anchor by +seven o'clock A. M. and sailed from the bay of Fort Royal on an +expedition against Guadaloupe (the troops having been previously shifted +from the men of war to the transports). The Admiral detached Captain +Rogers in the Quebec frigate, Captain Faulknor in the Blanche, Captain +Incledon in the Ceres, and Captain Scott in the Rose, to attack a +cluster of small islands called the Saints, lying between Dominique and +Guadaloupe, which they executed with much spirit and gallantry: having +landed a party of their seamen and marines, they carried them without +any loss on their part, on the morning of the 10th instant; and when the +fleet arrived the same morning off the islands, they had the +satisfaction of perceiving the union flag hoisted on their two +commanding batteries. These islands are valued principally on account of +a small harbour, where a few ships of war may ride in safety during the +hurricane months; and also that they overlook a good deal of the coast +of Basse Terre.--About noon on the 10th of April the Boyne and Veteran +anchored in the bay of Point à Pitre, off the village of Grozier, and +some more of the fleet in the course of the afternoon; but a fresh wind +and lee current prevented most of the transports from getting in till +the day after. Without waiting however for the arrival of all the +troops, the General determined to land those that were with him, +immediately; and accordingly the first and second battalions of +grenadiers, one company of the forty-third regiment, fifty marines, and +four hundred seamen detached by the Admiral, under the command of +Captain George Grey of the Boyne, made good their landing by one o'clock +in the morning of the 11th, under a severe fire from Fort Fleur d'Epée, +and a three-gun battery at Grozier. As it was impossible for them to +land without the latter being silenced, Lord Garlies in the Winchelsea +was ordered on that service, which he performed in a masterly manner, +laying his ship within half-musket shot of the battery, as near indeed +as the depth of water would allow him to approach; and after a smart +fire for some time on both sides, he drove them from their guns, and the +troops then effected their landing without any loss. In this business, +though every shot from the battery hit some part of the Winchelsea, +cutting the masts and rigging, Lord Garlies was the only man wounded, +receiving a bad contusion in his face. Some more of the troops having +arrived on the 11th, the General, perceiving the enemy to be in +considerable force at the strong post of Fort Fleur d'Epée, determined +to attack them without loss of time, and accordingly arranged his plans +in the following order: the first division, under command of his Royal +Highness Prince Edward, consisting of the first and second battalions of +grenadiers and one hundred of the naval battalion, was to attack the +post on Morne Mascot, an height within musket-shot of the fort; the +second division, commanded by Major General Dundas, consisting of the +first and second battalions of light infantry, and one hundred of the +naval battalion, to attack the fort of Fleur d'Epée in the rear, and to +cut off its communication with Fort Louis and Point à Pitre; and the +third division, commanded by Colonel Symes, consisting of the third +battalion of grenadiers and the third battalion of light infantry, and +the remainder of the naval battalions, to proceed by the road on the +sea-side to co-operate with Major General Dundas. The soldiers were +particularly directed not to fire, but trust solely to the bayonet; and +the seamen, who were commanded by Captain Nugent and Captain Faulknor, +to use their pikes and swords; all which was most scrupulously obeyed; +the several divisions having marched earlier, according to the distance +they had to go, that they might commence the attack at the same instant. +The signal for the attack, which was a gun from the Boyne, was given by +the Admiral at five o'clock in the morning of the 12th. The troops moved +forward with the most determined intrepidity. As they advanced to the +first picquet the alarm was given; the out-posts were driven in, or put +to death; and in an instant the sides of the hill on which the fort was +situated were covered by our people, who scrambled up, under a most +tremendous discharge of grape shot and musketry: some sailors jumped +into the embrasures, driving the enemy before: the soldiers, who had +reached the gates, at length succeeded in forcing them open, and a scene +of dreadful conflict took place: the enemy still continuing to make a +stout resistance, were put to the sword in great numbers; at length, as +many as could escape through the gates and embrasures, or by leaping +over the walls, fled with the utmost precipitation towards the town of +Point à Pitre. Our victorious troops soon followed, driving them across +the Carénage to Basse Terre, whither they and several of the inhabitants +made their escape in boats, before the Ceres and two gun-boats could get +into the Carénage to cut off their retreat, though this service was +performed by Captain Incledon with the greatest alertness. With Fleur +d'Epée fell Hog Island, and Fort Louis, an old fortification commanding +the entrance into the harbour of Point à Pitre, which town also was +taken possession of at the same time by Sir Charles Grey. Our loss in +this action was considerable, in proportion to the smallness of our +numbers, being fifty-four killed and wounded; the enemy lost in all two +hundred and fifty. Fort Fleur d'Epée is strongly situated on the summit +of a hill, two sides of which are towards the sea, from whence it has a +very formidable appearance; but being commanded by Morne Mascot, when +that falls into the power of an enemy it is of little consequence. On +the brow of the hill, a little below the fort, is an half-moon battery, +which commands a great distance along the coast. Among the many +accidents worth notice, I beg leave to mention the following, which I +hope will be a striking instance (among many of the same kind which have +happened this war) that it behoves all our people serving on shore, +whether military or naval, to be distinguished by red dresses. The +French, as well as several other continental troops, are dressed in +blue; of course, in the confusion of an assault, especially if it +happens before day-break, a seaman's blue jacket may, and I am convinced +often has, been the cause of his death by the hands of his own +countrymen. A seaman of the Boyne, belonging to the first company, +expressing a wish that he might have an opportunity of lowering the +French flag, and hoisting our own; and being a remarkably fine fellow, +was pitched upon to carry the union flag on this attack for that +purpose, in case the fort should be taken; and accordingly it was +wrapped in many folds round him, and he was to defend it as well as he +could. When he approached the fort, the first object that attracted his +notice was the flag-staff, and, regardless of every danger, he rushed +forward, pike in hand; and having once got into the fort, away he ran to +the desired spot, and had already struck the tri-coloured flag, and was +endeavouring to disengage himself from his wrapper, in order to hoist +that in its stead, when some soldiers coming suddenly round the corner +of a building, and taking him for one of the enemy, in an instant +attacked him, and he fell severely wounded before they discovered their +mistake. I am happy however to add, that the poor fellow, by the care +and skill of Mr. Weir, the surgeon-general[37] of the navy, recovered +sufficiently to shew, before the end of the campaign, that his courage +was undiminished by the accident.--Captain Faulknor, who had so +eminently distinguished himself at the capture of Fort Louis in +Martinique, had a narrow escape in this business: having led his men on +to the assault with his usual gallantry, he was encountered by a French +officer, whom he instantly struck at with his sword, which falling on +the epaulette on his shoulder, did not penetrate: the Frenchman closed +with him, and being the strongest man, threw him to the ground; and, +wresting the sword from his hand, was in the act of plunging it into his +body, when fortunately a seaman belonging to the Boyne, seeing the +danger his gallant leader was in, with his pike pinned his adversary to +the earth.--As at this time I was the only chaplain on the expedition +(Mr. Ruxton, chaplain of the fifty-sixth regiment, having died soon +after his landing in Martinique), and several of our men having fallen +in this gallant attack, I went on shore up to Fort Fleur d'Epée to pay +the last honours to our unfortunate countrymen, eighteen of whom were +killed on the spot. The scene I beheld surpassed my powers of +description. It was early in the morning, soon after the action was +over. At the foot of the hill lay several of our seamen badly wounded, +waiting to be carried on board their respective ships: a little further, +under the tall trees that grew within a few yards of the sea, several +naval officers reposing after the fatigues of the morning, and their men +not far from them. As we went up the hill we met some of the wounded +prisoners brought in by our people; and at the gates of the fort was an +heap of the slain, who had all died by the sword or bayonet. Within the +fort the destruction appeared more dreadful, being more confined; a +multitude of miserable wretches expiring of their wounds, and many of +our own people in the same situation: in the midst of this was his +Excellency writing his dispatches on a table, on which, fatigued with +the action, an artilleryman was sleeping, whom the General would by no +means have disturbed; one proof among thousands that the truest heroism +may be, and often is, united to the greatest humanity.--It would be +invidious to mention particularly, who distinguished themselves in this +business, where all seemed emulous of glory; but as the greatest +responsibility is attached to the higher ranks, it will be but justice +to say, that Prince Edward, General Dundas, Colonels Symes, Cradock, +and Coote, with the other officers of rank, as also Captains Nugent and +Faulknor, the officers commanding the naval battalions, received the +thanks of the Commander in Chief in public orders, for their excellent +conduct and resolution, displayed through the whole of the action. + + [36] Consisting of the Boyne, Irresistible, Veteran, Winchelsea, + Solebay, Quebec, Ceres, Blanche, Rose, Woolwich, Experiment, and + Roebuck, together with the transports with troops, and the ordnance + and hospital ships and victuallers. + + [37] As this is an office, I believe, hitherto unknown in the navy, + I shall explain the reason of its being now established. The + Admiral had in a former war experienced the attention and zeal of + Mr. Weir, and being well acquainted with the fatigue and danger + that would unavoidably be the lot of his surgeon, if he did his + duty, he pitched upon him for that office, and as an encouragement + he procured permission to appoint a surgeon general to the navy, + and his appointment did honour to his discernment. Mr. Weir was + indefatigable in attending the wounded and sick in his own ship, + and equally ready to visit others; and even where his duty had no + demand on him, his humanity led him to give his advice and + assistance. In his mode of treatment of that dreadful disease, the + yellow fever, he was more successful than was generally the case, + as the Boyne lost a less proportion of patients under that + afflicting malady than any other ship on the expedition. + +Point à Pitre is the capital of that part of Guadaloupe called Grand +Terre, which is separated from the other part, called Bass Terre, by a +narrow arm of the sea, in form of a river; it is called the river +Sallée. The town is neat and well built, but in an unhealthy situation, +being on the borders of a large extent of swampy land; it has a good +harbour called the Carénage, the entrance to which is guarded on one +side by an half-moon battery lately erected on Islet a Couchon, or Hog +Island, and on the other by the ancient castle of Fort Louis; it is also +defended on the land side by a hill called Morne Government, on which is +a strong battery. The country on this part of Guadaloupe is remarkably +flat, forming a strong contrast to Basse Terre, which gradually rises +from the sea-shore till it forms a chain of hills extending from one end +of that part of the island to the other. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + THE GENERAL EMBARKS HIS ARMY, AND LANDS ON BASSE TERRE AT PETIT + BOURG ... OCCURRENCES ON THE MARCH TOWARDS PALMISTE ... THE ADMIRAL + ANCHORS IN ANCE DE BAILLIF ... GENERAL DUNDAS LANDS, AND FORMS A + COMMUNICATION WITH SIR CHARLES GREY ... THE PALMISTE TAKEN BY + ASSAULT ... GENERAL COLLOT DELIVERS UP FORT SAINT CHARLES AND THE + ISLAND OF GUADALOUPE AND ITS DEPENDENCIES TO THE COMMANDERS IN + CHIEF. + + +On the 13th, the forty-third regiment being landed to garrison Fort +Prince of Wales (late Fleur d'Epée), the town of Point à Pitre, and the +other ports on Grand Terre, the General and the rest of his army +reimbarked on board of their respective ships; and in the evening the +Sea Flower brig, Captain Pierrepoint, sailed for England with +dispatches. At twelve o'clock the next day, the Quebec and the other +frigates, with the transports, sailed over to the other side of the bay; +and in the afternoon the troops, consisting of the grenadiers and light +infantry, commanded by his Royal Highness Prince Edward, landed at a +village called Petit Bourg, where many of the principal people of the +island were assembled, who received the Commander in Chief and the +Prince with the greatest demonstrations of joy. A party of sailors also, +under the command of Captain Rogers of the Quebec, landed at the same +time. That night the General returned to the Boyne; the next morning he +landed at St. Mary's, where he found Colonel Coote, with the first +battalion of light infantry, who had marched in before day-break from +Petit Bourg. The troops now marched forward, principally along shore, +without any remarkable occurrence, and halted for the night at a small +village between Cabes Terre and Petit Bourg. On the 16th the troops, +still advancing along shore, reached Trou Chien, a very strong post, +which the enemy had abandoned; and before dark the army halted on the +high ground over Les Trois Riverres, from whence they saw the enemy's +two redoubts and their strong posts on the heights of Palmiste. The +General intended to have attacked the enemy that night; but the troops +were too much fatigued from the long and difficult march they had just +finished. Here, at a beautiful plantation belonging to Monsieur +Bellisle, the Prince and several of his officers were sumptuously +entertained at supper by that gentleman, who repeated his hospitality +the next day. All this time the Admiral stood off and on near the shore, +to be ready to pour in assistance in case there should be any necessity +for it: but on the army retiring up the country towards Palmiste on the +17th instant, he came round towards the town of Basse Terre. Fort St. +Charles fired a few shot and shells at the Boyne without effect. At half +past one P. M. we were becalmed off the town, and had a beautiful view +of the country round it, which, rising gradually inland, presents a +varied amphitheatre of plantations, woods, hills, and vallies, +interspersed with elegant and well-built houses, ornamented by many fine +plantations of palms, cocoa-nut, and other tall and majestic trees. By +five P. M. we anchored in Ance de Baillif, about a mile from the town of +Basse Terre, which was hid from our view by an high point of land +forming the bay. On the 17th Major General Dundas, with the third +battalion of grenadiers, and second and third battalions of light +infantry, landed at Vieux Habitant, some miles north-west of Basse +Terre, meeting with little opposition and no loss, taking possession of +Morne Magdalene, and destroying two batteries, then detaching Lieutenant +Colonel Blundell with the second battalion of light infantry, he in the +night forced several difficult posts of the enemy. On the 17th General +Sir Charles Grey made a disposition for the attack of a redoubt called +d'Arbaud, and a battery named d'Anet, both near Grand Ance; the troops +pushed forward, and halted within a league of the village of Trois +Riviere. By day-break on the 18th Lieutenant Colonel Coote, with the +first battalion of light infantry, attacked and stormed the battery; +every man in it was either killed, wounded, or made prisoner, and not +one of our own was hurt. At the same time the grenadiers were ordered to +advance against the redoubt, which was commanded by this battery, and +which they found had been deserted by the enemy early in the night, who +burnt and destroyed every thing in and near it. On the night of the 17th +instant, the enemy in the town of Basse Terre (being divided in their +opinions, and party running very high among them) set fire to the town, +the whole of the west end of which was consumed, containing much +valuable property, and many fine houses. The motives for this mischief +we never could learn, as they were at that time in full possession of +the town; and as it was entirely commanded by Fort St. Charles, there +could be no danger of its falling into our hands until the fort was +taken. At one o'clock in the morning of the 20th, the Commander in +Chief, at the head of his troops, advanced to the attack of the +principal dependance of the enemy, which was a chain of batteries on the +heights of Palmiste, extending above a league. The grenadiers were +commanded by Prince Edward, and the light infantry by Lieutenant Colonel +Coote. At five in the morning the attack commenced by the light infantry +advancing to the assault of the highest and most formidable battery, +which, though well defended by nature and art, was soon obliged to yield +to the superior activity and bravery of our troops, who with their +bayonets forced the works, putting thirty of them to death. It is +remarkable, that in this affair the three first sentries at the advanced +batteries, on firing their muskets on the alarm, shot two advanced men +of the light infantry and their guide. The instant our men had made +themselves masters of this post, perceiving that it commanded all the +others, they with infinite spirit and address turned the guns against +them, under cover of which our troops marched up and took them all in +succession, without much further opposition, although, by every +appearance, they had determined to make a vigorous resistance, having +felled trees and laid them across the road, and at the entrance of their +batteries, and the guns being mostly loaded with grape-shot, or bags of +musket balls, it seemed as if they expected to have come to close +quarters. General Dundas had now formed a communication with Sir Charles +Grey by Morne Howell, and the Palmiste (the key of the town and Fort St. +Charles) being thus in our possession, the governor, Monsieur Collot, +sent a flag of truce to Sir Charles Grey, offering to deliver up +Guadaloupe and its dependencies on the same terms as had been granted to +General Rochambeau at Martinique, and Ricard at St. Lucia: the garrison +to march out with the honours of war, and lay down their arms, and to be +sent to France, on condition that they should not serve against the +British forces and their allies during the war; General Collot and his +suite to be allowed a certain time to settle their affairs, and to be +conveyed to North America in a frigate. Accordingly, the light infantry +being left in the batteries on the Palmiste, the remainder of the troops +marched down and took possession of the gates of both town and fort that +night. The next day the Boyne weighed anchor, and was towed by boats +round from the bay of Baillif to the road of Basse Terre, where she +anchored within a cable's length of the shore. At night a design of the +garrison, to rise upon our people and murder them, was happily made +known to General Dundas, who instantly rode down to the fort, and took +the necessary precautions to prevent the completion of this infamous +plot. At eight o'clock in the morning of Tuesday the 22d of April the +French garrison of Fort St. Charles marched out, consisting of +fifty-five regulars of the regiment of Guadaloupe, and the fourteenth +regiment of France, and eight hundred and eighteen national guards and +others; Prince Edward, with the grenadiers and light infantry, taking +possession immediately, struck the republican and hoisted the British +colours, changing the name of it to Fort Matilda. From the returns found +among General Collot's papers it appeared that the number of men capable +of bearing arms in the island of Guadaloupe was at that time five +thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven; and the number of fire-arms +actually delivered out to them was four thousand and forty-four[38]. On +the 26th Prince Edward with his suite embarked on board the Blanche +frigate, commanded by Captain Faulknor, and sailed for North America; +his regiment, the seventh or royal fuzileers, being stationed at Quebec. +The spirit and enterprise of his Royal Highness on this expedition, with +his strict attention to discipline, merits the highest applause, and +deservedly gained him the respect and esteem of all who served with him. +Before the troubles (occasioned by the revolution) commenced in these +islands, the town of Basse Terre was a place of very considerable +traffic, and much resorted to by merchants and others: it is regularly +built, well watered, and beautifully situated on the sea-shore, and +well defended by several batteries and forts, particularly to the +eastward by Fort St. Charles (now called Fort Matilda), which is a +regular fortification of great strength and extent; but being commanded +by surrounding high lands, particularly Houelmont, a steep hill, on +which is a battery that overlooks, not only the fort and town, but the +bay, and much of the country near it, it is incapable of maintaining a +long defence against a powerful attack by land, but is impregnable by +any that can be made against it from the sea only. In the centre of the +main street is a spacious walk shaded by handsome well grown trees, +which forms an agreeable relief from the heat which in this climate is +so very oppressive. Above the town is a large and commodious hospital, +which at this period we found of infinite use. The island of Guadaloupe +was discovered by Columbus, who named it after some mountains in Spain +to which it bore resemblance, but by the native Caraibs it is called +Karukera: it is situated thirty leagues N. W. from Martinique, and is +reckoned the largest and most valuable island the French held in these +parts; and, from its vicinity to Antigua and Dominica, as well as to +several of our smaller islands, is of great consequence to us. The +island is divided into two parts by a narrow channel called La Riviere +Sallée, or the Salt River: the eastern part is called Grand Terre, and +is comparatively flat; it is nineteen leagues long and nine broad: the +western part is properly called Guadaloupe, but is now known by the name +of Basse Terre, and is again subdivided (by a ridge of mountains +extending from one end to the other) into Capes Terre and Basse Terre: +this part of the island is thirteen leagues and a half in length, and +about seven at the broadest part. The islands immediately dependent on +Guadaloupe are Marigalante, Deseada, and the Saints. Marigalante is of a +round form, about forty miles to the S. E. of Guadaloupe; it is about +five leagues long and four broad, and was discovered by Columbus in +1493, who gave it the name of his own ship. Deseada, or Desirada (that +is, the Desirable Island), was the first of these islands discovered by +Columbus in his second voyage in 1493; it is about fifteen miles N. E. +of Guadaloupe, and is not very fertile. The Saints are a cluster of +islands on the S. E. side of Guadaloupe, of which the westernmost is +called Terre de Bas, or the Low Island; the easternmost the High Island: +there is a good harbour here for a few ships. These islands received the +name of Sanctos from the Spaniards, who first discovered them on All +Saints day. There is some good land in the valleys, but the hills are +covered with rocks.--Thus, in the short period of three months, +concluded a campaign, in which three valuable islands and their +dependencies were added to his majesty's dominions. To the unanimity +which subsisted between the Commanders in Chief, together with their +allowed high professional knowledge, and seconded by the spirited +conduct of all the inferior ranks, must this unlooked-for success be +attributed, as the force employed to effect it was certainly far short +of what it ought to have been for so great an enterprise. The originally +small army was now obliged to be divided, to garrison and secure our +newly-acquired possessions; the fatigue became the more burthensome, +and the troops that had gone through the campaign with unexampled +bravery and patience, at length began to feel the effects of a climate, +that even in peaceable times is often found too trying for European +constitutions; and which was at this period rendered tenfold more severe +by that dreadful malady the yellow fever, which, though it had subsided +when we first came to the West Indies, was now, as it were, awakened by +the arrival of fresh victims, and acquired more strength from the small +resistance that could be made against it by constitutions already broken +by fatigue under hardships and difficulties unparalleled.--As there were +no expectations of any reinforcements of consequence being sent till +November, the General determined to return to England, after he had made +a proper arrangement to render the conquests permanent, and secure them +against any attempt that might be made by those perturbed spirits that, +notwithstanding his utmost vigilance, might remain in the colonies; and +which he in a short time effected to his satisfaction, so far as it +related to any attempt that could be made by the enemy in these parts: +but it is not to be imagined that, with the small number of men he +originally brought out, now reduced by a variety of causes to half their +number, and daily decreasing in an alarming degree, any resistance could +be made against a strong reinforcement, if the French nation should be +able to send out one, from Europe[39]. Previous to his return, however, +he was determined to leave the islands in the best possible state of +defence; and for that purpose he, with the Admiral, visited all the +islands in this quarter, inspecting the strong posts and fortifications, +while the Admiral paid attention to the naval department in each; and in +the beginning of June, after having taken formal leave of the army in +general orders, he sailed for Europe. + + [38] Lieutenant George Vaughan of the Boyne was this day promoted + to the command of the Zebra sloop, and the Chaplain of the Boyne + was appointed to the chaplaincy of the garrison of Guadaloupe, + there being no other chaplain on the expedition; but government at + home did not think fit to confirm the appointment. Lieutenant + Davers of the Boyne was promoted to be acting commander of the + Inspector, from whence he was promoted to the command of the Bull + Dog sloop. Lieutenant Ogle was also appointed acting commander of + the Assurance. + + [39] After the islands were captured, a small reinforcement + arrived, which was to be retained by Sir Charles Grey, if he + thought fit; but as he knew it was much wanted to carry on the war + at St. Domingo, and as it was insufficient to enable him to + undertake an expedition against Cayenne, which he at first + intended, he sent it on to Jamaica, under the command of Brigadier + General Whyte; and Lieutenant Colonel Lennox, who came out soon + after, he dispatched thither also. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + THE CHARGES OF EXTORTED CONTRIBUTIONS AND OPPRESSIONS, ALLEDGED + AGAINST THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF BY CERTAIN INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS, + REFUTED ... THE REAL CAUSES OF THE LOSS OF GUADALOUPE. + + +After having given an account of the glorious success which had crowned +the exertions of our gallant commanders and their forces, I now enter +upon a less pleasant task, the loss of Guadaloupe, since followed by the +capture of some other islands: but I do it the more willingly, because +in the simple facts it will be my duty to detail, the real cause of +those misfortunes will appear, and a clear refutation ensue of those +gross calumnies, originally propagated by avarice, fraud, and falsehood, +and repeated by ignorance and malice, which have endeavoured to fix a +stigma on two commanders, whose integrity of heart and openness of +conduct are as demonstrable, as their bravery is acknowledged. + +The accusation of plunder, confiscation, and _extorted contribution_, is +founded on a tale, of which half only has been told, and that half with +intentional inaccuracy. + +It has always been understood that property found in any place taken by +storm or assault became the legal prize or booty of the captors; +consequently the Commanders in Chief found no hesitation or difficulty +in considering the produce, merchandise, &c. afloat and on shore at St. +Pierre and Fort Royal (both which were literally so taken) as justly +liable to forfeit and confiscation. The estates of the emigrant +royalists had been sequestered, and the produce of them sold by the +agents of the republic; consequently all manufactured or collected +produce on them became in like manner, by his majesty's gracious bounty, +the right of the captors. + +If what is found in places or vessels taken by assault be not considered +as legal prize, what is? Is no booty, no prize money, to be the reward +of successful heroism, after the dreadful fatigues, diseases, and +dangers of war? Where then will be the spur to noble actions? Where the +spirit that impels the soldier and the sailor to brave the horrors of +arms and elements, of raging sickness, of excruciating death? + +All the produce and merchandise found in the town of Fort Royal and on +board the vessels in the Carénage, and the same in the town and bay of +St. Pierre and in Trinité in the island of Martinique, and at Basse +Terre and Point à Pitre in Guadaloupe, were disposed of by public +auction for the benefit of the captors: but those on the estates, +manufactured and packed ready to be brought down to the ports for +embarkation, were not sold at this time, because persons came forward on +the part of the inhabitants themselves, and proposed a contribution, in +lieu of that part of the property, as falling more easy on them, and +consequently being preferable to confiscation; though they did not at +that time pretend to dispute the legality of the forfeiture. The +Commanders in Chief acceded to this _their own proposal_, through a pure +wish of accommodation. The exorbitant and unprecedented contribution, +therefore, levied on an unwilling people, turns out to be an _offered +compromise for an undisputed prize, received by a merciful and tender +conqueror out of kindness to the conquered_. + +How well bestowed this kindness was, how deserved the confidence placed +in the honour of these people, will appear by the sequel! They received +back the forfeitures, and then endeavoured to get rid of paying the +compromise (themselves had offered) by infamous misrepresentations of +the conduct of those Commanders, of whose generosity they made use, to +defame, and then to rob them! For no sooner had they shipped off the +property, and got it safe away from the power of the Commanders, than +they began to demur at paying the stipulated sum, particularly at St. +Lucia, which island had agreed to pay one hundred and fifty thousand +pounds. + +Situated as I was, and having an opportunity of drawing my conclusions +on the spot, I venture, with a very strong confidence of its truth, to +relate the following as the secret history of this business. An agent +for the prizes at St. Lucia, joining one of the agents who had already +been employed in the sale of the vendible property at Martinique +(possibly piqued by some diminution of confidence which the Commanders +in Chief from good reason had betrayed towards them), no sooner met the +inhabitants of St. Lucia, whom he had convened on the subject of raising +the stipulated compromise for the plunder, than he offered, with an +unparalleled duplicity, while confessing himself sent on the part of the +captors, to suggest a mode by which the payment of this debt of honour +might be evaded. "Send," said he, "an immediate deputation to the +English government, anticipate the story of the Commanders, and a +prohibition will instantly issue." The deputation was sent without loss +of time: they relied on securing a large body of English merchants, +particularly those in the West Indies, on their side; and their reliance +was well placed, for they relied on that which they could easily prove +to be their interest. The truth is, that many of these West India +traders[40] had carried on an illicit traffic to the French islands +before they were captured; and in consequence of it had at the time of +the capture immense sums still due to them. Apprehending, therefore, +that the payment of this contribution might retard, or even endanger, +the discharge of their own debts, they joined heartily in every scheme +for defeating this just and prior claim. They encouraged the French in +their opposition; they misrepresented the facts to England; they +attempted to blast the laurels of the Commanders; and became clamorous +against the cruelty of plunder, and illegality and impolicy of +confiscation, that they might enjoy the rewards of their own treason. +While this plot was secretly carrying on, and a heavy storm brooding +over their heads, the General and Admiral were proceeding in their +expedition against Guadaloupe, little suspicious, till the dispatches +from England discovered the success with which the artful stories of +this party had been attended. + + [40] Admiral Rodney used to say of these people, that "they were + smugglers in peace, and traitors in war;" an opinion, I believe, + confirmed by repeated experience. + +Thus was the unparalleled good order and discipline with which the army +and navy had abstained from plundering the towns of St. Pierre, Fort +Royal, and Trinité, &c. rewarded! This was the recompence of the ruinous +and expensive service in which the officers had engaged; of the +unexampled sufferings and dangers which they and their brave men had +undergone. Is not contribution in lieu of booty, the custom of war? Was +it not the case with Prince Ferdinand in a former war, through every +town and village of Germany[41]? Did not the Marquis de Bouillé levy a +heavy contribution on the island of St. Christopher's, when taken by the +French in 1782? Where then could contribution ever be proper if not +here? Here was no capitulation; but, though the islands fell by storm, +the Commanders, acting on the purest principles, to save the persons and +property of the inhabitants from the plunder[42] of an enraged soldiery, +agreed to accept as a recompence due to the forbearance and good conduct +of that body, a composition the most easy to the conquered; and yet +their fame has been vilified, and the hard-earned pittance of booty +snatched away! for none of the contributions were ever paid, except a +part at St. Lucia, _which was afterwards refunded_. Surely this is small +encouragement for such a desperate service! If such be the future +prospects of our army and navy, their spirits will droop, and half that +ardour that generates success subside! + + [41] Of this General Sir Charles Grey himself shared. + + [42] During the time that Fort Bourbon was besieging we sent a + summons to the town of St. Pierre, which was rejected with an + uncommon degree of insolence, and Captain Mason (the General's aid + de camp, who went with the flag of truce) was insulted. About a + fortnight afterwards the place was taken by storm, without any + capitulation, consequently subject to plunder by the custom of war; + but so far from any irregularity being suffered, a drummer was + hanged by order of General Dundas for attempting it; and such exact + discipline and quiet behaviour was maintained among the troops, + that the shops were opened the day after the capture. From the time + of the refusal of the summons to the final capture, the republicans + continued to load all the property and produce on board vessels + under American colours, which they did constantly, in order to + deprive the captors of their just rights, in case the place should + be taken.--Interested American merchants were continually + endeavouring to wrest the hard-earned prize money from the army and + navy, while they were supplying the enemy with provisions and other + necessaries. + +I shall now mention the real cause of the loss of Guadaloupe, which, +with that of some other islands that have since fallen, has been +maliciously attributed to the oppression and peculations of Sir Charles +Grey and Sir John Jervis; for this purpose I must refer back to the time +when the expedition was first planned by our government, and the command +given to those officers. As the capture of the French possessions in the +West Indies was rightly judged to be of the greatest consequence both in +a political and mercantile view, a very formidable armament was +prepared, and Martinique was pitched on as the first object for attack; +and, since the capture of that island had been attempted the year +preceding, and failed, it was of course expected to be put on its guard, +and rendered thereby more difficult. But at this period (unfortunately +for this expedition) another object diverted the attention of +government, and eight regiments[43], with a great part of the artillery, +which were embarked and ready to sail, were taken from that force, which +combined would in all probability have secured to us our conquests in +the West Indies, and enabled us to extend them to St. Domingo, and all +the other French islands in that quarter. Government was well aware, and +acknowledged, that this diminution of force must so cripple the +expedition, that it would render the prospect of any success doubtful; +and no idea was entertained that the conquest of Martinique would even +have been attempted, Fort Bourbon alone seeming too formidable for an +attack by such an inconsiderable body: however, when Sir Charles Grey +and Sir John Jervis arrived at Barbadoes, and had arranged every thing +for an active campaign, they determined to begin with the strongest +island, being confident that, when that was gained, the smaller places +would soon fall; whereas, by attacking the lesser islands first, they +must necessarily diminish their small armament, and render the capture +of so well defended and strong a place as Martinique, with the +formidable fortress of Fort Bourbon, totally impossible. The event +justified their determination. But when this great object was gained, +and St. Lucia and Guadaloupe taken, the army (originally too small) was +divided into three parts to garrison the conquered places; and by that +dreadful scourge, the yellow fever, which now began its ravages, +together with the loss sustained in the several actions of the campaign, +not one of the islands, nor indeed a single post on each, could be +called properly defended, in case the French should send out an armament +to the West Indies. If, as soon as the news of the capture of the first +island had reached England, a strong reinforcement could have been sent +out, and repeated on the conquest of each succeeding place, the small +body of the enemy (who made their attack on Guadaloupe, and stole in at +a moment when the gallant governor, General Dundas, was breathing his +last, and when every post was reduced to extremity by sickness) would +with ease have been repelled, or perhaps their whole party taken.--In +the succeeding part of this work it will be my business to detail the +events that gradually led to the evacuation of this island, and gave the +enemy such advantage as enabled them since to extend their conquests to +some other inferior places. + + [43] Consisting of four thousand six hundred and forty-two men. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + GENERAL DUNDAS DIES OF THE YELLOW FEVER ... HIS CHARACTER ... A + FRENCH SQUADRON ARRIVES IN THE WEST INDIES, AND TAKES POSSESSION OF + GRAND TERRE ... THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF, ON RECEIVING AN ACCOUNT + THEREOF, RETURN TO GUADALOUPE ... SIR CHARLES GREY LANDS ON GRAND + TERRE, AND TAKES THE HEIGHTS OF MASCOT ... SEVERAL ACTIONS TAKE + PLACE ... A TRUCE TO BURY THE DEAD ... AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTACK ON + POINT A PITRE. + + +On the evening of the 3d of June, Major General Thomas Dundas, the +governor of Guadaloupe, became the victim of that dreadful fever, which +once more began to desolate these islands. He was ill only three days. +By his death the army in the West Indies suffered an irreparable loss, +and the service in general one of its brightest ornaments. Amiable both +in public and private life, brave and generous, possessed of that true +courage which never exceeds the bounds of humanity, he justly gained the +love of the army, and fell lamented by all that knew him[44]. At this +inauspicious moment an armament arrived from France, under the +direction of two commissioners from the national assembly. It consisted +of two frigates, one corvette, two forty-fours armed en flute, and two +other ships, with about one thousand five hundred land forces on board +of them[45]. They instantly made good their landing on Grand Terre; and, +after two unsuccessful efforts, at last succeeded in their attack on +Fort Fleur d'Epée, which they carried by storm[46].--As soon as this +news reached Colonel Blundell, he instantly dispatched a schooner to St. +Christopher's, with an account of it to the Commanders in Chief, which +fortunately found them there, the Boyne being off Old Road taking in +water for her voyage to England. Sir Charles Grey was busy in inspecting +the works on Brimstone Hill. The Commanders in Chief instantly +determined to return to Guadaloupe, and accordingly pushed, under a +press of sail, for Basse Terre, where they arrived in the afternoon of +the 7th of June, and were joined by the Resource, Captain Ross, and the +Winchelsea, Captain Lord Garlies; on board of which ships General Grey +and his suite embarked to be landed at Basse Terre, in order to visit +the ports in that quarter, and to give the necessary instructions for +future operations. The Admiral ordered the Nautilus, Captain Bayntun, to +proceed to Martinique, with orders from Sir Charles Grey for a +reinforcement from thence, and himself proceeded in the Boyne to the Bay +of Point à Pitre. On his passage he met Commodore Thompson with his +squadron from Martinique, coming round the point of Vieux Port. On their +joining, he ordered the Solebay and Avenger into Basse Terre Road, to +carry the General's further orders into execution, touching +reinforcements from the different islands. + + [44] He was interred on the 4th of June, with all military honours, + on one of the highest batteries in Fort Matilda, which, from that + circumstance, was called Dundas's battery, and a stone with a + suitable inscription was placed over his remains. The command of + the forces, and the government of Guadaloupe, now devolved on + Lieutenant Colonel Blundell of the forty-fourth regiment. + + [45] This armament appears to have sailed from Rochfort about the + 25th of April, and to have been forty-one days on the passage. + + [46] Their success appears to have been greatly accelerated by the + treachery or cowardice of several French royalists then in the + fort, who offered their services to sally on the besiegers. + Accordingly they marched out; but, on approaching the enemy, they + were panic struck and fled, and few of them returned to Fleur + d'Epée. The British merchants and sailors from the town of Point à + Pitre had thrown themselves into this fort to assist the garrison, + which was greatly reduced by sickness and death. This little band, + under command of Lieutenant Colonel Drummond of the forty-third + regiment, did all that gallant men could do; twice they repulsed + the assailants; but at length, overpowered by numbers, and the + royalists having demanded that the gates should be thrown open, and + the enemy now pouring in from all sides, the few remaining troops + were obliged to make the best retreat they could to Point à Pitre, + which, not being tenable after the loss of Fleur d'Epée, was + abandoned by them, and they crossed over to Basse Terre. In this + affair, besides the loss of many others, Captain Suckling of the + artillery was wounded at his gun by a bayonet, and left behind at + Point à Pitre.--There were in Guadaloupe when taken by the French a + larger proportion of troops than in either of the other conquered + islands. + +At noon of the 8th of June, the Boyne and the rest of the fleet anchored +off Grozier, and saw the union jack displayed on Fort Fleur d'Epée as a +decoy to British vessels, which we found had been successful in several +instances; from hence, too, we had a view of the French fleet lying in +the harbour of Point à Pitre. The Admiral, without delay, arranged every +thing in his department to prevent a surprise from any future +reinforcements of the enemy which might arrive. At day-break of the 9th, +the enemy in Fort Fleur d'Epée, on hoisting their colours, opened an +heavy fire of round and grape-shot on the Boyne, as did the two-gun +battery at Grozier on the rest of the fleet, but happily without any +material damage to them. This morning the London transport, having +troops on board, got on shore on the Basse Terre side of the bay. +Lieutenant Thompson of the Boyne, was sent with the launch to take the +men out of her; in doing which he was exposed to a severe fire from a +battery on Islet a Couchon, or Hog Island; but he succeeded in removing +them without any loss. In the evening Sir Charles Grey and his suite +came on board the Boyne,[47] from whence he could for the present with +greater ease arrange his troops, and communicate with them at their +different posts. This day also Lord Viscount Garlies in the Winchelsea +frigate attacked the two-gun battery at Grozier, where he had +distinguished himself in the last campaign, and once more drove the +enemy from their guns: but very few troops having yet arrived, no +attempt could be made to land there, as before. The Boyne having been +much annoyed by the fire of Fort Fleur d'Epée and Grozier battery, was +now warped a cable's length further from the shore. On the 11th, in the +morning, several boats full of men, attended by a gun-boat, were +discovered making towards our post at Petit Bourg, from the harbour of +Point à Pitre: their intention seemed to be to attack a transport and +sloop of ours. The Winchelsea frigate was ordered towards them, and +receiving the fire of the battery on Hog island, and another near Fort +Louis, she obliged them to return into the harbour. The enemy had +crossed the river Sallée to Basse Terre, and had taken post at Berville, +a fine plantation belonging to a gentleman of that name. They instantly +set fire to the house, and destroyed all the mills, sugar-works, and +store-houses, belonging to it, to a very large amount; they then +encamped at the post of St. Jean, or Gabbare, a point of land opposite +to the harbour of Point à Pitre. General Grey thought this a favourable +moment to attack them, which was accordingly done at eleven o'clock at +night on the 13th, under the command of Brigadier General Dundas, who +with the 1st light infantry led by Brevet Major Ross, with the 39th +regiment under Major Magan, and a detachment of artillery and two +field-pieces, attacked the enemy with such determined bravery, that +after a severe conflict they fled in the utmost disorder, precipitating +themselves into the sea in order to swim across the harbour to Point à +Pitre; but few succeeded in the desperate attempt, many being drowned, +and more shot by our light infantry, who followed close at their heels: +they left one hundred and seventy-nine dead on the field; our loss was +trifling, seven men killed and twelve wounded. The enemy's camp, +colours, baggage, and ammunition, with one piece of cannon, fell into +our hands.[48] The light infantry and the 39th regiment remained at +Berville, having for their advanced post Savonge, and St. Jean on the +banks of the river Sallée. On this point of land, which runs into the +harbour of Point à Pitre, Captain Pratt, commanding a detachment of +artillery, was ordered to erect a battery of two twenty-four pounders +and two howitzers, which he effected with such dispatch, that by the +next morning it was completed, and opened with a most tremendous fire on +the republican frigate La Pique, lying within gunshot of the shore, to +the no small surprise and astonishment of the commodore, who was then on +board. The frigate retaliated, and a brisk fire was kept up for some +time, when she thought it advisable to weigh anchor, and take shelter +under the guns of her own batteries, after having lost between forty and +fifty of her crew in killed and wounded, and being much damaged in her +hull and rigging. On the 14th the Roebuck, Captain Christie, arrived +with troops (draughted from several regiments), and two gun-boats also +came very seasonably; one of which, under command of Lieutenant Wolley +of the Boyne, attacked the battery at Grozier, and again made the enemy +retire from their guns.[49] + + [47] Accompanied also by the Honourable Captain Stewart, brother to + Lord Garlies; who having received permission to return to England, + handsomely came forward at this time to offer himself as a + volunteer. + + In this second campaign (see Appendix, page 37) Colonel Symes, + Colonel Francis Dundas, and Colonel Sir Charles Gordon, were + promoted to the rank of brigadier general. + + [48] See the Appendix, page 32. + + [49] On the 18th of June, Lieutenant Colonels Coote and Cradock + arrived from St. Christopher's, where they had been detained by the + yellow fever, which they had caught on board a transport in which + they were proceeding to England on leave of absence, and though not + recovered from the baneful effects of that disease, they now came + forward to offer their services to the Commanders in Chief, which + were accepted in a manner highly honourable to both parties. + +On Thursday the 19th of June, General Grey once more made good his +landing on Grand Terre, about six miles to windward of Grozier, under +cover of the Vanguard, Veteran, Vengeance, Solebay, and Winchelsea, and +immediately moved on to Grozier, from whence he drove the enemy, who +retreated towards Fort Fleur d'Epée, burning the houses and sugar-works +that lay in their road.[50] About this time Lieutenant Macnamara, of +the marines, was sent to Deseada to secure that island against any +attempt of the enemy. On his landing he was attacked by a party of the +inhabitants, who had formerly surrendered the island to us, aided by +some brigands and a mixed rabble. In a short time, however, he drove +them to the mountains, having killed twelve, and hung up six, as an +example to deter others from similar acts of rebellion. On the 20th the +enemy sunk one of our gun-boats by the fire of their battery on Hog +Island, but none were killed in her. On the 21st they set fire to, and +burnt a fine house on the heights of Mascot, near Fleur d'Epée, leaving +the foundation walls only standing. Our troops now encamped at Grozier +were employed in erecting batteries against Fort Fleur d'Epée, as the +enemy were in too great force for our reduced numbers to attempt an +assault on their principal work. On the 22d the Honourable Captain +Stewart, commanding the 9th grenadiers, and a party of seamen under +Lieutenant Wolley,[51] marched from Grozier to attack St. Ann's Fort, a +strong post about twelve or fourteen miles to windward. After a most +fatiguing march, during which some heavy showers of rain rendered the +roads hardly passable, they reached the foot of the hill on which the +fort was situated; up which our people scrambled so leisurely, and such +a profound silence reigned among them, that they approached within +fifteen or twenty paces of the centinel before he perceived them, though +he was apparently alert on his post. Our French guide was now so +terrified that he fired his pistol at the centinel, which gave the +alarm; instantly our troops turned forward, and with three cheers began +to storm the works. The enemy were completely surprised, and not more +than two of them escaped. During this the French emigrants who had +accompanied our people, had marched into the town, where they began the +most brutal excesses; but the humane exertions of our officers soon put +a stop to their mischievous proceedings. In this attack near four +hundred of the enemy were killed, and one prisoner taken: on our part +one only was wounded. Several sloops and schooners were found in the +bay, all in ballast and their sails unbent, except one of them, in which +Lieutenant Thomson was sent with an account of their success to the +Commanders in Chief. It being impossible to keep possession of this +post, from the small number of our troops, and intelligence being +brought that a large detachment of the enemy were on their march to cut +off the retreat of this party, it was determined to return to the camp +without loss of time, all the ammunition having been previously +destroyed, and the guns of the fort dismounted.--The day proving +unusually hot, and the roads being deep and slippery from the incessant +rains that had fallen during the preceding night, the troops were not +able to reach the camp without halting; in consequence of which they +took post at a planter's house on an eminence, where they were received +with great hospitality. By three in the afternoon the men who had +dropped down by the way from fatigue, were brought in (except two who +reached the camp next morning), and the party proceeded to their +different stations without further accidents.[52] + + [50] In the afternoon one hundred and eighty seamen from the Boyne, + Commanded by Lieutenants Wolley, Thomson, and Maitland, landed + under the Salines to windward of Grozier, and took post on the + heights near that place; other parties of seamen also were landed + at Grozier, forming altogether a strong reinforcement for the army. + + [51] With whom on this occasion Lieutenant Thomson served as a + volunteer. + + [52] In this business Lieutenant Wolley had some narrow escapes. + The commanding officer of the fort rushed out of the guard-room on + the alarm, with a lighted match in his hand. He first fired an + amuzet, luckily pointed in an opposite direction; he then three + times attempted to fire a twenty-four pounder as Mr. Wolley and his + men were advancing to the muzzle of it; but fortunately, either + from the dampness of the powder, or trepidation of the man, it + missed taking effect; on which he flung down his match, and + retreated to the further end of the fort, whither Mr. Wolley + followed; but, from the darkness of the night, he soon lost sight + of him. As he returned he was met by his own men, who, taking him + for an enemy, were about to put him to death, when his voice + discovered their mistake. Had the cannon in the first instance gone + off, it must have made considerable havock among our men, as it was + loaded with a bag of musket balls.--This day Captain Armstrong of + the 8th regiment, was killed by a cannon ball at the landing-place + at Grozier, while giving directions to a serjeant about some + ordnance which was to be landed there. He was on horseback, and had + just remarked, that there could be no danger from the fire at Fleur + d'Epée at that place; a shot, however, from the fort dipped over + the point of land which seemed to shelter the landing-place, and + cut him asunder. He has often been heard to say that he thought + that a man must be truly unfortunate who fell by a single cannon + ball. + +On Tuesday the 24th of June, General Grey opened his batteries, which he +had erected near Grozier, against Fleur d'Epée; at the same time +Brigadier General Dundas kept up a smart fire on Point à Pitre, where +the enemy seemed to be making preparations against the hurricane months, +now approaching, by stripping the ships in the harbour of their sails +and rigging. On the 26th, early in the morning, the enemy, to the number +of three hundred, made a sortie from Fleur d'Epée, on our advanced post, +consisting of one hundred men, but were soon obliged to retreat; we lost +one man killed and eight wounded: at the same time our batteries and +gun-boats cannonaded the fort; in the latter two seamen were wounded. +On the 27th, the batteries at Grozier having opened as usual on Fleur +d'Epée, a detachment of our troops under Brigadier General Fisher +marched forward to attack a piquet of the enemy posted on Morne Mascot, +from whence they drove them after a sharp contest, and established +themselves, as our advanced post, within musket shot of the fort.[53] +During the preceding night the light infantry at camp Berville were sent +by Brigadier General Dundas, under command of Major Ross of the 25th +regiment, to Petit Bourg, where they embarked, and joined the army at +Grozier. This movement, by which the main body was much strengthened, +was effected unperceived by the enemy, and the 39th and 43d regiments +only left at Berville. + + [53] In this affair Captain Morrison of the 58th regiment was + killed by a musket ball through his head as he was leading his men + on to the attack; he fell regretted by all who knew him, being an + accomplished, amiable, and brave man: I too felt severely on this + occasion, having enjoyed much of his society and friendship. The + Commander in Chief, who knew his worth, paid the tribute of + applause to his memory; and the Admiral, when he heard of his fall, + exclaimed, "He has left few equals behind him." + +Several skirmishes now daily took place, and many fell on both sides; +though, from want of steadiness at the last, the enemy were always +greater losers than ourselves. On the morning of the 29th of June, a +large body of the enemy, to the number of one thousand, marched out of +Fort Fleur d'Epée, and seemed to meditate an attack on a detachment of +light infantry under Colonel Gomm, posted to the right of the grenadiers +who were on Morne Mascot, under Brigadier General Fisher. By this false +movement, they hoped that a detachment of the grenadiers would be sent +to reinforce the light infantry, and thereby weaken the force on Morne +Mascot, which was their real object of attack. In a short time, however, +they were perceived mounting the side of Mascot heights, with colours +flying and singing the national songs, covered by a heavy fire of round +and grape-shot from Fleur d'Epée, which prevented our grenadiers from +shewing themselves till the enemy were close to them; on which General +Fisher made them prostrate themselves on the ground, and wait the +approach of the enemy in that posture. The instant the republicans came +within a few yards of them they started up, and an obstinate engagement +commenced, which terminated at length by the grenadiers advancing to the +charge; on which the enemy fled, and were pursued down the hill with +great slaughter. Our loss amounted to thirty killed and wounded: among +the former was Lieutenant Toosey of the 65th regiment; of the latter, +Captain De Rivigne of the artillery, received a ball in the side of his +neck. Brigadier General Fisher was hit three times by grape-shot, which +caused contusions only, and his horse was killed under him. In the +evening the enemy sent in a flag of truce, requesting permission to bury +their dead and carry off their wounded, which was granted them;[54] yet +they left a number of both, on the side of the hill, to the great +annoyance of our piquet, which during the following night was disturbed +by the groans of the dying and wounded. The day following the enemy +again made an attempt, in equal force, against our post on Mascot, and +was again repulsed with great loss. The rainy season being already set +in, and the hurricane months now approaching, determined the Commander +in Chief to make an effort to finish the campaign at once. From his +success in the two last engagements, and the excellent manner in which +he had planned the attack, it would no doubt have succeeded, had his +orders been punctually obeyed. The plan he had laid down was, for a +large body of troops under General Symes, to march during the night, and +make themselves masters of Morne Government, and the other commanding +heights round the town of Point à Pitre, whilst himself, at the head of +the rest of his army, was in readiness on the heights of Mascot to storm +Fort Fleur d'Epée, on receiving a signal from General Symes; but, from +some unfortunate misapprehension, the whole of General Grey's +well-concerted plan was rendered abortive, and the almost total +destruction of our exhausted forces ensued: but it is my business to +detail the events of this unfortunate affair as accurately as the +confused accounts I have received will permit. Brigadier General Symes, +having under his command the first battalion of grenadiers, commanded +by Brigadier General Fisher, and the first and second light infantry, +led by Colonel Gomm, with a detachment of seamen from the Boyne[55] and +Veteran, commanded by Captain Robertson of the Veteran, marched from the +heights of Mascot at about nine o'clock at night, on the 1st of July. +They first descended into a deep ravine thick planted with coffee +bushes, through which there was no road, the seamen bringing up the +rear. The night was uncommonly dark, which rendered their march both +dangerous and fatiguing. After proceeding about a mile they halted on a +road, and were joined by two small field-pieces, which were put under +the charge of Lieutenants Thomson and Maitland, to be dragged by their +seamen. During the halt some people, who were heard to speak French, +were seen near the rear; Lieutenant Wolley endeavoured to secure them, +but they escaped through the bushes, and no further notice was taken of +this. The army moved forward about two miles further, on a road leading +through deep ravines, and made a second halt for about an hour; the +march was then re-commenced, but no orders ever passed during the time: +they now proceeded for some miles without meeting with any obstruction, +when an order came for the seamen in the rear to advance to the attack, +which they did by running as fast as they could for upwards of a mile. +The parties they passed were not in the best order, owing to the +quickness of the march, until they came to the grenadiers, who were +drawn up as a corps de reserve. About this time the bugle horn sounded +to advance, and soon after a heavy firing of round and grape-shot from +Morne Government, and also from several other batteries of the enemy, +commenced, as also from some twelve-pounders landed from the shipping in +the harbour, which were placed in tiers, and entirely enfiladed the road +along which the troops were advancing. After passing the grenadiers, the +seamen were halted for a few minutes to form, they being perfectly out +of order from running; but scarce thirty of them were got together, when +Lieutenant Wolley was ordered to advance with them, and Captain +Robertson remained to form and bring up the rest. The cannonading from +the enemy's guns was the most severe the oldest soldier ever witnessed, +especially from the guns which were on the road; two or three tiers of +which were planted behind each other, from which the enemy were driven +by the bayonets of our gallant fellows, who no sooner had taken one +battery, but another opened on them from behind. The whole now became a +scene of confusion impossible to describe. Instead of any of the heights +being attempted, the greater part of the troops and the seamen were got +into the town, where they were mowed down by the grape-shot, which +played upon them in every direction,[56] as well as musketry from the +windows of the houses. Where-ever our men perceived this, they broke +open the doors, putting all they found in them to death; and those who +could not stand the bayonet were shot as they leaped from the windows. +General Symes was by this time badly wounded,[57] and his horse killed +under him. Colonel Gomm (who led the light infantry), with several other +officers, was killed, and a great many more desperately wounded;[58] and +Captain Robertson, who commanded the seamen, was blown up. At length +General Fisher (the second in command, who, as well as every other +officer on this service, was ignorant of General Symes's plans) sounded +a retreat, and the miserable remains of this gallant party marched off, +the enemy harassing them in their retreat, though kept at bay by the +gallant exertions of the Honourable Captain Stewart with a party of +grenadiers, assisted by Lieutenant Wolley and the seamen of the Boyne, +who covered the retreat; till at length the latter fell by a musket-ball +through his leg, and was brought off by his men. When the remains of +this unfortunate detachment got back to Mascot,[59] General Grey found +it in vain to attempt any thing against Fleur d'Epée, being obliged to +detach the second battalion of grenadiers to cover the retreat, and his +troops being all so much reduced and exhausted, yet from the effect of +the batteries he had erected to cover his attack of Fleur d'Epée, which +opened on that fort in the evening, there could have been no doubt of +success had not the above-related misfortune taken place.[60] It being +totally impossible to attempt any thing further at this season, the +General that night began to reimbark his cannon and mortars, and in two +days had got off the whole of his troops without loss; he then +strengthened the posts on Basse Terre, and having made the best +arrangements possible to maintain them, and to enable him to renew his +attacks on Point à Pitre and Fleur d'Epée after the hurricane months, in +case any reinforcements should arrive (without which it would be totally +impossible), he embarked on board the Boyne, leaving Brigadier General +Colin Graham to command on Basse Terre, and then repaired to St. Pierre +in the island of Martinique, where he established his head-quarters. The +Boyne proceeded to Fort Royal Bay, where she was laid up for the +hurricane months in a snug harbour, called Trois Islet Bay, and the sick +and wounded were landed for the benefit of fresh air, and every +attention paid to them that could alleviate their sufferings. + + [54] A young officer, formerly of Walsh's regiment, took this + opportunity of escaping to us. His name was Clarke, his family of + Martinique, where his father was a counsellor at law. He had been + imprisoned three months at Bourdeaux, on his endeavouring to avoid + joining the armies on the frontiers, and was released to embark on + this expedition, as the only chance of rejoining his friends. He + reported, that one Fremont, a daring fellow, who, though not first + in command, had great influence, was killed this morning on the + walls of Fleur d'Epée, by a musket-ball from one of our people. The + enemy lost in this action upwards of three hundred men. On the + 29th, the Commander in Chief sustained a heavy loss in the death of + Captain Newton Ogle, of the 70th regiment, one of his excellency's + aid-de-camps; he was a young man of an excellent understanding, and + had distinguished himself on all occasions where his exertions had + been called forth. + + [55] Lieutenant Wolley of the Boyne, was appointed acting major of + brigade; and Lieutenants Thomson and Maitland, and Mr. Oswald, + commanded the three companies of seamen. + + [56] One of the frigates in the harbour did great execution; by a + single discharge of grape-shot, killing three officers and + thirty-six privates of the light infantry, who were unfortunately + drawn up in a street effectually commanded by her guns. + + [57] General Symes died soon after of his wound. + + [58] Captain Burnet of the 43d regiment, who had led his company of + grenadiers into the town, was blown up at the time Captain + Robertson was killed. His clothes being on fire, were pulled off by + his brother officers. His face and hands were rendered entirely + black by the explosion. In this situation he first received a + musket-ball which broke his arm, and was then met by his own + grenadiers, who, taking him for one of the French blacks, attacked + him with charged bayonets, and wounded him in three places before + he could make himself known to them. The instant they discovered + their mistake they expressed the utmost horror and contrition, and + brought off this excellent officer in their arms; who, I am happy + to be enabled to add, survived, notwithstanding the dreadful + situation he was in. Lieutenant Conway of the 60th regiment, was + also blown up, and in that condition continued to lead on his men + and encourage them, till unfortunately he fell by a musket-ball + through his body. + + [59] General Grey was waiting on Morne Mascot for Brigadier General + Symes's signal of his having succeeded in taking the heights near + Point à Pitre; having the second battalion of grenadiers, the 65th + regiment, and six companies of Grand Terre, and second battalion of + seamen commanded by Captain Sawyer, ready to attack Fort Fleur + d'Epée by storm. + + [60] Our loss in killed, wounded, and missing, amounted to + thirty-eight officers, forty-three serjeants, and six hundred and + eleven privates. + + I must here beg leave to add an extract from Admiral Sir J. + Jervis's public letters to the Lords of the Admiralty on this + subject. "The fate of Captain Lewis Robertson, who had + distinguished himself highly, fills my mind with the deepest + regret; he had long been a child of misfortune, although he + possessed talents to merit every success and prosperity; and, as I + am informed, has left a widow and infant family unprovided for. I + beg leave to recommend them to the protection and good offices of + their lordships, to obtain a suitable provision, which will be a + great encouragement to officers in similar circumstances, to + emulate so great an example." + + * * * * * + + The celebrated Brigadier General Arnold, being on business of a + mercantile nature at Point à Pitre, was captured at the time the + place fell into the hands of the republicans, and, being + apprehensive of ill treatment, changed his name to Anderson. He was + put on board a prison-ship in the harbour, and had considerable + property in cash with him, of which, it is supposed, Fremont and + Victor Hughes were informed, as he received an intimation from one + of the French sentries, that he was known, and would soon be + guillotined. On this alarming intelligence he determined to attempt + an escape, which he effected in the following masterly manner. At + night he lowered into the sea a cask containing clothes and + valuables, with a direction on it, that if it floated to the shore + of our camp at Berville, it might be known, and restored to him; he + then lowered down his cloak bag to a small raft which he had + prepared, on which also he got himself, and proceeded to a small + canoe, in which he pushed for the British fleet, directed by the + Admiral's lights. On his making towards the mouth of the harbour he + was challenged by the French row guard, but by the darkness of the + night escaped from them, and arrived on board the Boyne by four + o'clock on Monday morning, the 30th of June. + + During the whole time of this latter campaign the fever, which had + been so destructive the preceding year, continued to rage in our + army and navy with unabated violence. General Grey lost all the + servants he brought from England by it, including two who had lived + with him for many years. It first broke out with violence when the + former campaign ended. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF SAIL TO MARTINIQUE ... PROCEEDINGS THERE, + AND AT GUADALOUPE ... CAMP BERVILLE TAKEN ... OCCURRENCES THEREUPON + ... GENERAL PRESCOTT ENTERS FORT MATILDA, WHICH IS INVESTED BY THE + FRENCH ... SIR JOHN VAUGHAN AND ADMIRAL CALDWELL ARRIVE IN THE WEST + INDIES ... SIR CHARLES GREY AND SIR JOHN JERVIS RESIGN THEIR + COMMAND, AND RETURN TO EUROPE. + + +Sir Charles Grey, after giving the necessary orders for erecting +batteries to protect and secure the camp on Basse Terre, sailed with the +Admiral to Martinique, and established his head-quarters at St. +Pierre;[61] having previously distributed the troops (which were not +left under General Graham on Basse Terre) throughout the islands, where +the Brigands began to be very troublesome; and even at Martinique, where +the Commander in Chief resided, they had the audacity to shew +themselves, encouraged by the sickness which raged in all quarters, and +daily weakened our posts. At Grande Rivere and Calabass they appeared in +some force; on which the Commander in Chief detached Captain Hare, at +the head of a detachment of the Prince of Wales's light[62] dragoons, +with Lieutenant Colonel De Soter and the island rangers, who attacked +and routed them, taking three of their leaders prisoners, and dispersing +the rest. At Guadaloupe no time was lost by Brigadier General Graham in +preparing both for attack and defence; he erected gun and mortar +batteries upon the banks of the river Sallée, in the different +situations where it was most likely the enemy might attempt to cross it +from Grande Terre; namely, at the gabarre or ferry, which heretofore was +the point of communication between the two parts of the island; at Morne +Savon and at St. Jean, both commanding the town of Point à Pitre and +Morne Government. By these precautions the Commander in Chief hoped to +prevent the enemy from crossing into Basse Terre till he could get a +reinforcement from England, which he had expected for some time, and had +now dispatched Brigadier General Francis Dundas to explain to government +the absolute necessity there was for a supply of troops in the conquered +islands. The head-quarters of the army in Guadaloupe were at Camp +Berville, a very commanding ground, flanked by the sea on one side, and +on the other by an impassable swamp and wood; about a league in front +was the river Sallée, on the opposite banks of which stood the town of +Point à Pitre; and at the rear, about a mile from the camp, was a narrow +pass, by which alone it could be approached. The batteries under the +direction of Captain De Rivigne, destroyed a great part of the town, so +that the inhabitants were obliged to evacuate it, and encamp on the +adjacent hills. The baneful effects of the climate, together with the +neighbouring swamps, began now to be severely felt by our army, the +officers and men died daily in numbers, and by the middle of August the +list of sick and convalescents composed by far the majority in the camp. +Two frigates and two sloops of war were ordered by the Admiral to cruize +off the harbour of Point à Pitre, to prevent supplies being carried to +the enemy; notwithstanding which many American and other vessels from +the neighbouring disaffected islands, contrived to elude their +vigilance. Victor Hughes, the commissioner from the French convention, +and now commander in chief of their troops in this island (the +commanders of the army and navy that came out with him being dead), was +indefatigable in gaining over the blacks and mulattoes to his interest; +and, in consequence of his late success, they flocked in great numbers +to his standard. As they came in he formed them into different corps, +and had them instructed in the use of arms. The remains of the second +battalion of grenadiers[63] were ordered about the latter end of August +to Guadaloupe, to relieve the flank companies of the 15th and 64th +regiments: they embarked at Fort Royal on board the Dictator, and landed +at Petit Bourg, from whence they marched directly to the camp. During +the month of September the troops in the different camps were, from +sickness, inadequate to furnish guards for the different batteries. +Several companies could not produce a single man fit for duty; the 43d +could not afford a corporal and three men at night, for the protection +of their own camp, much less give their complement for the batteries. +The greater part of the town of Petit Bourg was converted into hospitals +for our sick, besides great numbers ill in the camps; the officers were +equal sufferers with the men, so much so, that field officers were +obliged to mount captain's guard. The different islands were drained of +their troops, in order to keep up some appearance in front of the enemy; +and the royalists had taken the duty of the Gabarre for some time past, +where they conducted themselves with much spirit in several attacks made +upon them by the enemy from the opposite side of the river. The +grenadiers that arrived last, were now reduced, in less than three +weeks, to twenty men; and from the situation of the several camps on the +verge of the swamps, a ground they were obliged to occupy, was truly +deplorable. About this time General Prescott arrived at the town of +Basse Terre, where he took the command, and no appearance of any +reinforcement from England as yet cheered our drooping spirits. On +Saturday, the 26th of September, the enemy from Point à Pitre and Fort +Louis embarked a large body of troops in small vessels, and passing our +ships of war unperceived, under cover of the dark night, effected two +different landings on Basse Terre; the one at Goyave, to the eastward of +Petit Bourg, and the other at Lamantin, near Bay Mahault. As soon as it +was known that this landing was effected, most of our sick were carried +from Petit Bourg on board the ships that lay near that place, and when +the news was received at head-quarters, General Graham ordered all the +troops from the different camps to join at Berville, as the strongest +situation. Every exertion was made to fortify this post in the best +manner possible: across the narrow pass by which alone it could be +approached by land, a strong breast-work was thrown up, with embrasures +for six field-pieces; on the flanks, and immediately in the rear of +this, another was thrown up; and in front of both, on the brow of the +hill, a strong abbatis was formed. The enemy that landed at Bay Mahault +soon possessed themselves of that place; they then marched on to the +Gabarre, where they had nearly surrounded the royalists before they were +able to make their retreat to the camp. The possession of the Gabarre +afforded them an easy conveyance for guns, ammunition, cattle, &c. from +Grande Terre, and they now made their appearance in sight of our camp. +The enemy, who had landed on the opposite part of the island, as soon as +day broke upon them, began their march to Petit Bourg. Lieutenant +Colonel Drummond of the 43d regiment, with some convalescents from the +hospital, and a party of royalists, advanced to meet them; but +perceiving their great superiority of numbers, found it advisable to +retreat through Petit Bourg, and took post at a battery upon the shore +called Point Bacchus, between that village and Camp Berville. The enemy, +on taking possession of Petit Bourg, exercised the most unheard of +cruelties on the unfortunate sick in the hospitals, putting all they +found to death; some of them were fortunate enough to be taken off by +the boats belonging to the men of war lying there. Too much praise +cannot be given to Captain Boyer[64] of the Assurance, for his humane +exertions on this occasion. From the hospitals to the wharf was a +continued scene of misery and horror, being strewed with the bodies of +the sick, who were barbarously put to death as they were crawling to the +shore, in hopes of being taken off by our boats. The next movement of +the enemy was to Point Bacchus, where Colonel Drummond and his party, +being surrounded, were made prisoners. The enemy keeping possession of +this post, entirely cut off all communication between the camp and our +shipping. They then proceeded to possess themselves of the surrounding +heights, and formed a junction with the other party which landed at Bay +Mahault; by which Camp Berville was completely surrounded on the land +side. The utmost strength of Berville camp was now about two hundred and +fifty regular troops, and three hundred royalists; but none of these +could be called effective, being reduced to extremity by sickness and +fatigue. The enemy instantly began to form batteries, one of which, on +an eminence, in some measure commanded our camp. On the 29th of +September, in the morning, the enemy in a large body attacked our +advanced work; our field-pieces and musketry opened a heavy fire upon +them, and an engagement ensued, which continued with equal fury for +three hours; when, after having been charged the third time by our +troops, the enemy retreated, leaving on the field in killed and wounded +seven hundred men, our loss amounting to about twenty. In the forenoon +of this day, the enemy had sent a number of gun-boats from Point à +Pitre, some of which anchored off the shore at Berville, and others +under Point Bacchus, with a view to stop the communication between our +camp and shipping, and force the latter out of the harbour of Petit +Bourg. Each of their schemes succeeded, so that now the camp (ill +supplied with provisions and stores, which were left chiefly at Petit +Bourg) saw no possibility of getting a further supply. This morning +Major Irvine was killed by a twenty-four pounder from the enemy's +gun-boat, as he was sitting in the cabin of the Assurance; in which he +and a number of others had embarked. As soon as the news of these +disasters reached the Commanders in Chief, the Boyne was got out of +Trois Islet Bay, without loss of time; and, although the hurricane +season was not entirely past, the Admiral embarked, and sailed on +Tuesday, the 30th of September, from Martinique, and anchored off +Grozier, in the bay of Point à Pitre, by 10 A.M. On Thursday, the 2d of +October, the two-gun battery there, opened upon us with red-hot shot, +and continued to fire for a considerable time, but without effect. This +night the Admiral endeavoured to open a communication with Camp +Berville, but was prevented by the vigilance of the enemy, who now +occupied every avenue to it. On the morning of the 30th, the enemy +renewed their attacks on General Graham's camp at Berville, and again on +the 4th of October, still bringing (hydra like) greater numbers to the +charge; their success, however, was the same as on the first attack, +having lost during the three attacks, on a moderate computation, two +thousand men. In the second attack General Graham was wounded by a +musket-ball in the leg, and several of his officers fell.[65] After the +third action the enemy sent in a flag of truce, offering terms of +capitulation, which General Graham in a spirited manner refused; the +officers, however, waited on the General, and stated, that the troops, +reduced by sickness and fatigue, were no longer able to undergo the +duty, which now pressed heavy on them, and were so harassed as to be +incapable of withstanding another attack, which the enemy promised to +make on them the following morning. General Graham therefore, +reconsidering the matter, consented to send a flag to the enemy, and, +after some time, the terms of capitulation were agreed to; but, alas! +the unfortunate royalists were not included, though the General +endeavoured all he could to make terms for them: he succeeded however +thus far, to have permission to send a covered boat to the Boyne, in +which he embarked twenty-five officers of the royalists; their +unfortunate brethren, to the number of three hundred, who had defended +their posts to the last, with the most determined resolution, were +doomed to suffer death by the hands of their republican countrymen in +cold blood, in a manner hitherto, I believe, unheard of, at least +unrecorded in the annals of the most savage and abandoned people.[66] +Humanity must shudder at the idea; the republicans erected a guillotine, +with which they struck off the heads of fifty of them. Thinking, +however, this mode of proceeding too tedious, they invented a more +summary plan; they tied the remainder of these unhappy men fast +together, and placed them on the brink of the trenches which they had so +gallantly defended; they then drew up some of their undisciplined +recruits in front, who firing an irregular volley at their miserable +victims, killed some, wounded others, and some, in all probability, were +untouched; the weight however of the former dragged the rest into the +ditch, where the living, the wounded, and the dead, shared the same +grave, the soil being instantly thrown upon them. The English troops +were to be allowed to march out with the honours of war, and to be +embarked on board French ships, which were to sail for England within +twenty-one days after the surrender,[67] on condition that they would +not serve against the French during the war. A great quantity of arms +and ammunition fell into the hands of the enemy at this camp, and at +Petit Bourg. Immediately after the surrender of Berville, Victor Hughes +moved towards the town of Basse Terre, now our last stake on this +island, laying waste the plantations, and burning the beautiful seats of +the royalists as he passed along. Sir John Jervis, who had made every +attempt to succour General Graham's camp at Berville, and had been an +unwilling spectator from the fleet, of the surrender of that camp to the +enemy, now made sail for Basse Terre, to render every assistance in his +power to General Prescott;[68] and on the 9th of October, anchored +within half a cable's length of the town. General Prescott instantly +came on board to consult with the Admiral on the best mode of procedure +in this critical state of affairs; and it was determined that the whole +force which the General could collect, should go into the fort, and the +Admiral, in the Boyne, would render every assistance in his power to the +garrison; a promise he performed in a manner that drew the warmest +thanks and approbation of General Prescott and his officers. At this +time the French royalists had entirely abandoned us, and the militia, +who had demanded arms, positively refused to enter the fort, and soon +after deserted to the enemy: a party in the town seemed also ready to +rise upon our people; but by the vigilance and activity of General +Prescott they were overawed, and he continued to ride into the town +unattended as usual. The fort was in a miserable state, nothing having +been done to it since the peace of 1783; and Clairfontaine,[69] a +royalist, who had been appointed administrateur general, wanting either +influence or ability to procure negroes for the purpose, the fort was +no way better than when it fell into our hands, except being cleaner, +and supplied with provisions. On the 12th of October, a schooner bearing +a flag of truce, arrived from Victor Hughes; in it came Captain Eiston, +of the 35th regiment,[70] for a supply of money and baggage for our +captured countrymen, with which he returned in two days to Point à +Pitre. General Prescott had taken the precaution to order all the +batteries along the coast, as well as those on the passes of the +Palmiste, to be destroyed, their guns spiked, and magazines blown up; +but, owing to the shortness of the time allowed for it, and the weakness +of the force employed, the enemy soon got them repaired to use against +us. Captain Bowen, in the Terpsichore, was dispatched to Trois Riviere, +to destroy a battery there,[71] where he saw and fired on the enemy, who +were marching in great force towards the heights of Palmiste. On which +he returned, and informed the Admiral of this, by whom the intelligence +was instantly forwarded to General Prescott, who had sent Captain Thomas +of the 28th regiment (his aid-de-camp) to request some seamen to +reinforce his garrison, which were most readily granted by the Admiral. +While Captain Thomas was on board the Boyne, the enemy, to his great +astonishment, were seen on the heights of Palmiste. As there were a few +royalists about the General, some of whose slaves were with the enemy, +of course he ought to have received earlier information of their +approach; but this shews how all intelligence was withheld from us. For +ten days after the General had withdrawn the whole of his force into the +fort, he occasionally sent parties into the town, as the Boyne still +kept the enemy quiet there; but in a short time they got some guns up to +an eminence, named by us the White-house Battery, that obliged the +Admiral to weigh anchor: but he still continued to hover about the +coast, occasionally sending reinforcements and provisions, and keeping +up a constant intercourse with General Prescott in the fort. In the +course of this business the Boyne was frequently engaged with the +different batteries, and was exposed to great danger from the mortars, +which the enemy began to play upon us with much judgment. On the 20th of +October, the battery on Houelmont opened on the Terpsichore, but without +effect. Our garrison in the fort threw some shells which drove them from +thence; they, however, soon returned again to their guns. The next day +they again attacked the frigate, and hit her; which obliged Captain +Bowen to get near the land, out of the direction of their guns. On the +23d, the White-house Battery, having several heavy guns mounted, began a +smart fire on the Boyne, which was returned from her lower deckers; +afterwards we engaged a battery, into which the enemy had just come, at +the N. W. end of the town, from whence we drove them; but being obliged +to haul off shore occasionally, they at length completed their purpose, +but not so as to be able to hinder us from approaching the land to keep +up an intercourse with the garrison. On this service (as on every other) +Captain Bowen eminently distinguished himself, having anchored the +Terpsichore, within a short distance of the fort, in a bay under +Houelmont. On the 25th the Quebec, Captain Rogers, Beaulieu, Captain +Riou, and Zebra, Captain Vaughan, arrived from a cruise. The enemy now +increased their forces daily in this part of the island, pressing into +their service all the negroes who were on the different estates; and if +from timidity or any other cause they demurred, they were instantly +shot: from the ship we saw them firing on some negroes of their own, +who, from fear, were endeavouring to get off. On the night of the 26th, +Lieutenant James, with a party of seamen, marched out of the fort to the +military hospital, which he set on fire, being a place that the enemy +would soon have made a considerable post against us. On the 29th, the +Boyne, as usual sailing towards the fort, was becalmed by the high land +of Houelmont, and being within a short distance, was cannonaded from +that battery for several hours. From the height of its situation none of +our guns could be brought to bear against it; however, after +considerable danger, the ship got out of the bay without any damage. On +the 5th of November, the enemy opened ten batteries against the fort at +the same instant, and a party of them, with a field-piece, under cover +of the night, had taken post on the brow of the hill under which the +Terpsichore and Experiment were anchored. As soon as the seamen were +arranged at day-break, to wash the decks as usual, they were surprised +by a heavy shower of musketry from over their heads. The Experiment +endeavoured to get away, but being totally becalmed, it was some time +before she could accomplish it. (Captain Miller had gone on board the +Vanguard, and Captain Skynner was then in the Boyne, receiving his +commission.[72]) Captain Bowen, with a presence of mind that never +forsook him, ordered up all the muskets that could be procured, and, +encouraging his men with great spirit and some effect, returned the fire +of the enemy, who now brought their field-piece to bear on the ship; he +was therefore obliged to weigh anchor, and get out of the bay as well as +he could, his great guns being totally useless from the elevated +situation of the enemy: two or three only of our people were wounded, +though the deck was studded with musket-balls. The fort[73] was now +closely invested by land; by the sea a communication was continued the +whole siege, Captain Bowen, in the Terpsichore, never relaxing for a +moment in his exertions to serve and assist the garrison. The water in +the tank being bad (the enemy having cut off the aqueduct that supplied +it), General Prescott ordered an armed party every morning and evening +to the river Galion, to protect those sent thither for water. This was +continued during the whole siege; cohorns and grape-shot being fired +into the ravines and woods beyond the river, and other precautions +taken, these parties met with little molestation. All the buildings in +the fort being destroyed by the fire of the enemy, the garrison was +obliged to take shelter in the Bomb-proof, a close and unwholesome +confinement in this climate. On the 6th of November, Victor Hughes sent +an insolent summons to General Prescott, to surrender the fort in two +hours, which if not complied with, no further terms would be offered, +and the whole garrison would be put to the sword. To this the General +made a short answer, "that he would defend it as a soldier to the last +extremity." The instant the hour was expired that the General allowed +the French officer to return to Victor Hughes, he opened a heavy fire +from all his batteries against the republicans, and continued it through +the day without any return from them. Some stores and provisions were +about this period sent to the garrison from Dominica, and the merchants +of St. Pierre also made a welcome present of refreshments; the enemy at +the same time began to supply their advanced batteries with necessaries +by sea in small boats, that, keeping close in shore, evaded our +cruisers, and landed at the town of Basse Terre. On the 12th of +November, the Boyne was exposed for some time to a heavy fire from +several batteries; one shell burst immediately over her, but without +doing any mischief. At nine A. M. on the 14th of November, the Beaulieu, +being then off Vieu Fort, made a signal to the Admiral, of an enemy of +superior force being in sight. Immediately all hands were ordered to +quarters, and every preparation made to give them a warm reception; at +length three line-of-battle ships hove in sight, which, to our great +joy, proved to be a reinforcement from England; the Majestic, Captain +Westcott, with Vice Admiral Caldwell's flag on board; the Theseus, +Captain Calder; and Bellona, Captain Wilson: by them we were informed +that Sir John Vaughan had arrived at St. Pierre, and Sir Charles Grey +had given up the command to him. Sir John Jervis, worn down by long and +severe exertions, the fatigues of which were augmented by his anxiety +for the welfare of the service, that not all his exertions could promote +without the arrival of a strong reinforcement, together with the +unhealthiness of the climate, found himself no longer able to continue +on this station, and therefore, to the great grief of General Prescott, +was obliged to give up his command to Admiral Caldwell, and embarking +his seamen (under Lieutenant James) from Fort Matilda, sailed for St. +Pierre; when, every thing being arranged and settled between the several +commanders, Sir Charles Grey and his suite embarked once more with Sir +John Jervis on board the Boyne; on the 27th of November they sailed for +England, and after a tedious voyage (being for near a month tossed about +in the Channel by contrary winds) arrived at Spithead the 21st of +January 1795. + + [61] Among the many causes of uneasiness that now bore hard upon + the Commanders in Chief (by the failure of their well-concerted + plans, the dreadful mortality among their troops, and the despair + of reinforcements arriving from Europe) the misconduct of one high + in estimation as an officer, and hitherto looked upon as a man of + strict integrity, was not the least galling. The case was this: At + the taking of St. Lucia, Colonel Sir Charles Gordon, who had + repeatedly distinguished himself by his gallant conduct, was + appointed governor of that island, and in the last promotion was + advanced to the rank of brigadier general; soon after which some + very unpleasant reports prevailed, of extortions and peculations by + him, and taking bribes of the inhabitants, who were supposed to be + disaffected, in order to suffer them to remain on the island, and + then breaking his word with them. At length a regular complaint was + laid before the Commander in Chief, who instantly ordered a court + martial to be summoned, and sent an officer to St. Lucia to arrest + Sir Charles Gordon, and convey him to Martinique, in order for + trial. At this time the fever raged so violently that the two first + courts-martial that met on this business, were dissolved by the + death of a majority of the members. At length, in order to prevent + the like accident from again interrupting the course of justice, + the General appointed a greater number of officers than usual to + attend, and the trial proceeded; the event of which was, that the + prisoner was found guilty of the crimes laid to his charge, and was + sentenced to refund the money he had extorted, and to be rendered + incapable of serving his majesty again: but, in consequence of some + favourable circumstances that came out on the trial, he was allowed + to sell his commission. See Appendix, pages 42, 43, 48. + + [62] The horses that were sent from America for the purpose of + mounting the light dragoons, were so bad, that only three out of + forty were sound, or fit for service, insomuch that Captain Hare + was obliged to present a memorial to the Commander in Chief on the + subject. + + [63] Consisting of seventy rank and file only. + + [64] I am sorry to add, that this officer soon afterwards fell a + victim to the yellow fever. + + [65] In one of these attacks Monsieur Vermont was shot through the + body, his lieutenant, Monsieur De Lisle, was shot through his + breast, and another of his officers killed; in this situation he + beat off the enemy. This gallant, but unfortunate officer, was, at + the beginning of the revolution, possessed of a good estate near + Trois Riviere on Basse Terre, which soon made him an object of + republican vengeance; his house was attacked, but he escaped into + the woods, supposing that his amiable wife would be safe from their + fury, being far advanced in her pregnancy; but the monsters, not + regarding her situation, put her to death with circumstances of + barbarity too dreadful to relate, and such as would fill, I trust, + every Briton's breast with the utmost horror; his aged mother too, + and beautiful sister, shared the same fate. He was taken and thrown + into prison at Fort Matilda, to reserve him for a public spectacle + on the guillotine, when we arrived, and released him from thence by + the capture of the island. + + [66] Their conduct prior to, and since the enemy had attacked the + camp, deserved a far better fate: finding themselves excluded from + terms of capitulation, they wished permission to cut their way + through the enemy's army, by which a few of them, at least, might + escape, and the rest meet an honourable death; but this request, it + is said, was refused; perhaps it was believed that on their capture + the enemy would relent, and not put their sanguinary threats into + execution. Two of these unfortunate men hastened to the shore, in + hopes of getting on board the covered boat; but being disappointed, + and aware of the fate that awaited them, they instantly shot + themselves on the beach. On hearing of this melancholy business, + General Grey published an order that did equal honour to his + feelings and his mind. See Appendix, page 53. + + [67] This part of the agreement, however, was not complied with, as + they remained prisoners for more than a year afterwards, during + which time many of them died. + + [68] General Prescott had so small a force in that quarter, that he + could not possibly afford any material assistance to General + Graham; but he had made an effort by sending a detachment from the + 35th regiment to support some royalists at St. Marié, which however + proved ineffectual; and the numbers at Martinique being now too + small for the defence of it, General Grey was unable to afford any + assistance from thence; however he ordered the flank companies of + the 4th battalion, of the 60th regiment from St. Vincent's, and + part of the 21st from St. Christopher's, to reinforce Brigadier + General Graham. Fortunately, however, they arrived too late, as + their numbers were inadequate to save it, and they afterwards made + part of the garrison at Fort Matilda. + + [69] This gentleman, after having enjoyed a lucrative post, was + unwilling to lose the fruits of it, and, instead of rendering any + assistance to General Prescott, he took French leave, not + forgetting to carry with him a chest well lined, in order to render + his residence at Antigua comfortable. + + [70] The republican officer who came with him informed us that he + saw the execution of the unfortunate royalists, and that + twenty-seven heads were struck off in seven minutes and a half! + + [71] On the 19th of October the Admiral sent Lieutenant Skynner + with a party of seamen to a battery at the N. W. end of the town, + from whence he brought off some cannon and mortars. + + [72] On the 2d of November, Captain Miller was promoted to the + command of the Vanguard, Captain Sawyer being removed to the + Assurance, vice Captain Bryer, deceased; and Lieutenant Launcelot + Skynner of the Boyne, was appointed commander of the Experiment, + vice Captain Miller. + + [73] Fort Matilda, formerly Fort Charles, was at first a battery + only, erected to command the road; afterwards it was enclosed as a + depot for arms and ammunition in case of insurrection among the + slaves; and during the last war the French added to its outworks, + which were now totally in ruins, but served the enemy, particularly + those on the opposite side of the Galion river, as trenches, and + effectually covered their musketry that commanded the principal + works of the besieged: in short, the fort was completely commanded + on the three sides by land, so that not a man in it could move + without being seen by the enemy. + + * * * * * + +As we left General Prescott in a perilous situation, it may be proper to +give an account of the conclusion of the siege, though it comes not +within the original plan of my work, which professed only to relate the +events that took place under the immediate command of Sir Charles Grey +and Sir John Jervis. This I am enabled to do from the communication of a +brave and intelligent friend who was there during the whole siege. On +the 29th of November, Captain Cockburne, aid-de-camp of General Sir John +Vaughan, was sent by his Excellency to Fort Matilda, with the unwelcome +news that no more men could be sent thither. On the 5th of December, +General Prescott dispatched Captain Thomas, his aid-de-camp, to the +Commander in Chief, with an account of the fort being almost in ruins; +this officer returned thither on the 7th, and found that the bastion +towards the river Galion was totally silenced, and so completely +commanded by the enemy's musketry, that not a man could approach it; the +adjoining curtain was much in the same state; the bastion towards the +town was giving way, and expected to tumble into the ditch every moment. +General Prescott no longer thought of defence, but to secure his small +garrison, now highly necessary for the defence of the other islands, the +unparalleled mortality having left them almost without troops. The +pestilential fever had been, in proportion, more fatal to the officers +than the men; in the garrison, for instance, there was no officer of +intermediate rank between the General and his aid-de-camp Captain +Thomas, who was second in command. On the 9th of December, this officer +was dispatched to Admiral Thompson, and after the plan of embarkation +was settled, he returned to the fort, and the evacuation commenced at +nine o'clock on the 10th of December, and was conducted with so much +skill, that not a man was lost. In the morning two of the garrison +deserted to the enemy; but the General had concealed his intentions so +well, that not the least intelligence of it seems to have been given by +them. There was no interruption to the retreat except a few musket-shots +on the beach, from one of which that active officer Captain Bowen was +badly wounded in the face. The enemy, unconscious of this movement, +cannonaded and bombarded the fort as usual, until two o'clock the next +morning, though the embarkation had been completed by eleven the +preceding night. The whole force that marched out of Fort Matilda, was +between four and five hundred: some of them were sent to the Isle de +Saintes and Antigua, and the remainder to Martinique. Thus concluded a +siege of eight weeks and two days, during the whole of which General +Prescott evinced the most perfect coolness and true soldierly +resolution, neither appalled by the tremendous and well-directed fire +constantly, both night and day, kept up against the fort, nor by the +insolent and threatening summonses of Victor Hughes.[74] In the +handsomest manner he bore testimony to the zeal and activity of Sir John +Jervis, who relaxed not in his attention to the wants of the garrison, +till he was obliged to quit the station; leaving however, in Captain +Bowen, a man whose existence seemed to be preserved, amidst the greatest +dangers, for the service of his country. Admiral Thompson had his share +of praise too for the manner in which he had conducted the embarkation. +During the siege seventeen were killed, and seventy-nine were wounded. +General Prescott immediately repaired to Saint Pierre, at Martinique, +where he received the well-earned thanks and congratulations of all +ranks, for his spirited and gallant defence of Fort Matilda. Victor +Hughes,[75] on taking possession of the fort, ordered the monument that +had been erected over General Dundas, to be destroyed, and his remains +thrown into the river Galion; a conduct as mean and brutal, as it was +undeserved. I cannot conclude without mentioning the death of that +gallant officer, Captain Faulknor, commanding the Blanche frigate of +thirty-two guns, who, on the 5th of January, fell in with the republican +frigate, La Pique of thirty-eight guns, off the harbour of Point à +Pitre; the action was maintained with the greatest fury and obstinacy +for five hours, during which Captain Faulknor fell by a musket-ball as +he was a second time lashing the bowsprit of La Pique to the capstern of +his own ship. The loss of this brave man must be deplored by every +friend to the service; his courage and determined bravery had been often +tried, and always with success, as in the course of this work I have +frequently had occasion to mention. On his death the command devolved on +the first lieutenant, Mr. Watkins, who continued the action in a manner +that did him immortal honour. The French ship having lost her main and +mizen sails, the Blanche took her in tow, still continuing the +engagement, when the stern ports not being large enough, they blew the +upper transom beam away, and fired into her bows for three hours. The +marines under Lieutenant Richardson, kept so well directed a fire, that +not a man could appear on her forecastle until she struck; sixty-seven +of her crew were dead on the decks; many had been thrown overboard; one +hundred and ten wounded were landed at the Saintes; and one hundred and +seventy-four were taken to Martinique. The Blanche had ten killed, +including the Captain, and twenty-four wounded. Captain Faulknor's +exertions in forwarding the service on every occasion, both during, and +since the campaign, were unremitting. Indeed the English cause in the +West Indies, at this instant, could hardly have received a deeper wound +than it did by the death of this brave and zealous man. + + [74] During the siege a cannon ball took off the fore part of the + General's hat. He coolly observed, "that a miss was as good as a + mile!" + + [75] So much having been said of this man, it may be agreeable to + the reader to be informed of his origin, and pursuits in the former + part of his life.--Victor Hughes was originally a petty inn-keeper + at Basse Terre, Guadaloupe; from whence he was driven for some + misdemeanor, and became master of a small trading vessel at St. + Domingo; then a lieutenant in the French navy; and afterwards a + deputy in the national assembly: from whence he came out to the + West Indies as commissioner, with controlling powers over the + commanders of the army and navy. His abilities were certainly good, + his courage and perseverance undoubted; but, from the ferocity of + his character, he was both feared and hated. Colonel Drummond, who + with his small party was taken at Point Bacchus, relates that the + republicans put to death all the sick they found in the hospital at + Petit Bourg, many of the women, and some children, cutting off + heads, and otherwise mutilating the bodies; that, as the men who + surrendered with him at Point Bacchus, fainted in their march, they + were instantly bayonetted; the Colonel himself was, by particular + directions from Victor Hughes, ordered to clean the prison ship in + turn with the others; but from this disgrace he was relieved by the + dutiful attachment of his men, who would not permit it: his food + and lodging were the same as the rest, no attention being paid to + his rank; but from the respect and good behaviour of his men, not + one of whom would desert from him. A great number of people of all + ages, sexes, and conditions, were condemned to the guillotine by + this inexorable tyrant, all of whom were conducted in boats round + the prison ship, in order to distress and intimidate the British + prisoners. + + + + +APPENDIX. + + + _Head Quarters, Barbadoes, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1794._ + + Parole, ST. DOMINGO. C. S. WILLIAMSON. + +The Commander in Chief, having nearly finished all his arrangements to +open the campaign with vigour, thinks it necessary, during the few days +the troops remain at Barbadoes, to give out the orders proper for the +regulation and conduct of the troops; and he anxiously calls upon every +commanding officer of brigades, regiments, and corps, to support him in +the due and strict observance thereof. The object of the campaign is to +complete the conquest of the French West India Islands. Great +sufficiency of provisions and a numerous train of artillery are +provided. The General is so thoroughly convinced of the zeal and +intelligence of the officers and soldiers under his command, that he +knows many orders upon the present occasion are unnecessary; yet, to +shorten orders in future, it may not be improper to explain to the +soldiers the fatal consequences of straggling ever so little away from +camp in quest of plunder; it is next to a certainty they will fall +ignobly by the hands of the country people: or if they should escape, +they may depend upon suffering the severe punishment due to disobeying +military orders; as the General will never allow (while he has the +honour to command such troops) practices of that nature to gain ground, +as that alone, in time, will defeat the bravest army in the world, and +render all their efforts useless. The British soldiers cannot be +ignorant of the high reputation they have always acquired for obedience, +attention, and expertness, in arms; and consequently they must be +sensible how much their king and country expect from them: and the +General is impressed with every assurance, that the troops will not +disappoint them upon this occasion. The General takes the liberty to +assure them, that they are able to fight any troops upon earth; and he +will be answerable that it would not be a contest of ten minutes between +this army and the best troops of France, whether the affair was to be +decided by fire or bayonet. This last method is always to be preferred, +but much more so when acting against such bad troops as the army we are +now to be opposed to, the enemy being made up chiefly of negroes and +mulattoes, with a very small proportion of regular troops; to be beat by +whom would be so disgraceful, that he cannot entertain the most distant +thought of it. The present distracted state of France makes it +impossible to support them, therefore it only requires the usual +perseverance and gallantry of British soldiers to conquer the first +island that an attack is made upon, which will certainly decide the fate +of the whole, shorten the campaign, and put an honourable end to the +labour and exertion of the troops. The General thinks it a duty +incumbent on him, and which he doubts not will be taken well, to point +out further what he thinks necessary, either for their own particular +good, or that more noble object, the good of their king and country. The +General desires the soldiers will consider what hardships must attend +their profession; that there is as much true honour in bearing them with +manly fortitude, as in forcing the cannon of an enemy; patience under +difficulties being one of the first virtues in a military character, and +without which no man, however brave, will ever be a soldier. In times +like the present some sacrifice of convenience must always be made to +necessity; at the same time the soldiers may be assured that every +attention will be paid by the Commander in Chief, and every other +officer, to have them well supplied with every article that the nature +of the service will admit. On the other hand, he hopes the soldiers will +be so thoroughly convinced of this, that not one of them will be so lost +to honour and virtue, and the service of their country, as not readily +and most cheerfully to put up with every inconvenience, and even to the +scarcity of provisions, if it should so happen. The General means to +carry the business through with as little loss as possible, and with the +strictest attention to the preservation of the troops: to this end he +expects that every duty required will be carried forward by the troops +without the least unsoldier-like behaviour or complaint, and that all +orders will be strictly obeyed. The army is sent to carry on honourable +war against the French colonies, and by their conduct, in preserving +the persons and properties of the peaceable inhabitants, to conciliate +the minds of the people to the British government; therefore the General +determinately assures the troops, that he will allow of no drunkenness +or licentious behaviour, no burning of churches, houses, or edifices of +any description, without orders, or plundering in any shape whatever. +All persons that with their property remain in their habitations, shall +be treated with humanity. No violence to be offered, particularly to +women, on any pretence whatever. The strictest subordination and +discipline to be preserved throughout the whole army; and the commanding +officer of brigades, regiments, and corps, must be responsible +accordingly to the Commander in Chief.--The commanding officer will be +careful that these orders, and every other that comes out, are +distinctly read to their men by an officer, and be clearly understood by +both officers and soldiers.--However it may hurt the General's feelings, +he is determined to make immediate examples of all those who shall +presume to disobey his orders; more particularly that part of them +relative to plundering, ill treatment of peaceable inhabitants, or +firing of houses, &c. And Captain Vipond, provost marshal, has his +orders to execute upon the spot every offender caught in such horrid +acts, without trial.--It may be necessary here to acquaint all officers' +servants (not soldiers), and followers of the army of every description, +that they are subject to military law, and liable in like manner with +the troops to the punishment of death, or corporal punishment, according +to the nature of the offence. Each regiment and corps will apprize them +of this, that ignorance may not be pleaded as an excuse. The success of +this army totally depends upon a proper and strict degree of order and +discipline being maintained; the General therefore again calls upon +officers of every rank to assist him in enforcing it; for the whole are +not to suffer by a disorderly few, who, if allowed to go on, would be +the destruction of the whole army. + +The provost marshal's guard to mount to-morrow morning at six o'clock, +consisting of one sergeant, two corporals, twelve privates; and Captain +Vipond will direct patroles to go out as he judges necessary, for the +purpose of preserving order and regularity.--William Allen, sergeant +major, of the forty-eighth regiment, is appointed deputy to the provost +marshal; Captain Scott, of the sixth regiment, to act as major to that +regiment; and Quarter Master William Haugh to do the duty of adjutant +till further orders.--Carpenters are much wanted to expedite the +equipment of hospital ships, and other necessary work on board the +fleet; returns to be given in by each corps to-morrow of the number of +carpenters they have, and such as they can furnish; to be supplied on +the application of Captain Armstrong, assistant to the quarter master +general, who will receive and take care to return them on board their +respective transports. Working parties from the troops afloat are +necessary for the same purpose, and will be supplied in rotation, by +corps, with a proper proportion of non-commissioned officers, on the +application of Captain Armstrong to the officers commanding regiments +or battalions. The sixth regiment, and such of the flank companies not +yet completed with camp equipage, will receive it on board the Sincerity +brig to-morrow morning at six o'clock. The quarter masters of the +respective battalions will attend to receive it.--Lieutenant Geyer of +the sixty-seventh regiment to do duty with the sixth +regiment.--Provost's guard, first battalion grenadiers. One sergeant, +nine privates of the ninth regiment on board the army brig to be landed +this evening, and to march to St. Ann's, where they are to remain till +further orders. The light companies at St. Ann's Castle will fire ball +this evening, &c. &c. + + * * * * * + +Lieut. Colonel Gomm was left to command at Barbadoes. + + + + +FURTHER ORDERS BEFORE EMBARKATION. + + ORDERS. _Barbadoes, January 24, 1794._ + + EXTRACT. + +The safety of an army depending in a great measure upon the guards and +out-posts, they cannot be too vigilant; therefore the Commander in Chief +expects, that whatever post or guard an officer is ordered to take, he +will first visit his situation and ground around it, and post his +centinels so as to render it out of the power of the enemy to surprise +him. It is the greatest disgrace that can possibly befall an officer; +and so much so in the General's opinion, that any officer, or +non-commissioned officer, who shall suffer himself to be surprised, must +not expect to be forgiven.--All out-posts to fortify themselves as well +as they can, to prevent any insult from parties of the enemy. The troops +always to form two deep; and, the roads being so narrow in the island, +it will be necessary for them to march by files: if there is room to do +otherwise, the commanding officer will be the best judge.--The soldiers +will bear in mind the use of the bayonet, which in possession of, they +can have no excuse for retreating for want of ammunition, the bayonet +being the best and most effectual weapon in the hands of a gallant +British soldier; in which mode of attack (the General assures them) no +troops upon earth are equal to them. In case of a night attack, +ammunition and firing are totally out of the question, and the bayonet +is ever to be preferred and made use of. Every reason is in favour of +this system; amongst many others the following, viz. It conceals you and +your numbers from the enemy; the enemy direct their fire wherever they +see or hear fire, consequently fire upon each other, whilst you are +concealed, and they fall an easy prey. The General assures the troops of +this from his own repeated experience; and the soldiers may rely in +confidence upon him, that if it is strictly adhered to, it will seldom, +if ever, fail of success.--As it may be necessary at particular times to +order the grenadiers, light infantry, and advanced corps, to retire, in +order more effectually to secure the defeat of the enemy, the Commander +in Chief thinks it necessary to apprize the army of this, to prevent any +alarm such an appearance might otherwise occasion amongst the +soldiers.--Weak and sickly men are not to embark with their regiments or +corps; proper measures will be taken to get those men to their regiments +as soon as they are in a state fit for duty. No women to come on shore +till particularly ordered, &c. + +The undernamed are the officers of Royal Engineers to serve the army on +the expedition. + + Colonels Elias Durnford, Chief Engineer. + John Chillcotts. + Robert Douglas. + + Captains William Johnston. + James Gieddes. + Lewis Hay. + + 1st Lieutenants Richard Downe. + Douglas Lawson. + Richard Fletcher. + + 2d Lieutenant Elias Walker Durnford. + +No emigrants allowed to go as servants or otherwise from Barbadoes with +the expedition, without particular leave from the Commander in Chief; +nor any negroes to be hired by the officers, without the consent of +their owners. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb. 6, 1794._ + + GENERAL ORDERS. + + Parole, MARTINICO. C. S. MORNE. + + Field Officer for the day, Lieut. Colonel Buckridge. + + The army will halt to-day. + + +The Commander in Chief cannot but express the highest sense he +entertains of the exertion of the officers and soldiers in a long +fatiguing march yesterday, and the orderly behaviour of the men during +the whole march, and which must at all times demand his utmost +attention; and he assures them the same conduct will (and speedily) put +an end to the campaign.--The Commander in Chief is pleased to order an +extra day of fresh provisions and rum to be issued out to the men this +day as soon as possible.--The regiments which loaded yesterday on their +march will draw their pieces immediately; and no regiment to load in +future without orders, except the advanced guard.--A general court +martial to be convened immediately for the trial of William Milton, of +the English light dragoons, and Samuel Price, of the black dragoons, for +robbery; and all such prisoners as shall be brought before them. Capt. +Cunningham, and Jacques and Falice, to appear as witnesses. + + Lieutenant Colonel Blundell, President. + + Lieutenant Colonel Johnston. + + Major Watson. + + Major Ross. + + Major Baillie. + + Third battalion grenadiers 2 Captains. + + Second light infantry 1 Ditto. + + Third ditto 1 Ditto. + + Third brigade 4 Ditto. + +Names of the members, and dates of their commissions, to be given in +immediately to Major Lyon, deputy quarter master general, acting judge +advocate. List of the evidence for and against to be given in at the +same time. The quarter masters of the different regiments at head +quarters to give in to the quarter master general a return of the +effective strength immediately. + + + + +AFTER ORDERS. _Feb. 7, 1794._ + + +William Milton, private in the detachment of British light dragoons, and +Samuel Price, a negro, attached to the dragoons, tried by a general +court martial, of which Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Blundell was president, +for having entered the house of Jacques, an inhabitant of this place, +and robbing him of a sum of money, are both found guilty of the crime +laid to their charge; and, by virtue of the power and authority vested +in the court by the fourth article of the twenty-third section of the +articles of war, the said prisoners, William Milton and Samuel Price, +are adjudged to suffer death; which is approved of by the Commander in +Chief, and the general court martial is dissolved. + +The Commander in Chief feels most sensibly, and laments the necessity of +making examples so immediately after landing, notwithstanding the +strongest and most pointed orders given by him so recently against every +kind of irregularity and improper behaviour in soldiers on service, but +particularly against this very crime committed by the prisoners. +Determined, however, to have his orders obeyed, to preserve discipline +in the army, which is so essential to its success, and to prevent a +repetition of crimes so base, disgraceful, and detestable, the +prisoners, William Milton and Samuel Price, are ordered to be executed +at eight o'clock to-morrow morning. The troops to parade at seven +o'clock to-morrow morning, in readiness to attend the execution. The +ninth and fifteenth regiments to send four men each in augmentation of +the castle guard in the rear of the head quarters. Six mules will be +delivered to each of the flank battalions, and four to each regiment, at +nine o'clock to-morrow morning, at the quarter master general's. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb. 8, 1794._ + + Parole, WHYTE. C. S. BATTERIES. + + Field Officer of the day, Major Watson. + + +The Commander in Chief hopes the awful scene of this morning will have +its proper effect, and not lay him again under the most feeling and +painful necessity of repeating it, but which must certainly be the +unhappy case in the persons of future offenders. The General could not +be justified in the eyes of his king and country, and this army he has +the honour to command, in acting otherwise, their existence and success +depending (of which every good thinking soldier must be sensible) upon a +proper degree of discipline and subordination, with the most minute and +strictest obedience to orders, &c. + +The General has the pleasure to announce to the army the complete +success of Brigadier General Whyte, at the head of the third light +infantry, in gallantly storming and taking the batteries of Cape Solomon +and Bourgis. In Cape Solomon were four thirty-six pounders and two +twenty-four pounders; in Bourgis three twenty-four pounders, all in +perfect order to turn against the enemy; with powder and shot in +abundance. This success opens a near communication with the fleet, by +enabling them to come into Ance d'Arlet Bay, with every supply the army +may be in want of; and what still renders it more valuable, carried with +the loss only of one man. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb. 9, 1794._ + + Parole, DUNDAS. C. S. GROS MORNE. + + Field Officer of the day, Major Baillie. + + +The Commander in Chief has again the pleasure to announce to the troops +the further success of his majesty's arms towards the conquest of the +island of Martinico, by the able conduct of Major General Dundas, and +the gallantry and spirit of the troops under his command, in attacking +the enemy's troops under the command of Mons. Bellgarde at Trinité with +bayonets, and putting them totally to the rout with great slaughter, he +narrowly escaping with a few followers into Fort Royal. The Major +General with great spirit followed up the blow, and took possession of +the very strong fort of the Gros Morne, where the English colours are +now flying. + +He has also the pleasure to add the gallantry of the seventieth +regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Johnston, and led by Colonel +Dundas, who with so much spirit and promptitude attacked the enemy +posted upon Morne Charlotte Pied, and put them totally to flight, taking +possession of that important commanding ground looking down upon Pigeon +Island, which, when, attacked (in conjunction with Brigadier General +Whyte) and taken, will enable the English fleet to come up into Fort +Royal Harbour, in full view of the enemy's Forts of Bourbon and Royal. + +The Commander in Chief is happy in the opportunity of making honourable +mention of Captain Nares of the seventieth regiment, who led the +advanced guard with so much true courage and judgment in the above +attack, as reported to him in the strongest manner by Colonel Dundas. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb. 11, 1794._ + + Parole, GORDON. C. S. CASE NAVIRE. + + +The Commander in Chief is happy again to assure the army of the progress +of our arms towards the reduction of Martinico. Colonel Sir Charles +Gordon, and Captain Rogers commanding a squadron of his Majesty's ships, +by their good conduct, activity, and spirit, have made a landing good at +Cape Pilote, and taken all the batteries upon the coast from Cape Pilote +to Cape Navirre. The gallantry of the troops, in charging and putting to +flight the enemy wherever they dared to appear, was never more +conspicuous. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb. 12, 1794._ + + Parole, WHYTE. C. S. PIGEON ISLAND. + + Field Officer of the day, Major Baillie. + + +It is with the utmost satisfaction the Commander in Chief announces to +the army the capture of Pigeon Island, which surrendered yesterday +morning about eleven o'clock, being a post of great strength, and of the +utmost importance towards the success of our future operations. The +Commander in Chief gives his thanks to Brigadier General Whyte, who +commanded and conducted this service with such spirit and ability as to +do him honour. Likewise to Colonel Symes, quarter master general, for +his able assistance and zeal upon the occasion.--The Commander in Chief +returns his thanks to Lieutenant Colonel Close, who commanded the third +battalion of light infantry; and to Major Manningham, for his +conspicuous exertions. Likewise to Lieutenant Colonel Paterson and Major +Manly, who commanded the royal artillery, which was well and ably +served; and to Colonel Durnford of the engineers. + +The Commander in Chief gives his thanks to all the officers and soldiers +employed on that difficult and particular service, whose courage and +exertions (so eminently manifested) merit the greatest praise. + +The Commander in Chief also has to offer his warmest acknowledgments and +obligations to Lieutenants Rogers and Rutherford, commanding the seamen, +and to all the other officers and seamen of his Majesty's navy; whose +perseverance, able assistance, and good conduct, contributed much to the +capture of the island. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb. 13, 1794._ + + GENERAL ORDERS. + + Parole, YORK. C. S. GLOUCESTER. + + +The Commander in Chief is happy in the opportunity of expressing the +pleasure he received from the report of Major Lyon, deputy adjutant +general, of the spirited conduct of the fifteenth regiment, commanded by +Captain Pomier, in the attack of a very strong post of the enemy at +eleven o'clock last night, in which attack two hundred of the enemy were +surprised, and totally routed, with some loss, and all their cattle, +provisions, arms, &c. and some prisoners taken, with the loss of one man +only of the fifteenth regiment killed, and two wounded. + +The fifteenth regiment, at the same time that they accept the Commander +in Chief's acknowledgments for their spirited conduct, will allow him +to say, that if they had not fired, the surprise might have been more +complete; and firing, he trusts, they will in future, in all night +attacks, on all occasions, avoid, and which, they well know, how very +strongly he recommended previous to the opening of the campaign; and he +desires the commanding officers will turn back to their orders, and read +them to the officers and men. + +The Commander in Chief desires that the warm sense he entertains of the +spirited service of Captain de Rivigne (who commanded the howitzers in +the siege and capture of Pigeon Island, as reported by Brigadier General +Whyte) may be made known to the army, &c. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Heights of Brunot, Feb. 17, 1794._ + + Parole, CONQUEST. C. S. ST. PIERRE. + + Field Officer, Major Campbell. + + +The Commander in Chief hopes that every care is taken of, and humanity +shewn to, the negroes attached to the regiments, and to all those +employed with the army; and that they are victualled, attended to, and +encouraged. This the commanding officers of regiments and corps, and +every officer in all departments, will attend to, and inquire into: as +many have fled from the camp, which must be owing to their having been +neglected, or ill used by some of the men, such treatment must be +prevented in future, otherwise the army will suffer every inconvenience. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Brunot, Feb. 19, 1794._ + + Parole, ST. PIERRE. C. S. DUNDAS. + + Field Officer, Colonel Coote. + + +The Commander in Chief has the pleasure to announce to the army the +complete capture of St. Pierre, the most considerable town in this +island, which contains the greatest part of its wealth, its roads +crowded with ships and merchandise, now the prizes of the army and navy. + +The Commander in Chief holds himself highly obliged to the troops for +their spirited and cool conduct in the course of the attack yesterday; +and congratulates them upon so easy an acquisition of the strong ground +hitherto occupied by the enemy, owing to the prompt and spirited +movement of Lieutenant Colonel Buckridge, and the support of the light +infantry under Lieutenant Colonel Coote and Lieutenant Colonel Blundell: +this being the very ground intended to be occupied, and essential for +the impending siege. The sixth, ninth, and second light infantry, with +all the artillery of the camp at Brunot, to march and form the line of +the new camp at Sourier at day-break. The seventieth and fifteenth +regiments to remain at the port of Matilda, and the covering of the +landing place, till further orders. + +The commissary to order the provisions, &c. of the army to be escorted +to the most convenient and contiguous situation for the supply of the +army in their new position; which, from their present landing place, +will be nearer than their former encampment. The cavalry, provost's, and +every other department attendant on the army, to move to-morrow morning. +The post of Colomb, occupied by Lieutenant Colonel Coote, to be retained +by two companies, and that of Lieutenant Colonel Buckridge by one +company. + +No bullocks for draught, which are necessary for agriculture to the +inhabitants, or milch cows, to be slaughtered by the army. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Heights of Sourier, Feb. 22, 1794._ + + Parole, NAVY. C. S. ANIMATION. + + Field Officer, Major Campbell. + + +The Commander in Chief saw with pleasure and surprise this morning the +great progress that has been made in forming an excellent road for the +battering train through so difficult a country, and the fair prospect of +the artillery shortly arriving at the destined ground. Nothing can +exceed the order and indefatigability of the British sailors, and the +zeal and pleasure with which they appear animated in the most laborious +exertions; he has remarked this with the utmost satisfaction. + +He begs Captains Hervey, Kelly, and Carpenter, with the officers and men +under their command, will accept his best thanks and acknowledgments of +how much he owes them. When the two services thus combine and +co-operate, the greatest obstacles may be surmounted, and every +difficulty vanish. The Commander in Chief has given orders to the +commissary that the seamen shall be amply supplied with provisions and +rum. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, Feb. 24, 1794._ + + Parole, GREAT GUN. C. S. MORTAR. + + +Not that the Commander in Chief has any reason whatever to suspect the +advanced posts and guard of the camp are not alert, but, on the +contrary, their steadiness and attention give him true satisfaction: +nevertheless he thinks it right to warn them, that the enemy, in their +present hopeless situation, may be desperate, and attempt to insult some +of the posts: more they cannot do; but the slightest advantage gained, +their expiring cause may for a moment be spirited up to hold out a +little longer, and cause the loss of a few brave men; this the Commander +in Chief wishes to avoid, and to make the conquest of this valuable +island of Martinico with the least loss possible, he being ever +attentive and watchful of their preservation. He particularly desires +the advanced posts will, if possible, increase their vigilance, and in +case of an insult, to meet it coolly, not risking themselves by darting +forward (this not being the time for such exertion), but to check their +ardour, and content themselves by standing on the defensive, and +repulsing the enemy, covering steadily the bringing up the battering +train to their destined ground, which will very soon be completed, and +the batteries ready to open powerfully upon the enemy from three points +at one and the same time; which done, the Commander in Chief assures +the army that he has every reason to believe they will be in possession +of the enemy's last stake in a little time, and honourably put an end to +their labours. + +The Commander in Chief again repeats his orders for all the out-posts +that are the least exposed to the enemy's fire, to fortify and shelter +themselves, throwing up blinds at certain distances to run behind when a +shell falls, and which will effectually secure them.--In the trench of +Lieutenant Colonel Coote's post three or four cross blinds should be +made; and the engineer is immediately to order it. The advanced guns +also to be guarded, to prevent a shot damaging a wheel or carriage; +which Lieutenant Colonel Paterson will order to be done. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Camp, Heights of Sourier, Feb. 28, 1794._ + + Parole, PUSH. C. S. FORWARD. + + Field Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Craddock. + + +Alexander Ross, second gunner, royal artillery, and Edward Brookes, of +the royal Irish artillery, tried by the general court martial, of which +Lieutenant Colonel Buckridge was president, for absenting themselves +five hours from the post of Gros Morne; and on suspicion of having +robbed Madame Lamalle of a gold watch and chain, with various other +articles, viz. six silver spoons, six forks, and a large soup spoon. The +prisoners are further accused of robbing a washerwoman of some wearing +apparel belonging to Adjutant Wilkinson, of the sixty-fourth regiment. +The court, having maturely considered the evidence in support of the +charge against the prisoners, together with what they had to advance in +their defence, acquit the prisoners, Alexander Ross, second gunner of +royal artillery, and Edward Brookes, of the royal Irish artillery, of +the charge against them of having robbed Madame Lamalle and the +washerwoman: but the prisoners, Alexander Ross, of the royal artillery, +and Edward Brookes, of the royal Irish artillery, are both found guilty +of absenting themselves from the post of Gros Morne without leave, in +breach of the fourteenth section of articles of war, and are therefore +adjudged to receive four hundred lashes each on their bare backs.--The +Commander in Chief approves of the above sentence, and directs, that the +punishment of four hundred lashes each be inflicted on the prisoners +to-morrow morning at seven o'clock, at the head of the English and royal +Irish artillery.--The Commander in Chief is clearly of opinion that the +prisoners, Alexander Ross and Edward Brookes, were also guilty of the +charge of robbery advanced against them; but the evidence not being of +that force to justify the court martial in finding them guilty, they are +fortunate in escaping, and he thinks it will make a lasting impression +on their minds; for the Commander in Chief assures them, had they been +found guilty (however painful to him), they should have suffered the +last punishment, death, at the head of the army. + +The prisoner Phelps, soldier in the fortieth regiment of foot, tried by +the same general court martial for desertion, is found guilty, in breach +of the first article of the sixth section of the articles of war, and +sentenced to receive eight hundred lashes on his bare back, in the usual +manner. The Commander in Chief approves of the above sentence; but, in +consideration of the great length of time the prisoner, John Phelps, has +been confined, he is pleased to pardon him; and hopes this instance of +lenity will make a deep and lasting impression on his mind, and induce +him to behave like a good and faithful British soldier to his king and +country in future. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Camp, Sourier, March 5, 1794._ + + Parole, AIM. C. S. WELL. + + EXTRACTS. + + +His Royal Highness Prince Edward, major general, to take the command of +his Majesty's troops forming the investment of Fort Bourbon, on the Cape +Navirre side, and the camp at La Coste, with all the posts depending. + +The Commander in Chief observes the soldiers do not dig a trench round +their tents to carry off the wet: the commanding officers of regiments +and corps to order it to be done immediately, and to send for the +hammocks belonging to the round tents, to make the men as comfortable as +possible. + +Captain J. A. Wetheral, and Lieutenant J. Vesey, of the eleventh foot, +are appointed aid de camps to his Royal Highness Prince Edward, major +general, and to be obeyed as such.--The Commander in Chief has the +pleasure to announce, that a detachment of the fifteenth regiment, +commanded by Lord Sinclair, and a detachment of light dragoons, +commanded by Lieutenant Shadwell, and conducted by Captain Cunningham +(his aid de camp), surprised at ten o'clock this morning a strong corps +of the enemy near Francois, which they had set on fire. The enemy were +completely surprised, who had been burning, plundering, and murdering, +wherever they went; thirty-six were killed, with their chief, who was +cut down by a light dragoon. Four prisoners were taken, who were hung up +as an example to such rascals in future; which method the General is +determined uniformly to pursue with all such taken in arms.--The +Commander in Chief returns his best thanks to Lord Sinclair, Captain +Cunningham, and Lieutenant Shadwell, for their zeal and exertion on this +occasion; and to all the officers and men employed. The fire of Francois +was extinguished, and only four houses burnt. Our loss only two men +wounded. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, March 9, 1794._ + + Parole, ADVANCE. C. S. NEARER. + + Field Officer, Major Baillie. + + +Lieutenant General Prescot will advance, and post the seventieth +regiment to cover the new batteries; which done, the captain and sixty +men, and subaltern and thirty, posted at and near M. Ragout's house, to +be withdrawn, excepting a serjeant and twelve men posted on the height +in the rear of that post, which must be continued until further orders. +Surgeon's mate William Wood, of the seventieth regiment, is appointed +surgeon's mate to the general hospital in the West Indies. The following +gentlemen are appointed to act as assistant engineers: Mr. Thomas Hall, +Lieutenant Fenton, forty-third regiment, Ensign Snell, fifteenth +regiment, Ensign Garroway, king's Carolina regiment, and M. la Granche. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, before Fort Bourbon, March 18, 1794._ + + +The gallant attack of the seamen, headed by Lieutenant Bowen of the +Boyne, in boarding the Gabarre, in the carinage of Fort Royal, in open +boats, at noon day yesterday, under a shower of grape shot and musquetry +from the garrison, taking the captain, lieutenant, and twelve men +prisoners, being all there were on board, and even firing some of the +guns of the Gabarre against the fort, merits the highest praise and +admiration. This gallant transaction the Commander in Chief was a +witness of, and takes this opportunity of repeating how perfectly +sensible he is of their meritorious services, with those of the navy in +general, and of their unwearied exertion in forwarding his majesty's +service in every way, and on this critical occasion; and begs they will +accept of his best thanks. Lieutenant Robertson to do duty as major of +brigade, in the room of M. B. Forbes, till further orders. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, before Fort Bourbon, Friday, March + 21, 1794._ + + Parole, FORT. C. S. ROYAL. + + Field Officer, Major Baillie. + + +During the present truce no relaxation of duty, vigilance, or +preparation for a continuance of the siege, to take place; on the +contrary, every exertion to be used for opening again with more vigour +than ever, should the present conference break of, by not agreeing on +terms; which may be the case. + +The Commander in Chief has great satisfaction in congratulating the army +on the most important capture of Fort Royal, effected with so much good +conduct and gallantry, which he trusts must lead to a speedy surrender +of Fort Bourbon.--The first battalion of grenadiers, commanded by +Lieutenant Colonel Stewart, and third battalion of light infantry, +commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Close, from camp la Coste, with the +third battalion of grenadiers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel +Buckridge, and first light infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel +Coote, from the camp of Sourier, behaved with their usual spirit on the +occasion, and such as must always command success. Captain de Rivigne, +of the royal artillery, has done his duty in so excellent a manner, +shewing superior judgment in conducting the fire of the field pieces on +the left, and so effectually covering the approach of the troops, as has +done him the greatest honour, and proves him to be a most valuable +officer. + +The Commander in Chief acknowledges great obligations to the navy, on +their gallant escalade of Fort Royal, under the able conduct of +Commodore Thompson, with the assistance of the Asia, Captain Brown; but +particularly to Captain Faulkner of the Zebra, whose gallantry and +judgment have justly gained him the admiration of the whole +army.--Commodore Thompson's judicious arrangement of the gun-boats and +flat-boats, with the assistance of Captain Rogers, who landed and +entered the town of Fort Royal from the side of Tortenson, contributed +most essentially to the success of the enterprise, in which the zealous +assistance and activity of Captain Sancée of the Guides, was highly +meritorious and useful. The Commander in Chief's thanks are justly due +to every person employed on that service, which he gives with infinite +pleasure and satisfaction. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Fort Royal, March 25, 1794._ + + Parole, FORT GEORGE. C. S. FORT EDWARD. + + Field Officer, Colonel Coote. + + +The Commander in Chief orders Fort Bourbon now to bear the name of Fort +George, and Fort Louis to bear the name of Fort Edward; and to be called +so in future.--The Commander in Chief, with heartfelt satisfaction, +congratulates the army on the complete conquest of the island of +Martinico, a most important acquisition to his majesty's crown. He begs +permission to return the army in general his warmest thanks for their +zeal, perseverance, gallantry, and spirit, so eminently distinguished, +and never before exceeded, by every rank, from the general to the +soldier, throughout this service; and this justice he cannot fail to do +them in the strongest language to his majesty.--The works of the +trenches to be levelled, and every preparation made by all departments +for embarkation on another expedition. The transports are ordered round +to Fort Royal; and the cannon, ordnance stores, and every thing +belonging to the engineer and military departments, to be conveyed down, +ready to be embarked on board their respective ships, regularly, and +with such method, that no sort of confusion or retardment may happen +upon a second disembarkation. The artillery will always be the first +called for.--All officers of the army and navy to have permission to go +into Fort George. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. + + _Head Quarters, Boyne, off Guadaloupe, June 4, 1794._ + + +Colonel Richard Symes is appointed brigadier general from the 25th of +May, 1794, in the West Indies; and also governor of Guadaloupe, until +his majesty's pleasure is known. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _Guadaloupe, June 8, 1794._ + + +Colonel Francis Dundas is appointed Brigadier General from the 26th of +May, 1794, in the West Indies. Surgeon Thomas Wright, from the garrison +of Guadaloupe, to be purveyor of the general hospital, vice Dundon, +deceased. The Honourable Captain Stewart, of the twenty-second regiment, +to be extra aid de camp to the Commander in Chief. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _Guadaloupe, June 10, 1794._ + + +Captain Donkin, of the forty-fourth regiment, to do duty as major of +brigade. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, June 13, 1794._ + + +The Commander in Chief feels great satisfaction in acquainting the army +with his majesty's entire approbation of their gallant exertions and +bravery during this campaign, to the time of the capture of Fort Bourbon +(now Fort George), and the complete conquest of the island of +Martinique; which is communicated to him in a letter from the secretary +of state, bearing date the 22d of April, 1794, of which the following is +an extract. "I am therefore to signify to you his majesty's most perfect +and entire approbation of your conduct, and of the gallant behaviour of +all the officers and soldiers under your command; and to desire that you +will convey to them the just sense his majesty entertains of the honour +they have done themselves, and of the services which they have rendered +to their country."--The Commander in Chief has also the pleasure of +notifying to the army, that having made application for exempting it +from paying postage, his majesty has been graciously pleased to comply +therewith; which is communicated to him in a letter from the secretary +of state of the same date, the following being an extract. "His majesty +is most graciously pleased to comply with your request that the army +under your command whilst on service may be exempted from paying postage +for their letters; and I shall immediately signify the same to the post +master general." + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, June 14, 1794._ + + Parole, LIGHT INFANTRY. C. S. ---- + + +The Commander in Chief thanks Brigadier General Dundas, and the first +light infantry, under the command of Major Ross, supported by the +thirty-ninth regiment, under Major Magan, for the usual spirit with +which they attacked the French camp at Point Gabbare, and congratulates +them on the complete success of it.--The able and gallant conduct of +Major Ross, in leading the light infantry so handsomely to the charge, +as reported by Brigadier General Dundas, demands the Commander in +Chief's particular acknowledgments; and which he will not fail to report +to the ministry, to lay before his majesty. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. + + _Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, Guadaloupe, June 15, 1794._ + + Parole, BOYNE. C. S. ---- + + +The grenadier companies of the sixth, ninth, fifteenth, twenty-first, +fifty-sixth, fifty-eighth, sixtieth, fourth battalion of the +sixty-fourth, sixty-fifth, and three companies from the Irish regiments, +to be formed into a battalion under the command of Lieutenant Colonel +Fisher, of the sixtieth regiment. The light companies of the sixth, +ninth, fifteenth, twenty-first, fifty-sixth, fifty-eighth, sixtieth, +fourth battalion of the sixty-fourth, sixty-fifth, and three companies +from the Irish regiments, to be formed into a battalion under the +command of Lieutenant Colonel Gomm. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, June 18, 1794._ + + Parole, ---- C. S. ---- + + +The Commander in Chief feels with great concern the necessity of again +assembling part of the troops to dislodge an enemy who have stolen into +Pointe a Pitre, and the posts in its neighbourhood, at the moment when +the gallant General Dundas was expiring. He had hoped that the troops, +whose meritorious services had acquired so much glory during a most +successful campaign, would have found rest and comfort during the +remainder of this year at least. Relying however on the cheerful and +utmost exertions of the gallant troops he has the happiness to command, +he cannot entertain a doubt of finishing the service speedily and +gloriously, to enable the troops to return very soon to the quarters +from whence they are now called forth to service. + +The Commander in Chief assures the troops that their situation on this +extra service shall be made as comfortable and agreeable to them as it +is in his power to render it; and that no time shall be lost in +advancing against the enemy, consistent with the attention he always +pays to the preservation of his soldiers, not wantonly or prematurely +exposing them to danger. + +The same conduct, good behaviour, and cool bravery, which gained such +rapid and complete success hitherto, will insure it on the present +occasion, against about five hundred regular troops, joined by a +despicable and motley crew of mulattoes and negroes, with some seamen, +the whole a forlorn hope, who put in here for the want of provisions, +and at a time the forty-third regiment was weakened by sickness. + +The troops to be ready to get into the flat boats to-morrow morning at +three o'clock. The boats, when the men are embarked, are to assemble +astern of the Assurance forty-four gun ship, there waiting for orders to +proceed on shore. The troops to carry on shore with them three days +provisions dressed, one day's grog, and rum in kegs for another day: +also to land with their tent blankets, camp kettles, water kegs, +canteens, and hand hatchets; the sailors to land with ditto and +tomahawks. + +The light infantry to be first to land with two amuzettes, supported by +the battalion of grenadiers with two three-pounders. + +The sixty-fifth regiment then to land with two six-pounders; Captain de +Rivignes commanding the artillery. After the troops are landed, and have +got the heights opposite, the spare artillery, howitzers, stores, &c. +are to be landed at Grozier. The commanding engineer will land at the +same time all the artificers, and every thing belonging to his +department, that no time whatsoever may be lost in forwarding the +enterprise. The first troops that land will immediately take advantage +of the strongest ground, houses, &c. there posting themselves; not +advancing until the whole are landed. Brigadier General Symes will +direct the landing, and is to command the troops on shore. The Commander +in Chief has been pleased to appoint Captain John Cunnyngham, of the +forty-third regiment, to be deputy adjutant general, vice Lyon, +deceased. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _Head Quarters, Grozier, Guadaloupe, + June 20, 1794._ + + +The Commander in Chief is much surprised to find, from the report of +Brigadier General Symes, that the seamen and soldiers straggle from camp +in search of water, which, when found in the neighbourhood, is not fit +for drinking, though it may answer for cooking. The Commander in Chief +forbids any officer from quitting the post of his company, except on +duty; and directs that the rolls be called every two hours. If any +soldier or seaman be found marauding or straggling from camp, he will be +punished in the most severe manner. The officers commanding corps to see +their battalions fall in, and the rolls called, from which no officer is +to be absent, as the enemy are lurking about the posts. + +The piquets are not to suffer any person to pass them, without a pass in +writing from the brigadier general. + +Each corps will send an officer for orders to head quarters every day at +ten o'clock, and an orderly serjeant from each corps to attend +constantly. All applications for provisions to be made to Mr. Johnstone, +the quarter master of the sixtieth regiment. These orders, as well as +all others, to be read to the men by an officer of each company. +Captain Robins, of the sixtieth regiment, to do duty with the +sixty-fifth regiment; and Lieutenant Milnes, of the forty-ninth, with +the ninth light infantry. + +The Honourable Captain Stewart, of the twenty-second regiment, having +offered his services to the Commander in Chief on this present occasion, +they are accepted; and he is ordered to do duty with the ninth grenadier +company. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _Head Quarters, Grozier Camp, + June 21, 1794._ + + Parole, ENGLAND. C. S. PROSPERITY. + + +On account of the brilliant success of his majesty's arms, and his +allies, in France, by the complete victory gained by the Duke of York at +the head of the British, and also by the Austrians, on the 26th of April +last, in which the French General Chapuey was made prisoner, with +fifty-seven pieces of their cannon taken, and a great slaughter of their +troops, with a very inconsiderable loss of the British troops and their +allies, the Commander in Chief orders a _feu de joie_ on the occasion at +six o'clock this evening; for which purpose all the troops will be under +arms and assemble with the naval battalion at five o'clock, and are to +be marched to a conspicuous situation, in view of the enemy, to give +three rounds of running fire. The whole of our artillery, drawn up in +front of the line, are to fire three rounds. Each round of artillery to +precede a round of small arms: running fire beginning at the right of +the line; and to conclude with three hearty cheers.--Brigadier General +Symes, who commands the line, will be so good as to place and arrange +the troops on this occasion, pointing out the ground they are to +assemble upon. The whole navy will fire a _feu de joie_, and the troops +under the command of Brigadier General Dundas at the camp at Berville, +at the same time. + +The Commander in Chief desires that his long, spirited, and determined +orders, given out when the army sailed from Barbadoes on the expedition +to Martinico, dated the 22d of January, may be read to the troops, +particularly to the seamen, many of whom have not served on shore. This +the commanding officers of corps and naval battalions will be answerable +to the Commander in Chief is done; and at the same time to assure their +men, that however it may hurt his feelings, he will put the said orders +in full force upon any and every offender in future; for without strict +discipline and good order, no good service can possibly be effected: and +he again calls upon every officer in the army to assist him in this +necessary work. The troops to receive one day's fresh meat, and two days +salt provision and rum, to-morrow morning at day-break. Returns to be +sent to the commissary general this evening. + + + + + AFTER ORDERS. + + +Cattle of every description to be brought to head quarters, or delivered +to persons ordered to receive them; and no person whatever to kill any +beast without orders. It is strictly forbid that any officer, soldier, +or seaman, shall presume to take any negroes, except those delivered to +them by the quarter master general's department. The marauding which has +taken place obliges the General to remind the commanding officers of +corps to refer to orders already given out on that head. It will give +him extreme concern to be obliged to punish with severity such crimes; +but as the existence of the army depends on its discipline, it must be +maintained. The first man caught in the act of plundering, to be hung on +the spot. The provost is ordered to visit the environs of the +encampment, and to execute this order with the utmost vigilance. Piquet +to parade at six in the evening. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Grozier, June 24, 1794._ + + Parole, CAMBRAY. C. S. YORK. + + Field Officer for the day, Major Crosbie. + + +The two divisions of marines are to do duty with the battalion of +grenadiers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Fisher. The troops +will be particularly careful of their camp kettles, canteens, and +haversacks, as no more can be procured for them. + +Only two quarts of water per man can be issued for the troops, and that +early in the morning, from the men of war. Four days provision to be +issued to the troops to-morrow morning. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _July 6, 1794._ + + +The Commander in Chief has just received another letter from the +secretary of state on the subject of postage of letters to this army, of +which the following is a copy. + + "SIR, _Whitehall, May 8, 1794._ + + "As I find the post master general is restrained by law from + discharging any letters from the payment of postage, I have, in + order that the officers and soldiers under your command may receive + their letters free of expence, notified to the different army + agents, that all letters for the said officers and soldiers, if + sent to this office, will be forwarded to them. I have accordingly + directed that such letters shall be put in a separate packet or + bag, and addressed to yourself, and transmitted by each mail. + + (Signed) "HENRY DUNDAS." + + + + +_Extract from another Letter from Mr._ DUNDAS _to Sir_ CHARLES GREY, _K. +B. May 21, 1794._ + + "It is peculiarly grateful to his Majesty in directing me to + signify to you his most entire and perfect approbation of your + conduct, and of the gallant behaviour of all the officers and + soldiers who served upon this occasion; and which you will convey + to them in the most particular manner, and that such important + conquests have been attained with so little loss on the part of his + majesty. I take this opportunity of inclosing you the votes of + thanks to you and Sir John Jervis, which I moved yesterday, with + the unanimous concurrence of the House. You will observe they are + to be officially communicated to you by the speaker. Similar votes + were unanimously passed by the Lords." + + + + +_Extracts from the Votes of the House of Commons._ + + "Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the thanks of this House be + given to Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the most honourable order of + the Bath, for his late able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in + the West Indies." + + "Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the thanks of this House be + given to Lieutenant General Prescott, his Royal Highness Major + General Prince Edward, and Major General Thomas Dundas, and to the + several officers of the army under the command of Sir Charles + Grey, for their late gallant conduct and meritorious exertions in + the West Indies." + + "Resolved, nem. con. That this House doth highly approve and + acknowledge the services of the non-commissioned officers and + private soldiers in the army serving under Sir Charles Grey in the + West Indies; and that the same be signified to them by the + commanders of the several corps, who are desired to thank them for + their gallant behaviour." + + "Ordered, That the speaker do signify the said resolutions to Sir + Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis." + + + + +Colonel Colin Graham, of the twenty-first regiment, is appointed +brigadier general from the 26th of May, 1794. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Martinique, July 13, 1794._ + + Parole, NORTHAMPTON. C. S. BURFIELD. + + +A General court martial to assemble at St. Pierre's, Martinico, on +Friday next, the 25th instant, at eight o'clock, for the trial of +Brigadier General Sir Charles Gordon, lieutenant colonel of the +forty-first regiment of foot, and such other matters as shall be +brought before them. The witnesses, both on the part of the prisoner and +prosecution, to attend; lists whereof to be sent to Major of Brigade +Lorraine, at St. Pierre's, immediately. The above general court martial +to consist as follows. + +Lieutenant General Prescott, president. + +And such other members as shall be hereafter ordered. + + + + + _Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, July 20, 1794_. + + Parole, BRITAIN. C. S. ---- + +The Commander in Chief orders a _feu de joie_ to be fired this evening +at six o'clock, to celebrate the most signal victory that ever was +gained over the French fleet, on the 1st of June last, by Earl Howe, in +the English channel. The French fleet consisted of twenty-six ships of +the line, the English fleet of twenty-five. Of the French seven sail of +ships of the line were taken, one sunk, and many of them dismasted and +crippled; so that most probably many more would fall into the hands of +the English. In short, the General has the satisfaction to announce to +the army the total ruin of the French fleet. + + + + + _Head Quarters, St. Pierre, July 28, 1794_. + + Parole, JERVIS. C. S. ---- + +The Right Honourable Lord Loughborough having transmitted to the +Commander in Chief the votes of thanks passed by the House of Lords to +himself, Lieutenant General Prescott, his Royal Highness Prince Edward, +and Major General Thomas Dundas, and all the other officers of this +army; the Commander in Chief loses no time in giving out the following +copies of those votes in general orders. + + + "_Die Mercurii_. + + "Ordered, nemine dissentiente, by the Lords spiritual and temporal, + in parliament assembled, That the thanks of this House be given to + Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the most honourable order of the Bath, + for his late able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West + Indies." + + Signed, G. ROSE, Clerk of Parliament. + + + "_Die Mercurii_. + + "Ordered, nemine dissentiente, by the Lords spiritual and temporal, + in parliament assembled, That the thanks of this House be given to + Lieutenant General Prescott, his Royal Highness Prince Edward, + Major General Thomas Dundas, and to the several officers of the + army under the command of Sir Charles Grey, for their late able, + gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West Indies." + + Signed, G. ROSE, Clerk of Parliament. + + + _May 21, 1794_. + + "Ordered, nemine dissentiente, by the Lords spiritual and temporal, + in parliament assembled, That this House doth highly approve and + acknowledge the services of the non-commissioned officers and + private men in the army serving under Sir Charles Grey in the West + Indies; and that the same be signified to them by the commanding + officers of the several corps, who are desired to thank them for + their gallant behaviour." + + Signed, G. ROSE, Clerk of Parliament. + +The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of London having transmitted to the +Commander in Chief the unanimous vote of thanks of the Common Council of +the city to this army, he takes the earliest opportunity of +communicating the following extract thereof in general orders. + + "At a common council holden in the chamber of the Guildhall of the + city of London, on Tuesday, May 27, 1794, Le Mesurier, + Mayor,--Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this Court be + given to Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the Bath, and the officers and + soldiers serving under his command, for the signal services they + have rendered to their country by their able, gallant, and + meritorious conduct in the West Indies." + + Signed, RIX. + + + + + _Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, August 1, 1794_. + + Parole, MATILDA. C. S. ---- + +One serjeant, one corporal, and twelve privates, from each regiment, to +parade every morning at six o'clock, and evening at five, and to be +instructed in the exercise of the artillery; and when perfected, the +commanding officer of artillery will report to the general or commanding +officer on the spot, that they may be relieved by an equal number, to be +taught in the same manner, that there may be no want of artillerymen to +man and fight the guns on the batteries, in case of an attack. + + + + + _Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, August 3, 1794_. + + Parole, SPITHEAD. C. S. ---- + +It is the Commander in Chief's orders, that all negroes belonging to the +islands, who still continue with the army, or are known of, shall be +sent to St. Pierre or Fort Royal immediately, in order to their being +sent home, and a final settlement made of their accounts. + + + + + _Head Quarters, St. Pierre, August 4, 1794_. + + Parole, HURRICANE. C. S. ---- + +His Majesty having been pleased to appoint John Jeoffray, Esq. +commissary general of stores and provisions, and Valentine Jones, Esq. +to be commissary of accounts, for the Leeward and Windward Islands, all +accounts in the commissary general's department, for which warrants have +not been already granted, as well as those of the assistants stationed +in the different islands, as those of the moving army, are to be settled +with him, and to be examined and certified by the commissary of +accounts, previous to their being brought to the secretary's office, as +no warrants for money can be granted on them until that shall have been +done. Warrants for the subsistence of the army, and for the pay of the +officers employed on the staff, will be granted in the usual manner, on +application at the secretary's office. + + + + + AFTER ORDERS. _August 4, 1794_. + +The proceedings of the present general court martial being impeded by +the sickness of some of the members, makes it necessary to add more +members to the strength of it, that, the business may go forward +without interruption in future. The Commander in Chief therefore orders +a general court martial to assemble at nine o'clock on Friday morning +the 8th instant, at the same place, and to begin the trial again of +Brigadier General Sir Charles Gordon; and which general court martial is +to be composed of a president and eighteen members. All evidences to +attend; and a list of them to be given to the deputy judge advocate as +soon as possible. The corps of island rangers, commanded by Lieutenant +Colonel Toler, to be augmented twenty men a company, making them seventy +instead of fifty. + +Members of the General Court Martial. + + General Prescott President. + Lieutenant Colonel Johnstone seventieth regiment. + Lieutenant Colonel Stewart fifty-eighth. _Dead_. + Captain Whitworth royal artillery. + Captain Flood fifty-eighth. + Captain Taggart fifty-fifth. + Captain Ingram fifty-fifth. _Dead_. + Captain Forbes thirty-fourth. + Captain Pomiere fifteenth. + Captain Dunbar seventieth. + Captain Sharpe sixth. + Captain Harvey thirty-third. _Dead_. + Captain Gillespei thirty-first. + Captain Blacker sixty-fifth regiment. + Captain Lorrain ninth. + Captain Hindson fifteenth. + Captain Macdonald fifteenth. + + + + + _St. Pierre, August 5, 1794._ + + Parole, ANTIGUA. C. S. ---- + + +The officers of the army will understand, that should the order of the +3d instant (respecting the negroes being returned), not be strictly +complied with, that for every negro kept back, the officers to whom they +belong, and who detained them, will certainly have to pay, not only the +full price of such negroes, but their hire during the time of +service.--On account of the indisposition of Lieutenant Colonel Stewart, +fifty-eighth regiment, he is not to be a member of the general court +martial ordered for the 8th instant. Captain Rose, seventieth regiment, +is to be a member thereof, in the room of Lieutenant Colonel Stewart. + + + + + _Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, August 9, 1794._ + + Parole, ANTIGUA. C. S. ---- + + +The British inhabitants of the town of St. Pierre are to be embodied, +and to form a corps under the command of Captain Bontein, who is +appointed lieutenant colonel commandant thereof, to be called the Royal +Martinico Volunteers. The following gentlemen are to be the officers. + + Lieutenant Colonel ---- Bontein. + + Captains James Clifton. + Andrew Smith. + + First Lieutenants William Moore. + Cayley Johnstone. + + Second Lieutenants ---- Popham. + ---- Heyland. + + Adjutant Mr. Randal Ripton. + +The above corps is to parade at the Pere Blancs, which is to be their +alarm post. + +All British born subjects, resident in or near the town of St. Pierre, +are required forthwith to give in their names to Lieutenant Colonel +Bontein, of the royal Martinico volunteers, at the custom house; and +every person of the above description meaning to leave the island, is +required to make known his intention to Lieutenant Colonel Bontein: they +are likewise required to give in their names upon their arrival. The +Commander in Chief has no doubt, from the voluntary and handsome offer +of the English in the town of St. Pierre, that all who are able will +willingly join the corps of the royal Martinico volunteers, under the +orders of Lieutenant Colonel Bontein, to preserve good order, and defend +their properties. + +F. MAITLAND, deputy adjutant general. + + + + + _Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, August 11, 1794._ + + Parole, CORNWALLIS. + + +In consequence of the death of Captain Blacker, sixty-fifth, and the +illness of Captain Ingram, fifty-eighth, Captain Lee of forty-fourth +grenadiers, and Captain Holland of sixtieth regiment, are to replace +those officers as members of the general court martial ordered to meet +this day. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinico, + August 31, 1794._ + + +The appointment of Captain Hare, of the light dragoons, to be aid de +camp to the Commander in Chief, is not to interfere with or prevent his +having the entire command of the detachment of British light dragoons, +which he retains as if no such appointment had been made. + + + + + AFTER ORDERS. + + +The general court martial, of which Lieutenant General Prescott is +president, is hereby dissolved; and all officers are to repair to their +posts, where they are so much wanted. + +F. MAITLAND, deputy adjutant general. + + + + + _Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, Nov. 7, 1794._ + + Parole, UNANIMITY. + + +The recent act of inhumanity and barbarity committed at Guadaloupe by +the enemy (by whom a considerable number of royalists were murdered in +cold blood, after having fallen into their hands at Berville camp as +prisoners of war, and who had become subjects of Great Britain, by +taking the oath of allegiance to the British government, after the +conquest of that island), calls aloud for the following order and +declaration of the Commander in Chief: That all persons residing in the +conquered islands of Martinico, Guadaloupe, and St. Lucia, and their +dependencies, whether French or of any other nation, having taken the +oath of allegiance to the government of Great Britain, and who demean +and conduct themselves accordingly, shall receive every protection that +the other subjects of Great Britain do in these islands: and should such +cases of extremity happen as may render a capitulation necessary, no +terms are to be proposed or accepted, which do not give equal security, +safety, and protection, to them as to the other subjects of Great +Britain, as well those with arms as those without; consequently, no +place is to be surrendered before this is expressly and explicitly +acknowledged and subscribed to by the enemy, that in any extremity we +may stand or fall together: and the Commander in Chief earnestly +recommends a continuance and confirmation of this order to his +successors in command, as a measure of justice, dictated by honour and +humanity. + +The Commander in Chief hopes that this explicit order and declaration, +giving such ample security to the royalists on his part, will ease their +minds; and, confidence being restored, that it will produce a becoming +zeal and exertion to unite for the public interest heart and hand, in +contributing to good order and tranquillity; and that he may expect +there will not be any further emigration on the bare report of an +enemy's approach, or even on being actually landed; as every +apprehension of danger must be dispelled when all are heartily united +for the common safety and defence. + +The Commander in Chief, hoping therefore for this effect and conduct +from the people in general, does in a more particular manner recommend +to persons of consequence to set a laudable example of fortitude on +every occasion, and to assemble and embody under proper leaders, to act +in conjunction with his majesty's regular troops, for the protection of +their honour, families, and fortunes, which must be dearer to them than +life. + + + + +The King having been pleased to order that the colours taken at +Martinique by the forces under Sir Charles Grey, K. B. and Sir John +Jervis, K. B. which were brought to the palace at St. James's, should be +deposited in the Cathedral of St. Paul, on Saturday, May 17, 1795, +detachments of horse and foot guards were ordered to parade at St. +James's at ten o'clock, and marched before his Majesty, who was pleased +to see them pass by in the following order: + + A Captain and forty life guards, + A serjeant and twelve grenadiers, + Music of the first regiment of guards, + Twenty-nine serjeants with the FRENCH COLOURS, + A Field Officer and one hundred life guards. + +In this manner they proceeded to the west gate of St. Paul's, where the +colours were received by the Dean and Chapter, attended by the choir, +about which time the guns at the Tower and Park were fired. + +The colours are since put up in the said cathedral church as a lasting +memorial of the success of his Majesty's arms in the reduction of the +important island of Martinique. + + + + + EXTRACT FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY REGISTER, + + Vol. xxxviiii. p. 329. + + HOUSE OF COMMONS. + + "_Tuesday, May 20, 1794._ + + +"The following resolutions were severally put, and passed nem. con. + +"That the thanks of this House be given to Sir Charles Grey, Knight of +the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, for his late able, gallant, and +meritorious conduct in the West Indies. + +"That the thanks of this House be given to Sir John Jervis, Knight of +the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, for his late able, gallant, and +meritorious conduct in the West Indies. + +"That the thanks of this House be given to Lieutenant General Prescott, +his Royal Highness Major General Prince Edward, and Major General Thomas +Dundas, and to the several Officers of the army under the command of Sir +Charles Grey, for their late gallant and meritorious exertions in the +West Indies. + +"That the thanks of this House be given to Rear Admiral Thompson, and to +the several Captains and Officers of the fleet under the command of Sir +John Jervis, for their late gallant conduct and meritorious exertions in +the West Indies. + +"That this House doth highly approve and acknowledge the services of the +Non-commissioned Officers and Soldiers in the army serving under Sir +Charles Grey in the West Indies; and that the same be signified to them +by the commanders of the several corps, who are desired to thank them +for their late gallant behaviour. + +"That this House doth highly approve and acknowledge the services of the +Sailors and Marines serving on board the fleet under command of Sir John +Jervis in the West Indies; and that the same be signified to them by the +captains of the several ships, who are desired to thank them for their +gallant behaviour." + +Mr. Dundas then moved, "That Mr. Speaker do signify the said resolutions +to Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis."--Passed nem. con. + + + + +LIST OF THE OFFICERS OF THE ARMY + +_Who died or were killed during the Campaign in the West Indies, under +Lieutenant General Sir_ CHARLES GREY, _K. B. and Vice Admiral Sir_ JOHN +JERVIS, _K. B. in the year 1794._ + + +_Killed, or died of their Wounds._ + + Where killed or wounded. + + Brigadier General Symes Quarter Master Gen. Point à Pitre. + Lieut. Colonel Campbell 9th regiment Martinique. + Lieut. Colonel Gomm 55th regiment Point à Pitre. + Major Irving 70th regiment On board the Assurance. + Captain Armstrong 8th regiment Fleur d'Epée. + ... Combe 15th regiment Point à Pitre. + ... M'Donald 21st regiment Fleur d'Epée. + ... Grove 35th regiment Point à Pitre. + ... M'Ewan 38th regiment Martinique. + ... Fenton 43d regiment Point à Pitre. + ... Morrison 58th regiment Fleur d'Epée. + ... Forbes 34th regiment Berville. + Lieut. Thong 6th regiment Fleur d'Epée. + ... Booth 8th regiment Ditto. + ... Newport 12th regiment Point à Pitre. + ... Lyster 12th regiment Ditto. + ... Croker 15th regiment Ditto. + ... Knollis 21st regiment Ditto. + ... Price 21st regiment Fleur d'Epée. + ... Cockrane 39th regiment + ... Manson 40th regiment Point à Pitre. + ... Crofton 43d regiment Ditto. + ... Hennis 58th regiment Ditto. + ... Conway 60th regiment Ditto. + ... Toosey 65th regiment Fleur d'Epée. + ... Auchmuty 17th regiment Point à Pitre. + ... Mercer Marines Ditto. + + +_Died of the Fever or other Disorders._ + + Major General Thomas Dundas. + + Captain Dally } + Lieutenant Gale } 6th regim. + Surgeon Barton } + + Captain Saumarez } + Ensign Armstrong } 8th regim. + Ensign Caulfield. } + + Captain Campbell 9th regim. + + Captain Twedie } + Lieut. Perryn } + ... Wallace } 12th regim. + ... Wright } + ... Miller } + + Captain Combe } + Lieut. James } 15th regim. + ... Napier } + + ... Cane } 17th regim. + ... Ritchie } + + Major Rowley } + Lieut. Mewt } 21st regim. + ... Stornton } + + Lieut. M'Donald } 22d regim. + + Lieut. Garnons } 23d regim. + ... Polhill } + + Lieut. Tilth 29th regim. + + Lieut. Davis } + ... M'Kenzie } 31st regim. + ... Williams } + + Captain Wallace } + Lieut. Morndrew } 32d regim. + Surgeon Taylor } + + Captain Harvey } 33d regim. + Lieut. Beaty } + + Captain Roache } + Lieut. Innes } + ... Forrester } 34th regim. + ... Wattle } + ... Nash } + + Captain Johnson } + ... Graves } + Lieut. Mukins } + ... Fitzgerald } 35th regim. + ... Phaire } + ... Sands } + ... Barry } + + Captain Douglas } + Lieut. Mytton } + ... Clarke } 38th regim. + ... Brown } + ... Bawer } + + Lieut. Col. Freemantle } + Captain Johnston } + ... Shaw } + ... Purdie } + Lieut. Burslen } + ... Atherton } 39th regim. + ... Reynell } + ... Scanlan } + ... M'Rea } + Ensign Tidsley } + ... Hutchinson } + ... Atkins } + Adjutant Simpson } + ... M'Kenzie } 39th regim. + Surgeon Campbell } + + Captain Head 40th regim. + + Captain Vignoles } + ... Bayard } + ... Affleck } + ... Spencer } + ... M'Dowal } + Capt. Lieut. Jones } + Lieut. Butler } + ... Graham } 43d regim. + ... Dennison } + Ensign Daniel } + ... Kirwan } + Qr. Mast. Burnett } + ... Bruce } + Surgeon Hodskinson } + Lieut. Phipps } 44th regim. + ... Davis } + + Lieutenant Moe 45th regim. + + Major Lyon, Deputy + Adj. General } + Captain Taggart } + Lieut. Main } 55th regim. + ... M'Kenzie } + ... Taylor } + + Captain White } + ... Cuthbert } + ... Fancourt } + Lieut. Perry } 56th regim. + ... Hague } + ... Stowell } + ... Warren } + ... O'Hara } + ... Taylor } + Chaplain Ruxton } + + Lieut. Col. Stewart } + Captain Ingram } + ... Hood } + Lieut. Maudsley } + ... Hamilton } + ... Berford } 58th regim. + ... Murray } + ... E. Smith } + ... Bouchier } + ... Tonson } + + Lieut. Cunningham } + ... Sneider } + ... Cook } 60th regim. + ... Montmallin } + ... Belt } + + Lieut. Col. Buckridge } + Major Compton } + Lieut. Usher } + ... Thornhill } + ... M'Guire } + ... Wilson } 64th regim. + ... Strafford } + ... Knight } + Adjutant Wilkinson } + Quart. Mast. Molloy } + Surgeon Wingate } + + Lieut. Col. Close } + Major Dalrymple } + Captain M'Gregor } + ... Blacker } + ... Oliver } + Lieut. Brimlow } 65th regim. + ... Kennedy } + ... Adams } + ... Milward } + Surgeon Brown } + + Captain Nares } + ... Eiston } + ... Ogle } + ... Atkinson } + ... Bruce } 70th regim. + Lieut. Cox } + ... Floyer } + ... Gifford } + Surgeon Raye } + + Captain Shadwell 10th lt. dra. + + Lieut. Col. Dornford } + Captain Chilcot } engineers. + ... Lawson } + ... Dawse } + + Major Shewbridge } + Captain Tygrell } + Captain Harris } + ... Smith } + ... George } + ... Nugent } + ... Thornhill } artillery. + ... Coulston } + ... Malony } + ... Jones } + ... Dawson } + + Doctor Dundon } + ... Brown } + ... Wright } + Apoth. Vanderguest } + ... Carnigue } + Mate Mallet } hospital. + ... Green } + ... Harris } + ... Cooper } + ... Turnbull } + ... Hennings } + + 27 killed or died of their wounds. + 170 died of the yellow fever, and other diseases incidental + --- to the climate. + Total 197 + +I was informed by Captain Shank of the royal navy, the agent for +transports, that during the expedition 46 masters of transports, and +1100 of their men, died of the yellow fever. The returns of the masters +were given in, of the men a rough calculation to the above amount was +made. On board the Broderic transport the fever raged with such +violence, that the mate, the only survivor, was obliged to scull his +boat on shore to fetch off negroes to throw the dead overboard, and +himself died soon after. + +Of the royal navy the loss was considerable; but it has not been in my +power to procure a list of the officers who died or were killed on this +expedition. + + +LIST _of the_ OFFICERS _Prisoners to_ VICTOR HUGHES, _who were living at +Point à Pitre the first of January, 1795._ + + Brigadier General Colin Graham + + Lieut. Ekins, since } + dead of his wounds } 6th regim. + + Capt. Lieut. Smith 9th regim. + + Lieutenant Hurst 15th regim. + + Captain Stovin 17th regim. + + Lieutenant Keating 33d regim. + + Captain Eiston } + Lieutenant Strickland } 35th regim. + Ensign Holmes } + + Ensign Barclay 38th regim. + + Lieut. Col. Magan } + Lieut. Horsburg } + ... Dale } 39th regim. + Ensign Divignes } + Quar. Mast. Clements } + Surgeon Ormsby } + + Captain Dansey } 40th regim. + Lieutenant Holwell } + + Lt. Col. Drummond } + Captain Thomson } + ... Cameron } + ... Thorley } + Lieut. Hull } + Lieut. Cameron } 43d regim. + ... Tidey } + ... De Yonge } + Ensign Deshon } + ... Delisle } + Surgeon Salmon } + + Lieut. Philips } 44th regim. + ... Miller } + + Lieut. Hamilton } 55th regim. + ... Dixon } + + Captain Owen } + Lieut. Barclay } + ... Johnson } 56th regim. + ... M'Causland } + Mate Bell } + + Ensign Richardson 58th regim. + + Lieut. Cudmore 64th regim. + + Cornet Garside 10th lt. dra. + + Captain Suckling } artillery. + Lieut. Stackpole } + + Lieut. Dornford engineers. + + Mate Ramage } hospital. + ... Anderson } + +THE END. + + + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + | | + | Transcriber's Note | + | | + | Words with variable hyphenation and accents have been | + | preserved as in the original. A few obvious punctuation | + | errors have been corrected silently. The following | + | typographical errors have been corrected. | + | | + | +----+------------+------------+---------------------------+ | + | |Page| Original |Corrected to| Context | | + | +----+------------+------------+---------------------------+ | + | | ii|to |too |too apparent in my drawings| | + | | xi|Surry |Surrey |East Deane, Surrey | | + | | xiv|Surry |Surrey |Dulwich, Surrey | | + | | 62|fron |from |from the fort | | + | | 84|the the |the |the purpose of trade | | + | | 103|apppear |appear |misfortunes will appear | | + | | 115|dedetachment|detachment |a detachment of artillery | | + | | A13|prompitude |promptitude |spirit and promptitude | | + | | A14|Case Pilote |Cape Pilote | | | + | | A14|Case Navirre|Cape Navirre| | | + | | A24|Case Navire |Cape Navirre| | | + | +----+------------+------------+---------------------------+ | + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An Account of the Campaign in the West +Indies, in the Year 1794,, by Cooper Willyams + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ACCOUNT OF THE CAMPAIGN *** + +***** This file should be named 38178-8.txt or 38178-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/1/7/38178/ + +Produced by StevenGibbs, LN Yaddanapudi and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Cooper Willyams -- The Project Gutenberg eBook + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tb {width: 45%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%} + +ul.index { list-style-type: none; } +li.ifrst { margin-top: 1em; } +li.indx { margin-top: .5em; } + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.small {font-size: 75%;} + +span.correction {border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} +span.fl {float:left;} +span.fr {float:right;} + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:smaller; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; } + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of An Account of the Campaign in the West +Indies, in the Year 1794,, by Cooper Willyams + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: An Account of the Campaign in the West Indies, in the Year 1794, + Under the Command of their Excellencies Lieutenant General + Sir Charles Grey, K.B., and Vice Admiral Sir John Jervis, + K.B. + +Author: Cooper Willyams + +Release Date: November 30, 2011 [EBook #38178] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ACCOUNT OF THE CAMPAIGN *** + + + + +Produced by StevenGibbs, LN Yaddanapudi and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1><span style="font-size:50%;">AN</span><br /> +ACCOUNT<br /> +<span style="font-size:40%;">OF THE</span><br /> +CAMPAIGN IN THE WEST INDIES,<br /> +<span style="font-size:70%;">IN THE YEAR 1794,</span><br /> +<span style="font-size:30%;">UNDER THE COMMAND OF THEIR EXCELLENCIES</span><br /> +<span style="font-size:60%;"><i>LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR CHARLES GREY, K. B.</i></span><br /> +<span style="font-size:30%;">AND</span><br /> +<span style="font-size:60%;"><i>VICE ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K. B.</i></span><br /> +<span style="font-size:40%;">COMMANDERS IN CHIEF IN THE WEST INDIES;</span><br /> +<span style="font-size:30%;">WITH</span><br /> +<span style="font-size:80%;">THE REDUCTION</span><br /> +<span style="font-size:30%;">OF THE</span><br /> +<span style="font-size:70%;">ISLANDS OF MARTINIQUE, ST. LUCIA, GUADALOUPE, +MARIGALANTE, DESIADA, &c.</span><br /> +<span style="font-size:40%;">AND THE EVENTS THAT FOLLOWED THOSE UNPARALLELED SUCCESSES, +AND CAUSED THE LOSS OF GUADALOUPE.</span></h1> + +<hr /> + +<h2><i>By the Rev. COOPER WILLYAMS, A. M.</i><br /> +<span style="font-size:40%;">VICAR OF EXNING, SUFFOLK, +AND LATE CHAPLAIN OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP BOYNE.</span></h2> + +<hr /> + +<h4>LONDON:<br /> +<i>PRINTED BY T. BENSLEY</i>;<br /> +FOR G. NICOL, BOOKSELLER TO HIS MAJESTY, PALL-MALL; B. AND J. WHITE, +FLEET-STREET; AND J. ROBSON, NEW BOND-STREET.<br /> +1796.</h4> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h3><span style="font-size:60%;">TO</span><br /> +GENERAL SIR CHARLES GREY,<br /> +<span style="font-size:60%;">KNIGHT OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH,</span><br /> +<span style="font-size:50%;">AND</span><br /> +ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS,<br /> +<span style="font-size:60%;">KNIGHT OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, AND COMMANDER +IN CHIEF OF HIS MAJESTY'S FLEETS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN,</span><br /> +<span style="font-size:80%;"><i>THIS SHORT ACCOUNT</i></span><br /> +<span style="font-size:50%;">OF</span><br /> +<span style="font-size:80%;">THEIR BRILLIANT EXERTIONS IN THEIR COUNTRY'S CAUSE,</span><br /> +<span style="font-size:60%;">IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY</span><br /> +<span style="font-size:60%;">THEIR OBEDIENT</span><br /> +<span style="font-size:60%;">AND GRATEFUL HUMBLE SERVANT,</span><br /> +<span class="smcap" style="font-size:50%; margin-left:-40%;">Exning, August 10, 1796.</span><br /> +<span style="font-size:80%; margin-left:40%;">COOPER WILLYAMS.</span></h3> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[Pg i]</a></p> +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> + +<p>When an author lays his book before the public, unless it be a work of +genius, some account of his motives for so doing is generally expected. +As this is a work that pretends to nothing but authenticity, and to be a +plain relation of facts, I shall only premise, that, placed in a +situation which gave me an opportunity of being witness to most of the +principal transactions of the expedition under Sir <span class="smcap">Charles Grey</span> +and Sir <span class="smcap">John Jervis</span> in the West Indies, and having leisure and +inclination to minute down the occurrences as they presented themselves, +I venture to appear before the public with such humble pretensions +alone, as the result of that opportunity and leisure can give me.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[Pg ii]</a></span> +My original intention reached no further than to publish a few +views of some interesting subjects, which abound in the Caraibean +Islands; but I selected those only which were rendered most so by +particular events. Though I pretend not to the powers of an artist +(being self-taught), yet I beg leave to urge in excuse for that want of +spirit and picturesque effect which, I fear, is but <span +class="correction" title="The original text was 'to'.">too</span> apparent in +my drawings, that they are scrupulously exact, and accurately delineate +the subjects they profess to represent.</p> + +<p>When I at first communicated my design of publishing a few drawings, +taken during the West India Expedition, many of my friends, and some of +the officers who served with me, knowing that I had kept a journal of +the transactions, desired me to add a short account of them to accompany +the engravings.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span> +To those, at all conversant with writing such accounts, it will +not appear strange, that, as I proceeded to retrace those events which +form the most prominent feature of my life, I found a pleasure in +recognising many a transaction that had almost faded from my memory, and +by degrees it increased under my hand, till it became of size sufficient +to form a volume, and I was enabled to lay it before the public in a +more respectable form than I at first intended. But, that I may not +appropriate to myself merit belonging to another, I take a pleasure in +avowing, that through the kindness of an officer, who, from his rank, is +not more conspicuous than respected by the general tenor of his conduct, +I have been favoured with the assistance of a journal by an ingenious +and active officer of his division, which has greatly contributed to the +embellishment of my work, by the communication of many local +circumstances, impossible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span> +for me otherwise to have been acquainted with. The like assistance I +have also to acknowledge from a friend who served under General Prescott +during his gallant defence of Fort Matilda.</p> + +<p>By the favour and indulgence of the Commander in Chief, I have been +permitted to make extracts from the public order-book of the army; these +form a large appendix, which, I trust, will not only confirm the +accuracy of my narration, but will prove both useful and entertaining to +the army in general.</p> + +<p>Such has been the origin and progress of this publication; to the +candour, therefore, of the public I commit myself, trusting that, as my +ambition has been humble, I shall not be exposed to the severity of +literary criticism for not having obtained that which I have never +attempted.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></p> + +<div style="margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;"> +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></p> + +<p><i>Expedition to the West Indies determined on … Sir Charles Grey +and Sir John Jervis appointed Commanders in Chief … The Boyne +sails from Spithead … Occurrences on the voyage from thence to +Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></p> + +<p><i>The Commanders in Chief prepare for the expedition against Martinique +… Gun-boats constructed, and described … A short account +of Barbadoes … Sale of slaves … A list of the fleet.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></p> + +<p><i>The fleet sails from Barbadoes … Anchors on the south coast of +Martinique … Capture of a battery … General Grey lands +with his army … Flag of truce fired on by the enemy … The +Commanders in Chief attack the island at three different places at the +same time.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></p> + +<p><i>March of the Commander in Chief from Trois Rivieres to Sallée … +Occurrences <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span> +on the march … General Whyte detached … Takes Pigeon +Island … The Admiral anchors off Pigeon Island … +Description of the Bay of Fort Royal … The third brigade lands at +Cas de Navires.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></p> + +<p><i>General Dundas lands on the north east side of the island … +Trinité taken … Colonel Cradock attacked, Captain McEwen killed +… General Dundas forms a junction with Sir Charles Grey … +March towards St. Pierre … Colonel Campbell killed … St. +Pierre attacked by sea, and taken … Description of that town.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></p> + +<p><i>The enemy retire into Fort Bourbon and Fort Louis … The Admiral +attacks Fort Louis with the bomb-ketch and gun-boats … Camp of +seamen formed at Point Negro … A wharf built in the Cul de sac de +Cohée; stores and ammunition landed there … General Bellgarde +attempts to cut off the communication between the army and navy, but is +beaten, and his camp on Sourier taken … Head Quarters established +on Sourier … General Rochambeau sends an aid-de-camp to the +Commanders in Chief … The navy make a road, and drag the guns to +the heights of Sourier.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></p> + +<p><i>Forts Bourbon and Louis closely invested … Batteries on the +first parallel erected … The seamen employed in getting guns to +the batteries on the west side … A dangerous pass described +… Captain Miln mortally wounded; he dies; his character … +Bellgarde delivers himself and army into the hands of Sir Charles Grey +… His Royal Highness Prince <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span> +Edward arrives, and takes a command … Batteries opened against +Fort Bourbon … Lieutenant Bowen's spirited conduct … Fort +Louis taken by storm … Captain Faulknor's gallant conduct +… Fort Bourbon surrenders.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></p> + +<p><i>General Prescott is left governor of Martinique … The Commanders +in Chief sail for St. Lucia … General Dundas lands near Pigeon +Island … The fleet anchors at Marigot de Rosseaux … Prince +Edward lands with the grenadiers, and marches towards Morne Fortuné +… Colonel Coote lands with the light infantry … The fleet +anchors in Barrington's Bay … Colonel Coote storms a redoubt on +the Morne … General Ricard surrenders the island … Colonel +Sir Charles Gordon left governor of St. Lucia … The Commanders in +Chief sail to Martinique.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></p> + +<p><i>Expedition against Guadaloupe … The Isles de Saintes attacked +and taken … The Boyne and Veteran anchor off Grozier … The +troops land under cover of the Winchelsea frigate … Captain Lord +Garlies wounded … Fort Fleur d'Epée taken by storm … Fort +Louis and the town of Point à Pitre taken … Casualties … +General description of the island.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></p> + +<p><i>The General embarks his army, and lands on Basse Terre at Petit Bourg +… Occurrences on the march towards Palmiste … The Admiral +anchors in Ance de Baillif … General Dundas lands, and forms a +communication with Sir Charles Grey … The Palmiste taken by +assault … General Collot delivers up Fort St. Charles, and the +island of Guadaloupe <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span> +and its dependencies to the Commanders in Chief.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></p> + +<p><i>The charges of extorted contributions and oppressions, alledged against +the Commanders in Chief by certain interested individuals, refuted +… The real causes of the loss of Guadaloupe.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></p> + +<p><i>General Dundas dies of the yellow fever … His character … +A French squadron arrives in the West Indies, and takes possession of +Grande Terre … The Commanders in Chief on receiving an account +thereof return to Guadaloupe … General Grey lands at Grande +Terre, and takes possession of the heights of Mascot … Several +actions take place … A truce to bury the dead … An +unsuccessful attack on Point à Pitre.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></p> + +<p><i>The Commanders in Chief sail to Martinique … Proceedings there +and at Guadaloupe … Camp Berville taken … Occurrences +thereupon … General Prescott enters Fort Matilda, which is +invested by the French … Sir John Vaughan and Admiral Caldwell +arrive in the West Indies … Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis +resign their command, and return to Europe.</i></p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</a></p> + +<h2>LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.</h2> + +<hr /> +<p class="center"><i>His Royal Highness Field Marshal the Duke of York.</i></p> +<hr /> + +<ul class="index"> +<li class="ifrst">A</li> + +<li class="indx">Charles Abbott, Esq. Queen's Square, Bloomsbury.</li> + +<li class="indx">John William Adams, Esq.</li> + +<li class="indx">… Armit, Esq. Army Agent, Dublin.</li> + +<li class="indx">Colonel Harvey Aston, 12th regiment.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieutenant Colonel Astley, Norfolk light dragoons, Burgh Hall, Norfolk.</li> + +<li class="indx">J. P. Allix, Esq. Swaffham Court, Cambridgeshire.</li> + +<li class="indx">Richard Allnutt, Esq. South Park, Penthurst, Kent; two copies.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. Alken, No. 2, Francis Street, Gower Street.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">B</li> + +<li class="indx">Right Honourable Lord Blaney, Lieutenant Colonel 66th regim.</li> + +<li class="indx">Honourable Captain Charles Boyle, 62d regiment, Aid-de-camp to the Lord +Lieutenant of Ireland.</li> + +<li class="indx">Colonel Brownrigg, Coldstream regiment of guards.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieutenant Colonel Bayley.</li> + +<li class="indx">Thomas Barrett, Esq. Lee, near Canterbury.</li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</a></span> +I. Bargrave, Esq. Eastry Court, Kent.</li> + +<li class="indx">S. Baker, Esq. Lynn Regis, Norfolk.</li> + +<li class="indx">James Rickard Barker, jun. Esq. Swaffham, Cambridgeshire.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend Dr. Bates, Freckingham.</li> + +<li class="indx">Major Barnard, New Romney light dragoons.</li> + +<li class="indx">Henry Bell, Esq. Wallington, near Downham, Norfolk.</li> + +<li class="indx">Colonel Blackwood, 33d regiment light dragoons.</li> + +<li class="indx">William Boys, Esq. F. R. S. and F. S. A. Sandwich, Kent.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. Boys, Eastry, Kent.</li> + +<li class="indx">Rev. Edward Tymewell Brydges, Wootton Court, Kent.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieutenant Colonel Brydges, New Romney light dragoons.</li> + +<li class="indx">Samuel Egerton Brydges, Esq. F.S.A. Denton Court, Kent, Captain in the +New Romney light dragoons; two copies.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mrs. Brydges, Precincts, Canterbury.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mrs. Bryant, Exning, Suffolk.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mrs. Breton, Gogmagog Hills, near Cambridge.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieutenant Colonel Brereton, 63d regiment.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieutenant Samuel Brown, New Romney light dragoons.</li> + +<li class="indx">Major Burnet, 43d regiment.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. Brome, Dublin Castle.</li> + +<li class="indx">… Blades, Esq.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. Bensley, Bolt Court, Fleet Street.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">C</li> + +<li class="indx">His Grace John Lord Archbishop of Canterbury; two copies.</li> + +<li class="indx">His Excellency Earl Camden, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.</li> + +<li class="indx">The Right Hon. Lieutenant Colonel, Viscount Conyngham.</li> + +<li class="indx">Colonel Lord Clements.</li> + +<li class="indx">Colonel Sir Edward Crofton.</li> + +<li class="indx">Honourable Lieutenant Colonel George Lowry Cole.</li> + +<li class="indx">Right Hon. General Cuningham, Commander in Chief in Ireland.</li> + +<li class="indx">Right Honourable William Burton Conyngham.</li> + +<li class="indx">Brigadier General Cradock, Quarter Master General in Ireland.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieutenant General Crosbie.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend Edward Cage, Eastlinge,</li> +<li class="indx">Kent, Chaplain to the New Romney light dragoons.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend Thomas Cookes, Barbourne House, Worcestershire.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mrs. Cookes.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieutenant Henry Cookes, New Romney light dragoons.</li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</a></span> +Mr. Thomas Secundus Cookes, of his Majesty's ship St. George.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. Denham Cookes, Worcester college, Oxford.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. Charles Cookes.</li> + +<li class="indx">Colonel Coote, 70th regiment.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mrs. Coote.</li> + +<li class="indx">… Coote, Esq.</li> + +<li class="indx">Christopher Cooke, Esq. Beaufort Buildings, Strand.</li> + +<li class="indx">T. Collingwood, Esq. Gray's Inn.</li> + +<li class="indx">Rev. T. Cogan, East Deane, <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's +Note: The original text was 'Surry'.">Surrey</span>.</li> + +<li class="indx">T. W. Coke, Esq. Holkham, Norfolk.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieutenant Colonel Crosbie, 22d regiment, and Deputy Adjutant General in +Ireland.</li> + +<li class="indx">Robert Cromp, Esq. Frinsted, Kent.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. John Cruikshank, Rector of the Academy in Banff.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">D</li> + +<li class="indx">Right Honourable Lord Delaval.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend Dr. Dering, Prebendary of Canterbury.</li> + +<li class="indx">Col. Cholmely Dering, New Romney light dragoons.</li> + +<li class="indx">John Thurlow Dering, Esq. Crow Hall, Norfolk; two copies.</li> + +<li class="indx">Captain Donkin, 44th regiment.</li> + +<li class="indx">James Dallaway, M. B. F.S.A.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">E</li> + +<li class="indx">Right Honourable Mr. Elliott, Secretary at War, Ireland.</li> + +<li class="indx">Edward Everard, sen. Esq. Lynn Regis, Norfolk.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">F</li> + +<li class="indx">Right Honourable Earl Fitzwilliam; two copies.</li> + +<li class="indx">Honourable Edward Foley, M. P. Lower Seymour Street.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. Farringdon, Foulkes Buildings, London.</li> + +<li class="indx">Miss Farringdon, Camberwell.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mrs. Faulknor.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieutenant Colonel Fisher, 9th regiment, Manchester Square.</li> + +<li class="indx">Captain Finlay, Richmond House.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieutenant Foster, 38th regiment.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend Dr. Frampton, D. D. Exning, Suffolk.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">G</li> + +<li class="indx">General Sir Charles Grey, K.B.; three copies.</li> + +<li class="indx">Right Honourable Lord Glentworth.</li> + +<li class="indx">Sir Henry Grey, Baronet, Howick, Northumberland.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lady Gresley, Drakelow, Derbyshire.</li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[Pg xii]</a></span> +Sir Robert Goodere, Cavendish Square.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mrs. Goodere, Exning, Suffolk.</li> + +<li class="indx">W. Gordon, Esq. Aberdour, Banff.</li> + +<li class="indx">Charles Grey, Esq. M. P. Hertford Street, Mayfair; two copies.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mrs. Grey, Hertford Street, Mayfair.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieutenant Colonel Henry Grey, 18th regiment light dragoons.</li> + +<li class="indx">Major Thomas Grey, 39th regiment.</li> + +<li class="indx">Captain George Grey, Commander of his Majesty's ship Victory.</li> + +<li class="indx">Captain William Grey, 21st regiment.</li> + +<li class="indx">Edward Gregory, Esq. Leman Street, Goodman's Fields.</li> + +<li class="indx">J. Græme, Esq.</li> + +<li class="indx">George Gipps, Esq. Canterbury.</li> + +<li class="indx">Isaac Gervais, Esq. Doctors Commons.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">H</li> + +<li class="indx">Sir Henry Harpur, Baronet, Upper Brook-street.</li> + +<li class="indx">Sir Benjamin Hammett, Knight, Lombard Street.</li> + +<li class="indx">Major General Hewitt, Adjutant General of Ireland.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mrs. Harrison, Bourne Place, Kent.</li> + +<li class="indx">Major Hare, 12th regiment light dragoons, Aid-de-camp to the Lord +Lieutenant of Ireland.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. K. S. Haggerstone, Cambridge.</li> + +<li class="indx">Christ. Hand, Esq. Cheveley Green.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend James Hand, Cheveley, Cambridgeshire.</li> + +<li class="indx">C. J. Harford, Esq. Stapleton, Gloucestershire.</li> + +<li class="indx">Henry Wise Harvey, Esq. Hearnden, Kent.</li> + +<li class="indx">Captain John Harvey, of his Majesty's ship Prince of Wales.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. George Gerard Haughs.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mrs. Herring, Precincts, Canterbury.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend J. Hippisley, A.M. Stow on the Wolde, Gloucestershire.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend Thomas Hey, D. D. of Wickham Breux, Kent.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">J</li> + +<li class="indx">Admiral Sir John Jervis, K. B. Commander in Chief in the Mediterranean; +three copies.</li> + +<li class="indx">Christopher Jefferson, Esq. Dullingham, Cambridgeshire.</li> + +<li class="indx">Henry Jackson, Esq. 106, Fenchurch Street, London.</li> + +<li class="indx">Major General Johnson.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[Pg xiii]</a></span>K</li> + +<li class="indx">Honourable George King, Colonel of the Cork regiment of militia.</li> + +<li class="indx">George Kittoe, Esq. Ridge House, Antigua.</li> + +<li class="indx">Sir Edward Knatchbull, Bart. M. P. Marsham Hatch, Kent.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">L</li> + +<li class="indx">His Grace the Duke of Leinster.</li> + +<li class="indx">Right Honourable Lady Charlotte Lenox.</li> + +<li class="indx">Honourable Colonel Lenox.</li> + +<li class="indx">Sir William Lemon, Baronet, M. P. Carelew, Cornwall.</li> + +<li class="indx">John Lagier Lamotte, Esq.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. Henry Lamotte, Clapton, Middlesex.</li> + +<li class="indx">Captain Locke, 26th regiment light dragoons.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend Dr. Lynch, Archdeacon and Prebendary of Canterbury.</li> + +<li class="indx">Rev. William Long, LL.D. Sternfield, Suffolk.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend Daniel Lysons, F.R.S. and F.S.A. Putney, Surrey.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. W. H. Lunn, Bookseller, Cambridge; four copies.</li> + +<li class="indx">Rev. N. C. Lane, A. M. Christ's College, Cambridge.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">M</li> + +<li class="indx">Lady Mill, Arlingham, Gloucestershire.</li> + +<li class="indx">Brigadier General Myers.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieutenant Colonel Manley, royal artillery.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieutenant Col. M'Clary, Aberlash, Carmarthenshire; two copies.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieut. Col. Madden, 15th regiment.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieutenant Colonel M'Donald.</li> + +<li class="indx">Sir Charles Mitchell, Knt. Commander of the William Pitt East Indiaman.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. James Miln, Arbroath.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">N</li> + +<li class="indx">Major General Needham.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend James Nasmith, A.M. Leverington, Cambridgeshire.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend Edward Nares, A.M. Fellow of Merton College, Oxford.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. Norton, Bookseller, Bristol.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">O</li> + +<li class="indx">William Owen, Esq. Trinity College, Cambridge.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">P</li> + +<li class="indx">Right Hon. Sir John Parnell, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ireland.</li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[Pg xiv]</a></span> +James Palmer, Esq. Dulwich, <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's +Note: The original text was 'Surry'.">Surrey</span>; two copies.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend Dr. Pennington, D. D. Eastry, Kent.</li> + +<li class="indx">Rev. Montagu Pennington. A. M.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. Philpot, Canterbury.</li> + +<li class="indx">George Ponsonby, Esq. Bishop's Court, near Dublin.</li> + +<li class="indx">J. Plumptre, Esq. Fridville, Herts.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend Charles Powlett, A. M. junior, Hackwood Farm, Hants.</li> + +<li class="indx">Edward Roger Pratt, Esq. Ryston Hall, Norfolk.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieutenant Colonel Pratt, royal Irish artillery.</li> + +<li class="indx">Captain D'Arcy Preston, royal navy.</li> + +<li class="indx">George Purvis, Esq. Titchfield, Hants, Secretary to Admiral Sir John +Jervis.</li> + +<li class="indx">Major Perryn, Great George Street.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">R</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend Anth. Luther Richardson, LL. B. Kennet, Cambridgeshire.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. James Robertson, Gellymell, near Banff.</li> + +<li class="indx">William Rose, Esq. Mountcoffer, near Banff.</li> + +<li class="indx">E. Rolfe, jun. Esq. Hankoe, Norfolk.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">S</li> + +<li class="indx">Right Hon. Lord Sondes, Rockingham Castle.</li> + +<li class="indx">Colonel Sir James St. Clair Erskine, Bart. 12th reg. light dragoons.</li> + +<li class="indx">Charles Henry Selwyn, Esq. Lieutenant Governor of the island of +Montserrat.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend George Selwyn, King's Road, Bedford Row.</li> + +<li class="indx">Matthew Henry Scott, Esq. Captain in the royal navy.</li> + +<li class="indx">W. Sharpe, Esq. Fulham, Middlesex.</li> + +<li class="indx">Samuel Shirt, Esq. 27, Mincing Lane, London.</li> + +<li class="indx">Rev. Stebbing Shaw, B.D. F.S.A. Fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend Mr. Alexander Simpson, Old Aberdeen.</li> + +<li class="indx">Rev. Thomas Jenyns Smith, A. M. First Fellow of Dulwich College.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. David Souter, Melrose, near Banff; five copies.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. Stewart Souter, Duff House, Banff.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieutenant Colonel Stuart, 3d regiment guards.</li> + +<li class="indx">Rev. James Symes, Hollis Street.</li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[Pg xv]</a></span> +Powell Snell, Esq. Guiting Orange, Gloucestershire, and Captain of the +royal Gloucestershire yeomen cavalry.</li> + +<li class="indx">Richard Sill, Esq. A. B, Clare Hall, Cambridge.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">T</li> + +<li class="indx">Right Honourable the Earl of Tyrconnel.</li> + +<li class="indx">George Talbot, Esq. Temple Guiting, Gloucestershire.</li> + +<li class="indx">T. Tyndall, Esq. Weston Lodge, Somersetshire.</li> + +<li class="indx">Captain Thomas, 28th regiment.</li> + +<li class="indx">Captain Herbert Taylor, 2d dragoon guards, and Aid de Camp to his Royal +Highness the Duke of York.</li> + +<li class="indx">Captain Edward Taylor, New Romney light dragoons.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. William Thompson, Mile-End Green.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mrs. Treacher, Henley on Thames.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend Stephen Tucker, A. M. Linsted, Kent.</li> + +<li class="indx">John Townley, Esq. Clare Hall, Cambridge.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lieutenant Colonel Thewles, 30th regiment light dragoons.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">V</li> + +<li class="indx">Captain George Vaughan, of the royal navy.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mrs. Vernon, Norwich.</li> + +<li class="indx">Captain Vaumorel, 30th regiment.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">W</li> + +<li class="indx">Colonel, the Earl of Westmeath.</li> + +<li class="indx">Sir Charles Watson, Baronet, Swaffham, Cambridgeshire.</li> + +<li class="indx">Sir Edward Winnington, Bart. M. P. Winterdyne, Worcestershire.</li> + +<li class="indx">Major General Whyte.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mrs. Watson, Swaffham, Cambridgeshire.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. J. Webster, Merchant, Banff.</li> + +<li class="indx">Charles Hollis Western, Esq. M. P. Felix Hall, Essex.</li> + +<li class="indx">Edw. Weatherby, Esq. Newmarket.</li> + +<li class="indx">Thomas M. Waller, Esq. Lieutenant royal navy.</li> + +<li class="indx">Samuel Whitbread, sen. Esq. M. P.</li> + +<li class="indx">Samuel Whitbread, jun. Esq. M. P. 17, Lower Grosvenor Street; two copies.</li> + +<li class="indx">Rev. Edward Wilson, B. D. Moulton, Suffolk.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mrs. Willyams, Exning, Suffolk.</li> + +<li class="indx">John Hanbury Williams, Esq. Coldbrook, Monmouthshire.</li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi">[Pg xvi]</a></span> +Major Wilder, Pall Mall.</li> + +<li class="indx">Captain Isaac Wolley, royal navy.</li> + +<li class="indx">Reverend Godfrey Wolley, Hutton Bushel, Yorkshire.</li> + +<li class="indx">J. Whatley, Esq. Wraxall Lodge, Somersetshire, and Captain in the Royal +South Gloucestershire regiment of militia.</li> + +<li class="indx">James Wyborn, Esq. Hull, Kent</li> + +<li class="indx">… Western, Esq.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mr. Thomas Henry Wilson, No. 13, Cornhill.</li> +</ul> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></p> + +<h2>EXPEDITION AGAINST THE <i>FRENCH WEST INDIA ISLANDS</i>.</h2> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<p class="small blockquot">EXPEDITION TO THE WEST INDIES DETERMINED ON +… SIR CHARLES GREY AND SIR JOHN JERVIS APPOINTED COMMANDERS IN +CHIEF … THE BOYNE SAILS FROM SPITHEAD … OCCURRENCES ON THE +VOYAGE FROM THENCE TO CARLISLE BAY, BARBADOES.</p> + +<p>In the latter end of the year 1793, his Majesty having determined to +send a formidable armament to the West Indies, to reduce the French +islands in that quarter, and to secure his own from any attack of the +enemy, Lieutenant General Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the Bath, was +promoted to the rank of General in America, and Commander in Chief in +the West Indies. Several officers of distinguished abilities were also +appointed to act under him; and Vice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> +Admiral Sir John Jervis, Knight of the Bath, was nominated Commander in +Chief of the naval force on the same expedition.</p> + +<p>After much delay, occasioned by nearly half the original force being +withdrawn from the armament intended for the West Indies, and applied to +another purpose, on the 24th of November, 1793, the Boyne of 98 guns, +Captain Grey commander, having Vice Admiral Sir John Jervis's flag +flying at the fore-topmast head, made the signal for sailing to the +fleet destined with her for this expedition, and dropped down to St. +Helen's, where she lay at single anchor, waiting for those ships that +were not ready; the ordnance storeships were particularly tardy. This +morning an unfortunate accident befel Mr. Scott, second lieutenant of +the Boyne, whose arm was broken by a block giving way in the fore part +of the ship, where he was stationed; but happily, by the care and skill +of Mr. Weir the surgeon, he was nearly recovered by the time the ship +reached Barbadoes.</p> + +<p>On Tuesday the 26th of November the Boyne weighed anchor, and with the +rest of the fleet sailed from St. Helen's with a fair wind down channel. +On the 27th we lay to off Portland Road, waiting for the Quebec frigate, +which remained at Spithead to hasten the storeships and transports (that +were not at first ready to sail with the Boyne), and to convoy them +through the Needles.</p> + +<p>On the 28th of November, in the morning, we were off the +Land's End, and were soon afterwards becalmed for a short time. +In the evening, a fresh breeze springing up, we proceeded on our +voyage. Before it was dark eight sail were seen from the mast head.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> +On the 29th we passed Commodore Paisley in the Bellerophon, with several +frigates in company. The Commodore saluted the Admiral's flag with +thirteen guns, which was returned from the Boyne with eleven guns.</p> + +<p>As it may be proper to inform the reader that, in consequence of a +particular invitation from the Admiral, the Commander in Chief and his +suite, with several of the officers on the staff under him, were +passengers in the Boyne, I shall here subjoin their names.</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left">His Excellency Sir Charles Grey,</td><td></td><td align="left">K. B. Commander in Chief.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Major General Thomas Dundas.</td><td></td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieutenant Colonel Symes,</td><td></td><td align="left">Quarter Master General.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Major Henry Grey,</td><td></td><td align="left">Deputy Quarter Master General.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Col. Fisher,</td><td></td><td align="left">Secretary to the Commander in Chief.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Major Lyon,</td><td></td><td align="left">Deputy Adjutant General.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Finch Mason,</td><td align="left" rowspan="3" style="font-size:400%;">}</td><td align="left" rowspan="3">Aid de Camps to the Commander in Chief</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. John Cunningham,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Newton Ogle,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Capt. Maitland,</td><td></td><td align="left">Aid de Camp to Major General Dundas.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dr. Wardle,</td><td></td><td align="left">Surgeon on the Staff.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left" colspan="3">Also Chevalier Sancée, a brave and ingenious French Officer, whom the +Commander in Chief took with him, as being acquainted with the island of +Martinique, and the fortifications of Fort Bourbon and St. Louis, having +served under the Marquis de Bouillé at the construction of the former +works.</td></tr> +</table> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> +Thus, by the friendly intercourse subsisting between the two Commanders +in Chief, the time on the passage was most usefully employed in forming +plans of operation, which could not have been executed with that +promptness that distinguished the ensuing campaign, had it been +otherwise.</p> + +<p>On Tuesday the 3d of December, the Rose frigate, Captain Riou, parted +company; as did, on the 7th following, Commodore Thompson and part of +the convoy, and we proceeded with the greater dispatch on our voyage.</p> + +<p>On the 8th of December the wind proved foul, with rain and hazy weather. +At night, in the middle watch, we were attacked by a squall of wind and +rain, accompanied by a heavy sea, which struck the rudder with such +violence, that the men at the wheel losing their hold, were thrown down; +and the tiller breaking loose, stove in the gunner's cabin; at the same +time the pinnace, a six-oared boat, that was suspended over the stern, +was washed away, and totally lost.</p> + +<p>On the 9th of December in the morning, the ship was taken aback by a +sudden squall of wind, attended with thunder and lightning, with a most +tremendous sea; we then wore ship, and stood to the south west. Those +who have never sailed in a ship of war of the first or second rate, can +form no idea of the grandeur and awfulness of the scene when so large a +body is struggling with contending elements. As the ship rolls through +the high swell her sides appear to twist and bend in a surprising +manner. The guns hanging on one side, and pressing against the other, +seem<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> +as if, at every roll, they would, by their immense weight, force +their way through; which, added to the cracking of the cordage, +the roaring of the wind, and a variety of other noises, forms a +scene of surprise and alarm to the inexperienced voyager.</p> + +<p>This squally weather continued at intervals for four days. On the 12th +we saw some sea gulls. On the 13th two strange sail hove in sight; the +Ulysses chased one of them, and we made sail after the other, and fired +several shot at her to bring her to; but in the evening were obliged to +give up the pursuit, for fear of parting from our convoy, which however +happened in the following night, during a heavy gale of wind.</p> + +<p>On Saturday the 14th we saw a gull, and several turtle passed near the +ship.</p> + +<p>On the 16th land was discovered at four P. M. supposed to be the island +of Porto Santo. All this day we sailed at the rate of seven and eight +knots an hour. Tuesday the 17th of December we found that during the +night we had passed by the island of Madeira; but this morning tacked +and stood towards it, and arrived off Funchial, the capital of that +island, of which we had a delightful view. As we approached the land the +surrounding country had a very beautiful appearance, especially after a +long voyage, when the eye has been wearied by the uninteresting sameness +of an extended ocean. The town of Funchial, so named from the Portuguese +word funcho, fennel, which grows in great abundance on the neighbouring +rocks, is situated at the bottom of a bay, and is a large ill-built +town: it has many churches and convents; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +as we did not go on shore, I can give no particular description of them. +Immediately behind the town the hills rise gradually one above the +other, terminating in prodigious high mountains, which are plentifully +covered almost half-way up with plantations of vines, interspersed with +churches and elegant houses. High up in the mountains, in a valley is +seen a convent, which we were informed is dedicated to our Lady of the +Mountain. All the buildings being white, formed very conspicuous, and +not unpleasing objects in the landscape. The mountains in this island +are very high. Pico Ruevo is supposed to be from its base near a mile in +perpendicular height, much higher than any land in England or Wales. The +sides of all the hills are well covered to a certain height with vines, +above which, to a vast extent, are woods of pine, chesnut, and a variety +of other trees unknown to Europe. The principal refreshments to be +procured here are wine, water, and onions; the latter are the finest in +the world, and in great plenty.</p> + +<p>It being the Admiral's determination to lose no time, we only lay-to off +Funchial, till the wine intended for the use of the officers and ship's +company was taken on board; and it being the birth day of the Queen of +Portugal, we saluted the fort in honour of the day with twenty-one guns, +which was returned with an equal number. In the evening we made sail for +our destination; and fortunately from this time had a fair wind till we +got into the trades. On the 24th we passed the tropic of Cancer, lat. at +noon 23. 21. N. long. 32. W. The usual ceremony was observed by +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> +the crew (having first obtained the Captain's permission): a grotesque +Neptune and Amphitrité were drawn by their attendants on the +quarter-deck, where, after a solemn ditty chaunted by his aquatic +majesty, the usual collections were made, which, from the munificence of +the General and his friends, together with the contributions of those +officers of the ship who had never crossed the tropic before, amounted +to a sum sufficient to supply the ship's company with plenty of +vegetables on their arrival at Barbadoes.</p> + +<p>The 25th of December, being Christmas day, divine service was performed +on the quarter-deck by the Chaplain, the crew appearing as on a Sunday, +in clean trowsers and jackets: and here I must beg leave to mention, +that I never saw more regularity and decorum in any place of worship +than is invariably observed on board of his Majesty's ships of war.</p> + +<p>This day we passed an American brig; and the weather being fair, +Lieutenant Bowen and Captain Mason went on board her. She was from +Cadiz, and reported, that yesterday she passed a Spanish man of war +bound for Europe.</p> + +<p>On the 26th of December we saw several albicores, dolphins, and grampus, +and shoals of flying fish; lat. at noon 22. 10. N. long. 34. 46. W.</p> + +<p>On the 29th of December, being Sunday, and the weather fair, divine +service was performed as usual.</p> + +<p>The heat of the climate now began to be troublesome to those who had +been unaccustomed to it.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +On Monday the 6th of January, 1794, land was discovered from the +mast-head, which proved to be the island of Barbadoes; and by noon the +Boyne anchored in Carlisle Bay<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<p class="small blockquot">THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF PREPARE FOR THE +EXPEDITION AGAINST MARTINIQUE … GUN-BOATS CONSTRUCTED, AND +DESCRIBED … A SHORT ACCOUNT OF BARBADOES … SALE OF SLAVES +… A LIST OF THE FLEET.</p> + +<p>The first news we received on our arrival at Barbadoes was, that the +yellow fever had, in the course of last year, carried off fifty-eight +officers of the army in this and the neighbouring islands, and privates +in proportion. It proved fatal to great numbers of the inhabitants also +of Barbadoes; from fifteen to twenty whites died daily in the town of +Bridgetown, and about half that number of blacks and people of colour. +We were at the same time comforted with an assurance that the disease +had entirely subsided; but the reader will soon see how fallacious were +our hopes in this respect. Alas! too many families have to lament the +fatal effects of this dreadful disorder; and the kingdom at large may +attribute to it the losses we afterwards sustained, rather than to any +other cause. But of this more hereafter.</p> + +<p>His Excellency Sir Charles Grey landed at Bridgetown on the 7th of +January, and resided at a house called the Government +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> +House, on Constitution Hill, a healthy situation, about half a mile out +of town, where he was busily employed during his residence on the island +in concerting plans for future operations, in reviewing the troops, and +providing against those exigencies which in an enemy's country an army +must be exposed to. A report was here circulated that General Rochambeau +the commanding officer at Martinique, and Bellegarde the popular leader +of the people of colour, were at variance; but this news by no means +caused the least relaxation on the part of our commanders, who continued +their preparations with as much ardour as before; and it is well they +did so, as we afterwards found the enemy on their guard, and prepared to +resist us with their united force.</p> + +<p>The Admiral in the mean time was equally employed in preparing every +thing in his department, and for that purpose remained on board (a +conduct he invariably followed), by which every thing was carried on +under his own inspection, and delay (the consequence of neglect) was +thus prevented.—On our voyage, whenever the weather permitted, a +certain number of seamen were exercised, and formed into companies, to +be commanded by lieutenants of the navy, with the rank of captains on +shore. While in Carlisle Bay these seamen were again exercised, and +instructed in the use of small arms and pikes. This plan of training the +seamen for more duty was highly beneficial on this expedition, as will +hereafter appear.</p> + +<p>Every exertion was now made both by sea and land. The gun-boats, which +were constructed in England, then taken to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> +pieces, and brought to the West Indies in storeships, were put together +with as much speed as possible; yet, from the nature of their structure, +could not be finished until a day or two before we sailed. There were +six gun-boats, each carrying a twenty-four pounder in the bow, which +moved backwards and forwards on a groove: round the whole on the +gun-whale was a moveable barricade or breast-work, composed of several +folds of bulls' hides, nailed to some boards of an inch thick in +partitions, and capable of turning a musket ball. Each boat had two +masts; the foremast inclined forward (to give more room for the gun to +recoil), and had a latine sail and jib: the mizen was a lug-sail. +Sweeps, or large oars, were also supplied, to be used when there was no +wind, or when becalmed by the high lands near the shore. Each of these +vessels was at first commanded by a midshipman, who, as his conduct +merited, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a>.</p> + +<p>In the mean time the troops were landed from the transports, the sick +comfortably lodged in the hospitals, and every attention paid, to render +the service complete. As the major part of our army consisted of the +flank companies, great pains were taken by the commanding officers to +train them for the most active service: the light infantry were +exercised daily by Major General Dundas, who had, in America and on the +continent, distinguished himself at the head of that battalion. +Particular attention was paid to instruct the army in the absolute +necessity of strict obedience<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +to orders; for which purpose the Commander in Chief published in the +general orders to the army such full and comprehensive instructions, as +to preclude the necessity of multiplying them in future, and to take +away the possibility of any one pleading ignorance of them<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>.</p> + +<p>Before we quit this island, it may be agreeable to the reader to have +some account of it, and of the general appearance of the country. +Barbadoes is situated in 13. 10. N. lat. and 59. W. long. from London. +It is called one of the British Charaibé Islands, though at present none +of those ancient inhabitants remain on it. The island has a flat +appearance; but, from the variety of plantations, the beauty and +freshness of the verdure, and the numerous houses, mills, and other +buildings, scattered in great profusion, it presents a delightful +prospect to strangers on their approach to it after a long voyage. I +shall not pretend to give an history of the island, but must refer the +reader to the elegant work of Bryan Edwards, Esq. whose account of the +British West India Islands is written with every advantage to be derived +from local residence and connections, as well as from the indefatigable +attention and abilities of the author.</p> + +<p>During our residence at this island curiosity led me to be present at a +sale of slaves, just imported from the coast of Africa. As this horrid +traffic in human flesh has been the topic of public investigation for +some time past, and much learning and ingenuity has been displayed on +both sides of the question, I shall not give<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +any opinion on it, but merely state facts that came within my own +knowledge. The sale is proclaimed by beat of drum, and is held (at +Barbadoes at least) not in the open air, as I had been taught to +believe, but in a commodious house appointed for that purpose. At the +time I am speaking of, there were about forty men, women, and children, +sitting on benches round a large room, with no other covering than a +cloth round their waists. Some of them were decorated with beads, given +to them by their captors, and bracelets round their wrists and ancles, +and were much tattooed on their faces and breasts, which I understood +from a seaman who came with them, was a mark of distinction in their own +country. I was also informed that they had buried one hundred and +forty-nine on the passage, having had a very bad and protracted voyage: +the crew had suffered equally, and had buried one third of their +original complement. As soon as the planter has fixed on a slave he +retires with him and the salesman to another room, there concludes the +bargain, and departs with his purchase to his plantation, where the +newcomer, being clothed in a coarse jacket, and provided with a hat, +knife, and other trifles, is placed with one of the old negroes, by whom +he is instructed in his business. In regard to the severity exercised by +the slave owners on their slaves, whatever may have been the case, I am +well assured that now there are seldom instances of those cruelties +which have been so feelingly described, at least in the islands we +visited on this expedition. At Barbadoes they appeared to be in as +comfortable a situation as the lower ranks of society generally are; and +as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +climate is peculiarly favourable to poverty (clothes and firing, the +great articles of expence to the poor in other countries, being here +hardly required), I may venture to affirm, that the slaves in the West +Indies are in a better situation, <i>as to the necessaries of life</i>, than +the labouring poor in England, or any other country in Europe. Far be it +from me, however, to justify slavery in itself; it most certainly is an +evil: but when a matter of great importance is in agitation, every +information should be obtained, and both sides of the question ought to +be strictly examined. Certainly the benevolent intentions of the friends +to the abolition of slavery in the West Indies have, by their exertions +in the cause of humanity, occasioned a more minute inquiry into the +situation of the slaves than had ever been made before; and several +excellent laws to regulate the treatment of that unfortunate class of +human beings have in consequence been passed in the different islands. +It is affirmed by many very humane people, that the entire abolition of +the traffic <i>itself</i> would not help the cause of humanity so much as was +at first contended (for I believe the former plan of immediately +emancipating those already imported, is allowed by all to be dangerous +in the extreme); and it is the opinion of many writers, that the greater +part of those Africans sold to our plantations would remain slaves in +their own country, or be put to death by their captors. If so, surely it +is better for them to be carried to a country where they have a chance +at least of better treatment, and where many of them are instructed in +their duty to their God, of which before they had no idea.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +While we were lying in Carlisle Bay the fleet that sailed with us from +Europe, and parted company on the voyage, came in, together with the +transports, &c. from Ireland. The following is, I believe, a correct +list of the men of war that composed our fleet at the commencement of +the campaign. A few others that are hereafter mentioned joined us in the +course of it.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left" rowspan="2">Boyne</td><td align="left" rowspan="2">98 guns</td><td align="left">Vice Admiral Sir John Jervis, K. B.<br /><span style="font-size:80%;">Commander in Chief of the naval force in the West Indies.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain G. Grey.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left" rowspan="2">Vengeance</td><td align="left" rowspan="2">74</td><td align="left">Commodore C. Thompson.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Henry Powlett.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Irresistible</td><td align="left">74</td><td align="left">John Henry.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Veteran</td><td align="left">64</td><td align="left">Charles Edmund Nugent.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Blanche</td><td align="left">32</td><td align="left">Christopher Parker.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Terpsichore</td><td align="left">32</td><td align="left">Samson Edwards.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Blonde</td><td align="left">32</td><td align="left">John Markham.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Solebay</td><td align="left">32</td><td align="left">William Hancock Kelly.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Beaulieu</td><td align="left">40</td><td align="left">John Salisbury.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Quebec</td><td align="left">32</td><td align="left">Josias Rogers.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Rose</td><td align="left">23</td><td align="left">Edward Riou.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Vesuvius</td><td align="left">bomb</td><td align="left">Charles Sawyer.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Nautilus</td><td align="left">18 guns</td><td align="left">James Carpenter.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Rattlesnake</td><td align="left">18</td><td align="left">Matthew Henry Scott.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>Seaflower</td><td align="left">16</td><td align="left">William Pierrepoint.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Zebra</td><td align="left">18</td><td align="left">Captain Robert Faulknor.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Experiment</td><td align="left">44</td><td align="left">Simon Miller. armed en flute.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Woolwich</td><td align="left">44</td><td align="left">John Parker. armed en flute.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dromedary</td><td align="left">44</td><td align="left">Sandford Tatham. armed en flute.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>These ships joined us in Fort Royal bay during the siege of Forts +Bourbon and Louis.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left">Asia</td><td align="left">64 guns</td><td align="left">Captain John Brown.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Santa Margarita</td><td align="left">36</td><td align="left">Eliab Harvey.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Assurance</td><td align="left">44</td><td align="left">Velters Cornwall Berkley.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ceres</td><td align="left">32</td><td align="left">Richard Incledon.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Winchelsea</td><td align="left">32</td><td align="left">Lord Viscount Garlies.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Roebuck</td><td align="left">44 hosp. ship</td><td align="left">Andrew Christie.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>The land force employed on this expedition was as follows. A detachment +of white and a detachment of black light dragoons, three battalions of +grenadiers, three battalions of light infantry, the sixth, ninth, +fifteenth, thirty-ninth, forty-third, fifty-sixth, fifty-eighth, +sixty-fourth, sixty-fifth, and seventieth regiments, with detachments +from the second, twenty-first, and sixtieth regiments. The troops were +divided into three brigades; the first commanded by Lieutenant General +Prescott, the second by Major General Thomas Dundas, and the third by +Major General his Royal Highness Prince Edward (till whose arrival from +Canada the command of this brigade was given to Lieutenant Colonel +Sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +Charles Gordon.) The total force that embarked for the attack of +Martinique was six thousand and eighty-five, two hundred and twenty-four +sick, and nine hundred and seventy-seven left sick at Barbadoes<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a>.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<p class="small blockquot">THE FLEET SAILS FROM BARBADOES … +ANCHORS ON THE SOUTH COAST OF MARTINIQUE … CAPTURE OF A BATTERY +… GENERAL GREY LANDS WITH HIS ARMY … FLAG OF TRUCE FIRED +ON BY THE ENEMY … THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF ATTACK THE ISLAND AT +THREE DIFFERENT PLACES AT THE SAME TIME.</p> + +<p>On Monday, Feb. 3, 1794, the fleet of men of war, transports, +storeships, &c. sailed from Carlisle Bay, and the next morning land +was seen, which proved to be the island of St. Lucia, bearing west +several leagues. On Wednesday, Feb. 5, we approached the island of +Martinique on the south east coast, off the bay of Maran; two forts, one +at Pointe du Jardin, the other at Pointe de la Borgnesse, which defended +the entrance to that bay, began to fire on our ships as they approached; +notwithstanding which, the Boyne and the rest of the fleet anchored by +four P.M. not far from the battery on Pointe de la Borgnesse, Lieutenant +Bowen having previously run along shore in a small schooner to sound the +depth of water. Our troops were now preparing to land, and had filled +several flat-boats which lay along-side the men of war, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +when the battery opened a heavy fire on them, which was quickly answered +by the ships; the troops at the same time pushed in and landed, covered +by the gun-boats: seeing which, and alarmed by some well-directed shot +from the Boyne and Veteran, the enemy fled in disorder from the fort, +which our troops immediately entered, and having hoisted the British +colours, were saluted with three cheers from the fleet. A trench was +found in the battery, communicating with the magazine, in which a train +was laid, and a brand or match laid across it. Happily (by the exertions +of the officers and men) this dastardly plot was prevented taking +effect. The guns were immediately turned upon the enemy in their +retreat, and against the town of St. Anne; but as this was a post of no +great consequence, after they had spiked the guns and broke the +carriages, the troops reimbarked<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a>.</p> + +<p>In the evening the enemy in the battery on Pointe du Jardin burnt the +sugar plantations near them, as we suppose, out of revenge for our +success at Pointe de la Borgnesse; from the dryness of the canes the +fire spread with great rapidity, and did much damage. Near us was the +village of St. Luce, where a two-gun battery, directed by the curé of +St. Luce, seeming disposed to trouble us, the Veteran opened her lower +deckers on it, and soon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +drove the enemy from thence<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>.—On +Thursday morning, Feb. 6, our troops landed at Trois Rivieres, in the +bay of St. Luce, without opposition, to the number of two thousand four +hundred and eighty-four men, under the direction of Lieutenant General +Prescott. Sir Charles Grey and his suite then landed, and the whole army +moved off from the landing-place in two divisions; the first division +began to march about twelve at noon, the second division at five in the +afternoon. Lieutenant Rogers of the Boyne soon after landed at the +curé's battery at St. Luce, and found the two cannon there to be +twenty-four pounders, that had belonged to the Raisonable man of war, +wrecked some time since on this island. They destroyed these guns, and +returned on board without any loss. This evening a gun-boat and +flat-boat with seamen, under the command of Lieutenants Rutherford and +Ogle of the Boyne, and Mr. Johnson, midshipman, attempted to cut out +some vessels in the harbour near Maran, where they were much exposed +both to the great guns and musquetry of the enemy; but they succeeded so +far as to bring off two American schooners; two others saved themselves +by running ashore close under the guns of Fort St. Etienne.</p> + +<p>On Feb. 7th the Admiral sent (with a flag of truce) Lieutenant Miln of +the Boyne, accompanied by Lieutenant James of the fifteenth regiment, +and the Chaplain of the Boyne, with a letter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +for the municipality or governor of Maran. As they approached the town +they perceived hostile preparations making in the fort of St. Etienne; +but, in hopes of preventing a flag of truce being insulted, Mr. Miln +boarded one of the American ships that had been run aground the day +before, intending, in case the captain of it was on board, to take him +in his company. Being now within half gun-shot of the fort, the enemy +began to fire on the boat, notwithstanding the flag of truce, and +continued to do so, although Mr. Miln endeavoured to proceed towards the +shore: but the enemy seeming determined to oppose his landing, and +several of their shot falling close by the boat, he at length judged it +most prudent to return. As he passed Pointe du Bourgnesse he perceived +some negroes near the fort, and sent the two gentlemen who accompanied +him armed, to endeavour to cut off their retreat, and to give them the +papers which were to have been delivered to the commander at Maran; but +the negroes, on perceiving them land, immediately made off towards the +town: they however found a wounded man, whose leg had been broken by a +cannon ball, with whom they left the papers, adding a note to express +their surprise and indignation at a flag of truce being fired on<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a>.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon Mr. Miln went with the gun-boats against Maran, to form +a diversion in favour of Lieutenants Rutherford<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +and Rogers, who had landed with two companies of seamen to carry fresh +provisions to Sir Charles Grey's army. This had the desired effect, as +soon after a large body of troops came down from the hills to the town +and fort, which might otherwise have fallen in with the seamen on their +march.</p> + +<p>The next day, Feb. 8, the Admiral sent another flag of truce by the same +officer to the town of St. Anne. He took with him an American captain of +a ship, in addition to his former complement; and having been so roughly +handled the day before, he also ordered a gun-boat to attend. St. Anne's +was entirely deserted. The American then proceeded a mile up the country +to the house of a planter, who had left it; but finding his mulatto +mistress there, he left the papers with her, to forward to the +commanding officer at Maran. On this estate the American told us he saw +three hundred slaves, and every thing in perfect order; from whence we +judged the owner of it had been a friend to the revolution, the houses +and plantations of the royalists being universally destroyed. The enemy +now entirely evacuated this part of the country, to throw themselves +into Fort Bourbon; and in their retreat burnt several fine plantations, +and murdered many slaves of the royalists with circumstances of the most +horrid cruelty.</p> + +<p>I should have mentioned that, on our approach to this island, the +Commanders in Chief dispatched General Dundas with Commodore Thompson to +the attack of Trinité, and another division under the command of Colonel +Sir Charles Gordon, assisted by Captain Rogers of the Quebec, to Case de +Navirre; while Sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +Charles Grey, assisted by Lieutenant General Prescott, and under cover +of the Boyne, &c. made good his landing at Trois Rivieres: thus, by +making three attacks upon distant parts of the island at the same time, +the force and attention of the enemy was divided; and by that spirited +conduct, which animated all parties, more particularly by the unanimity +which prevailed between the army and navy, they all happily succeeded. +And here I must beg leave to observe, that where the commanders are +united in friendship, and equally inspired with an earnest desire to +serve their king and country, their example will always have such +influence on the conduct of those under their command, that the same +friendly intercourse will be sure to subsist between the subordinate +ranks of the two services; and, from the Commanders in Chief to the +private soldier and sailor, they will join hand and heart, and form a +phalanx that nothing can withstand.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<p class="small blockquot">MARCH OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF FROM TROIS +RIVIERES TO SALLEE … OCCURRENCES ON THE MARCH … GENERAL +WHYTE DETACHED … TAKES PIGEON ISLAND … THE ADMIRAL ANCHORS +OFF PIGEON ISLAND … DESCRIPTION OF THE BAY OF FORT ROYAL … +THE THIRD BRIGADE LANDS AT CAS DE NAVIRES.</p> + +<p>I have already said that his Excellency Sir Charles Grey, with +Lieutenant General Prescott, and that part of the army which landed at +Trois Rivieres, marched from thence on Feb. 6th across the country to La +Riviere Sallée, a distance of two leagues, over very mountainous roads, +and that evening they reached the town of the same name, situated on its +banks, where the troops were lodged. They met with no opposition on +their march, and lost only one man (a sergeant), who died of fatigue and +heat. On the march the Commander in Chief detached Brigadier General +Whyte, with the second battalion of light infantry commanded by +Lieutenant Colonel Close, with two amuzettes, to force the batteries of +Cape Solomon and Point a Burgos, in order to get possession of Pigeon +Island, as our shipping could not go into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +bay of Fort Royal till that was accomplished; nor indeed could our boats +with provisions and ammunition go with safety round to the army at +Riviere Sallée. On Feb. 7th General Whyte took two small pieces of +cannon loaded, at a village in the bay of d'Arlet (one hundred and fifty +mulattoes having fled at his approach); and immediately marching to the +attack of the two posts above mentioned of Point Solomon and Burgos, the +enemy surrendered at discretion, their retreat being cut off. In the +interim the Commander in Chief received intelligence of a body of the +enemy having crossed the bay from Fort Royal, and landed near Morne +Charlotte Pied, where they took post to intercept the communication +between General Whyte and head quarters at Sallée: on which he instantly +dispatched Adjutant-General Colonel Dundas, with the seventieth +regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Johnson, with two howitzers, +to dislodge them. This was executed that night with great spirit, and +the post taken possession of early the next morning, the enemy being +completely defeated at the first charge. In this action Captain Nares of +the seventieth regiment distinguished himself so as to gain the notice +of the Commander in Chief in public orders<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a>.</p> + +<p>Brigadier General Whyte (being now reinforced with a detachment of the +royal artillery, some ordnance, mortars, &c.) Colonel Symes, with a +detachment of the fifteenth regiment and two hundred seamen from the +Admiral, armed with pikes and pistols, under the command of Lieutenants +Rogers and Rutherford,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +ascended the heights on the 9th instant, and got possession of Mount +Matharine, which commanded Pigeon Island, at the distance of not more +than four hundred yards, where they erected their batteries. On this day +his Excellency the Admiral sailed from Maran Bay, and anchored in Petite +Ance d'Arlet, from whence he could send succours of men and ammunition +to General Whyte; who accordingly instantly landed two companies of +seamen, with several cannon, which they in vain attempted to drag over +the hills to General Whyte's post, a distance of four or five miles; for +the steepness and ruggedness of the roads, rendered every effort +ineffectual. However he sent him a plentiful supply of shot and other +ammunition, with one howitzer; and in the evening Lieutenant Miln was +dispatched with a party, carrying provisions and spirits for the army. +We found the country on the march from Ance d'Arlet to General Whyte's +camp beautiful in a high degree, but the roads almost impassable: a +succession of steep roads, through thick woods, at length brought us to +the summit of a hill (on which our seamen were posted), commanding a +fine view of the bay of Fort Royal, with Islet aux Ramieres, or Pigeon +Island, in front; and on each side rose hills finely clothed with wood, +on one of which our little army was posted. During the time we were +there, the enemy on Pigeon Island annoyed us with their shells and shot, +by which one of our seamen was killed, and another mortally wounded. The +two five and a half inch howitzers, brought by the seventieth regiment +from head quarters, being now placed in a battery under the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +direction of Captain de Rivigne of the royal artillery, so as to take +the island in reverse, and Colonel Dornford having also joined with a +company of artificers, the batteries were completed during the night of +the 10th instant, and opened on Tuesday morning, February 11th, under +the conduct of Major Manley, who kept up so incessant and well-directed +a fire upon Pigeon Island, that in two hours the garrison struck their +colours, and surrendered at discretion, having fifteen killed and +twenty-five wounded. When our batteries opened, it consisted of two +hundred and three men.</p> + +<p>After the strong orders the Commander in Chief issued during the time he +was preparing for the commencement of the campaign at Barbadoes, in +which, among other things, he declared his determination to punish with +the utmost severity any one who should presume to maraud or plunder the +inhabitants, it is surprising that on the first day's march any soldier +should have had the temerity to offend against that order: but we had a +melancholy instance of it in William Milton of the tenth light dragoons, +and Samuel Price of the black dragoons, who were tried and convicted of +a robbery in the house of Jacques, an inhabitant of Sallée; and the +General, being determined to put an early stop to such enormities, had +the sentence put in execution, and they were both hanged in view of the +whole army on February 8th<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a>.</p> + +<p>On the capture of Islet aux Ramieres, or Pigeon Island, the Admiral +sailed with the rest of his fleet from Ance d'Arlet on +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +Wednesday, Feb. 12th, and anchored in Fort Royal Bay, off Pigeon Island, +by which means he could co-operate with his colleague, and supply the +army with ammunition and provisions at pleasure. As the ships worked +into the bay, several shells were thrown at them from Fort Louis, but +happily without doing any mischief.—It is impossible to conceive a +more beautiful scene than presented itself on our entrance into this +fine bay. On the north side we saw Fort Louis and the town of Fort +Royal; and immediately behind it, on the top of a steep hill, was the +strong fortification of Fort Bourbon, which, with the tri-coloured flag +waving on its walls, formed a conspicuous object in the landscape; the +parapet being built of white stone, strongly contrasted with the vivid +glow of verdure on the surrounding hills. To the westward rose +majestically prodigious mountains, called Les Pitons du Carbet, the +hills on the side of which were cultivated, while the mountains +themselves were covered with wood to their summits. Eastward the bay +opens to several bays and harbours, into which some noble rivers +discharge themselves, and pleasant islands of different dimensions and +forms, embellish the whole. Pigeon Island, or Islet aux Ramieres, is +situated on the south side of the bay of Fort Royal, about two hundred +yards from the shore, and is a steep rock, inaccessible except on one +side by a ladder fixed against a perpendicular wall. The summit is about +thirty yards above the level of the sea, and is three hundred paces +round. It contained the following ordnance, viz. Eleven forty-two +pounders, six thirty-two pounders, four thirteen-inch mortars, and +one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> +howitzer, with an immense quantity of stores and ammunition, and a large +stove to heat shot; it also had good barracks. It is famous for having +prevented Admiral Rodney with twelve sail of the line from entering the +bay in 1782.</p> + +<p>On the 12th of February the fifteenth regiment, led by Major Lyon, and +commanded by Captain Paumier, surprised several hundreds of the enemy, +very strongly posted on the heights of le Grande Bouclain, killed +several of them, and took all their ammunition and arms, with their +cattle.<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a></p> + +<p>Sir Charles Gordon with the third brigade had landed on the 8th instant +to leeward, on the side of Cas de Navires, under cover of a division of +the fleet commanded by Captain Rogers in the Quebec<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a>. +The enemy being masters of the grand road and the heights above it, he +made a movement towards the mountains, and turning them (unperceived) +with part of his force, gained the most commanding post in that part of +the country. By day-break on the 9th instant Colonel Myers, descending +the heights, took possession of la Chapelle, and a post established by +the enemy above it; and on his return to the column, Sir Charles Gordon +proceeded through most difficult ground to the heights of Berne, above +Ance La Haye. The enemy, after having abandoned the battery of Cayman, +and set fire to the village, still keeping a constant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +fire on him from the batteries of St. Catharine, he took a position +which gave him an easy communication with the transports; when on the +12th he observed the battery and works at St. Catharine, and the posts +which guarded the first ravine, abandoned by the enemy, on which he took +possession of them, while Colonel Myers, with five companies of +grenadiers and the forty-third regiment, crossed four ravines higher up, +seizing all the batteries that defended them. This movement was +completely successful, the enemy flying on every side, and our troops +were soon in possession of the five batteries between Cas de Navires and +Fort Royal. They then proceeded, and occupied the posts of Gentilly, La +Coste, and La Archet, within a league of Fort Bourbon.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<p class="small blockquot">GENERAL DUNDAS LANDS ON THE NORTH EAST SIDE +OF THE ISLAND … TRINITE TAKEN … COLONEL CRADOCK ATTACKED, +CAPTAIN M'EWEN killed … GENERAL DUNDAS FORMS A JUNCTION WITH SIR +CHARLES GREY … MARCH TOWARDS ST. PIERRE … COLONEL CAMPBELL +KILLED … ST. PIERRE ATTACKED BY SEA, AND TAKEN … +DESCRIPTION OF THAT TOWN.</p> + +<p>When Commodore Thompson with his division (having on board Major General +Dundas and the second brigade) parted from the fleet on their voyage +from Barbadoes, he proceeded with the utmost expedition to the north +east part of the island; and on Feb. 5th arrived off the bay of Gallion. +Captain Faulknor in the Zebra led in, and placed himself along-side of +the battery on Point a Chaux, from whence he soon drove the enemy. The +Beaulieu, Captain Salisbury, and the Woolwich, Captain Parker, followed; +and the troops were landed without further opposition about a league +from the town of Trinité, which was situated on the further side of the +isthmus that formed the bay of Gallion. Here<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +General Dundas halted for that night. Early the next morning he began +his march towards Trinité. As he moved off from the ground he had +occupied during the night, the enemy annoyed him much by a brisk fire of +musketry from the cane fields, where a large body of them were +concealed; from thence however they were soon driven by the bayonet, +which (as the Commander in Chief observed<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a>) +in the hands of a gallant British soldier is the first of weapons. In +this business we had one artilleryman killed, and two officers and three +privates wounded. The General then continued his march to La Bruen, a +strong post situated on an eminence immediately over the town of +Trinité. The light infantry drove the enemy from this post after an +action of about fifteen minutes. We had two men killed and seven or +eight wounded, among which were two officers. The enemy's loss was much +greater. Early on the night of the 6th our troops took possession of +Fort Louis (and changed its name to Fort Dundas), and Fort Bellgarde, a +post that commanded the harbour of Trinité. Mons. Bellgarde, general of +the army composed of people of colour, finding that we had taken +possession of the forts, made a precipitate retreat towards the +mountains, having previously set fire to the town of Trinité, the best +part of which, together with a great quantity of stores of all kinds, +was consumed; but Commodore Thompson took possession of the vessels in +the harbour and road. In all these attacks the seamen (under command of +Captain Salisbury) bore a part, and by their intrepidity +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +and good conduct gained the esteem as well as applause of the army.</p> + +<p>On the evening of the 7th General Dundas proceeded with his brigade to +the attack of Gros Morne, where he was informed General Bellgarde was +strongly posted in considerable force; but on his arrival he found the +forts evacuated. Gros Morne is a situation of great importance, being +strongly fortified, and commanding the principal pass between the +northern and southern parts of the island, and famous for being the +rendezvous of the democrats during the revolution, previous to our +arrival. Besides the principal fort, there is a redoubt on either side, +about a mile distant, commanding the road leading to the fort. A +detachment of the queen's regiment and a party of the marines being left +to garrison Trinité, under command of Major Skerret, and the battalion +of the 64th to garrison Le Gros Morne, the remainder of the brigade +marched early in the morning of the 9th instant, and on the evening of +the same day took possession of a strong situation called Bruno, where +there had formerly been a fort, some of the guns of which were still +remaining: it lies about two leagues north east of Fort Bourbon, and +from it our army could see the enemy in their out-posts from that +fort<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a>. +After the troops had halted for some time, Colonel Cradock with three +companies of the second<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +battalion of grenadiers was ordered to advance and take possession of +the post of Maltide, where a considerable number of the enemy were +assembled with their colours flying; but on his approach they evacuated +the place in haste. Of this post our troops had the quiet possession +that night, and all the next day; but in the night between the 10th and +11th they were attacked by a party of the enemy, commanded by Mons. +Bellgarde, amounting to about eight hundred men, who, having crept up +under cover of the canes and underwood, commenced a heavy fire on our +troops, who, though rather taken by surprise, charged the enemy in their +turn with such vigour and determined bravery, as forced them sorely to +repent their temerity, and retreat towards Fort Bourbon with +considerable loss. In this action Captain M'Ewen of the thirty-eighth +regiment and seven privates were killed, and nineteen wounded. Next day +a great quantity of fire arms were picked up, which the enemy had left +behind them in their precipitate retreat. In the evening of the 11th the +post was reinforced by three companies of grenadiers and part of the +second battalion of light infantry; but that night all was quiet. Early +on the morning of the 12th the grenadiers were ordered back to Bruno, +and the battalion of the sixth regiment, commanded by Major Scott, took +their place at Maltide, and the wounded were sent on board the hospital +ship.</p> + +<p>As the bay and harbour of Fort Royal were now completely opened to our +shipping by the capture of Pigeon Island, the Commander in Chief moved +forward on the 14th from La Riviere<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +Sallée to Bruno with the remainder of the first brigade, a principal +part of which had, under General Prescott, reached that place the day +before; having previously concerted the attack of St. Pierré with +General Dundas, that general marched on the evening of the 13th from +Bruno with the second battalion of grenadiers, the thirty-third and +fortieth light companies, and the sixty-fifth regiment, to Gros Morne, +where he halted that night, and early on the 14th marched to Trinité; +from whence he dispatched a sloop with the packs and blankets of his +army round towards la Basse Pointe, in order to expedite his march +toward St. Pierre, the capital of the island, the capture of which was +now his object. From Gros Morne General Dundas had detached Colonel +Campbell through the woods by Bois le Buc with the second battalion of +light infantry and sixty-fifth regiment to Montigné. At five o'clock in +the evening of the 14th General Dundas marched from Trinité (being +joined by a company of the second or queen's regiment, commanded by the +Honourable Captain Ramsay): after marching all night he halted for three +hours; and soon after day-break on the morning of the 15th, having +passed the river Capot, arrived at the heights of Calbass, after a march +of thirty miles over a rough mountainous country. The fatigue of such a +march in a tropical climate can only be conceived by those who have +experienced it: harassed and worn down, it was necessary to give the +troops some rest before they attempted to ascend the steep and craggy +mountain, over the top of which was their road, commanded by a battery, +where the enemy appeared in great force,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +with their colours flying. The spirit of our soldiers however overcame +all difficulties, and they ascended the heights with such alacrity, that +the enemy, alarmed at their determined conduct, evacuated the fort +(fortunately for our men), without making any resistance; as, by the +time they reached the summit of the mountain, they were so exhausted, +that a steady opposition might have proved fatal to them. From hence +(the post having previously been destroyed by the enemy, who had broken +the guns and scattered the ammunition) General Dundas proceeded about +four miles further, to a place called Morne Rouge: here he halted, and +shortly after saw Colonel Campbell at Post au Pin, half a mile short of +Montigné, under a heavy fire from five or six hundred of the enemy, +strongly posted. General Dundas instantly pushed forward his advanced +guard, under command of the Hon. Captain Ramsay, who gained the summit +by extraordinary exertions, fired on the enemy, at that time engaged +with Colonel Campbell, and silenced their fire; and, when joined by the +second battalion of grenadiers, took possession of Montigné, where he +was reinforced by two companies of grenadiers. The major general took +post himself on Morne Rouge, and visiting Colonel Campbell's column, +found he had been attacked at half past nine o'clock in the morning, and +the enemy being within twenty yards of the fortieth light company, at +the head of which he was, had charged them with bayonets, when, to the +great grief of the whole army, he fell by a ball through his head from +the musket of a mulatto, who had concealed himself behind a bush till +the Colonel came close<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +up to it. Colonel Campbell was a man high in estimation as a military +character, and no less respected for his private worth, being sincere in +his friendships and steady in his attachments. When General Dundas +arrived at Morne Rouge, the enemy were on their march to re-attack our +troops; but the appearance of our grenadiers so near them, caused them +to relinquish their plan at that time: but in the evening of the same +day the General observed bodies of the enemy moving towards his front at +Morne Rouge, and forming under a small redoubt near that post. The +thirty-third, thirty-fourth, and forty-fourth companies of grenadiers, +with a field piece, and Captain Whitworth of the artillery (the whole +under the command of Major Forbes), were ordered to advance, when a +smart engagement commenced. The enemy were covered by a brisk fire from +two field pieces on Morne Bellvieu, a strongly situated battery +immediately in their rear. The action continued for about half an hour, +when the enemy gave way, and during the night abandoned the fort, +leaving two field pieces behind them. From the number of graves observed +the following day (corroborated by the accounts of some prisoners), +their loss must have been considerable; ours consisted of one officer +(Lieutenant Keating of the thirty-third regiment) and two privates +wounded, and one private killed.—At two o'clock the following +morning the sixteenth, thirty-fifth, and fifty-fifth companies of +grenadiers were ordered to advance and storm the battery upon Morne +Bellvieu, and were to be supported (if necessary) by the ninth and +sixty-fifth companies. All their flints were taken<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +out, the bayonet alone to be the soldier's defence. However, the enemy +had been so roughly handled the day before, that they thought fit to +decamp during the night, and our troops took possession of the fort +without any opposition. Our army had now arrived within two leagues of +St. Pierre, from whence by day-break the enemy sent a flag of truce, +requiring three days to consider of a capitulation; to which General +Dundas returned an answer, that instead of three days, he would allow +them only three hours; and if they did not surrender within that time, +he would advance against the town. The fifty-fifth company of grenadiers +being left in possession of Bellvieu, the remainder of the battalion +moved on towards St. Pierré. In the mean time the Admiral, Sir John +Jervis, to co-operate with the land forces under General Dundas, had +ordered the following ships to sail for the bay of St. Pierre, the Asia, +Veteran, Santa Margarita, Blonde, Rattlesnake, Zebra, and Nautilus, with +the Vesuvius bomb. On board of this fleet Colonel Symes had embarked +with three light companies, and Major Maitland with a detachment of the +fiftieth regiment; Colonel Myers with five companies of the first +battalion of grenadiers, and five companies of the third battalion of +light infantry, (for the same purpose of co-operating with General +Dundas) had marched from Camp la Coste towards Trinité.</p> + +<p>The fleet on their arrival in the bay prepared for instant operation. +Colonel Symes, with the troops and seamen who were to land with him, +had, previous to their entering the bay, embarked on board of the Zebra +and Nautilus sloops, and some other vessels,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> +which, being small, could get nearer the shore, thereby rendering the +debarkation of the troops much less difficult.</p> + +<p>In the evening of Feb. 16th they began to work towards the north part of +the bay, beyond the Jesuits' College, the other men of war standing +towards the town to cover them. About eleven o'clock the vessels with +troops and seamen on board were under a cross fire from two batteries of +red hot shot, which happily did them no damage, though they fell round +and near them. Captain Harvey in the Santa Margarita, perceiving the +troops were likely to be much annoyed, went close under the guns of the +most considerable of the two batteries, which he silenced; and about +four in the morning of the 17th the troops and seamen made good their +landing, and found that the enemy had left the other battery. During the +night the Vesuvius bomb did much execution with her shells, many of them +falling in the town, to which it set fire in some places: the fire +however was soon extinguished. The batteries in the town and on the +adjacent hills kept up a constant fire of shot and shells on the men of +war, as they advanced towards the town, which was returned with great +spirit. The Santa Margarita was struck with a shell, which fortunately +neither fired her, nor did any considerable damage. Colonel Symes on +landing advanced with the troops towards St. Pierre, which the enemy +evacuated on his approach, leaving their guns primed and loaded, and +their colours flying, which were hauled down by our people, and the +British union hoisted. About ten the whole of the troops and seamen had +marched into the town. No man was suffered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +to quit his ranks, nor was the least injury done to any of the +inhabitants, who, with the women and children, sat at their doors and +windows to see our army march in, the same as when troops pass through a +town in England. While our men were drawn up in the market place, a flag +of truce came in from General Dundas, who with his army was on the hills +near the town, and was on his march to attack it. This flag was in +answer to one sent by the enemy to him, offering to capitulate. The +officer who brought the flag was agreeably surprised to find on his +entering the town that it was already in the possession of his +countrymen. In the evening General Dundas with the army marched in; and +having taken possession of the government-house, he instantly +established quiet and good order in the town. As our troops marched into +St. Pierre a drummer was discovered in the act of plundering one of the +peaceable inhabitants, for which he was instantly hung up at the gate of +the Jesuits' College, by order of the provost marshal. In the evening +the seamen embarked on board their respective ships. The men of war +having anchored in the bay, were busily employed in taking an account of +and unbending the sails of the different ships in the harbour. +Unfortunately at day-break of this morning, when the town surrendered, a +schooner got out of the south side of the bay, in which it was reported +there was a considerable quantity of money and some people of +distinction. She passed within gun-shot of the Santa Margarita, who (for +some reason or other) did not fire at her to bring her to. The next +morning the Santa Margarita sailed to Fort Royal bay with Mons. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +Au Cane<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a>, +the mayor of St. Pierre, and Abbé Maunier, the vicar general of the +island, and other prisoners.</p> + +<p>St. Pierre is a long handsome town, situated on the shore of an open +bay, and flanked by a strong battery at either end; also defended by two +redoubts on the hills which overhang the town. The surrounding country +rises in a succession of hills beautifully variegated with woods and +sugar plantations; and near the town are some fine gardens, which before +the revolution had been kept up in a superior stile of elegance and +convenience. Each street of this beautiful town is watered by a clear +stream from the mountains, running rapidly down the middle, which adds +greatly to the health as well as convenience of the place. The streets +in general are narrow and rough paved, but very regular; the houses are +built of a fine stone like free-stone, the lower apartments of which +were in general handsomely, and sometimes superbly, furnished.</p> + +<p>There are two convents of nuns, one dedicated to St. Ursuline, the other +called Les Blancs. The Ursuline convent has very beautiful gardens, +situated at the declivity of a hill, which rises immediately behind the +town: it was in a wretched state when we took it, the poor nuns having +been deprived of their revenues by the revolutionists. Near this convent +is a neat church,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +whose high altar, as well as pavement, is of good marble. Not far from +the church is the opera house, which, from its high roof, is a very +conspicuous object. Towards the south end of the town is the church of +Notre Dame de bon Porte du Mouillage (of which Pere Maunier, one of the +chiefs of the revolution, was curé). It is a handsome building: round +the grand altar (which is of polished and well sculptured marble) are +several tolerable paintings of saints and the Virgin Mary, as large as +life. Over the bridge, at the north end of the town, is another large +church, and several others, small and mean in their outward appearance +and inside decorations. I was informed that most of these churches were +well endowed before the revolution, and the religious houses were amply +provided for, as is the case in all parts of the new world where the +Roman Catholic religion is professed.</p> + +<p>At the northern extremity of St. Pierre is a spacious handsome house, +with good offices, stables, and gardens, which formerly belonged to the +Jesuits, in whose district the town and surrounding country is situated. +The Capuchins and Dominicans had the two other parts of the +island.—The government-house, which on our taking it was inhabited +by Au Cane, the mayor, is conveniently situated near the centre of the +town, and was formed for the residence of the chief magistrate or +governor of the island. The rooms are large and lofty, and there is a +good garden at the back of the house, in which, amongst a variety of +fruit trees, was a fine bread-fruit tree: how it came there, I +could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +not learn, unless some French ships had paid a visit to the islands in +the South Sea, for the same purpose that our ships of late have made +that voyage; but then I think more of the trees would have been seen in +this and the neighbouring French islands.—Towards the southern end +of the town is a large and commodious hospital, which had good revenues +attached to it, and was well regulated and attended. This we found of +infinite use for our sick and wounded, who were far better provided for +here than they could be in the hospital ships, or with the army.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<p class="small blockquot">THE ENEMY RETIRE INTO FORT BOURBON AND FORT +LOUIS … THE ADMIRAL ATTACKS FORT LOUIS WITH THE BOMB-KETCH AND +GUN-BOATS … CAMP OF SEAMEN FORMED AT POINT NEGRO … A WHARF +BUILT IN THE CUL DE SAC DE COHEE, STORES AND AMMUNITION LANDED THERE +… GENERAL BELLGARDE ATTEMPTS TO CUT OFF THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN +THE ARMY AND NAVY, BUT IS BEATEN, AND HIS CAMP ON SOURIER TAKEN … +HEAD-QUARTERS ESTABLISHED ON SOURIER … GENERAL ROCHAMBEAU SENDS +AN AID DE CAMP TO THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF … THE NAVY MAKE A ROAD, +AND DRAG THE GUNS TO THE HEIGHTS OF SOURIER.</p> + +<p>St. Pierre being now captured<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a>, +the enemy's strength was concentrated in one point at Forts Louis and +Bourbon: the latter is a work of late date, being built under the +directions of the present Marquis de Bouillé, and is a well planned as +well as strongly situated fortification; but in this mountainous country +it is hardly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +possible to find any spot that may not be commanded by some neighbouring +height, unless on the tops of the mountains, where it would be difficult +to procure water and provisions sufficient for the subsistence of an +army during a siege of any length. The town of Fort Royal is situated on +a flat and swampy ground, at the foot of the hill on which is Fort +Bourbon; and Fort Louis, the ancient strong-hold of this island, is on a +neck of land running into the sea, and forms one side of the Carénage, +an excellent harbour for shipping of all kinds.—The Admiral, from +the day he anchored in Fort Royal Bay, began a heavy cannonade on Fort +Louis. The Vesuvius bomb, commanded by Captain Sawyer, and under the +direction of Captain Suckling of the artillery, threw shells into the +fort from an eighteen-inch and twelve-inch mortar with great effect; and +as soon as the evening shut in, the gun-boats, attended by several +row-boats from the ships in the fleet (to assist in case of their being +sunk by the enemy's shot) moved towards the mouth of the Carénage, and +commenced a brisk fire on the fort, which was generally returned with +equal spirit; but, from the smallness of the object, and frequently +shifting their situation, they were less often hit than could have been +expected, considering that they constantly were within the range of +grape-shot, which fell in showers round them. Towards day-break they +returned to their respective ships.—In the night of February 15th, +the second and third companies of seamen, under the command of +Lieutenants Miln and Ogle, left the Boyne; and, with other seamen from +the fleet, the whole under command of Captain Rogers of the +Quebec,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> +landed at Cas Navire, and (occupying the posts that the troops under +Colonel Myers had that day quitted, to assist in the attack on St. +Pierre) formed a camp near Point Negro.—Our shipping having now, +by the capture of Pigeon Island, free ingress to Fort Royal bay, most of +the transports and store-ships, under convoy of his majesty's ships +Santa Margarita, Solebay, Nautilus, &c. got up into the Cul de sac +de Cohée, an harbour at the north-east end of the bay, from whence they +had a communication with the army under Sir Charles Grey, and where they +built a wharf to land provisions and stores; and a chain of posts was +established from thence to the heights of Bruno, on which duty the +fifteenth and twentieth regiments were employed.—On February 18th +in the morning, General Bellgarde moved with nearly his whole force from +his camp on the heights of Sourier, to attack the landing-place in the +Cul de sac de Cohée, and by that means to cut off the communication +between the army and the fleet. Sir Charles Grey, with that quickness of +perception that has rendered him so often useful to his country, +instantly perceived his design, and without loss of time ordered the +grenadiers, under the command of Colonel Buckridge, and the light +infantry, under that of Colonel Coote, to advance with the utmost +expedition, and attack Mons. Bellgarde's camp at Sourier; and detached a +strong corps from the heights of Bruno to support them. They began their +attack on the enemy in the wood; and having driven them from thence, +began to mount the rugged and almost inaccessible sides of the hill on +which Sourier was situated. The troops gallantly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +forced their way through every obstruction, and mounted the heights +under a heavy fire from the retreating enemy, whom they fairly drove up +the precipice, and gained the heights, where they found an excellent +dinner (provided for Bellgarde and his people) to refresh them after +their fatigue. Our loss in this affair<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> +was by no means so great as might have been expected, considering the +length of ground, and the many disadvantages under which our troops +engaged. While this was doing, General Sir Charles Grey cannonaded +Bellgarde from the camp at Bruno, whose troops soon retired in confusion +to their late camp at Sourier, which they found occupied by the British +grenadiers, who turned their own guns on them (consisting of three brass +field pieces), and drove them in confusion under the walls of Fort +Bourbon. Our soldiers could not now be restrained, but with an +impetuosity that General Prescott could not for the moment prevent, +advanced so near the fort, that the enemy opening a heavy fire of grape +shot on them, obliged them at length to retire with some loss to their +new acquisition on Sourier, a post which Sir Charles Grey had intended +to have attacked the following day, as being absolutely necessary to +enable him to carry on his plan of attack against Fort Bourbon, and +which the temerity of Bellgarde had thus put into his hands a day +sooner.—The whole business of this action was conducted in such a +manner, that each individual concerned partook<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> +of the glory of it; and when considered as to its utility, it was +perhaps one of the most fortunate, as well as the best conducted, +enterprises that happened throughout the campaign. The day after this +event General Rochambeau, who commanded in Fort Bourbon, sent an aid de +camp on board the Boyne, who went thence with Captain Grey to the +Commander in Chief at head quarters. The terms of capitulation that he +brought were, that the whole island should be delivered to the English +on condition that, in case Louis the Seventeenth should ever come to the +throne, it should be restored to him; if not, and the republic should be +established, it should be given up to that government. The Commander in +Chief returned for answer, 'that he came expressly to take this island +for his Britannic Majesty; and that he hoped to take all the French +islands in this quarter on the same account.'—The troops now +pitched their tents, and formed their camp on Sourier. General +Prescott's quarters were in this camp, where he commanded; and Sir +Charles Grey established his head quarters at a small distance in the +rear.—General Dundas having arranged every thing relative to the +government of St. Pierre, left Colonel Myers of the fifteenth regiment +with the battalions of the fifty-eighth and sixty-fifth regiments to +garrison that town, and on February 20th embarked with the grenadiers on +board the Veteran for Fort Royal Bay. The morning following they +disembarked in the Cul de sac de Cohée, and marched directly to head +quarters at Sourier, where they pitched their tents, and with regret +parted from General Dundas, their commander hitherto,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +who went to Camp la Coste to take the command of the light +infantry.—The artillery, artificers, and engineers, were now +busily employed in landing stores and ammunition preparatory to the +formation of the batteries necessary for the siege; in which business +they received great assistance from a body of seamen landed for that +purpose: three hundred of these brave fellows were landed at the wharf +in the Cul de sac Cohée from his majesty's ships Santa Margarita, +Captain Harvey, with his Lieutenants Woolley and Harrison; the Solebay, +Captain Kelly, with Lieutenants Carthew and Schomberg; and Nautilus +sloop, Captain Carpenter; with Lieutenant Bennet, Lieutenant Collins, +and a party of marines, from the Santa Margarita. They instantly began +to proceed with a twenty-four pounder and two six pounders<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> +towards Sourier. They halted with the twenty-four pounder that evening +on the side of the road between Fort Royal and the town of Lamantin, as +they were obliged to cut a road through a thick wood for nearly a mile. +The next day they completed the road, and also made a sort of bridge, or +rather passage, across a river, which at times was of considerable +depth, though fortunately there was now only four feet water in it. This +they effected by filling it up with large stones and branches of trees, +and then they proceeded with the twenty-four pounder and two eight-inch +howitzers, which they left that night in charge of a piquet from the +post above mentioned. On the third day they, to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +astonishment of the whole army, got a twenty-four pounder to the heights +of Sourier before the night shut in, and two howitzers within a mile of +it; and to add to the difficulty, a considerable part of that day was +employed in levelling the banks of the river that runs by Dillon's +plantation, and making it fordable, by removing immense stones and +fragments of rock. On the fourth day (notwithstanding they were obliged +to employ a considerable party in making the road more complete) they +got the two howitzers above mentioned, and two more twenty-four +pounders, to the heights of Sourier. The distance from the wharf to +those heights is near five miles; and when we consider that the road was +to be formed for near four miles of the way, one of which was through a +very thick wood, and that, as they approached the heights of Sourier, +for near a mile the road was so steep, that a loaded mule could not walk +directly up it, it seems scarce credible that so small a number as three +hundred men should be able to have undergone such severe fatigue, +considering the climate and the nature of the soil, which was a very +stiff clay, intermixed with large rock stones.—A few days after, a +reinforcement of seamen was landed from the Veteran, Captain Nugent, +with Lieutenants Leaf and Whitlock, and the Winchelsea, Lord Viscount +Garlies, with his Lieutenants Dixon and Watson; also Lieutenant +Treminere of the marines, with a sergeant's party. They took post by the +side of the road leading from Lamantin to Fort Royal, where the first +twenty-four pounder was halted.—The first party of seamen took +post on the banks of the river running past Dillon's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +plantation, at the foot of the heights of Sourier. But the Veteran being +wanted for other service, in the course of the week one hundred and +fifty men were reimbarked on board her, and the Winchelsea's crew joined +the former party. The compliments paid the seamen in general orders for +their spirited conduct, is a convincing proof that they never once +relaxed from their first exertions from the beginning of the siege to +the surrender of Fort Bourbon, a period of five weeks. Indeed their +astonishing exertions were almost beyond probability: after rain (which +in this climate is frequent) the steep parts of the road were so +slippery, that a man even with the greatest care would frequently slip +back ten and sometimes twenty feet at a time: but so determined were the +honest tars not to fail in what they undertook, that when once they set +out with their gun after a heavy rain, and they found it impossible to +keep their feet, they have crawled up as they dragged the twenty-four +pounder, and kept themselves from sliding back by sticking their fingers +in the ground. But among the many compliments paid the seamen, none +pleased them so much as having a battery appointed solely for them<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a>, +where they used to relieve one another by turns, without even an +additional allowance of grog as an encouragement. Sir Charles Grey +paid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> +the highest compliments to the zeal and ability with which the Admiral +seconded all his plans. Indeed there never was an instance in which two +commanders carried on a business of such importance so unalloyed by the +least difference in opinion, or jealousy of command: each strove to +prove his readiness to assist his friend and colleague; of course every +thing succeeded, and was carried on with a promptness of execution that +seldom has been equalled, never exceeded.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<p class="small blockquot">FORTS BOURBON AND LOUIS CLOSELY INVESTED +… BATTERIES ON THE FIRST PARALLEL ERECTED … THE SEAMEN +EMPLOYED IN GETTING GUNS TO THE BATTERIES ON THE WEST SIDE … A +DANGEROUS PASS DESCRIBED … CAPTAIN MILN MORTALLY WOUNDED; HE +DIES; HIS CHARACTER … BELLGARDE DELIVERS HIMSELF AND ARMY INTO +THE HANDS OF SIR CHARLES GREY … HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE EDWARD +ARRIVES, AND TAKES A COMMAND … BATTERIES OPENED AGAINST FORT +BOURBON … LIEUTENANT BOWEN'S SPIRITED CONDUCT … FORT LOUIS +TAKEN BY STORM … CAPTAIN FAULKNOR'S GALLANT CONDUCT … FORT +BOURBON SURRENDERS.</p> + +<p>From the 20th of February Forts Bourbon and Louis, with the town of Fort +Royal, were completely invested, and the General was busily employed in +erecting batteries on his first parallel. On the north-east side the +army under General Prescott broke ground on the 25th of February, and on +the west side towards La Coste (where Sir Charles Gordon commanded, +Prince Edward not having as yet arrived from Canada) fascine +batteries<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +for mortars and cannon were erecting with every possible expedition. In +this business the seamen, who formed a camp at Point Negro under Captain +Josias Rogers of the Quebec, eminently distinguished themselves; and +though the roads were not quite so bad as on the Sourier side, yet they +had many severe difficulties to encounter, that rendered dragging the +mortars and heavy ordnance to the batteries fatiguing and hazardous in a +great degree. Part of the way which they were obliged to go was in sight +of Fort Bourbon; soon after which they descended into a hollow way or +ravine, where a rivulet invited them to refresh themselves, and it was +with difficulty their officers could prevent them from slaking their +thirst at this stream, which crossed them at a time when the fatigue and +heat they sustained rendered the temptation almost irresistible, +especially to men fearless of danger, and thoughtless to a proverb. No +sooner did they begin to descend into this ravine, than the enemy threw +their shells with such judgment, that they frequently fell at the moment +our people were passing the rivulet. It was in the afternoon of the 22d +of February that Lieutenant James Miln of the Boyne was proceeding with +his company of seamen to relieve those who had been the fore-part of the +day at work on one of the advanced batteries, and having been observed +on his march by the enemy in Fort Bourbon, they as usual began to fire +their mortars into the ravine; Mr. Miln, who, added to the greatest +courage, possessed much prudence, was hurrying his men through this +dangerous pass, and was in the act of calling to two men who were +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +drinking at the rivulet (the rest of his company having passed on), when +a shell burst near him, carried off one of his legs, and shattered the +other in a dreadful manner. At the same time one of the men, who had +loitered, lost a leg. In this dreadful situation he was carried two +miles to Sir Charles Gordon's camp, before his wounds could be bound up, +and from thence to his own quarters at Point Negro, where he suffered +amputation of one leg. The next day the surgeon general of the navy went +to him from the Boyne, and finding his situation dangerous in the +extreme, having no better place than the ground, in an open sugar-house, +part of which was the head quarters of the naval officers, and being +within range of the enemy's guns, which frequently threw their shot and +shells over him, he was conveyed to the royal hospital at St. Pierre; +but from the loss of blood he had sustained, and the nature of the +climate, he was seized with the lock jaw, of which he died on Sunday the +9th of March, and the next day was buried in the garden of the hospital +with the honours of war, together with Lieutenants Spencer and +Rosehill<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> +of the Beaulieu, and Lieutenant Smith of the fifty-eighth regiment. The +burial service was performed by the Chaplain<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> +of the Boyne, and attended by Colonel Myers, commandant of St. Pierre, +Captain Salisbury of the Beaulieu, and the other naval and military +officers, and the principal English gentlemen who were in that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +town. The Admiral, who always distinguished merit, and rewarded it when +in his power, had promoted Mr. Miln<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> +to the command of the Avenger sloop, late Marseillois, taken at St. +Pierre.</p> + +<p>Bellgarde found it in vain to attempt any thing further, after his last +shameful defeat; and being with his black army shut out of Fort Bourbon +by General Rochambeau (who, when he retreated after the loss of his camp +on Sourier under cover of the fire of that fort, shut the gates against +him), he now determined to make the best bargain he could for himself; +and accordingly on the 25th of February sent a message to Sir Charles +Grey, offering to give up his army, on condition that himself, and +certain others that he named, should be permitted to go to America; +which request the Commander in Chief complied with; and on the 4th of +March, Bellgarde, with his secretary, a white man, by whose councils he +had always been guided, and eight people of colour, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +sailed in a schooner for America, whither he had taken the precaution at +various times to forward a quantity of wealth against any change of +circumstances should make such a retreat desirable<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a>.</p> + +<p>On Tuesday the 4th of March his Royal Highness Prince Edward arrived at +this island, and was received with a royal salute from the fleet. +Immediately he took the command of that brigade of the army encamped on +the Cas Navire side, and at La Coste, which had hitherto been under the +direction of Sir Charles Gordon<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a>.—Intelligence +having reached the Commander in Chief that a number of brigands, +composed of some runaways from Bellgarde's army, and other wretches, had +committed many depredations and murders, pillaging and burning houses +and villages in several parts of the island; he dispatched a detachment +of the fifteenth regiment, commanded by Lord Sinclair, with a party of +the Prince of Wales's light dragoons, commanded by Lieut. Shadwell, and +conducted by Captain Cunningham (one of his Excellency's aid de camps), +who surprised one hundred and fifty of these people in the act of +burning and plundering the village of Francois<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a>. +At the first charge the enemy were routed, thirty-six of them, with +their chief (who was cut down by a dragoon), were killed, and four taken +prisoners, who were instantly hung up, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +deter others from such infamous acts as had been committed by these +miscreants.—Every preparation was now made for opening our +batteries against Fort Bourbon, which were constructed only about eight +hundred paces from the fort, and about six hundred in front of our own +lines. These batteries would have been constructed much sooner, but, +owing to the heavy rains that fell almost constantly, and which, at this +season of the year, were unusual, the works had been greatly retarded, +and the difficulties encreased. On the morning of the 6th of March, +every thing being ready for a heavy cannonade, Sir Charles Grey sent a +flag of truce with a summons to the garrison to surrender, which was +refused by General Rochambeau. Accordingly, at day-break on the 7th (the +gun-boats having as usual attacked Fort Louis during the night) mortars, +howitzers, and great guns, opened from five batteries at the same +instant, keeping up an incessant fire on the fort and advanced redoubt +the whole of that day and the night, from each of which it was returned +with equal fury. All the following day the same spirited attack and +defence was continued. On the 9th the enemy made a sortie <span +class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was +'fron'.">from</span> the fort, and attacked the advanced picquet from the camp +at La Coste, composed of part of the third battalion of light infantry, +and some sailors under command of Captain Faulknor of the Zebra. After +an engagement of some length the enemy gave way, and were imprudently +followed by our troops under the guns of the fort; by this excess of +ardour we lost some men, while the enemy suffered but little. The +gun-boats and Vesuvius now kept up a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +constant fire from Fort Royal Bay: in the former two seamen were killed +by grape, and part of the head of the bomb ketch was shot away. On the +13th a melancholy accident occurred in one of our batteries, which was +formed and manned entirely by seamen. Captain Faulknor of the Zebra, who +commanded in it, being provoked by the interference of an officer of +artillery in the works which one of the seamen of the Asia was employed +in, and the sailor not obeying him with alacrity, was provoked to strike +him with his sword, which unfortunately wounded him mortally, and he +died in a few minutes. Captain Faulknor was acquitted by the court +martial that was instantly summoned by the Admiral to investigate the +matter; and the circumstance of its happening in the heat of action, +when the least disobedience of orders involves the most fatal +consequences, as well, as that it appeared there was no premeditated +intention of killing the unfortunate man, but was a blow given from the +impulse of momentary passion; the sentence was confirmed and +approved.—From this time the siege was carried on with unremitted +exertion by night and day; shot and shells were constantly flying, and +new batteries daily constructed; so that our advanced batteries were at +length brought within five hundred yards of the fort, and not more than +two hundred from the redoubt: the latter indeed was so battered, that it +might with ease have been stormed; but the General knew that a mine +which communicated from the fort would involve in certain destruction +all who attempted so desperate an action; and therefore preferred the +more sure means of success, by regular<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +and methodical approaches. On Monday the 17th of March two new batteries +opened on Fort Louis from Point Carriere, a neck of land that forms the +south-west side of the Carénage, and not more than two hundred yards +across the mouth of that harbour to the walls of the fort; one of these +was commanded by Captain Riou<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> +of the Rose.—The French had a fine frigate called the Bienvenu, +which was anchored in the centre of the Carénage, on board of which it +was reported a number of English prisoners were confined, and were +consequently exposed to the fire of our batteries. Lieut. Bowen of the +Boyne formed a resolution to extricate his countrymen from their +perilous situation; and having obtained the Admiral's permission, and +approbation of his plan, at noon he boldly pushed into the harbour from +Point Carriere, where he had collected his boats destined for the +enterprise, well manned by tried and determined seamen. The instant he +appeared round the point, the enemy prepared to give him a warm +reception. The walls of Fort Louis were covered in an instant with +troops, which kept up an incessant fire of musquetry on him; at the same +time the frigate endeavoured to keep him off, by plying both her great +guns and small arms; but at length, intimidated by the boldness of the +attempt, they fled from their quarters, and Mr. Bowen at the head of his +men boarded the frigate, and took the captain, officers, and crew of her +prisoners without resistance. All this time the enemy in the fort +continued to pour vollies of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +grape and musketry on the frigate, which was returned with great spirit +by the British seamen, who now turned their own guns upon them, and +would have brought her out of the harbour, but the sails being all +unbent, it was impossible in such a situation to bend them: the +tri-coloured flag, which was fastened to the gaff of the mizen, they +were not able to strike, though a sailor had the audacity to go aloft +for that purpose, scorning the musketry of the enemy. Mr. Bowen, seeing +no chance of getting the ship out of the harbour, and finding that the +English prisoners were in another vessel further up, from whence it was +rendered impossible to release them, contented himself with securing the +officers and crew of the frigate, whom he brought off, in spite of every +effort made by the republicans to prevent him. As the bullets were +flying thick around him, he suffered the Frenchmen to lie down in the +bottom of the boats, that they might not be killed by their own +countrymen; a very different conduct from what they had observed to our +people who were in the same situation<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a>. +In this business he lost only three men killed, and four or five +wounded. The success of this enterprise gave the Commanders in Chief +confidence, that a spirited attack by land and sea on Fort Louis would +succeed. Accordingly the Admiral ordered a number of bamboos of thirty +feet long to be cut and made into scaling ladders, connected with strong +line. The gun-boats and row-boats were collected in the bay round the +Point Carriere, and the sailors' camp at Point Negro, with Prince +Edward's camp at La<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +Coste and Cas Navire, held themselves in readiness to co-operate in the +grand attack. The navy to be employed in this business was under the +immediate direction of Commodore Thompson. On Thursday the 20th of +March, before day-break, the third battalion of grenadiers, commanded by +Lieutenant Colonel Buckridge, and the first battalion of light infantry, +commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Coote, marched by the hill on which Fort +Bourbon is situated from the camp on Sourier, unperceived by the enemy, +and took a position that gave them the command of the bridge that +connected the town of Fort Royal to the road leading up to that fort, +the batteries on the second parallel being ready, those on Morne +Tortenson and Point Carriere kept up a well-directed and heavy fire on +Fort Louis, and all the other batteries cannonaded Fort Bourbon during +the whole of the day and night of the 19th instant, and on the morning +also, till about ten o'clock, when the Asia of 64 guns, Captain Browne, +and the Zebra sloop of 16 guns, Captain R. Faulknor, got under way. The +Zebra led in towards the mouth of the harbour, receiving the fire of +grape and round, without returning a shot: the Asia had got within the +range of grape shot, when, to the surprise of every body, she wore and +made sail from the fort<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a>. +The Admiral, Sir John Jervis, had previously made the signal for the +rest of the fleet to be ready to second the attempt of these two ships, +by loosing the topsails of the Boyne, and lying at single anchor +ready<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> +to slip and run in; on perceiving the Asia was foiled in her attempt, +and supposing, as she was under a heavy fire from the fort, that either +Captain Browne was killed, or that some other desperate accident had +happened, he instantly dispatched Captain George Grey of the Boyne to +take the command of the Asia, and if he could not get in, to run her +aground under the walls of the fort. Captain Grey soon returned, and +brought the pleasing intelligence that not a man was hurt on board of +the Asia. She then stood in again, and again put about, when near the +mouth of the harbour, and sailed from it. Captain Faulknor, seeing that +he stood no chance of being seconded by the Asia, and being all this +time under a dreadful fire from Fort Louis, boldly pushed in towards +that fort, still reserving his fire till he came close to the walls of +it; and then running his ship aground, plying his small arms and great +guns, he drove the enemy from thence, and leaping into a boat, scaled +the ramparts. Seeing the Zebra go in, all the boats with scaling +ladders, attended by the gun-boats, seemed to fly towards the scene of +action. Those from Point Carriere mounted the walls near where Captain +Faulknor had so gallantly run his ship, and seconding him, drove the +enemy out of the fort, hauled down the republican flag, and hoisted the +British union in its stead<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a>. +The storming party of seamen from the camp at Point Negro, under Captain +Rogers, landed at the town of Fort Royal, of which they soon took +possession, being aided by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +the first battalion of grenadiers, under Lieutenant Colonel Stewart, and +third light infantry, under Lieutenant Colonel Close, from Prince +Edward's camp at La Coste.—While this was doing, Lieutenant +Colonel Coote kept up a heavy fire of musketry on the bridge and road, +over which the enemy were retreating to throw themselves into Fort +Bourbon; and Captain de Revigne covering the attack of the infantry by a +well-directed fire of some field pieces, the whole action was so +eminently successful in every part, that it is hard to say where was the +greatest glory, every one performing the service allotted to him in so +excellent a manner. General Rochambeau, seeing that all resistance would +now be useless, Fort Royal, his grand depôt of provisions and +ammunition, being lost, sent a flag to General Grey, offering terms of +capitulation; and commissioners being named, who met at the house of +Madame Dillon to arrange the preliminary articles of it, the terms were +finally adjusted and agreed to on the 22d instant; and the ratification +thereof being signed by the Commanders in Chief on both sides, on the +23d following, at four o'clock in the afternoon, his Royal Highness +Major General Prince Edward took possession of both gates of the fort +with the first and third battalions of grenadiers, and first and third +light infantry. On Tuesday the 25th of March, 1794, the garrison marched +out of Fort Bourbon, to the number of nine hundred men; and being +allowed the honours of war for their gallant<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> +defence,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +they marched down the hill with their colours flying; and laying down +their arms on the parade of Fort Royal, were embarked on board of ships +which took them immediately to France. Our troops, both army and that +part of the navy that had served (during the siege) on shore, lined the +road as the enemy passed; and entering the fort, they struck the French +and hoisted the British colours, changing the name from Fort Bourbon to +Fort George, in compliment to our gracious Sovereign, which it now +bears, and Fort Louis bears the name of Fort Edward.—At the +commencement of the siege the garrison of Fort Bourbon consisted of one +thousand two hundred men, which were reduced to nine hundred at the +conclusion of it. Five stands of colours laid down by the garrison, and +two colours of Fort Bourbon, were brought to England by Major Grey, +second son of his Excellency the Commander in Chief, and presented by +him (with the dispatches) to his Majesty, who ordered them to be hung up +in the Cathedral of St. Paul, as a lasting memorial of the gallant +action atchieved by Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis, and their +brave forces<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a>; +by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +which one of the most valuable of the French islands in the West Indies +was added to the British dominions, possessing (besides great revenues +and prodigious sources of wealth) one of the finest harbours in the +world, in which the whole British fleet might safely anchor.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h3>ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION OF FORT BOURBON.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>On the 21st of March, 1794, by order of their Excellencies Sir Charles +Grey, K. B. General and Commander in Chief of his Britannic Majesty's +forces in the West Indies, &c. &c. &c. and Vice Admiral Sir +John Jervis, K. B. commanding his Majesty's fleet, &c. &c. +Commodore C. Thompson, Colonel R. Symes, and Captain J. Conyngham, met +at Dillon's house to receive proposals of capitulation for Fort Bourbon, +from Colonel d'Aucourt, Captain Dupriret, and Gaschet Dumaine, jun. +nominated Commissioners for that purpose by General Rochambeau.</p> + +<p><i>The following</i> <span class="smcap">Articles</span> <i>were +proposed, discussed, and modified, at a second conference held at Fort +Royal on the 22d of March, 1794</i>.</p> + +<p>Article I. The garrison, composed of the troops of the line, artillery, +gunners of the marine, and national guard, shall march out with colours +flying, thirty rounds a man, and two field pieces with twelve +rounds.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> The colony of Martinique, +already reduced by the arms of his Britannic Majesty, and the forts and +towns of St. Pierre and Fort Royal taken with sword in hand, General +Rochambeau can only capitulate for Fort Bourbon, and what it +contains.—Granted. But they are to lay down their arms at a place +appointed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +and not to serve against his Britannic Majesty, or his allies, during +the present war.</p> + +<p>II. Three months pay to be allowed to the troops of the +line.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> No pay will be given. All their effects will be +allowed them; and they will be provided with whatever may be necessary +for their voyage to France.</p> + +<p>III. The thirty-seventh regiment, formerly Marshal Turenne's, shall keep +their colours and arms.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> Refused, being contrary to all +customs of war. The officers may keep their swords.</p> + +<p>IV. They shall be furnished with ships to carry them to +France.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> Granted.</p> + +<p>V. The emigrants, who have returned to Martinique, shall not be present +where the garrison lay down their arms or embark.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> Granted.</p> + +<p>VI. Such persons of the national guard, who can give proofs of their property, +shall be permitted to remain in the island, giving that property as +security for their conduct.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> Those of the national guard in Fort +Bourbon who have affairs to settle, and whose sojourn may not be deemed +dangerous to the colony, may remain according to the declaration of the +General, dated January 1, 1794.</p> + +<p>Such as wish to go to France shall be allowed, leaving their agents here.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> +Granted.</p> + +<p>VII. Persons not included in the above article, who are compelled to return +to France, shall be allowed a certain time to settle their affairs.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> +A proper time shall be allowed: fifteen days at least.</p> + +<p>VIII. Persons belonging to the garrison of Fort Convention, possessing no +landed property, but who exercised some profession or trade previous to the +present capitulation, shall be allowed to continue their trade or calling; nor +sent to France, provided their future conduct should not make such a measure +necessary.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> They are regarded in the same predicament with +those in Article VI.</p> + +<p>IX. The legal regulations of the constituted authorities shall be confirmed.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> +Refused.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +X. The code of civil judicature in force through the island shall be continued +for the space of two years.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> Granted, till his Britannic Majesty's +pleasure be known.</p> + +<p>XI. The property of owners and captains of ships shall be secured to +them on board and on shore.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> Granted, as to their property +in Fort Bourbon.</p> + +<p>XII. The inhabitants of St. Pierre, embarked on English ships, shall be set +at liberty, and their property, under seal, secured to them.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> This +article cannot come within the present capitulation. The claimants may apply +to the commanders of the fleet and army.</p> + +<p>XIII. The ordonateur and officers of administration shall have permission +and time to regulate their accounts, and to take with them the papers relative +to that end.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> Granted.</p> + +<p>XIV. There shall be an entire and absolute oblivion of the past, and +an end to all animosities.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> Granted, according to the proclamations.</p> + +<p>XV. The rights of free citizens inrolled in the national guard shall be preserved.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> +Refused.</p> + +<p>XVI. The liberty of individuals composing the companies of l'Enclume, +d'Octavius, de la Croire, and de Pontouur, shall be confirmed.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> +Refused. The slaves must be restored to their owners.</p> + +<p>XVII. A period shall be fixed for the taking possession of the fort, and the +necessary time allowed for the garrison to take out their effects.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> +The two gates of Fort Bourbon to be delivered up to the troops of his Britannic +Majesty immediately after the exchange of the present articles. The +garrison will march out at the great gate, and be conducted to the place appointed +for each corps, by the commissioners who have managed the present +capitulation, and will lay down their arms at the place of their embarkation. +Three days will be allowed for the evacuation of the fort, and the commissaries +of artillery and stores will remain in the forts to take inventories of all +the magazines.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +XVIII. The greatest attention shall be paid to the sick and wounded; and +they shall be furnished with ships to carry them to France as they recover.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> +Granted; but at the expence of the French government, and +to be attended by their own surgeons; if not sufficient for the purpose, surgeons +shall be furnished.</p> + +<p>XIX. General Rochambeau, immediately upon the surrender of the fort, +shall be at liberty to take his measures for his return to France. A frigate to +be furnished him, his aides de camp, secretaries, and suite.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> A +commodious vessel shall be allowed to General Rochambeau, with the necessary +passports for his safe return to France.</p> + +<p>XX. The effects, trunks, chests, private papers, and all that General +Rochambeau shall declare to belong to himself and suite, shall be put under +the protection of an English guard, when the troops of that nation shall have +taken possession of Fort Convention, and shall be embarked with him.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> +Granted.</p> + +<p>XXI. The civil ordonateur, or intendant of the colony, shall have liberty +also, with the officers of administration, comptroller and treasurer, with those +employed in the public offices at St. Pierre and Fort Royal, to return to +France.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> Granted.</p> + +<p>XXII. The same demands made by General Rochambeau in Art. XX. shall +be granted to the intendant and those under him.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> Granted.</p> + +<p>XXIII. All papers of accounts in the forts or town shall be carefully collected +by the principals of each department to which they belong, and embarked +in the same ship with the ordonateur.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> All papers, not +essential to be left in the colony, shall be given, and free access to take authentic +copies of such as it may be thought necessary to retain.</p> + +<p>XXIV. Captains and officers of merchant ships, who have not settled their +affairs, shall be allowed time to do so. The former the space of four months, +the latter of two months, under the protection of the commander of his Britannic +Majesty's forces, that they may recover their debts; after which they will +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +procure the readiest passage to whatever place may be expedient for their affairs, +with passports from the English commanders.—<span class="smcap">Answer.</span> Granted.</p> + +<p><i>Additional Article.</i> Fort Bourbon to be delivered up to his Britannic Majesty +in its present state, with no deterioration of its batteries, mines, magazines +of artillery or provisions, and every thing it contains which is not the +private property of the garrison.</p> + +<p style="font-size:70%;">Fort Royal, March 22, 1794.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">Signed.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">D'Aucourt.</span><br /><span class="smcap">Gaschet</span>, Fils.<br /><span class="smcap">Dupriret.</span></td><td></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">C. Thompson.<br />Rich. Symes.<br />John Conyngham.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Approved by me,</td><td> </td><td align="center">Approved by us,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><span class="smcap">Dte. Rochambeau</span><br />Commander in Chief<br />of the<br />French West India Islands.</td><td></td><td class="smcap" align="left">Charles Grey.<br />John Jervis.</td></tr> +</table></div> +</div> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>On the 21st of March Captain Faulknor was promoted from the Zebra sloop +to the command of the Bienvenue French frigate of 40 guns, taken in the +Carénage of Fort Royal, and which was now named the Undaunted by the +Admiral, to express the greatness of that action, which finished the +capture of the whole island. At the same time Lieutenant Bowen was +promoted to the command of the Zebra sloop, for his gallant conduct on +the 17th instant, as well as at various other times.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> +The gun-boats, which by the French were called "Les Petit Diables," were +of infinite service, and gained the officers commanding them immortal +credit, by the steady and well-directed fire they kept up constantly, +both night and day, on Fort Louis; and though continually exposed to an +heavy fire both of grape and round shot, their loss was small, not more +than four killed and wounded, during the siege. The several ships of the +line contributed their aid, by sending row-boats armed to attend them in +case of accident.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<p class="small blockquot">GENERAL PRESCOTT IS LEFT GOVERNOR OF +MARTINIQUE … THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF SAIL FOR ST. LUCIA … +GENERAL DUNDAS LANDS NEAR PIGEON ISLAND … THE FLEET ANCHORS AT +MARIGOT DE ROSSEAUX … PRINCE EDWARD LANDS WITH THE GRENADIERS, +AND MARCHES TOWARDS MORNE FORTUNE … COLONEL COOTE LANDS WITH THE +LIGHT INFANTRY … THE FLEET ANCHORS IN BARRINGTON'S BAY … +COLONEL COOTE STORMS A REDOUBT ON THE MORNE … GENERAL RICARD +SURRENDERS THE ISLAND … COLONEL SIR CHARLES GORDON LEFT GOVERNOR +OF ST. LUCIA … THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF SAIL TO MARTINIQUE.</p> + +<p>His Excellency the Commander in Chief, having left Lieutenant General +Prescott to command at Martinique, with the fifteenth, thirty-ninth, +fifty-eighth, sixty-fourth, and seventieth regiments to garrison that +island, on the 30th of March he embarked the following troops on board +his Majesty's ships in the bay of Fort Royal, viz. the brigade of +grenadiers, commanded by his Royal Highness Prince Edward; the brigade +of light infantry, under command of Major General Dundas; and the sixth, +ninth, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> +forty-third regiments, commanded by Colonel Sir Charles Gordon; with +engineers under Colonel Dornford, and a detachment of Royal artillery, +with some light ordnance, under Lieutenant Colonel Paterson.—On +the 31st the Admiral made the signal for the fleet to sail by eleven A. +M. and by half past nine the next morning was off the north part of the +island of St. Lucia, where he lay to for the rest of the fleet that had +fallen to leeward. Every thing having been previously arranged between +the General and Admiral, they effected three different landings on the +island with little resistance, and no loss. By half past one P. M. Major +General Dundas's division, consisting of the third battalion of light +infantry, under Lieutenant Colonel Close, and conducted by Captains +Kelly and Lord Garlies of the navy, made good their landing at Ance du +Cap, not far from Le Gros Islet<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a>; +and the second light infantry, under Lieutenant Colonel Blundell, +conducted by Commodore Thompson, at Ance du Chocque, who were ordered to +join the first column, taking the enemy's batteries in reverse, and to +occupy a position for the purpose of investing the works of Morne +Fortuné on the side of the Carénage; all which, notwithstanding a sharp +fire kept up by the enemy from several small batteries, was executed by +General Dundas with his usual spirit and abilities. As the Boyne and the +rest of the fleet passed along the coast they received the fire of many +small forts and batteries, without returning it; and though considerably +within the range of their shot, which passed over and through their +sails and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> +rigging, not a man was hurt in any of them. At four P. M. the fleet +anchored in twenty fathom water, within a cable's length of the shore, +at Marigot de Rofeaux; at which place his Royal Highness Prince Edward +with the grenadiers landed about six o'clock in the evening, under the +immediate direction of the Admiral, and began their march soon after. At +night they halted on the heights opposite to Morne Fortuné, from which +they were separated by the Grand Cul de Sac, or Barrington's Bay. Soon +after sun-set, Lieutenant Colonel Coote, with the first battalion of +light infantry, landed from the Boyne at Ance de la Tocque, proceeded to +and took the four-gun battery of Ciceron, investing Morne Fortuné on +that side; at the same time covering Cul de Sac, or Barrington's Bay, +for the entrance of our fleet, which anchored there the next morning, +being the 2d of April. This morning early the Prince dispatched two +companies of grenadiers, with Lieutenant Smyth of the 7th regiment, his +brigade major, to attack two batteries on the coast, which they found +evacuated, with the tri-coloured flag still flying; this they brought +off with them, and spiked the guns. Sir Charles Grey, visiting the +Prince's quarters, found his men were halted in a very swampy and +unhealthy place, and ordered them to change their ground, and move on to +a house at the bottom of Morne Fortuné, which they performed that night +without any loss, though part of their road (near a mile in length) was +exposed to the fire of the fort on the Morne, as also of a little +two-gun battery on a point of land under the fort, which, as they passed +the ravine at the head of the Grand Cul de Sac, played<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> +upon them with round shot and grape: however, the distance was too great +for any mischief to happen from the latter. In their march they had to +pass a swampy thicket of plantain trees, which concealed them from the +view of the enemy, who nevertheless kept up a constant fire of random +shot; and though the distance was now very trifling, and the cannonade +extremely heavy for a long time, not a man was killed, and a few only +slightly hurt by the splinters of stones and rock which flew in great +plenty round them.—Early in the morning of the 3d of April, +Lieutenant Colonel Coote, with four light companies, stormed a redoubt +and two batteries close to the enemy's principal work on the Morne, and +killed two officers and thirty men, made one prisoner (a surgeon), and +liberated one British seaman from captivity: he then spiked six pieces +of cannon, and fell back to Morne Ferré, where he established his +quarters<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a>. +The Commander in Chief now determined to carry the works on Morne +Fortuné by assault, and accordingly a plan was formed for a general +attack to be made on it the next morning by the troops which now +invested it, aided by a party of seamen under command of Lord Garlies: +but General Ricard, perceiving the determined behaviour of our troops, +prevented the plan being put in execution, by agreeing to terms of +capitulation, which had been offered by Sir Charles Grey, who +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> +had sent in Major Maitland with a flag of truce to summon the garrison +to surrender. The gates of the fort were put into our possession the +same evening by nine o'clock. On the 4th the enemy marched out of the +fort, with the honours of war, to the glacis, where they piled their +arms, and were embarked on board of transports, which conveyed them to +France, under conditions that they should not serve against his +Britannic Majesty during the war<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a>. +When his Royal Highness Prince Edward marched into the fort of Morne +Fortuné, and hoisted the British colours, he changed its name to Fort +Charlotte, in honour of his august parent.—Major Maitland had been +dispatched to Pigeon Island with a summons, which, by order of General +Ricard, was delivered up to his Majesty's troops on the same terms as +the Morne. The Commander in Chief left the sixth and ninth regiments, +with detachments of artillery and engineers, as a garrison for this +island, under the command of Colonel Sir Charles Gordon, who was +appointed governor till his Majesty's pleasure was known.</p> + +<p>The island of St. Lucia had its name from the day, dedicated to the +virgin martyr St. Lucia, on which it was discovered. It is about six +leagues south of Martinique, and twenty-one north-west from Barbadoes: +it is fifteen miles long, and eleven broad; is very hilly, and covered +in a great many places with thick woods, of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> +whose timber the planters of Martinique and the neighbouring islands +build their houses and mills. The fustic and cocoa tree is found here +also in great abundance. This island has frequently changed its masters, +being alternately possessed by the French and English: it has many good +bays and harbours, and is well watered by several fine clear rivers. Two +of the mountains are said to have been volcanos. Morne Fortuné is a high +hill which overhangs Basse Terre, the principal town of the island. On +the summit of the Morne is a fortification, as yet unfinished; by nature +it is very strong, but art has done little for it; for, when the +outworks fall, the fort is incapable of withstanding a siege. We found +but little ammunition or military stores, and one small uncovered tank +was the only reservoir for water. Here is also a Pigeon Island, which is +called by the French Gros Islet, and is so strongly fortified both by +nature and art, that if it was well supplied with provisions and stores, +would be capable of braving a very formidable attack. The bay of the +Grand Cul de Sac is a fine harbour for ships of any size to ride in, +during the hurricane months.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant D'Arcy Preston, being promoted from a lieutenancy in the +Boyne to the command of the Rattlesnake sloop of war, sailed for England +this day, carrying Captain Mason, one of the aid de camps of the +Commander in Chief, and Captain Parker of the Blanche, with an account +of the further success of his Majesty's arms in the reduction of the +island of St. Lucia<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a>, +happily effected without the loss of a single man, though there had been +a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> +good deal of cannonading from the enemy's batteries and works. The flank +battalions being reimbarked on board of their respective ships, and Sir +Charles Grey with his suite being as usual with the Admiral on board the +Boyne, the whole fleet weighed and made sail from this island by eight +in the morning of the 5th of April, and by nine at night they anchored +in Fort Royal harbour, Martinique. Thus, in the short period of +something more than two months, by the efforts of this army and navy, +inconsiderable indeed in numbers, but united in an ardent desire to +prove themselves faithful to their country, and strenuous to defend and +promote her welfare, and increase her consequence, was the British +standard a second time hoisted on the walls of a republican fortress, +and another island added to the British dominions.</p> + +<p>To provide for the future order and good government of their conquests +was now the task of Sir Charles Grey and his friend and colleague, Sir +John Jervis; and as, in the attainment of them, their hearts and +counsels were in unison, so in this most arduous business were their +united exertions employed to establish a system of government for the +conquered islands, which might be equally serviceable to their country, +as conciliatory to the minds of the newly acquired subjects of it; but +at a moment like this, when they were pushing on from one field of +conflict and glory to another, it was impossible to render any system of +government perfect; they therefore thought that the best mode would be +to leave them a government which appeared to have been most desired by +the majority of the people, and which agreed better with our own forms +than the wild confusion of democratic and revolutionary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> +power. Accordingly, they for the present left them in the exercise of +their accustomed laws, such as they had been at the happiest period of +their own government, and which appeared best calculated to forward a +system of confidence among their own order, and to prepare them for that +form of government (we from experience know the blessings of, and) which +unquestionably, on the same experience, would become earnestly desired +by all ranks of people. To further also the desirable object of +conciliating the minds of the conquered by an act of moderation and +indulgence, the conduct of all civil affairs<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> +was principally entrusted to those whose influence in the colony pointed +them out as proper to be confided in; and whilst every tendency to +licentiousness would be checked by the vigorous direction of General +Prescott under his military government, the former courts, for the +administration of justice agreeable to the laws and customs before the +revolution, were allowed to go on, that the affections and gratitude of +his majesty's new subjects might in the surest manner be attached and +secured. However an arrangement of officers, guided by the constitution +of the other British colonies, was not neglected, and accordingly +several nominations were made and transmitted home for approval. St. +Lucia was left in the same state, as to its government, as Martinique.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<p class="small blockquot">EXPEDITION AGAINST GUADALOUPE … THE +ISLES DE SAINTS ATTACKED AND TAKEN … THE BOYNE AND VETERAN ANCHOR +OFF GROZIER … THE TROOPS LAND UNDER COVER OF THE WINCHELSEA +FRIGATE … CAPTAIN LORD GARLIES WOUNDED … FORT FLEUR D'EPEE +TAKEN BY STORM … FORT LOUIS AND THE TOWN OF POINT A PITRE TAKEN +… CASUALTIES … GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ISLAND.</p> + +<p>On Tuesday the 8th of April, the fleet<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a>, +having the Commander in Chief on board, with the remainder of the forces +which were not left to garrison the two islands of Martinique and St. +Lucia, weighed anchor by seven o'clock A. M. and sailed from the bay of +Fort Royal on an expedition against Guadaloupe (the troops having been +previously shifted from the men of war to the transports). The Admiral +detached Captain Rogers in the Quebec frigate, Captain Faulknor in the +Blanche, Captain Incledon in the Ceres, and Captain Scott in the Rose, +to attack a cluster of small islands called the Saints, lying between +Dominique and Guadaloupe,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> +which they executed with much spirit and gallantry: having landed a +party of their seamen and marines, they carried them without any loss on +their part, on the morning of the 10th instant; and when the fleet +arrived the same morning off the islands, they had the satisfaction of +perceiving the union flag hoisted on their two commanding batteries. +These islands are valued principally on account of a small harbour, +where a few ships of war may ride in safety during the hurricane months; +and also that they overlook a good deal of the coast of Basse +Terre.—About noon on the 10th of April the Boyne and Veteran +anchored in the bay of Point à Pitre, off the village of Grozier, and +some more of the fleet in the course of the afternoon; but a fresh wind +and lee current prevented most of the transports from getting in till +the day after. Without waiting however for the arrival of all the +troops, the General determined to land those that were with him, +immediately; and accordingly the first and second battalions of +grenadiers, one company of the forty-third regiment, fifty marines, and +four hundred seamen detached by the Admiral, under the command of +Captain George Grey of the Boyne, made good their landing by one o'clock +in the morning of the 11th, under a severe fire from Fort Fleur d'Epée, +and a three-gun battery at Grozier. As it was impossible for them to +land without the latter being silenced, Lord Garlies in the Winchelsea +was ordered on that service, which he performed in a masterly manner, +laying his ship within half-musket shot of the battery, as near indeed +as the depth of water would allow him to approach; and after a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> +smart fire for some time on both sides, he drove them from their guns, +and the troops then effected their landing without any loss. In this +business, though every shot from the battery hit some part of the +Winchelsea, cutting the masts and rigging, Lord Garlies was the only man +wounded, receiving a bad contusion in his face. Some more of the troops +having arrived on the 11th, the General, perceiving the enemy to be in +considerable force at the strong post of Fort Fleur d'Epée, determined +to attack them without loss of time, and accordingly arranged his plans +in the following order: the first division, under command of his Royal +Highness Prince Edward, consisting of the first and second battalions of +grenadiers and one hundred of the naval battalion, was to attack the +post on Morne Mascot, an height within musket-shot of the fort; the +second division, commanded by Major General Dundas, consisting of the +first and second battalions of light infantry, and one hundred of the +naval battalion, to attack the fort of Fleur d'Epée in the rear, and to +cut off its communication with Fort Louis and Point à Pitre; and the +third division, commanded by Colonel Symes, consisting of the third +battalion of grenadiers and the third battalion of light infantry, and +the remainder of the naval battalions, to proceed by the road on the +sea-side to co-operate with Major General Dundas. The soldiers were +particularly directed not to fire, but trust solely to the bayonet; and +the seamen, who were commanded by Captain Nugent and Captain Faulknor, +to use their pikes and swords; all which was most scrupulously obeyed; +the several divisions having marched earlier, according<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +to the distance they had to go, that they might commence the attack at +the same instant. The signal for the attack, which was a gun from the +Boyne, was given by the Admiral at five o'clock in the morning of the +12th. The troops moved forward with the most determined intrepidity. As +they advanced to the first picquet the alarm was given; the out-posts +were driven in, or put to death; and in an instant the sides of the hill +on which the fort was situated were covered by our people, who scrambled +up, under a most tremendous discharge of grape shot and musketry: some +sailors jumped into the embrasures, driving the enemy before: the +soldiers, who had reached the gates, at length succeeded in forcing them +open, and a scene of dreadful conflict took place: the enemy still +continuing to make a stout resistance, were put to the sword in great +numbers; at length, as many as could escape through the gates and +embrasures, or by leaping over the walls, fled with the utmost +precipitation towards the town of Point à Pitre. Our victorious troops +soon followed, driving them across the Carénage to Basse Terre, whither +they and several of the inhabitants made their escape in boats, before +the Ceres and two gun-boats could get into the Carénage to cut off their +retreat, though this service was performed by Captain Incledon with the +greatest alertness. With Fleur d'Epée fell Hog Island, and Fort Louis, +an old fortification commanding the entrance into the harbour of Point à +Pitre, which town also was taken possession of at the same time by Sir +Charles Grey. Our loss in this action was considerable, in proportion to +the smallness of our numbers, being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> +fifty-four killed and wounded; the enemy lost in all two hundred and +fifty. Fort Fleur d'Epée is strongly situated on the summit of a hill, +two sides of which are towards the sea, from whence it has a very +formidable appearance; but being commanded by Morne Mascot, when that +falls into the power of an enemy it is of little consequence. On the +brow of the hill, a little below the fort, is an half-moon battery, +which commands a great distance along the coast. Among the many +accidents worth notice, I beg leave to mention the following, which I +hope will be a striking instance (among many of the same kind which have +happened this war) that it behoves all our people serving on shore, +whether military or naval, to be distinguished by red dresses. The +French, as well as several other continental troops, are dressed in +blue; of course, in the confusion of an assault, especially if it +happens before day-break, a seaman's blue jacket may, and I am convinced +often has, been the cause of his death by the hands of his own +countrymen. A seaman of the Boyne, belonging to the first company, +expressing a wish that he might have an opportunity of lowering the +French flag, and hoisting our own; and being a remarkably fine fellow, +was pitched upon to carry the union flag on this attack for that +purpose, in case the fort should be taken; and accordingly it was +wrapped in many folds round him, and he was to defend it as well as he +could. When he approached the fort, the first object that attracted his +notice was the flag-staff, and, regardless of every danger, he rushed +forward, pike in hand; and having once got into the fort, away he ran to +the desired spot, and had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> +already struck the tri-coloured flag, and was endeavouring to disengage +himself from his wrapper, in order to hoist that in its stead, when some +soldiers coming suddenly round the corner of a building, and taking him +for one of the enemy, in an instant attacked him, and he fell severely +wounded before they discovered their mistake. I am happy however to add, +that the poor fellow, by the care and skill of Mr. Weir, the +surgeon-general<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> +of the navy, recovered sufficiently to shew, before the end of the +campaign, that his courage was undiminished by the +accident.—Captain Faulknor, who had so eminently distinguished +himself at the capture of Fort Louis in Martinique, had a narrow escape +in this business: having led his men on to the assault with his usual +gallantry, he was encountered by a French officer, whom he instantly +struck at with his sword, which falling on the epaulette on his +shoulder, did not penetrate: the Frenchman closed with him, and being +the strongest man, threw him to the ground; and, wresting the sword from +his hand, was in the act of plunging it into his body, when fortunately +a seaman belonging to the Boyne, seeing the danger his gallant leader +was in, with his pike pinned his adversary to the earth.—As at +this time I was the only chaplain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> +on the expedition (Mr. Ruxton, chaplain of the fifty-sixth regiment, +having died soon after his landing in Martinique), and several of our +men having fallen in this gallant attack, I went on shore up to Fort +Fleur d'Epée to pay the last honours to our unfortunate countrymen, +eighteen of whom were killed on the spot. The scene I beheld surpassed +my powers of description. It was early in the morning, soon after the +action was over. At the foot of the hill lay several of our seamen badly +wounded, waiting to be carried on board their respective ships: a little +further, under the tall trees that grew within a few yards of the sea, +several naval officers reposing after the fatigues of the morning, and +their men not far from them. As we went up the hill we met some of the +wounded prisoners brought in by our people; and at the gates of the fort +was an heap of the slain, who had all died by the sword or bayonet. +Within the fort the destruction appeared more dreadful, being more +confined; a multitude of miserable wretches expiring of their wounds, +and many of our own people in the same situation: in the midst of this +was his Excellency writing his dispatches on a table, on which, fatigued +with the action, an artilleryman was sleeping, whom the General would by +no means have disturbed; one proof among thousands that the truest +heroism may be, and often is, united to the greatest humanity.—It +would be invidious to mention particularly, who distinguished themselves +in this business, where all seemed emulous of glory; but as the greatest +responsibility is attached to the higher ranks, it will be but justice +to say, that Prince Edward, General Dundas,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> +Colonels Symes, Cradock, and Coote, with the other officers of rank, as +also Captains Nugent and Faulknor, the officers commanding the naval +battalions, received the thanks of the Commander in Chief in public +orders, for their excellent conduct and resolution, displayed through +the whole of the action.</p> + +<p>Point à Pitre is the capital of that part of Guadaloupe called Grand +Terre, which is separated from the other part, called Bass Terre, by a +narrow arm of the sea, in form of a river; it is called the river +Sallée. The town is neat and well built, but in an unhealthy situation, +being on the borders of a large extent of swampy land; it has a good +harbour called the Carénage, the entrance to which is guarded on one +side by an half-moon battery lately erected on Islet a Couchon, or Hog +Island, and on the other by the ancient castle of Fort Louis; it is also +defended on the land side by a hill called Morne Government, on which is +a strong battery. The country on this part of Guadaloupe is remarkably +flat, forming a strong contrast to Basse Terre, which gradually rises +from the sea-shore till it forms a chain of hills extending from one end +of that part of the island to the other.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<p class="small blockquot">THE GENERAL EMBARKS HIS ARMY, AND LANDS ON +BASSE TERRE AT PETIT BOURG … OCCURRENCES ON THE MARCH TOWARDS +PALMISTE … THE ADMIRAL ANCHORS IN ANCE DE BAILLIF … +GENERAL DUNDAS LANDS, AND FORMS A COMMUNICATION WITH SIR CHARLES GREY +… THE PALMISTE TAKEN BY ASSAULT … GENERAL COLLOT DELIVERS +UP FORT SAINT CHARLES AND THE ISLAND OF GUADALOUPE AND ITS DEPENDENCIES +TO THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF.</p> + +<p>On the 13th, the forty-third regiment being landed to garrison Fort +Prince of Wales (late Fleur d'Epée), the town of Point à Pitre, and the +other ports on Grand Terre, the General and the rest of his army +reimbarked on board of their respective ships; and in the evening the +Sea Flower brig, Captain Pierrepoint, sailed for England with +dispatches. At twelve o'clock the next day, the Quebec and the other +frigates, with the transports, sailed over to the other side of the bay; +and in the afternoon the troops, consisting of the grenadiers and light +infantry, commanded by his Royal Highness Prince Edward, landed at a +village called Petit Bourg, where many of the principal people of the +island were assembled,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> +who received the Commander in Chief and the Prince with the greatest +demonstrations of joy. A party of sailors also, under the command of +Captain Rogers of the Quebec, landed at the same time. That night the +General returned to the Boyne; the next morning he landed at St. Mary's, +where he found Colonel Coote, with the first battalion of light +infantry, who had marched in before day-break from Petit Bourg. The +troops now marched forward, principally along shore, without any +remarkable occurrence, and halted for the night at a small village +between Cabes Terre and Petit Bourg. On the 16th the troops, still +advancing along shore, reached Trou Chien, a very strong post, which the +enemy had abandoned; and before dark the army halted on the high ground +over Les Trois Riverres, from whence they saw the enemy's two redoubts +and their strong posts on the heights of Palmiste. The General intended +to have attacked the enemy that night; but the troops were too much +fatigued from the long and difficult march they had just finished. Here, +at a beautiful plantation belonging to Monsieur Bellisle, the Prince and +several of his officers were sumptuously entertained at supper by that +gentleman, who repeated his hospitality the next day. All this time the +Admiral stood off and on near the shore, to be ready to pour in +assistance in case there should be any necessity for it: but on the army +retiring up the country towards Palmiste on the 17th instant, he came +round towards the town of Basse Terre. Fort St. Charles fired a few shot +and shells at the Boyne without effect. At half past one P. M. we were +becalmed off the town, and had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +a beautiful view of the country round it, which, rising gradually +inland, presents a varied amphitheatre of plantations, woods, hills, and +vallies, interspersed with elegant and well-built houses, ornamented by +many fine plantations of palms, cocoa-nut, and other tall and majestic +trees. By five P. M. we anchored in Ance de Baillif, about a mile from +the town of Basse Terre, which was hid from our view by an high point of +land forming the bay. On the 17th Major General Dundas, with the third +battalion of grenadiers, and second and third battalions of light +infantry, landed at Vieux Habitant, some miles north-west of Basse +Terre, meeting with little opposition and no loss, taking possession of +Morne Magdalene, and destroying two batteries, then detaching Lieutenant +Colonel Blundell with the second battalion of light infantry, he in the +night forced several difficult posts of the enemy. On the 17th General +Sir Charles Grey made a disposition for the attack of a redoubt called +d'Arbaud, and a battery named d'Anet, both near Grand Ance; the troops +pushed forward, and halted within a league of the village of Trois +Riviere. By day-break on the 18th Lieutenant Colonel Coote, with the +first battalion of light infantry, attacked and stormed the battery; +every man in it was either killed, wounded, or made prisoner, and not +one of our own was hurt. At the same time the grenadiers were ordered to +advance against the redoubt, which was commanded by this battery, and +which they found had been deserted by the enemy early in the night, who +burnt and destroyed every thing in and near it. On the night of the 17th +instant, the enemy in the town of Basse<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +Terre (being divided in their opinions, and party running very high +among them) set fire to the town, the whole of the west end of which was +consumed, containing much valuable property, and many fine houses. The +motives for this mischief we never could learn, as they were at that +time in full possession of the town; and as it was entirely commanded by +Fort St. Charles, there could be no danger of its falling into our hands +until the fort was taken. At one o'clock in the morning of the 20th, the +Commander in Chief, at the head of his troops, advanced to the attack of +the principal dependance of the enemy, which was a chain of batteries on +the heights of Palmiste, extending above a league. The grenadiers were +commanded by Prince Edward, and the light infantry by Lieutenant Colonel +Coote. At five in the morning the attack commenced by the light infantry +advancing to the assault of the highest and most formidable battery, +which, though well defended by nature and art, was soon obliged to yield +to the superior activity and bravery of our troops, who with their +bayonets forced the works, putting thirty of them to death. It is +remarkable, that in this affair the three first sentries at the advanced +batteries, on firing their muskets on the alarm, shot two advanced men +of the light infantry and their guide. The instant our men had made +themselves masters of this post, perceiving that it commanded all the +others, they with infinite spirit and address turned the guns against +them, under cover of which our troops marched up and took them all in +succession, without much further opposition, although, by every +appearance, they had determined<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> +to make a vigorous resistance, having felled trees and laid them across +the road, and at the entrance of their batteries, and the guns being +mostly loaded with grape-shot, or bags of musket balls, it seemed as if +they expected to have come to close quarters. General Dundas had now +formed a communication with Sir Charles Grey by Morne Howell, and the +Palmiste (the key of the town and Fort St. Charles) being thus in our +possession, the governor, Monsieur Collot, sent a flag of truce to Sir +Charles Grey, offering to deliver up Guadaloupe and its dependencies on +the same terms as had been granted to General Rochambeau at Martinique, +and Ricard at St. Lucia: the garrison to march out with the honours of +war, and lay down their arms, and to be sent to France, on condition +that they should not serve against the British forces and their allies +during the war; General Collot and his suite to be allowed a certain +time to settle their affairs, and to be conveyed to North America in a +frigate. Accordingly, the light infantry being left in the batteries on +the Palmiste, the remainder of the troops marched down and took +possession of the gates of both town and fort that night. The next day +the Boyne weighed anchor, and was towed by boats round from the bay of +Baillif to the road of Basse Terre, where she anchored within a cable's +length of the shore. At night a design of the garrison, to rise upon our +people and murder them, was happily made known to General Dundas, who +instantly rode down to the fort, and took the necessary precautions to +prevent the completion of this infamous plot. At eight o'clock in the +morning of Tuesday the 22d of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> +April the French garrison of Fort St. Charles marched out, consisting of +fifty-five regulars of the regiment of Guadaloupe, and the fourteenth +regiment of France, and eight hundred and eighteen national guards and +others; Prince Edward, with the grenadiers and light infantry, taking +possession immediately, struck the republican and hoisted the British +colours, changing the name of it to Fort Matilda. From the returns found +among General Collot's papers it appeared that the number of men capable +of bearing arms in the island of Guadaloupe was at that time five +thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven; and the number of fire-arms +actually delivered out to them was four thousand and forty-four<a +name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a>. +On the 26th Prince Edward with his suite embarked on board the Blanche +frigate, commanded by Captain Faulknor, and sailed for North America; +his regiment, the seventh or royal fuzileers, being stationed at Quebec. +The spirit and enterprise of his Royal Highness on this expedition, with +his strict attention to discipline, merits the highest applause, and +deservedly gained him the respect and esteem of all who served with him. +Before the troubles (occasioned by the revolution) commenced in these +islands, the town of Basse Terre was a place of very considerable +traffic, and much resorted to by merchants and others: it is regularly +built, well watered,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> +and beautifully situated on the sea-shore, and well defended by several +batteries and forts, particularly to the eastward by Fort St. Charles +(now called Fort Matilda), which is a regular fortification of great +strength and extent; but being commanded by surrounding high lands, +particularly Houelmont, a steep hill, on which is a battery that +overlooks, not only the fort and town, but the bay, and much of the +country near it, it is incapable of maintaining a long defence against a +powerful attack by land, but is impregnable by any that can be made +against it from the sea only. In the centre of the main street is a +spacious walk shaded by handsome well grown trees, which forms an +agreeable relief from the heat which in this climate is so very +oppressive. Above the town is a large and commodious hospital, which at +this period we found of infinite use. The island of Guadaloupe was +discovered by Columbus, who named it after some mountains in Spain to +which it bore resemblance, but by the native Caraibs it is called +Karukera: it is situated thirty leagues N. W. from Martinique, and is +reckoned the largest and most valuable island the French held in these +parts; and, from its vicinity to Antigua and Dominica, as well as to +several of our smaller islands, is of great consequence to us. The +island is divided into two parts by a narrow channel called La Riviere +Sallée, or the Salt River: the eastern part is called Grand Terre, and +is comparatively flat; it is nineteen leagues long and nine broad: the +western part is properly called Guadaloupe, but is now known by the name +of Basse Terre, and is again subdivided (by a ridge of mountains +extending from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> one end to the other) into Capes Terre and Basse +Terre: this part of the island is thirteen leagues and a half in length, +and about seven at the broadest part. The islands immediately dependent +on Guadaloupe are Marigalante, Deseada, and the Saints. Marigalante is +of a round form, about forty miles to the S. E. of Guadaloupe; it is +about five leagues long and four broad, and was discovered by Columbus +in 1493, who gave it the name of his own ship. Deseada, or Desirada +(that is, the Desirable Island), was the first of these islands +discovered by Columbus in his second voyage in 1493; it is about fifteen +miles N. E. of Guadaloupe, and is not very fertile. The Saints are a +cluster of islands on the S. E. side of Guadaloupe, of which the +westernmost is called Terre de Bas, or the Low Island; the easternmost +the High Island: there is a good harbour here for a few ships. These +islands received the name of Sanctos from the Spaniards, who first +discovered them on All Saints day. There is some good land in the +valleys, but the hills are covered with rocks.—Thus, in the short +period of three months, concluded a campaign, in which three valuable +islands and their dependencies were added to his majesty's dominions. To +the unanimity which subsisted between the Commanders in Chief, together +with their allowed high professional knowledge, and seconded by the +spirited conduct of all the inferior ranks, must this unlooked-for +success be attributed, as the force employed to effect it was certainly +far short of what it ought to have been for so great an enterprise. The +originally small army was now obliged to be divided, to garrison and +secure our newly-acquired<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> possessions; the fatigue became the +more burthensome, and the troops that had gone through the campaign with +unexampled bravery and patience, at length began to feel the effects of +a climate, that even in peaceable times is often found too trying for +European constitutions; and which was at this period rendered tenfold +more severe by that dreadful malady the yellow fever, which, though it +had subsided when we first came to the West Indies, was now, as it were, +awakened by the arrival of fresh victims, and acquired more strength +from the small resistance that could be made against it by constitutions +already broken by fatigue under hardships and difficulties +unparalleled.—As there were no expectations of any reinforcements +of consequence being sent till November, the General determined to +return to England, after he had made a proper arrangement to render the +conquests permanent, and secure them against any attempt that might be +made by those perturbed spirits that, notwithstanding his utmost +vigilance, might remain in the colonies; and which he in a short time +effected to his satisfaction, so far as it related to any attempt that +could be made by the enemy in these parts: but it is not to be imagined +that, with the small number of men he originally brought out, now +reduced by a variety of causes to half their number, and daily +decreasing in an alarming degree, any resistance could be made against a +strong reinforcement, if the French nation should be able to send out +one, from Europe<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a>. +Previous to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +his return, however, he was determined to leave the islands in the best +possible state of defence; and for that purpose he, with the Admiral, +visited all the islands in this quarter, inspecting the strong posts and +fortifications, while the Admiral paid attention to the naval department +in each; and in the beginning of June, after having taken formal leave +of the army in general orders, he sailed for Europe.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<p class="small blockquot">THE CHARGES OF EXTORTED CONTRIBUTIONS AND +OPPRESSIONS, ALLEDGED AGAINST THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF BY CERTAIN +INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS, REFUTED … THE REAL CAUSES OF THE LOSS +OF GUADALOUPE.</p> + +<p>After having given an account of the glorious success which had crowned +the exertions of our gallant commanders and their forces, I now enter +upon a less pleasant task, the loss of Guadaloupe, since followed by the +capture of some other islands: but I do it the more willingly, because +in the simple facts it will be my duty to detail, the real cause of +those misfortunes will <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's +Note: Original text was 'apppear'.">appear</span>, and a clear refutation ensue +of those gross calumnies, originally propagated by avarice, fraud, and +falsehood, and repeated by ignorance and malice, which have endeavoured +to fix a stigma on two commanders, whose integrity of heart and openness +of conduct are as demonstrable, as their bravery is acknowledged.</p> + +<p>The accusation of plunder, confiscation, and <i>extorted contribution</i>, is +founded on a tale, of which half only has been told, and that half with +intentional inaccuracy.</p> + +<p>It has always been understood that property found in any place taken by +storm or assault became the legal prize or booty of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> +the captors; consequently the Commanders in Chief found no hesitation or +difficulty in considering the produce, merchandise, &c. afloat and +on shore at St. Pierre and Fort Royal (both which were literally so +taken) as justly liable to forfeit and confiscation. The estates of the +emigrant royalists had been sequestered, and the produce of them sold by +the agents of the republic; consequently all manufactured or collected +produce on them became in like manner, by his majesty's gracious bounty, +the right of the captors.</p> + +<p>If what is found in places or vessels taken by assault be not considered +as legal prize, what is? Is no booty, no prize money, to be the reward +of successful heroism, after the dreadful fatigues, diseases, and +dangers of war? Where then will be the spur to noble actions? Where the +spirit that impels the soldier and the sailor to brave the horrors of +arms and elements, of raging sickness, of excruciating death?</p> + +<p>All the produce and merchandise found in the town of Fort Royal and on +board the vessels in the Carénage, and the same in the town and bay of +St. Pierre and in Trinité in the island of Martinique, and at Basse +Terre and Point à Pitre in Guadaloupe, were disposed of by public +auction for the benefit of the captors: but those on the estates, +manufactured and packed ready to be brought down to the ports for +embarkation, were not sold at this time, because persons came forward on +the part of the inhabitants themselves, and proposed a contribution, in +lieu of that part of the property, as falling more easy on them, and +consequently being preferable to confiscation; though they did not at +that time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> +pretend to dispute the legality of the forfeiture. The Commanders in +Chief acceded to this <i>their own proposal</i>, through a pure wish of +accommodation. The exorbitant and unprecedented contribution, therefore, +levied on an unwilling people, turns out to be an <i>offered compromise +for an undisputed prize, received by a merciful and tender conqueror out +of kindness to the conquered</i>.</p> + +<p>How well bestowed this kindness was, how deserved the confidence placed +in the honour of these people, will appear by the sequel! They received +back the forfeitures, and then endeavoured to get rid of paying the +compromise (themselves had offered) by infamous misrepresentations of +the conduct of those Commanders, of whose generosity they made use, to +defame, and then to rob them! For no sooner had they shipped off the +property, and got it safe away from the power of the Commanders, than +they began to demur at paying the stipulated sum, particularly at St. +Lucia, which island had agreed to pay one hundred and fifty thousand +pounds.</p> + +<p>Situated as I was, and having an opportunity of drawing my conclusions +on the spot, I venture, with a very strong confidence of its truth, to +relate the following as the secret history of this business. An agent +for the prizes at St. Lucia, joining one of the agents who had already +been employed in the sale of the vendible property at Martinique +(possibly piqued by some diminution of confidence which the Commanders +in Chief from good reason had betrayed towards them), no sooner met the +inhabitants of St. Lucia, whom he had convened on the subject of raising +the stipulated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> +compromise for the plunder, than he offered, with an unparalleled +duplicity, while confessing himself sent on the part of the captors, to +suggest a mode by which the payment of this debt of honour might be +evaded. "Send," said he, "an immediate deputation to the English +government, anticipate the story of the Commanders, and a prohibition +will instantly issue." The deputation was sent without loss of time: +they relied on securing a large body of English merchants, particularly +those in the West Indies, on their side; and their reliance was well +placed, for they relied on that which they could easily prove to be +their interest. The truth is, that many of these West India traders<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> +had carried on an illicit traffic to the French islands before they were +captured; and in consequence of it had at the time of the capture +immense sums still due to them. Apprehending, therefore, that the +payment of this contribution might retard, or even endanger, the +discharge of their own debts, they joined heartily in every scheme for +defeating this just and prior claim. They encouraged the French in their +opposition; they misrepresented the facts to England; they attempted to +blast the laurels of the Commanders; and became clamorous against the +cruelty of plunder, and illegality and impolicy of confiscation, that +they might enjoy the rewards of their own treason. While this plot was +secretly carrying on, and a heavy storm brooding over their heads, the +General and Admiral were proceeding in their expedition against +Guadaloupe, little suspicious,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> +till the dispatches from England discovered the success with which the +artful stories of this party had been attended.</p> + +<p>Thus was the unparalleled good order and discipline with which the army +and navy had abstained from plundering the towns of St. Pierre, Fort +Royal, and Trinité, &c. rewarded! This was the recompence of the +ruinous and expensive service in which the officers had engaged; of the +unexampled sufferings and dangers which they and their brave men had +undergone. Is not contribution in lieu of booty, the custom of war? Was +it not the case with Prince Ferdinand in a former war, through every +town and village of Germany<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a>? +Did not the Marquis de Bouillé levy a heavy contribution on the island +of St. Christopher's, when taken by the French in 1782? Where then could +contribution ever be proper if not here? Here was no capitulation; but, +though the islands fell by storm, the Commanders, acting on the purest +principles, to save the persons and property of the inhabitants from the +plunder<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> +of an enraged soldiery, agreed to accept as a recompence due to the +forbearance and good conduct of that body, a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> +composition the most easy to the conquered; and yet their fame has been +vilified, and the hard-earned pittance of booty snatched away! for none +of the contributions were ever paid, except a part at St. Lucia, <i>which +was afterwards refunded</i>. Surely this is small encouragement for such a +desperate service! If such be the future prospects of our army and navy, +their spirits will droop, and half that ardour that generates success +subside!</p> + +<p>I shall now mention the real cause of the loss of Guadaloupe, which, +with that of some other islands that have since fallen, has been +maliciously attributed to the oppression and peculations of Sir Charles +Grey and Sir John Jervis; for this purpose I must refer back to the time +when the expedition was first planned by our government, and the command +given to those officers. As the capture of the French possessions in the +West Indies was rightly judged to be of the greatest consequence both in +a political and mercantile view, a very formidable armament was +prepared, and Martinique was pitched on as the first object for attack; +and, since the capture of that island had been attempted the year +preceding, and failed, it was of course expected to be put on its guard, +and rendered thereby more difficult. But at this period (unfortunately +for this expedition) another object diverted the attention of +government, and eight regiments<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a>, +with a great part of the artillery, which were embarked and ready to +sail, were taken from that force, which combined would in all +probability have secured to us our conquests in the West Indies, and +enabled us to extend<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> +them to St. Domingo, and all the other French islands in that quarter. +Government was well aware, and acknowledged, that this diminution of +force must so cripple the expedition, that it would render the prospect +of any success doubtful; and no idea was entertained that the conquest +of Martinique would even have been attempted, Fort Bourbon alone seeming +too formidable for an attack by such an inconsiderable body: however, +when Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis arrived at Barbadoes, and had +arranged every thing for an active campaign, they determined to begin +with the strongest island, being confident that, when that was gained, +the smaller places would soon fall; whereas, by attacking the lesser +islands first, they must necessarily diminish their small armament, and +render the capture of so well defended and strong a place as Martinique, +with the formidable fortress of Fort Bourbon, totally impossible. The +event justified their determination. But when this great object was +gained, and St. Lucia and Guadaloupe taken, the army (originally too +small) was divided into three parts to garrison the conquered places; +and by that dreadful scourge, the yellow fever, which now began its +ravages, together with the loss sustained in the several actions of the +campaign, not one of the islands, nor indeed a single post on each, +could be called properly defended, in case the French should send out an +armament to the West Indies. If, as soon as the news of the capture of +the first island had reached England, a strong reinforcement could have +been sent out, and repeated on the conquest of each succeeding place, +the small body of the enemy (who made their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> +attack on Guadaloupe, and stole in at a moment when the gallant +governor, General Dundas, was breathing his last, and when every post +was reduced to extremity by sickness) would with ease have been +repelled, or perhaps their whole party taken.—In the succeeding +part of this work it will be my business to detail the events that +gradually led to the evacuation of this island, and gave the enemy such +advantage as enabled them since to extend their conquests to some other +inferior places.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<p class="small blockquot">GENERAL DUNDAS DIES OF THE YELLOW FEVER +… HIS CHARACTER … A FRENCH SQUADRON ARRIVES IN THE WEST +INDIES, AND TAKES POSSESSION OF GRAND TERRE … THE COMMANDERS IN +CHIEF, ON RECEIVING AN ACCOUNT THEREOF, RETURN TO GUADALOUPE … +SIR CHARLES GREY LANDS ON GRAND TERRE, AND TAKES THE HEIGHTS OF MASCOT +… SEVERAL ACTIONS TAKE PLACE … A TRUCE TO BURY THE DEAD +… AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTACK ON POINT A PITRE.</p> + +<p>On the evening of the 3d of June, Major General Thomas Dundas, the +governor of Guadaloupe, became the victim of that dreadful fever, which +once more began to desolate these islands. He was ill only three days. +By his death the army in the West Indies suffered an irreparable loss, +and the service in general one of its brightest ornaments. Amiable both +in public and private life, brave and generous, possessed of that true +courage which never exceeds the bounds of humanity, he justly gained the +love of the army, and fell lamented by all that knew him<a +name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a>. +At this inauspicious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> +moment an armament arrived from France, under the direction of two +commissioners from the national assembly. It consisted of two frigates, +one corvette, two forty-fours armed en flute, and two other ships, with +about one thousand five hundred land forces on board of them<a +name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a>. +They instantly made good their landing on Grand Terre; and, after two +unsuccessful efforts, at last succeeded in their attack on Fort Fleur +d'Epée, which they carried by storm<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a>.—As +soon as this news reached Colonel Blundell, he instantly dispatched a +schooner to St. Christopher's, with an account of it to the Commanders +in Chief, which fortunately found them there, the Boyne being off Old +Road taking in water for her voyage to England. Sir Charles Grey was +busy in inspecting the works on Brimstone Hill. The Commanders in Chief +instantly determined to return to Guadaloupe, and accordingly pushed, +under a press of sail, for Basse Terre, where they arrived in the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +afternoon of the 7th of June, and were joined by the Resource, Captain +Ross, and the Winchelsea, Captain Lord Garlies; on board of which ships +General Grey and his suite embarked to be landed at Basse Terre, in +order to visit the ports in that quarter, and to give the necessary +instructions for future operations. The Admiral ordered the Nautilus, +Captain Bayntun, to proceed to Martinique, with orders from Sir Charles +Grey for a reinforcement from thence, and himself proceeded in the Boyne +to the Bay of Point à Pitre. On his passage he met Commodore Thompson +with his squadron from Martinique, coming round the point of Vieux Port. +On their joining, he ordered the Solebay and Avenger into Basse Terre +Road, to carry the General's further orders into execution, touching +reinforcements from the different islands.</p> + +<p>At noon of the 8th of June, the Boyne and the rest of the fleet anchored +off Grozier, and saw the union jack displayed on Fort Fleur d'Epée as a +decoy to British vessels, which we found had been successful in several +instances; from hence, too, we had a view of the French fleet lying in +the harbour of Point à Pitre. The Admiral, without delay, arranged every +thing in his department to prevent a surprise from any future +reinforcements of the enemy which might arrive. At day-break of the 9th, +the enemy in Fort Fleur d'Epée, on hoisting their colours, opened an +heavy fire of round and grape-shot on the Boyne, as did the two-gun +battery at Grozier on the rest of the fleet, but happily without any +material damage to them. This morning the London transport, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> +having troops on board, got on shore on the Basse Terre side of the bay. +Lieutenant Thompson of the Boyne, was sent with the launch to take the +men out of her; in doing which he was exposed to a severe fire from a +battery on Islet a Couchon, or Hog Island; but he succeeded in removing +them without any loss. In the evening Sir Charles Grey and his suite +came on board the Boyne,<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> +from whence he could for the present with greater ease arrange his +troops, and communicate with them at their different posts. This day +also Lord Viscount Garlies in the Winchelsea frigate attacked the +two-gun battery at Grozier, where he had distinguished himself in the +last campaign, and once more drove the enemy from their guns: but very +few troops having yet arrived, no attempt could be made to land there, +as before. The Boyne having been much annoyed by the fire of Fort Fleur +d'Epée and Grozier battery, was now warped a cable's length further from +the shore. On the 11th, in the morning, several boats full of men, +attended by a gun-boat, were discovered making towards our post at Petit +Bourg, from the harbour of Point à Pitre: their intention seemed to be +to attack a transport and sloop of ours. The Winchelsea frigate was +ordered towards them, and receiving the fire of the battery on Hog +island, and another near Fort Louis, she obliged them to return into the +harbour.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +The enemy had crossed the river Sallée to Basse Terre, and had taken +post at Berville, a fine plantation belonging to a gentleman of that +name. They instantly set fire to the house, and destroyed all the mills, +sugar-works, and store-houses, belonging to it, to a very large amount; +they then encamped at the post of St. Jean, or Gabbare, a point of land +opposite to the harbour of Point à Pitre. General Grey thought this a +favourable moment to attack them, which was accordingly done at eleven +o'clock at night on the 13th, under the command of Brigadier General +Dundas, who with the 1st light infantry led by Brevet Major Ross, with +the 39th regiment under Major Magan, and a <span class="correction" +title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'dedetachment'.">detachment</span> +of artillery and two field-pieces, attacked the enemy with such +determined bravery, that after a severe conflict they fled in the utmost +disorder, precipitating themselves into the sea in order to swim across +the harbour to Point à Pitre; but few succeeded in the desperate +attempt, many being drowned, and more shot by our light infantry, who +followed close at their heels: they left one hundred and seventy-nine +dead on the field; our loss was trifling, seven men killed and twelve +wounded. The enemy's camp, colours, baggage, and ammunition, with one +piece of cannon, fell into our hands.<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> +The light infantry and the 39th regiment remained at Berville, having +for their advanced post Savonge, and St. Jean on the banks of the river +Sallée. On this point of land, which runs into the harbour of Point à +Pitre, Captain Pratt, commanding a detachment of artillery, was ordered +to erect a battery<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> +of two twenty-four pounders and two howitzers, which he effected with +such dispatch, that by the next morning it was completed, and opened +with a most tremendous fire on the republican frigate La Pique, lying +within gunshot of the shore, to the no small surprise and astonishment +of the commodore, who was then on board. The frigate retaliated, and a +brisk fire was kept up for some time, when she thought it advisable to +weigh anchor, and take shelter under the guns of her own batteries, +after having lost between forty and fifty of her crew in killed and +wounded, and being much damaged in her hull and rigging. On the 14th the +Roebuck, Captain Christie, arrived with troops (draughted from several +regiments), and two gun-boats also came very seasonably; one of which, +under command of Lieutenant Wolley of the Boyne, attacked the battery at +Grozier, and again made the enemy retire from their guns.<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a></p> + +<p>On Thursday the 19th of June, General Grey once more made good his +landing on Grand Terre, about six miles to windward of Grozier, under +cover of the Vanguard, Veteran, Vengeance, Solebay, and Winchelsea, and +immediately moved on to Grozier, from whence he drove the enemy, who +retreated towards Fort Fleur d'Epée, burning the houses and sugar-works +that lay in their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +road.<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> +About this time Lieutenant Macnamara, of the marines, was sent to +Deseada to secure that island against any attempt of the enemy. On his +landing he was attacked by a party of the inhabitants, who had formerly +surrendered the island to us, aided by some brigands and a mixed rabble. +In a short time, however, he drove them to the mountains, having killed +twelve, and hung up six, as an example to deter others from similar acts +of rebellion. On the 20th the enemy sunk one of our gun-boats by the +fire of their battery on Hog Island, but none were killed in her. On the +21st they set fire to, and burnt a fine house on the heights of Mascot, +near Fleur d'Epée, leaving the foundation walls only standing. Our +troops now encamped at Grozier were employed in erecting batteries +against Fort Fleur d'Epée, as the enemy were in too great force for our +reduced numbers to attempt an assault on their principal work. On the +22d the Honourable Captain Stewart, commanding the 9th grenadiers, and a +party of seamen under Lieutenant Wolley,<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> +marched from Grozier to attack St. Ann's Fort, a strong post about +twelve or fourteen miles to windward. After a most fatiguing march, +during which some heavy showers of rain rendered the roads hardly +passable, they reached the foot of the hill on which the fort was +situated; up which our people scrambled so leisurely, and such a +profound silence reigned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> +among them, that they approached within fifteen or twenty paces of the +centinel before he perceived them, though he was apparently alert on his +post. Our French guide was now so terrified that he fired his pistol at +the centinel, which gave the alarm; instantly our troops turned forward, +and with three cheers began to storm the works. The enemy were +completely surprised, and not more than two of them escaped. During this +the French emigrants who had accompanied our people, had marched into +the town, where they began the most brutal excesses; but the humane +exertions of our officers soon put a stop to their mischievous +proceedings. In this attack near four hundred of the enemy were killed, +and one prisoner taken: on our part one only was wounded. Several sloops +and schooners were found in the bay, all in ballast and their sails +unbent, except one of them, in which Lieutenant Thomson was sent with an +account of their success to the Commanders in Chief. It being impossible +to keep possession of this post, from the small number of our troops, +and intelligence being brought that a large detachment of the enemy were +on their march to cut off the retreat of this party, it was determined +to return to the camp without loss of time, all the ammunition having +been previously destroyed, and the guns of the fort +dismounted.—The day proving unusually hot, and the roads being +deep and slippery from the incessant rains that had fallen during the +preceding night, the troops were not able to reach the camp without +halting; in consequence of which they took post at a planter's house on +an eminence, where they were received<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> +with great hospitality. By three in the afternoon the men who had +dropped down by the way from fatigue, were brought in (except two who +reached the camp next morning), and the party proceeded to their +different stations without further accidents.<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a></p> + +<p>On Tuesday the 24th of June, General Grey opened his batteries, which he +had erected near Grozier, against Fleur d'Epée; at the same time +Brigadier General Dundas kept up a smart fire on Point à Pitre, where +the enemy seemed to be making preparations against the hurricane months, +now approaching, by stripping the ships in the harbour of their sails +and rigging. On the 26th, early in the morning, the enemy, to the number +of three hundred, made a sortie from Fleur d'Epée, on our advanced post, +consisting of one hundred men, but were soon obliged to retreat; we lost +one man killed and eight wounded: at the same time our batteries and +gun-boats cannonaded the fort;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +in the latter two seamen were wounded. On the 27th, the batteries at +Grozier having opened as usual on Fleur d'Epée, a detachment of our +troops under Brigadier General Fisher marched forward to attack a piquet +of the enemy posted on Morne Mascot, from whence they drove them after a +sharp contest, and established themselves, as our advanced post, within +musket shot of the fort.<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> +During the preceding night the light infantry at camp Berville were sent +by Brigadier General Dundas, under command of Major Ross of the 25th +regiment, to Petit Bourg, where they embarked, and joined the army at +Grozier. This movement, by which the main body was much strengthened, +was effected unperceived by the enemy, and the 39th and 43d regiments +only left at Berville.</p> + +<p>Several skirmishes now daily took place, and many fell on both sides; +though, from want of steadiness at the last, the enemy were always +greater losers than ourselves. On the morning of the 29th of June, a +large body of the enemy, to the number of one thousand, marched out of +Fort Fleur d'Epée, and seemed to meditate an attack on a detachment of +light infantry under Colonel Gomm, posted to the right of the grenadiers +who were on Morne Mascot, under Brigadier General Fisher. By this +false<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +movement, they hoped that a detachment of the grenadiers would be sent +to reinforce the light infantry, and thereby weaken the force on Morne +Mascot, which was their real object of attack. In a short time, however, +they were perceived mounting the side of Mascot heights, with colours +flying and singing the national songs, covered by a heavy fire of round +and grape-shot from Fleur d'Epée, which prevented our grenadiers from +shewing themselves till the enemy were close to them; on which General +Fisher made them prostrate themselves on the ground, and wait the +approach of the enemy in that posture. The instant the republicans came +within a few yards of them they started up, and an obstinate engagement +commenced, which terminated at length by the grenadiers advancing to the +charge; on which the enemy fled, and were pursued down the hill with +great slaughter. Our loss amounted to thirty killed and wounded: among +the former was Lieutenant Toosey of the 65th regiment; of the latter, +Captain De Rivigne of the artillery, received a ball in the side of his +neck. Brigadier General Fisher was hit three times by grape-shot, which +caused contusions only, and his horse was killed under him. In the +evening the enemy sent in a flag of truce, requesting permission to bury +their dead and carry off their wounded, which was granted them;<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a> +yet they left a number of both, on the side of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +hill, to the great annoyance of our piquet, which during the following +night was disturbed by the groans of the dying and wounded. The day +following the enemy again made an attempt, in equal force, against our +post on Mascot, and was again repulsed with great loss. The rainy season +being already set in, and the hurricane months now approaching, +determined the Commander in Chief to make an effort to finish the +campaign at once. From his success in the two last engagements, and the +excellent manner in which he had planned the attack, it would no doubt +have succeeded, had his orders been punctually obeyed. The plan he had +laid down was, for a large body of troops under General Symes, to march +during the night, and make themselves masters of Morne Government, and +the other commanding heights round the town of Point à Pitre, whilst +himself, at the head of the rest of his army, was in readiness on the +heights of Mascot to storm Fort Fleur d'Epée, on receiving a signal from +General Symes; but, from some unfortunate misapprehension, the whole of +General Grey's well-concerted plan was rendered abortive, and the almost +total destruction of our exhausted forces ensued: but it is my business +to detail the events of this unfortunate affair as accurately as the +confused accounts I have received will permit. Brigadier General Symes, +having under his command the first battalion of grenadiers, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +commanded by Brigadier General Fisher, and the first and second light +infantry, led by Colonel Gomm, with a detachment of seamen from the +Boyne<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> +and Veteran, commanded by Captain Robertson of the Veteran, marched from +the heights of Mascot at about nine o'clock at night, on the 1st of +July. They first descended into a deep ravine thick planted with coffee +bushes, through which there was no road, the seamen bringing up the +rear. The night was uncommonly dark, which rendered their march both +dangerous and fatiguing. After proceeding about a mile they halted on a +road, and were joined by two small field-pieces, which were put under +the charge of Lieutenants Thomson and Maitland, to be dragged by their +seamen. During the halt some people, who were heard to speak French, +were seen near the rear; Lieutenant Wolley endeavoured to secure them, +but they escaped through the bushes, and no further notice was taken of +this. The army moved forward about two miles further, on a road leading +through deep ravines, and made a second halt for about an hour; the +march was then re-commenced, but no orders ever passed during the time: +they now proceeded for some miles without meeting with any obstruction, +when an order came for the seamen in the rear to advance to the attack, +which they did by running as fast as they could for upwards of a mile. +The parties they passed were not in the best order, owing to the +quickness of the march, until they came to the grenadiers, who +were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> +drawn up as a corps de reserve. About this time the bugle horn sounded +to advance, and soon after a heavy firing of round and grape-shot from +Morne Government, and also from several other batteries of the enemy, +commenced, as also from some twelve-pounders landed from the shipping in +the harbour, which were placed in tiers, and entirely enfiladed the road +along which the troops were advancing. After passing the grenadiers, the +seamen were halted for a few minutes to form, they being perfectly out +of order from running; but scarce thirty of them were got together, when +Lieutenant Wolley was ordered to advance with them, and Captain +Robertson remained to form and bring up the rest. The cannonading from +the enemy's guns was the most severe the oldest soldier ever witnessed, +especially from the guns which were on the road; two or three tiers of +which were planted behind each other, from which the enemy were driven +by the bayonets of our gallant fellows, who no sooner had taken one +battery, but another opened on them from behind. The whole now became a +scene of confusion impossible to describe. Instead of any of the heights +being attempted, the greater part of the troops and the seamen were got +into the town, where they were mowed down by the grape-shot, which +played upon them in every direction,<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> +as well as musketry from the windows of the houses. Where-ever our men +perceived this, they broke open the doors, putting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> +all they found in them to death; and those who could not stand the +bayonet were shot as they leaped from the windows. General Symes was by +this time badly wounded,<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> +and his horse killed under him. Colonel Gomm (who led the light +infantry), with several other officers, was killed, and a great many +more desperately wounded;<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> +and Captain Robertson, who commanded the seamen, was blown up. At length +General Fisher (the second in command, who, as well as every other +officer on this service, was ignorant of General Symes's plans) sounded +a retreat, and the miserable remains of this gallant party marched off, +the enemy harassing them in their retreat, though kept at bay by the +gallant exertions of the Honourable Captain Stewart with a party of +grenadiers, assisted by Lieutenant Wolley and the seamen of the Boyne, +who covered the retreat; till at length the latter fell by a musket-ball +through his leg, and was brought off by his men. When the remains of +this unfortunate detachment got back to Mascot,<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a> +General Grey found it in vain to attempt any thing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> +against Fleur d'Epée, being obliged to detach the second battalion of +grenadiers to cover the retreat, and his troops being all so much +reduced and exhausted, yet from the effect of the batteries he had +erected to cover his attack of Fleur d'Epée, which opened on that fort +in the evening, there could have been no doubt of success had not the +above-related misfortune taken place.<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> +It being totally impossible to attempt any thing further at this season, +the General that night began to reimbark his cannon and mortars, and in +two days had got off the whole of his troops without loss; he then +strengthened the posts on Basse Terre, and having made the best +arrangements possible to maintain them, and to enable him to renew his +attacks on Point à Pitre and Fleur d'Epée after the hurricane months, in +case any reinforcements should arrive (without which it would be totally +impossible), he embarked on board the Boyne, leaving Brigadier General +Colin Graham to command on Basse Terre, and then repaired to St. Pierre +in the island of Martinique, where he established his head-quarters. The +Boyne proceeded to Fort Royal Bay, where she was laid up for the +hurricane months in a snug harbour, called Trois Islet Bay, and the sick +and wounded were landed for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> +benefit of fresh air, and every attention paid to them that could +alleviate their sufferings.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<p class="small blockquot">THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF SAIL TO MARTINIQUE +… PROCEEDINGS THERE, AND AT GUADALOUPE … CAMP BERVILLE +TAKEN … OCCURRENCES THEREUPON … GENERAL PRESCOTT ENTERS +FORT MATILDA, WHICH IS INVESTED BY THE FRENCH … SIR JOHN VAUGHAN +AND ADMIRAL CALDWELL ARRIVE IN THE WEST INDIES … SIR CHARLES GREY +AND SIR JOHN JERVIS RESIGN THEIR COMMAND, AND RETURN TO EUROPE.</p> + +<p>Sir Charles Grey, after giving the necessary orders for erecting +batteries to protect and secure the camp on Basse Terre, sailed with the +Admiral to Martinique, and established his head-quarters at St. +Pierre;<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> +having previously distributed the troops (which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> +were not left under General Graham on Basse Terre) throughout the +islands, where the Brigands began to be very troublesome; and even at +Martinique, where the Commander in Chief resided, they had the audacity +to shew themselves, encouraged by the sickness which raged in all +quarters, and daily weakened our posts. At Grande Rivere and Calabass +they appeared in some force; on which the Commander in Chief detached +Captain Hare, at the head of a detachment of the Prince of Wales's +light<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a> +dragoons, with Lieutenant Colonel De Soter and the island rangers, who +attacked and routed them, taking three of their leaders prisoners, and +dispersing the rest. At Guadaloupe no time was lost by Brigadier General +Graham in preparing both for attack and defence; he erected gun and +mortar batteries upon the banks of the river Sallée, in the different +situations where it was most likely the enemy might attempt to cross it +from Grande Terre; namely, at the gabarre or ferry, which heretofore was +the point of communication between the two parts of the island; at Morne +Savon and at St. Jean, both commanding the town of Point à Pitre and +Morne Government.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> +By these precautions the Commander in Chief hoped to prevent the enemy +from crossing into Basse Terre till he could get a reinforcement from +England, which he had expected for some time, and had now dispatched +Brigadier General Francis Dundas to explain to government the absolute +necessity there was for a supply of troops in the conquered islands. The +head-quarters of the army in Guadaloupe were at Camp Berville, a very +commanding ground, flanked by the sea on one side, and on the other by +an impassable swamp and wood; about a league in front was the river +Sallée, on the opposite banks of which stood the town of Point à Pitre; +and at the rear, about a mile from the camp, was a narrow pass, by which +alone it could be approached. The batteries under the direction of +Captain De Rivigne, destroyed a great part of the town, so that the +inhabitants were obliged to evacuate it, and encamp on the adjacent +hills. The baneful effects of the climate, together with the +neighbouring swamps, began now to be severely felt by our army, the +officers and men died daily in numbers, and by the middle of August the +list of sick and convalescents composed by far the majority in the camp. +Two frigates and two sloops of war were ordered by the Admiral to cruize +off the harbour of Point à Pitre, to prevent supplies being carried to +the enemy; notwithstanding which many American and other vessels from +the neighbouring disaffected islands, contrived to elude their +vigilance. Victor Hughes, the commissioner from the French convention, +and now commander in chief of their troops in this island (the +commanders of the army and navy that came out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> +with him being dead), was indefatigable in gaining over the blacks and +mulattoes to his interest; and, in consequence of his late success, they +flocked in great numbers to his standard. As they came in he formed them +into different corps, and had them instructed in the use of arms. The +remains of the second battalion of grenadiers<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a> +were ordered about the latter end of August to Guadaloupe, to relieve +the flank companies of the 15th and 64th regiments: they embarked at +Fort Royal on board the Dictator, and landed at Petit Bourg, from whence +they marched directly to the camp. During the month of September the +troops in the different camps were, from sickness, inadequate to furnish +guards for the different batteries. Several companies could not produce +a single man fit for duty; the 43d could not afford a corporal and three +men at night, for the protection of their own camp, much less give their +complement for the batteries. The greater part of the town of Petit +Bourg was converted into hospitals for our sick, besides great numbers +ill in the camps; the officers were equal sufferers with the men, so +much so, that field officers were obliged to mount captain's guard. The +different islands were drained of their troops, in order to keep up some +appearance in front of the enemy; and the royalists had taken the duty +of the Gabarre for some time past, where they conducted themselves with +much spirit in several attacks made upon them by the enemy from the +opposite side of the river. The grenadiers that arrived last, were +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +now reduced, in less than three weeks, to twenty men; and from the +situation of the several camps on the verge of the swamps, a ground they +were obliged to occupy, was truly deplorable. About this time General +Prescott arrived at the town of Basse Terre, where he took the command, +and no appearance of any reinforcement from England as yet cheered our +drooping spirits. On Saturday, the 26th of September, the enemy from +Point à Pitre and Fort Louis embarked a large body of troops in small +vessels, and passing our ships of war unperceived, under cover of the +dark night, effected two different landings on Basse Terre; the one at +Goyave, to the eastward of Petit Bourg, and the other at Lamantin, near +Bay Mahault. As soon as it was known that this landing was effected, +most of our sick were carried from Petit Bourg on board the ships that +lay near that place, and when the news was received at head-quarters, +General Graham ordered all the troops from the different camps to join +at Berville, as the strongest situation. Every exertion was made to +fortify this post in the best manner possible: across the narrow pass by +which alone it could be approached by land, a strong breast-work was +thrown up, with embrasures for six field-pieces; on the flanks, and +immediately in the rear of this, another was thrown up; and in front of +both, on the brow of the hill, a strong abbatis was formed. The enemy +that landed at Bay Mahault soon possessed themselves of that place; they +then marched on to the Gabarre, where they had nearly surrounded the +royalists before they were able to make their retreat to the camp. The +possession of the Gabarre afforded them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> +an easy conveyance for guns, ammunition, cattle, &c. from Grande +Terre, and they now made their appearance in sight of our camp. The +enemy, who had landed on the opposite part of the island, as soon as day +broke upon them, began their march to Petit Bourg. Lieutenant Colonel +Drummond of the 43d regiment, with some convalescents from the hospital, +and a party of royalists, advanced to meet them; but perceiving their +great superiority of numbers, found it advisable to retreat through +Petit Bourg, and took post at a battery upon the shore called Point +Bacchus, between that village and Camp Berville. The enemy, on taking +possession of Petit Bourg, exercised the most unheard of cruelties on +the unfortunate sick in the hospitals, putting all they found to death; +some of them were fortunate enough to be taken off by the boats +belonging to the men of war lying there. Too much praise cannot be given +to Captain Boyer<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> +of the Assurance, for his humane exertions on this occasion. From the +hospitals to the wharf was a continued scene of misery and horror, being +strewed with the bodies of the sick, who were barbarously put to death +as they were crawling to the shore, in hopes of being taken off by our +boats. The next movement of the enemy was to Point Bacchus, where +Colonel Drummond and his party, being surrounded, were made prisoners. +The enemy keeping possession of this post, entirely cut off all +communication between the camp and our shipping. They then proceeded to +possess themselves of the surrounding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> +heights, and formed a junction with the other party which landed at Bay +Mahault; by which Camp Berville was completely surrounded on the land +side. The utmost strength of Berville camp was now about two hundred and +fifty regular troops, and three hundred royalists; but none of these +could be called effective, being reduced to extremity by sickness and +fatigue. The enemy instantly began to form batteries, one of which, on +an eminence, in some measure commanded our camp. On the 29th of +September, in the morning, the enemy in a large body attacked our +advanced work; our field-pieces and musketry opened a heavy fire upon +them, and an engagement ensued, which continued with equal fury for +three hours; when, after having been charged the third time by our +troops, the enemy retreated, leaving on the field in killed and wounded +seven hundred men, our loss amounting to about twenty. In the forenoon +of this day, the enemy had sent a number of gun-boats from Point à +Pitre, some of which anchored off the shore at Berville, and others +under Point Bacchus, with a view to stop the communication between our +camp and shipping, and force the latter out of the harbour of Petit +Bourg. Each of their schemes succeeded, so that now the camp (ill +supplied with provisions and stores, which were left chiefly at Petit +Bourg) saw no possibility of getting a further supply. This morning +Major Irvine was killed by a twenty-four pounder from the enemy's +gun-boat, as he was sitting in the cabin of the Assurance; in which he +and a number of others had embarked. As soon as the news of these +disasters reached the Commanders<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +in Chief, the Boyne was got out of Trois Islet Bay, without loss of +time; and, although the hurricane season was not entirely past, the +Admiral embarked, and sailed on Tuesday, the 30th of September, from +Martinique, and anchored off Grozier, in the bay of Point à Pitre, by 10 +A.M. On Thursday, the 2d of October, the two-gun battery there, opened +upon us with red-hot shot, and continued to fire for a considerable +time, but without effect. This night the Admiral endeavoured to open a +communication with Camp Berville, but was prevented by the vigilance of +the enemy, who now occupied every avenue to it. On the morning of the +30th, the enemy renewed their attacks on General Graham's camp at +Berville, and again on the 4th of October, still bringing (hydra like) +greater numbers to the charge; their success, however, was the same as +on the first attack, having lost during the three attacks, on a moderate +computation, two thousand men. In the second attack General Graham was +wounded by a musket-ball in the leg, and several of his officers fell.<a +name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a> +After the third action the enemy sent in a flag of truce, offering terms +of capitulation, which General Graham in a spirited<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> +manner refused; the officers, however, waited on the General, and +stated, that the troops, reduced by sickness and fatigue, were no longer +able to undergo the duty, which now pressed heavy on them, and were so +harassed as to be incapable of withstanding another attack, which the +enemy promised to make on them the following morning. General Graham +therefore, reconsidering the matter, consented to send a flag to the +enemy, and, after some time, the terms of capitulation were agreed to; +but, alas! the unfortunate royalists were not included, though the +General endeavoured all he could to make terms for them: he succeeded +however thus far, to have permission to send a covered boat to the +Boyne, in which he embarked twenty-five officers of the royalists; their +unfortunate brethren, to the number of three hundred, who had defended +their posts to the last, with the most determined resolution, were +doomed to suffer death by the hands of their republican countrymen in +cold blood, in a manner hitherto, I believe, unheard of, at least +unrecorded in the annals of the most savage and abandoned people.<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a> +Humanity must shudder at the idea; the republicans erected a guillotine, +with which they struck off the heads of fifty of them. Thinking, +however, this mode<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> +of proceeding too tedious, they invented a more summary plan; they tied +the remainder of these unhappy men fast together, and placed them on the +brink of the trenches which they had so gallantly defended; they then +drew up some of their undisciplined recruits in front, who firing an +irregular volley at their miserable victims, killed some, wounded +others, and some, in all probability, were untouched; the weight however +of the former dragged the rest into the ditch, where the living, the +wounded, and the dead, shared the same grave, the soil being instantly +thrown upon them. The English troops were to be allowed to march out +with the honours of war, and to be embarked on board French ships, which +were to sail for England within twenty-one days after the surrender,<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a> +on condition that they would not serve against the French during the +war. A great quantity of arms and ammunition fell into the hands of the +enemy at this camp, and at Petit Bourg. Immediately after the surrender +of Berville, Victor Hughes moved towards the town of Basse Terre, now +our last stake on this island, laying waste the plantations, and burning +the beautiful seats of the royalists as he passed along. Sir John +Jervis, who had made every attempt to succour General Graham's camp at +Berville, and had been an unwilling spectator from the fleet, of the +surrender of that camp to the enemy, now made sail for Basse Terre, to +render every assistance in his power to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +General Prescott;<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> +and on the 9th of October, anchored within half a cable's length of the +town. General Prescott instantly came on board to consult with the +Admiral on the best mode of procedure in this critical state of affairs; +and it was determined that the whole force which the General could +collect, should go into the fort, and the Admiral, in the Boyne, would +render every assistance in his power to the garrison; a promise he +performed in a manner that drew the warmest thanks and approbation of +General Prescott and his officers. At this time the French royalists had +entirely abandoned us, and the militia, who had demanded arms, +positively refused to enter the fort, and soon after deserted to the +enemy: a party in the town seemed also ready to rise upon our people; +but by the vigilance and activity of General Prescott they were +overawed, and he continued to ride into the town unattended as usual. +The fort was in a miserable state, nothing having been done to it since +the peace of 1783; and Clairfontaine,<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> +a royalist, who had been appointed administrateur general, wanting +either influence or ability to procure negroes for the purpose,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> +the fort was no way better than when it fell into our hands, except +being cleaner, and supplied with provisions. On the 12th of October, a +schooner bearing a flag of truce, arrived from Victor Hughes; in it came +Captain Eiston, of the 35th regiment,<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a> +for a supply of money and baggage for our captured countrymen, with +which he returned in two days to Point à Pitre. General Prescott had +taken the precaution to order all the batteries along the coast, as well +as those on the passes of the Palmiste, to be destroyed, their guns +spiked, and magazines blown up; but, owing to the shortness of the time +allowed for it, and the weakness of the force employed, the enemy soon +got them repaired to use against us. Captain Bowen, in the Terpsichore, +was dispatched to Trois Riviere, to destroy a battery there,<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a> +where he saw and fired on the enemy, who were marching in great force +towards the heights of Palmiste. On which he returned, and informed the +Admiral of this, by whom the intelligence was instantly forwarded to +General Prescott, who had sent Captain Thomas of the 28th regiment (his +aid-de-camp) to request some seamen to reinforce his garrison, which +were most readily granted by the Admiral. While Captain Thomas was on +board the Boyne, the enemy, to his great astonishment, were seen on the +heights of Palmiste. As there were a few royalists about the General, +some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +of whose slaves were with the enemy, of course he ought to have received +earlier information of their approach; but this shews how all +intelligence was withheld from us. For ten days after the General had +withdrawn the whole of his force into the fort, he occasionally sent +parties into the town, as the Boyne still kept the enemy quiet there; +but in a short time they got some guns up to an eminence, named by us +the White-house Battery, that obliged the Admiral to weigh anchor: but +he still continued to hover about the coast, occasionally sending +reinforcements and provisions, and keeping up a constant intercourse +with General Prescott in the fort. In the course of this business the +Boyne was frequently engaged with the different batteries, and was +exposed to great danger from the mortars, which the enemy began to play +upon us with much judgment. On the 20th of October, the battery on +Houelmont opened on the Terpsichore, but without effect. Our garrison in +the fort threw some shells which drove them from thence; they, however, +soon returned again to their guns. The next day they again attacked the +frigate, and hit her; which obliged Captain Bowen to get near the land, +out of the direction of their guns. On the 23d, the White-house Battery, +having several heavy guns mounted, began a smart fire on the Boyne, +which was returned from her lower deckers; afterwards we engaged a +battery, into which the enemy had just come, at the N. W. end of the +town, from whence we drove them; but being obliged to haul off shore +occasionally, they at length completed their purpose, but not so as to +be able to hinder us from approaching<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +the land to keep up an intercourse with the garrison. On this service +(as on every other) Captain Bowen eminently distinguished himself, +having anchored the Terpsichore, within a short distance of the fort, in +a bay under Houelmont. On the 25th the Quebec, Captain Rogers, Beaulieu, +Captain Riou, and Zebra, Captain Vaughan, arrived from a cruise. The +enemy now increased their forces daily in this part of the island, +pressing into their service all the negroes who were on the different +estates; and if from timidity or any other cause they demurred, they +were instantly shot: from the ship we saw them firing on some negroes of +their own, who, from fear, were endeavouring to get off. On the night of +the 26th, Lieutenant James, with a party of seamen, marched out of the +fort to the military hospital, which he set on fire, being a place that +the enemy would soon have made a considerable post against us. On the +29th, the Boyne, as usual sailing towards the fort, was becalmed by the +high land of Houelmont, and being within a short distance, was +cannonaded from that battery for several hours. From the height of its +situation none of our guns could be brought to bear against it; however, +after considerable danger, the ship got out of the bay without any +damage. On the 5th of November, the enemy opened ten batteries against +the fort at the same instant, and a party of them, with a field-piece, +under cover of the night, had taken post on the brow of the hill under +which the Terpsichore and Experiment were anchored. As soon as the +seamen were arranged at day-break, to wash the decks as usual, they were +surprised by a heavy shower of musketry from over their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> +heads. The Experiment endeavoured to get away, but being totally +becalmed, it was some time before she could accomplish it. (Captain +Miller had gone on board the Vanguard, and Captain Skynner was then in +the Boyne, receiving his commission.<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a>) +Captain Bowen, with a presence of mind that never forsook him, ordered +up all the muskets that could be procured, and, encouraging his men with +great spirit and some effect, returned the fire of the enemy, who now +brought their field-piece to bear on the ship; he was therefore obliged +to weigh anchor, and get out of the bay as well as he could, his great +guns being totally useless from the elevated situation of the enemy: two +or three only of our people were wounded, though the deck was studded +with musket-balls. The fort<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> +was now closely invested by land; by the sea a communication was +continued the whole siege, Captain Bowen, in the Terpsichore, never +relaxing for a moment in his exertions to serve and assist the garrison. +The water in the tank being bad (the enemy having cut off the aqueduct +that supplied it), General Prescott ordered an armed party every morning +and evening to the river Galion, to protect those sent thither for +water. This was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> +continued during the whole siege; cohorns and grape-shot being fired +into the ravines and woods beyond the river, and other precautions +taken, these parties met with little molestation. All the buildings in +the fort being destroyed by the fire of the enemy, the garrison was +obliged to take shelter in the Bomb-proof, a close and unwholesome +confinement in this climate. On the 6th of November, Victor Hughes sent +an insolent summons to General Prescott, to surrender the fort in two +hours, which if not complied with, no further terms would be offered, +and the whole garrison would be put to the sword. To this the General +made a short answer, "that he would defend it as a soldier to the last +extremity." The instant the hour was expired that the General allowed +the French officer to return to Victor Hughes, he opened a heavy fire +from all his batteries against the republicans, and continued it through +the day without any return from them. Some stores and provisions were +about this period sent to the garrison from Dominica, and the merchants +of St. Pierre also made a welcome present of refreshments; the enemy at +the same time began to supply their advanced batteries with necessaries +by sea in small boats, that, keeping close in shore, evaded our +cruisers, and landed at the town of Basse Terre. On the 12th of +November, the Boyne was exposed for some time to a heavy fire from +several batteries; one shell burst immediately over her, but without +doing any mischief. At nine A. M. on the 14th of November, the Beaulieu, +being then off Vieu Fort, made a signal to the Admiral, of an enemy of +superior force being in sight. Immediately<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> +all hands were ordered to quarters, and every preparation made to give +them a warm reception; at length three line-of-battle ships hove in +sight, which, to our great joy, proved to be a reinforcement from +England; the Majestic, Captain Westcott, with Vice Admiral Caldwell's +flag on board; the Theseus, Captain Calder; and Bellona, Captain Wilson: +by them we were informed that Sir John Vaughan had arrived at St. +Pierre, and Sir Charles Grey had given up the command to him. Sir John +Jervis, worn down by long and severe exertions, the fatigues of which +were augmented by his anxiety for the welfare of the service, that not +all his exertions could promote without the arrival of a strong +reinforcement, together with the unhealthiness of the climate, found +himself no longer able to continue on this station, and therefore, to +the great grief of General Prescott, was obliged to give up his command +to Admiral Caldwell, and embarking his seamen (under Lieutenant James) +from Fort Matilda, sailed for St. Pierre; when, every thing being +arranged and settled between the several commanders, Sir Charles Grey +and his suite embarked once more with Sir John Jervis on board the +Boyne; on the 27th of November they sailed for England, and after a +tedious voyage (being for near a month tossed about in the Channel by +contrary winds) arrived at Spithead the 21st of January 1795.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>As we left General Prescott in a perilous situation, it may be proper to +give an account of the conclusion of the siege, though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> +it comes not within the original plan of my work, which professed only +to relate the events that took place under the immediate command of Sir +Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis. This I am enabled to do from the +communication of a brave and intelligent friend who was there during the +whole siege. On the 29th of November, Captain Cockburne, aid-de-camp of +General Sir John Vaughan, was sent by his Excellency to Fort Matilda, +with the unwelcome news that no more men could be sent thither. On the +5th of December, General Prescott dispatched Captain Thomas, his +aid-de-camp, to the Commander in Chief, with an account of the fort +being almost in ruins; this officer returned thither on the 7th, and +found that the bastion towards the river Galion was totally silenced, +and so completely commanded by the enemy's musketry, that not a man +could approach it; the adjoining curtain was much in the same state; the +bastion towards the town was giving way, and expected to tumble into the +ditch every moment. General Prescott no longer thought of defence, but +to secure his small garrison, now highly necessary for the defence of +the other islands, the unparalleled mortality having left them almost +without troops. The pestilential fever had been, in proportion, more +fatal to the officers than the men; in the garrison, for instance, there +was no officer of intermediate rank between the General and his +aid-de-camp Captain Thomas, who was second in command. On the 9th of +December, this officer was dispatched to Admiral Thompson, and after the +plan of embarkation was settled, he returned to the fort, and the +evacuation commenced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> +at nine o'clock on the 10th of December, and was conducted with so much +skill, that not a man was lost. In the morning two of the garrison +deserted to the enemy; but the General had concealed his intentions so +well, that not the least intelligence of it seems to have been given by +them. There was no interruption to the retreat except a few musket-shots +on the beach, from one of which that active officer Captain Bowen was +badly wounded in the face. The enemy, unconscious of this movement, +cannonaded and bombarded the fort as usual, until two o'clock the next +morning, though the embarkation had been completed by eleven the +preceding night. The whole force that marched out of Fort Matilda, was +between four and five hundred: some of them were sent to the Isle de +Saintes and Antigua, and the remainder to Martinique. Thus concluded a +siege of eight weeks and two days, during the whole of which General +Prescott evinced the most perfect coolness and true soldierly +resolution, neither appalled by the tremendous and well-directed fire +constantly, both night and day, kept up against the fort, nor by the +insolent and threatening summonses of Victor Hughes.<a +name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a> +In the handsomest manner he bore testimony to the zeal and activity of +Sir John Jervis, who relaxed not in his attention to the wants of the +garrison, till he was obliged to quit the station; leaving however, in +Captain Bowen, a man whose existence seemed to be preserved, amidst the +greatest dangers, for the service of his country. Admiral<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +Thompson had his share of praise too for the manner in which he had +conducted the embarkation. During the siege seventeen were killed, and +seventy-nine were wounded. General Prescott immediately repaired to +Saint Pierre, at Martinique, where he received the well-earned thanks +and congratulations of all ranks, for his spirited and gallant defence +of Fort Matilda. Victor Hughes,<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a> +on taking possession of the fort, ordered the monument that had been +erected over General Dundas, to be destroyed, and his remains thrown +into the river Galion; a conduct as mean and brutal, as it was +undeserved. I cannot conclude without mentioning the death of that +gallant officer, Captain Faulknor, commanding the Blanche frigate of +thirty-two guns, who, on the 5th of January, fell in with the republican +frigate, La Pique of thirty-eight guns, off the harbour of Point à +Pitre; the action was maintained with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +greatest fury and obstinacy for five hours, during which Captain +Faulknor fell by a musket-ball as he was a second time lashing the +bowsprit of La Pique to the capstern of his own ship. The loss of this +brave man must be deplored by every friend to the service; his courage +and determined bravery had been often tried, and always with success, as +in the course of this work I have frequently had occasion to mention. On +his death the command devolved on the first lieutenant, Mr. Watkins, who +continued the action in a manner that did him immortal honour. The +French ship having lost her main and mizen sails, the Blanche took her +in tow, still continuing the engagement, when the stern ports not being +large enough, they blew the upper transom beam away, and fired into her +bows for three hours. The marines under Lieutenant Richardson, kept so +well directed a fire, that not a man could appear on her forecastle +until she struck; sixty-seven of her crew were dead on the decks; many +had been thrown overboard; one hundred and ten wounded were landed at +the Saintes; and one hundred and seventy-four were taken to Martinique. +The Blanche had ten killed, including the Captain, and twenty-four +wounded. Captain Faulknor's exertions in forwarding the service on every +occasion, both during, and since the campaign, were unremitting. Indeed +the English cause in the West Indies, at this instant, could hardly have +received a deeper wound than it did by the death of this brave and +zealous man.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A1" id="Page_A1">[Pg A1]</a></p> + +<h2><a name="APPENDIX" id="APPENDIX"></a>APPENDIX.</h2> + +<blockquote> +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Barbadoes, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">St. Domingo</span>.</span><span class="smcap fr">C. S. Williamson.</span><br /></p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief, having nearly finished all his arrangements to +open the campaign with vigour, thinks it necessary, during the few days +the troops remain at Barbadoes, to give out the orders proper for the +regulation and conduct of the troops; and he anxiously calls upon every +commanding officer of brigades, regiments, and corps, to support him in +the due and strict observance thereof. The object of the campaign is to +complete the conquest of the French West India Islands. Great +sufficiency of provisions and a numerous train of artillery are +provided. The General is so thoroughly convinced of the zeal and +intelligence of the officers and soldiers under his command, that he +knows many orders upon the present occasion are unnecessary; yet, to +shorten orders in future, it may not be improper to explain to the +soldiers the fatal consequences of straggling ever so little away from +camp<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A2" id="Page_A2">[Pg A2]</a></span> +in quest of plunder; it is next to a certainty they will fall ignobly by +the hands of the country people: or if they should escape, they may +depend upon suffering the severe punishment due to disobeying military +orders; as the General will never allow (while he has the honour to +command such troops) practices of that nature to gain ground, as that +alone, in time, will defeat the bravest army in the world, and render +all their efforts useless. The British soldiers cannot be ignorant of +the high reputation they have always acquired for obedience, attention, +and expertness, in arms; and consequently they must be sensible how much +their king and country expect from them: and the General is impressed +with every assurance, that the troops will not disappoint them upon this +occasion. The General takes the liberty to assure them, that they are +able to fight any troops upon earth; and he will be answerable that it +would not be a contest of ten minutes between this army and the best +troops of France, whether the affair was to be decided by fire or +bayonet. This last method is always to be preferred, but much more so +when acting against such bad troops as the army we are now to be opposed +to, the enemy being made up chiefly of negroes and mulattoes, with a +very small proportion of regular troops; to be beat by whom would be so +disgraceful, that he cannot entertain the most distant thought of it. +The present distracted state of France makes it impossible to support +them, therefore it only requires the usual perseverance and gallantry of +British soldiers to conquer the first island that an attack is made +upon, which will certainly decide the fate of the whole,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A3" id="Page_A3">[Pg A3]</a></span> +shorten the campaign, and put an honourable end to the labour and +exertion of the troops. The General thinks it a duty incumbent on him, +and which he doubts not will be taken well, to point out further what he +thinks necessary, either for their own particular good, or that more +noble object, the good of their king and country. The General desires +the soldiers will consider what hardships must attend their profession; +that there is as much true honour in bearing them with manly fortitude, +as in forcing the cannon of an enemy; patience under difficulties being +one of the first virtues in a military character, and without which no +man, however brave, will ever be a soldier. In times like the present +some sacrifice of convenience must always be made to necessity; at the +same time the soldiers may be assured that every attention will be paid +by the Commander in Chief, and every other officer, to have them well +supplied with every article that the nature of the service will admit. +On the other hand, he hopes the soldiers will be so thoroughly convinced +of this, that not one of them will be so lost to honour and virtue, and +the service of their country, as not readily and most cheerfully to put +up with every inconvenience, and even to the scarcity of provisions, if +it should so happen. The General means to carry the business through +with as little loss as possible, and with the strictest attention to the +preservation of the troops: to this end he expects that every duty +required will be carried forward by the troops without the least +unsoldier-like behaviour or complaint, and that all orders will be +strictly obeyed. The army is sent to carry on honourable war +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A4" id="Page_A4">[Pg A4]</a></span> +against the French colonies, and by their conduct, in preserving the +persons and properties of the peaceable inhabitants, to conciliate the +minds of the people to the British government; therefore the General +determinately assures the troops, that he will allow of no drunkenness +or licentious behaviour, no burning of churches, houses, or edifices of +any description, without orders, or plundering in any shape whatever. +All persons that with their property remain in their habitations, shall +be treated with humanity. No violence to be offered, particularly to +women, on any pretence whatever. The strictest subordination and +discipline to be preserved throughout the whole army; and the commanding +officer of brigades, regiments, and corps, must be responsible +accordingly to the Commander in Chief.—The commanding officer will +be careful that these orders, and every other that comes out, are +distinctly read to their men by an officer, and be clearly understood by +both officers and soldiers.—However it may hurt the General's +feelings, he is determined to make immediate examples of all those who +shall presume to disobey his orders; more particularly that part of them +relative to plundering, ill treatment of peaceable inhabitants, or +firing of houses, &c. And Captain Vipond, provost marshal, has his +orders to execute upon the spot every offender caught in such horrid +acts, without trial.—It may be necessary here to acquaint all +officers' servants (not soldiers), and followers of the army of every +description, that they are subject to military law, and liable in like +manner with the troops to the punishment of death, or corporal +punishment, according to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A5" id="Page_A5">[Pg A5]</a></span> +the nature of the offence. Each regiment and corps will apprize them of +this, that ignorance may not be pleaded as an excuse. The success of +this army totally depends upon a proper and strict degree of order and +discipline being maintained; the General therefore again calls upon +officers of every rank to assist him in enforcing it; for the whole are +not to suffer by a disorderly few, who, if allowed to go on, would be +the destruction of the whole army.</p> + +<p>The provost marshal's guard to mount to-morrow morning at six o'clock, +consisting of one sergeant, two corporals, twelve privates; and Captain +Vipond will direct patroles to go out as he judges necessary, for the +purpose of preserving order and regularity.—William Allen, +sergeant major, of the forty-eighth regiment, is appointed deputy to the +provost marshal; Captain Scott, of the sixth regiment, to act as major +to that regiment; and Quarter Master William Haugh to do the duty of +adjutant till further orders.—Carpenters are much wanted to +expedite the equipment of hospital ships, and other necessary work on +board the fleet; returns to be given in by each corps to-morrow of the +number of carpenters they have, and such as they can furnish; to be +supplied on the application of Captain Armstrong, assistant to the +quarter master general, who will receive and take care to return them on +board their respective transports. Working parties from the troops +afloat are necessary for the same purpose, and will be supplied in +rotation, by corps, with a proper proportion of non-commissioned +officers, on the application of Captain Armstrong to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A6" id="Page_A6">[Pg A6]</a></span> +officers commanding regiments or battalions. The sixth regiment, and +such of the flank companies not yet completed with camp equipage, will +receive it on board the Sincerity brig to-morrow morning at six o'clock. +The quarter masters of the respective battalions will attend to receive +it.—Lieutenant Geyer of the sixty-seventh regiment to do duty with +the sixth regiment.—Provost's guard, first battalion grenadiers. +One sergeant, nine privates of the ninth regiment on board the army brig +to be landed this evening, and to march to St. Ann's, where they are to +remain till further orders. The light companies at St. Ann's Castle will +fire ball this evening, &c. &c.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center">Lieut. Colonel Gomm was left to command at Barbadoes.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p class="center">FURTHER ORDERS BEFORE EMBARKATION.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap fl">Orders.</span><span class="fr"><i>Barbadoes, January 24, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p class="center small">EXTRACT.</p> + +<p>The safety of an army depending in a great measure upon the guards and +out-posts, they cannot be too vigilant; therefore the Commander in Chief +expects, that whatever post or guard an officer is ordered to take, he +will first visit his situation and ground<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A7" id="Page_A7">[Pg A7]</a></span> +around it, and post his centinels so as to render it out of the power of +the enemy to surprise him. It is the greatest disgrace that can possibly +befall an officer; and so much so in the General's opinion, that any +officer, or non-commissioned officer, who shall suffer himself to be +surprised, must not expect to be forgiven.—All out-posts to +fortify themselves as well as they can, to prevent any insult from +parties of the enemy. The troops always to form two deep; and, the roads +being so narrow in the island, it will be necessary for them to march by +files: if there is room to do otherwise, the commanding officer will be +the best judge.—The soldiers will bear in mind the use of the +bayonet, which in possession of, they can have no excuse for retreating +for want of ammunition, the bayonet being the best and most effectual +weapon in the hands of a gallant British soldier; in which mode of +attack (the General assures them) no troops upon earth are equal to +them. In case of a night attack, ammunition and firing are totally out +of the question, and the bayonet is ever to be preferred and made use +of. Every reason is in favour of this system; amongst many others the +following, viz. It conceals you and your numbers from the enemy; the +enemy direct their fire wherever they see or hear fire, consequently +fire upon each other, whilst you are concealed, and they fall an easy +prey. The General assures the troops of this from his own repeated +experience; and the soldiers may rely in confidence upon him, that if it +is strictly adhered to, it will seldom, if ever, fail of +success.—As it may be necessary at particular times to order the +grenadiers, light infantry, and advanced corps, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A8" id="Page_A8">[Pg A8]</a></span> +retire, in order more effectually to secure the defeat of the enemy, the +Commander in Chief thinks it necessary to apprize the army of this, to +prevent any alarm such an appearance might otherwise occasion amongst +the soldiers.—Weak and sickly men are not to embark with their +regiments or corps; proper measures will be taken to get those men to +their regiments as soon as they are in a state fit for duty. No women to +come on shore till particularly ordered, &c.</p> + +<p>The undernamed are the officers of Royal Engineers to serve the army on +the expedition.</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left">Colonels</td><td align="left">Elias Durnford, Chief Engineer.</td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td align="left">John Chillcotts.</td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td align="left">Robert Douglas.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captains</td><td align="left">William Johnston.</td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td align="left">James Gieddes.</td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td align="left">Lewis Hay.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">1st Lieutenants</td><td align="left">Richard Downe.</td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td align="left">Douglas Lawson.</td></tr> +<tr><td></td><td align="left">Richard Fletcher.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">2d Lieutenant</td><td align="left">Elias Walker Durnford.</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>No emigrants allowed to go as servants or otherwise from +Barbadoes with the expedition, without particular leave from the +Commander in Chief; nor any negroes to be hired by the officers, +without the consent of their owners.</p> + +<hr /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A9" id="Page_A9">[Pg A9]</a></p> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb. 6, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p class="smcap center">General Orders.</p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Martinico</span>.</span><span class="fr">C. S. <span class="smcap">Morne</span>.</span><br /></p> + +<p class="center">Field Officer for the day, Lieut. Colonel Buckridge.</p> + +<p class="center">The army will halt to-day.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief cannot but express the highest sense he +entertains of the exertion of the officers and soldiers in a long +fatiguing march yesterday, and the orderly behaviour of the men during +the whole march, and which must at all times demand his utmost +attention; and he assures them the same conduct will (and speedily) put +an end to the campaign.—The Commander in Chief is pleased to order +an extra day of fresh provisions and rum to be issued out to the men +this day as soon as possible.—The regiments which loaded yesterday +on their march will draw their pieces immediately; and no regiment to +load in future without orders, except the advanced guard.—A +general court martial to be convened immediately for the trial of +William Milton, of the English light dragoons, and Samuel Price, of the +black dragoons, for robbery; and all such prisoners as shall be brought +before them. Capt. Cunningham, and Jacques and Falice, to appear as +witnesses.</p> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A10" id="Page_A10">[Pg A10]</a></p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left">Lieutenant Colonel Blundell, President.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieutenant Colonel Johnston.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Major Watson.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Major Ross.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Major Baillie.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Third battalion grenadiers</td><td align="left">2 Captains.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Second light infantry</td><td align="left">1 Ditto.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Third ditto</td><td align="left">1 Ditto.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Third brigade</td><td align="left">4 Ditto.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>Names of the members, and dates of their commissions, to be given in +immediately to Major Lyon, deputy quarter master general, acting judge +advocate. List of the evidence for and against to be given in at the +same time. The quarter masters of the different regiments at head +quarters to give in to the quarter master general a return of the +effective strength immediately.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="smcap fl">After Orders.</span><span class="fr"><i>Feb. 7, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p>William Milton, private in the detachment of British light dragoons, and +Samuel Price, a negro, attached to the dragoons, tried by a general +court martial, of which Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Blundell was president, +for having entered the house of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A11" id="Page_A11">[Pg A11]</a></span> +Jacques, an inhabitant of this place, and robbing him of a sum of money, +are both found guilty of the crime laid to their charge; and, by virtue +of the power and authority vested in the court by the fourth article of +the twenty-third section of the articles of war, the said prisoners, +William Milton and Samuel Price, are adjudged to suffer death; which is +approved of by the Commander in Chief, and the general court martial is +dissolved.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief feels most sensibly, and laments the necessity of +making examples so immediately after landing, notwithstanding the +strongest and most pointed orders given by him so recently against every +kind of irregularity and improper behaviour in soldiers on service, but +particularly against this very crime committed by the prisoners. +Determined, however, to have his orders obeyed, to preserve discipline +in the army, which is so essential to its success, and to prevent a +repetition of crimes so base, disgraceful, and detestable, the +prisoners, William Milton and Samuel Price, are ordered to be executed +at eight o'clock to-morrow morning. The troops to parade at seven +o'clock to-morrow morning, in readiness to attend the execution. The +ninth and fifteenth regiments to send four men each in augmentation of +the castle guard in the rear of the head quarters. Six mules will be +delivered to each of the flank battalions, and four to each regiment, at +nine o'clock to-morrow morning, at the quarter master general's.</p> + +<hr /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A12" id="Page_A12">[Pg A12]</a></p> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb. 8, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Whyte</span>.</span><span class="smcap fr">C. S. Batteries.</span><br /></p> + +<p class="center">Field Officer of the day, Major Watson.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief hopes the awful scene of this morning will have +its proper effect, and not lay him again under the most feeling and +painful necessity of repeating it, but which must certainly be the +unhappy case in the persons of future offenders. The General could not +be justified in the eyes of his king and country, and this army he has +the honour to command, in acting otherwise, their existence and success +depending (of which every good thinking soldier must be sensible) upon a +proper degree of discipline and subordination, with the most minute and +strictest obedience to orders, &c.</p> + +<p>The General has the pleasure to announce to the army the complete +success of Brigadier General Whyte, at the head of the third light +infantry, in gallantly storming and taking the batteries of Cape Solomon +and Bourgis. In Cape Solomon were four thirty-six pounders and two +twenty-four pounders; in Bourgis three twenty-four pounders, all in +perfect order to turn against the enemy; with powder and shot in +abundance. This success opens a near communication with the fleet, by +enabling them to come into Ance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A13" id="Page_A13">[Pg A13]</a></span> +d'Arlet Bay, with every supply the army may be in want of; and what +still renders it more valuable, carried with the loss only of one man.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb.9, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Dundas</span>.</span><span class="smcap fr">C. S. Gros Morne.</span><br /></p> + +<p class="center">Field Officer of the day, Major Baillie.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief has again the pleasure to announce to the troops +the further success of his majesty's arms towards the conquest of the +island of Martinico, by the able conduct of Major General Dundas, and +the gallantry and spirit of the troops under his command, in attacking +the enemy's troops under the command of Mons. Bellgarde at Trinité with +bayonets, and putting them totally to the rout with great slaughter, he +narrowly escaping with a few followers into Fort Royal. The Major +General with great spirit followed up the blow, and took possession of +the very strong fort of the Gros Morne, where the English colours are +now flying.</p> + +<p>He has also the pleasure to add the gallantry of the seventieth +regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Johnston, and led by Colonel +Dundas, who with so much spirit and <span class="correction" +title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'prompitude'.">promptitude</span> +attacked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A14" id="Page_A14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +the enemy posted upon Morne Charlotte Pied, and put them totally to +flight, taking possession of that important commanding ground looking +down upon Pigeon Island, which, when, attacked (in conjunction with +Brigadier General Whyte) and taken, will enable the English fleet to +come up into Fort Royal Harbour, in full view of the enemy's Forts of +Bourbon and Royal.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief is happy in the opportunity of making honourable +mention of Captain Nares of the seventieth regiment, who led the +advanced guard with so much true courage and judgment in the above +attack, as reported to him in the strongest manner by Colonel Dundas.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb. 11, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Gordon</span>.</span><span class="smcap fr">C. S. Case Navire.</span><br /></p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief is happy again to assure the army of the progress +of our arms towards the reduction of Martinico. Colonel Sir Charles +Gordon, and Captain Rogers commanding a squadron of his Majesty's ships, +by their good conduct, activity, and spirit, have made a landing good at +<span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'Case'.">Cape</span> +Pilote, and taken all the batteries upon the coast from Cape Pilote to +<span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'Case'.">Cape</span> +Navirre. The gallantry of the troops, in charging and putting to flight +the enemy wherever they dared to appear, was never more conspicuous.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A15" id="Page_A15">[Pg A15]</a></p> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb. 12, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Whyte</span>.</span><span class="smcap fr">C. S. Pigeon Island.</span><br /></p> + +<p class="center">Field Officer of the day, Major Baillie.</p> + +<p>It is with the utmost satisfaction the Commander in Chief announces to +the army the capture of Pigeon Island, which surrendered yesterday +morning about eleven o'clock, being a post of great strength, and of the +utmost importance towards the success of our future operations. The +Commander in Chief gives his thanks to Brigadier General Whyte, who +commanded and conducted this service with such spirit and ability as to +do him honour. Likewise to Colonel Symes, quarter master general, for +his able assistance and zeal upon the occasion.—The Commander in +Chief returns his thanks to Lieutenant Colonel Close, who commanded the +third battalion of light infantry; and to Major Manningham, for his +conspicuous exertions. Likewise to Lieutenant Colonel Paterson and Major +Manly, who commanded the royal artillery, which was well and ably +served; and to Colonel Durnford of the engineers.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief gives his thanks to all the officers and soldiers +employed on that difficult and particular service, whose courage and +exertions (so eminently manifested) merit the greatest praise.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A16" id="Page_A16">[Pg A16]</a></span> +The Commander in Chief also has to offer his warmest acknowledgments and +obligations to Lieutenants Rogers and Rutherford, commanding the seamen, +and to all the other officers and seamen of his Majesty's navy; whose +perseverance, able assistance, and good conduct, contributed much to the +capture of the island.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb. 13, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p class="smcap center">General Orders.</p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">York</span>.</span><span class="fr smcap">C. S. Gloucester.</span><br /></p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief is happy in the opportunity of expressing the +pleasure he received from the report of Major Lyon, deputy adjutant +general, of the spirited conduct of the fifteenth regiment, commanded by +Captain Pomier, in the attack of a very strong post of the enemy at +eleven o'clock last night, in which attack two hundred of the enemy were +surprised, and totally routed, with some loss, and all their cattle, +provisions, arms, &c. and some prisoners taken, with the loss of one +man only of the fifteenth regiment killed, and two wounded.</p> + +<p>The fifteenth regiment, at the same time that they accept the Commander +in Chief's acknowledgments for their spirited conduct,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A17" id="Page_A17">[Pg A17]</a></span> +will allow him to say, that if they had not fired, the surprise might +have been more complete; and firing, he trusts, they will in future, in +all night attacks, on all occasions, avoid, and which, they well know, +how very strongly he recommended previous to the opening of the +campaign; and he desires the commanding officers will turn back to their +orders, and read them to the officers and men.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief desires that the warm sense he entertains of the +spirited service of Captain de Rivigne (who commanded the howitzers in +the siege and capture of Pigeon Island, as reported by Brigadier General +Whyte) may be made known to the army, &c.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Heights of Brunot, Feb. 17, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Conquest</span>.</span> <span class="fr smcap">C. S. St. Pierre.</span><br /></p> + +<p class="center">Field Officer, Major Campbell.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief hopes that every care is taken of, and humanity +shewn to, the negroes attached to the regiments, and to all those +employed with the army; and that they are victualled, attended to, and +encouraged. This the commanding officers of regiments and corps, and +every officer in all departments, will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A18" id="Page_A18">[Pg A18]</a></span> +attend to, and inquire into: as many have fled from the camp, which must +be owing to their having been neglected, or ill used by some of the men, +such treatment must be prevented in future, otherwise the army will +suffer every inconvenience.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Brunot, Feb. 19, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">St. Pierre</span>.</span> <span class="fr smcap">C. S. Dundas.</span><br /></p> + +<p class="center">Field Officer, Colonel Coote.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief has the pleasure to announce to the army the +complete capture of St. Pierre, the most considerable town in this +island, which contains the greatest part of its wealth, its roads +crowded with ships and merchandise, now the prizes of the army and navy.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief holds himself highly obliged to the troops for +their spirited and cool conduct in the course of the attack yesterday; +and congratulates them upon so easy an acquisition of the strong ground +hitherto occupied by the enemy, owing to the prompt and spirited +movement of Lieutenant Colonel Buckridge, and the support of the light +infantry under Lieutenant Colonel Coote and Lieutenant Colonel Blundell: +this being the very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A19" id="Page_A19">[Pg A19]</a></span> +ground intended to be occupied, and essential for the impending siege. +The sixth, ninth, and second light infantry, with all the artillery of +the camp at Brunot, to march and form the line of the new camp at +Sourier at day-break. The seventieth and fifteenth regiments to remain +at the port of Matilda, and the covering of the landing place, till +further orders.</p> + +<p>The commissary to order the provisions, &c. of the army to be +escorted to the most convenient and contiguous situation for the supply +of the army in their new position; which, from their present landing +place, will be nearer than their former encampment. The cavalry, +provost's, and every other department attendant on the army, to move +to-morrow morning. The post of Colomb, occupied by Lieutenant Colonel +Coote, to be retained by two companies, and that of Lieutenant Colonel +Buckridge by one company.</p> + +<p>No bullocks for draught, which are necessary for agriculture to the +inhabitants, or milch cows, to be slaughtered by the army.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A20" id="Page_A20">[Pg A20]</a></p> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Heights of Sourier, Feb. 22, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Navy</span>.</span> <span class="fr smcap">C. S. Animation.</span><br /></p> + +<p class="center">Field Officer, Major Campbell.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief saw with pleasure and surprise this morning the +great progress that has been made in forming an excellent road for the +battering train through so difficult a country, and the fair prospect of +the artillery shortly arriving at the destined ground. Nothing can +exceed the order and indefatigability of the British sailors, and the +zeal and pleasure with which they appear animated in the most laborious +exertions; he has remarked this with the utmost satisfaction.</p> + +<p>He begs Captains Hervey, Kelly, and Carpenter, with the officers and men +under their command, will accept his best thanks and acknowledgments of +how much he owes them. When the two services thus combine and +co-operate, the greatest obstacles may be surmounted, and every +difficulty vanish. The Commander in Chief has given orders to the +commissary that the seamen shall be amply supplied with provisions and +rum.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A21" id="Page_A21">[Pg A21]</a></p> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, Feb. 24, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Great Gun</span>.</span> <span class="fr smcap">C. S. Mortar.</span><br /></p> + +<p>Not that the Commander in Chief has any reason whatever to suspect the +advanced posts and guard of the camp are not alert, but, on the +contrary, their steadiness and attention give him true satisfaction: +nevertheless he thinks it right to warn them, that the enemy, in their +present hopeless situation, may be desperate, and attempt to insult some +of the posts: more they cannot do; but the slightest advantage gained, +their expiring cause may for a moment be spirited up to hold out a +little longer, and cause the loss of a few brave men; this the Commander +in Chief wishes to avoid, and to make the conquest of this valuable +island of Martinico with the least loss possible, he being ever +attentive and watchful of their preservation. He particularly desires +the advanced posts will, if possible, increase their vigilance, and in +case of an insult, to meet it coolly, not risking themselves by darting +forward (this not being the time for such exertion), but to check their +ardour, and content themselves by standing on the defensive, and +repulsing the enemy, covering steadily the bringing up the battering +train to their destined ground, which will very soon be completed, and +the batteries ready to open powerfully upon the enemy from three points +at one and the same time; which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A22" id="Page_A22">[Pg A22]</a></span> +done, the Commander in Chief assures the army that he has every reason +to believe they will be in possession of the enemy's last stake in a +little time, and honourably put an end to their labours.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief again repeats his orders for all the out-posts +that are the least exposed to the enemy's fire, to fortify and shelter +themselves, throwing up blinds at certain distances to run behind when a +shell falls, and which will effectually secure them.—In the trench +of Lieutenant Colonel Coote's post three or four cross blinds should be +made; and the engineer is immediately to order it. The advanced guns +also to be guarded, to prevent a shot damaging a wheel or carriage; +which Lieutenant Colonel Paterson will order to be done.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Camp, Heights of Sourier, Feb. 28, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Push</span>.</span> <span class="smcap fr">C. S. Forward.</span><br /></p> + +<p class="center">Field Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Craddock.</p> + +<p>Alexander Ross, second gunner, royal artillery, and Edward Brookes, of +the royal Irish artillery, tried by the general court martial, of which +Lieutenant Colonel Buckridge was president, for absenting themselves +five hours from the post of Gros Morne; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A23" id="Page_A23">[Pg A23]</a></span> +on suspicion of having robbed Madame Lamalle of a gold watch and chain, +with various other articles, viz. six silver spoons, six forks, and a +large soup spoon. The prisoners are further accused of robbing a +washerwoman of some wearing apparel belonging to Adjutant Wilkinson, of +the sixty-fourth regiment. The court, having maturely considered the +evidence in support of the charge against the prisoners, together with +what they had to advance in their defence, acquit the prisoners, +Alexander Ross, second gunner of royal artillery, and Edward Brookes, of +the royal Irish artillery, of the charge against them of having robbed +Madame Lamalle and the washerwoman: but the prisoners, Alexander Ross, +of the royal artillery, and Edward Brookes, of the royal Irish +artillery, are both found guilty of absenting themselves from the post +of Gros Morne without leave, in breach of the fourteenth section of +articles of war, and are therefore adjudged to receive four hundred +lashes each on their bare backs.—The Commander in Chief approves +of the above sentence, and directs, that the punishment of four hundred +lashes each be inflicted on the prisoners to-morrow morning at seven +o'clock, at the head of the English and royal Irish artillery.—The +Commander in Chief is clearly of opinion that the prisoners, Alexander +Ross and Edward Brookes, were also guilty of the charge of robbery +advanced against them; but the evidence not being of that force to +justify the court martial in finding them guilty, they are fortunate in +escaping, and he thinks it will make a lasting impression on their +minds; for the Commander in Chief assures them, had they been found +guilty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A24" id="Page_A24">[Pg A24]</a></span> +(however painful to him), they should have suffered the last punishment, +death, at the head of the army.</p> + +<p>The prisoner Phelps, soldier in the fortieth regiment of foot, tried by +the same general court martial for desertion, is found guilty, in breach +of the first article of the sixth section of the articles of war, and +sentenced to receive eight hundred lashes on his bare back, in the usual +manner. The Commander in Chief approves of the above sentence; but, in +consideration of the great length of time the prisoner, John Phelps, has +been confined, he is pleased to pardon him; and hopes this instance of +lenity will make a deep and lasting impression on his mind, and induce +him to behave like a good and faithful British soldier to his king and +country in future.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Camp, Sourier, March 5, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Aim</span>.</span> <span class="fr smcap">C. S. Well.</span><br /></p> + +<p class="center small">EXTRACTS.</p> + +<p>His Royal Highness Prince Edward, major general, to take the command of +his Majesty's troops forming the investment of Fort Bourbon, on the +<span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was +'Case Navire'.">Cape Navirre</span> side, and the camp at La Coste, with all +the posts depending.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A25" id="Page_A25">[Pg A25]</a></span> +The Commander in Chief observes the soldiers do not dig a trench round +their tents to carry off the wet: the commanding officers of regiments +and corps to order it to be done immediately, and to send for the +hammocks belonging to the round tents, to make the men as comfortable as +possible.</p> + +<p>Captain J. A. Wetheral, and Lieutenant J. Vesey, of the eleventh foot, +are appointed aid de camps to his Royal Highness Prince Edward, major +general, and to be obeyed as such.—The Commander in Chief has the +pleasure to announce, that a detachment of the fifteenth regiment, +commanded by Lord Sinclair, and a detachment of light dragoons, +commanded by Lieutenant Shadwell, and conducted by Captain Cunningham +(his aid de camp), surprised at ten o'clock this morning a strong corps +of the enemy near Francois, which they had set on fire. The enemy were +completely surprised, who had been burning, plundering, and murdering, +wherever they went; thirty-six were killed, with their chief, who was +cut down by a light dragoon. Four prisoners were taken, who were hung up +as an example to such rascals in future; which method the General is +determined uniformly to pursue with all such taken in arms.—The +Commander in Chief returns his best thanks to Lord Sinclair, Captain +Cunningham, and Lieutenant Shadwell, for their zeal and exertion on this +occasion; and to all the officers and men employed. The fire of Francois +was extinguished, and only four houses burnt. Our loss only two men +wounded.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A26" id="Page_A26">[Pg A26]</a></p> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, March 9, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Advance</span>.</span> <span class="smcap fr">C. S. Nearer.</span><br /></p> + +<p class="center">Field Officer, Major Baillie.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant General Prescot will advance, and post the seventieth +regiment to cover the new batteries; which done, the captain and sixty +men, and subaltern and thirty, posted at and near M. Ragout's house, to +be withdrawn, excepting a serjeant and twelve men posted on the height +in the rear of that post, which must be continued until further orders. +Surgeon's mate William Wood, of the seventieth regiment, is appointed +surgeon's mate to the general hospital in the West Indies. The following +gentlemen are appointed to act as assistant engineers: Mr. Thomas Hall, +Lieutenant Fenton, forty-third regiment, Ensign Snell, fifteenth +regiment, Ensign Garroway, king's Carolina regiment, and M. la Granche.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, before Fort Bourbon,</i></span><br /> +<span class="fr"><i>March 18, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p>The gallant attack of the seamen, headed by Lieutenant Bowen of the +Boyne, in boarding the Gabarre, in the carinage of Fort<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A27" id="Page_A27">[Pg A27]</a></span> +Royal, in open boats, at noon day yesterday, under a shower of grape +shot and musquetry from the garrison, taking the captain, lieutenant, +and twelve men prisoners, being all there were on board, and even firing +some of the guns of the Gabarre against the fort, merits the highest +praise and admiration. This gallant transaction the Commander in Chief +was a witness of, and takes this opportunity of repeating how perfectly +sensible he is of their meritorious services, with those of the navy in +general, and of their unwearied exertion in forwarding his majesty's +service in every way, and on this critical occasion; and begs they will +accept of his best thanks. Lieutenant Robertson to do duty as major of +brigade, in the room of M. B. Forbes, till further orders.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, before Fort Bourbon,</i></span><br /> +<span class="fr"><i>Friday, March 21, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Fort</span>.</span> <span class="fr smcap">C. S. Royal.</span><br /></p> + +<p class="center">Field Officer, Major Baillie.</p> + +<p>During the present truce no relaxation of duty, vigilance, or +preparation for a continuance of the siege, to take place; on the +contrary, every exertion to be used for opening again with more +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A28" id="Page_A28">[Pg A28]</a></span> +vigour than ever, should the present conference break of, by not +agreeing on terms; which may be the case.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief has great satisfaction in congratulating the army +on the most important capture of Fort Royal, effected with so much good +conduct and gallantry, which he trusts must lead to a speedy surrender +of Fort Bourbon.—The first battalion of grenadiers, commanded by +Lieutenant Colonel Stewart, and third battalion of light infantry, +commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Close, from camp la Coste, with the +third battalion of grenadiers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel +Buckridge, and first light infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel +Coote, from the camp of Sourier, behaved with their usual spirit on the +occasion, and such as must always command success. Captain de Rivigne, +of the royal artillery, has done his duty in so excellent a manner, +shewing superior judgment in conducting the fire of the field pieces on +the left, and so effectually covering the approach of the troops, as has +done him the greatest honour, and proves him to be a most valuable +officer.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief acknowledges great obligations to the navy, on +their gallant escalade of Fort Royal, under the able conduct of +Commodore Thompson, with the assistance of the Asia, Captain Brown; but +particularly to Captain Faulkner of the Zebra, whose gallantry and +judgment have justly gained him the admiration of the whole +army.—Commodore Thompson's judicious arrangement of the gun-boats +and flat-boats, with the assistance of Captain Rogers, who landed and +entered the town of Fort<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A29" id="Page_A29">[Pg A29]</a></span> +Royal from the side of Tortenson, contributed most essentially to the +success of the enterprise, in which the zealous assistance and activity +of Captain Sancée of the Guides, was highly meritorious and useful. The +Commander in Chief's thanks are justly due to every person employed on +that service, which he gives with infinite pleasure and satisfaction.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Fort Royal, March 25, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Fort George</span>.</span> <span class="fr smcap">C. S. Fort Edward.</span><br /></p> + +<p class="center">Field Officer, Colonel Coote.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief orders Fort Bourbon now to bear the name of Fort +George, and Fort Louis to bear the name of Fort Edward; and to be called +so in future.—The Commander in Chief, with heartfelt satisfaction, +congratulates the army on the complete conquest of the island of +Martinico, a most important acquisition to his majesty's crown. He begs +permission to return the army in general his warmest thanks for their +zeal, perseverance, gallantry, and spirit, so eminently distinguished, +and never before exceeded, by every rank, from the general to the +soldier, throughout this service; and this justice he cannot fail to do +them in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A30" id="Page_A30">[Pg A30]</a></span> +strongest language to his majesty.—The works of the trenches to be +levelled, and every preparation made by all departments for embarkation +on another expedition. The transports are ordered round to Fort Royal; +and the cannon, ordnance stores, and every thing belonging to the +engineer and military departments, to be conveyed down, ready to be +embarked on board their respective ships, regularly, and with such +method, that no sort of confusion or retardment may happen upon a second +disembarkation. The artillery will always be the first called +for.—All officers of the army and navy to have permission to go +into Fort George.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center smcap">General Orders.</p> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Boyne, off Guadaloupe, June 4, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p>Colonel Richard Symes is appointed brigadier general from the 25th of +May, 1794, in the West Indies; and also governor of Guadaloupe, until +his majesty's pleasure is known.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fl smcap">General Orders.</span> <span class="fr"><i>Guadaloupe, June 8, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p>Colonel Francis Dundas is appointed Brigadier General from the 26th of +May, 1794, in the West Indies. Surgeon Thomas<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A31" id="Page_A31">[Pg A31]</a></span> +Wright, from the garrison of Guadaloupe, to be purveyor of the general +hospital, vice Dundon, deceased. The Honourable Captain Stewart, of the +twenty-second regiment, to be extra aid de camp to the Commander in +Chief.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fl smcap">General Orders.</span> <span class="fr"><i>Guadaloupe, June 10, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p>Captain Donkin, of the forty-fourth regiment, to do duty as +major of brigade.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fl smcap">General Orders.</span> <span class="fr"><i>Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, June 13, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief feels great satisfaction in acquainting the army +with his majesty's entire approbation of their gallant exertions and +bravery during this campaign, to the time of the capture of Fort Bourbon +(now Fort George), and the complete conquest of the island of +Martinique; which is communicated to him in a letter from the secretary +of state, bearing date the 22d of April, 1794, of which the following is +an extract. "I am therefore to signify to you his majesty's most perfect +and entire approbation of your conduct, and of the gallant behaviour of +all the officers and soldiers under your command; and to desire that you +will convey<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A32" id="Page_A32">[Pg A32]</a></span> +to them the just sense his majesty entertains of the honour they have +done themselves, and of the services which they have rendered to their +country."—The Commander in Chief has also the pleasure of +notifying to the army, that having made application for exempting it +from paying postage, his majesty has been graciously pleased to comply +therewith; which is communicated to him in a letter from the secretary +of state of the same date, the following being an extract. "His majesty +is most graciously pleased to comply with your request that the army +under your command whilst on service may be exempted from paying postage +for their letters; and I shall immediately signify the same to the post +master general."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fl smcap">General Orders.</span> <span class="fr"><i>Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, June 14, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Light Infantry</span>.</span> <span class="fr smcap">C. S. ——</span><br /></p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief thanks Brigadier General Dundas, and the first +light infantry, under the command of Major Ross, supported by the +thirty-ninth regiment, under Major Magan, for the usual spirit with +which they attacked the French camp at Point Gabbare, and congratulates +them on the complete success of it.—The able and gallant conduct +of Major Ross, in leading the light<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A33" id="Page_A33">[Pg A33]</a></span> +infantry so handsomely to the charge, as reported by Brigadier General +Dundas, demands the Commander in Chief's particular acknowledgments; and +which he will not fail to report to the ministry, to lay before his +majesty.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center smcap">General Orders.</p> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, Guadaloupe, June 15, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Boyne</span>.</span> <span class="fr smcap">C. S. ——</span><br /></p> + +<p>The grenadier companies of the sixth, ninth, fifteenth, twenty-first, +fifty-sixth, fifty-eighth, sixtieth, fourth battalion of the +sixty-fourth, sixty-fifth, and three companies from the Irish regiments, +to be formed into a battalion under the command of Lieutenant Colonel +Fisher, of the sixtieth regiment. The light companies of the sixth, +ninth, fifteenth, twenty-first, fifty-sixth, fifty-eighth, sixtieth, +fourth battalion of the sixty-fourth, sixty-fifth, and three companies +from the Irish regiments, to be formed into a battalion under the +command of Lieutenant Colonel Gomm.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A34" id="Page_A34">[Pg A34]</a></p> + +<p><span class="fl smcap">General Orders.</span> <span class="fr"><i>Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, June 18, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, ——</span> <span class="fr smcap">C. S. ——</span><br /></p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief feels with great concern the necessity of again +assembling part of the troops to dislodge an enemy who have stolen into +Pointe a Pitre, and the posts in its neighbourhood, at the moment when +the gallant General Dundas was expiring. He had hoped that the troops, +whose meritorious services had acquired so much glory during a most +successful campaign, would have found rest and comfort during the +remainder of this year at least. Relying however on the cheerful and +utmost exertions of the gallant troops he has the happiness to command, +he cannot entertain a doubt of finishing the service speedily and +gloriously, to enable the troops to return very soon to the quarters +from whence they are now called forth to service.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief assures the troops that their situation on this +extra service shall be made as comfortable and agreeable to them as it +is in his power to render it; and that no time shall be lost in +advancing against the enemy, consistent with the attention he always +pays to the preservation of his soldiers, not wantonly or prematurely +exposing them to danger.</p> + +<p>The same conduct, good behaviour, and cool bravery, which gained such +rapid and complete success hitherto, will insure it on the present +occasion, against about five hundred regular troops,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A35" id="Page_A35">[Pg A35]</a></span> +joined by a despicable and motley crew of mulattoes and negroes, with +some seamen, the whole a forlorn hope, who put in here for the want of +provisions, and at a time the forty-third regiment was weakened by +sickness.</p> + +<p>The troops to be ready to get into the flat boats to-morrow morning at +three o'clock. The boats, when the men are embarked, are to assemble +astern of the Assurance forty-four gun ship, there waiting for orders to +proceed on shore. The troops to carry on shore with them three days +provisions dressed, one day's grog, and rum in kegs for another day: +also to land with their tent blankets, camp kettles, water kegs, +canteens, and hand hatchets; the sailors to land with ditto and +tomahawks.</p> + +<p>The light infantry to be first to land with two amuzettes, supported +by the battalion of grenadiers with two three-pounders.</p> + +<p>The sixty-fifth regiment then to land with two six-pounders; Captain de +Rivignes commanding the artillery. After the troops are landed, and have +got the heights opposite, the spare artillery, howitzers, stores, +&c. are to be landed at Grozier. The commanding engineer will land +at the same time all the artificers, and every thing belonging to his +department, that no time whatsoever may be lost in forwarding the +enterprise. The first troops that land will immediately take advantage +of the strongest ground, houses, &c. there posting themselves; not +advancing until the whole are landed. Brigadier General Symes will +direct the landing, and is to command the troops on shore. The Commander +in Chief has been pleased to appoint Captain John Cunnyngham, of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A36" id="Page_A36">[Pg A36]</a></span> +the forty-third regiment, to be deputy adjutant general, vice Lyon, +deceased.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fl smcap">General Orders.</span> <span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Grozier, Guadaloupe,</i></span><br /> +<span class="fr"><i>June 20, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief is much surprised to find, from the report of +Brigadier General Symes, that the seamen and soldiers straggle from camp +in search of water, which, when found in the neighbourhood, is not fit +for drinking, though it may answer for cooking. The Commander in Chief +forbids any officer from quitting the post of his company, except on +duty; and directs that the rolls be called every two hours. If any +soldier or seaman be found marauding or straggling from camp, he will be +punished in the most severe manner. The officers commanding corps to see +their battalions fall in, and the rolls called, from which no officer is +to be absent, as the enemy are lurking about the posts.</p> + +<p>The piquets are not to suffer any person to pass them, without a pass in +writing from the brigadier general.</p> + +<p>Each corps will send an officer for orders to head quarters every day at +ten o'clock, and an orderly serjeant from each corps to attend +constantly. All applications for provisions to be made to Mr. Johnstone, +the quarter master of the sixtieth regiment. These orders, as well as +all others, to be read to the men by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A37" id="Page_A37">[Pg A37]</a></span> +an officer of each company. Captain Robins, of the sixtieth regiment, to +do duty with the sixty-fifth regiment; and Lieutenant Milnes, of the +forty-ninth, with the ninth light infantry.</p> + +<p>The Honourable Captain Stewart, of the twenty-second regiment, having +offered his services to the Commander in Chief on this present occasion, +they are accepted; and he is ordered to do duty with the ninth grenadier +company.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fl smcap">General Orders.</span> <span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Grozier Camp,</i></span><br /> +<span class="fr"><i>June 21, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">England</span>.</span> <span class="fr smcap">C. S. Prosperity.</span><br /></p> + +<p>On account of the brilliant success of his majesty's arms, and his +allies, in France, by the complete victory gained by the Duke of York at +the head of the British, and also by the Austrians, on the 26th of April +last, in which the French General Chapuey was made prisoner, with +fifty-seven pieces of their cannon taken, and a great slaughter of their +troops, with a very inconsiderable loss of the British troops and their +allies, the Commander in Chief orders a <i>feu de joie</i> on the occasion at +six o'clock this evening; for which purpose all the troops will be under +arms and assemble with the naval battalion at five o'clock, and are to +be marched to a conspicuous situation, in view of the enemy, to give +three rounds of running<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A38" id="Page_A38">[Pg A38]</a></span> +fire. The whole of our artillery, drawn up in front of the line, are to +fire three rounds. Each round of artillery to precede a round of small +arms: running fire beginning at the right of the line; and to conclude +with three hearty cheers.—Brigadier General Symes, who commands +the line, will be so good as to place and arrange the troops on this +occasion, pointing out the ground they are to assemble upon. The whole +navy will fire a <i>feu de joie</i>, and the troops under the command of +Brigadier General Dundas at the camp at Berville, at the same time.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief desires that his long, spirited, and determined +orders, given out when the army sailed from Barbadoes on the expedition +to Martinico, dated the 22d of January, may be read to the troops, +particularly to the seamen, many of whom have not served on shore. This +the commanding officers of corps and naval battalions will be answerable +to the Commander in Chief is done; and at the same time to assure their +men, that however it may hurt his feelings, he will put the said orders +in full force upon any and every offender in future; for without strict +discipline and good order, no good service can possibly be effected: and +he again calls upon every officer in the army to assist him in this +necessary work. The troops to receive one day's fresh meat, and two days +salt provision and rum, to-morrow morning at day-break. Returns to be +sent to the commissary general this evening.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A39" id="Page_A39">[Pg A39]</a></p> + +<p class="center smcap">After Orders.</p> + +<p>Cattle of every description to be brought to head quarters, or delivered +to persons ordered to receive them; and no person whatever to kill any +beast without orders. It is strictly forbid that any officer, soldier, +or seaman, shall presume to take any negroes, except those delivered to +them by the quarter master general's department. The marauding which has +taken place obliges the General to remind the commanding officers of +corps to refer to orders already given out on that head. It will give +him extreme concern to be obliged to punish with severity such crimes; +but as the existence of the army depends on its discipline, it must be +maintained. The first man caught in the act of plundering, to be hung on +the spot. The provost is ordered to visit the environs of the +encampment, and to execute this order with the utmost vigilance. Piquet +to parade at six in the evening.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Grozier, June 24, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Cambray</span>.</span> <span class="fr smcap">C. S. York.</span><br /></p> + +<p class="center">Field Officer for the day, Major Crosbie.</p> + +<p>The two divisions of marines are to do duty with the battalion of +grenadiers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Fisher. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A40" id="Page_A40">[Pg A40]</a></span> +The troops will be particularly careful of their camp kettles, canteens, +and haversacks, as no more can be procured for them.</p> + +<p>Only two quarts of water per man can be issued for the troops, and that +early in the morning, from the men of war. Four days provision to be +issued to the troops to-morrow morning.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fl smcap">General Orders.</span> <span class="fr"><i>July 6, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief has just received another letter from the +secretary of state on the subject of postage of letters to this army, of +which the following is a copy.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>, <span class="fr"><i>Whitehall, May 8, 1794.</i></span></p> + +<p>As I find the post master general is restrained by law from discharging +any letters from the payment of postage, I have, in order that the +officers and soldiers under your command may receive their letters free +of expence, notified to the different army agents, that all letters for +the said officers and soldiers, if sent to this office, will be +forwarded to them. I have accordingly directed that such letters shall +be put in a separate packet or bag, and addressed to yourself, and +transmitted by each mail.</p> + +<p class="center">(Signed)</p> + +<p><span class="fr smcap">Henry Dundas."</span><br /></p> +</blockquote> + +<hr /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A41" id="Page_A41">[Pg A41]</a></p> + +<p class="center"><i>Extract from another Letter from Mr.</i> <span class="smcap">Dundas</span> <i>to Sir</i> <span class="smcap">Charles<br /> +Grey</span>, <i>K. B. May 21, 1794.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquot">"It is peculiarly grateful to his Majesty in directing me to signify to +you his most entire and perfect approbation of your conduct, and of the +gallant behaviour of all the officers and soldiers who served upon this +occasion; and which you will convey to them in the most particular +manner, and that such important conquests have been attained with so +little loss on the part of his majesty. I take this opportunity of +inclosing you the votes of thanks to you and Sir John Jervis, which I +moved yesterday, with the unanimous concurrence of the House. You will +observe they are to be officially communicated to you by the speaker. +Similar votes were unanimously passed by the Lords."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center"><i>Extracts from the Votes of the House of Commons.</i></p> + +<blockquote><p>"Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the thanks of this House be given +to Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the most honourable order of the Bath, +for his late able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West Indies."</p> + +<p>"Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the thanks of this House be given +to Lieutenant General Prescott, his Royal Highness Major General Prince +Edward, and Major General Thomas Dundas, and to the several officers of +the army under the command<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A42" id="Page_A42">[Pg A42]</a></span> +of Sir Charles Grey, for their late gallant conduct and meritorious +exertions in the West Indies."</p> + +<p>"Resolved, nem. con. That this House doth highly approve and acknowledge +the services of the non-commissioned officers and private soldiers in +the army serving under Sir Charles Grey in the West Indies; and that the +same be signified to them by the commanders of the several corps, who +are desired to thank them for their gallant behaviour."</p> + +<p>"Ordered, That the speaker do signify the said resolutions to Sir +Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis."</p></blockquote> + +<hr /> + +<p>Colonel Colin Graham, of the twenty-first regiment, is appointed +brigadier general from the 26th of May, 1794.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, Martinique, July 13, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Northampton</span>.</span> <span class="fr smcap">C. S. Burfield.</span><br /></p> + +<p>A General court martial to assemble at St. Pierre's, Martinico, on +Friday next, the 25th instant, at eight o'clock, for the trial of +Brigadier General Sir Charles Gordon, lieutenant colonel of the +forty-first regiment of foot, and such other matters as shall be +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A43" id="Page_A43">[Pg A43]</a></span> +brought before them. The witnesses, both on the part of the prisoner and +prosecution, to attend; lists whereof to be sent to Major of Brigade +Lorraine, at St. Pierre's, immediately. The above general court martial +to consist as follows.</p> + +<p class="center">Lieutenant General Prescott, president.<br /> +And such other members as shall be hereafter ordered.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, July 20, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Britain</span>.</span> <span class="fr">C. S. ——</span><br /></p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief orders a <i>feu de joie</i> to be fired this evening +at six o'clock, to celebrate the most signal victory that ever was +gained over the French fleet, on the 1st of June last, by Earl Howe, in +the English channel. The French fleet consisted of twenty-six ships of +the line, the English fleet of twenty-five. Of the French seven sail of +ships of the line were taken, one sunk, and many of them dismasted and +crippled; so that most probably many more would fall into the hands of +the English. In short, the General has the satisfaction to announce to +the army the total ruin of the French fleet.</p> + +<hr /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A44" id="Page_A44">[Pg A44]</a></p> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, St. Pierre, July 28, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Jervis</span>.</span> <span class="fr">C. S. ——</span><br /></p> + +<p>The Right Honourable Lord Loughborough having transmitted to the +Commander in Chief the votes of thanks passed by the House of Lords to +himself, Lieutenant General Prescott, his Royal Highness Prince Edward, +and Major General Thomas Dundas, and all the other officers of this +army; the Commander in Chief loses no time in giving out the following +copies of those votes in general orders.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p><span class="fr">"<i>Die Mercurii.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p>"Ordered, nemine dissentiente, by the Lords spiritual and temporal, in +parliament assembled, That the thanks of this House be given to Sir +Charles Grey, Knight of the most honourable order of the Bath, for his +late able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West Indies."</p> + +<p class="center">Signed,</p> + +<p><span class="fr"><span class="smcap">G. Rose</span>, Clerk of Parliament.</span><br /><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fr">"<i>Die Mercurii</i>.</span><br /></p> + +<p>"Ordered, nemine dissentiente, by the Lords spiritual and temporal, in +parliament assembled, That the thanks of this House be given to +Lieutenant General Prescott, his Royal Highness Prince Edward, Major +General Thomas Dundas, and to the several officers of the army under the +command of Sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A45" id="Page_A45">[Pg A45]</a></span> +Charles Grey, for their late able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in +the West Indies."</p> + +<p class="center">Signed,</p> + +<p><span class="fr"><span class="smcap">G. Rose</span>, Clerk of Parliament.</span><br /><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>May 21, 1794</i>.</span><br /></p> + +<p>"Ordered, nemine dissentiente, by the Lords spiritual and temporal, in +parliament assembled, That this House doth highly approve and +acknowledge the services of the non-commissioned officers and private +men in the army serving under Sir Charles Grey in the West Indies; and +that the same be signified to them by the commanding officers of the +several corps, who are desired to thank them for their gallant +behaviour."</p> + +<p class="center">Signed,</p> + +<p><span class="fr"><span class="smcap">G. Rose</span>, Clerk of Parliament.</span><br /></p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of London having transmitted to the +Commander in Chief the unanimous vote of thanks of the Common Council of +the city to this army, he takes the earliest opportunity of +communicating the following extract thereof in general orders.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"At a common council holden in the chamber of the Guildhall of the city +of London, on Tuesday, May 27, 1794, Le Mesurier, Mayor,—Resolved +unanimously, That the thanks of this Court be given to Sir Charles Grey, +Knight of the Bath, and the officers and soldiers serving under his +command, for the signal services they have rendered to their country by +their able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West Indies."</p> + +<p class="center">Signed,</p> + +<p><span class="fr smcap">Rix.</span><br /></p> +</blockquote> + +<hr /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A46" id="Page_A46">[Pg A46]</a></p> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, August 1, 1794</i>.</span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Matilda</span>.</span> <span class="fr">C. S. ——</span><br /></p> + +<p>One serjeant, one corporal, and twelve privates, from each regiment, to +parade every morning at six o'clock, and evening at five, and to be +instructed in the exercise of the artillery; and when perfected, the +commanding officer of artillery will report to the general or commanding +officer on the spot, that they may be relieved by an equal number, to be +taught in the same manner, that there may be no want of artillerymen to +man and fight the guns on the batteries, in case of an attack.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, August 3, 1794</i>.</span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Spithead</span>.</span> <span class="fr">C. S. ——</span><br /></p> + +<p>It is the Commander in Chief's orders, that all negroes belonging to the +islands, who still continue with the army, or are known of, shall be +sent to St. Pierre or Fort Royal immediately, in order to their being +sent home, and a final settlement made of their accounts.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A47" id="Page_A47">[Pg A47]</a></p> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, St. Pierre, August 4, 1794</i>.</span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Hurricane</span>.</span> <span class="fr">C. S. ——</span><br /></p> + +<p>His Majesty having been pleased to appoint John Jeoffray, Esq. +commissary general of stores and provisions, and Valentine Jones, Esq. +to be commissary of accounts, for the Leeward and Windward Islands, all +accounts in the commissary general's department, for which warrants have +not been already granted, as well as those of the assistants stationed +in the different islands, as those of the moving army, are to be settled +with him, and to be examined and certified by the commissary of +accounts, previous to their being brought to the secretary's office, as +no warrants for money can be granted on them until that shall have been +done. Warrants for the subsistence of the army, and for the pay of the +officers employed on the staff, will be granted in the usual manner, on +application at the secretary's office.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fl smcap">After Orders.</span> <span class="fr"><i>August 4, 1794</i>.</span><br /></p> + +<p>The proceedings of the present general court martial being impeded by +the sickness of some of the members, makes it necessary to add more +members to the strength of it, that, the business<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A48" id="Page_A48">[Pg A48]</a></span> may go +forward without interruption in future. The Commander in Chief therefore +orders a general court martial to assemble at nine o'clock on Friday +morning the 8th instant, at the same place, and to begin the trial again +of Brigadier General Sir Charles Gordon; and which general court martial +is to be composed of a president and eighteen members. All evidences to +attend; and a list of them to be given to the deputy judge advocate as +soon as possible. The corps of island rangers, commanded by Lieutenant +Colonel Toler, to be augmented twenty men a company, making them seventy +instead of fifty.</p> + +<p class="center">Members of the General Court Martial.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left">General Prescott</td><td align="left">President.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieutenant Colonel Johnstone</td><td align="left">seventieth regiment.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieutenant Colonel Stewart</td><td align="left">fifty-eighth. <i>Dead</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Whitworth</td><td align="left">royal artillery.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Flood</td><td align="left">fifty-eighth.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Taggart</td><td align="left">fifty-fifth.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Ingram</td><td align="left">fifty-fifth. <i>Dead</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Forbes</td><td align="left">thirty-fourth.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Pomiere</td><td align="left">fifteenth.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Dunbar</td><td align="left">seventieth.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Sharpe</td><td align="left">sixth.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Harvey</td><td align="left">thirty-third. <i>Dead</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A49" id="Page_A49">[Pg A49]</a></span>Captain Gillespei</td><td align="left">thirty-first.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Blacker</td><td align="left">sixty-fifth regiment.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Lorrain</td><td align="left">ninth.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Hindson</td><td align="left">fifteenth.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Macdonald</td><td align="left">fifteenth.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>St. Pierre, August 5, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Antigua</span>.</span> <span class="fr">C. S. ——</span><br /></p> + +<p>The officers of the army will understand, that should the order of the +3d instant (respecting the negroes being returned), not be strictly +complied with, that for every negro kept back, the officers to whom they +belong, and who detained them, will certainly have to pay, not only the +full price of such negroes, but their hire during the time of +service.—On account of the indisposition of Lieutenant Colonel +Stewart, fifty-eighth regiment, he is not to be a member of the general +court martial ordered for the 8th instant. Captain Rose, seventieth +regiment, is to be a member thereof, in the room of Lieutenant Colonel +Stewart.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A50" id="Page_A50">[Pg A50]</a></p> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, August 9, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Antigua</span>.</span> <span class="fr">C. S. ——</span><br /></p> + +<p>The British inhabitants of the town of St. Pierre are to be embodied, +and to form a corps under the command of Captain Bontein, who is +appointed lieutenant colonel commandant thereof, to be called the Royal +Martinico Volunteers. The following gentlemen are to be the officers.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left">Lieutenant Colonel</td><td align="left">—— Bontein.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left" valign="top">Captains</td><td align="left">James Clifton.<br />Andrew Smith.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left" valign="top">First Lieutenants</td><td align="left">William Moore.<br />Cayley Johnstone.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left" valign="top">Second Lieutenants</td><td align="left">—— Popham.<br />—— Heyland.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Adjutant</td><td align="left">Mr. Randal Ripton.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>The above corps is to parade at the Pere Blancs, which is to be their +alarm post.</p> + +<p>All British born subjects, resident in or near the town of St. Pierre, +are required forthwith to give in their names to Lieutenant Colonel +Bontein, of the royal Martinico volunteers, at the custom house; and +every person of the above description meaning to leave<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A51" id="Page_A51">[Pg A51]</a></span> +the island, is required to make known his intention to Lieutenant +Colonel Bontein: they are likewise required to give in their names upon +their arrival. The Commander in Chief has no doubt, from the voluntary +and handsome offer of the English in the town of St. Pierre, that all +who are able will willingly join the corps of the royal Martinico +volunteers, under the orders of Lieutenant Colonel Bontein, to preserve +good order, and defend their properties.</p> + +<p><span class="fr"><span class="smcap">F. Maitland</span>, deputy adjutant general.</span><br /></p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, August 11, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Cornwallis</span>.</span><br /></p> + +<p>In consequence of the death of Captain Blacker, sixty-fifth, and the +illness of Captain Ingram, fifty-eighth, Captain Lee of forty-fourth +grenadiers, and Captain Holland of sixtieth regiment, are to replace +those officers as members of the general court martial ordered to meet +this day.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A52" id="Page_A52">[Pg A52]</a></p> + +<p><span class="fl smcap">General Orders.</span> <span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinico,<br /> +August 31, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p>The appointment of Captain Hare, of the light dragoons, to be aid de +camp to the Commander in Chief, is not to interfere with or prevent his +having the entire command of the detachment of British light dragoons, +which he retains as if no such appointment had been made.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center smcap">After Orders.</p> + +<p>The general court martial, of which Lieutenant General Prescott is +president, is hereby dissolved; and all officers are to repair to their +posts, where they are so much wanted.</p> + +<p><span class="fr"><span class="smcap">F. Maitland</span>, deputy adjutant general.</span><br /></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A53" id="Page_A53">[Pg A53]</a></p> + +<p><span class="fr"><i>Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, Nov. 7, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p><span class="fl">Parole, <span class="smcap">Unanimity</span>.</span><br /></p> + +<p>The recent act of inhumanity and barbarity committed at Guadaloupe by +the enemy (by whom a considerable number of royalists were murdered in +cold blood, after having fallen into their hands at Berville camp as +prisoners of war, and who had become subjects of Great Britain, by +taking the oath of allegiance to the British government, after the +conquest of that island), calls aloud for the following order and +declaration of the Commander in Chief: That all persons residing in the +conquered islands of Martinico, Guadaloupe, and St. Lucia, and their +dependencies, whether French or of any other nation, having taken the +oath of allegiance to the government of Great Britain, and who demean +and conduct themselves accordingly, shall receive every protection that +the other subjects of Great Britain do in these islands: and should such +cases of extremity happen as may render a capitulation necessary, no +terms are to be proposed or accepted, which do not give equal security, +safety, and protection, to them as to the other subjects of Great +Britain, as well those with arms as those without; consequently, no +place is to be surrendered before this is expressly and explicitly +acknowledged and subscribed to by the enemy, that in any extremity we +may stand or fall together: and the Commander in Chief earnestly +recommends a continuance and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A54" id="Page_A54">[Pg A54]</a></span> +confirmation of this order to his successors in command, as a measure of +justice, dictated by honour and humanity.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief hopes that this explicit order and declaration, +giving such ample security to the royalists on his part, will ease their +minds; and, confidence being restored, that it will produce a becoming +zeal and exertion to unite for the public interest heart and hand, in +contributing to good order and tranquillity; and that he may expect +there will not be any further emigration on the bare report of an +enemy's approach, or even on being actually landed; as every +apprehension of danger must be dispelled when all are heartily united +for the common safety and defence.</p> + +<p>The Commander in Chief, hoping therefore for this effect and conduct +from the people in general, does in a more particular manner recommend +to persons of consequence to set a laudable example of fortitude on +every occasion, and to assemble and embody under proper leaders, to act +in conjunction with his majesty's regular troops, for the protection of +their honour, families, and fortunes, which must be dearer to them than +life.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A55" id="Page_A55">[Pg A55]</a></p> + +<p>The King having been pleased to order that the colours taken at +Martinique by the forces under Sir Charles Grey, K. B. and Sir John +Jervis, K. B. which were brought to the palace at St. James's, should be +deposited in the Cathedral of St. Paul, on Saturday, May 17, 1795, +detachments of horse and foot guards were ordered to parade at St. +James's at ten o'clock, and marched before his Majesty, who was pleased +to see them pass by in the following order:</p> + +<p class="center small"> +A Captain and forty life guards,<br /> +A serjeant and twelve grenadiers,<br /> +Music of the first regiment of guards,<br /> +Twenty-nine serjeants with the <span class="smcap">French Colours</span>,<br /> +A Field Officer and one hundred life guards.</p> + +<p>In this manner they proceeded to the west gate of St. Paul's, where the +colours were received by the Dean and Chapter, attended by the choir, +about which time the guns at the Tower and Park were fired.</p> + +<p>The colours are since put up in the said cathedral church as a lasting +memorial of the success of his Majesty's arms in the reduction of the +important island of Martinique.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A56" id="Page_A56">[Pg A56]</a></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Extract from the Parliamentary Register</span>,<br /> +<span class="smcap">Vol. xxxviiii. p. 329.</span></p> + +<p class="center">HOUSE OF COMMONS.</p> + +<p><span class="fr">"<i>Tuesday, May 20, 1794.</i></span><br /></p> + +<p>"The following resolutions were severally put, and passed nem. con.</p> + +<p>"That the thanks of this House be given to Sir Charles Grey, Knight of +the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, for his late able, gallant, and +meritorious conduct in the West Indies.</p> + +<p>"That the thanks of this House be given to Sir John Jervis, Knight of +the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, for his late able, gallant, and +meritorious conduct in the West Indies.</p> + +<p>"That the thanks of this House be given to Lieutenant General Prescott, +his Royal Highness Major General Prince Edward, and Major General Thomas +Dundas, and to the several Officers of the army under the command of Sir +Charles Grey, for their late gallant and meritorious exertions in the +West Indies.</p> + +<p>"That the thanks of this House be given to Rear Admiral Thompson, and to +the several Captains and Officers of the fleet under the command of Sir +John Jervis, for their late gallant conduct and meritorious exertions in +the West Indies.</p> + +<p>"That this House doth highly approve and acknowledge the services of the +Non-commissioned Officers and Soldiers in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A57" id="Page_A57">[Pg A57]</a></span> +army serving under Sir Charles Grey in the West Indies; and that the +same be signified to them by the commanders of the several corps, who +are desired to thank them for their late gallant behaviour.</p> + +<p>"That this House doth highly approve and acknowledge the services of the +Sailors and Marines serving on board the fleet under command of Sir John +Jervis in the West Indies; and that the same be signified to them by the +captains of the several ships, who are desired to thank them for their +gallant behaviour."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dundas then moved, "That Mr. Speaker do signify the said resolutions +to Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis."—Passed nem. con.</p></blockquote> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A58" id="Page_A58">[Pg A58]</a></p> + +<h3>LIST OF THE OFFICERS OF THE ARMY</h3> + +<p class="blockquot"><i>Who died or were killed during the Campaign in the West Indies, under +Lieutenant General Sir</i> <span class="smcap">Charles Grey</span>, <i>K. B. and Vice Admiral Sir</i> <span class="smcap">John +Jervis</span>, <i>K. B. in the year 1794.</i></p> + +<h4><i>Killed, or died of their Wounds.</i></h4> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td></td><td></td><td align="left">Where killed or wounded.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Brigadier General Symes</td><td align="left">Quarter Master Gen.</td><td align="left">Point à Pitre.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Colonel Campbell</td><td align="left">9th regiment</td><td align="left">Martinique.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Colonel Gomm</td><td align="left">55th regiment</td><td align="left">Point à Pitre.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Major Irving</td><td align="left">70th regiment</td><td align="left">On board the Assurance.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Armstrong</td><td align="left">8th regiment</td><td align="left">Fleur d'Epée.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Combe</td><td align="left">15th regiment</td><td align="left">Point à Pitre.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain M'Donald</td><td align="left">21st regiment</td><td align="left">Fleur d'Epée.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Grove</td><td align="left">35th regiment</td><td align="left">Point à Pitre.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain M'Ewan</td><td align="left">38th regiment</td><td align="left">Martinique.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Fenton</td><td align="left">43d regiment</td><td align="left">Point à Pitre.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Morrison</td><td align="left">58th regiment</td><td align="left">Fleur d'Epée.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Forbes</td><td align="left">34th regiment</td><td align="left">Berville.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Thong</td><td align="left">6th regiment</td><td align="left">Fleur d'Epée.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Booth</td><td align="left">8th regiment</td><td align="left">Ditto.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Newport</td><td align="left">12th regiment</td><td align="left">Point à Pitre.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Lyster</td><td align="left">12th regiment</td><td align="left">Ditto.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Croker</td><td align="left">15th regiment</td><td align="left">Ditto.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Knollis</td><td align="left">21st regiment</td><td align="left">Ditto.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Price</td><td align="left">21st regiment</td><td align="left">Fleur d'Epée.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Cockrane</td><td align="left">39th regiment</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Manson</td><td align="left">40th regiment</td><td align="left">Point à Pitre.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Crofton</td><td align="left">43d regiment</td><td align="left">Ditto.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Hennis</td><td align="left">58th regiment</td><td align="left">Ditto.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Conway</td><td align="left">60th regiment</td><td align="left">Ditto.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Toosey</td><td align="left">65th regiment</td><td align="left">Fleur d'Epée.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Auchmuty</td><td align="left">17th regiment</td><td align="left">Point à Pitre.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Mercer</td><td align="left">Marines</td><td align="left">Ditto.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A59" id="Page_A59">[Pg A59]</a></p> + +<h4><i>Died of the Fever or other Disorders.</i></h4> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left" colspan="2">Major General Thomas Dundas.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Dally</td><td align="left" rowspan="3">6th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieutenant Gale</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Surgeon Barton</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Saumarez</td><td align="left" rowspan="3">8th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ensign Armstrong</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ensign Caulfield.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Campbell</td><td align="left">9th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Twedie</td><td align="left" rowspan="5">12th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Perryn</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Wallace</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Wright</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Miller</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Combe</td><td align="left" rowspan="3">15th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. James</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Napier</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Cane</td><td align="left" rowspan="2">17th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Ritchie</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Major Rowley</td><td align="left" rowspan="3">21st regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Mewt</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Stornton</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. M'Donald</td><td align="left">22d regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Garnons</td><td align="left" rowspan="2">23d regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Polhill</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Tilth</td><td align="left">29th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Davis</td><td align="left" rowspan="3">31st regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. M'Kenzie</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Williams</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Wallace</td><td align="left" rowspan="3">32d regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Morndrew</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Surgeon Taylor</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Harvey</td><td align="left" rowspan="2">33d regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Beaty</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Roache</td><td align="left" rowspan="5">34th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Innes</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Forrester</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Wattle</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Nash</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Johnson</td><td align="left" rowspan="7">35th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Graves</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Mukins</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Fitzgerald</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Phaire</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Sands</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Barry</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Douglas</td><td align="left" rowspan="5">38th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Mytton</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Clarke</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Brown</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Bawer</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Col. Freemantle</td><td align="left" rowspan="15">39th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Johnston</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Shaw</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Purdie</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Burslen</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Atherton</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Reynell</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Scanlan</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. M'Rea</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ensign Tidsley</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ensign Hutchinson</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A60" id="Page_A60">[Pg A60]</a></span>Ensign Atkins</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Adjutant Simpson</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Adjutant M'Kenzie</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Surgeon Campbell</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Head</td><td align="left">40th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Vignoles</td><td align="left" rowspan="14">43d regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Bayard</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Affleck</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Spencer</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain M'Dowal</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Capt. Lieut. Jones</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Butler</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Graham</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Dennison</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ensign Daniel</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ensign Kirwan</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Qr. Mast. Burnett</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Qr. Mast. Bruce</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Surgeon Hodskinson</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Phipps</td><td align="left" rowspan="2">44th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Davis</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieutenant Moe</td><td align="left">45th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Major Lyon, Deputy Adj. General</td><td align="left" rowspan="5">55th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Taggart</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Main</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. M'Kenzie</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Taylor</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain White</td><td align="left" rowspan="10">56th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Cuthbert</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Fancourt</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Perry</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Hague</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Stowell</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Warren</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. O'Hara</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Taylor</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Chaplain Ruxton</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Col. Stewart</td><td align="left" rowspan="10">58th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Ingram</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Hood</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Maudsley</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Hamilton</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Berford</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Murray</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. E. Smith</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Bouchier</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Tonson</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Cunningham</td><td align="left" rowspan="5">60th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Sneider</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Cook</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Montmallin</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Belt</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Col. Buckridge</td><td align="left" rowspan="11">64th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Major Compton</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Usher</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Thornhill</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. M'Guire</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Wilson</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Strafford</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Knight</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Adjutant Wilkinson</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Quart. Mast. Molloy</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Surgeon Wingate</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Col. Close</td><td align="left" rowspan="10">65th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Major Dalrymple</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain M'Gregor</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Blacker</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A61" id="Page_A61">[Pg A61]</a></span>Captain Oliver</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Brimlow</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Kennedy</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Adams</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Milward</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Surgeon Brown</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Nares</td><td align="left" rowspan="9">70th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Eiston</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Ogle</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Atkinson</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Bruce</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Cox</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Floyer</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Gifford</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Surgeon Raye</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Shadwell</td><td align="left">10th lt. dra.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Col. Dornford</td><td align="left" rowspan="4">engineers.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Chilcot</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Lawson</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Dawse</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Major Shewbridge</td><td align="left" rowspan="11">artillery.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Tygrell</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Harris</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Smith</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain George</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Nugent</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Thornhill</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Coulston</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Malony</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Jones</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Dawson</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Doctor Dundon</td><td align="left" rowspan="11">hospital.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Doctor Brown</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Doctor Wright</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Apoth. Vanderguest</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Apoth. Carnigue</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mate Mallet</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mate Green</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mate Harris</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mate Cooper</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mate Turnbull</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mate Hennings</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;">27 killed or died of their wounds.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">170 died of the yellow fever, and other diseases incidental to the climate.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">—–</span><br /> +Total 197<br /> +</p> + +<p>I was informed by Captain Shank of the royal navy, the agent for +transports, that during the expedition 46 masters of transports, and +1100 of their men, died of the yellow fever. The returns of the masters +were given in, of the men a rough calculation to the above amount was +made. On board the Broderic transport the fever raged with such +violence, that the mate, the only survivor, was obliged to scull his +boat on shore to fetch off negroes to throw the dead overboard, and +himself died soon after.</p> + +<p>Of the royal navy the loss was considerable; but it has not been in my +power to procure a list of the officers who died or were killed on this +expedition.</p> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_A62" id="Page_A62">[Pg A62]</a></p> + +<h4><span class="smcap">List</span> <i>of the</i> <span class="smcap">Officers</span> <i>Prisoners to</i> <span class="smcap">Victor Hughes</span>, <i>who were living at +Point à Pitre the first of January, 1795.</i></h4> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left" colspan="2">Brigadier General Colin Graham</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Ekins, since dead of his wounds</td><td align="left">6th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Capt. Lieut. Smith</td><td align="left">9th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieutenant Hurst</td><td align="left">15th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Stovin</td><td align="left">17th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieutenant Keating</td><td align="left">33d regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Eiston</td><td align="left" rowspan="3">35th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieutenant Strickland</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ensign Holmes</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ensign Barclay</td><td align="left">38th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Col. Magan</td><td align="left" rowspan="6">39th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Horsburg</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Dale</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ensign Divignes</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Quar. Mast. Clements</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Surgeon Ormsby</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Dansey</td><td align="left" rowspan="2">40th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieutenant Holwell</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lt. Col. Drummond</td><td align="left" rowspan="11">43d regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Thomson</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Cameron</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Thorley</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Hull</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Cameron</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Tidey</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. De Yonge</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ensign Deshon</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ensign Delisle</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Surgeon Salmon</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Philips</td><td align="left" rowspan="2">44th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Miller</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Hamilton</td><td align="left" rowspan="2">55th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Dixon</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Owen</td><td align="left" rowspan="5">56th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Barclay</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Johnson</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. M'Causland</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mate Bell</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ensign Richardson</td><td align="left">58th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Cudmore</td><td align="left">64th regim.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Cornet Garside</td><td align="left">10th lt. dra.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captain Suckling</td><td align="left" rowspan="2">artillery.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Stackpole</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lieut. Dornford</td><td align="left">engineers.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mate Ramage</td><td align="left" rowspan="2">hospital.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mate Anderson</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p class="center small">THE END.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<h2>FOOTNOTES</h2> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> +On our arrival we found several of the ships that had parted company on +the voyage; and each day after brought more of them, till the whole were +collected.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> +I have given an exact representation of one of these boats in the view +of the town and bay of St. Pierre.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> +See in the Appendix, page 1.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> +An idea was started of raising four hundred white men in the island of +Barbadoes to augment the army; but there was not time to arm and +discipline them; therefore it was dropped. However, a certain number of +negroes were provided to attend the army, four hundred of whom were sent +from Dominica for that service; some more were brought from St. +Vincent's; and the council of Barbadoes made an offer of supplying a +large number of them to serve on very liberal terms; but when the matter +came to be investigated, the terms were found to be far from equitable, +and therefore were rejected.—Mr. Baillie and Mr. Monro, two +planters of Grenada, were here introduced to the Commanders in Chief, +and were received on board the Boyne as guests, and treated with the +greatest hospitality; they proceeded with us on the expedition. Mr. +Gibbs, one of the council of Barbadoes, also accompanied us.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> +During the landing of our troops, Lieutenant Bowen, who was in a +gun-boat, perceived a number of the enemy collecting in the woods near +the shore, and being scarce noticed by them, was suffered to approach +without molestation, and having loaded his gun with langrege, he dealt +such destruction among them, that they fled in all directions. A shot +from the battery, which stuck in the larboard bow of the Boyne, when cut +out, proved to be a thirty-four pounder, and to have been heated, but +not sufficiently to do any mischief by fire.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> +The Generous Friends transport, laden with officers' baggage, &c. +dragged her anchor on the night of the 5th, struck against a rock at the +entrance of the bay, and was wrecked. Fortunately, however, the hands on +board and the baggage were saved.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> +The French have since said that they fired on the boat because it had a +white flag hoisted: this was a most ridiculous objection; for, though +with them a mark of aristocracy, it has ever been acknowledged by all +nations as a signal of peace and cessation from hostilities. However, we +found it necessary afterwards to comply with their wishes; and whenever +a boat was sent from either party on a truce, they carried the flag of +the opposite party in the bow of the boat, and their own colours abaft.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> +Vide Appendix, page 14.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> +Vide Appendix, pages 10, 11, 12.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> +Vide Appendix, page 16.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> +They met with considerable opposition in this business; and the boats +employed in landing the troops by some mistake got close under the +enemy's batteries, before they discovered their situation. Our loss +however was less than might have been expected. The Dromedary, venturing +too near the battery of Point Negro, received a shot between wind and +water, entering under the counter, and a second shot went through the +quarter-deck barricade, killed one man, and wounded four, among whom was +Captain Tatham.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> +Vide Appendix, page 7.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> +About this time the army had nearly experienced an irreparable loss. As +General Dundas was writing in his tent, a notorious villain, of the name +of Barbarose, presented himself at the door of the tent, demanding to +speak with the General, who, to drive him away, called to the centinel +to "bayonet the fellow;" on which, in his fright, he dropped a dagger +well oiled; and on being seized, proved to have been the assassin of a +French royalist.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> +On our first arrival at the island of Martinique, the Commanders in +Chief dispatched Captain Mason (aid de camp to the General) bearing a +flag of truce, with a summons to the town of St. Pierre. Au Cane, the +mayor, met him on the quay on horseback, attended by a numerous body of +armed men, with a field piece; &c. and instead of reading the letter +and summons, dismissed him rudely with threats.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> +Information having arrived that some of the enemy had retired from St. +Pierre to a five-gun battery on that part of the island, Major +Manningham was dispatched with a strong detachment in flat-boats, under +the protection of the Zebra sloop of war, and was completely successful +in driving them from thence.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> +According to the best account I could collect, ten killed and forty-four +wounded.—I must here beg the reader will pardon the inaccuracy of +my account of the killed and wounded in this and the other actions that +took place. Though I have made every possible inquiry, I have not been +able to meet with the regular returns, which must have been given in to +the adjutant general's office at Martinique.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> +The two six-pounders were to strengthen the post that commanded the road +to Fort Royal by Dillon's house.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> +One day, when the Commander in Chief met them on the road, they (being +ignorant that a battery was appointed for them to serve in) surrounded +the General, and offered him their services, swearing they thought it +d——d hard to have all work and no fighting; and hoped his +Honour would let them have some share in it. The General, with that +kindness which won the hearts of all that had the happiness to serve +under him, said, "Well, my lads, you shall have a battery to +yourselves." On which, having saluted him with three hearty cheers, the +honest fellows went readily to their work again.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> +The Admiral had lately promoted Mr. Rosehill to the rank of Lieutenant +for his spirited behaviour at Trinité.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> +Who this day performed the funeral service over thirteen people +belonging to the army and navy.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> +As it was my lot to be much in the society of this excellent young man, +having from the time we arrived in the West Indies enjoyed his +friendship, and on several occasions accompanied him on service, +afterwards attending him from the camp at Point Negro to the hospital at +St. Pierre, and remaining with him at intervals till the time of his +death: these circumstances will, I trust, plead my excuse for detaining +the reader from more important events of the campaign while I pay the +tribute of respect to the memory of my gallant but ill-fated friend. Mr. +James Miln was a native of Arbroath in Scotland, and after serving for +near thirteen years with credit in the navy, was promoted to a +lieutenancy on board the Blanche frigate by Admiral Sir John Laforey, +and was afterwards taken on board the Boyne as fifth lieutenant by Sir +John Jervis on his arrival at Barbadoes. His general good conduct as a +man and officer soon attracted the notice of the naval Commander in +Chief (than whom no man is more quick sighted to discern merit, and +happy to reward it). By him no doubt he would have been much employed on +the most active service, had not that melancholy event taken place, +which deprived the service of a good and brave officer, and left me only +the sad task of deploring, while I commemorate the death of a friend, +from the excellency of whose heart and understanding I was in hopes of +reaping future entertainment and improvement.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> +Since writing of this, news has arrived from the West Indies of the +capture of a ship belonging to Victor Hughes (the present republican +tyrant of Guadaloupe) loaded with wealth amassed by this plunderer to +the amount of half a million sterling. Such has been the general conduct +of the French Commanders, while ours have been vilified for claiming +even the legal bounty for their suffering and exhausted followers.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> +See Appendix, page 24.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> +See Appendix, page 25.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> +The same officer who distinguished himself by his gallantry in saving +his Majesty's ship the Guardian at the Cape of Good Hope in the year +1789. See Gent. Mag. vol. lx. page 465.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> +See Appendix, pages 26 and 27.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> +Monsieur de Tourelles, the ancient lieutenant of the fort, either +through fear, ignorance, or treachery, refused to run the ship in under +pretence of shoals.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> +The whole fleet, witnessing this gallant action, instantly saluted the +British colours with three hearty cheers.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> +The gallant defence made by General Rochambeau and his garrison was +strongly manifested on our entering Fort Bourbon, as there was scarce an +inch of ground untouched by our shot or shells; and it is but justice to +say, it did them the highest honour.—Among the casualties that +happened during the siege, the following deserves notice. A party of the +besieged were in one of the chambers of the Bomb-proof in the Traverse, +when a shell from one of our batteries fell into the arched way, and +rebounding, burst the door of the chamber, and killed the whole party.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> +It is much to the credit of the officers, who served on shore from the +landing on the island till the reduction of Fort Bourbon, a period of +forty-seven days, that they shared the same hardships as the privates +without a murmur, sleeping in their clothes the whole time; and being so +situated that they seldom could have the benefit of tents or any kind of +hovel, they were exposed continually to the heavy rains and nocturnal +damps which in a tropical climate so severely try the constitution; but, +owing (as it was imagined) to the flannel shirts which were invariably +worn by all ranks, they, as yet, suffered less from sickness than could +have been expected.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> +By us called Pigeon Island. On it is a very strong battery, which +commands a great distance.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> +The conduct and abilities of Colonel Coote in this enterprise gained him +the particular thanks of the Commander in Chief, whose orders he had so +ably executed; and he was well supported by the whole of his department, +particularly by Major Evatt, Captains Buchanan, Crosbie, Welch, Thomas +Grey (one of the General's aid de camps), and Stovin; also by Major of +Brigade Vischer, with Lieutenant Drozier, and the detachment of royal +artillery, who spiked the guns.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> +The garrison that marched out with General Ricard, and laid down their +arms as prisoners of war, were about three hundred men, troops of the +line (among which one hundred and twenty-five were of the regiment +d'Aunai), some artillery, and a few people of colour. General Ricard, at +his own request, was sent to America, as had been General Rochambeau, +who chose that place in preference to his own distracted country, where +the system of blood that was then the order of the day under the tyranny +of Robespierre, would have immolated even these men, who had with so +much bravery defended the posts intrusted to them by their country.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> +The General transmitted also a plan of the projected works on Morne +Fortuné, earnestly recommending them to be finished, as it was a very +strong post, not commanded, but commanding every other post around it.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> +The revenue department was however an exception to this arrangement of +the civil departments, as <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's +Note: Original text was 'the the'.">the</span> purpose of trade could not of +course be answered through the forms of a French custom-house, or the +revenue laws adhered to but by the establishment of our own people to +carry on that necessary branch. Those places therefore in the district +of the island of Martinique, which were immediately necessary to be +filled, were attended to, and a list of them sent home, that when his +majesty's pleasure should be made known with regard to the future civil +government, they might be put in motion without any delay.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> +Consisting of the Boyne, Irresistible, Veteran, Winchelsea, Solebay, +Quebec, Ceres, Blanche, Rose, Woolwich, Experiment, and Roebuck, +together with the transports with troops, and the ordnance and hospital +ships and victuallers.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> +As this is an office, I believe, hitherto unknown in the navy, I shall +explain the reason of its being now established. The Admiral had in a +former war experienced the attention and zeal of Mr. Weir, and being +well acquainted with the fatigue and danger that would unavoidably be +the lot of his surgeon, if he did his duty, he pitched upon him for that +office, and as an encouragement he procured permission to appoint a +surgeon general to the navy, and his appointment did honour to his +discernment. Mr. Weir was indefatigable in attending the wounded and +sick in his own ship, and equally ready to visit others; and even where +his duty had no demand on him, his humanity led him to give his advice +and assistance. In his mode of treatment of that dreadful disease, the +yellow fever, he was more successful than was generally the case, as the +Boyne lost a less proportion of patients under that afflicting malady +than any other ship on the expedition.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> +Lieutenant George Vaughan of the Boyne was this day promoted to the +command of the Zebra sloop, and the Chaplain of the Boyne was appointed +to the chaplaincy of the garrison of Guadaloupe, there being no other +chaplain on the expedition; but government at home did not think fit to +confirm the appointment. Lieutenant Davers of the Boyne was promoted to +be acting commander of the Inspector, from whence he was promoted to the +command of the Bull Dog sloop. Lieutenant Ogle was also appointed acting +commander of the Assurance.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> +After the islands were captured, a small reinforcement arrived, which +was to be retained by Sir Charles Grey, if he thought fit; but as he +knew it was much wanted to carry on the war at St. Domingo, and as it +was insufficient to enable him to undertake an expedition against +Cayenne, which he at first intended, he sent it on to Jamaica, under the +command of Brigadier General Whyte; and Lieutenant Colonel Lennox, who +came out soon after, he dispatched thither also.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> +Admiral Rodney used to say of these people, that "they were smugglers in +peace, and traitors in war;" an opinion, I believe, confirmed by +repeated experience.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> +Of this General Sir Charles Grey himself shared.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> +During the time that Fort Bourbon was besieging we sent a summons to the +town of St. Pierre, which was rejected with an uncommon degree of +insolence, and Captain Mason (the General's aid de camp, who went with +the flag of truce) was insulted. About a fortnight afterwards the place +was taken by storm, without any capitulation, consequently subject to +plunder by the custom of war; but so far from any irregularity being +suffered, a drummer was hanged by order of General Dundas for attempting +it; and such exact discipline and quiet behaviour was maintained among +the troops, that the shops were opened the day after the capture. From +the time of the refusal of the summons to the final capture, the +republicans continued to load all the property and produce on board +vessels under American colours, which they did constantly, in order to +deprive the captors of their just rights, in case the place should be +taken.—Interested American merchants were continually endeavouring +to wrest the hard-earned prize money from the army and navy, while they +were supplying the enemy with provisions and other necessaries.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> +Consisting of four thousand six hundred and forty-two men.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> +He was interred on the 4th of June, with all military honours, on one of +the highest batteries in Fort Matilda, which, from that circumstance, +was called Dundas's battery, and a stone with a suitable inscription was +placed over his remains. The command of the forces, and the government +of Guadaloupe, now devolved on Lieutenant Colonel Blundell of the +forty-fourth regiment.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> +This armament appears to have sailed from Rochfort about the 25th of +April, and to have been forty-one days on the passage.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> +Their success appears to have been greatly accelerated by the treachery +or cowardice of several French royalists then in the fort, who offered +their services to sally on the besiegers. Accordingly they marched out; +but, on approaching the enemy, they were panic struck and fled, and few +of them returned to Fleur d'Epée. The British merchants and sailors from +the town of Point à Pitre had thrown themselves into this fort to assist +the garrison, which was greatly reduced by sickness and death. This +little band, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Drummond of the +forty-third regiment, did all that gallant men could do; twice they +repulsed the assailants; but at length, overpowered by numbers, and the +royalists having demanded that the gates should be thrown open, and the +enemy now pouring in from all sides, the few remaining troops were +obliged to make the best retreat they could to Point à Pitre, which, not +being tenable after the loss of Fleur d'Epée, was abandoned by them, and +they crossed over to Basse Terre. In this affair, besides the loss of +many others, Captain Suckling of the artillery was wounded at his gun by +a bayonet, and left behind at Point à Pitre.—There were in +Guadaloupe when taken by the French a larger proportion of troops than +in either of the other conquered islands.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> +Accompanied also by the Honourable Captain Stewart, brother to Lord +Garlies; who having received permission to return to England, handsomely +came forward at this time to offer himself as a volunteer.</p> + +<p>In this second campaign (see Appendix, page 37) Colonel Symes, Colonel +Francis Dundas, and Colonel Sir Charles Gordon, were promoted to the +rank of brigadier general.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> +See the Appendix, page 32.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> +On the 18th of June, Lieutenant Colonels Coote and Cradock arrived from +St. Christopher's, where they had been detained by the yellow fever, +which they had caught on board a transport in which they were proceeding +to England on leave of absence, and though not recovered from the +baneful effects of that disease, they now came forward to offer their +services to the Commanders in Chief, which were accepted in a manner +highly honourable to both parties.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> +In the afternoon one hundred and eighty seamen from the Boyne, Commanded +by Lieutenants Wolley, Thomson, and Maitland, landed under the Salines +to windward of Grozier, and took post on the heights near that place; +other parties of seamen also were landed at Grozier, forming altogether +a strong reinforcement for the army.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> +With whom on this occasion Lieutenant Thomson served as a volunteer.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> +In this business Lieutenant Wolley had some narrow escapes. The +commanding officer of the fort rushed out of the guard-room on the +alarm, with a lighted match in his hand. He first fired an amuzet, +luckily pointed in an opposite direction; he then three times attempted +to fire a twenty-four pounder as Mr. Wolley and his men were advancing +to the muzzle of it; but fortunately, either from the dampness of the +powder, or trepidation of the man, it missed taking effect; on which he +flung down his match, and retreated to the further end of the fort, +whither Mr. Wolley followed; but, from the darkness of the night, he +soon lost sight of him. As he returned he was met by his own men, who, +taking him for an enemy, were about to put him to death, when his voice +discovered their mistake. Had the cannon in the first instance gone off, +it must have made considerable havock among our men, as it was loaded +with a bag of musket balls.—This day Captain Armstrong of the 8th +regiment, was killed by a cannon ball at the landing-place at Grozier, +while giving directions to a serjeant about some ordnance which was to +be landed there. He was on horseback, and had just remarked, that there +could be no danger from the fire at Fleur d'Epée at that place; a shot, +however, from the fort dipped over the point of land which seemed to +shelter the landing-place, and cut him asunder. He has often been heard +to say that he thought that a man must be truly unfortunate who fell by +a single cannon ball.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> +In this affair Captain Morrison of the 58th regiment was killed by a +musket ball through his head as he was leading his men on to the attack; +he fell regretted by all who knew him, being an accomplished, amiable, +and brave man: I too felt severely on this occasion, having enjoyed much +of his society and friendship. The Commander in Chief, who knew his +worth, paid the tribute of applause to his memory; and the Admiral, when +he heard of his fall, exclaimed, "He has left few equals behind him."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> +A young officer, formerly of Walsh's regiment, took this opportunity of +escaping to us. His name was Clarke, his family of Martinique, where his +father was a counsellor at law. He had been imprisoned three months at +Bourdeaux, on his endeavouring to avoid joining the armies on the +frontiers, and was released to embark on this expedition, as the only +chance of rejoining his friends. He reported, that one Fremont, a daring +fellow, who, though not first in command, had great influence, was +killed this morning on the walls of Fleur d'Epée, by a musket-ball from +one of our people. The enemy lost in this action upwards of three +hundred men. On the 29th, the Commander in Chief sustained a heavy loss +in the death of Captain Newton Ogle, of the 70th regiment, one of his +excellency's aid-de-camps; he was a young man of an excellent +understanding, and had distinguished himself on all occasions where his +exertions had been called forth.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> +Lieutenant Wolley of the Boyne, was appointed acting major of brigade; +and Lieutenants Thomson and Maitland, and Mr. Oswald, commanded the +three companies of seamen.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> +One of the frigates in the harbour did great execution; by a single +discharge of grape-shot, killing three officers and thirty-six privates +of the light infantry, who were unfortunately drawn up in a street +effectually commanded by her guns.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> +General Symes died soon after of his wound.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> +Captain Burnet of the 43d regiment, who had led his company of +grenadiers into the town, was blown up at the time Captain Robertson was +killed. His clothes being on fire, were pulled off by his brother +officers. His face and hands were rendered entirely black by the +explosion. In this situation he first received a musket-ball which broke +his arm, and was then met by his own grenadiers, who, taking him for one +of the French blacks, attacked him with charged bayonets, and wounded +him in three places before he could make himself known to them. The +instant they discovered their mistake they expressed the utmost horror +and contrition, and brought off this excellent officer in their arms; +who, I am happy to be enabled to add, survived, notwithstanding the +dreadful situation he was in. Lieutenant Conway of the 60th regiment, +was also blown up, and in that condition continued to lead on his men +and encourage them, till unfortunately he fell by a musket-ball through +his body.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> +General Grey was waiting on Morne Mascot for Brigadier General Symes's +signal of his having succeeded in taking the heights near Point à Pitre; +having the second battalion of grenadiers, the 65th regiment, and six +companies of Grand Terre, and second battalion of seamen commanded by +Captain Sawyer, ready to attack Fort Fleur d'Epée by storm.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> +Our loss in killed, wounded, and missing, amounted to thirty-eight +officers, forty-three serjeants, and six hundred and eleven privates.</p> + +<p>I must here beg leave to add an extract from Admiral Sir J. Jervis's +public letters to the Lords of the Admiralty on this subject. "The fate +of Captain Lewis Robertson, who had distinguished himself highly, fills +my mind with the deepest regret; he had long been a child of misfortune, +although he possessed talents to merit every success and prosperity; +and, as I am informed, has left a widow and infant family unprovided +for. I beg leave to recommend them to the protection and good offices of +their lordships, to obtain a suitable provision, which will be a great +encouragement to officers in similar circumstances, to emulate so great +an example."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>The celebrated Brigadier General Arnold, being on business of a +mercantile nature at Point à Pitre, was captured at the time the place +fell into the hands of the republicans, and, being apprehensive of ill +treatment, changed his name to Anderson. He was put on board a +prison-ship in the harbour, and had considerable property in cash with +him, of which, it is supposed, Fremont and Victor Hughes were informed, +as he received an intimation from one of the French sentries, that he +was known, and would soon be guillotined. On this alarming intelligence +he determined to attempt an escape, which he effected in the following +masterly manner. At night he lowered into the sea a cask containing +clothes and valuables, with a direction on it, that if it floated to the +shore of our camp at Berville, it might be known, and restored to him; +he then lowered down his cloak bag to a small raft which he had +prepared, on which also he got himself, and proceeded to a small canoe, +in which he pushed for the British fleet, directed by the Admiral's +lights. On his making towards the mouth of the harbour he was challenged +by the French row guard, but by the darkness of the night escaped from +them, and arrived on board the Boyne by four o'clock on Monday morning, +the 30th of June.</p> + +<p>During the whole time of this latter campaign the fever, which had been +so destructive the preceding year, continued to rage in our army and +navy with unabated violence. General Grey lost all the servants he +brought from England by it, including two who had lived with him for +many years. It first broke out with violence when the former campaign +ended.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> +Among the many causes of uneasiness that now bore hard upon the +Commanders in Chief (by the failure of their well-concerted plans, the +dreadful mortality among their troops, and the despair of reinforcements +arriving from Europe) the misconduct of one high in estimation as an +officer, and hitherto looked upon as a man of strict integrity, was not +the least galling. The case was this: At the taking of St. Lucia, +Colonel Sir Charles Gordon, who had repeatedly distinguished himself by +his gallant conduct, was appointed governor of that island, and in the +last promotion was advanced to the rank of brigadier general; soon after +which some very unpleasant reports prevailed, of extortions and +peculations by him, and taking bribes of the inhabitants, who were +supposed to be disaffected, in order to suffer them to remain on the +island, and then breaking his word with them. At length a regular +complaint was laid before the Commander in Chief, who instantly ordered +a court martial to be summoned, and sent an officer to St. Lucia to +arrest Sir Charles Gordon, and convey him to Martinique, in order for +trial. At this time the fever raged so violently that the two first +courts-martial that met on this business, were dissolved by the death of +a majority of the members. At length, in order to prevent the like +accident from again interrupting the course of justice, the General +appointed a greater number of officers than usual to attend, and the +trial proceeded; the event of which was, that the prisoner was found +guilty of the crimes laid to his charge, and was sentenced to refund the +money he had extorted, and to be rendered incapable of serving his +majesty again: but, in consequence of some favourable circumstances that +came out on the trial, he was allowed to sell his commission. See +Appendix, pages 42, 43, 48.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> +The horses that were sent from America for the purpose of mounting the +light dragoons, were so bad, that only three out of forty were sound, or +fit for service, insomuch that Captain Hare was obliged to present a +memorial to the Commander in Chief on the subject.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> +Consisting of seventy rank and file only.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> +I am sorry to add, that this officer soon afterwards fell a victim to +the yellow fever.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> +In one of these attacks Monsieur Vermont was shot through the body, his +lieutenant, Monsieur De Lisle, was shot through his breast, and another +of his officers killed; in this situation he beat off the enemy. This +gallant, but unfortunate officer, was, at the beginning of the +revolution, possessed of a good estate near Trois Riviere on Basse +Terre, which soon made him an object of republican vengeance; his house +was attacked, but he escaped into the woods, supposing that his amiable +wife would be safe from their fury, being far advanced in her pregnancy; +but the monsters, not regarding her situation, put her to death with +circumstances of barbarity too dreadful to relate, and such as would +fill, I trust, every Briton's breast with the utmost horror; his aged +mother too, and beautiful sister, shared the same fate. He was taken and +thrown into prison at Fort Matilda, to reserve him for a public +spectacle on the guillotine, when we arrived, and released him from +thence by the capture of the island.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> +Their conduct prior to, and since the enemy had attacked the camp, +deserved a far better fate: finding themselves excluded from terms of +capitulation, they wished permission to cut their way through the +enemy's army, by which a few of them, at least, might escape, and the +rest meet an honourable death; but this request, it is said, was +refused; perhaps it was believed that on their capture the enemy would +relent, and not put their sanguinary threats into execution. Two of +these unfortunate men hastened to the shore, in hopes of getting on +board the covered boat; but being disappointed, and aware of the fate +that awaited them, they instantly shot themselves on the beach. On +hearing of this melancholy business, General Grey published an order +that did equal honour to his feelings and his mind. See Appendix, page +53.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> +This part of the agreement, however, was not complied with, as they +remained prisoners for more than a year afterwards, during which time +many of them died.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> +General Prescott had so small a force in that quarter, that he could not +possibly afford any material assistance to General Graham; but he had +made an effort by sending a detachment from the 35th regiment to support +some royalists at St. Marié, which however proved ineffectual; and the +numbers at Martinique being now too small for the defence of it, General +Grey was unable to afford any assistance from thence; however he ordered +the flank companies of the 4th battalion, of the 60th regiment from St. +Vincent's, and part of the 21st from St. Christopher's, to reinforce +Brigadier General Graham. Fortunately, however, they arrived too late, +as their numbers were inadequate to save it, and they afterwards made +part of the garrison at Fort Matilda.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> +This gentleman, after having enjoyed a lucrative post, was unwilling to +lose the fruits of it, and, instead of rendering any assistance to +General Prescott, he took French leave, not forgetting to carry with him +a chest well lined, in order to render his residence at Antigua +comfortable.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> +The republican officer who came with him informed us that he saw the +execution of the unfortunate royalists, and that twenty-seven heads were +struck off in seven minutes and a half!</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> +On the 19th of October the Admiral sent Lieutenant Skynner with a party +of seamen to a battery at the N. W. end of the town, from whence he +brought off some cannon and mortars.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> +On the 2d of November, Captain Miller was promoted to the command of the +Vanguard, Captain Sawyer being removed to the Assurance, vice Captain +Bryer, deceased; and Lieutenant Launcelot Skynner of the Boyne, was +appointed commander of the Experiment, vice Captain Miller.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> +Fort Matilda, formerly Fort Charles, was at first a battery only, +erected to command the road; afterwards it was enclosed as a depot for +arms and ammunition in case of insurrection among the slaves; and during +the last war the French added to its outworks, which were now totally in +ruins, but served the enemy, particularly those on the opposite side of +the Galion river, as trenches, and effectually covered their musketry +that commanded the principal works of the besieged: in short, the fort +was completely commanded on the three sides by land, so that not a man +in it could move without being seen by the enemy.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> +During the siege a cannon ball took off the fore part of the General's +hat. He coolly observed, "that a miss was as good as a mile!"</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> +So much having been said of this man, it may be agreeable to the reader +to be informed of his origin, and pursuits in the former part of his +life.—Victor Hughes was originally a petty inn-keeper at Basse +Terre, Guadaloupe; from whence he was driven for some misdemeanor, and +became master of a small trading vessel at St. Domingo; then a +lieutenant in the French navy; and afterwards a deputy in the national +assembly: from whence he came out to the West Indies as commissioner, +with controlling powers over the commanders of the army and navy. His +abilities were certainly good, his courage and perseverance undoubted; +but, from the ferocity of his character, he was both feared and hated. +Colonel Drummond, who with his small party was taken at Point Bacchus, +relates that the republicans put to death all the sick they found in the +hospital at Petit Bourg, many of the women, and some children, cutting +off heads, and otherwise mutilating the bodies; that, as the men who +surrendered with him at Point Bacchus, fainted in their march, they were +instantly bayonetted; the Colonel himself was, by particular directions +from Victor Hughes, ordered to clean the prison ship in turn with the +others; but from this disgrace he was relieved by the dutiful attachment +of his men, who would not permit it: his food and lodging were the same +as the rest, no attention being paid to his rank; but from the respect +and good behaviour of his men, not one of whom would desert from him. A +great number of people of all ages, sexes, and conditions, were +condemned to the guillotine by this inexorable tyrant, all of whom were +conducted in boats round the prison ship, in order to distress and +intimidate the British prisoners.</p></div> +</div> +<p><br /><br /></p> +<div class="transnote"> +<h2>Transcriber's Note</h2> + +<p>Words with variable hyphenation and accents have been preserved as in +the original. A few obvious punctuation errors have been corrected +silently. The appendices which were originally numberd in arabic +numerals starting from 1 have been renumbered A1, A2 etc. The following +typographical errors have been corrected.</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left"><b>Page</b></td><td align="left"><b>Original</b></td><td align="left"><b>Correction</b></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">ii</td><td align="left">to</td><td align="left">too</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">xi</td><td align="left">Surry</td><td align="left">Surrey</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">xiv</td><td align="left">Surry</td><td align="left">Surrey</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">62</td><td align="left">fron</td><td align="left">from</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">84</td><td align="left">the the</td><td align="left">the</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">103</td><td align="left">apppear</td><td align="left">appear</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">115</td><td align="left">dedetachment</td><td align="left">detachment</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">A13</td><td align="left">prompitude</td><td align="left">promptitude</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">A14</td><td align="left">Case Pilote</td><td align="left">Cape Pilote</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">A14</td><td align="left">Case Navirre</td><td align="left">Cape Navirre</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">A24</td><td align="left">Case Navire</td><td align="left">Cape Navirre</td></tr> +</table></div> +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An Account of the Campaign in the West +Indies, in the Year 1794,, by Cooper Willyams + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ACCOUNT OF THE CAMPAIGN *** + +***** This file should be named 38178-h.htm or 38178-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/1/7/38178/ + +Produced by StevenGibbs, LN Yaddanapudi and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: An Account of the Campaign in the West Indies, in the Year 1794, + Under the Command of their Excellencies Lieutenant General + Sir Charles Grey, K.B., and Vice Admiral Sir John Jervis, + K.B. + +Author: Cooper Willyams + +Release Date: November 30, 2011 [EBook #38178] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ACCOUNT OF THE CAMPAIGN *** + + + + +Produced by StevenGibbs, LN Yaddanapudi and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + AN + ACCOUNT + OF THE + CAMPAIGN IN THE WEST INDIES, + IN THE YEAR 1794, + + UNDER THE COMMAND OF THEIR EXCELLENCIES + _LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR CHARLES GREY, K. B._ + AND + _VICE ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, K. B._ + COMMANDERS IN CHIEF IN THE WEST INDIES; + + WITH + THE REDUCTION + OF THE + ISLANDS OF MARTINIQUE, ST. LUCIA, GUADALOUPE, + MARIGALANTE, DESIADA, &c. + + AND THE EVENTS THAT FOLLOWED THOSE UNPARALLELED SUCCESSES, + AND CAUSED THE LOSS OF GUADALOUPE. + + _By the Rev. COOPER WILLYAMS, A. M._ + VICAR OF EXNING, SUFFOLK, + AND LATE CHAPLAIN OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP BOYNE. + + LONDON: + _PRINTED BY T. BENSLEY_; + + FOR G. NICOL, BOOKSELLER TO HIS MAJESTY, PALL-MALL; B. AND J. WHITE, + FLEET-STREET; AND J. ROBSON, NEW BOND-STREET. + + 1796. + + + + + TO + + GENERAL SIR CHARLES GREY, + KNIGHT OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, + + AND + + ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, + KNIGHT OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, AND COMMANDER + IN CHIEF OF HIS MAJESTY'S FLEETS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN, + + _THIS SHORT ACCOUNT_ + + OF + + THEIR BRILLIANT EXERTIONS IN THEIR COUNTRY'S CAUSE, + + IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY + + THEIR OBEDIENT + + AND GRATEFUL HUMBLE SERVANT, + + COOPER WILLYAMS. + + EXNING, AUGUST 10, 1796. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +When an author lays his book before the public, unless it be a work of +genius, some account of his motives for so doing is generally expected. +As this is a work that pretends to nothing but authenticity, and to be a +plain relation of facts, I shall only premise, that, placed in a +situation which gave me an opportunity of being witness to most of the +principal transactions of the expedition under Sir CHARLES GREY and Sir +JOHN JERVIS in the West Indies, and having leisure and inclination to +minute down the occurrences as they presented themselves, I venture to +appear before the public with such humble pretensions alone, as the +result of that opportunity and leisure can give me. + +My original intention reached no further than to publish a few views of +some interesting subjects, which abound in the Caraibean Islands; but I +selected those only which were rendered most so by particular events. +Though I pretend not to the powers of an artist (being self-taught), yet +I beg leave to urge in excuse for that want of spirit and picturesque +effect which, I fear, is but too apparent in my drawings, that they are +scrupulously exact, and accurately delineate the subjects they profess +to represent. + +When I at first communicated my design of publishing a few drawings, +taken during the West India Expedition, many of my friends, and some of +the officers who served with me, knowing that I had kept a journal of +the transactions, desired me to add a short account of them to accompany +the engravings. + +To those, at all conversant with writing such accounts, it will not +appear strange, that, as I proceeded to retrace those events which form +the most prominent feature of my life, I found a pleasure in recognising +many a transaction that had almost faded from my memory, and by degrees +it increased under my hand, till it became of size sufficient to form a +volume, and I was enabled to lay it before the public in a more +respectable form than I at first intended. But, that I may not +appropriate to myself merit belonging to another, I take a pleasure in +avowing, that through the kindness of an officer, who, from his rank, is +not more conspicuous than respected by the general tenor of his conduct, +I have been favoured with the assistance of a journal by an ingenious +and active officer of his division, which has greatly contributed to the +embellishment of my work, by the communication of many local +circumstances, impossible for me otherwise to have been acquainted +with. The like assistance I have also to acknowledge from a friend who +served under General Prescott during his gallant defence of Fort +Matilda. + +By the favour and indulgence of the Commander in Chief, I have been +permitted to make extracts from the public order-book of the army; these +form a large appendix, which, I trust, will not only confirm the +accuracy of my narration, but will prove both useful and entertaining to +the army in general. + +Such has been the origin and progress of this publication; to the +candour, therefore, of the public I commit myself, trusting that, as my +ambition has been humble, I shall not be exposed to the severity of +literary criticism for not having obtained that which I have never +attempted. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. + +_Expedition to the West Indies determined on ... Sir Charles Grey and +Sir John Jervis appointed Commanders in Chief ... The Boyne sails from +Spithead ... Occurrences on the voyage from thence to Carlisle Bay, +Barbadoes._ + + +CHAPTER II. + +_The Commanders in Chief prepare for the expedition against Martinique +... Gun-boats constructed, and described ... A short account of +Barbadoes ... Sale of slaves ... A list of the fleet._ + + +CHAPTER III. + +_The fleet sails from Barbadoes ... Anchors on the south coast of +Martinique ... Capture of a battery ... General Grey lands with his army +... Flag of truce fired on by the enemy ... The Commanders in Chief +attack the island at three different places at the same time._ + + +CHAPTER IV. + +_March of the Commander in Chief from Trois Rivieres to Sallee ... +Occurrences on the march ... General Whyte detached.... Takes Pigeon +Island ... The Admiral anchors off Pigeon Island ... Description of the +Bay of Fort Royal ... The third brigade lands at Cas de Navires._ + + +CHAPTER V. + +_General Dundas lands on the north east side of the island ... Trinite +taken ... Colonel Cradock attacked, Captain McEwen killed ... General +Dundas forms a junction with Sir Charles Grey ... March towards St. +Pierre ... Colonel Campbell killed ... St. Pierre attacked by sea, and +taken ... Description of that town._ + + +CHAPTER VI. + +_The enemy retire into Fort Bourbon and Fort Louis ... The Admiral +attacks Fort Louis with the bomb-ketch and gun-boats ... Camp of seamen +formed at Point Negro ... A wharf built in the Cul de sac de Cohee; +stores and ammunition landed there ... General Bellgarde attempts to cut +off the communication between the army and navy, but is beaten, and his +camp on Sourier taken ... Head Quarters established on Sourier ... +General Rochambeau sends an aid-de-camp to the Commanders in Chief ... +The navy make a road, and drag the guns to the heights of Sourier._ + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Forts Bourbon and Louis closely invested ... Batteries on the first +parallel erected ... The seamen employed in getting guns to the +batteries on the west side ... A dangerous pass described ... Captain +Miln mortally wounded; he dies; his character ... Bellgarde delivers +himself and army into the hands of Sir Charles Grey ... His Royal +Highness Prince Edward arrives, and takes a command ... Batteries opened +against Fort Bourbon ... Lieutenant Bowen's spirited conduct ... Fort +Louis taken by storm ... Captain Faulknor's gallant conduct ... Fort +Bourbon surrenders._ + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +_General Prescott is left governor of Martinique ... The Commanders in +Chief sail for St. Lucia ... General Dundas lands near Pigeon Island ... +The fleet anchors at Marigot de Rosseaux ... Prince Edward lands with +the grenadiers, and marches towards Morne Fortune ... Colonel Coote +lands with the light infantry ... The fleet anchors in Barrington's Bay +... Colonel Coote storms a redoubt on the Morne ... General Ricard +surrenders the island ... Colonel Sir Charles Gordon left governor of +St. Lucia ... The Commanders in Chief sail to Martinique._ + + +CHAPTER IX. + +_Expedition against Guadaloupe ... The Isles de Saintes attacked and +taken ... The Boyne and Veteran anchor off Grozier ... The troops land +under cover of the Winchelsea frigate ... Captain Lord Garlies wounded +... Fort Fleur d'Epee taken by storm ... Fort Louis and the town of +Point a Pitre taken ... Casualties ... General description of the +island._ + + +CHAPTER X. + +_The General embarks his army, and lands on Basse Terre at Petit Bourg +... Occurrences on the march towards Palmiste ... The Admiral anchors in +Ance de Baillif ... General Dundas lands, and forms a communication with +Sir Charles Grey ... The Palmiste taken by assault ... General Collot +delivers up Fort St. Charles, and the island of Guadaloupe and its +dependencies to the Commanders in Chief._ + + +CHAPTER XI. + +_The charges of extorted contributions and oppressions, alledged against +the Commanders in Chief by certain interested individuals, refuted ... +The real causes of the loss of Guadaloupe._ + + +CHAPTER XII. + +_General Dundas dies of the yellow fever ... His character ... A French +squadron arrives in the West Indies, and takes possession of Grande +Terre ... The Commanders in Chief on receiving an account thereof return +to Guadaloupe ... General Grey lands at Grande Terre, and takes +possession of the heights of Mascot ... Several actions take place ... A +truce to bury the dead ... An unsuccessful attack on Point a Pitre._ + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +_The Commanders in Chief sail to Martinique ... Proceedings there and at +Guadaloupe ... Camp Berville taken ... Occurrences thereupon ... General +Prescott enters Fort Matilda, which is invested by the French ... Sir +John Vaughan and Admiral Caldwell arrive in the West Indies ... Sir +Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis resign their command, and return to +Europe._ + + + + +LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. + +_His Royal Highness Field Marshal the Duke of York._ + + +A + +Charles Abbott, Esq. Queen's Square, Bloomsbury. + +John William Adams, Esq. + +.... Armit, Esq. Army Agent, Dublin. + +Colonel Harvey Aston, 12th regiment. + +Lieutenant Colonel Astley, Norfolk light dragoons, Burgh Hall, Norfolk. + +J. P. Allix, Esq. Swaffham Court, Cambridgeshire. + +Richard Allnutt, Esq. South Park, Penthurst, Kent; two copies. + +Mr. Alken, No. 2, Francis Street, Gower Street. + + +B + +Right Honourable Lord Blaney, Lieutenant Colonel 66th regim. + +Honourable Captain Charles Boyle, 62d regiment, Aid-de-camp to the Lord +Lieutenant of Ireland. + +Colonel Brownrigg, Coldstream regiment of guards. + +Lieutenant Colonel Bayley. + +Thomas Barrett, Esq. Lee, near Canterbury. + +I. Bargrave, Esq. Eastry Court, Kent. + +S. Baker, Esq. Lynn Regis, Norfolk. + +James Rickard Barker, jun. Esq. Swaffham, Cambridgeshire. + +Reverend Dr. Bates, Freckingham. + +Major Barnard, New Romney light dragoons. + +Henry Bell, Esq. Wallington, near Downham, Norfolk. + +Colonel Blackwood, 33d regiment light dragoons. + +William Boys, Esq. F. R. S. and F. S. A. Sandwich, Kent. + +Mr. Boys, Eastry, Kent. + +Rev. Edward Tymewell Brydges, Wootton Court, Kent. + +Lieutenant Colonel Brydges, New Romney light dragoons. + +Samuel Egerton Brydges, Esq. F.S.A. Denton Court, Kent, Captain in the +New Romney light dragoons; two copies. + +Mrs. Brydges, Precincts, Canterbury. + +Mrs. Bryant, Exning, Suffolk. + +Mrs. Breton, Gogmagog Hills, near Cambridge. + +Lieutenant Colonel Brereton, 63d regiment. + +Lieutenant Samuel Brown, New Romney light dragoons. + +Major Burnet, 43d regiment. + +Mr. Brome, Dublin Castle. + +..... Blades, Esq. + +Mr. Bensley, Bolt Court, Fleet Street. + + +C + +His Grace John Lord Archbishop of Canterbury; two copies. + +His Excellency Earl Camden, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. + +The Right Hon. Lieutenant Colonel, Viscount Conyngham. + +Colonel Lord Clements. + +Colonel Sir Edward Crofton. + +Honourable Lieutenant Colonel George Lowry Cole. + +Right Hon. General Cuningham, Commander in Chief in Ireland. + +Right Honourable William Burton Conyngham. + +Brigadier General Cradock, Quarter Master General in Ireland. + +Lieutenant General Crosbie. + +Reverend Edward Cage, Eastlinge, Kent, Chaplain to the New Romney light +dragoons. + +Reverend Thomas Cookes, Barbourne House, Worcestershire. + +Mrs. Cookes. + +Lieutenant Henry Cookes, New Romney light dragoons. + +Mr. Thomas Secundus Cookes, of his Majesty's ship St. George. + +Mr. Denham Cookes, Worcester college, Oxford. + +Mr. Charles Cookes. + +Colonel Coote, 70th regiment. + +Mrs. Coote. + +.... Coote, Esq. + +Christopher Cooke, Esq. Beaufort Buildings, Strand. + +T. Collingwood, Esq. Gray's Inn. + +Rev. T. Cogan, East Deane, Surrey. + +T. W. Coke, Esq. Holkham, Norfolk. + +Lieutenant Colonel Crosbie, 22d regiment, and Deputy Adjutant General in +Ireland. + +Robert Cromp, Esq. Frinsted, Kent. + +Mr. John Cruikshank, Rector of the Academy in Banff. + + +D + +Right Honourable Lord Delaval. + +Reverend Dr. Dering, Prebendary of Canterbury. + +Col. Cholmely Dering, New Romney light dragoons. + +John Thurlow Dering, Esq. Crow Hall, Norfolk; two copies. + +Captain Donkin, 44th regiment. + +James Dallaway, M. B. F.S.A. + + +E + +Right Honourable Mr. Elliott, Secretary at War, Ireland. + +Edward Everard, sen. Esq. Lynn Regis, Norfolk. + + +F + +Right Honourable Earl Fitzwilliam; two copies. + +Honourable Edward Foley, M. P. Lower Seymour Street. + +Mr. Farringdon, Foulkes Buildings, London. + +Miss Farringdon, Camberwell. + +Mrs. Faulknor. + +Lieutenant Colonel Fisher, 9th regiment, Manchester Square. + +Captain Finlay, Richmond House. + +Lieutenant Foster, 38th regiment. + +Reverend Dr. Frampton, D. D. Exning, Suffolk. + + +G + +General Sir Charles Grey, K.B.; three copies. + +Right Honourable Lord Glentworth. + +Sir Henry Grey, Baronet, Howick, Northumberland. + +Lady Gresley, Drakelow, Derbyshire. + +Sir Robert Goodere, Cavendish Square. + +Mrs. Goodere, Exning, Suffolk. + +W. Gordon, Esq. Aberdour, Banff. + +Charles Grey, Esq. M. P. Hertford Street, Mayfair; two copies. + +Mrs. Grey, Hertford Street, Mayfair. + +Lieutenant Colonel Henry Grey, 18th regiment light dragoons. + +Major Thomas Grey, 39th regiment. + +Captain George Grey, Commander of his Majesty's ship Victory. + +Captain William Grey, 21st regiment. + +Edward Gregory, Esq. Leman Street, Goodman's Fields. + +J. Graeme, Esq. + +George Gipps, Esq. Canterbury. + +Isaac Gervais, Esq. Doctors Commons. + + +H + +Sir Henry Harpur, Baronet, Upper Brook-street. + +Sir Benjamin Hammett, Knight, Lombard Street. + +Major General Hewitt, Adjutant General of Ireland. + +Mrs. Harrison, Bourne Place, Kent. + +Major Hare, 12th regiment light dragoons, Aid-de-camp to the Lord +Lieutenant of Ireland. + +Mr. K. S. Haggerstone, Cambridge. + +Christ. Hand, Esq. Cheveley Green. + +Reverend James Hand, Cheveley, Cambridgeshire. + +C. J. Harford, Esq. Stapleton, Gloucestershire. + +Henry Wise Harvey, Esq. Hearnden, Kent. + +Captain John Harvey, of his Majesty's ship Prince of Wales. + +Mr. George Gerard Haughs. + +Mrs. Herring, Precincts, Canterbury. + +Reverend J. Hippisley, A.M. Stow on the Wolde, Gloucestershire. + +Reverend Thomas Hey, D. D. of Wickham Breux, Kent. + + +J + +Admiral Sir John Jervis, K. B. Commander in Chief in the Mediterranean; +three copies. + +Christopher Jefferson, Esq. Dullingham, Cambridgeshire. + +Henry Jackson, Esq. 106, Fenchurch Street, London. + +Major General Johnson. + + +K + +Honourable George King, Colonel of the Cork regiment of militia. + +George Kittoe, Esq. Ridge House, Antigua. + +Sir Edward Knatchbull, Bart. M. P. Marsham Hatch, Kent. + + +L + +His Grace the Duke of Leinster. + +Right Honourable Lady Charlotte Lenox. + +Honourable Colonel Lenox. + +Sir William Lemon, Baronet, M. P. Carelew, Cornwall. + +John Lagier Lamotte, Esq. + +Mr. Henry Lamotte, Clapton, Middlesex. + +Captain Locke, 26th regiment light dragoons. + +Reverend Dr. Lynch, Archdeacon and Prebendary of Canterbury. + +Rev. William Long, LL.D. Sternfield, Suffolk. + +Reverend Daniel Lysons, F.R.S. and F.S.A. Putney, Surrey. + +Mr. W. H. Lunn, Bookseller, Cambridge; four copies. + +Rev. N. C. Lane, A. M. Christ's College, Cambridge. + + +M + +Lady Mill, Arlingham, Gloucestershire. + +Brigadier General Myers. + +Lieutenant Colonel Manley, royal artillery. + +Lieutenant Col. M'Clary, Aberlash, Carmarthenshire; two copies. + +Lieut. Col. Madden, 15th regiment. + +Lieutenant Colonel M'Donald. + +Sir Charles Mitchell, Knt. Commander of the William Pitt East Indiaman. + +Mr. James Miln, Arbroath. + + +N + +Major General Needham. + +Reverend James Nasmith, A.M. Leverington, Cambridgeshire. + +Reverend Edward Nares, A.M. Fellow of Merton College, Oxford. + +Mr. Norton, Bookseller, Bristol. + + +O + +William Owen, Esq. Trinity College, Cambridge. + + +P + +Right Hon. Sir John Parnell, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ireland. + +James Palmer, Esq. Dulwich, Surrey; two copies. + +Reverend Dr. Pennington, D. D. Eastry, Kent. + +Rev. Montagu Pennington. A. M. + +Mr. Philpot, Canterbury. + +George Ponsonby, Esq. Bishop's Court, near Dublin. + +J. Plumptre, Esq. Fridville, Herts. + +Reverend Charles Powlett, A. M. junior, Hackwood Farm, Hants. + +Edward Roger Pratt, Esq. Ryston Hall, Norfolk. + +Lieutenant Colonel Pratt, royal Irish artillery. + +Captain D'Arcy Preston, royal navy. + +George Purvis, Esq. Titchfield, Hants, Secretary to Admiral Sir John +Jervis. + +Major Perryn, Great George Street. + + +R + +Reverend Anth. Luther Richardson, LL. B. Kennet, Cambridgeshire. + +Mr. James Robertson, Gellymell, near Banff. + +William Rose, Esq. Mountcoffer, near Banff. + +E. Rolfe, jun. Esq. Hankoe, Norfolk. + + +S + +Right Hon. Lord Sondes, Rockingham Castle. + +Colonel Sir James St. Clair Erskine, Bart. 12th reg. light dragoons. + +Charles Henry Selwyn, Esq. Lieutenant Governor of the island of +Montserrat. + +Reverend George Selwyn, King's Road, Bedford Row. + +Matthew Henry Scott, Esq. Captain in the royal navy. + +W. Sharpe, Esq. Fulham, Middlesex. + +Samuel Shirt, Esq. 27, Mincing Lane, London. + +Rev. Stebbing Shaw, B.D. F.S.A. Fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge. + +Reverend Mr. Alexander Simpson, Old Aberdeen. + +Rev. Thomas Jenyns Smith, A. M. First Fellow of Dulwich College. + +Mr. David Souter, Melrose, near Banff; five copies. + +Mr. Stewart Souter, Duff House, Banff. + +Lieutenant Colonel Stuart, 3d regiment guards. + +Rev. James Symes, Hollis Street. + +Powell Snell, Esq. Guiting Orange, Gloucestershire, and Captain of the +royal Gloucestershire yeomen cavalry. + +Richard Sill, Esq. A. B, Clare Hall, Cambridge. + + +T + +Right Honourable the Earl of Tyrconnel. + +George Talbot, Esq. Temple Guiting, Gloucestershire. + +T. Tyndall, Esq. Weston Lodge, Somersetshire. + +Captain Thomas, 28th regiment. + +Captain Herbert Taylor, 2d dragoon guards, and Aid de Camp to his Royal +Highness the Duke of York. + +Captain Edward Taylor, New Romney light dragoons. + +Mr. William Thompson, Mile-End Green. + +Mrs. Treacher, Henley on Thames. + +Reverend Stephen Tucker, A. M. Linsted, Kent. + +John Townley, Esq. Clare Hall, Cambridge. + +Lieutenant Colonel Thewles, 30th regiment light dragoons. + + +V + +Captain George Vaughan, of the royal navy. + +Mrs. Vernon, Norwich. + +Captain Vaumorel, 30th regiment. + + +W + +Colonel, the Earl of Westmeath. + +Sir Charles Watson, Baronet, Swaffham, Cambridgeshire. + +Sir Edward Winnington, Bart. M. P. Winterdyne, Worcestershire. + +Major General Whyte. + +Mrs. Watson, Swaffham, Cambridgeshire. + +Mr. J. Webster, Merchant, Banff. + +Charles Hollis Western, Esq. M. P. Felix Hall, Essex. + +Edw. Weatherby, Esq. Newmarket. + +Thomas M. Waller, Esq. Lieutenant royal navy. + +Samuel Whitbread, sen. Esq. M. P. + +Samuel Whitbread, jun. Esq. M. P. 17, Lower Grosvenor Street; two +copies. + +Rev. Edward Wilson, B. D. Moulton, Suffolk. + +Mrs. Willyams, Exning, Suffolk. + +John Hanbury Williams, Esq. Coldbrook, Monmouthshire. + +Major Wilder, Pall Mall. + +Captain Isaac Wolley, royal navy. + +Reverend Godfrey Wolley, Hutton Bushel, Yorkshire. + +J. Whatley, Esq. Wraxall Lodge, Somersetshire, and Captain in the Royal +South Gloucestershire regiment of militia. + +James Wyborn, Esq. Hull, Kent + +.... Western, Esq. + +Mr. Thomas Henry Wilson, No. 13, Cornhill. + + + + + EXPEDITION + + AGAINST THE + + _FRENCH WEST INDIA ISLANDS_. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + EXPEDITION TO THE WEST INDIES DETERMINED ON ... SIR CHARLES GREY AND + SIR JOHN JERVIS APPOINTED COMMANDERS IN CHIEF ... THE BOYNE SAILS + FROM SPITHEAD ... OCCURRENCES ON THE VOYAGE FROM THENCE TO CARLISLE + BAY, BARBADOES. + + +In the latter end of the year 1793, his Majesty having determined to +send a formidable armament to the West Indies, to reduce the French +islands in that quarter, and to secure his own from any attack of the +enemy, Lieutenant General Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the Bath, was +promoted to the rank of General in America, and Commander in Chief in +the West Indies. Several officers of distinguished abilities were also +appointed to act under him; and Vice Admiral Sir John Jervis, Knight of +the Bath, was nominated Commander in Chief of the naval force on the +same expedition. + +After much delay, occasioned by nearly half the original force being +withdrawn from the armament intended for the West Indies, and applied to +another purpose, on the 24th of November, 1793, the Boyne of 98 guns, +Captain Grey commander, having Vice Admiral Sir John Jervis's flag +flying at the fore-topmast head, made the signal for sailing to the +fleet destined with her for this expedition, and dropped down to St. +Helen's, where she lay at single anchor, waiting for those ships that +were not ready; the ordnance storeships were particularly tardy. This +morning an unfortunate accident befel Mr. Scott, second lieutenant of +the Boyne, whose arm was broken by a block giving way in the fore part +of the ship, where he was stationed; but happily, by the care and skill +of Mr. Weir the surgeon, he was nearly recovered by the time the ship +reached Barbadoes. + +On Tuesday the 26th of November the Boyne weighed anchor, and with the +rest of the fleet sailed from St. Helen's with a fair wind down channel. +On the 27th we lay to off Portland Road, waiting for the Quebec frigate, +which remained at Spithead to hasten the storeships and transports (that +were not at first ready to sail with the Boyne), and to convoy them +through the Needles. + +On the 28th of November, in the morning, we were off the Land's End, and +were soon afterwards becalmed for a short time. In the evening, a fresh +breeze springing up, we proceeded on our voyage. Before it was dark +eight sail were seen from the mast head. + +On the 29th we passed Commodore Paisley in the Bellerophon, with several +frigates in company. The Commodore saluted the Admiral's flag with +thirteen guns, which was returned from the Boyne with eleven guns. + +As it may be proper to inform the reader that, in consequence of a +particular invitation from the Admiral, the Commander in Chief and his +suite, with several of the officers on the staff under him, were +passengers in the Boyne, I shall here subjoin their names. + + His Excellency Sir Charles Grey, K. B. Commander in Chief. + + Major General Thomas Dundas. + + Lieutenant Colonel Symes, Quarter Master General. + + Major Henry Grey, Deputy Quarter Master General. + + Lieut. Col. Fisher, Secretary to the Commander in Chief. + + Major Lyon, Deputy Adjutant General. + + Captain Finch Mason, } + Lieut. John Cunningham,} Aid de Camps to the Commander in Chief. + Captain Newton Ogle, } + + Capt. Maitland, Aid de Camp to Major General Dundas. + + Dr. Wardle, Surgeon on the Staff. + + Also Chevalier Sancee, a brave and ingenious French Officer, whom + the Commander in Chief took with him, as being acquainted with the + island of Martinique, and the fortifications of Fort Bourbon and St. + Louis, having served under the Marquis de Bouille at the construction + of the former works. + +Thus, by the friendly intercourse subsisting between the two Commanders +in Chief, the time on the passage was most usefully employed in forming +plans of operation, which could not have been executed with that +promptness that distinguished the ensuing campaign, had it been +otherwise. + +On Tuesday the 3d of December, the Rose frigate, Captain Riou, parted +company; as did, on the 7th following, Commodore Thompson and part of +the convoy, and we proceeded with the greater dispatch on our voyage. + +On the 8th of December the wind proved foul, with rain and hazy weather. +At night, in the middle watch, we were attacked by a squall of wind and +rain, accompanied by a heavy sea, which struck the rudder with such +violence, that the men at the wheel losing their hold, were thrown down; +and the tiller breaking loose, stove in the gunner's cabin; at the same +time the pinnace, a six-oared boat, that was suspended over the stern, +was washed away, and totally lost. + +On the 9th of December in the morning, the ship was taken aback by a +sudden squall of wind, attended with thunder and lightning, with a most +tremendous sea; we then wore ship, and stood to the south west. Those +who have never sailed in a ship of war of the first or second rate, can +form no idea of the grandeur and awfulness of the scene when so large a +body is struggling with contending elements. As the ship rolls through +the high swell her sides appear to twist and bend in a surprising +manner. The guns hanging on one side, and pressing against the other, +seem as if, at every roll, they would, by their immense weight, force +their way through; which, added to the cracking of the cordage, the +roaring of the wind, and a variety of other noises, forms a scene of +surprise and alarm to the inexperienced voyager. + +This squally weather continued at intervals for four days. On the 12th +we saw some sea gulls. On the 13th two strange sail hove in sight; the +Ulysses chased one of them, and we made sail after the other, and fired +several shot at her to bring her to; but in the evening were obliged to +give up the pursuit, for fear of parting from our convoy, which however +happened in the following night, during a heavy gale of wind. + +On Saturday the 14th we saw a gull, and several turtle passed near the +ship. + +On the 16th land was discovered at four P. M. supposed to be the island +of Porto Santo. All this day we sailed at the rate of seven and eight +knots an hour. Tuesday the 17th of December we found that during the +night we had passed by the island of Madeira; but this morning tacked +and stood towards it, and arrived off Funchial, the capital of that +island, of which we had a delightful view. As we approached the land the +surrounding country had a very beautiful appearance, especially after a +long voyage, when the eye has been wearied by the uninteresting sameness +of an extended ocean. The town of Funchial, so named from the Portuguese +word funcho, fennel, which grows in great abundance on the neighbouring +rocks, is situated at the bottom of a bay, and is a large ill-built +town: it has many churches and convents; but as we did not go on shore, +I can give no particular description of them. Immediately behind the +town the hills rise gradually one above the other, terminating in +prodigious high mountains, which are plentifully covered almost half-way +up with plantations of vines, interspersed with churches and elegant +houses. High up in the mountains, in a valley is seen a convent, which +we were informed is dedicated to our Lady of the Mountain. All the +buildings being white, formed very conspicuous, and not unpleasing +objects in the landscape. The mountains in this island are very high. +Pico Ruevo is supposed to be from its base near a mile in perpendicular +height, much higher than any land in England or Wales. The sides of all +the hills are well covered to a certain height with vines, above which, +to a vast extent, are woods of pine, chesnut, and a variety of other +trees unknown to Europe. The principal refreshments to be procured here +are wine, water, and onions; the latter are the finest in the world, and +in great plenty. + +It being the Admiral's determination to lose no time, we only lay-to off +Funchial, till the wine intended for the use of the officers and ship's +company was taken on board; and it being the birth day of the Queen of +Portugal, we saluted the fort in honour of the day with twenty-one guns, +which was returned with an equal number. In the evening we made sail for +our destination; and fortunately from this time had a fair wind till we +got into the trades. On the 24th we passed the tropic of Cancer, lat. at +noon 23. 21. N. long. 32. W. The usual ceremony was observed by the +crew (having first obtained the Captain's permission): a grotesque +Neptune and Amphitrite were drawn by their attendants on the +quarter-deck, where, after a solemn ditty chaunted by his aquatic +majesty, the usual collections were made, which, from the munificence of +the General and his friends, together with the contributions of those +officers of the ship who had never crossed the tropic before, amounted +to a sum sufficient to supply the ship's company with plenty of +vegetables on their arrival at Barbadoes. + +The 25th of December, being Christmas day, divine service was performed +on the quarter-deck by the Chaplain, the crew appearing as on a Sunday, +in clean trowsers and jackets: and here I must beg leave to mention, +that I never saw more regularity and decorum in any place of worship +than is invariably observed on board of his Majesty's ships of war. + +This day we passed an American brig; and the weather being fair, +Lieutenant Bowen and Captain Mason went on board her. She was from +Cadiz, and reported, that yesterday she passed a Spanish man of war +bound for Europe. + +On the 26th of December we saw several albicores, dolphins, and grampus, +and shoals of flying fish; lat. at noon 22. 10. N. long. 34. 46. W. + +On the 29th of December, being Sunday, and the weather fair, divine +service was performed as usual. + +The heat of the climate now began to be troublesome to those who had +been unaccustomed to it. + +On Monday the 6th of January, 1794, land was discovered from the +mast-head, which proved to be the island of Barbadoes; and by noon the +Boyne anchored in Carlisle Bay[1]. + + [1] On our arrival we found several of the ships that had parted + company on the voyage; and each day after brought more of them, + till the whole were collected. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF PREPARE FOR THE EXPEDITION AGAINST + MARTINIQUE ... GUN-BOATS CONSTRUCTED, AND DESCRIBED ... A SHORT + ACCOUNT OF BARBADOES ... SALE OF SLAVES ... A LIST OF THE FLEET. + + +The first news we received on our arrival at Barbadoes was, that the +yellow fever had, in the course of last year, carried off fifty-eight +officers of the army in this and the neighbouring islands, and privates +in proportion. It proved fatal to great numbers of the inhabitants also +of Barbadoes; from fifteen to twenty whites died daily in the town of +Bridgetown, and about half that number of blacks and people of colour. +We were at the same time comforted with an assurance that the disease +had entirely subsided; but the reader will soon see how fallacious were +our hopes in this respect. Alas! too many families have to lament the +fatal effects of this dreadful disorder; and the kingdom at large may +attribute to it the losses we afterwards sustained, rather than to any +other cause. But of this more hereafter. + +His Excellency Sir Charles Grey landed at Bridgetown on the 7th of +January, and resided at a house called the Government House, on +Constitution Hill, a healthy situation, about half a mile out of town, +where he was busily employed during his residence on the island in +concerting plans for future operations, in reviewing the troops, and +providing against those exigencies which in an enemy's country an army +must be exposed to. A report was here circulated that General Rochambeau +the commanding officer at Martinique, and Bellegarde the popular leader +of the people of colour, were at variance; but this news by no means +caused the least relaxation on the part of our commanders, who continued +their preparations with as much ardour as before; and it is well they +did so, as we afterwards found the enemy on their guard, and prepared to +resist us with their united force. + +The Admiral in the mean time was equally employed in preparing every +thing in his department, and for that purpose remained on board (a +conduct he invariably followed), by which every thing was carried on +under his own inspection, and delay (the consequence of neglect) was +thus prevented.--On our voyage, whenever the weather permitted, a +certain number of seamen were exercised, and formed into companies, to +be commanded by lieutenants of the navy, with the rank of captains on +shore. While in Carlisle Bay these seamen were again exercised, and +instructed in the use of small arms and pikes. This plan of training the +seamen for more duty was highly beneficial on this expedition, as will +hereafter appear. + +Every exertion was now made both by sea and land. The gun-boats, which +were constructed in England, then taken to pieces, and brought to the +West Indies in storeships, were put together with as much speed as +possible; yet, from the nature of their structure, could not be finished +until a day or two before we sailed. There were six gun-boats, each +carrying a twenty-four pounder in the bow, which moved backwards and +forwards on a groove: round the whole on the gun-whale was a moveable +barricade or breast-work, composed of several folds of bulls' hides, +nailed to some boards of an inch thick in partitions, and capable of +turning a musket ball. Each boat had two masts; the foremast inclined +forward (to give more room for the gun to recoil), and had a latine sail +and jib: the mizen was a lug-sail. Sweeps, or large oars, were also +supplied, to be used when there was no wind, or when becalmed by the +high lands near the shore. Each of these vessels was at first commanded +by a midshipman, who, as his conduct merited, was promoted to the rank +of lieutenant[2]. + + [2] I have given an exact representation of one of these boats in + the view of the town and bay of St. Pierre. + +In the mean time the troops were landed from the transports, the sick +comfortably lodged in the hospitals, and every attention paid, to render +the service complete. As the major part of our army consisted of the +flank companies, great pains were taken by the commanding officers to +train them for the most active service: the light infantry were +exercised daily by Major General Dundas, who had, in America and on the +continent, distinguished himself at the head of that battalion. +Particular attention was paid to instruct the army in the absolute +necessity of strict obedience to orders; for which purpose the +Commander in Chief published in the general orders to the army such full +and comprehensive instructions, as to preclude the necessity of +multiplying them in future, and to take away the possibility of any one +pleading ignorance of them[3]. + + [3] See in the Appendix, page 1. + +Before we quit this island, it may be agreeable to the reader to have +some account of it, and of the general appearance of the country. +Barbadoes is situated in 13. 10. N. lat. and 59. W. long. from London. +It is called one of the British Charaibe Islands, though at present none +of those ancient inhabitants remain on it. The island has a flat +appearance; but, from the variety of plantations, the beauty and +freshness of the verdure, and the numerous houses, mills, and other +buildings, scattered in great profusion, it presents a delightful +prospect to strangers on their approach to it after a long voyage. I +shall not pretend to give an history of the island, but must refer the +reader to the elegant work of Bryan Edwards, Esq. whose account of the +British West India Islands is written with every advantage to be derived +from local residence and connections, as well as from the indefatigable +attention and abilities of the author. + +During our residence at this island curiosity led me to be present at a +sale of slaves, just imported from the coast of Africa. As this horrid +traffic in human flesh has been the topic of public investigation for +some time past, and much learning and ingenuity has been displayed on +both sides of the question, I shall not give any opinion on it, but +merely state facts that came within my own knowledge. The sale is +proclaimed by beat of drum, and is held (at Barbadoes at least) not in +the open air, as I had been taught to believe, but in a commodious house +appointed for that purpose. At the time I am speaking of, there were +about forty men, women, and children, sitting on benches round a large +room, with no other covering than a cloth round their waists. Some of +them were decorated with beads, given to them by their captors, and +bracelets round their wrists and ancles, and were much tattooed on their +faces and breasts, which I understood from a seaman who came with them, +was a mark of distinction in their own country. I was also informed that +they had buried one hundred and forty-nine on the passage, having had a +very bad and protracted voyage: the crew had suffered equally, and had +buried one third of their original complement. As soon as the planter +has fixed on a slave he retires with him and the salesman to another +room, there concludes the bargain, and departs with his purchase to his +plantation, where the newcomer, being clothed in a coarse jacket, and +provided with a hat, knife, and other trifles, is placed with one of the +old negroes, by whom he is instructed in his business. In regard to the +severity exercised by the slave owners on their slaves, whatever may +have been the case, I am well assured that now there are seldom +instances of those cruelties which have been so feelingly described, at +least in the islands we visited on this expedition. At Barbadoes they +appeared to be in as comfortable a situation as the lower ranks of +society generally are; and as the climate is peculiarly favourable to +poverty (clothes and firing, the great articles of expence to the poor +in other countries, being here hardly required), I may venture to +affirm, that the slaves in the West Indies are in a better situation, +_as to the necessaries of life_, than the labouring poor in England, or +any other country in Europe. Far be it from me, however, to justify +slavery in itself; it most certainly is an evil: but when a matter of +great importance is in agitation, every information should be obtained, +and both sides of the question ought to be strictly examined. Certainly +the benevolent intentions of the friends to the abolition of slavery in +the West Indies have, by their exertions in the cause of humanity, +occasioned a more minute inquiry into the situation of the slaves than +had ever been made before; and several excellent laws to regulate the +treatment of that unfortunate class of human beings have in consequence +been passed in the different islands. It is affirmed by many very humane +people, that the entire abolition of the traffic _itself_ would not help +the cause of humanity so much as was at first contended (for I believe +the former plan of immediately emancipating those already imported, is +allowed by all to be dangerous in the extreme); and it is the opinion of +many writers, that the greater part of those Africans sold to our +plantations would remain slaves in their own country, or be put to death +by their captors. If so, surely it is better for them to be carried to a +country where they have a chance at least of better treatment, and where +many of them are instructed in their duty to their God, of which before +they had no idea. + +While we were lying in Carlisle Bay the fleet that sailed with us from +Europe, and parted company on the voyage, came in, together with the +transports, &c. from Ireland. The following is, I believe, a correct +list of the men of war that composed our fleet at the commencement of +the campaign. A few others that are hereafter mentioned joined us in the +course of it. + + Boyne 98 guns {Vice Admiral Sir John Jervis, K. B. + { Commander in Chief of the naval + { force in the West Indies. + {Captain G. Grey. + + Vengeance 74 {Commodore C. Thompson. + {Captain Henry Powlett. + + Irresistible 74 John Henry. + + Veteran 64 Charles Edmund Nugent. + + Blanche 32 Christopher Parker. + + Terpsichore 32 Samson Edwards. + + Blonde 32 John Markham. + + Solebay 32 William Hancock Kelly. + + Beaulieu 40 John Salisbury. + + Quebec 32 Josias Rogers. + + Rose 23 Edward Riou. + + Vesuvius bomb Charles Sawyer. + + Nautilus 18 James Carpenter. + + Rattlesnake 18 Matthew Henry Scott. + + Seaflower 16 William Pierrepoint. + + Zebra 18 guns Captain Robert Faulknor. + + Experiment 44 Simon Miller. } + Woolwich 44 John Parker. } armed + Dromedary 44 Sandford Tatham.} en flute. + +These ships joined us in Fort Royal bay during the siege of Forts +Bourbon and Louis. + + Asia 64 guns Captain John Brown. + + Santa Margarita 36 Eliab Harvey. + + Assurance 44 Velters Cornwall Berkley. + + Ceres 32 Richard Incledon. + + Winchelsea 32 Lord Viscount Garlies. + + Roebuck 44 hosp. ship Andrew Christie. + +The land force employed on this expedition was as follows. A detachment +of white and a detachment of black light dragoons, three battalions of +grenadiers, three battalions of light infantry, the sixth, ninth, +fifteenth, thirty-ninth, forty-third, fifty-sixth, fifty-eighth, +sixty-fourth, sixty-fifth, and seventieth regiments, with detachments +from the second, twenty-first, and sixtieth regiments. The troops were +divided into three brigades; the first commanded by Lieutenant General +Prescott, the second by Major General Thomas Dundas, and the third by +Major General his Royal Highness Prince Edward (till whose arrival from +Canada the command of this brigade was given to Lieutenant Colonel Sir +Charles Gordon.) The total force that embarked for the attack of +Martinique was six thousand and eighty-five, two hundred and twenty-four +sick, and nine hundred and seventy-seven left sick at Barbadoes[4]. + + [4] An idea was started of raising four hundred white men in the + island of Barbadoes to augment the army; but there was not time to + arm and discipline them; therefore it was dropped. However, a + certain number of negroes were provided to attend the army, four + hundred of whom were sent from Dominica for that service; some more + were brought from St. Vincent's; and the council of Barbadoes made + an offer of supplying a large number of them to serve on very + liberal terms; but when the matter came to be investigated, the + terms were found to be far from equitable, and therefore were + rejected.--Mr. Baillie and Mr. Monro, two planters of Grenada, were + here introduced to the Commanders in Chief, and were received on + board the Boyne as guests, and treated with the greatest + hospitality; they proceeded with us on the expedition. Mr. Gibbs, + one of the council of Barbadoes, also accompanied us. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + THE FLEET SAILS FROM BARBADOES ... ANCHORS ON THE SOUTH COAST OF + MARTINIQUE ... CAPTURE OF A BATTERY ... GENERAL GREY LANDS WITH HIS + ARMY ... FLAG OF TRUCE FIRED ON BY THE ENEMY ... THE COMMANDERS IN + CHIEF ATTACK THE ISLAND AT THREE DIFFERENT PLACES AT THE SAME TIME. + + +On Monday, Feb. 3, 1794, the fleet of men of war, transports, +storeships, &c. sailed from Carlisle Bay, and the next morning land was +seen, which proved to be the island of St. Lucia, bearing west several +leagues. On Wednesday, Feb. 5, we approached the island of Martinique on +the south east coast, off the bay of Maran; two forts, one at Pointe du +Jardin, the other at Pointe de la Borgnesse, which defended the entrance +to that bay, began to fire on our ships as they approached; +notwithstanding which, the Boyne and the rest of the fleet anchored by +four P.M. not far from the battery on Pointe de la Borgnesse, Lieutenant +Bowen having previously run along shore in a small schooner to sound the +depth of water. Our troops were now preparing to land, and had filled +several flat-boats which lay along-side the men of war, when the +battery opened a heavy fire on them, which was quickly answered by the +ships; the troops at the same time pushed in and landed, covered by the +gun-boats: seeing which, and alarmed by some well-directed shot from the +Boyne and Veteran, the enemy fled in disorder from the fort, which our +troops immediately entered, and having hoisted the British colours, were +saluted with three cheers from the fleet. A trench was found in the +battery, communicating with the magazine, in which a train was laid, and +a brand or match laid across it. Happily (by the exertions of the +officers and men) this dastardly plot was prevented taking effect. The +guns were immediately turned upon the enemy in their retreat, and +against the town of St. Anne; but as this was a post of no great +consequence, after they had spiked the guns and broke the carriages, the +troops reimbarked[5]. + + [5] During the landing of our troops, Lieutenant Bowen, who was in + a gun-boat, perceived a number of the enemy collecting in the woods + near the shore, and being scarce noticed by them, was suffered to + approach without molestation, and having loaded his gun with + langrege, he dealt such destruction among them, that they fled in + all directions. A shot from the battery, which stuck in the + larboard bow of the Boyne, when cut out, proved to be a thirty-four + pounder, and to have been heated, but not sufficiently to do any + mischief by fire. + +In the evening the enemy in the battery on Pointe du Jardin burnt the +sugar plantations near them, as we suppose, out of revenge for our +success at Pointe de la Borgnesse; from the dryness of the canes the +fire spread with great rapidity, and did much damage. Near us was the +village of St. Luce, where a two-gun battery, directed by the cure of +St. Luce, seeming disposed to trouble us, the Veteran opened her lower +deckers on it, and soon drove the enemy from thence[6].--On Thursday +morning, Feb. 6, our troops landed at Trois Rivieres, in the bay of St. +Luce, without opposition, to the number of two thousand four hundred and +eighty-four men, under the direction of Lieutenant General Prescott. Sir +Charles Grey and his suite then landed, and the whole army moved off +from the landing-place in two divisions; the first division began to +march about twelve at noon, the second division at five in the +afternoon. Lieutenant Rogers of the Boyne soon after landed at the +cure's battery at St. Luce, and found the two cannon there to be +twenty-four pounders, that had belonged to the Raisonable man of war, +wrecked some time since on this island. They destroyed these guns, and +returned on board without any loss. This evening a gun-boat and +flat-boat with seamen, under the command of Lieutenants Rutherford and +Ogle of the Boyne, and Mr. Johnson, midshipman, attempted to cut out +some vessels in the harbour near Maran, where they were much exposed +both to the great guns and musquetry of the enemy; but they succeeded so +far as to bring off two American schooners; two others saved themselves +by running ashore close under the guns of Fort St. Etienne. + + [6] The Generous Friends transport, laden with officers' baggage, + &c. dragged her anchor on the night of the 5th, struck against a + rock at the entrance of the bay, and was wrecked. Fortunately, + however, the hands on board and the baggage were saved. + +On Feb. 7th the Admiral sent (with a flag of truce) Lieutenant Miln of +the Boyne, accompanied by Lieutenant James of the fifteenth regiment, +and the Chaplain of the Boyne, with a letter for the municipality or +governor of Maran. As they approached the town they perceived hostile +preparations making in the fort of St. Etienne; but, in hopes of +preventing a flag of truce being insulted, Mr. Miln boarded one of the +American ships that had been run aground the day before, intending, in +case the captain of it was on board, to take him in his company. Being +now within half gun-shot of the fort, the enemy began to fire on the +boat, notwithstanding the flag of truce, and continued to do so, +although Mr. Miln endeavoured to proceed towards the shore: but the +enemy seeming determined to oppose his landing, and several of their +shot falling close by the boat, he at length judged it most prudent to +return. As he passed Pointe du Bourgnesse he perceived some negroes near +the fort, and sent the two gentlemen who accompanied him armed, to +endeavour to cut off their retreat, and to give them the papers which +were to have been delivered to the commander at Maran; but the negroes, +on perceiving them land, immediately made off towards the town: they +however found a wounded man, whose leg had been broken by a cannon ball, +with whom they left the papers, adding a note to express their surprise +and indignation at a flag of truce being fired on[7]. + + [7] The French have since said that they fired on the boat because + it had a white flag hoisted: this was a most ridiculous objection; + for, though with them a mark of aristocracy, it has ever been + acknowledged by all nations as a signal of peace and cessation from + hostilities. However, we found it necessary afterwards to comply + with their wishes; and whenever a boat was sent from either party + on a truce, they carried the flag of the opposite party in the bow + of the boat, and their own colours abaft. + +In the afternoon Mr. Miln went with the gun-boats against Maran, to form +a diversion in favour of Lieutenants Rutherford and Rogers, who had +landed with two companies of seamen to carry fresh provisions to Sir +Charles Grey's army. This had the desired effect, as soon after a large +body of troops came down from the hills to the town and fort, which +might otherwise have fallen in with the seamen on their march. + +The next day, Feb. 8, the Admiral sent another flag of truce by the same +officer to the town of St. Anne. He took with him an American captain of +a ship, in addition to his former complement; and having been so roughly +handled the day before, he also ordered a gun-boat to attend. St. Anne's +was entirely deserted. The American then proceeded a mile up the country +to the house of a planter, who had left it; but finding his mulatto +mistress there, he left the papers with her, to forward to the +commanding officer at Maran. On this estate the American told us he saw +three hundred slaves, and every thing in perfect order; from whence we +judged the owner of it had been a friend to the revolution, the houses +and plantations of the royalists being universally destroyed. The enemy +now entirely evacuated this part of the country, to throw themselves +into Fort Bourbon; and in their retreat burnt several fine plantations, +and murdered many slaves of the royalists with circumstances of the most +horrid cruelty. + +I should have mentioned that, on our approach to this island, the +Commanders in Chief dispatched General Dundas with Commodore Thompson to +the attack of Trinite, and another division under the command of Colonel +Sir Charles Gordon, assisted by Captain Rogers of the Quebec, to Case de +Navirre; while Sir Charles Grey, assisted by Lieutenant General +Prescott, and under cover of the Boyne, &c. made good his landing at +Trois Rivieres: thus, by making three attacks upon distant parts of the +island at the same time, the force and attention of the enemy was +divided; and by that spirited conduct, which animated all parties, more +particularly by the unanimity which prevailed between the army and navy, +they all happily succeeded. And here I must beg leave to observe, that +where the commanders are united in friendship, and equally inspired with +an earnest desire to serve their king and country, their example will +always have such influence on the conduct of those under their command, +that the same friendly intercourse will be sure to subsist between the +subordinate ranks of the two services; and, from the Commanders in Chief +to the private soldier and sailor, they will join hand and heart, and +form a phalanx that nothing can withstand. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + MARCH OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF FROM TROIS RIVIERES TO SALLEE ... + OCCURRENCES ON THE MARCH ... GENERAL WHYTE DETACHED ... TAKES + PIGEON ISLAND ... THE ADMIRAL ANCHORS OFF PIGEON ISLAND ... + DESCRIPTION OF THE BAY OF FORT ROYAL ... THE THIRD BRIGADE LANDS AT + CAS DE NAVIRES. + + +I have already said that his Excellency Sir Charles Grey, with +Lieutenant General Prescott, and that part of the army which landed at +Trois Rivieres, marched from thence on Feb. 6th across the country to La +Riviere Sallee, a distance of two leagues, over very mountainous roads, +and that evening they reached the town of the same name, situated on its +banks, where the troops were lodged. They met with no opposition on +their march, and lost only one man (a sergeant), who died of fatigue and +heat. On the march the Commander in Chief detached Brigadier General +Whyte, with the second battalion of light infantry commanded by +Lieutenant Colonel Close, with two amuzettes, to force the batteries of +Cape Solomon and Point a Burgos, in order to get possession of Pigeon +Island, as our shipping could not go into the bay of Fort Royal till +that was accomplished; nor indeed could our boats with provisions and +ammunition go with safety round to the army at Riviere Sallee. On Feb. +7th General Whyte took two small pieces of cannon loaded, at a village +in the bay of d'Arlet (one hundred and fifty mulattoes having fled at +his approach); and immediately marching to the attack of the two posts +above mentioned of Point Solomon and Burgos, the enemy surrendered at +discretion, their retreat being cut off. In the interim the Commander in +Chief received intelligence of a body of the enemy having crossed the +bay from Fort Royal, and landed near Morne Charlotte Pied, where they +took post to intercept the communication between General Whyte and head +quarters at Sallee: on which he instantly dispatched Adjutant-General +Colonel Dundas, with the seventieth regiment, commanded by Lieutenant +Colonel Johnson, with two howitzers, to dislodge them. This was executed +that night with great spirit, and the post taken possession of early the +next morning, the enemy being completely defeated at the first charge. +In this action Captain Nares of the seventieth regiment distinguished +himself so as to gain the notice of the Commander in Chief in public +orders[8]. + + [8] Vide Appendix, page 14. + +Brigadier General Whyte (being now reinforced with a detachment of the +royal artillery, some ordnance, mortars, &c.) Colonel Symes, with a +detachment of the fifteenth regiment and two hundred seamen from the +Admiral, armed with pikes and pistols, under the command of Lieutenants +Rogers and Rutherford, ascended the heights on the 9th instant, and got +possession of Mount Matharine, which commanded Pigeon Island, at the +distance of not more than four hundred yards, where they erected their +batteries. On this day his Excellency the Admiral sailed from Maran Bay, +and anchored in Petite Ance d'Arlet, from whence he could send succours +of men and ammunition to General Whyte; who accordingly instantly landed +two companies of seamen, with several cannon, which they in vain +attempted to drag over the hills to General Whyte's post, a distance of +four or five miles; for the steepness and ruggedness of the roads, +rendered every effort ineffectual. However he sent him a plentiful +supply of shot and other ammunition, with one howitzer; and in the +evening Lieutenant Miln was dispatched with a party, carrying provisions +and spirits for the army. We found the country on the march from Ance +d'Arlet to General Whyte's camp beautiful in a high degree, but the +roads almost impassable: a succession of steep roads, through thick +woods, at length brought us to the summit of a hill (on which our seamen +were posted), commanding a fine view of the bay of Fort Royal, with +Islet aux Ramieres, or Pigeon Island, in front; and on each side rose +hills finely clothed with wood, on one of which our little army was +posted. During the time we were there, the enemy on Pigeon Island +annoyed us with their shells and shot, by which one of our seamen was +killed, and another mortally wounded. The two five and a half inch +howitzers, brought by the seventieth regiment from head quarters, being +now placed in a battery under the direction of Captain de Rivigne of +the royal artillery, so as to take the island in reverse, and Colonel +Dornford having also joined with a company of artificers, the batteries +were completed during the night of the 10th instant, and opened on +Tuesday morning, February 11th, under the conduct of Major Manley, who +kept up so incessant and well-directed a fire upon Pigeon Island, that +in two hours the garrison struck their colours, and surrendered at +discretion, having fifteen killed and twenty-five wounded. When our +batteries opened, it consisted of two hundred and three men. + +After the strong orders the Commander in Chief issued during the time he +was preparing for the commencement of the campaign at Barbadoes, in +which, among other things, he declared his determination to punish with +the utmost severity any one who should presume to maraud or plunder the +inhabitants, it is surprising that on the first day's march any soldier +should have had the temerity to offend against that order: but we had a +melancholy instance of it in William Milton of the tenth light dragoons, +and Samuel Price of the black dragoons, who were tried and convicted of +a robbery in the house of Jacques, an inhabitant of Sallee; and the +General, being determined to put an early stop to such enormities, had +the sentence put in execution, and they were both hanged in view of the +whole army on February 8th[9]. + + [9] Vide Appendix, pages 10, 11, 12. + +On the capture of Islet aux Ramieres, or Pigeon Island, the Admiral +sailed with the rest of his fleet from Ance d'Arlet on Wednesday, Feb. +12th, and anchored in Fort Royal Bay, off Pigeon Island, by which means +he could co-operate with his colleague, and supply the army with +ammunition and provisions at pleasure. As the ships worked into the bay, +several shells were thrown at them from Fort Louis, but happily without +doing any mischief.--It is impossible to conceive a more beautiful scene +than presented itself on our entrance into this fine bay. On the north +side we saw Fort Louis and the town of Fort Royal; and immediately +behind it, on the top of a steep hill, was the strong fortification of +Fort Bourbon, which, with the tri-coloured flag waving on its walls, +formed a conspicuous object in the landscape; the parapet being built of +white stone, strongly contrasted with the vivid glow of verdure on the +surrounding hills. To the westward rose majestically prodigious +mountains, called Les Pitons du Carbet, the hills on the side of which +were cultivated, while the mountains themselves were covered with wood +to their summits. Eastward the bay opens to several bays and harbours, +into which some noble rivers discharge themselves, and pleasant islands +of different dimensions and forms, embellish the whole. Pigeon Island, +or Islet aux Ramieres, is situated on the south side of the bay of Fort +Royal, about two hundred yards from the shore, and is a steep rock, +inaccessible except on one side by a ladder fixed against a +perpendicular wall. The summit is about thirty yards above the level of +the sea, and is three hundred paces round. It contained the following +ordnance, viz. Eleven forty-two pounders, six thirty-two pounders, four +thirteen-inch mortars, and one howitzer, with an immense quantity of +stores and ammunition, and a large stove to heat shot; it also had good +barracks. It is famous for having prevented Admiral Rodney with twelve +sail of the line from entering the bay in 1782. + +On the 12th of February the fifteenth regiment, led by Major Lyon, and +commanded by Captain Paumier, surprised several hundreds of the enemy, +very strongly posted on the heights of le Grande Bouclain, killed +several of them, and took all their ammunition and arms, with their +cattle.[10] + + [10] Vide Appendix, page 16. + +Sir Charles Gordon with the third brigade had landed on the 8th instant +to leeward, on the side of Cas de Navires, under cover of a division of +the fleet commanded by Captain Rogers in the Quebec[11]. The enemy being +masters of the grand road and the heights above it, he made a movement +towards the mountains, and turning them (unperceived) with part of his +force, gained the most commanding post in that part of the country. By +day-break on the 9th instant Colonel Myers, descending the heights, took +possession of la Chapelle, and a post established by the enemy above it; +and on his return to the column, Sir Charles Gordon proceeded through +most difficult ground to the heights of Berne, above Ance La Haye. The +enemy, after having abandoned the battery of Cayman, and set fire to the +village, still keeping a constant fire on him from the batteries of St. +Catharine, he took a position which gave him an easy communication with +the transports; when on the 12th he observed the battery and works at +St. Catharine, and the posts which guarded the first ravine, abandoned +by the enemy, on which he took possession of them, while Colonel Myers, +with five companies of grenadiers and the forty-third regiment, crossed +four ravines higher up, seizing all the batteries that defended them. +This movement was completely successful, the enemy flying on every side, +and our troops were soon in possession of the five batteries between Cas +de Navires and Fort Royal. They then proceeded, and occupied the posts +of Gentilly, La Coste, and La Archet, within a league of Fort Bourbon. + + [11] They met with considerable opposition in this business; and + the boats employed in landing the troops by some mistake got close + under the enemy's batteries, before they discovered their + situation. Our loss however was less than might have been expected. + The Dromedary, venturing too near the battery of Point Negro, + received a shot between wind and water, entering under the counter, + and a second shot went through the quarter-deck barricade, killed + one man, and wounded four, among whom was Captain Tatham. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + GENERAL DUNDAS LANDS ON THE NORTH EAST SIDE OF THE ISLAND ... + TRINITE TAKEN ... COLONEL CRADOCK ATTACKED, CAPTAIN M'EWEN killed + ... GENERAL DUNDAS FORMS A JUNCTION WITH SIR CHARLES GREY ... MARCH + TOWARDS ST. PIERRE ... COLONEL CAMPBELL KILLED ... ST. PIERRE + ATTACKED BY SEA, AND TAKEN ... DESCRIPTION OF THAT TOWN. + + +When Commodore Thompson with his division (having on board Major General +Dundas and the second brigade) parted from the fleet on their voyage +from Barbadoes, he proceeded with the utmost expedition to the north +east part of the island; and on Feb. 5th arrived off the bay of Gallion. +Captain Faulknor in the Zebra led in, and placed himself along-side of +the battery on Point a Chaux, from whence he soon drove the enemy. The +Beaulieu, Captain Salisbury, and the Woolwich, Captain Parker, followed; +and the troops were landed without further opposition about a league +from the town of Trinite, which was situated on the further side of the +isthmus that formed the bay of Gallion. Here General Dundas halted for +that night. Early the next morning he began his march towards Trinite. +As he moved off from the ground he had occupied during the night, the +enemy annoyed him much by a brisk fire of musketry from the cane fields, +where a large body of them were concealed; from thence however they were +soon driven by the bayonet, which (as the Commander in Chief +observed[12]) in the hands of a gallant British soldier is the first of +weapons. In this business we had one artilleryman killed, and two +officers and three privates wounded. The General then continued his +march to La Bruen, a strong post situated on an eminence immediately +over the town of Trinite. The light infantry drove the enemy from this +post after an action of about fifteen minutes. We had two men killed and +seven or eight wounded, among which were two officers. The enemy's loss +was much greater. Early on the night of the 6th our troops took +possession of Fort Louis (and changed its name to Fort Dundas), and Fort +Bellgarde, a post that commanded the harbour of Trinite. Mons. +Bellgarde, general of the army composed of people of colour, finding +that we had taken possession of the forts, made a precipitate retreat +towards the mountains, having previously set fire to the town of +Trinite, the best part of which, together with a great quantity of +stores of all kinds, was consumed; but Commodore Thompson took +possession of the vessels in the harbour and road. In all these attacks +the seamen (under command of Captain Salisbury) bore a part, and by +their intrepidity and good conduct gained the esteem as well as +applause of the army. + + [12] Vide Appendix, page 7. + +On the evening of the 7th General Dundas proceeded with his brigade to +the attack of Gros Morne, where he was informed General Bellgarde was +strongly posted in considerable force; but on his arrival he found the +forts evacuated. Gros Morne is a situation of great importance, being +strongly fortified, and commanding the principal pass between the +northern and southern parts of the island, and famous for being the +rendezvous of the democrats during the revolution, previous to our +arrival. Besides the principal fort, there is a redoubt on either side, +about a mile distant, commanding the road leading to the fort. A +detachment of the queen's regiment and a party of the marines being left +to garrison Trinite, under command of Major Skerret, and the battalion +of the 64th to garrison Le Gros Morne, the remainder of the brigade +marched early in the morning of the 9th instant, and on the evening of +the same day took possession of a strong situation called Bruno, where +there had formerly been a fort, some of the guns of which were still +remaining: it lies about two leagues north east of Fort Bourbon, and +from it our army could see the enemy in their out-posts from that +fort[13]. After the troops had halted for some time, Colonel Cradock +with three companies of the second battalion of grenadiers was ordered +to advance and take possession of the post of Maltide, where a +considerable number of the enemy were assembled with their colours +flying; but on his approach they evacuated the place in haste. Of this +post our troops had the quiet possession that night, and all the next +day; but in the night between the 10th and 11th they were attacked by a +party of the enemy, commanded by Mons. Bellgarde, amounting to about +eight hundred men, who, having crept up under cover of the canes and +underwood, commenced a heavy fire on our troops, who, though rather +taken by surprise, charged the enemy in their turn with such vigour and +determined bravery, as forced them sorely to repent their temerity, and +retreat towards Fort Bourbon with considerable loss. In this action +Captain M'Ewen of the thirty-eighth regiment and seven privates were +killed, and nineteen wounded. Next day a great quantity of fire arms +were picked up, which the enemy had left behind them in their +precipitate retreat. In the evening of the 11th the post was reinforced +by three companies of grenadiers and part of the second battalion of +light infantry; but that night all was quiet. Early on the morning of +the 12th the grenadiers were ordered back to Bruno, and the battalion of +the sixth regiment, commanded by Major Scott, took their place at +Maltide, and the wounded were sent on board the hospital ship. + + [13] About this time the army had nearly experienced an irreparable + loss. As General Dundas was writing in his tent, a notorious + villain, of the name of Barbarose, presented himself at the door of + the tent, demanding to speak with the General, who, to drive him + away, called to the centinel to "bayonet the fellow;" on which, in + his fright, he dropped a dagger well oiled; and on being seized, + proved to have been the assassin of a French royalist. + +As the bay and harbour of Fort Royal were now completely opened to our +shipping by the capture of Pigeon Island, the Commander in Chief moved +forward on the 14th from La Riviere Sallee to Bruno with the remainder +of the first brigade, a principal part of which had, under General +Prescott, reached that place the day before; having previously concerted +the attack of St. Pierre with General Dundas, that general marched on +the evening of the 13th from Bruno with the second battalion of +grenadiers, the thirty-third and fortieth light companies, and the +sixty-fifth regiment, to Gros Morne, where he halted that night, and +early on the 14th marched to Trinite; from whence he dispatched a sloop +with the packs and blankets of his army round towards la Basse Pointe, +in order to expedite his march toward St. Pierre, the capital of the +island, the capture of which was now his object. From Gros Morne General +Dundas had detached Colonel Campbell through the woods by Bois le Buc +with the second battalion of light infantry and sixty-fifth regiment to +Montigne. At five o'clock in the evening of the 14th General Dundas +marched from Trinite (being joined by a company of the second or queen's +regiment, commanded by the Honourable Captain Ramsay): after marching +all night he halted for three hours; and soon after day-break on the +morning of the 15th, having passed the river Capot, arrived at the +heights of Calbass, after a march of thirty miles over a rough +mountainous country. The fatigue of such a march in a tropical climate +can only be conceived by those who have experienced it: harassed and +worn down, it was necessary to give the troops some rest before they +attempted to ascend the steep and craggy mountain, over the top of which +was their road, commanded by a battery, where the enemy appeared in +great force, with their colours flying. The spirit of our soldiers +however overcame all difficulties, and they ascended the heights with +such alacrity, that the enemy, alarmed at their determined conduct, +evacuated the fort (fortunately for our men), without making any +resistance; as, by the time they reached the summit of the mountain, +they were so exhausted, that a steady opposition might have proved fatal +to them. From hence (the post having previously been destroyed by the +enemy, who had broken the guns and scattered the ammunition) General +Dundas proceeded about four miles further, to a place called Morne +Rouge: here he halted, and shortly after saw Colonel Campbell at Post au +Pin, half a mile short of Montigne, under a heavy fire from five or six +hundred of the enemy, strongly posted. General Dundas instantly pushed +forward his advanced guard, under command of the Hon. Captain Ramsay, +who gained the summit by extraordinary exertions, fired on the enemy, at +that time engaged with Colonel Campbell, and silenced their fire; and, +when joined by the second battalion of grenadiers, took possession of +Montigne, where he was reinforced by two companies of grenadiers. The +major general took post himself on Morne Rouge, and visiting Colonel +Campbell's column, found he had been attacked at half past nine o'clock +in the morning, and the enemy being within twenty yards of the fortieth +light company, at the head of which he was, had charged them with +bayonets, when, to the great grief of the whole army, he fell by a ball +through his head from the musket of a mulatto, who had concealed himself +behind a bush till the Colonel came close up to it. Colonel Campbell +was a man high in estimation as a military character, and no less +respected for his private worth, being sincere in his friendships and +steady in his attachments. When General Dundas arrived at Morne Rouge, +the enemy were on their march to re-attack our troops; but the +appearance of our grenadiers so near them, caused them to relinquish +their plan at that time: but in the evening of the same day the General +observed bodies of the enemy moving towards his front at Morne Rouge, +and forming under a small redoubt near that post. The thirty-third, +thirty-fourth, and forty-fourth companies of grenadiers, with a field +piece, and Captain Whitworth of the artillery (the whole under the +command of Major Forbes), were ordered to advance, when a smart +engagement commenced. The enemy were covered by a brisk fire from two +field pieces on Morne Bellvieu, a strongly situated battery immediately +in their rear. The action continued for about half an hour, when the +enemy gave way, and during the night abandoned the fort, leaving two +field pieces behind them. From the number of graves observed the +following day (corroborated by the accounts of some prisoners), their +loss must have been considerable; ours consisted of one officer +(Lieutenant Keating of the thirty-third regiment) and two privates +wounded, and one private killed.--At two o'clock the following morning +the sixteenth, thirty-fifth, and fifty-fifth companies of grenadiers +were ordered to advance and storm the battery upon Morne Bellvieu, and +were to be supported (if necessary) by the ninth and sixty-fifth +companies. All their flints were taken out, the bayonet alone to be the +soldier's defence. However, the enemy had been so roughly handled the +day before, that they thought fit to decamp during the night, and our +troops took possession of the fort without any opposition. Our army had +now arrived within two leagues of St. Pierre, from whence by day-break +the enemy sent a flag of truce, requiring three days to consider of a +capitulation; to which General Dundas returned an answer, that instead +of three days, he would allow them only three hours; and if they did not +surrender within that time, he would advance against the town. The +fifty-fifth company of grenadiers being left in possession of Bellvieu, +the remainder of the battalion moved on towards St. Pierre. In the mean +time the Admiral, Sir John Jervis, to co-operate with the land forces +under General Dundas, had ordered the following ships to sail for the +bay of St. Pierre, the Asia, Veteran, Santa Margarita, Blonde, +Rattlesnake, Zebra, and Nautilus, with the Vesuvius bomb. On board of +this fleet Colonel Symes had embarked with three light companies, and +Major Maitland with a detachment of the fiftieth regiment; Colonel Myers +with five companies of the first battalion of grenadiers, and five +companies of the third battalion of light infantry, (for the same +purpose of co-operating with General Dundas) had marched from Camp la +Coste towards Trinite. + +The fleet on their arrival in the bay prepared for instant operation. +Colonel Symes, with the troops and seamen who were to land with him, +had, previous to their entering the bay, embarked on board of the Zebra +and Nautilus sloops, and some other vessels, which, being small, could +get nearer the shore, thereby rendering the debarkation of the troops +much less difficult. + +In the evening of Feb. 16th they began to work towards the north part of +the bay, beyond the Jesuits' College, the other men of war standing +towards the town to cover them. About eleven o'clock the vessels with +troops and seamen on board were under a cross fire from two batteries of +red hot shot, which happily did them no damage, though they fell round +and near them. Captain Harvey in the Santa Margarita, perceiving the +troops were likely to be much annoyed, went close under the guns of the +most considerable of the two batteries, which he silenced; and about +four in the morning of the 17th the troops and seamen made good their +landing, and found that the enemy had left the other battery. During the +night the Vesuvius bomb did much execution with her shells, many of them +falling in the town, to which it set fire in some places: the fire +however was soon extinguished. The batteries in the town and on the +adjacent hills kept up a constant fire of shot and shells on the men of +war, as they advanced towards the town, which was returned with great +spirit. The Santa Margarita was struck with a shell, which fortunately +neither fired her, nor did any considerable damage. Colonel Symes on +landing advanced with the troops towards St. Pierre, which the enemy +evacuated on his approach, leaving their guns primed and loaded, and +their colours flying, which were hauled down by our people, and the +British union hoisted. About ten the whole of the troops and seamen had +marched into the town. No man was suffered to quit his ranks, nor was +the least injury done to any of the inhabitants, who, with the women and +children, sat at their doors and windows to see our army march in, the +same as when troops pass through a town in England. While our men were +drawn up in the market place, a flag of truce came in from General +Dundas, who with his army was on the hills near the town, and was on his +march to attack it. This flag was in answer to one sent by the enemy to +him, offering to capitulate. The officer who brought the flag was +agreeably surprised to find on his entering the town that it was already +in the possession of his countrymen. In the evening General Dundas with +the army marched in; and having taken possession of the +government-house, he instantly established quiet and good order in the +town. As our troops marched into St. Pierre a drummer was discovered in +the act of plundering one of the peaceable inhabitants, for which he was +instantly hung up at the gate of the Jesuits' College, by order of the +provost marshal. In the evening the seamen embarked on board their +respective ships. The men of war having anchored in the bay, were busily +employed in taking an account of and unbending the sails of the +different ships in the harbour. Unfortunately at day-break of this +morning, when the town surrendered, a schooner got out of the south side +of the bay, in which it was reported there was a considerable quantity +of money and some people of distinction. She passed within gun-shot of +the Santa Margarita, who (for some reason or other) did not fire at her +to bring her to. The next morning the Santa Margarita sailed to Fort +Royal bay with Mons. Au Cane[14], the mayor of St. Pierre, and Abbe +Maunier, the vicar general of the island, and other prisoners. + + [14] On our first arrival at the island of Martinique, the + Commanders in Chief dispatched Captain Mason (aid de camp to the + General) bearing a flag of truce, with a summons to the town of St. + Pierre. Au Cane, the mayor, met him on the quay on horseback, + attended by a numerous body of armed men, with a field piece; &c. + and instead of reading the letter and summons, dismissed him rudely + with threats. + +St. Pierre is a long handsome town, situated on the shore of an open +bay, and flanked by a strong battery at either end; also defended by two +redoubts on the hills which overhang the town. The surrounding country +rises in a succession of hills beautifully variegated with woods and +sugar plantations; and near the town are some fine gardens, which before +the revolution had been kept up in a superior stile of elegance and +convenience. Each street of this beautiful town is watered by a clear +stream from the mountains, running rapidly down the middle, which adds +greatly to the health as well as convenience of the place. The streets +in general are narrow and rough paved, but very regular; the houses are +built of a fine stone like free-stone, the lower apartments of which +were in general handsomely, and sometimes superbly, furnished. + +There are two convents of nuns, one dedicated to St. Ursuline, the other +called Les Blancs. The Ursuline convent has very beautiful gardens, +situated at the declivity of a hill, which rises immediately behind the +town: it was in a wretched state when we took it, the poor nuns having +been deprived of their revenues by the revolutionists. Near this convent +is a neat church, whose high altar, as well as pavement, is of good +marble. Not far from the church is the opera house, which, from its high +roof, is a very conspicuous object. Towards the south end of the town is +the church of Notre Dame de bon Porte du Mouillage (of which Pere +Maunier, one of the chiefs of the revolution, was cure). It is a +handsome building: round the grand altar (which is of polished and well +sculptured marble) are several tolerable paintings of saints and the +Virgin Mary, as large as life. Over the bridge, at the north end of the +town, is another large church, and several others, small and mean in +their outward appearance and inside decorations. I was informed that +most of these churches were well endowed before the revolution, and the +religious houses were amply provided for, as is the case in all parts of +the new world where the Roman Catholic religion is professed. + +At the northern extremity of St. Pierre is a spacious handsome house, +with good offices, stables, and gardens, which formerly belonged to the +Jesuits, in whose district the town and surrounding country is situated. +The Capuchins and Dominicans had the two other parts of the island.--The +government-house, which on our taking it was inhabited by Au Cane, the +mayor, is conveniently situated near the centre of the town, and was +formed for the residence of the chief magistrate or governor of the +island. The rooms are large and lofty, and there is a good garden at the +back of the house, in which, amongst a variety of fruit trees, was a +fine bread-fruit tree: how it came there, I could not learn, unless +some French ships had paid a visit to the islands in the South Sea, for +the same purpose that our ships of late have made that voyage; but then +I think more of the trees would have been seen in this and the +neighbouring French islands.--Towards the southern end of the town is a +large and commodious hospital, which had good revenues attached to it, +and was well regulated and attended. This we found of infinite use for +our sick and wounded, who were far better provided for here than they +could be in the hospital ships, or with the army. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + + THE ENEMY RETIRE INTO FORT BOURBON AND FORT LOUIS ... THE ADMIRAL + ATTACKS FORT LOUIS WITH THE BOMB-KETCH AND GUN-BOATS ... CAMP OF + SEAMEN FORMED AT POINT NEGRO ... A WHARF BUILT IN THE CUL DE SAC DE + COHEE, STORES AND AMMUNITION LANDED THERE ... GENERAL BELLGARDE + ATTEMPTS TO CUT OFF THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ARMY AND NAVY, + BUT IS BEATEN, AND HIS CAMP ON SOURIER TAKEN ... HEAD-QUARTERS + ESTABLISHED ON SOURIER ... GENERAL ROCHAMBEAU SENDS AN AID DE CAMP + TO THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF ... THE NAVY MAKE A ROAD, AND DRAG THE + GUNS TO THE HEIGHTS OF SOURIER. + + +St. Pierre being now captured[15], the enemy's strength was concentrated +in one point at Forts Louis and Bourbon: the latter is a work of late +date, being built under the directions of the present Marquis de +Bouille, and is a well planned as well as strongly situated +fortification; but in this mountainous country it is hardly possible to +find any spot that may not be commanded by some neighbouring height, +unless on the tops of the mountains, where it would be difficult to +procure water and provisions sufficient for the subsistence of an army +during a siege of any length. The town of Fort Royal is situated on a +flat and swampy ground, at the foot of the hill on which is Fort +Bourbon; and Fort Louis, the ancient strong-hold of this island, is on a +neck of land running into the sea, and forms one side of the Carenage, +an excellent harbour for shipping of all kinds.--The Admiral, from the +day he anchored in Fort Royal Bay, began a heavy cannonade on Fort +Louis. The Vesuvius bomb, commanded by Captain Sawyer, and under the +direction of Captain Suckling of the artillery, threw shells into the +fort from an eighteen-inch and twelve-inch mortar with great effect; and +as soon as the evening shut in, the gun-boats, attended by several +row-boats from the ships in the fleet (to assist in case of their being +sunk by the enemy's shot) moved towards the mouth of the Carenage, and +commenced a brisk fire on the fort, which was generally returned with +equal spirit; but, from the smallness of the object, and frequently +shifting their situation, they were less often hit than could have been +expected, considering that they constantly were within the range of +grape-shot, which fell in showers round them. Towards day-break they +returned to their respective ships.--In the night of February 15th, the +second and third companies of seamen, under the command of Lieutenants +Miln and Ogle, left the Boyne; and, with other seamen from the fleet, +the whole under command of Captain Rogers of the Quebec, landed at Cas +Navire, and (occupying the posts that the troops under Colonel Myers had +that day quitted, to assist in the attack on St. Pierre) formed a camp +near Point Negro.--Our shipping having now, by the capture of Pigeon +Island, free ingress to Fort Royal bay, most of the transports and +store-ships, under convoy of his majesty's ships Santa Margarita, +Solebay, Nautilus, &c. got up into the Cul de sac de Cohee, an harbour +at the north-east end of the bay, from whence they had a communication +with the army under Sir Charles Grey, and where they built a wharf to +land provisions and stores; and a chain of posts was established from +thence to the heights of Bruno, on which duty the fifteenth and +twentieth regiments were employed.--On February 18th in the morning, +General Bellgarde moved with nearly his whole force from his camp on the +heights of Sourier, to attack the landing-place in the Cul de sac de +Cohee, and by that means to cut off the communication between the army +and the fleet. Sir Charles Grey, with that quickness of perception that +has rendered him so often useful to his country, instantly perceived his +design, and without loss of time ordered the grenadiers, under the +command of Colonel Buckridge, and the light infantry, under that of +Colonel Coote, to advance with the utmost expedition, and attack Mons. +Bellgarde's camp at Sourier; and detached a strong corps from the +heights of Bruno to support them. They began their attack on the enemy +in the wood; and having driven them from thence, began to mount the +rugged and almost inaccessible sides of the hill on which Sourier was +situated. The troops gallantly forced their way through every +obstruction, and mounted the heights under a heavy fire from the +retreating enemy, whom they fairly drove up the precipice, and gained +the heights, where they found an excellent dinner (provided for +Bellgarde and his people) to refresh them after their fatigue. Our loss +in this affair[16] was by no means so great as might have been expected, +considering the length of ground, and the many disadvantages under which +our troops engaged. While this was doing, General Sir Charles Grey +cannonaded Bellgarde from the camp at Bruno, whose troops soon retired +in confusion to their late camp at Sourier, which they found occupied by +the British grenadiers, who turned their own guns on them (consisting of +three brass field pieces), and drove them in confusion under the walls +of Fort Bourbon. Our soldiers could not now be restrained, but with an +impetuosity that General Prescott could not for the moment prevent, +advanced so near the fort, that the enemy opening a heavy fire of grape +shot on them, obliged them at length to retire with some loss to their +new acquisition on Sourier, a post which Sir Charles Grey had intended +to have attacked the following day, as being absolutely necessary to +enable him to carry on his plan of attack against Fort Bourbon, and +which the temerity of Bellgarde had thus put into his hands a day +sooner.--The whole business of this action was conducted in such a +manner, that each individual concerned partook of the glory of it; and +when considered as to its utility, it was perhaps one of the most +fortunate, as well as the best conducted, enterprises that happened +throughout the campaign. The day after this event General Rochambeau, +who commanded in Fort Bourbon, sent an aid de camp on board the Boyne, +who went thence with Captain Grey to the Commander in Chief at head +quarters. The terms of capitulation that he brought were, that the whole +island should be delivered to the English on condition that, in case +Louis the Seventeenth should ever come to the throne, it should be +restored to him; if not, and the republic should be established, it +should be given up to that government. The Commander in Chief returned +for answer, 'that he came expressly to take this island for his +Britannic Majesty; and that he hoped to take all the French islands in +this quarter on the same account.'--The troops now pitched their tents, +and formed their camp on Sourier. General Prescott's quarters were in +this camp, where he commanded; and Sir Charles Grey established his head +quarters at a small distance in the rear.--General Dundas having +arranged every thing relative to the government of St. Pierre, left +Colonel Myers of the fifteenth regiment with the battalions of the +fifty-eighth and sixty-fifth regiments to garrison that town, and on +February 20th embarked with the grenadiers on board the Veteran for Fort +Royal Bay. The morning following they disembarked in the Cul de sac de +Cohee, and marched directly to head quarters at Sourier, where they +pitched their tents, and with regret parted from General Dundas, their +commander hitherto, who went to Camp la Coste to take the command of +the light infantry.--The artillery, artificers, and engineers, were now +busily employed in landing stores and ammunition preparatory to the +formation of the batteries necessary for the siege; in which business +they received great assistance from a body of seamen landed for that +purpose: three hundred of these brave fellows were landed at the wharf +in the Cul de sac Cohee from his majesty's ships Santa Margarita, +Captain Harvey, with his Lieutenants Woolley and Harrison; the Solebay, +Captain Kelly, with Lieutenants Carthew and Schomberg; and Nautilus +sloop, Captain Carpenter; with Lieutenant Bennet, Lieutenant Collins, +and a party of marines, from the Santa Margarita. They instantly began +to proceed with a twenty-four pounder and two six pounders[17] towards +Sourier. They halted with the twenty-four pounder that evening on the +side of the road between Fort Royal and the town of Lamantin, as they +were obliged to cut a road through a thick wood for nearly a mile. The +next day they completed the road, and also made a sort of bridge, or +rather passage, across a river, which at times was of considerable +depth, though fortunately there was now only four feet water in it. This +they effected by filling it up with large stones and branches of trees, +and then they proceeded with the twenty-four pounder and two eight-inch +howitzers, which they left that night in charge of a piquet from the +post above mentioned. On the third day they, to the astonishment of the +whole army, got a twenty-four pounder to the heights of Sourier before +the night shut in, and two howitzers within a mile of it; and to add to +the difficulty, a considerable part of that day was employed in +levelling the banks of the river that runs by Dillon's plantation, and +making it fordable, by removing immense stones and fragments of rock. On +the fourth day (notwithstanding they were obliged to employ a +considerable party in making the road more complete) they got the two +howitzers above mentioned, and two more twenty-four pounders, to the +heights of Sourier. The distance from the wharf to those heights is near +five miles; and when we consider that the road was to be formed for near +four miles of the way, one of which was through a very thick wood, and +that, as they approached the heights of Sourier, for near a mile the +road was so steep, that a loaded mule could not walk directly up it, it +seems scarce credible that so small a number as three hundred men should +be able to have undergone such severe fatigue, considering the climate +and the nature of the soil, which was a very stiff clay, intermixed with +large rock stones.--A few days after, a reinforcement of seamen was +landed from the Veteran, Captain Nugent, with Lieutenants Leaf and +Whitlock, and the Winchelsea, Lord Viscount Garlies, with his +Lieutenants Dixon and Watson; also Lieutenant Treminere of the marines, +with a sergeant's party. They took post by the side of the road leading +from Lamantin to Fort Royal, where the first twenty-four pounder was +halted.--The first party of seamen took post on the banks of the river +running past Dillon's plantation, at the foot of the heights of +Sourier. But the Veteran being wanted for other service, in the course +of the week one hundred and fifty men were reimbarked on board her, and +the Winchelsea's crew joined the former party. The compliments paid the +seamen in general orders for their spirited conduct, is a convincing +proof that they never once relaxed from their first exertions from the +beginning of the siege to the surrender of Fort Bourbon, a period of +five weeks. Indeed their astonishing exertions were almost beyond +probability: after rain (which in this climate is frequent) the steep +parts of the road were so slippery, that a man even with the greatest +care would frequently slip back ten and sometimes twenty feet at a time: +but so determined were the honest tars not to fail in what they +undertook, that when once they set out with their gun after a heavy +rain, and they found it impossible to keep their feet, they have crawled +up as they dragged the twenty-four pounder, and kept themselves from +sliding back by sticking their fingers in the ground. But among the many +compliments paid the seamen, none pleased them so much as having a +battery appointed solely for them[18], where they used to relieve one +another by turns, without even an additional allowance of grog as an +encouragement. Sir Charles Grey paid the highest compliments to the +zeal and ability with which the Admiral seconded all his plans. Indeed +there never was an instance in which two commanders carried on a +business of such importance so unalloyed by the least difference in +opinion, or jealousy of command: each strove to prove his readiness to +assist his friend and colleague; of course every thing succeeded, and +was carried on with a promptness of execution that seldom has been +equalled, never exceeded. + + [15] Information having arrived that some of the enemy had retired + from St. Pierre to a five-gun battery on that part of the island, + Major Manningham was dispatched with a strong detachment in + flat-boats, under the protection of the Zebra sloop of war, and was + completely successful in driving them from thence. + + [16] According to the best account I could collect, ten killed and + forty-four wounded.--I must here beg the reader will pardon the + inaccuracy of my account of the killed and wounded in this and the + other actions that took place. Though I have made every possible + inquiry, I have not been able to meet with the regular returns, + which must have been given in to the adjutant general's office at + Martinique. + + [17] The two six-pounders were to strengthen the post that + commanded the road to Fort Royal by Dillon's house. + + [18] One day, when the Commander in Chief met them on the road, + they (being ignorant that a battery was appointed for them to serve + in) surrounded the General, and offered him their services, + swearing they thought it d----d hard to have all work and no + fighting; and hoped his Honour would let them have some share in + it. The General, with that kindness which won the hearts of all + that had the happiness to serve under him, said, "Well, my lads, + you shall have a battery to yourselves." On which, having saluted + him with three hearty cheers, the honest fellows went readily to + their work again. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + FORTS BOURBON AND LOUIS CLOSELY INVESTED ... BATTERIES ON THE FIRST + PARALLEL ERECTED ... THE SEAMEN EMPLOYED IN GETTING GUNS TO THE + BATTERIES ON THE WEST SIDE ... A DANGEROUS PASS DESCRIBED ... + CAPTAIN MILN MORTALLY WOUNDED; HE DIES; HIS CHARACTER ... BELLGARDE + DELIVERS HIMSELF AND ARMY INTO THE HANDS OF SIR CHARLES GREY ... + HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE EDWARD ARRIVES, AND TAKES A COMMAND ... + BATTERIES OPENED AGAINST FORT BOURBON ... LIEUTENANT BOWEN'S + SPIRITED CONDUCT ... FORT LOUIS TAKEN BY STORM ... CAPTAIN + FAULKNOR'S GALLANT CONDUCT ... FORT BOURBON SURRENDERS. + + +From the 20th of February Forts Bourbon and Louis, with the town of Fort +Royal, were completely invested, and the General was busily employed in +erecting batteries on his first parallel. On the north-east side the +army under General Prescott broke ground on the 25th of February, and on +the west side towards La Coste (where Sir Charles Gordon commanded, +Prince Edward not having as yet arrived from Canada) fascine batteries +for mortars and cannon were erecting with every possible expedition. In +this business the seamen, who formed a camp at Point Negro under Captain +Josias Rogers of the Quebec, eminently distinguished themselves; and +though the roads were not quite so bad as on the Sourier side, yet they +had many severe difficulties to encounter, that rendered dragging the +mortars and heavy ordnance to the batteries fatiguing and hazardous in a +great degree. Part of the way which they were obliged to go was in sight +of Fort Bourbon; soon after which they descended into a hollow way or +ravine, where a rivulet invited them to refresh themselves, and it was +with difficulty their officers could prevent them from slaking their +thirst at this stream, which crossed them at a time when the fatigue and +heat they sustained rendered the temptation almost irresistible, +especially to men fearless of danger, and thoughtless to a proverb. No +sooner did they begin to descend into this ravine, than the enemy threw +their shells with such judgment, that they frequently fell at the moment +our people were passing the rivulet. It was in the afternoon of the 22d +of February that Lieutenant James Miln of the Boyne was proceeding with +his company of seamen to relieve those who had been the fore-part of the +day at work on one of the advanced batteries, and having been observed +on his march by the enemy in Fort Bourbon, they as usual began to fire +their mortars into the ravine; Mr. Miln, who, added to the greatest +courage, possessed much prudence, was hurrying his men through this +dangerous pass, and was in the act of calling to two men who were +drinking at the rivulet (the rest of his company having passed on), when +a shell burst near him, carried off one of his legs, and shattered the +other in a dreadful manner. At the same time one of the men, who had +loitered, lost a leg. In this dreadful situation he was carried two +miles to Sir Charles Gordon's camp, before his wounds could be bound up, +and from thence to his own quarters at Point Negro, where he suffered +amputation of one leg. The next day the surgeon general of the navy went +to him from the Boyne, and finding his situation dangerous in the +extreme, having no better place than the ground, in an open sugar-house, +part of which was the head quarters of the naval officers, and being +within range of the enemy's guns, which frequently threw their shot and +shells over him, he was conveyed to the royal hospital at St. Pierre; +but from the loss of blood he had sustained, and the nature of the +climate, he was seized with the lock jaw, of which he died on Sunday the +9th of March, and the next day was buried in the garden of the hospital +with the honours of war, together with Lieutenants Spencer and +Rosehill[19] of the Beaulieu, and Lieutenant Smith of the fifty-eighth +regiment. The burial service was performed by the Chaplain[20] of the +Boyne, and attended by Colonel Myers, commandant of St. Pierre, Captain +Salisbury of the Beaulieu, and the other naval and military officers, +and the principal English gentlemen who were in that town. The Admiral, +who always distinguished merit, and rewarded it when in his power, had +promoted Mr. Miln[21] to the command of the Avenger sloop, late +Marseillois, taken at St. Pierre. + + [19] The Admiral had lately promoted Mr. Rosehill to the rank of + Lieutenant for his spirited behaviour at Trinite. + + [20] Who this day performed the funeral service over thirteen + people belonging to the army and navy. + + [21] As it was my lot to be much in the society of this excellent + young man, having from the time we arrived in the West Indies + enjoyed his friendship, and on several occasions accompanied him on + service, afterwards attending him from the camp at Point Negro to + the hospital at St. Pierre, and remaining with him at intervals + till the time of his death: these circumstances will, I trust, + plead my excuse for detaining the reader from more important events + of the campaign while I pay the tribute of respect to the memory of + my gallant but ill-fated friend. Mr. James Miln was a native of + Arbroath in Scotland, and after serving for near thirteen years + with credit in the navy, was promoted to a lieutenancy on board the + Blanche frigate by Admiral Sir John Laforey, and was afterwards + taken on board the Boyne as fifth lieutenant by Sir John Jervis on + his arrival at Barbadoes. His general good conduct as a man and + officer soon attracted the notice of the naval Commander in Chief + (than whom no man is more quick sighted to discern merit, and happy + to reward it). By him no doubt he would have been much employed on + the most active service, had not that melancholy event taken place, + which deprived the service of a good and brave officer, and left me + only the sad task of deploring, while I commemorate the death of a + friend, from the excellency of whose heart and understanding I was + in hopes of reaping future entertainment and improvement. + +Bellgarde found it in vain to attempt any thing further, after his last +shameful defeat; and being with his black army shut out of Fort Bourbon +by General Rochambeau (who, when he retreated after the loss of his camp +on Sourier under cover of the fire of that fort, shut the gates against +him), he now determined to make the best bargain he could for himself; +and accordingly on the 25th of February sent a message to Sir Charles +Grey, offering to give up his army, on condition that himself, and +certain others that he named, should be permitted to go to America; +which request the Commander in Chief complied with; and on the 4th of +March, Bellgarde, with his secretary, a white man, by whose councils he +had always been guided, and eight people of colour, sailed in a +schooner for America, whither he had taken the precaution at various +times to forward a quantity of wealth against any change of +circumstances should make such a retreat desirable[22]. + + [22] Since writing of this, news has arrived from the West Indies + of the capture of a ship belonging to Victor Hughes (the present + republican tyrant of Guadaloupe) loaded with wealth amassed by this + plunderer to the amount of half a million sterling. Such has been + the general conduct of the French Commanders, while ours have been + vilified for claiming even the legal bounty for their suffering and + exhausted followers. + +On Tuesday the 4th of March his Royal Highness Prince Edward arrived at +this island, and was received with a royal salute from the fleet. +Immediately he took the command of that brigade of the army encamped on +the Cas Navire side, and at La Coste, which had hitherto been under the +direction of Sir Charles Gordon[23].--Intelligence having reached the +Commander in Chief that a number of brigands, composed of some runaways +from Bellgarde's army, and other wretches, had committed many +depredations and murders, pillaging and burning houses and villages in +several parts of the island; he dispatched a detachment of the fifteenth +regiment, commanded by Lord Sinclair, with a party of the Prince of +Wales's light dragoons, commanded by Lieut. Shadwell, and conducted by +Captain Cunningham (one of his Excellency's aid de camps), who surprised +one hundred and fifty of these people in the act of burning and +plundering the village of Francois[24]. At the first charge the enemy +were routed, thirty-six of them, with their chief (who was cut down by a +dragoon), were killed, and four taken prisoners, who were instantly hung +up, to deter others from such infamous acts as had been committed by +these miscreants.--Every preparation was now made for opening our +batteries against Fort Bourbon, which were constructed only about eight +hundred paces from the fort, and about six hundred in front of our own +lines. These batteries would have been constructed much sooner, but, +owing to the heavy rains that fell almost constantly, and which, at this +season of the year, were unusual, the works had been greatly retarded, +and the difficulties encreased. On the morning of the 6th of March, +every thing being ready for a heavy cannonade, Sir Charles Grey sent a +flag of truce with a summons to the garrison to surrender, which was +refused by General Rochambeau. Accordingly, at day-break on the 7th (the +gun-boats having as usual attacked Fort Louis during the night) mortars, +howitzers, and great guns, opened from five batteries at the same +instant, keeping up an incessant fire on the fort and advanced redoubt +the whole of that day and the night, from each of which it was returned +with equal fury. All the following day the same spirited attack and +defence was continued. On the 9th the enemy made a sortie from the fort, +and attacked the advanced picquet from the camp at La Coste, composed of +part of the third battalion of light infantry, and some sailors under +command of Captain Faulknor of the Zebra. After an engagement of some +length the enemy gave way, and were imprudently followed by our troops +under the guns of the fort; by this excess of ardour we lost some men, +while the enemy suffered but little. The gun-boats and Vesuvius now kept +up a constant fire from Fort Royal Bay: in the former two seamen were +killed by grape, and part of the head of the bomb ketch was shot away. +On the 13th a melancholy accident occurred in one of our batteries, +which was formed and manned entirely by seamen. Captain Faulknor of the +Zebra, who commanded in it, being provoked by the interference of an +officer of artillery in the works which one of the seamen of the Asia +was employed in, and the sailor not obeying him with alacrity, was +provoked to strike him with his sword, which unfortunately wounded him +mortally, and he died in a few minutes. Captain Faulknor was acquitted +by the court martial that was instantly summoned by the Admiral to +investigate the matter; and the circumstance of its happening in the +heat of action, when the least disobedience of orders involves the most +fatal consequences, as well, as that it appeared there was no +premeditated intention of killing the unfortunate man, but was a blow +given from the impulse of momentary passion; the sentence was confirmed +and approved.--From this time the siege was carried on with unremitted +exertion by night and day; shot and shells were constantly flying, and +new batteries daily constructed; so that our advanced batteries were at +length brought within five hundred yards of the fort, and not more than +two hundred from the redoubt: the latter indeed was so battered, that it +might with ease have been stormed; but the General knew that a mine +which communicated from the fort would involve in certain destruction +all who attempted so desperate an action; and therefore preferred the +more sure means of success, by regular and methodical approaches. On +Monday the 17th of March two new batteries opened on Fort Louis from +Point Carriere, a neck of land that forms the south-west side of the +Carenage, and not more than two hundred yards across the mouth of that +harbour to the walls of the fort; one of these was commanded by Captain +Riou[25] of the Rose.--The French had a fine frigate called the +Bienvenu, which was anchored in the centre of the Carenage, on board of +which it was reported a number of English prisoners were confined, and +were consequently exposed to the fire of our batteries. Lieut. Bowen of +the Boyne formed a resolution to extricate his countrymen from their +perilous situation; and having obtained the Admiral's permission, and +approbation of his plan, at noon he boldly pushed into the harbour from +Point Carriere, where he had collected his boats destined for the +enterprise, well manned by tried and determined seamen. The instant he +appeared round the point, the enemy prepared to give him a warm +reception. The walls of Fort Louis were covered in an instant with +troops, which kept up an incessant fire of musquetry on him; at the same +time the frigate endeavoured to keep him off, by plying both her great +guns and small arms; but at length, intimidated by the boldness of the +attempt, they fled from their quarters, and Mr. Bowen at the head of his +men boarded the frigate, and took the captain, officers, and crew of her +prisoners without resistance. All this time the enemy in the fort +continued to pour vollies of grape and musketry on the frigate, which +was returned with great spirit by the British seamen, who now turned +their own guns upon them, and would have brought her out of the harbour, +but the sails being all unbent, it was impossible in such a situation to +bend them: the tri-coloured flag, which was fastened to the gaff of the +mizen, they were not able to strike, though a sailor had the audacity to +go aloft for that purpose, scorning the musketry of the enemy. Mr. +Bowen, seeing no chance of getting the ship out of the harbour, and +finding that the English prisoners were in another vessel further up, +from whence it was rendered impossible to release them, contented +himself with securing the officers and crew of the frigate, whom he +brought off, in spite of every effort made by the republicans to prevent +him. As the bullets were flying thick around him, he suffered the +Frenchmen to lie down in the bottom of the boats, that they might not be +killed by their own countrymen; a very different conduct from what they +had observed to our people who were in the same situation[26]. In this +business he lost only three men killed, and four or five wounded. The +success of this enterprise gave the Commanders in Chief confidence, that +a spirited attack by land and sea on Fort Louis would succeed. +Accordingly the Admiral ordered a number of bamboos of thirty feet long +to be cut and made into scaling ladders, connected with strong line. The +gun-boats and row-boats were collected in the bay round the Point +Carriere, and the sailors' camp at Point Negro, with Prince Edward's +camp at La Coste and Cas Navire, held themselves in readiness to +co-operate in the grand attack. The navy to be employed in this business +was under the immediate direction of Commodore Thompson. On Thursday the +20th of March, before day-break, the third battalion of grenadiers, +commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Buckridge, and the first battalion of +light infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Coote, marched by the +hill on which Fort Bourbon is situated from the camp on Sourier, +unperceived by the enemy, and took a position that gave them the command +of the bridge that connected the town of Fort Royal to the road leading +up to that fort, the batteries on the second parallel being ready, those +on Morne Tortenson and Point Carriere kept up a well-directed and heavy +fire on Fort Louis, and all the other batteries cannonaded Fort Bourbon +during the whole of the day and night of the 19th instant, and on the +morning also, till about ten o'clock, when the Asia of 64 guns, Captain +Browne, and the Zebra sloop of 16 guns, Captain R. Faulknor, got under +way. The Zebra led in towards the mouth of the harbour, receiving the +fire of grape and round, without returning a shot: the Asia had got +within the range of grape shot, when, to the surprise of every body, she +wore and made sail from the fort[27]. The Admiral, Sir John Jervis, had +previously made the signal for the rest of the fleet to be ready to +second the attempt of these two ships, by loosing the topsails of the +Boyne, and lying at single anchor ready to slip and run in; on +perceiving the Asia was foiled in her attempt, and supposing, as she was +under a heavy fire from the fort, that either Captain Browne was killed, +or that some other desperate accident had happened, he instantly +dispatched Captain George Grey of the Boyne to take the command of the +Asia, and if he could not get in, to run her aground under the walls of +the fort. Captain Grey soon returned, and brought the pleasing +intelligence that not a man was hurt on board of the Asia. She then +stood in again, and again put about, when near the mouth of the harbour, +and sailed from it. Captain Faulknor, seeing that he stood no chance of +being seconded by the Asia, and being all this time under a dreadful +fire from Fort Louis, boldly pushed in towards that fort, still +reserving his fire till he came close to the walls of it; and then +running his ship aground, plying his small arms and great guns, he drove +the enemy from thence, and leaping into a boat, scaled the ramparts. +Seeing the Zebra go in, all the boats with scaling ladders, attended by +the gun-boats, seemed to fly towards the scene of action. Those from +Point Carriere mounted the walls near where Captain Faulknor had so +gallantly run his ship, and seconding him, drove the enemy out of the +fort, hauled down the republican flag, and hoisted the British union in +its stead[28]. The storming party of seamen from the camp at Point +Negro, under Captain Rogers, landed at the town of Fort Royal, of which +they soon took possession, being aided by the first battalion of +grenadiers, under Lieutenant Colonel Stewart, and third light infantry, +under Lieutenant Colonel Close, from Prince Edward's camp at La +Coste.--While this was doing, Lieutenant Colonel Coote kept up a heavy +fire of musketry on the bridge and road, over which the enemy were +retreating to throw themselves into Fort Bourbon; and Captain de Revigne +covering the attack of the infantry by a well-directed fire of some +field pieces, the whole action was so eminently successful in every +part, that it is hard to say where was the greatest glory, every one +performing the service allotted to him in so excellent a manner. General +Rochambeau, seeing that all resistance would now be useless, Fort Royal, +his grand depot of provisions and ammunition, being lost, sent a flag to +General Grey, offering terms of capitulation; and commissioners being +named, who met at the house of Madame Dillon to arrange the preliminary +articles of it, the terms were finally adjusted and agreed to on the 22d +instant; and the ratification thereof being signed by the Commanders in +Chief on both sides, on the 23d following, at four o'clock in the +afternoon, his Royal Highness Major General Prince Edward took +possession of both gates of the fort with the first and third battalions +of grenadiers, and first and third light infantry. On Tuesday the 25th +of March, 1794, the garrison marched out of Fort Bourbon, to the number +of nine hundred men; and being allowed the honours of war for their +gallant[29] defence, they marched down the hill with their colours +flying; and laying down their arms on the parade of Fort Royal, were +embarked on board of ships which took them immediately to France. Our +troops, both army and that part of the navy that had served (during the +siege) on shore, lined the road as the enemy passed; and entering the +fort, they struck the French and hoisted the British colours, changing +the name from Fort Bourbon to Fort George, in compliment to our gracious +Sovereign, which it now bears, and Fort Louis bears the name of Fort +Edward.--At the commencement of the siege the garrison of Fort Bourbon +consisted of one thousand two hundred men, which were reduced to nine +hundred at the conclusion of it. Five stands of colours laid down by the +garrison, and two colours of Fort Bourbon, were brought to England by +Major Grey, second son of his Excellency the Commander in Chief, and +presented by him (with the dispatches) to his Majesty, who ordered them +to be hung up in the Cathedral of St. Paul, as a lasting memorial of the +gallant action atchieved by Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis, and +their brave forces[30]; by which one of the most valuable of the French +islands in the West Indies was added to the British dominions, +possessing (besides great revenues and prodigious sources of wealth) one +of the finest harbours in the world, in which the whole British fleet +might safely anchor. + + [23] See Appendix, page 24. + + [24] See Appendix, page 25. + + [25] The same officer who distinguished himself by his gallantry in + saving his Majesty's ship the Guardian at the Cape of Good Hope in + the year 1789. See Gent. Mag. vol. lx. page 465. + + [26] See Appendix, pages 26 and 27. + + [27] Monsieur de Tourelles, the ancient lieutenant of the fort, + either through fear, ignorance, or treachery, refused to run the + ship in under pretence of shoals. + + [28] The whole fleet, witnessing this gallant action, instantly + saluted the British colours with three hearty cheers. + + [29] The gallant defence made by General Rochambeau and his + garrison was strongly manifested on our entering Fort Bourbon, as + there was scarce an inch of ground untouched by our shot or shells; + and it is but justice to say, it did them the highest + honour.--Among the casualties that happened during the siege, the + following deserves notice. A party of the besieged were in one of + the chambers of the Bomb-proof in the Traverse, when a shell from + one of our batteries fell into the arched way, and rebounding, + burst the door of the chamber, and killed the whole party. + + [30] It is much to the credit of the officers, who served on shore + from the landing on the island till the reduction of Fort Bourbon, + a period of forty-seven days, that they shared the same hardships + as the privates without a murmur, sleeping in their clothes the + whole time; and being so situated that they seldom could have the + benefit of tents or any kind of hovel, they were exposed + continually to the heavy rains and nocturnal damps which in a + tropical climate so severely try the constitution; but, owing (as + it was imagined) to the flannel shirts which were invariably worn + by all ranks, they, as yet, suffered less from sickness than could + have been expected. + + + ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION OF FORT BOURBON. + + On the 21st of March, 1794, by order of their Excellencies Sir + Charles Grey, K. B. General and Commander in Chief of his Britannic + Majesty's forces in the West Indies, &c. &c. &c. and Vice Admiral + Sir John Jervis, K. B. commanding his Majesty's fleet, &c. &c. + Commodore C. Thompson, Colonel R. Symes, and Captain J. Conyngham, + met at Dillon's house to receive proposals of capitulation for Fort + Bourbon, from Colonel d'Aucourt, Captain Dupriret, and Gaschet + Dumaine, jun. nominated Commissioners for that purpose by General + Rochambeau. + + _The following_ ARTICLES _were proposed, discussed, and modified, + at a second conference held at Fort Royal on the 22d of March, + 1794_. + + Article I. The garrison, composed of the troops of the line, + artillery, gunners of the marine, and national guard, shall march + out with colours flying, thirty rounds a man, and two field pieces + with twelve rounds.--ANSWER. The colony of Martinique, already + reduced by the arms of his Britannic Majesty, and the forts and + towns of St. Pierre and Fort Royal taken with sword in hand, + General Rochambeau can only capitulate for Fort Bourbon, and what + it contains.--Granted. But they are to lay down their arms at a + place appointed, and not to serve against his Britannic Majesty, + or his allies, during the present war. + + II. Three months pay to be allowed to the troops of the + line.--ANSWER. No pay will be given. All their effects will be + allowed them; and they will be provided with whatever may be + necessary for their voyage to France. + + III. The thirty-seventh regiment, formerly Marshal Turenne's, shall + keep their colours and arms.--ANSWER. Refused, being contrary to + all customs of war. The officers may keep their swords. + + IV. They shall be furnished with ships to carry them to + France.--ANSWER. Granted. + + V. The emigrants, who have returned to Martinique, shall not be + present where the garrison lay down their arms or embark.--ANSWER. + Granted. + + VI. Such persons of the national guard, who can give proofs of + their property, shall be permitted to remain in the island, giving + that property as security for their conduct.--ANSWER. Those of the + national guard in Fort Bourbon who have affairs to settle, and + whose sojourn may not be deemed dangerous to the colony, may remain + according to the declaration of the General, dated January 1, 1794. + + Such as wish to go to France shall be allowed, leaving their agents + here.--ANSWER. Granted. + + VII. Persons not included in the above article, who are compelled + to return to France, shall be allowed a certain time to settle + their affairs.--ANSWER. A proper time shall be allowed: fifteen + days at least. + + VIII. Persons belonging to the garrison of Fort Convention, + possessing no landed property, but who exercised some profession or + trade previous to the present capitulation, shall be allowed to + continue their trade or calling; nor sent to France, provided their + future conduct should not make such a measure necessary.--ANSWER. + They are regarded in the same predicament with those in Article VI. + + IX. The legal regulations of the constituted authorities shall be + confirmed.--ANSWER. Refused. + + X. The code of civil judicature in force through the island shall + be continued for the space of two years.--ANSWER. Granted, till his + Britannic Majesty's pleasure be known. + + XI. The property of owners and captains of ships shall be secured + to them on board and on shore.--ANSWER. Granted, as to their + property in Fort Bourbon. + + XII. The inhabitants of St. Pierre, embarked on English ships, + shall be set at liberty, and their property, under seal, secured to + them.--ANSWER. This article cannot come within the present + capitulation. The claimants may apply to the commanders of the + fleet and army. + + XIII. The ordonateur and officers of administration shall have + permission and time to regulate their accounts, and to take with + them the papers relative to that end.--ANSWER. Granted. + + XIV. There shall be an entire and absolute oblivion of the past, + and an end to all animosities.--ANSWER. Granted, according to the + proclamations. + + XV. The rights of free citizens inrolled in the national guard + shall be preserved.--ANSWER. Refused. + + XVI. The liberty of individuals composing the companies of + l'Enclume, d'Octavius, de la Croire, and de Pontouur, shall be + confirmed.--ANSWER. Refused. The slaves must be restored to their + owners. + + XVII. A period shall be fixed for the taking possession of the + fort, and the necessary time allowed for the garrison to take out + their effects.--ANSWER. The two gates of Fort Bourbon to be + delivered up to the troops of his Britannic Majesty immediately + after the exchange of the present articles. The garrison will march + out at the great gate, and be conducted to the place appointed for + each corps, by the commissioners who have managed the present + capitulation, and will lay down their arms at the place of their + embarkation. Three days will be allowed for the evacuation of the + fort, and the commissaries of artillery and stores will remain in + the forts to take inventories of all the magazines. + + XVIII. The greatest attention shall be paid to the sick and + wounded; and they shall be furnished with ships to carry them to + France as they recover.--ANSWER. Granted; but at the expence of the + French government, and to be attended by their own surgeons; if not + sufficient for the purpose, surgeons shall be furnished. + + XIX. General Rochambeau, immediately upon the surrender of the + fort, shall be at liberty to take his measures for his return to + France. A frigate to be furnished him, his aides de camp, + secretaries, and suite.--ANSWER. A commodious vessel shall be + allowed to General Rochambeau, with the necessary passports for his + safe return to France. + + XX. The effects, trunks, chests, private papers, and all that + General Rochambeau shall declare to belong to himself and suite, + shall be put under the protection of an English guard, when the + troops of that nation shall have taken possession of Fort + Convention, and shall be embarked with him.--ANSWER. Granted. + + XXI. The civil ordonateur, or intendant of the colony, shall have + liberty also, with the officers of administration, comptroller and + treasurer, with those employed in the public offices at St. Pierre + and Fort Royal, to return to France.--ANSWER. Granted. + + XXII. The same demands made by General Rochambeau in Art. XX. shall + be granted to the intendant and those under him.--ANSWER. Granted. + + XXIII. All papers of accounts in the forts or town shall be + carefully collected by the principals of each department to which + they belong, and embarked in the same ship with the + ordonateur.--ANSWER. All papers, not essential to be left in the + colony, shall be given, and free access to take authentic copies of + such as it may be thought necessary to retain. + + XXIV. Captains and officers of merchant ships, who have not settled + their affairs, shall be allowed time to do so. The former the space + of four months, the latter of two months, under the protection of + the commander of his Britannic Majesty's forces, that they may + recover their debts; after which they will procure the readiest + passage to whatever place may be expedient for their affairs, with + passports from the English commanders.--ANSWER. Granted. + + _Additional Article._ Fort Bourbon to be delivered up to his + Britannic Majesty in its present state, with no deterioration of + its batteries, mines, magazines of artillery or provisions, and + every thing it contains which is not the private property of the + garrison. + + Fort Royal, March 22, 1794. + + Signed. + + D'AUCOURT. C. THOMPSON. + GASCHET, Fils. RICH. SYMES. + DUPRIRET. JOHN CONYNGHAM. + + Approved by me, Approved by us, + + DTE. ROCHAMBEAU, CHARLES GREY. + Commander in Chief of the French JOHN JERVIS. + West India Islands. + + * * * * * + +On the 21st of March Captain Faulknor was promoted from the Zebra sloop +to the command of the Bienvenue French frigate of 40 guns, taken in the +Carenage of Fort Royal, and which was now named the Undaunted by the +Admiral, to express the greatness of that action, which finished the +capture of the whole island. At the same time Lieutenant Bowen was +promoted to the command of the Zebra sloop, for his gallant conduct on +the 17th instant, as well as at various other times. + +The gun-boats, which by the French were called "Les Petit Diables," were +of infinite service, and gained the officers commanding them immortal +credit, by the steady and well-directed fire they kept up constantly, +both night and day, on Fort Louis; and though continually exposed to an +heavy fire both of grape and round shot, their loss was small, not more +than four killed and wounded, during the siege. The several ships of the +line contributed their aid, by sending row-boats armed to attend them in +case of accident. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + GENERAL PRESCOTT IS LEFT GOVERNOR OF MARTINIQUE ... THE COMMANDERS + IN CHIEF SAIL FOR ST. LUCIA ... GENERAL DUNDAS LANDS NEAR PIGEON + ISLAND ... THE FLEET ANCHORS AT MARIGOT DE ROSSEAUX ... PRINCE + EDWARD LANDS WITH THE GRENADIERS, AND MARCHES TOWARDS MORNE FORTUNE + ... COLONEL COOTE LANDS WITH THE LIGHT INFANTRY ... THE FLEET + ANCHORS IN BARRINGTON'S BAY ... COLONEL COOTE STORMS A REDOUBT ON + THE MORNE ... GENERAL RICARD SURRENDERS THE ISLAND ... COLONEL SIR + CHARLES GORDON LEFT GOVERNOR OF ST. LUCIA ... THE COMMANDERS IN + CHIEF SAIL TO MARTINIQUE. + + +His Excellency the Commander in Chief, having left Lieutenant General +Prescott to command at Martinique, with the fifteenth, thirty-ninth, +fifty-eighth, sixty-fourth, and seventieth regiments to garrison that +island, on the 30th of March he embarked the following troops on board +his Majesty's ships in the bay of Fort Royal, viz. the brigade of +grenadiers, commanded by his Royal Highness Prince Edward; the brigade +of light infantry, under command of Major General Dundas; and the sixth, +ninth, and forty-third regiments, commanded by Colonel Sir Charles +Gordon; with engineers under Colonel Dornford, and a detachment of Royal +artillery, with some light ordnance, under Lieutenant Colonel +Paterson.--On the 31st the Admiral made the signal for the fleet to sail +by eleven A. M. and by half past nine the next morning was off the north +part of the island of St. Lucia, where he lay to for the rest of the +fleet that had fallen to leeward. Every thing having been previously +arranged between the General and Admiral, they effected three different +landings on the island with little resistance, and no loss. By half past +one P. M. Major General Dundas's division, consisting of the third +battalion of light infantry, under Lieutenant Colonel Close, and +conducted by Captains Kelly and Lord Garlies of the navy, made good +their landing at Ance du Cap, not far from Le Gros Islet[31]; and the +second light infantry, under Lieutenant Colonel Blundell, conducted by +Commodore Thompson, at Ance du Chocque, who were ordered to join the +first column, taking the enemy's batteries in reverse, and to occupy a +position for the purpose of investing the works of Morne Fortune on the +side of the Carenage; all which, notwithstanding a sharp fire kept up by +the enemy from several small batteries, was executed by General Dundas +with his usual spirit and abilities. As the Boyne and the rest of the +fleet passed along the coast they received the fire of many small forts +and batteries, without returning it; and though considerably within the +range of their shot, which passed over and through their sails and +rigging, not a man was hurt in any of them. At four P. M. the fleet +anchored in twenty fathom water, within a cable's length of the shore, +at Marigot de Rofeaux; at which place his Royal Highness Prince Edward +with the grenadiers landed about six o'clock in the evening, under the +immediate direction of the Admiral, and began their march soon after. At +night they halted on the heights opposite to Morne Fortune, from which +they were separated by the Grand Cul de Sac, or Barrington's Bay. Soon +after sun-set, Lieutenant Colonel Coote, with the first battalion of +light infantry, landed from the Boyne at Ance de la Tocque, proceeded to +and took the four-gun battery of Ciceron, investing Morne Fortune on +that side; at the same time covering Cul de Sac, or Barrington's Bay, +for the entrance of our fleet, which anchored there the next morning, +being the 2d of April. This morning early the Prince dispatched two +companies of grenadiers, with Lieutenant Smyth of the 7th regiment, his +brigade major, to attack two batteries on the coast, which they found +evacuated, with the tri-coloured flag still flying; this they brought +off with them, and spiked the guns. Sir Charles Grey, visiting the +Prince's quarters, found his men were halted in a very swampy and +unhealthy place, and ordered them to change their ground, and move on to +a house at the bottom of Morne Fortune, which they performed that night +without any loss, though part of their road (near a mile in length) was +exposed to the fire of the fort on the Morne, as also of a little +two-gun battery on a point of land under the fort, which, as they passed +the ravine at the head of the Grand Cul de Sac, played upon them with +round shot and grape: however, the distance was too great for any +mischief to happen from the latter. In their march they had to pass a +swampy thicket of plantain trees, which concealed them from the view of +the enemy, who nevertheless kept up a constant fire of random shot; and +though the distance was now very trifling, and the cannonade extremely +heavy for a long time, not a man was killed, and a few only slightly +hurt by the splinters of stones and rock which flew in great plenty +round them.--Early in the morning of the 3d of April, Lieutenant Colonel +Coote, with four light companies, stormed a redoubt and two batteries +close to the enemy's principal work on the Morne, and killed two +officers and thirty men, made one prisoner (a surgeon), and liberated +one British seaman from captivity: he then spiked six pieces of cannon, +and fell back to Morne Ferre, where he established his quarters[32]. The +Commander in Chief now determined to carry the works on Morne Fortune by +assault, and accordingly a plan was formed for a general attack to be +made on it the next morning by the troops which now invested it, aided +by a party of seamen under command of Lord Garlies: but General Ricard, +perceiving the determined behaviour of our troops, prevented the plan +being put in execution, by agreeing to terms of capitulation, which had +been offered by Sir Charles Grey, who had sent in Major Maitland with a +flag of truce to summon the garrison to surrender. The gates of the fort +were put into our possession the same evening by nine o'clock. On the +4th the enemy marched out of the fort, with the honours of war, to the +glacis, where they piled their arms, and were embarked on board of +transports, which conveyed them to France, under conditions that they +should not serve against his Britannic Majesty during the war[33]. When +his Royal Highness Prince Edward marched into the fort of Morne Fortune, +and hoisted the British colours, he changed its name to Fort Charlotte, +in honour of his august parent.--Major Maitland had been dispatched to +Pigeon Island with a summons, which, by order of General Ricard, was +delivered up to his Majesty's troops on the same terms as the Morne. The +Commander in Chief left the sixth and ninth regiments, with detachments +of artillery and engineers, as a garrison for this island, under the +command of Colonel Sir Charles Gordon, who was appointed governor till +his Majesty's pleasure was known. + + [31] By us called Pigeon Island. On it is a very strong battery, + which commands a great distance. + + [32] The conduct and abilities of Colonel Coote in this enterprise + gained him the particular thanks of the Commander in Chief, whose + orders he had so ably executed; and he was well supported by the + whole of his department, particularly by Major Evatt, Captains + Buchanan, Crosbie, Welch, Thomas Grey (one of the General's aid de + camps), and Stovin; also by Major of Brigade Vischer, with + Lieutenant Drozier, and the detachment of royal artillery, who + spiked the guns. + + [33] The garrison that marched out with General Ricard, and laid + down their arms as prisoners of war, were about three hundred men, + troops of the line (among which one hundred and twenty-five were of + the regiment d'Aunai), some artillery, and a few people of colour. + General Ricard, at his own request, was sent to America, as had + been General Rochambeau, who chose that place in preference to his + own distracted country, where the system of blood that was then the + order of the day under the tyranny of Robespierre, would have + immolated even these men, who had with so much bravery defended the + posts intrusted to them by their country. + +The island of St. Lucia had its name from the day, dedicated to the +virgin martyr St. Lucia, on which it was discovered. It is about six +leagues south of Martinique, and twenty-one north-west from Barbadoes: +it is fifteen miles long, and eleven broad; is very hilly, and covered +in a great many places with thick woods, of whose timber the planters +of Martinique and the neighbouring islands build their houses and mills. +The fustic and cocoa tree is found here also in great abundance. This +island has frequently changed its masters, being alternately possessed +by the French and English: it has many good bays and harbours, and is +well watered by several fine clear rivers. Two of the mountains are said +to have been volcanos. Morne Fortune is a high hill which overhangs +Basse Terre, the principal town of the island. On the summit of the +Morne is a fortification, as yet unfinished; by nature it is very +strong, but art has done little for it; for, when the outworks fall, the +fort is incapable of withstanding a siege. We found but little +ammunition or military stores, and one small uncovered tank was the only +reservoir for water. Here is also a Pigeon Island, which is called by +the French Gros Islet, and is so strongly fortified both by nature and +art, that if it was well supplied with provisions and stores, would be +capable of braving a very formidable attack. The bay of the Grand Cul de +Sac is a fine harbour for ships of any size to ride in, during the +hurricane months. + +Lieutenant D'Arcy Preston, being promoted from a lieutenancy in the +Boyne to the command of the Rattlesnake sloop of war, sailed for England +this day, carrying Captain Mason, one of the aid de camps of the +Commander in Chief, and Captain Parker of the Blanche, with an account +of the further success of his Majesty's arms in the reduction of the +island of St. Lucia[34], happily effected without the loss of a single +man, though there had been a good deal of cannonading from the enemy's +batteries and works. The flank battalions being reimbarked on board of +their respective ships, and Sir Charles Grey with his suite being as +usual with the Admiral on board the Boyne, the whole fleet weighed and +made sail from this island by eight in the morning of the 5th of April, +and by nine at night they anchored in Fort Royal harbour, Martinique. +Thus, in the short period of something more than two months, by the +efforts of this army and navy, inconsiderable indeed in numbers, but +united in an ardent desire to prove themselves faithful to their +country, and strenuous to defend and promote her welfare, and increase +her consequence, was the British standard a second time hoisted on the +walls of a republican fortress, and another island added to the British +dominions. + + [34] The General transmitted also a plan of the projected works on + Morne Fortune, earnestly recommending them to be finished, as it + was a very strong post, not commanded, but commanding every other + post around it. + +To provide for the future order and good government of their conquests +was now the task of Sir Charles Grey and his friend and colleague, Sir +John Jervis; and as, in the attainment of them, their hearts and +counsels were in unison, so in this most arduous business were their +united exertions employed to establish a system of government for the +conquered islands, which might be equally serviceable to their country, +as conciliatory to the minds of the newly acquired subjects of it; but +at a moment like this, when they were pushing on from one field of +conflict and glory to another, it was impossible to render any system of +government perfect; they therefore thought that the best mode would be +to leave them a government which appeared to have been most desired by +the majority of the people, and which agreed better with our own forms +than the wild confusion of democratic and revolutionary power. +Accordingly, they for the present left them in the exercise of their +accustomed laws, such as they had been at the happiest period of their +own government, and which appeared best calculated to forward a system +of confidence among their own order, and to prepare them for that form +of government (we from experience know the blessings of, and) which +unquestionably, on the same experience, would become earnestly desired +by all ranks of people. To further also the desirable object of +conciliating the minds of the conquered by an act of moderation and +indulgence, the conduct of all civil affairs[35] was principally +entrusted to those whose influence in the colony pointed them out as +proper to be confided in; and whilst every tendency to licentiousness +would be checked by the vigorous direction of General Prescott under his +military government, the former courts, for the administration of +justice agreeable to the laws and customs before the revolution, were +allowed to go on, that the affections and gratitude of his majesty's new +subjects might in the surest manner be attached and secured. However an +arrangement of officers, guided by the constitution of the other British +colonies, was not neglected, and accordingly several nominations were +made and transmitted home for approval. St. Lucia was left in the same +state, as to its government, as Martinique. + + [35] The revenue department was however an exception to this + arrangement of the civil departments, as the purpose of trade could + not of course be answered through the forms of a French + custom-house, or the revenue laws adhered to but by the + establishment of our own people to carry on that necessary branch. + Those places therefore in the district of the island of Martinique, + which were immediately necessary to be filled, were attended to, + and a list of them sent home, that when his majesty's pleasure + should be made known with regard to the future civil government, + they might be put in motion without any delay. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + EXPEDITION AGAINST GUADALOUPE ... THE ISLES DE SAINTS ATTACKED AND + TAKEN ... THE BOYNE AND VETERAN ANCHOR OFF GROZIER ... THE TROOPS + LAND UNDER COVER OF THE WINCHELSEA FRIGATE ... CAPTAIN LORD GARLIES + WOUNDED ... FORT FLEUR D'EPEE TAKEN BY STORM ... FORT LOUIS AND THE + TOWN OF POINT A PITRE TAKEN ... CASUALTIES ... GENERAL DESCRIPTION + OF THE ISLAND. + + +On Tuesday the 8th of April, the fleet[36], having the Commander in +Chief on board, with the remainder of the forces which were not left to +garrison the two islands of Martinique and St. Lucia, weighed anchor by +seven o'clock A. M. and sailed from the bay of Fort Royal on an +expedition against Guadaloupe (the troops having been previously shifted +from the men of war to the transports). The Admiral detached Captain +Rogers in the Quebec frigate, Captain Faulknor in the Blanche, Captain +Incledon in the Ceres, and Captain Scott in the Rose, to attack a +cluster of small islands called the Saints, lying between Dominique and +Guadaloupe, which they executed with much spirit and gallantry: having +landed a party of their seamen and marines, they carried them without +any loss on their part, on the morning of the 10th instant; and when the +fleet arrived the same morning off the islands, they had the +satisfaction of perceiving the union flag hoisted on their two +commanding batteries. These islands are valued principally on account of +a small harbour, where a few ships of war may ride in safety during the +hurricane months; and also that they overlook a good deal of the coast +of Basse Terre.--About noon on the 10th of April the Boyne and Veteran +anchored in the bay of Point a Pitre, off the village of Grozier, and +some more of the fleet in the course of the afternoon; but a fresh wind +and lee current prevented most of the transports from getting in till +the day after. Without waiting however for the arrival of all the +troops, the General determined to land those that were with him, +immediately; and accordingly the first and second battalions of +grenadiers, one company of the forty-third regiment, fifty marines, and +four hundred seamen detached by the Admiral, under the command of +Captain George Grey of the Boyne, made good their landing by one o'clock +in the morning of the 11th, under a severe fire from Fort Fleur d'Epee, +and a three-gun battery at Grozier. As it was impossible for them to +land without the latter being silenced, Lord Garlies in the Winchelsea +was ordered on that service, which he performed in a masterly manner, +laying his ship within half-musket shot of the battery, as near indeed +as the depth of water would allow him to approach; and after a smart +fire for some time on both sides, he drove them from their guns, and the +troops then effected their landing without any loss. In this business, +though every shot from the battery hit some part of the Winchelsea, +cutting the masts and rigging, Lord Garlies was the only man wounded, +receiving a bad contusion in his face. Some more of the troops having +arrived on the 11th, the General, perceiving the enemy to be in +considerable force at the strong post of Fort Fleur d'Epee, determined +to attack them without loss of time, and accordingly arranged his plans +in the following order: the first division, under command of his Royal +Highness Prince Edward, consisting of the first and second battalions of +grenadiers and one hundred of the naval battalion, was to attack the +post on Morne Mascot, an height within musket-shot of the fort; the +second division, commanded by Major General Dundas, consisting of the +first and second battalions of light infantry, and one hundred of the +naval battalion, to attack the fort of Fleur d'Epee in the rear, and to +cut off its communication with Fort Louis and Point a Pitre; and the +third division, commanded by Colonel Symes, consisting of the third +battalion of grenadiers and the third battalion of light infantry, and +the remainder of the naval battalions, to proceed by the road on the +sea-side to co-operate with Major General Dundas. The soldiers were +particularly directed not to fire, but trust solely to the bayonet; and +the seamen, who were commanded by Captain Nugent and Captain Faulknor, +to use their pikes and swords; all which was most scrupulously obeyed; +the several divisions having marched earlier, according to the distance +they had to go, that they might commence the attack at the same instant. +The signal for the attack, which was a gun from the Boyne, was given by +the Admiral at five o'clock in the morning of the 12th. The troops moved +forward with the most determined intrepidity. As they advanced to the +first picquet the alarm was given; the out-posts were driven in, or put +to death; and in an instant the sides of the hill on which the fort was +situated were covered by our people, who scrambled up, under a most +tremendous discharge of grape shot and musketry: some sailors jumped +into the embrasures, driving the enemy before: the soldiers, who had +reached the gates, at length succeeded in forcing them open, and a scene +of dreadful conflict took place: the enemy still continuing to make a +stout resistance, were put to the sword in great numbers; at length, as +many as could escape through the gates and embrasures, or by leaping +over the walls, fled with the utmost precipitation towards the town of +Point a Pitre. Our victorious troops soon followed, driving them across +the Carenage to Basse Terre, whither they and several of the inhabitants +made their escape in boats, before the Ceres and two gun-boats could get +into the Carenage to cut off their retreat, though this service was +performed by Captain Incledon with the greatest alertness. With Fleur +d'Epee fell Hog Island, and Fort Louis, an old fortification commanding +the entrance into the harbour of Point a Pitre, which town also was +taken possession of at the same time by Sir Charles Grey. Our loss in +this action was considerable, in proportion to the smallness of our +numbers, being fifty-four killed and wounded; the enemy lost in all two +hundred and fifty. Fort Fleur d'Epee is strongly situated on the summit +of a hill, two sides of which are towards the sea, from whence it has a +very formidable appearance; but being commanded by Morne Mascot, when +that falls into the power of an enemy it is of little consequence. On +the brow of the hill, a little below the fort, is an half-moon battery, +which commands a great distance along the coast. Among the many +accidents worth notice, I beg leave to mention the following, which I +hope will be a striking instance (among many of the same kind which have +happened this war) that it behoves all our people serving on shore, +whether military or naval, to be distinguished by red dresses. The +French, as well as several other continental troops, are dressed in +blue; of course, in the confusion of an assault, especially if it +happens before day-break, a seaman's blue jacket may, and I am convinced +often has, been the cause of his death by the hands of his own +countrymen. A seaman of the Boyne, belonging to the first company, +expressing a wish that he might have an opportunity of lowering the +French flag, and hoisting our own; and being a remarkably fine fellow, +was pitched upon to carry the union flag on this attack for that +purpose, in case the fort should be taken; and accordingly it was +wrapped in many folds round him, and he was to defend it as well as he +could. When he approached the fort, the first object that attracted his +notice was the flag-staff, and, regardless of every danger, he rushed +forward, pike in hand; and having once got into the fort, away he ran to +the desired spot, and had already struck the tri-coloured flag, and was +endeavouring to disengage himself from his wrapper, in order to hoist +that in its stead, when some soldiers coming suddenly round the corner +of a building, and taking him for one of the enemy, in an instant +attacked him, and he fell severely wounded before they discovered their +mistake. I am happy however to add, that the poor fellow, by the care +and skill of Mr. Weir, the surgeon-general[37] of the navy, recovered +sufficiently to shew, before the end of the campaign, that his courage +was undiminished by the accident.--Captain Faulknor, who had so +eminently distinguished himself at the capture of Fort Louis in +Martinique, had a narrow escape in this business: having led his men on +to the assault with his usual gallantry, he was encountered by a French +officer, whom he instantly struck at with his sword, which falling on +the epaulette on his shoulder, did not penetrate: the Frenchman closed +with him, and being the strongest man, threw him to the ground; and, +wresting the sword from his hand, was in the act of plunging it into his +body, when fortunately a seaman belonging to the Boyne, seeing the +danger his gallant leader was in, with his pike pinned his adversary to +the earth.--As at this time I was the only chaplain on the expedition +(Mr. Ruxton, chaplain of the fifty-sixth regiment, having died soon +after his landing in Martinique), and several of our men having fallen +in this gallant attack, I went on shore up to Fort Fleur d'Epee to pay +the last honours to our unfortunate countrymen, eighteen of whom were +killed on the spot. The scene I beheld surpassed my powers of +description. It was early in the morning, soon after the action was +over. At the foot of the hill lay several of our seamen badly wounded, +waiting to be carried on board their respective ships: a little further, +under the tall trees that grew within a few yards of the sea, several +naval officers reposing after the fatigues of the morning, and their men +not far from them. As we went up the hill we met some of the wounded +prisoners brought in by our people; and at the gates of the fort was an +heap of the slain, who had all died by the sword or bayonet. Within the +fort the destruction appeared more dreadful, being more confined; a +multitude of miserable wretches expiring of their wounds, and many of +our own people in the same situation: in the midst of this was his +Excellency writing his dispatches on a table, on which, fatigued with +the action, an artilleryman was sleeping, whom the General would by no +means have disturbed; one proof among thousands that the truest heroism +may be, and often is, united to the greatest humanity.--It would be +invidious to mention particularly, who distinguished themselves in this +business, where all seemed emulous of glory; but as the greatest +responsibility is attached to the higher ranks, it will be but justice +to say, that Prince Edward, General Dundas, Colonels Symes, Cradock, +and Coote, with the other officers of rank, as also Captains Nugent and +Faulknor, the officers commanding the naval battalions, received the +thanks of the Commander in Chief in public orders, for their excellent +conduct and resolution, displayed through the whole of the action. + + [36] Consisting of the Boyne, Irresistible, Veteran, Winchelsea, + Solebay, Quebec, Ceres, Blanche, Rose, Woolwich, Experiment, and + Roebuck, together with the transports with troops, and the ordnance + and hospital ships and victuallers. + + [37] As this is an office, I believe, hitherto unknown in the navy, + I shall explain the reason of its being now established. The + Admiral had in a former war experienced the attention and zeal of + Mr. Weir, and being well acquainted with the fatigue and danger + that would unavoidably be the lot of his surgeon, if he did his + duty, he pitched upon him for that office, and as an encouragement + he procured permission to appoint a surgeon general to the navy, + and his appointment did honour to his discernment. Mr. Weir was + indefatigable in attending the wounded and sick in his own ship, + and equally ready to visit others; and even where his duty had no + demand on him, his humanity led him to give his advice and + assistance. In his mode of treatment of that dreadful disease, the + yellow fever, he was more successful than was generally the case, + as the Boyne lost a less proportion of patients under that + afflicting malady than any other ship on the expedition. + +Point a Pitre is the capital of that part of Guadaloupe called Grand +Terre, which is separated from the other part, called Bass Terre, by a +narrow arm of the sea, in form of a river; it is called the river +Sallee. The town is neat and well built, but in an unhealthy situation, +being on the borders of a large extent of swampy land; it has a good +harbour called the Carenage, the entrance to which is guarded on one +side by an half-moon battery lately erected on Islet a Couchon, or Hog +Island, and on the other by the ancient castle of Fort Louis; it is also +defended on the land side by a hill called Morne Government, on which is +a strong battery. The country on this part of Guadaloupe is remarkably +flat, forming a strong contrast to Basse Terre, which gradually rises +from the sea-shore till it forms a chain of hills extending from one end +of that part of the island to the other. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + THE GENERAL EMBARKS HIS ARMY, AND LANDS ON BASSE TERRE AT PETIT + BOURG ... OCCURRENCES ON THE MARCH TOWARDS PALMISTE ... THE ADMIRAL + ANCHORS IN ANCE DE BAILLIF ... GENERAL DUNDAS LANDS, AND FORMS A + COMMUNICATION WITH SIR CHARLES GREY ... THE PALMISTE TAKEN BY + ASSAULT ... GENERAL COLLOT DELIVERS UP FORT SAINT CHARLES AND THE + ISLAND OF GUADALOUPE AND ITS DEPENDENCIES TO THE COMMANDERS IN + CHIEF. + + +On the 13th, the forty-third regiment being landed to garrison Fort +Prince of Wales (late Fleur d'Epee), the town of Point a Pitre, and the +other ports on Grand Terre, the General and the rest of his army +reimbarked on board of their respective ships; and in the evening the +Sea Flower brig, Captain Pierrepoint, sailed for England with +dispatches. At twelve o'clock the next day, the Quebec and the other +frigates, with the transports, sailed over to the other side of the bay; +and in the afternoon the troops, consisting of the grenadiers and light +infantry, commanded by his Royal Highness Prince Edward, landed at a +village called Petit Bourg, where many of the principal people of the +island were assembled, who received the Commander in Chief and the +Prince with the greatest demonstrations of joy. A party of sailors also, +under the command of Captain Rogers of the Quebec, landed at the same +time. That night the General returned to the Boyne; the next morning he +landed at St. Mary's, where he found Colonel Coote, with the first +battalion of light infantry, who had marched in before day-break from +Petit Bourg. The troops now marched forward, principally along shore, +without any remarkable occurrence, and halted for the night at a small +village between Cabes Terre and Petit Bourg. On the 16th the troops, +still advancing along shore, reached Trou Chien, a very strong post, +which the enemy had abandoned; and before dark the army halted on the +high ground over Les Trois Riverres, from whence they saw the enemy's +two redoubts and their strong posts on the heights of Palmiste. The +General intended to have attacked the enemy that night; but the troops +were too much fatigued from the long and difficult march they had just +finished. Here, at a beautiful plantation belonging to Monsieur +Bellisle, the Prince and several of his officers were sumptuously +entertained at supper by that gentleman, who repeated his hospitality +the next day. All this time the Admiral stood off and on near the shore, +to be ready to pour in assistance in case there should be any necessity +for it: but on the army retiring up the country towards Palmiste on the +17th instant, he came round towards the town of Basse Terre. Fort St. +Charles fired a few shot and shells at the Boyne without effect. At half +past one P. M. we were becalmed off the town, and had a beautiful view +of the country round it, which, rising gradually inland, presents a +varied amphitheatre of plantations, woods, hills, and vallies, +interspersed with elegant and well-built houses, ornamented by many fine +plantations of palms, cocoa-nut, and other tall and majestic trees. By +five P. M. we anchored in Ance de Baillif, about a mile from the town of +Basse Terre, which was hid from our view by an high point of land +forming the bay. On the 17th Major General Dundas, with the third +battalion of grenadiers, and second and third battalions of light +infantry, landed at Vieux Habitant, some miles north-west of Basse +Terre, meeting with little opposition and no loss, taking possession of +Morne Magdalene, and destroying two batteries, then detaching Lieutenant +Colonel Blundell with the second battalion of light infantry, he in the +night forced several difficult posts of the enemy. On the 17th General +Sir Charles Grey made a disposition for the attack of a redoubt called +d'Arbaud, and a battery named d'Anet, both near Grand Ance; the troops +pushed forward, and halted within a league of the village of Trois +Riviere. By day-break on the 18th Lieutenant Colonel Coote, with the +first battalion of light infantry, attacked and stormed the battery; +every man in it was either killed, wounded, or made prisoner, and not +one of our own was hurt. At the same time the grenadiers were ordered to +advance against the redoubt, which was commanded by this battery, and +which they found had been deserted by the enemy early in the night, who +burnt and destroyed every thing in and near it. On the night of the 17th +instant, the enemy in the town of Basse Terre (being divided in their +opinions, and party running very high among them) set fire to the town, +the whole of the west end of which was consumed, containing much +valuable property, and many fine houses. The motives for this mischief +we never could learn, as they were at that time in full possession of +the town; and as it was entirely commanded by Fort St. Charles, there +could be no danger of its falling into our hands until the fort was +taken. At one o'clock in the morning of the 20th, the Commander in +Chief, at the head of his troops, advanced to the attack of the +principal dependance of the enemy, which was a chain of batteries on the +heights of Palmiste, extending above a league. The grenadiers were +commanded by Prince Edward, and the light infantry by Lieutenant Colonel +Coote. At five in the morning the attack commenced by the light infantry +advancing to the assault of the highest and most formidable battery, +which, though well defended by nature and art, was soon obliged to yield +to the superior activity and bravery of our troops, who with their +bayonets forced the works, putting thirty of them to death. It is +remarkable, that in this affair the three first sentries at the advanced +batteries, on firing their muskets on the alarm, shot two advanced men +of the light infantry and their guide. The instant our men had made +themselves masters of this post, perceiving that it commanded all the +others, they with infinite spirit and address turned the guns against +them, under cover of which our troops marched up and took them all in +succession, without much further opposition, although, by every +appearance, they had determined to make a vigorous resistance, having +felled trees and laid them across the road, and at the entrance of their +batteries, and the guns being mostly loaded with grape-shot, or bags of +musket balls, it seemed as if they expected to have come to close +quarters. General Dundas had now formed a communication with Sir Charles +Grey by Morne Howell, and the Palmiste (the key of the town and Fort St. +Charles) being thus in our possession, the governor, Monsieur Collot, +sent a flag of truce to Sir Charles Grey, offering to deliver up +Guadaloupe and its dependencies on the same terms as had been granted to +General Rochambeau at Martinique, and Ricard at St. Lucia: the garrison +to march out with the honours of war, and lay down their arms, and to be +sent to France, on condition that they should not serve against the +British forces and their allies during the war; General Collot and his +suite to be allowed a certain time to settle their affairs, and to be +conveyed to North America in a frigate. Accordingly, the light infantry +being left in the batteries on the Palmiste, the remainder of the troops +marched down and took possession of the gates of both town and fort that +night. The next day the Boyne weighed anchor, and was towed by boats +round from the bay of Baillif to the road of Basse Terre, where she +anchored within a cable's length of the shore. At night a design of the +garrison, to rise upon our people and murder them, was happily made +known to General Dundas, who instantly rode down to the fort, and took +the necessary precautions to prevent the completion of this infamous +plot. At eight o'clock in the morning of Tuesday the 22d of April the +French garrison of Fort St. Charles marched out, consisting of +fifty-five regulars of the regiment of Guadaloupe, and the fourteenth +regiment of France, and eight hundred and eighteen national guards and +others; Prince Edward, with the grenadiers and light infantry, taking +possession immediately, struck the republican and hoisted the British +colours, changing the name of it to Fort Matilda. From the returns found +among General Collot's papers it appeared that the number of men capable +of bearing arms in the island of Guadaloupe was at that time five +thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven; and the number of fire-arms +actually delivered out to them was four thousand and forty-four[38]. On +the 26th Prince Edward with his suite embarked on board the Blanche +frigate, commanded by Captain Faulknor, and sailed for North America; +his regiment, the seventh or royal fuzileers, being stationed at Quebec. +The spirit and enterprise of his Royal Highness on this expedition, with +his strict attention to discipline, merits the highest applause, and +deservedly gained him the respect and esteem of all who served with him. +Before the troubles (occasioned by the revolution) commenced in these +islands, the town of Basse Terre was a place of very considerable +traffic, and much resorted to by merchants and others: it is regularly +built, well watered, and beautifully situated on the sea-shore, and +well defended by several batteries and forts, particularly to the +eastward by Fort St. Charles (now called Fort Matilda), which is a +regular fortification of great strength and extent; but being commanded +by surrounding high lands, particularly Houelmont, a steep hill, on +which is a battery that overlooks, not only the fort and town, but the +bay, and much of the country near it, it is incapable of maintaining a +long defence against a powerful attack by land, but is impregnable by +any that can be made against it from the sea only. In the centre of the +main street is a spacious walk shaded by handsome well grown trees, +which forms an agreeable relief from the heat which in this climate is +so very oppressive. Above the town is a large and commodious hospital, +which at this period we found of infinite use. The island of Guadaloupe +was discovered by Columbus, who named it after some mountains in Spain +to which it bore resemblance, but by the native Caraibs it is called +Karukera: it is situated thirty leagues N. W. from Martinique, and is +reckoned the largest and most valuable island the French held in these +parts; and, from its vicinity to Antigua and Dominica, as well as to +several of our smaller islands, is of great consequence to us. The +island is divided into two parts by a narrow channel called La Riviere +Sallee, or the Salt River: the eastern part is called Grand Terre, and +is comparatively flat; it is nineteen leagues long and nine broad: the +western part is properly called Guadaloupe, but is now known by the name +of Basse Terre, and is again subdivided (by a ridge of mountains +extending from one end to the other) into Capes Terre and Basse Terre: +this part of the island is thirteen leagues and a half in length, and +about seven at the broadest part. The islands immediately dependent on +Guadaloupe are Marigalante, Deseada, and the Saints. Marigalante is of a +round form, about forty miles to the S. E. of Guadaloupe; it is about +five leagues long and four broad, and was discovered by Columbus in +1493, who gave it the name of his own ship. Deseada, or Desirada (that +is, the Desirable Island), was the first of these islands discovered by +Columbus in his second voyage in 1493; it is about fifteen miles N. E. +of Guadaloupe, and is not very fertile. The Saints are a cluster of +islands on the S. E. side of Guadaloupe, of which the westernmost is +called Terre de Bas, or the Low Island; the easternmost the High Island: +there is a good harbour here for a few ships. These islands received the +name of Sanctos from the Spaniards, who first discovered them on All +Saints day. There is some good land in the valleys, but the hills are +covered with rocks.--Thus, in the short period of three months, +concluded a campaign, in which three valuable islands and their +dependencies were added to his majesty's dominions. To the unanimity +which subsisted between the Commanders in Chief, together with their +allowed high professional knowledge, and seconded by the spirited +conduct of all the inferior ranks, must this unlooked-for success be +attributed, as the force employed to effect it was certainly far short +of what it ought to have been for so great an enterprise. The originally +small army was now obliged to be divided, to garrison and secure our +newly-acquired possessions; the fatigue became the more burthensome, +and the troops that had gone through the campaign with unexampled +bravery and patience, at length began to feel the effects of a climate, +that even in peaceable times is often found too trying for European +constitutions; and which was at this period rendered tenfold more severe +by that dreadful malady the yellow fever, which, though it had subsided +when we first came to the West Indies, was now, as it were, awakened by +the arrival of fresh victims, and acquired more strength from the small +resistance that could be made against it by constitutions already broken +by fatigue under hardships and difficulties unparalleled.--As there were +no expectations of any reinforcements of consequence being sent till +November, the General determined to return to England, after he had made +a proper arrangement to render the conquests permanent, and secure them +against any attempt that might be made by those perturbed spirits that, +notwithstanding his utmost vigilance, might remain in the colonies; and +which he in a short time effected to his satisfaction, so far as it +related to any attempt that could be made by the enemy in these parts: +but it is not to be imagined that, with the small number of men he +originally brought out, now reduced by a variety of causes to half their +number, and daily decreasing in an alarming degree, any resistance could +be made against a strong reinforcement, if the French nation should be +able to send out one, from Europe[39]. Previous to his return, however, +he was determined to leave the islands in the best possible state of +defence; and for that purpose he, with the Admiral, visited all the +islands in this quarter, inspecting the strong posts and fortifications, +while the Admiral paid attention to the naval department in each; and in +the beginning of June, after having taken formal leave of the army in +general orders, he sailed for Europe. + + [38] Lieutenant George Vaughan of the Boyne was this day promoted + to the command of the Zebra sloop, and the Chaplain of the Boyne + was appointed to the chaplaincy of the garrison of Guadaloupe, + there being no other chaplain on the expedition; but government at + home did not think fit to confirm the appointment. Lieutenant + Davers of the Boyne was promoted to be acting commander of the + Inspector, from whence he was promoted to the command of the Bull + Dog sloop. Lieutenant Ogle was also appointed acting commander of + the Assurance. + + [39] After the islands were captured, a small reinforcement + arrived, which was to be retained by Sir Charles Grey, if he + thought fit; but as he knew it was much wanted to carry on the war + at St. Domingo, and as it was insufficient to enable him to + undertake an expedition against Cayenne, which he at first + intended, he sent it on to Jamaica, under the command of Brigadier + General Whyte; and Lieutenant Colonel Lennox, who came out soon + after, he dispatched thither also. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + THE CHARGES OF EXTORTED CONTRIBUTIONS AND OPPRESSIONS, ALLEDGED + AGAINST THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF BY CERTAIN INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS, + REFUTED ... THE REAL CAUSES OF THE LOSS OF GUADALOUPE. + + +After having given an account of the glorious success which had crowned +the exertions of our gallant commanders and their forces, I now enter +upon a less pleasant task, the loss of Guadaloupe, since followed by the +capture of some other islands: but I do it the more willingly, because +in the simple facts it will be my duty to detail, the real cause of +those misfortunes will appear, and a clear refutation ensue of those +gross calumnies, originally propagated by avarice, fraud, and falsehood, +and repeated by ignorance and malice, which have endeavoured to fix a +stigma on two commanders, whose integrity of heart and openness of +conduct are as demonstrable, as their bravery is acknowledged. + +The accusation of plunder, confiscation, and _extorted contribution_, is +founded on a tale, of which half only has been told, and that half with +intentional inaccuracy. + +It has always been understood that property found in any place taken by +storm or assault became the legal prize or booty of the captors; +consequently the Commanders in Chief found no hesitation or difficulty +in considering the produce, merchandise, &c. afloat and on shore at St. +Pierre and Fort Royal (both which were literally so taken) as justly +liable to forfeit and confiscation. The estates of the emigrant +royalists had been sequestered, and the produce of them sold by the +agents of the republic; consequently all manufactured or collected +produce on them became in like manner, by his majesty's gracious bounty, +the right of the captors. + +If what is found in places or vessels taken by assault be not considered +as legal prize, what is? Is no booty, no prize money, to be the reward +of successful heroism, after the dreadful fatigues, diseases, and +dangers of war? Where then will be the spur to noble actions? Where the +spirit that impels the soldier and the sailor to brave the horrors of +arms and elements, of raging sickness, of excruciating death? + +All the produce and merchandise found in the town of Fort Royal and on +board the vessels in the Carenage, and the same in the town and bay of +St. Pierre and in Trinite in the island of Martinique, and at Basse +Terre and Point a Pitre in Guadaloupe, were disposed of by public +auction for the benefit of the captors: but those on the estates, +manufactured and packed ready to be brought down to the ports for +embarkation, were not sold at this time, because persons came forward on +the part of the inhabitants themselves, and proposed a contribution, in +lieu of that part of the property, as falling more easy on them, and +consequently being preferable to confiscation; though they did not at +that time pretend to dispute the legality of the forfeiture. The +Commanders in Chief acceded to this _their own proposal_, through a pure +wish of accommodation. The exorbitant and unprecedented contribution, +therefore, levied on an unwilling people, turns out to be an _offered +compromise for an undisputed prize, received by a merciful and tender +conqueror out of kindness to the conquered_. + +How well bestowed this kindness was, how deserved the confidence placed +in the honour of these people, will appear by the sequel! They received +back the forfeitures, and then endeavoured to get rid of paying the +compromise (themselves had offered) by infamous misrepresentations of +the conduct of those Commanders, of whose generosity they made use, to +defame, and then to rob them! For no sooner had they shipped off the +property, and got it safe away from the power of the Commanders, than +they began to demur at paying the stipulated sum, particularly at St. +Lucia, which island had agreed to pay one hundred and fifty thousand +pounds. + +Situated as I was, and having an opportunity of drawing my conclusions +on the spot, I venture, with a very strong confidence of its truth, to +relate the following as the secret history of this business. An agent +for the prizes at St. Lucia, joining one of the agents who had already +been employed in the sale of the vendible property at Martinique +(possibly piqued by some diminution of confidence which the Commanders +in Chief from good reason had betrayed towards them), no sooner met the +inhabitants of St. Lucia, whom he had convened on the subject of raising +the stipulated compromise for the plunder, than he offered, with an +unparalleled duplicity, while confessing himself sent on the part of the +captors, to suggest a mode by which the payment of this debt of honour +might be evaded. "Send," said he, "an immediate deputation to the +English government, anticipate the story of the Commanders, and a +prohibition will instantly issue." The deputation was sent without loss +of time: they relied on securing a large body of English merchants, +particularly those in the West Indies, on their side; and their reliance +was well placed, for they relied on that which they could easily prove +to be their interest. The truth is, that many of these West India +traders[40] had carried on an illicit traffic to the French islands +before they were captured; and in consequence of it had at the time of +the capture immense sums still due to them. Apprehending, therefore, +that the payment of this contribution might retard, or even endanger, +the discharge of their own debts, they joined heartily in every scheme +for defeating this just and prior claim. They encouraged the French in +their opposition; they misrepresented the facts to England; they +attempted to blast the laurels of the Commanders; and became clamorous +against the cruelty of plunder, and illegality and impolicy of +confiscation, that they might enjoy the rewards of their own treason. +While this plot was secretly carrying on, and a heavy storm brooding +over their heads, the General and Admiral were proceeding in their +expedition against Guadaloupe, little suspicious, till the dispatches +from England discovered the success with which the artful stories of +this party had been attended. + + [40] Admiral Rodney used to say of these people, that "they were + smugglers in peace, and traitors in war;" an opinion, I believe, + confirmed by repeated experience. + +Thus was the unparalleled good order and discipline with which the army +and navy had abstained from plundering the towns of St. Pierre, Fort +Royal, and Trinite, &c. rewarded! This was the recompence of the ruinous +and expensive service in which the officers had engaged; of the +unexampled sufferings and dangers which they and their brave men had +undergone. Is not contribution in lieu of booty, the custom of war? Was +it not the case with Prince Ferdinand in a former war, through every +town and village of Germany[41]? Did not the Marquis de Bouille levy a +heavy contribution on the island of St. Christopher's, when taken by the +French in 1782? Where then could contribution ever be proper if not +here? Here was no capitulation; but, though the islands fell by storm, +the Commanders, acting on the purest principles, to save the persons and +property of the inhabitants from the plunder[42] of an enraged soldiery, +agreed to accept as a recompence due to the forbearance and good conduct +of that body, a composition the most easy to the conquered; and yet +their fame has been vilified, and the hard-earned pittance of booty +snatched away! for none of the contributions were ever paid, except a +part at St. Lucia, _which was afterwards refunded_. Surely this is small +encouragement for such a desperate service! If such be the future +prospects of our army and navy, their spirits will droop, and half that +ardour that generates success subside! + + [41] Of this General Sir Charles Grey himself shared. + + [42] During the time that Fort Bourbon was besieging we sent a + summons to the town of St. Pierre, which was rejected with an + uncommon degree of insolence, and Captain Mason (the General's aid + de camp, who went with the flag of truce) was insulted. About a + fortnight afterwards the place was taken by storm, without any + capitulation, consequently subject to plunder by the custom of war; + but so far from any irregularity being suffered, a drummer was + hanged by order of General Dundas for attempting it; and such exact + discipline and quiet behaviour was maintained among the troops, + that the shops were opened the day after the capture. From the time + of the refusal of the summons to the final capture, the republicans + continued to load all the property and produce on board vessels + under American colours, which they did constantly, in order to + deprive the captors of their just rights, in case the place should + be taken.--Interested American merchants were continually + endeavouring to wrest the hard-earned prize money from the army and + navy, while they were supplying the enemy with provisions and other + necessaries. + +I shall now mention the real cause of the loss of Guadaloupe, which, +with that of some other islands that have since fallen, has been +maliciously attributed to the oppression and peculations of Sir Charles +Grey and Sir John Jervis; for this purpose I must refer back to the time +when the expedition was first planned by our government, and the command +given to those officers. As the capture of the French possessions in the +West Indies was rightly judged to be of the greatest consequence both in +a political and mercantile view, a very formidable armament was +prepared, and Martinique was pitched on as the first object for attack; +and, since the capture of that island had been attempted the year +preceding, and failed, it was of course expected to be put on its guard, +and rendered thereby more difficult. But at this period (unfortunately +for this expedition) another object diverted the attention of +government, and eight regiments[43], with a great part of the artillery, +which were embarked and ready to sail, were taken from that force, which +combined would in all probability have secured to us our conquests in +the West Indies, and enabled us to extend them to St. Domingo, and all +the other French islands in that quarter. Government was well aware, and +acknowledged, that this diminution of force must so cripple the +expedition, that it would render the prospect of any success doubtful; +and no idea was entertained that the conquest of Martinique would even +have been attempted, Fort Bourbon alone seeming too formidable for an +attack by such an inconsiderable body: however, when Sir Charles Grey +and Sir John Jervis arrived at Barbadoes, and had arranged every thing +for an active campaign, they determined to begin with the strongest +island, being confident that, when that was gained, the smaller places +would soon fall; whereas, by attacking the lesser islands first, they +must necessarily diminish their small armament, and render the capture +of so well defended and strong a place as Martinique, with the +formidable fortress of Fort Bourbon, totally impossible. The event +justified their determination. But when this great object was gained, +and St. Lucia and Guadaloupe taken, the army (originally too small) was +divided into three parts to garrison the conquered places; and by that +dreadful scourge, the yellow fever, which now began its ravages, +together with the loss sustained in the several actions of the campaign, +not one of the islands, nor indeed a single post on each, could be +called properly defended, in case the French should send out an armament +to the West Indies. If, as soon as the news of the capture of the first +island had reached England, a strong reinforcement could have been sent +out, and repeated on the conquest of each succeeding place, the small +body of the enemy (who made their attack on Guadaloupe, and stole in at +a moment when the gallant governor, General Dundas, was breathing his +last, and when every post was reduced to extremity by sickness) would +with ease have been repelled, or perhaps their whole party taken.--In +the succeeding part of this work it will be my business to detail the +events that gradually led to the evacuation of this island, and gave the +enemy such advantage as enabled them since to extend their conquests to +some other inferior places. + + [43] Consisting of four thousand six hundred and forty-two men. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + GENERAL DUNDAS DIES OF THE YELLOW FEVER ... HIS CHARACTER ... A + FRENCH SQUADRON ARRIVES IN THE WEST INDIES, AND TAKES POSSESSION OF + GRAND TERRE ... THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF, ON RECEIVING AN ACCOUNT + THEREOF, RETURN TO GUADALOUPE ... SIR CHARLES GREY LANDS ON GRAND + TERRE, AND TAKES THE HEIGHTS OF MASCOT ... SEVERAL ACTIONS TAKE + PLACE ... A TRUCE TO BURY THE DEAD ... AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTACK ON + POINT A PITRE. + + +On the evening of the 3d of June, Major General Thomas Dundas, the +governor of Guadaloupe, became the victim of that dreadful fever, which +once more began to desolate these islands. He was ill only three days. +By his death the army in the West Indies suffered an irreparable loss, +and the service in general one of its brightest ornaments. Amiable both +in public and private life, brave and generous, possessed of that true +courage which never exceeds the bounds of humanity, he justly gained the +love of the army, and fell lamented by all that knew him[44]. At this +inauspicious moment an armament arrived from France, under the +direction of two commissioners from the national assembly. It consisted +of two frigates, one corvette, two forty-fours armed en flute, and two +other ships, with about one thousand five hundred land forces on board +of them[45]. They instantly made good their landing on Grand Terre; and, +after two unsuccessful efforts, at last succeeded in their attack on +Fort Fleur d'Epee, which they carried by storm[46].--As soon as this +news reached Colonel Blundell, he instantly dispatched a schooner to St. +Christopher's, with an account of it to the Commanders in Chief, which +fortunately found them there, the Boyne being off Old Road taking in +water for her voyage to England. Sir Charles Grey was busy in inspecting +the works on Brimstone Hill. The Commanders in Chief instantly +determined to return to Guadaloupe, and accordingly pushed, under a +press of sail, for Basse Terre, where they arrived in the afternoon of +the 7th of June, and were joined by the Resource, Captain Ross, and the +Winchelsea, Captain Lord Garlies; on board of which ships General Grey +and his suite embarked to be landed at Basse Terre, in order to visit +the ports in that quarter, and to give the necessary instructions for +future operations. The Admiral ordered the Nautilus, Captain Bayntun, to +proceed to Martinique, with orders from Sir Charles Grey for a +reinforcement from thence, and himself proceeded in the Boyne to the Bay +of Point a Pitre. On his passage he met Commodore Thompson with his +squadron from Martinique, coming round the point of Vieux Port. On their +joining, he ordered the Solebay and Avenger into Basse Terre Road, to +carry the General's further orders into execution, touching +reinforcements from the different islands. + + [44] He was interred on the 4th of June, with all military honours, + on one of the highest batteries in Fort Matilda, which, from that + circumstance, was called Dundas's battery, and a stone with a + suitable inscription was placed over his remains. The command of + the forces, and the government of Guadaloupe, now devolved on + Lieutenant Colonel Blundell of the forty-fourth regiment. + + [45] This armament appears to have sailed from Rochfort about the + 25th of April, and to have been forty-one days on the passage. + + [46] Their success appears to have been greatly accelerated by the + treachery or cowardice of several French royalists then in the + fort, who offered their services to sally on the besiegers. + Accordingly they marched out; but, on approaching the enemy, they + were panic struck and fled, and few of them returned to Fleur + d'Epee. The British merchants and sailors from the town of Point a + Pitre had thrown themselves into this fort to assist the garrison, + which was greatly reduced by sickness and death. This little band, + under command of Lieutenant Colonel Drummond of the forty-third + regiment, did all that gallant men could do; twice they repulsed + the assailants; but at length, overpowered by numbers, and the + royalists having demanded that the gates should be thrown open, and + the enemy now pouring in from all sides, the few remaining troops + were obliged to make the best retreat they could to Point a Pitre, + which, not being tenable after the loss of Fleur d'Epee, was + abandoned by them, and they crossed over to Basse Terre. In this + affair, besides the loss of many others, Captain Suckling of the + artillery was wounded at his gun by a bayonet, and left behind at + Point a Pitre.--There were in Guadaloupe when taken by the French a + larger proportion of troops than in either of the other conquered + islands. + +At noon of the 8th of June, the Boyne and the rest of the fleet anchored +off Grozier, and saw the union jack displayed on Fort Fleur d'Epee as a +decoy to British vessels, which we found had been successful in several +instances; from hence, too, we had a view of the French fleet lying in +the harbour of Point a Pitre. The Admiral, without delay, arranged every +thing in his department to prevent a surprise from any future +reinforcements of the enemy which might arrive. At day-break of the 9th, +the enemy in Fort Fleur d'Epee, on hoisting their colours, opened an +heavy fire of round and grape-shot on the Boyne, as did the two-gun +battery at Grozier on the rest of the fleet, but happily without any +material damage to them. This morning the London transport, having +troops on board, got on shore on the Basse Terre side of the bay. +Lieutenant Thompson of the Boyne, was sent with the launch to take the +men out of her; in doing which he was exposed to a severe fire from a +battery on Islet a Couchon, or Hog Island; but he succeeded in removing +them without any loss. In the evening Sir Charles Grey and his suite +came on board the Boyne,[47] from whence he could for the present with +greater ease arrange his troops, and communicate with them at their +different posts. This day also Lord Viscount Garlies in the Winchelsea +frigate attacked the two-gun battery at Grozier, where he had +distinguished himself in the last campaign, and once more drove the +enemy from their guns: but very few troops having yet arrived, no +attempt could be made to land there, as before. The Boyne having been +much annoyed by the fire of Fort Fleur d'Epee and Grozier battery, was +now warped a cable's length further from the shore. On the 11th, in the +morning, several boats full of men, attended by a gun-boat, were +discovered making towards our post at Petit Bourg, from the harbour of +Point a Pitre: their intention seemed to be to attack a transport and +sloop of ours. The Winchelsea frigate was ordered towards them, and +receiving the fire of the battery on Hog island, and another near Fort +Louis, she obliged them to return into the harbour. The enemy had +crossed the river Sallee to Basse Terre, and had taken post at Berville, +a fine plantation belonging to a gentleman of that name. They instantly +set fire to the house, and destroyed all the mills, sugar-works, and +store-houses, belonging to it, to a very large amount; they then +encamped at the post of St. Jean, or Gabbare, a point of land opposite +to the harbour of Point a Pitre. General Grey thought this a favourable +moment to attack them, which was accordingly done at eleven o'clock at +night on the 13th, under the command of Brigadier General Dundas, who +with the 1st light infantry led by Brevet Major Ross, with the 39th +regiment under Major Magan, and a detachment of artillery and two +field-pieces, attacked the enemy with such determined bravery, that +after a severe conflict they fled in the utmost disorder, precipitating +themselves into the sea in order to swim across the harbour to Point a +Pitre; but few succeeded in the desperate attempt, many being drowned, +and more shot by our light infantry, who followed close at their heels: +they left one hundred and seventy-nine dead on the field; our loss was +trifling, seven men killed and twelve wounded. The enemy's camp, +colours, baggage, and ammunition, with one piece of cannon, fell into +our hands.[48] The light infantry and the 39th regiment remained at +Berville, having for their advanced post Savonge, and St. Jean on the +banks of the river Sallee. On this point of land, which runs into the +harbour of Point a Pitre, Captain Pratt, commanding a detachment of +artillery, was ordered to erect a battery of two twenty-four pounders +and two howitzers, which he effected with such dispatch, that by the +next morning it was completed, and opened with a most tremendous fire on +the republican frigate La Pique, lying within gunshot of the shore, to +the no small surprise and astonishment of the commodore, who was then on +board. The frigate retaliated, and a brisk fire was kept up for some +time, when she thought it advisable to weigh anchor, and take shelter +under the guns of her own batteries, after having lost between forty and +fifty of her crew in killed and wounded, and being much damaged in her +hull and rigging. On the 14th the Roebuck, Captain Christie, arrived +with troops (draughted from several regiments), and two gun-boats also +came very seasonably; one of which, under command of Lieutenant Wolley +of the Boyne, attacked the battery at Grozier, and again made the enemy +retire from their guns.[49] + + [47] Accompanied also by the Honourable Captain Stewart, brother to + Lord Garlies; who having received permission to return to England, + handsomely came forward at this time to offer himself as a + volunteer. + + In this second campaign (see Appendix, page 37) Colonel Symes, + Colonel Francis Dundas, and Colonel Sir Charles Gordon, were + promoted to the rank of brigadier general. + + [48] See the Appendix, page 32. + + [49] On the 18th of June, Lieutenant Colonels Coote and Cradock + arrived from St. Christopher's, where they had been detained by the + yellow fever, which they had caught on board a transport in which + they were proceeding to England on leave of absence, and though not + recovered from the baneful effects of that disease, they now came + forward to offer their services to the Commanders in Chief, which + were accepted in a manner highly honourable to both parties. + +On Thursday the 19th of June, General Grey once more made good his +landing on Grand Terre, about six miles to windward of Grozier, under +cover of the Vanguard, Veteran, Vengeance, Solebay, and Winchelsea, and +immediately moved on to Grozier, from whence he drove the enemy, who +retreated towards Fort Fleur d'Epee, burning the houses and sugar-works +that lay in their road.[50] About this time Lieutenant Macnamara, of +the marines, was sent to Deseada to secure that island against any +attempt of the enemy. On his landing he was attacked by a party of the +inhabitants, who had formerly surrendered the island to us, aided by +some brigands and a mixed rabble. In a short time, however, he drove +them to the mountains, having killed twelve, and hung up six, as an +example to deter others from similar acts of rebellion. On the 20th the +enemy sunk one of our gun-boats by the fire of their battery on Hog +Island, but none were killed in her. On the 21st they set fire to, and +burnt a fine house on the heights of Mascot, near Fleur d'Epee, leaving +the foundation walls only standing. Our troops now encamped at Grozier +were employed in erecting batteries against Fort Fleur d'Epee, as the +enemy were in too great force for our reduced numbers to attempt an +assault on their principal work. On the 22d the Honourable Captain +Stewart, commanding the 9th grenadiers, and a party of seamen under +Lieutenant Wolley,[51] marched from Grozier to attack St. Ann's Fort, a +strong post about twelve or fourteen miles to windward. After a most +fatiguing march, during which some heavy showers of rain rendered the +roads hardly passable, they reached the foot of the hill on which the +fort was situated; up which our people scrambled so leisurely, and such +a profound silence reigned among them, that they approached within +fifteen or twenty paces of the centinel before he perceived them, though +he was apparently alert on his post. Our French guide was now so +terrified that he fired his pistol at the centinel, which gave the +alarm; instantly our troops turned forward, and with three cheers began +to storm the works. The enemy were completely surprised, and not more +than two of them escaped. During this the French emigrants who had +accompanied our people, had marched into the town, where they began the +most brutal excesses; but the humane exertions of our officers soon put +a stop to their mischievous proceedings. In this attack near four +hundred of the enemy were killed, and one prisoner taken: on our part +one only was wounded. Several sloops and schooners were found in the +bay, all in ballast and their sails unbent, except one of them, in which +Lieutenant Thomson was sent with an account of their success to the +Commanders in Chief. It being impossible to keep possession of this +post, from the small number of our troops, and intelligence being +brought that a large detachment of the enemy were on their march to cut +off the retreat of this party, it was determined to return to the camp +without loss of time, all the ammunition having been previously +destroyed, and the guns of the fort dismounted.--The day proving +unusually hot, and the roads being deep and slippery from the incessant +rains that had fallen during the preceding night, the troops were not +able to reach the camp without halting; in consequence of which they +took post at a planter's house on an eminence, where they were received +with great hospitality. By three in the afternoon the men who had +dropped down by the way from fatigue, were brought in (except two who +reached the camp next morning), and the party proceeded to their +different stations without further accidents.[52] + + [50] In the afternoon one hundred and eighty seamen from the Boyne, + Commanded by Lieutenants Wolley, Thomson, and Maitland, landed + under the Salines to windward of Grozier, and took post on the + heights near that place; other parties of seamen also were landed + at Grozier, forming altogether a strong reinforcement for the army. + + [51] With whom on this occasion Lieutenant Thomson served as a + volunteer. + + [52] In this business Lieutenant Wolley had some narrow escapes. + The commanding officer of the fort rushed out of the guard-room on + the alarm, with a lighted match in his hand. He first fired an + amuzet, luckily pointed in an opposite direction; he then three + times attempted to fire a twenty-four pounder as Mr. Wolley and his + men were advancing to the muzzle of it; but fortunately, either + from the dampness of the powder, or trepidation of the man, it + missed taking effect; on which he flung down his match, and + retreated to the further end of the fort, whither Mr. Wolley + followed; but, from the darkness of the night, he soon lost sight + of him. As he returned he was met by his own men, who, taking him + for an enemy, were about to put him to death, when his voice + discovered their mistake. Had the cannon in the first instance gone + off, it must have made considerable havock among our men, as it was + loaded with a bag of musket balls.--This day Captain Armstrong of + the 8th regiment, was killed by a cannon ball at the landing-place + at Grozier, while giving directions to a serjeant about some + ordnance which was to be landed there. He was on horseback, and had + just remarked, that there could be no danger from the fire at Fleur + d'Epee at that place; a shot, however, from the fort dipped over + the point of land which seemed to shelter the landing-place, and + cut him asunder. He has often been heard to say that he thought + that a man must be truly unfortunate who fell by a single cannon + ball. + +On Tuesday the 24th of June, General Grey opened his batteries, which he +had erected near Grozier, against Fleur d'Epee; at the same time +Brigadier General Dundas kept up a smart fire on Point a Pitre, where +the enemy seemed to be making preparations against the hurricane months, +now approaching, by stripping the ships in the harbour of their sails +and rigging. On the 26th, early in the morning, the enemy, to the number +of three hundred, made a sortie from Fleur d'Epee, on our advanced post, +consisting of one hundred men, but were soon obliged to retreat; we lost +one man killed and eight wounded: at the same time our batteries and +gun-boats cannonaded the fort; in the latter two seamen were wounded. +On the 27th, the batteries at Grozier having opened as usual on Fleur +d'Epee, a detachment of our troops under Brigadier General Fisher +marched forward to attack a piquet of the enemy posted on Morne Mascot, +from whence they drove them after a sharp contest, and established +themselves, as our advanced post, within musket shot of the fort.[53] +During the preceding night the light infantry at camp Berville were sent +by Brigadier General Dundas, under command of Major Ross of the 25th +regiment, to Petit Bourg, where they embarked, and joined the army at +Grozier. This movement, by which the main body was much strengthened, +was effected unperceived by the enemy, and the 39th and 43d regiments +only left at Berville. + + [53] In this affair Captain Morrison of the 58th regiment was + killed by a musket ball through his head as he was leading his men + on to the attack; he fell regretted by all who knew him, being an + accomplished, amiable, and brave man: I too felt severely on this + occasion, having enjoyed much of his society and friendship. The + Commander in Chief, who knew his worth, paid the tribute of + applause to his memory; and the Admiral, when he heard of his fall, + exclaimed, "He has left few equals behind him." + +Several skirmishes now daily took place, and many fell on both sides; +though, from want of steadiness at the last, the enemy were always +greater losers than ourselves. On the morning of the 29th of June, a +large body of the enemy, to the number of one thousand, marched out of +Fort Fleur d'Epee, and seemed to meditate an attack on a detachment of +light infantry under Colonel Gomm, posted to the right of the grenadiers +who were on Morne Mascot, under Brigadier General Fisher. By this false +movement, they hoped that a detachment of the grenadiers would be sent +to reinforce the light infantry, and thereby weaken the force on Morne +Mascot, which was their real object of attack. In a short time, however, +they were perceived mounting the side of Mascot heights, with colours +flying and singing the national songs, covered by a heavy fire of round +and grape-shot from Fleur d'Epee, which prevented our grenadiers from +shewing themselves till the enemy were close to them; on which General +Fisher made them prostrate themselves on the ground, and wait the +approach of the enemy in that posture. The instant the republicans came +within a few yards of them they started up, and an obstinate engagement +commenced, which terminated at length by the grenadiers advancing to the +charge; on which the enemy fled, and were pursued down the hill with +great slaughter. Our loss amounted to thirty killed and wounded: among +the former was Lieutenant Toosey of the 65th regiment; of the latter, +Captain De Rivigne of the artillery, received a ball in the side of his +neck. Brigadier General Fisher was hit three times by grape-shot, which +caused contusions only, and his horse was killed under him. In the +evening the enemy sent in a flag of truce, requesting permission to bury +their dead and carry off their wounded, which was granted them;[54] yet +they left a number of both, on the side of the hill, to the great +annoyance of our piquet, which during the following night was disturbed +by the groans of the dying and wounded. The day following the enemy +again made an attempt, in equal force, against our post on Mascot, and +was again repulsed with great loss. The rainy season being already set +in, and the hurricane months now approaching, determined the Commander +in Chief to make an effort to finish the campaign at once. From his +success in the two last engagements, and the excellent manner in which +he had planned the attack, it would no doubt have succeeded, had his +orders been punctually obeyed. The plan he had laid down was, for a +large body of troops under General Symes, to march during the night, and +make themselves masters of Morne Government, and the other commanding +heights round the town of Point a Pitre, whilst himself, at the head of +the rest of his army, was in readiness on the heights of Mascot to storm +Fort Fleur d'Epee, on receiving a signal from General Symes; but, from +some unfortunate misapprehension, the whole of General Grey's +well-concerted plan was rendered abortive, and the almost total +destruction of our exhausted forces ensued: but it is my business to +detail the events of this unfortunate affair as accurately as the +confused accounts I have received will permit. Brigadier General Symes, +having under his command the first battalion of grenadiers, commanded +by Brigadier General Fisher, and the first and second light infantry, +led by Colonel Gomm, with a detachment of seamen from the Boyne[55] and +Veteran, commanded by Captain Robertson of the Veteran, marched from the +heights of Mascot at about nine o'clock at night, on the 1st of July. +They first descended into a deep ravine thick planted with coffee +bushes, through which there was no road, the seamen bringing up the +rear. The night was uncommonly dark, which rendered their march both +dangerous and fatiguing. After proceeding about a mile they halted on a +road, and were joined by two small field-pieces, which were put under +the charge of Lieutenants Thomson and Maitland, to be dragged by their +seamen. During the halt some people, who were heard to speak French, +were seen near the rear; Lieutenant Wolley endeavoured to secure them, +but they escaped through the bushes, and no further notice was taken of +this. The army moved forward about two miles further, on a road leading +through deep ravines, and made a second halt for about an hour; the +march was then re-commenced, but no orders ever passed during the time: +they now proceeded for some miles without meeting with any obstruction, +when an order came for the seamen in the rear to advance to the attack, +which they did by running as fast as they could for upwards of a mile. +The parties they passed were not in the best order, owing to the +quickness of the march, until they came to the grenadiers, who were +drawn up as a corps de reserve. About this time the bugle horn sounded +to advance, and soon after a heavy firing of round and grape-shot from +Morne Government, and also from several other batteries of the enemy, +commenced, as also from some twelve-pounders landed from the shipping in +the harbour, which were placed in tiers, and entirely enfiladed the road +along which the troops were advancing. After passing the grenadiers, the +seamen were halted for a few minutes to form, they being perfectly out +of order from running; but scarce thirty of them were got together, when +Lieutenant Wolley was ordered to advance with them, and Captain +Robertson remained to form and bring up the rest. The cannonading from +the enemy's guns was the most severe the oldest soldier ever witnessed, +especially from the guns which were on the road; two or three tiers of +which were planted behind each other, from which the enemy were driven +by the bayonets of our gallant fellows, who no sooner had taken one +battery, but another opened on them from behind. The whole now became a +scene of confusion impossible to describe. Instead of any of the heights +being attempted, the greater part of the troops and the seamen were got +into the town, where they were mowed down by the grape-shot, which +played upon them in every direction,[56] as well as musketry from the +windows of the houses. Where-ever our men perceived this, they broke +open the doors, putting all they found in them to death; and those who +could not stand the bayonet were shot as they leaped from the windows. +General Symes was by this time badly wounded,[57] and his horse killed +under him. Colonel Gomm (who led the light infantry), with several other +officers, was killed, and a great many more desperately wounded;[58] and +Captain Robertson, who commanded the seamen, was blown up. At length +General Fisher (the second in command, who, as well as every other +officer on this service, was ignorant of General Symes's plans) sounded +a retreat, and the miserable remains of this gallant party marched off, +the enemy harassing them in their retreat, though kept at bay by the +gallant exertions of the Honourable Captain Stewart with a party of +grenadiers, assisted by Lieutenant Wolley and the seamen of the Boyne, +who covered the retreat; till at length the latter fell by a musket-ball +through his leg, and was brought off by his men. When the remains of +this unfortunate detachment got back to Mascot,[59] General Grey found +it in vain to attempt any thing against Fleur d'Epee, being obliged to +detach the second battalion of grenadiers to cover the retreat, and his +troops being all so much reduced and exhausted, yet from the effect of +the batteries he had erected to cover his attack of Fleur d'Epee, which +opened on that fort in the evening, there could have been no doubt of +success had not the above-related misfortune taken place.[60] It being +totally impossible to attempt any thing further at this season, the +General that night began to reimbark his cannon and mortars, and in two +days had got off the whole of his troops without loss; he then +strengthened the posts on Basse Terre, and having made the best +arrangements possible to maintain them, and to enable him to renew his +attacks on Point a Pitre and Fleur d'Epee after the hurricane months, in +case any reinforcements should arrive (without which it would be totally +impossible), he embarked on board the Boyne, leaving Brigadier General +Colin Graham to command on Basse Terre, and then repaired to St. Pierre +in the island of Martinique, where he established his head-quarters. The +Boyne proceeded to Fort Royal Bay, where she was laid up for the +hurricane months in a snug harbour, called Trois Islet Bay, and the sick +and wounded were landed for the benefit of fresh air, and every +attention paid to them that could alleviate their sufferings. + + [54] A young officer, formerly of Walsh's regiment, took this + opportunity of escaping to us. His name was Clarke, his family of + Martinique, where his father was a counsellor at law. He had been + imprisoned three months at Bourdeaux, on his endeavouring to avoid + joining the armies on the frontiers, and was released to embark on + this expedition, as the only chance of rejoining his friends. He + reported, that one Fremont, a daring fellow, who, though not first + in command, had great influence, was killed this morning on the + walls of Fleur d'Epee, by a musket-ball from one of our people. The + enemy lost in this action upwards of three hundred men. On the + 29th, the Commander in Chief sustained a heavy loss in the death of + Captain Newton Ogle, of the 70th regiment, one of his excellency's + aid-de-camps; he was a young man of an excellent understanding, and + had distinguished himself on all occasions where his exertions had + been called forth. + + [55] Lieutenant Wolley of the Boyne, was appointed acting major of + brigade; and Lieutenants Thomson and Maitland, and Mr. Oswald, + commanded the three companies of seamen. + + [56] One of the frigates in the harbour did great execution; by a + single discharge of grape-shot, killing three officers and + thirty-six privates of the light infantry, who were unfortunately + drawn up in a street effectually commanded by her guns. + + [57] General Symes died soon after of his wound. + + [58] Captain Burnet of the 43d regiment, who had led his company of + grenadiers into the town, was blown up at the time Captain + Robertson was killed. His clothes being on fire, were pulled off by + his brother officers. His face and hands were rendered entirely + black by the explosion. In this situation he first received a + musket-ball which broke his arm, and was then met by his own + grenadiers, who, taking him for one of the French blacks, attacked + him with charged bayonets, and wounded him in three places before + he could make himself known to them. The instant they discovered + their mistake they expressed the utmost horror and contrition, and + brought off this excellent officer in their arms; who, I am happy + to be enabled to add, survived, notwithstanding the dreadful + situation he was in. Lieutenant Conway of the 60th regiment, was + also blown up, and in that condition continued to lead on his men + and encourage them, till unfortunately he fell by a musket-ball + through his body. + + [59] General Grey was waiting on Morne Mascot for Brigadier General + Symes's signal of his having succeeded in taking the heights near + Point a Pitre; having the second battalion of grenadiers, the 65th + regiment, and six companies of Grand Terre, and second battalion of + seamen commanded by Captain Sawyer, ready to attack Fort Fleur + d'Epee by storm. + + [60] Our loss in killed, wounded, and missing, amounted to + thirty-eight officers, forty-three serjeants, and six hundred and + eleven privates. + + I must here beg leave to add an extract from Admiral Sir J. + Jervis's public letters to the Lords of the Admiralty on this + subject. "The fate of Captain Lewis Robertson, who had + distinguished himself highly, fills my mind with the deepest + regret; he had long been a child of misfortune, although he + possessed talents to merit every success and prosperity; and, as I + am informed, has left a widow and infant family unprovided for. I + beg leave to recommend them to the protection and good offices of + their lordships, to obtain a suitable provision, which will be a + great encouragement to officers in similar circumstances, to + emulate so great an example." + + * * * * * + + The celebrated Brigadier General Arnold, being on business of a + mercantile nature at Point a Pitre, was captured at the time the + place fell into the hands of the republicans, and, being + apprehensive of ill treatment, changed his name to Anderson. He was + put on board a prison-ship in the harbour, and had considerable + property in cash with him, of which, it is supposed, Fremont and + Victor Hughes were informed, as he received an intimation from one + of the French sentries, that he was known, and would soon be + guillotined. On this alarming intelligence he determined to attempt + an escape, which he effected in the following masterly manner. At + night he lowered into the sea a cask containing clothes and + valuables, with a direction on it, that if it floated to the shore + of our camp at Berville, it might be known, and restored to him; he + then lowered down his cloak bag to a small raft which he had + prepared, on which also he got himself, and proceeded to a small + canoe, in which he pushed for the British fleet, directed by the + Admiral's lights. On his making towards the mouth of the harbour he + was challenged by the French row guard, but by the darkness of the + night escaped from them, and arrived on board the Boyne by four + o'clock on Monday morning, the 30th of June. + + During the whole time of this latter campaign the fever, which had + been so destructive the preceding year, continued to rage in our + army and navy with unabated violence. General Grey lost all the + servants he brought from England by it, including two who had lived + with him for many years. It first broke out with violence when the + former campaign ended. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF SAIL TO MARTINIQUE ... PROCEEDINGS THERE, + AND AT GUADALOUPE ... CAMP BERVILLE TAKEN ... OCCURRENCES THEREUPON + ... GENERAL PRESCOTT ENTERS FORT MATILDA, WHICH IS INVESTED BY THE + FRENCH ... SIR JOHN VAUGHAN AND ADMIRAL CALDWELL ARRIVE IN THE WEST + INDIES ... SIR CHARLES GREY AND SIR JOHN JERVIS RESIGN THEIR + COMMAND, AND RETURN TO EUROPE. + + +Sir Charles Grey, after giving the necessary orders for erecting +batteries to protect and secure the camp on Basse Terre, sailed with the +Admiral to Martinique, and established his head-quarters at St. +Pierre;[61] having previously distributed the troops (which were not +left under General Graham on Basse Terre) throughout the islands, where +the Brigands began to be very troublesome; and even at Martinique, where +the Commander in Chief resided, they had the audacity to shew +themselves, encouraged by the sickness which raged in all quarters, and +daily weakened our posts. At Grande Rivere and Calabass they appeared in +some force; on which the Commander in Chief detached Captain Hare, at +the head of a detachment of the Prince of Wales's light[62] dragoons, +with Lieutenant Colonel De Soter and the island rangers, who attacked +and routed them, taking three of their leaders prisoners, and dispersing +the rest. At Guadaloupe no time was lost by Brigadier General Graham in +preparing both for attack and defence; he erected gun and mortar +batteries upon the banks of the river Sallee, in the different +situations where it was most likely the enemy might attempt to cross it +from Grande Terre; namely, at the gabarre or ferry, which heretofore was +the point of communication between the two parts of the island; at Morne +Savon and at St. Jean, both commanding the town of Point a Pitre and +Morne Government. By these precautions the Commander in Chief hoped to +prevent the enemy from crossing into Basse Terre till he could get a +reinforcement from England, which he had expected for some time, and had +now dispatched Brigadier General Francis Dundas to explain to government +the absolute necessity there was for a supply of troops in the conquered +islands. The head-quarters of the army in Guadaloupe were at Camp +Berville, a very commanding ground, flanked by the sea on one side, and +on the other by an impassable swamp and wood; about a league in front +was the river Sallee, on the opposite banks of which stood the town of +Point a Pitre; and at the rear, about a mile from the camp, was a narrow +pass, by which alone it could be approached. The batteries under the +direction of Captain De Rivigne, destroyed a great part of the town, so +that the inhabitants were obliged to evacuate it, and encamp on the +adjacent hills. The baneful effects of the climate, together with the +neighbouring swamps, began now to be severely felt by our army, the +officers and men died daily in numbers, and by the middle of August the +list of sick and convalescents composed by far the majority in the camp. +Two frigates and two sloops of war were ordered by the Admiral to cruize +off the harbour of Point a Pitre, to prevent supplies being carried to +the enemy; notwithstanding which many American and other vessels from +the neighbouring disaffected islands, contrived to elude their +vigilance. Victor Hughes, the commissioner from the French convention, +and now commander in chief of their troops in this island (the +commanders of the army and navy that came out with him being dead), was +indefatigable in gaining over the blacks and mulattoes to his interest; +and, in consequence of his late success, they flocked in great numbers +to his standard. As they came in he formed them into different corps, +and had them instructed in the use of arms. The remains of the second +battalion of grenadiers[63] were ordered about the latter end of August +to Guadaloupe, to relieve the flank companies of the 15th and 64th +regiments: they embarked at Fort Royal on board the Dictator, and landed +at Petit Bourg, from whence they marched directly to the camp. During +the month of September the troops in the different camps were, from +sickness, inadequate to furnish guards for the different batteries. +Several companies could not produce a single man fit for duty; the 43d +could not afford a corporal and three men at night, for the protection +of their own camp, much less give their complement for the batteries. +The greater part of the town of Petit Bourg was converted into hospitals +for our sick, besides great numbers ill in the camps; the officers were +equal sufferers with the men, so much so, that field officers were +obliged to mount captain's guard. The different islands were drained of +their troops, in order to keep up some appearance in front of the enemy; +and the royalists had taken the duty of the Gabarre for some time past, +where they conducted themselves with much spirit in several attacks made +upon them by the enemy from the opposite side of the river. The +grenadiers that arrived last, were now reduced, in less than three +weeks, to twenty men; and from the situation of the several camps on the +verge of the swamps, a ground they were obliged to occupy, was truly +deplorable. About this time General Prescott arrived at the town of +Basse Terre, where he took the command, and no appearance of any +reinforcement from England as yet cheered our drooping spirits. On +Saturday, the 26th of September, the enemy from Point a Pitre and Fort +Louis embarked a large body of troops in small vessels, and passing our +ships of war unperceived, under cover of the dark night, effected two +different landings on Basse Terre; the one at Goyave, to the eastward of +Petit Bourg, and the other at Lamantin, near Bay Mahault. As soon as it +was known that this landing was effected, most of our sick were carried +from Petit Bourg on board the ships that lay near that place, and when +the news was received at head-quarters, General Graham ordered all the +troops from the different camps to join at Berville, as the strongest +situation. Every exertion was made to fortify this post in the best +manner possible: across the narrow pass by which alone it could be +approached by land, a strong breast-work was thrown up, with embrasures +for six field-pieces; on the flanks, and immediately in the rear of +this, another was thrown up; and in front of both, on the brow of the +hill, a strong abbatis was formed. The enemy that landed at Bay Mahault +soon possessed themselves of that place; they then marched on to the +Gabarre, where they had nearly surrounded the royalists before they were +able to make their retreat to the camp. The possession of the Gabarre +afforded them an easy conveyance for guns, ammunition, cattle, &c. from +Grande Terre, and they now made their appearance in sight of our camp. +The enemy, who had landed on the opposite part of the island, as soon as +day broke upon them, began their march to Petit Bourg. Lieutenant +Colonel Drummond of the 43d regiment, with some convalescents from the +hospital, and a party of royalists, advanced to meet them; but +perceiving their great superiority of numbers, found it advisable to +retreat through Petit Bourg, and took post at a battery upon the shore +called Point Bacchus, between that village and Camp Berville. The enemy, +on taking possession of Petit Bourg, exercised the most unheard of +cruelties on the unfortunate sick in the hospitals, putting all they +found to death; some of them were fortunate enough to be taken off by +the boats belonging to the men of war lying there. Too much praise +cannot be given to Captain Boyer[64] of the Assurance, for his humane +exertions on this occasion. From the hospitals to the wharf was a +continued scene of misery and horror, being strewed with the bodies of +the sick, who were barbarously put to death as they were crawling to the +shore, in hopes of being taken off by our boats. The next movement of +the enemy was to Point Bacchus, where Colonel Drummond and his party, +being surrounded, were made prisoners. The enemy keeping possession of +this post, entirely cut off all communication between the camp and our +shipping. They then proceeded to possess themselves of the surrounding +heights, and formed a junction with the other party which landed at Bay +Mahault; by which Camp Berville was completely surrounded on the land +side. The utmost strength of Berville camp was now about two hundred and +fifty regular troops, and three hundred royalists; but none of these +could be called effective, being reduced to extremity by sickness and +fatigue. The enemy instantly began to form batteries, one of which, on +an eminence, in some measure commanded our camp. On the 29th of +September, in the morning, the enemy in a large body attacked our +advanced work; our field-pieces and musketry opened a heavy fire upon +them, and an engagement ensued, which continued with equal fury for +three hours; when, after having been charged the third time by our +troops, the enemy retreated, leaving on the field in killed and wounded +seven hundred men, our loss amounting to about twenty. In the forenoon +of this day, the enemy had sent a number of gun-boats from Point a +Pitre, some of which anchored off the shore at Berville, and others +under Point Bacchus, with a view to stop the communication between our +camp and shipping, and force the latter out of the harbour of Petit +Bourg. Each of their schemes succeeded, so that now the camp (ill +supplied with provisions and stores, which were left chiefly at Petit +Bourg) saw no possibility of getting a further supply. This morning +Major Irvine was killed by a twenty-four pounder from the enemy's +gun-boat, as he was sitting in the cabin of the Assurance; in which he +and a number of others had embarked. As soon as the news of these +disasters reached the Commanders in Chief, the Boyne was got out of +Trois Islet Bay, without loss of time; and, although the hurricane +season was not entirely past, the Admiral embarked, and sailed on +Tuesday, the 30th of September, from Martinique, and anchored off +Grozier, in the bay of Point a Pitre, by 10 A.M. On Thursday, the 2d of +October, the two-gun battery there, opened upon us with red-hot shot, +and continued to fire for a considerable time, but without effect. This +night the Admiral endeavoured to open a communication with Camp +Berville, but was prevented by the vigilance of the enemy, who now +occupied every avenue to it. On the morning of the 30th, the enemy +renewed their attacks on General Graham's camp at Berville, and again on +the 4th of October, still bringing (hydra like) greater numbers to the +charge; their success, however, was the same as on the first attack, +having lost during the three attacks, on a moderate computation, two +thousand men. In the second attack General Graham was wounded by a +musket-ball in the leg, and several of his officers fell.[65] After the +third action the enemy sent in a flag of truce, offering terms of +capitulation, which General Graham in a spirited manner refused; the +officers, however, waited on the General, and stated, that the troops, +reduced by sickness and fatigue, were no longer able to undergo the +duty, which now pressed heavy on them, and were so harassed as to be +incapable of withstanding another attack, which the enemy promised to +make on them the following morning. General Graham therefore, +reconsidering the matter, consented to send a flag to the enemy, and, +after some time, the terms of capitulation were agreed to; but, alas! +the unfortunate royalists were not included, though the General +endeavoured all he could to make terms for them: he succeeded however +thus far, to have permission to send a covered boat to the Boyne, in +which he embarked twenty-five officers of the royalists; their +unfortunate brethren, to the number of three hundred, who had defended +their posts to the last, with the most determined resolution, were +doomed to suffer death by the hands of their republican countrymen in +cold blood, in a manner hitherto, I believe, unheard of, at least +unrecorded in the annals of the most savage and abandoned people.[66] +Humanity must shudder at the idea; the republicans erected a guillotine, +with which they struck off the heads of fifty of them. Thinking, +however, this mode of proceeding too tedious, they invented a more +summary plan; they tied the remainder of these unhappy men fast +together, and placed them on the brink of the trenches which they had so +gallantly defended; they then drew up some of their undisciplined +recruits in front, who firing an irregular volley at their miserable +victims, killed some, wounded others, and some, in all probability, were +untouched; the weight however of the former dragged the rest into the +ditch, where the living, the wounded, and the dead, shared the same +grave, the soil being instantly thrown upon them. The English troops +were to be allowed to march out with the honours of war, and to be +embarked on board French ships, which were to sail for England within +twenty-one days after the surrender,[67] on condition that they would +not serve against the French during the war. A great quantity of arms +and ammunition fell into the hands of the enemy at this camp, and at +Petit Bourg. Immediately after the surrender of Berville, Victor Hughes +moved towards the town of Basse Terre, now our last stake on this +island, laying waste the plantations, and burning the beautiful seats of +the royalists as he passed along. Sir John Jervis, who had made every +attempt to succour General Graham's camp at Berville, and had been an +unwilling spectator from the fleet, of the surrender of that camp to the +enemy, now made sail for Basse Terre, to render every assistance in his +power to General Prescott;[68] and on the 9th of October, anchored +within half a cable's length of the town. General Prescott instantly +came on board to consult with the Admiral on the best mode of procedure +in this critical state of affairs; and it was determined that the whole +force which the General could collect, should go into the fort, and the +Admiral, in the Boyne, would render every assistance in his power to the +garrison; a promise he performed in a manner that drew the warmest +thanks and approbation of General Prescott and his officers. At this +time the French royalists had entirely abandoned us, and the militia, +who had demanded arms, positively refused to enter the fort, and soon +after deserted to the enemy: a party in the town seemed also ready to +rise upon our people; but by the vigilance and activity of General +Prescott they were overawed, and he continued to ride into the town +unattended as usual. The fort was in a miserable state, nothing having +been done to it since the peace of 1783; and Clairfontaine,[69] a +royalist, who had been appointed administrateur general, wanting either +influence or ability to procure negroes for the purpose, the fort was +no way better than when it fell into our hands, except being cleaner, +and supplied with provisions. On the 12th of October, a schooner bearing +a flag of truce, arrived from Victor Hughes; in it came Captain Eiston, +of the 35th regiment,[70] for a supply of money and baggage for our +captured countrymen, with which he returned in two days to Point a +Pitre. General Prescott had taken the precaution to order all the +batteries along the coast, as well as those on the passes of the +Palmiste, to be destroyed, their guns spiked, and magazines blown up; +but, owing to the shortness of the time allowed for it, and the weakness +of the force employed, the enemy soon got them repaired to use against +us. Captain Bowen, in the Terpsichore, was dispatched to Trois Riviere, +to destroy a battery there,[71] where he saw and fired on the enemy, who +were marching in great force towards the heights of Palmiste. On which +he returned, and informed the Admiral of this, by whom the intelligence +was instantly forwarded to General Prescott, who had sent Captain Thomas +of the 28th regiment (his aid-de-camp) to request some seamen to +reinforce his garrison, which were most readily granted by the Admiral. +While Captain Thomas was on board the Boyne, the enemy, to his great +astonishment, were seen on the heights of Palmiste. As there were a few +royalists about the General, some of whose slaves were with the enemy, +of course he ought to have received earlier information of their +approach; but this shews how all intelligence was withheld from us. For +ten days after the General had withdrawn the whole of his force into the +fort, he occasionally sent parties into the town, as the Boyne still +kept the enemy quiet there; but in a short time they got some guns up to +an eminence, named by us the White-house Battery, that obliged the +Admiral to weigh anchor: but he still continued to hover about the +coast, occasionally sending reinforcements and provisions, and keeping +up a constant intercourse with General Prescott in the fort. In the +course of this business the Boyne was frequently engaged with the +different batteries, and was exposed to great danger from the mortars, +which the enemy began to play upon us with much judgment. On the 20th of +October, the battery on Houelmont opened on the Terpsichore, but without +effect. Our garrison in the fort threw some shells which drove them from +thence; they, however, soon returned again to their guns. The next day +they again attacked the frigate, and hit her; which obliged Captain +Bowen to get near the land, out of the direction of their guns. On the +23d, the White-house Battery, having several heavy guns mounted, began a +smart fire on the Boyne, which was returned from her lower deckers; +afterwards we engaged a battery, into which the enemy had just come, at +the N. W. end of the town, from whence we drove them; but being obliged +to haul off shore occasionally, they at length completed their purpose, +but not so as to be able to hinder us from approaching the land to keep +up an intercourse with the garrison. On this service (as on every other) +Captain Bowen eminently distinguished himself, having anchored the +Terpsichore, within a short distance of the fort, in a bay under +Houelmont. On the 25th the Quebec, Captain Rogers, Beaulieu, Captain +Riou, and Zebra, Captain Vaughan, arrived from a cruise. The enemy now +increased their forces daily in this part of the island, pressing into +their service all the negroes who were on the different estates; and if +from timidity or any other cause they demurred, they were instantly +shot: from the ship we saw them firing on some negroes of their own, +who, from fear, were endeavouring to get off. On the night of the 26th, +Lieutenant James, with a party of seamen, marched out of the fort to the +military hospital, which he set on fire, being a place that the enemy +would soon have made a considerable post against us. On the 29th, the +Boyne, as usual sailing towards the fort, was becalmed by the high land +of Houelmont, and being within a short distance, was cannonaded from +that battery for several hours. From the height of its situation none of +our guns could be brought to bear against it; however, after +considerable danger, the ship got out of the bay without any damage. On +the 5th of November, the enemy opened ten batteries against the fort at +the same instant, and a party of them, with a field-piece, under cover +of the night, had taken post on the brow of the hill under which the +Terpsichore and Experiment were anchored. As soon as the seamen were +arranged at day-break, to wash the decks as usual, they were surprised +by a heavy shower of musketry from over their heads. The Experiment +endeavoured to get away, but being totally becalmed, it was some time +before she could accomplish it. (Captain Miller had gone on board the +Vanguard, and Captain Skynner was then in the Boyne, receiving his +commission.[72]) Captain Bowen, with a presence of mind that never +forsook him, ordered up all the muskets that could be procured, and, +encouraging his men with great spirit and some effect, returned the fire +of the enemy, who now brought their field-piece to bear on the ship; he +was therefore obliged to weigh anchor, and get out of the bay as well as +he could, his great guns being totally useless from the elevated +situation of the enemy: two or three only of our people were wounded, +though the deck was studded with musket-balls. The fort[73] was now +closely invested by land; by the sea a communication was continued the +whole siege, Captain Bowen, in the Terpsichore, never relaxing for a +moment in his exertions to serve and assist the garrison. The water in +the tank being bad (the enemy having cut off the aqueduct that supplied +it), General Prescott ordered an armed party every morning and evening +to the river Galion, to protect those sent thither for water. This was +continued during the whole siege; cohorns and grape-shot being fired +into the ravines and woods beyond the river, and other precautions +taken, these parties met with little molestation. All the buildings in +the fort being destroyed by the fire of the enemy, the garrison was +obliged to take shelter in the Bomb-proof, a close and unwholesome +confinement in this climate. On the 6th of November, Victor Hughes sent +an insolent summons to General Prescott, to surrender the fort in two +hours, which if not complied with, no further terms would be offered, +and the whole garrison would be put to the sword. To this the General +made a short answer, "that he would defend it as a soldier to the last +extremity." The instant the hour was expired that the General allowed +the French officer to return to Victor Hughes, he opened a heavy fire +from all his batteries against the republicans, and continued it through +the day without any return from them. Some stores and provisions were +about this period sent to the garrison from Dominica, and the merchants +of St. Pierre also made a welcome present of refreshments; the enemy at +the same time began to supply their advanced batteries with necessaries +by sea in small boats, that, keeping close in shore, evaded our +cruisers, and landed at the town of Basse Terre. On the 12th of +November, the Boyne was exposed for some time to a heavy fire from +several batteries; one shell burst immediately over her, but without +doing any mischief. At nine A. M. on the 14th of November, the Beaulieu, +being then off Vieu Fort, made a signal to the Admiral, of an enemy of +superior force being in sight. Immediately all hands were ordered to +quarters, and every preparation made to give them a warm reception; at +length three line-of-battle ships hove in sight, which, to our great +joy, proved to be a reinforcement from England; the Majestic, Captain +Westcott, with Vice Admiral Caldwell's flag on board; the Theseus, +Captain Calder; and Bellona, Captain Wilson: by them we were informed +that Sir John Vaughan had arrived at St. Pierre, and Sir Charles Grey +had given up the command to him. Sir John Jervis, worn down by long and +severe exertions, the fatigues of which were augmented by his anxiety +for the welfare of the service, that not all his exertions could promote +without the arrival of a strong reinforcement, together with the +unhealthiness of the climate, found himself no longer able to continue +on this station, and therefore, to the great grief of General Prescott, +was obliged to give up his command to Admiral Caldwell, and embarking +his seamen (under Lieutenant James) from Fort Matilda, sailed for St. +Pierre; when, every thing being arranged and settled between the several +commanders, Sir Charles Grey and his suite embarked once more with Sir +John Jervis on board the Boyne; on the 27th of November they sailed for +England, and after a tedious voyage (being for near a month tossed about +in the Channel by contrary winds) arrived at Spithead the 21st of +January 1795. + + [61] Among the many causes of uneasiness that now bore hard upon + the Commanders in Chief (by the failure of their well-concerted + plans, the dreadful mortality among their troops, and the despair + of reinforcements arriving from Europe) the misconduct of one high + in estimation as an officer, and hitherto looked upon as a man of + strict integrity, was not the least galling. The case was this: At + the taking of St. Lucia, Colonel Sir Charles Gordon, who had + repeatedly distinguished himself by his gallant conduct, was + appointed governor of that island, and in the last promotion was + advanced to the rank of brigadier general; soon after which some + very unpleasant reports prevailed, of extortions and peculations by + him, and taking bribes of the inhabitants, who were supposed to be + disaffected, in order to suffer them to remain on the island, and + then breaking his word with them. At length a regular complaint was + laid before the Commander in Chief, who instantly ordered a court + martial to be summoned, and sent an officer to St. Lucia to arrest + Sir Charles Gordon, and convey him to Martinique, in order for + trial. At this time the fever raged so violently that the two first + courts-martial that met on this business, were dissolved by the + death of a majority of the members. At length, in order to prevent + the like accident from again interrupting the course of justice, + the General appointed a greater number of officers than usual to + attend, and the trial proceeded; the event of which was, that the + prisoner was found guilty of the crimes laid to his charge, and was + sentenced to refund the money he had extorted, and to be rendered + incapable of serving his majesty again: but, in consequence of some + favourable circumstances that came out on the trial, he was allowed + to sell his commission. See Appendix, pages 42, 43, 48. + + [62] The horses that were sent from America for the purpose of + mounting the light dragoons, were so bad, that only three out of + forty were sound, or fit for service, insomuch that Captain Hare + was obliged to present a memorial to the Commander in Chief on the + subject. + + [63] Consisting of seventy rank and file only. + + [64] I am sorry to add, that this officer soon afterwards fell a + victim to the yellow fever. + + [65] In one of these attacks Monsieur Vermont was shot through the + body, his lieutenant, Monsieur De Lisle, was shot through his + breast, and another of his officers killed; in this situation he + beat off the enemy. This gallant, but unfortunate officer, was, at + the beginning of the revolution, possessed of a good estate near + Trois Riviere on Basse Terre, which soon made him an object of + republican vengeance; his house was attacked, but he escaped into + the woods, supposing that his amiable wife would be safe from their + fury, being far advanced in her pregnancy; but the monsters, not + regarding her situation, put her to death with circumstances of + barbarity too dreadful to relate, and such as would fill, I trust, + every Briton's breast with the utmost horror; his aged mother too, + and beautiful sister, shared the same fate. He was taken and thrown + into prison at Fort Matilda, to reserve him for a public spectacle + on the guillotine, when we arrived, and released him from thence by + the capture of the island. + + [66] Their conduct prior to, and since the enemy had attacked the + camp, deserved a far better fate: finding themselves excluded from + terms of capitulation, they wished permission to cut their way + through the enemy's army, by which a few of them, at least, might + escape, and the rest meet an honourable death; but this request, it + is said, was refused; perhaps it was believed that on their capture + the enemy would relent, and not put their sanguinary threats into + execution. Two of these unfortunate men hastened to the shore, in + hopes of getting on board the covered boat; but being disappointed, + and aware of the fate that awaited them, they instantly shot + themselves on the beach. On hearing of this melancholy business, + General Grey published an order that did equal honour to his + feelings and his mind. See Appendix, page 53. + + [67] This part of the agreement, however, was not complied with, as + they remained prisoners for more than a year afterwards, during + which time many of them died. + + [68] General Prescott had so small a force in that quarter, that he + could not possibly afford any material assistance to General + Graham; but he had made an effort by sending a detachment from the + 35th regiment to support some royalists at St. Marie, which however + proved ineffectual; and the numbers at Martinique being now too + small for the defence of it, General Grey was unable to afford any + assistance from thence; however he ordered the flank companies of + the 4th battalion, of the 60th regiment from St. Vincent's, and + part of the 21st from St. Christopher's, to reinforce Brigadier + General Graham. Fortunately, however, they arrived too late, as + their numbers were inadequate to save it, and they afterwards made + part of the garrison at Fort Matilda. + + [69] This gentleman, after having enjoyed a lucrative post, was + unwilling to lose the fruits of it, and, instead of rendering any + assistance to General Prescott, he took French leave, not + forgetting to carry with him a chest well lined, in order to render + his residence at Antigua comfortable. + + [70] The republican officer who came with him informed us that he + saw the execution of the unfortunate royalists, and that + twenty-seven heads were struck off in seven minutes and a half! + + [71] On the 19th of October the Admiral sent Lieutenant Skynner + with a party of seamen to a battery at the N. W. end of the town, + from whence he brought off some cannon and mortars. + + [72] On the 2d of November, Captain Miller was promoted to the + command of the Vanguard, Captain Sawyer being removed to the + Assurance, vice Captain Bryer, deceased; and Lieutenant Launcelot + Skynner of the Boyne, was appointed commander of the Experiment, + vice Captain Miller. + + [73] Fort Matilda, formerly Fort Charles, was at first a battery + only, erected to command the road; afterwards it was enclosed as a + depot for arms and ammunition in case of insurrection among the + slaves; and during the last war the French added to its outworks, + which were now totally in ruins, but served the enemy, particularly + those on the opposite side of the Galion river, as trenches, and + effectually covered their musketry that commanded the principal + works of the besieged: in short, the fort was completely commanded + on the three sides by land, so that not a man in it could move + without being seen by the enemy. + + * * * * * + +As we left General Prescott in a perilous situation, it may be proper to +give an account of the conclusion of the siege, though it comes not +within the original plan of my work, which professed only to relate the +events that took place under the immediate command of Sir Charles Grey +and Sir John Jervis. This I am enabled to do from the communication of a +brave and intelligent friend who was there during the whole siege. On +the 29th of November, Captain Cockburne, aid-de-camp of General Sir John +Vaughan, was sent by his Excellency to Fort Matilda, with the unwelcome +news that no more men could be sent thither. On the 5th of December, +General Prescott dispatched Captain Thomas, his aid-de-camp, to the +Commander in Chief, with an account of the fort being almost in ruins; +this officer returned thither on the 7th, and found that the bastion +towards the river Galion was totally silenced, and so completely +commanded by the enemy's musketry, that not a man could approach it; the +adjoining curtain was much in the same state; the bastion towards the +town was giving way, and expected to tumble into the ditch every moment. +General Prescott no longer thought of defence, but to secure his small +garrison, now highly necessary for the defence of the other islands, the +unparalleled mortality having left them almost without troops. The +pestilential fever had been, in proportion, more fatal to the officers +than the men; in the garrison, for instance, there was no officer of +intermediate rank between the General and his aid-de-camp Captain +Thomas, who was second in command. On the 9th of December, this officer +was dispatched to Admiral Thompson, and after the plan of embarkation +was settled, he returned to the fort, and the evacuation commenced at +nine o'clock on the 10th of December, and was conducted with so much +skill, that not a man was lost. In the morning two of the garrison +deserted to the enemy; but the General had concealed his intentions so +well, that not the least intelligence of it seems to have been given by +them. There was no interruption to the retreat except a few musket-shots +on the beach, from one of which that active officer Captain Bowen was +badly wounded in the face. The enemy, unconscious of this movement, +cannonaded and bombarded the fort as usual, until two o'clock the next +morning, though the embarkation had been completed by eleven the +preceding night. The whole force that marched out of Fort Matilda, was +between four and five hundred: some of them were sent to the Isle de +Saintes and Antigua, and the remainder to Martinique. Thus concluded a +siege of eight weeks and two days, during the whole of which General +Prescott evinced the most perfect coolness and true soldierly +resolution, neither appalled by the tremendous and well-directed fire +constantly, both night and day, kept up against the fort, nor by the +insolent and threatening summonses of Victor Hughes.[74] In the +handsomest manner he bore testimony to the zeal and activity of Sir John +Jervis, who relaxed not in his attention to the wants of the garrison, +till he was obliged to quit the station; leaving however, in Captain +Bowen, a man whose existence seemed to be preserved, amidst the greatest +dangers, for the service of his country. Admiral Thompson had his share +of praise too for the manner in which he had conducted the embarkation. +During the siege seventeen were killed, and seventy-nine were wounded. +General Prescott immediately repaired to Saint Pierre, at Martinique, +where he received the well-earned thanks and congratulations of all +ranks, for his spirited and gallant defence of Fort Matilda. Victor +Hughes,[75] on taking possession of the fort, ordered the monument that +had been erected over General Dundas, to be destroyed, and his remains +thrown into the river Galion; a conduct as mean and brutal, as it was +undeserved. I cannot conclude without mentioning the death of that +gallant officer, Captain Faulknor, commanding the Blanche frigate of +thirty-two guns, who, on the 5th of January, fell in with the republican +frigate, La Pique of thirty-eight guns, off the harbour of Point a +Pitre; the action was maintained with the greatest fury and obstinacy +for five hours, during which Captain Faulknor fell by a musket-ball as +he was a second time lashing the bowsprit of La Pique to the capstern of +his own ship. The loss of this brave man must be deplored by every +friend to the service; his courage and determined bravery had been often +tried, and always with success, as in the course of this work I have +frequently had occasion to mention. On his death the command devolved on +the first lieutenant, Mr. Watkins, who continued the action in a manner +that did him immortal honour. The French ship having lost her main and +mizen sails, the Blanche took her in tow, still continuing the +engagement, when the stern ports not being large enough, they blew the +upper transom beam away, and fired into her bows for three hours. The +marines under Lieutenant Richardson, kept so well directed a fire, that +not a man could appear on her forecastle until she struck; sixty-seven +of her crew were dead on the decks; many had been thrown overboard; one +hundred and ten wounded were landed at the Saintes; and one hundred and +seventy-four were taken to Martinique. The Blanche had ten killed, +including the Captain, and twenty-four wounded. Captain Faulknor's +exertions in forwarding the service on every occasion, both during, and +since the campaign, were unremitting. Indeed the English cause in the +West Indies, at this instant, could hardly have received a deeper wound +than it did by the death of this brave and zealous man. + + [74] During the siege a cannon ball took off the fore part of the + General's hat. He coolly observed, "that a miss was as good as a + mile!" + + [75] So much having been said of this man, it may be agreeable to + the reader to be informed of his origin, and pursuits in the former + part of his life.--Victor Hughes was originally a petty inn-keeper + at Basse Terre, Guadaloupe; from whence he was driven for some + misdemeanor, and became master of a small trading vessel at St. + Domingo; then a lieutenant in the French navy; and afterwards a + deputy in the national assembly: from whence he came out to the + West Indies as commissioner, with controlling powers over the + commanders of the army and navy. His abilities were certainly good, + his courage and perseverance undoubted; but, from the ferocity of + his character, he was both feared and hated. Colonel Drummond, who + with his small party was taken at Point Bacchus, relates that the + republicans put to death all the sick they found in the hospital at + Petit Bourg, many of the women, and some children, cutting off + heads, and otherwise mutilating the bodies; that, as the men who + surrendered with him at Point Bacchus, fainted in their march, they + were instantly bayonetted; the Colonel himself was, by particular + directions from Victor Hughes, ordered to clean the prison ship in + turn with the others; but from this disgrace he was relieved by the + dutiful attachment of his men, who would not permit it: his food + and lodging were the same as the rest, no attention being paid to + his rank; but from the respect and good behaviour of his men, not + one of whom would desert from him. A great number of people of all + ages, sexes, and conditions, were condemned to the guillotine by + this inexorable tyrant, all of whom were conducted in boats round + the prison ship, in order to distress and intimidate the British + prisoners. + + + + +APPENDIX. + + + _Head Quarters, Barbadoes, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1794._ + + Parole, ST. DOMINGO. C. S. WILLIAMSON. + +The Commander in Chief, having nearly finished all his arrangements to +open the campaign with vigour, thinks it necessary, during the few days +the troops remain at Barbadoes, to give out the orders proper for the +regulation and conduct of the troops; and he anxiously calls upon every +commanding officer of brigades, regiments, and corps, to support him in +the due and strict observance thereof. The object of the campaign is to +complete the conquest of the French West India Islands. Great +sufficiency of provisions and a numerous train of artillery are +provided. The General is so thoroughly convinced of the zeal and +intelligence of the officers and soldiers under his command, that he +knows many orders upon the present occasion are unnecessary; yet, to +shorten orders in future, it may not be improper to explain to the +soldiers the fatal consequences of straggling ever so little away from +camp in quest of plunder; it is next to a certainty they will fall +ignobly by the hands of the country people: or if they should escape, +they may depend upon suffering the severe punishment due to disobeying +military orders; as the General will never allow (while he has the +honour to command such troops) practices of that nature to gain ground, +as that alone, in time, will defeat the bravest army in the world, and +render all their efforts useless. The British soldiers cannot be +ignorant of the high reputation they have always acquired for obedience, +attention, and expertness, in arms; and consequently they must be +sensible how much their king and country expect from them: and the +General is impressed with every assurance, that the troops will not +disappoint them upon this occasion. The General takes the liberty to +assure them, that they are able to fight any troops upon earth; and he +will be answerable that it would not be a contest of ten minutes between +this army and the best troops of France, whether the affair was to be +decided by fire or bayonet. This last method is always to be preferred, +but much more so when acting against such bad troops as the army we are +now to be opposed to, the enemy being made up chiefly of negroes and +mulattoes, with a very small proportion of regular troops; to be beat by +whom would be so disgraceful, that he cannot entertain the most distant +thought of it. The present distracted state of France makes it +impossible to support them, therefore it only requires the usual +perseverance and gallantry of British soldiers to conquer the first +island that an attack is made upon, which will certainly decide the fate +of the whole, shorten the campaign, and put an honourable end to the +labour and exertion of the troops. The General thinks it a duty +incumbent on him, and which he doubts not will be taken well, to point +out further what he thinks necessary, either for their own particular +good, or that more noble object, the good of their king and country. The +General desires the soldiers will consider what hardships must attend +their profession; that there is as much true honour in bearing them with +manly fortitude, as in forcing the cannon of an enemy; patience under +difficulties being one of the first virtues in a military character, and +without which no man, however brave, will ever be a soldier. In times +like the present some sacrifice of convenience must always be made to +necessity; at the same time the soldiers may be assured that every +attention will be paid by the Commander in Chief, and every other +officer, to have them well supplied with every article that the nature +of the service will admit. On the other hand, he hopes the soldiers will +be so thoroughly convinced of this, that not one of them will be so lost +to honour and virtue, and the service of their country, as not readily +and most cheerfully to put up with every inconvenience, and even to the +scarcity of provisions, if it should so happen. The General means to +carry the business through with as little loss as possible, and with the +strictest attention to the preservation of the troops: to this end he +expects that every duty required will be carried forward by the troops +without the least unsoldier-like behaviour or complaint, and that all +orders will be strictly obeyed. The army is sent to carry on honourable +war against the French colonies, and by their conduct, in preserving +the persons and properties of the peaceable inhabitants, to conciliate +the minds of the people to the British government; therefore the General +determinately assures the troops, that he will allow of no drunkenness +or licentious behaviour, no burning of churches, houses, or edifices of +any description, without orders, or plundering in any shape whatever. +All persons that with their property remain in their habitations, shall +be treated with humanity. No violence to be offered, particularly to +women, on any pretence whatever. The strictest subordination and +discipline to be preserved throughout the whole army; and the commanding +officer of brigades, regiments, and corps, must be responsible +accordingly to the Commander in Chief.--The commanding officer will be +careful that these orders, and every other that comes out, are +distinctly read to their men by an officer, and be clearly understood by +both officers and soldiers.--However it may hurt the General's feelings, +he is determined to make immediate examples of all those who shall +presume to disobey his orders; more particularly that part of them +relative to plundering, ill treatment of peaceable inhabitants, or +firing of houses, &c. And Captain Vipond, provost marshal, has his +orders to execute upon the spot every offender caught in such horrid +acts, without trial.--It may be necessary here to acquaint all officers' +servants (not soldiers), and followers of the army of every description, +that they are subject to military law, and liable in like manner with +the troops to the punishment of death, or corporal punishment, according +to the nature of the offence. Each regiment and corps will apprize them +of this, that ignorance may not be pleaded as an excuse. The success of +this army totally depends upon a proper and strict degree of order and +discipline being maintained; the General therefore again calls upon +officers of every rank to assist him in enforcing it; for the whole are +not to suffer by a disorderly few, who, if allowed to go on, would be +the destruction of the whole army. + +The provost marshal's guard to mount to-morrow morning at six o'clock, +consisting of one sergeant, two corporals, twelve privates; and Captain +Vipond will direct patroles to go out as he judges necessary, for the +purpose of preserving order and regularity.--William Allen, sergeant +major, of the forty-eighth regiment, is appointed deputy to the provost +marshal; Captain Scott, of the sixth regiment, to act as major to that +regiment; and Quarter Master William Haugh to do the duty of adjutant +till further orders.--Carpenters are much wanted to expedite the +equipment of hospital ships, and other necessary work on board the +fleet; returns to be given in by each corps to-morrow of the number of +carpenters they have, and such as they can furnish; to be supplied on +the application of Captain Armstrong, assistant to the quarter master +general, who will receive and take care to return them on board their +respective transports. Working parties from the troops afloat are +necessary for the same purpose, and will be supplied in rotation, by +corps, with a proper proportion of non-commissioned officers, on the +application of Captain Armstrong to the officers commanding regiments +or battalions. The sixth regiment, and such of the flank companies not +yet completed with camp equipage, will receive it on board the Sincerity +brig to-morrow morning at six o'clock. The quarter masters of the +respective battalions will attend to receive it.--Lieutenant Geyer of +the sixty-seventh regiment to do duty with the sixth +regiment.--Provost's guard, first battalion grenadiers. One sergeant, +nine privates of the ninth regiment on board the army brig to be landed +this evening, and to march to St. Ann's, where they are to remain till +further orders. The light companies at St. Ann's Castle will fire ball +this evening, &c. &c. + + * * * * * + +Lieut. Colonel Gomm was left to command at Barbadoes. + + + + +FURTHER ORDERS BEFORE EMBARKATION. + + ORDERS. _Barbadoes, January 24, 1794._ + + EXTRACT. + +The safety of an army depending in a great measure upon the guards and +out-posts, they cannot be too vigilant; therefore the Commander in Chief +expects, that whatever post or guard an officer is ordered to take, he +will first visit his situation and ground around it, and post his +centinels so as to render it out of the power of the enemy to surprise +him. It is the greatest disgrace that can possibly befall an officer; +and so much so in the General's opinion, that any officer, or +non-commissioned officer, who shall suffer himself to be surprised, must +not expect to be forgiven.--All out-posts to fortify themselves as well +as they can, to prevent any insult from parties of the enemy. The troops +always to form two deep; and, the roads being so narrow in the island, +it will be necessary for them to march by files: if there is room to do +otherwise, the commanding officer will be the best judge.--The soldiers +will bear in mind the use of the bayonet, which in possession of, they +can have no excuse for retreating for want of ammunition, the bayonet +being the best and most effectual weapon in the hands of a gallant +British soldier; in which mode of attack (the General assures them) no +troops upon earth are equal to them. In case of a night attack, +ammunition and firing are totally out of the question, and the bayonet +is ever to be preferred and made use of. Every reason is in favour of +this system; amongst many others the following, viz. It conceals you and +your numbers from the enemy; the enemy direct their fire wherever they +see or hear fire, consequently fire upon each other, whilst you are +concealed, and they fall an easy prey. The General assures the troops of +this from his own repeated experience; and the soldiers may rely in +confidence upon him, that if it is strictly adhered to, it will seldom, +if ever, fail of success.--As it may be necessary at particular times to +order the grenadiers, light infantry, and advanced corps, to retire, in +order more effectually to secure the defeat of the enemy, the Commander +in Chief thinks it necessary to apprize the army of this, to prevent any +alarm such an appearance might otherwise occasion amongst the +soldiers.--Weak and sickly men are not to embark with their regiments or +corps; proper measures will be taken to get those men to their regiments +as soon as they are in a state fit for duty. No women to come on shore +till particularly ordered, &c. + +The undernamed are the officers of Royal Engineers to serve the army on +the expedition. + + Colonels Elias Durnford, Chief Engineer. + John Chillcotts. + Robert Douglas. + + Captains William Johnston. + James Gieddes. + Lewis Hay. + + 1st Lieutenants Richard Downe. + Douglas Lawson. + Richard Fletcher. + + 2d Lieutenant Elias Walker Durnford. + +No emigrants allowed to go as servants or otherwise from Barbadoes with +the expedition, without particular leave from the Commander in Chief; +nor any negroes to be hired by the officers, without the consent of +their owners. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Riviere Sallee, Feb. 6, 1794._ + + GENERAL ORDERS. + + Parole, MARTINICO. C. S. MORNE. + + Field Officer for the day, Lieut. Colonel Buckridge. + + The army will halt to-day. + + +The Commander in Chief cannot but express the highest sense he +entertains of the exertion of the officers and soldiers in a long +fatiguing march yesterday, and the orderly behaviour of the men during +the whole march, and which must at all times demand his utmost +attention; and he assures them the same conduct will (and speedily) put +an end to the campaign.--The Commander in Chief is pleased to order an +extra day of fresh provisions and rum to be issued out to the men this +day as soon as possible.--The regiments which loaded yesterday on their +march will draw their pieces immediately; and no regiment to load in +future without orders, except the advanced guard.--A general court +martial to be convened immediately for the trial of William Milton, of +the English light dragoons, and Samuel Price, of the black dragoons, for +robbery; and all such prisoners as shall be brought before them. Capt. +Cunningham, and Jacques and Falice, to appear as witnesses. + + Lieutenant Colonel Blundell, President. + + Lieutenant Colonel Johnston. + + Major Watson. + + Major Ross. + + Major Baillie. + + Third battalion grenadiers 2 Captains. + + Second light infantry 1 Ditto. + + Third ditto 1 Ditto. + + Third brigade 4 Ditto. + +Names of the members, and dates of their commissions, to be given in +immediately to Major Lyon, deputy quarter master general, acting judge +advocate. List of the evidence for and against to be given in at the +same time. The quarter masters of the different regiments at head +quarters to give in to the quarter master general a return of the +effective strength immediately. + + + + +AFTER ORDERS. _Feb. 7, 1794._ + + +William Milton, private in the detachment of British light dragoons, and +Samuel Price, a negro, attached to the dragoons, tried by a general +court martial, of which Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Blundell was president, +for having entered the house of Jacques, an inhabitant of this place, +and robbing him of a sum of money, are both found guilty of the crime +laid to their charge; and, by virtue of the power and authority vested +in the court by the fourth article of the twenty-third section of the +articles of war, the said prisoners, William Milton and Samuel Price, +are adjudged to suffer death; which is approved of by the Commander in +Chief, and the general court martial is dissolved. + +The Commander in Chief feels most sensibly, and laments the necessity of +making examples so immediately after landing, notwithstanding the +strongest and most pointed orders given by him so recently against every +kind of irregularity and improper behaviour in soldiers on service, but +particularly against this very crime committed by the prisoners. +Determined, however, to have his orders obeyed, to preserve discipline +in the army, which is so essential to its success, and to prevent a +repetition of crimes so base, disgraceful, and detestable, the +prisoners, William Milton and Samuel Price, are ordered to be executed +at eight o'clock to-morrow morning. The troops to parade at seven +o'clock to-morrow morning, in readiness to attend the execution. The +ninth and fifteenth regiments to send four men each in augmentation of +the castle guard in the rear of the head quarters. Six mules will be +delivered to each of the flank battalions, and four to each regiment, at +nine o'clock to-morrow morning, at the quarter master general's. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Riviere Sallee, Feb. 8, 1794._ + + Parole, WHYTE. C. S. BATTERIES. + + Field Officer of the day, Major Watson. + + +The Commander in Chief hopes the awful scene of this morning will have +its proper effect, and not lay him again under the most feeling and +painful necessity of repeating it, but which must certainly be the +unhappy case in the persons of future offenders. The General could not +be justified in the eyes of his king and country, and this army he has +the honour to command, in acting otherwise, their existence and success +depending (of which every good thinking soldier must be sensible) upon a +proper degree of discipline and subordination, with the most minute and +strictest obedience to orders, &c. + +The General has the pleasure to announce to the army the complete +success of Brigadier General Whyte, at the head of the third light +infantry, in gallantly storming and taking the batteries of Cape Solomon +and Bourgis. In Cape Solomon were four thirty-six pounders and two +twenty-four pounders; in Bourgis three twenty-four pounders, all in +perfect order to turn against the enemy; with powder and shot in +abundance. This success opens a near communication with the fleet, by +enabling them to come into Ance d'Arlet Bay, with every supply the army +may be in want of; and what still renders it more valuable, carried with +the loss only of one man. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Riviere Sallee, Feb. 9, 1794._ + + Parole, DUNDAS. C. S. GROS MORNE. + + Field Officer of the day, Major Baillie. + + +The Commander in Chief has again the pleasure to announce to the troops +the further success of his majesty's arms towards the conquest of the +island of Martinico, by the able conduct of Major General Dundas, and +the gallantry and spirit of the troops under his command, in attacking +the enemy's troops under the command of Mons. Bellgarde at Trinite with +bayonets, and putting them totally to the rout with great slaughter, he +narrowly escaping with a few followers into Fort Royal. The Major +General with great spirit followed up the blow, and took possession of +the very strong fort of the Gros Morne, where the English colours are +now flying. + +He has also the pleasure to add the gallantry of the seventieth +regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Johnston, and led by Colonel +Dundas, who with so much spirit and promptitude attacked the enemy +posted upon Morne Charlotte Pied, and put them totally to flight, taking +possession of that important commanding ground looking down upon Pigeon +Island, which, when, attacked (in conjunction with Brigadier General +Whyte) and taken, will enable the English fleet to come up into Fort +Royal Harbour, in full view of the enemy's Forts of Bourbon and Royal. + +The Commander in Chief is happy in the opportunity of making honourable +mention of Captain Nares of the seventieth regiment, who led the +advanced guard with so much true courage and judgment in the above +attack, as reported to him in the strongest manner by Colonel Dundas. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Riviere Sallee, Feb. 11, 1794._ + + Parole, GORDON. C. S. CASE NAVIRE. + + +The Commander in Chief is happy again to assure the army of the progress +of our arms towards the reduction of Martinico. Colonel Sir Charles +Gordon, and Captain Rogers commanding a squadron of his Majesty's ships, +by their good conduct, activity, and spirit, have made a landing good at +Cape Pilote, and taken all the batteries upon the coast from Cape Pilote +to Cape Navirre. The gallantry of the troops, in charging and putting to +flight the enemy wherever they dared to appear, was never more +conspicuous. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Riviere Sallee, Feb. 12, 1794._ + + Parole, WHYTE. C. S. PIGEON ISLAND. + + Field Officer of the day, Major Baillie. + + +It is with the utmost satisfaction the Commander in Chief announces to +the army the capture of Pigeon Island, which surrendered yesterday +morning about eleven o'clock, being a post of great strength, and of the +utmost importance towards the success of our future operations. The +Commander in Chief gives his thanks to Brigadier General Whyte, who +commanded and conducted this service with such spirit and ability as to +do him honour. Likewise to Colonel Symes, quarter master general, for +his able assistance and zeal upon the occasion.--The Commander in Chief +returns his thanks to Lieutenant Colonel Close, who commanded the third +battalion of light infantry; and to Major Manningham, for his +conspicuous exertions. Likewise to Lieutenant Colonel Paterson and Major +Manly, who commanded the royal artillery, which was well and ably +served; and to Colonel Durnford of the engineers. + +The Commander in Chief gives his thanks to all the officers and soldiers +employed on that difficult and particular service, whose courage and +exertions (so eminently manifested) merit the greatest praise. + +The Commander in Chief also has to offer his warmest acknowledgments and +obligations to Lieutenants Rogers and Rutherford, commanding the seamen, +and to all the other officers and seamen of his Majesty's navy; whose +perseverance, able assistance, and good conduct, contributed much to the +capture of the island. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Riviere Sallee, Feb. 13, 1794._ + + GENERAL ORDERS. + + Parole, YORK. C. S. GLOUCESTER. + + +The Commander in Chief is happy in the opportunity of expressing the +pleasure he received from the report of Major Lyon, deputy adjutant +general, of the spirited conduct of the fifteenth regiment, commanded by +Captain Pomier, in the attack of a very strong post of the enemy at +eleven o'clock last night, in which attack two hundred of the enemy were +surprised, and totally routed, with some loss, and all their cattle, +provisions, arms, &c. and some prisoners taken, with the loss of one man +only of the fifteenth regiment killed, and two wounded. + +The fifteenth regiment, at the same time that they accept the Commander +in Chief's acknowledgments for their spirited conduct, will allow him +to say, that if they had not fired, the surprise might have been more +complete; and firing, he trusts, they will in future, in all night +attacks, on all occasions, avoid, and which, they well know, how very +strongly he recommended previous to the opening of the campaign; and he +desires the commanding officers will turn back to their orders, and read +them to the officers and men. + +The Commander in Chief desires that the warm sense he entertains of the +spirited service of Captain de Rivigne (who commanded the howitzers in +the siege and capture of Pigeon Island, as reported by Brigadier General +Whyte) may be made known to the army, &c. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Heights of Brunot, Feb. 17, 1794._ + + Parole, CONQUEST. C. S. ST. PIERRE. + + Field Officer, Major Campbell. + + +The Commander in Chief hopes that every care is taken of, and humanity +shewn to, the negroes attached to the regiments, and to all those +employed with the army; and that they are victualled, attended to, and +encouraged. This the commanding officers of regiments and corps, and +every officer in all departments, will attend to, and inquire into: as +many have fled from the camp, which must be owing to their having been +neglected, or ill used by some of the men, such treatment must be +prevented in future, otherwise the army will suffer every inconvenience. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Brunot, Feb. 19, 1794._ + + Parole, ST. PIERRE. C. S. DUNDAS. + + Field Officer, Colonel Coote. + + +The Commander in Chief has the pleasure to announce to the army the +complete capture of St. Pierre, the most considerable town in this +island, which contains the greatest part of its wealth, its roads +crowded with ships and merchandise, now the prizes of the army and navy. + +The Commander in Chief holds himself highly obliged to the troops for +their spirited and cool conduct in the course of the attack yesterday; +and congratulates them upon so easy an acquisition of the strong ground +hitherto occupied by the enemy, owing to the prompt and spirited +movement of Lieutenant Colonel Buckridge, and the support of the light +infantry under Lieutenant Colonel Coote and Lieutenant Colonel Blundell: +this being the very ground intended to be occupied, and essential for +the impending siege. The sixth, ninth, and second light infantry, with +all the artillery of the camp at Brunot, to march and form the line of +the new camp at Sourier at day-break. The seventieth and fifteenth +regiments to remain at the port of Matilda, and the covering of the +landing place, till further orders. + +The commissary to order the provisions, &c. of the army to be escorted +to the most convenient and contiguous situation for the supply of the +army in their new position; which, from their present landing place, +will be nearer than their former encampment. The cavalry, provost's, and +every other department attendant on the army, to move to-morrow morning. +The post of Colomb, occupied by Lieutenant Colonel Coote, to be retained +by two companies, and that of Lieutenant Colonel Buckridge by one +company. + +No bullocks for draught, which are necessary for agriculture to the +inhabitants, or milch cows, to be slaughtered by the army. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Heights of Sourier, Feb. 22, 1794._ + + Parole, NAVY. C. S. ANIMATION. + + Field Officer, Major Campbell. + + +The Commander in Chief saw with pleasure and surprise this morning the +great progress that has been made in forming an excellent road for the +battering train through so difficult a country, and the fair prospect of +the artillery shortly arriving at the destined ground. Nothing can +exceed the order and indefatigability of the British sailors, and the +zeal and pleasure with which they appear animated in the most laborious +exertions; he has remarked this with the utmost satisfaction. + +He begs Captains Hervey, Kelly, and Carpenter, with the officers and men +under their command, will accept his best thanks and acknowledgments of +how much he owes them. When the two services thus combine and +co-operate, the greatest obstacles may be surmounted, and every +difficulty vanish. The Commander in Chief has given orders to the +commissary that the seamen shall be amply supplied with provisions and +rum. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, Feb. 24, 1794._ + + Parole, GREAT GUN. C. S. MORTAR. + + +Not that the Commander in Chief has any reason whatever to suspect the +advanced posts and guard of the camp are not alert, but, on the +contrary, their steadiness and attention give him true satisfaction: +nevertheless he thinks it right to warn them, that the enemy, in their +present hopeless situation, may be desperate, and attempt to insult some +of the posts: more they cannot do; but the slightest advantage gained, +their expiring cause may for a moment be spirited up to hold out a +little longer, and cause the loss of a few brave men; this the Commander +in Chief wishes to avoid, and to make the conquest of this valuable +island of Martinico with the least loss possible, he being ever +attentive and watchful of their preservation. He particularly desires +the advanced posts will, if possible, increase their vigilance, and in +case of an insult, to meet it coolly, not risking themselves by darting +forward (this not being the time for such exertion), but to check their +ardour, and content themselves by standing on the defensive, and +repulsing the enemy, covering steadily the bringing up the battering +train to their destined ground, which will very soon be completed, and +the batteries ready to open powerfully upon the enemy from three points +at one and the same time; which done, the Commander in Chief assures +the army that he has every reason to believe they will be in possession +of the enemy's last stake in a little time, and honourably put an end to +their labours. + +The Commander in Chief again repeats his orders for all the out-posts +that are the least exposed to the enemy's fire, to fortify and shelter +themselves, throwing up blinds at certain distances to run behind when a +shell falls, and which will effectually secure them.--In the trench of +Lieutenant Colonel Coote's post three or four cross blinds should be +made; and the engineer is immediately to order it. The advanced guns +also to be guarded, to prevent a shot damaging a wheel or carriage; +which Lieutenant Colonel Paterson will order to be done. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Camp, Heights of Sourier, Feb. 28, 1794._ + + Parole, PUSH. C. S. FORWARD. + + Field Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Craddock. + + +Alexander Ross, second gunner, royal artillery, and Edward Brookes, of +the royal Irish artillery, tried by the general court martial, of which +Lieutenant Colonel Buckridge was president, for absenting themselves +five hours from the post of Gros Morne; and on suspicion of having +robbed Madame Lamalle of a gold watch and chain, with various other +articles, viz. six silver spoons, six forks, and a large soup spoon. The +prisoners are further accused of robbing a washerwoman of some wearing +apparel belonging to Adjutant Wilkinson, of the sixty-fourth regiment. +The court, having maturely considered the evidence in support of the +charge against the prisoners, together with what they had to advance in +their defence, acquit the prisoners, Alexander Ross, second gunner of +royal artillery, and Edward Brookes, of the royal Irish artillery, of +the charge against them of having robbed Madame Lamalle and the +washerwoman: but the prisoners, Alexander Ross, of the royal artillery, +and Edward Brookes, of the royal Irish artillery, are both found guilty +of absenting themselves from the post of Gros Morne without leave, in +breach of the fourteenth section of articles of war, and are therefore +adjudged to receive four hundred lashes each on their bare backs.--The +Commander in Chief approves of the above sentence, and directs, that the +punishment of four hundred lashes each be inflicted on the prisoners +to-morrow morning at seven o'clock, at the head of the English and royal +Irish artillery.--The Commander in Chief is clearly of opinion that the +prisoners, Alexander Ross and Edward Brookes, were also guilty of the +charge of robbery advanced against them; but the evidence not being of +that force to justify the court martial in finding them guilty, they are +fortunate in escaping, and he thinks it will make a lasting impression +on their minds; for the Commander in Chief assures them, had they been +found guilty (however painful to him), they should have suffered the +last punishment, death, at the head of the army. + +The prisoner Phelps, soldier in the fortieth regiment of foot, tried by +the same general court martial for desertion, is found guilty, in breach +of the first article of the sixth section of the articles of war, and +sentenced to receive eight hundred lashes on his bare back, in the usual +manner. The Commander in Chief approves of the above sentence; but, in +consideration of the great length of time the prisoner, John Phelps, has +been confined, he is pleased to pardon him; and hopes this instance of +lenity will make a deep and lasting impression on his mind, and induce +him to behave like a good and faithful British soldier to his king and +country in future. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Camp, Sourier, March 5, 1794._ + + Parole, AIM. C. S. WELL. + + EXTRACTS. + + +His Royal Highness Prince Edward, major general, to take the command of +his Majesty's troops forming the investment of Fort Bourbon, on the Cape +Navirre side, and the camp at La Coste, with all the posts depending. + +The Commander in Chief observes the soldiers do not dig a trench round +their tents to carry off the wet: the commanding officers of regiments +and corps to order it to be done immediately, and to send for the +hammocks belonging to the round tents, to make the men as comfortable as +possible. + +Captain J. A. Wetheral, and Lieutenant J. Vesey, of the eleventh foot, +are appointed aid de camps to his Royal Highness Prince Edward, major +general, and to be obeyed as such.--The Commander in Chief has the +pleasure to announce, that a detachment of the fifteenth regiment, +commanded by Lord Sinclair, and a detachment of light dragoons, +commanded by Lieutenant Shadwell, and conducted by Captain Cunningham +(his aid de camp), surprised at ten o'clock this morning a strong corps +of the enemy near Francois, which they had set on fire. The enemy were +completely surprised, who had been burning, plundering, and murdering, +wherever they went; thirty-six were killed, with their chief, who was +cut down by a light dragoon. Four prisoners were taken, who were hung up +as an example to such rascals in future; which method the General is +determined uniformly to pursue with all such taken in arms.--The +Commander in Chief returns his best thanks to Lord Sinclair, Captain +Cunningham, and Lieutenant Shadwell, for their zeal and exertion on this +occasion; and to all the officers and men employed. The fire of Francois +was extinguished, and only four houses burnt. Our loss only two men +wounded. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, March 9, 1794._ + + Parole, ADVANCE. C. S. NEARER. + + Field Officer, Major Baillie. + + +Lieutenant General Prescot will advance, and post the seventieth +regiment to cover the new batteries; which done, the captain and sixty +men, and subaltern and thirty, posted at and near M. Ragout's house, to +be withdrawn, excepting a serjeant and twelve men posted on the height +in the rear of that post, which must be continued until further orders. +Surgeon's mate William Wood, of the seventieth regiment, is appointed +surgeon's mate to the general hospital in the West Indies. The following +gentlemen are appointed to act as assistant engineers: Mr. Thomas Hall, +Lieutenant Fenton, forty-third regiment, Ensign Snell, fifteenth +regiment, Ensign Garroway, king's Carolina regiment, and M. la Granche. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, before Fort Bourbon, March 18, 1794._ + + +The gallant attack of the seamen, headed by Lieutenant Bowen of the +Boyne, in boarding the Gabarre, in the carinage of Fort Royal, in open +boats, at noon day yesterday, under a shower of grape shot and musquetry +from the garrison, taking the captain, lieutenant, and twelve men +prisoners, being all there were on board, and even firing some of the +guns of the Gabarre against the fort, merits the highest praise and +admiration. This gallant transaction the Commander in Chief was a +witness of, and takes this opportunity of repeating how perfectly +sensible he is of their meritorious services, with those of the navy in +general, and of their unwearied exertion in forwarding his majesty's +service in every way, and on this critical occasion; and begs they will +accept of his best thanks. Lieutenant Robertson to do duty as major of +brigade, in the room of M. B. Forbes, till further orders. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, before Fort Bourbon, Friday, March + 21, 1794._ + + Parole, FORT. C. S. ROYAL. + + Field Officer, Major Baillie. + + +During the present truce no relaxation of duty, vigilance, or +preparation for a continuance of the siege, to take place; on the +contrary, every exertion to be used for opening again with more vigour +than ever, should the present conference break of, by not agreeing on +terms; which may be the case. + +The Commander in Chief has great satisfaction in congratulating the army +on the most important capture of Fort Royal, effected with so much good +conduct and gallantry, which he trusts must lead to a speedy surrender +of Fort Bourbon.--The first battalion of grenadiers, commanded by +Lieutenant Colonel Stewart, and third battalion of light infantry, +commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Close, from camp la Coste, with the +third battalion of grenadiers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel +Buckridge, and first light infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel +Coote, from the camp of Sourier, behaved with their usual spirit on the +occasion, and such as must always command success. Captain de Rivigne, +of the royal artillery, has done his duty in so excellent a manner, +shewing superior judgment in conducting the fire of the field pieces on +the left, and so effectually covering the approach of the troops, as has +done him the greatest honour, and proves him to be a most valuable +officer. + +The Commander in Chief acknowledges great obligations to the navy, on +their gallant escalade of Fort Royal, under the able conduct of +Commodore Thompson, with the assistance of the Asia, Captain Brown; but +particularly to Captain Faulkner of the Zebra, whose gallantry and +judgment have justly gained him the admiration of the whole +army.--Commodore Thompson's judicious arrangement of the gun-boats and +flat-boats, with the assistance of Captain Rogers, who landed and +entered the town of Fort Royal from the side of Tortenson, contributed +most essentially to the success of the enterprise, in which the zealous +assistance and activity of Captain Sancee of the Guides, was highly +meritorious and useful. The Commander in Chief's thanks are justly due +to every person employed on that service, which he gives with infinite +pleasure and satisfaction. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Fort Royal, March 25, 1794._ + + Parole, FORT GEORGE. C. S. FORT EDWARD. + + Field Officer, Colonel Coote. + + +The Commander in Chief orders Fort Bourbon now to bear the name of Fort +George, and Fort Louis to bear the name of Fort Edward; and to be called +so in future.--The Commander in Chief, with heartfelt satisfaction, +congratulates the army on the complete conquest of the island of +Martinico, a most important acquisition to his majesty's crown. He begs +permission to return the army in general his warmest thanks for their +zeal, perseverance, gallantry, and spirit, so eminently distinguished, +and never before exceeded, by every rank, from the general to the +soldier, throughout this service; and this justice he cannot fail to do +them in the strongest language to his majesty.--The works of the +trenches to be levelled, and every preparation made by all departments +for embarkation on another expedition. The transports are ordered round +to Fort Royal; and the cannon, ordnance stores, and every thing +belonging to the engineer and military departments, to be conveyed down, +ready to be embarked on board their respective ships, regularly, and +with such method, that no sort of confusion or retardment may happen +upon a second disembarkation. The artillery will always be the first +called for.--All officers of the army and navy to have permission to go +into Fort George. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. + + _Head Quarters, Boyne, off Guadaloupe, June 4, 1794._ + + +Colonel Richard Symes is appointed brigadier general from the 25th of +May, 1794, in the West Indies; and also governor of Guadaloupe, until +his majesty's pleasure is known. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _Guadaloupe, June 8, 1794._ + + +Colonel Francis Dundas is appointed Brigadier General from the 26th of +May, 1794, in the West Indies. Surgeon Thomas Wright, from the garrison +of Guadaloupe, to be purveyor of the general hospital, vice Dundon, +deceased. The Honourable Captain Stewart, of the twenty-second regiment, +to be extra aid de camp to the Commander in Chief. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _Guadaloupe, June 10, 1794._ + + +Captain Donkin, of the forty-fourth regiment, to do duty as major of +brigade. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, June 13, 1794._ + + +The Commander in Chief feels great satisfaction in acquainting the army +with his majesty's entire approbation of their gallant exertions and +bravery during this campaign, to the time of the capture of Fort Bourbon +(now Fort George), and the complete conquest of the island of +Martinique; which is communicated to him in a letter from the secretary +of state, bearing date the 22d of April, 1794, of which the following is +an extract. "I am therefore to signify to you his majesty's most perfect +and entire approbation of your conduct, and of the gallant behaviour of +all the officers and soldiers under your command; and to desire that you +will convey to them the just sense his majesty entertains of the honour +they have done themselves, and of the services which they have rendered +to their country."--The Commander in Chief has also the pleasure of +notifying to the army, that having made application for exempting it +from paying postage, his majesty has been graciously pleased to comply +therewith; which is communicated to him in a letter from the secretary +of state of the same date, the following being an extract. "His majesty +is most graciously pleased to comply with your request that the army +under your command whilst on service may be exempted from paying postage +for their letters; and I shall immediately signify the same to the post +master general." + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, June 14, 1794._ + + Parole, LIGHT INFANTRY. C. S. ---- + + +The Commander in Chief thanks Brigadier General Dundas, and the first +light infantry, under the command of Major Ross, supported by the +thirty-ninth regiment, under Major Magan, for the usual spirit with +which they attacked the French camp at Point Gabbare, and congratulates +them on the complete success of it.--The able and gallant conduct of +Major Ross, in leading the light infantry so handsomely to the charge, +as reported by Brigadier General Dundas, demands the Commander in +Chief's particular acknowledgments; and which he will not fail to report +to the ministry, to lay before his majesty. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. + + _Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, Guadaloupe, June 15, 1794._ + + Parole, BOYNE. C. S. ---- + + +The grenadier companies of the sixth, ninth, fifteenth, twenty-first, +fifty-sixth, fifty-eighth, sixtieth, fourth battalion of the +sixty-fourth, sixty-fifth, and three companies from the Irish regiments, +to be formed into a battalion under the command of Lieutenant Colonel +Fisher, of the sixtieth regiment. The light companies of the sixth, +ninth, fifteenth, twenty-first, fifty-sixth, fifty-eighth, sixtieth, +fourth battalion of the sixty-fourth, sixty-fifth, and three companies +from the Irish regiments, to be formed into a battalion under the +command of Lieutenant Colonel Gomm. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, June 18, 1794._ + + Parole, ---- C. S. ---- + + +The Commander in Chief feels with great concern the necessity of again +assembling part of the troops to dislodge an enemy who have stolen into +Pointe a Pitre, and the posts in its neighbourhood, at the moment when +the gallant General Dundas was expiring. He had hoped that the troops, +whose meritorious services had acquired so much glory during a most +successful campaign, would have found rest and comfort during the +remainder of this year at least. Relying however on the cheerful and +utmost exertions of the gallant troops he has the happiness to command, +he cannot entertain a doubt of finishing the service speedily and +gloriously, to enable the troops to return very soon to the quarters +from whence they are now called forth to service. + +The Commander in Chief assures the troops that their situation on this +extra service shall be made as comfortable and agreeable to them as it +is in his power to render it; and that no time shall be lost in +advancing against the enemy, consistent with the attention he always +pays to the preservation of his soldiers, not wantonly or prematurely +exposing them to danger. + +The same conduct, good behaviour, and cool bravery, which gained such +rapid and complete success hitherto, will insure it on the present +occasion, against about five hundred regular troops, joined by a +despicable and motley crew of mulattoes and negroes, with some seamen, +the whole a forlorn hope, who put in here for the want of provisions, +and at a time the forty-third regiment was weakened by sickness. + +The troops to be ready to get into the flat boats to-morrow morning at +three o'clock. The boats, when the men are embarked, are to assemble +astern of the Assurance forty-four gun ship, there waiting for orders to +proceed on shore. The troops to carry on shore with them three days +provisions dressed, one day's grog, and rum in kegs for another day: +also to land with their tent blankets, camp kettles, water kegs, +canteens, and hand hatchets; the sailors to land with ditto and +tomahawks. + +The light infantry to be first to land with two amuzettes, supported by +the battalion of grenadiers with two three-pounders. + +The sixty-fifth regiment then to land with two six-pounders; Captain de +Rivignes commanding the artillery. After the troops are landed, and have +got the heights opposite, the spare artillery, howitzers, stores, &c. +are to be landed at Grozier. The commanding engineer will land at the +same time all the artificers, and every thing belonging to his +department, that no time whatsoever may be lost in forwarding the +enterprise. The first troops that land will immediately take advantage +of the strongest ground, houses, &c. there posting themselves; not +advancing until the whole are landed. Brigadier General Symes will +direct the landing, and is to command the troops on shore. The Commander +in Chief has been pleased to appoint Captain John Cunnyngham, of the +forty-third regiment, to be deputy adjutant general, vice Lyon, +deceased. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _Head Quarters, Grozier, Guadaloupe, + June 20, 1794._ + + +The Commander in Chief is much surprised to find, from the report of +Brigadier General Symes, that the seamen and soldiers straggle from camp +in search of water, which, when found in the neighbourhood, is not fit +for drinking, though it may answer for cooking. The Commander in Chief +forbids any officer from quitting the post of his company, except on +duty; and directs that the rolls be called every two hours. If any +soldier or seaman be found marauding or straggling from camp, he will be +punished in the most severe manner. The officers commanding corps to see +their battalions fall in, and the rolls called, from which no officer is +to be absent, as the enemy are lurking about the posts. + +The piquets are not to suffer any person to pass them, without a pass in +writing from the brigadier general. + +Each corps will send an officer for orders to head quarters every day at +ten o'clock, and an orderly serjeant from each corps to attend +constantly. All applications for provisions to be made to Mr. Johnstone, +the quarter master of the sixtieth regiment. These orders, as well as +all others, to be read to the men by an officer of each company. +Captain Robins, of the sixtieth regiment, to do duty with the +sixty-fifth regiment; and Lieutenant Milnes, of the forty-ninth, with +the ninth light infantry. + +The Honourable Captain Stewart, of the twenty-second regiment, having +offered his services to the Commander in Chief on this present occasion, +they are accepted; and he is ordered to do duty with the ninth grenadier +company. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _Head Quarters, Grozier Camp, + June 21, 1794._ + + Parole, ENGLAND. C. S. PROSPERITY. + + +On account of the brilliant success of his majesty's arms, and his +allies, in France, by the complete victory gained by the Duke of York at +the head of the British, and also by the Austrians, on the 26th of April +last, in which the French General Chapuey was made prisoner, with +fifty-seven pieces of their cannon taken, and a great slaughter of their +troops, with a very inconsiderable loss of the British troops and their +allies, the Commander in Chief orders a _feu de joie_ on the occasion at +six o'clock this evening; for which purpose all the troops will be under +arms and assemble with the naval battalion at five o'clock, and are to +be marched to a conspicuous situation, in view of the enemy, to give +three rounds of running fire. The whole of our artillery, drawn up in +front of the line, are to fire three rounds. Each round of artillery to +precede a round of small arms: running fire beginning at the right of +the line; and to conclude with three hearty cheers.--Brigadier General +Symes, who commands the line, will be so good as to place and arrange +the troops on this occasion, pointing out the ground they are to +assemble upon. The whole navy will fire a _feu de joie_, and the troops +under the command of Brigadier General Dundas at the camp at Berville, +at the same time. + +The Commander in Chief desires that his long, spirited, and determined +orders, given out when the army sailed from Barbadoes on the expedition +to Martinico, dated the 22d of January, may be read to the troops, +particularly to the seamen, many of whom have not served on shore. This +the commanding officers of corps and naval battalions will be answerable +to the Commander in Chief is done; and at the same time to assure their +men, that however it may hurt his feelings, he will put the said orders +in full force upon any and every offender in future; for without strict +discipline and good order, no good service can possibly be effected: and +he again calls upon every officer in the army to assist him in this +necessary work. The troops to receive one day's fresh meat, and two days +salt provision and rum, to-morrow morning at day-break. Returns to be +sent to the commissary general this evening. + + + + + AFTER ORDERS. + + +Cattle of every description to be brought to head quarters, or delivered +to persons ordered to receive them; and no person whatever to kill any +beast without orders. It is strictly forbid that any officer, soldier, +or seaman, shall presume to take any negroes, except those delivered to +them by the quarter master general's department. The marauding which has +taken place obliges the General to remind the commanding officers of +corps to refer to orders already given out on that head. It will give +him extreme concern to be obliged to punish with severity such crimes; +but as the existence of the army depends on its discipline, it must be +maintained. The first man caught in the act of plundering, to be hung on +the spot. The provost is ordered to visit the environs of the +encampment, and to execute this order with the utmost vigilance. Piquet +to parade at six in the evening. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Grozier, June 24, 1794._ + + Parole, CAMBRAY. C. S. YORK. + + Field Officer for the day, Major Crosbie. + + +The two divisions of marines are to do duty with the battalion of +grenadiers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Fisher. The troops +will be particularly careful of their camp kettles, canteens, and +haversacks, as no more can be procured for them. + +Only two quarts of water per man can be issued for the troops, and that +early in the morning, from the men of war. Four days provision to be +issued to the troops to-morrow morning. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _July 6, 1794._ + + +The Commander in Chief has just received another letter from the +secretary of state on the subject of postage of letters to this army, of +which the following is a copy. + + "SIR, _Whitehall, May 8, 1794._ + + "As I find the post master general is restrained by law from + discharging any letters from the payment of postage, I have, in + order that the officers and soldiers under your command may receive + their letters free of expence, notified to the different army + agents, that all letters for the said officers and soldiers, if + sent to this office, will be forwarded to them. I have accordingly + directed that such letters shall be put in a separate packet or + bag, and addressed to yourself, and transmitted by each mail. + + (Signed) "HENRY DUNDAS." + + + + +_Extract from another Letter from Mr._ DUNDAS _to Sir_ CHARLES GREY, _K. +B. May 21, 1794._ + + "It is peculiarly grateful to his Majesty in directing me to + signify to you his most entire and perfect approbation of your + conduct, and of the gallant behaviour of all the officers and + soldiers who served upon this occasion; and which you will convey + to them in the most particular manner, and that such important + conquests have been attained with so little loss on the part of his + majesty. I take this opportunity of inclosing you the votes of + thanks to you and Sir John Jervis, which I moved yesterday, with + the unanimous concurrence of the House. You will observe they are + to be officially communicated to you by the speaker. Similar votes + were unanimously passed by the Lords." + + + + +_Extracts from the Votes of the House of Commons._ + + "Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the thanks of this House be + given to Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the most honourable order of + the Bath, for his late able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in + the West Indies." + + "Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the thanks of this House be + given to Lieutenant General Prescott, his Royal Highness Major + General Prince Edward, and Major General Thomas Dundas, and to the + several officers of the army under the command of Sir Charles + Grey, for their late gallant conduct and meritorious exertions in + the West Indies." + + "Resolved, nem. con. That this House doth highly approve and + acknowledge the services of the non-commissioned officers and + private soldiers in the army serving under Sir Charles Grey in the + West Indies; and that the same be signified to them by the + commanders of the several corps, who are desired to thank them for + their gallant behaviour." + + "Ordered, That the speaker do signify the said resolutions to Sir + Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis." + + + + +Colonel Colin Graham, of the twenty-first regiment, is appointed +brigadier general from the 26th of May, 1794. + + + + + _Head Quarters, Martinique, July 13, 1794._ + + Parole, NORTHAMPTON. C. S. BURFIELD. + + +A General court martial to assemble at St. Pierre's, Martinico, on +Friday next, the 25th instant, at eight o'clock, for the trial of +Brigadier General Sir Charles Gordon, lieutenant colonel of the +forty-first regiment of foot, and such other matters as shall be +brought before them. The witnesses, both on the part of the prisoner and +prosecution, to attend; lists whereof to be sent to Major of Brigade +Lorraine, at St. Pierre's, immediately. The above general court martial +to consist as follows. + +Lieutenant General Prescott, president. + +And such other members as shall be hereafter ordered. + + + + + _Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, July 20, 1794_. + + Parole, BRITAIN. C. S. ---- + +The Commander in Chief orders a _feu de joie_ to be fired this evening +at six o'clock, to celebrate the most signal victory that ever was +gained over the French fleet, on the 1st of June last, by Earl Howe, in +the English channel. The French fleet consisted of twenty-six ships of +the line, the English fleet of twenty-five. Of the French seven sail of +ships of the line were taken, one sunk, and many of them dismasted and +crippled; so that most probably many more would fall into the hands of +the English. In short, the General has the satisfaction to announce to +the army the total ruin of the French fleet. + + + + + _Head Quarters, St. Pierre, July 28, 1794_. + + Parole, JERVIS. C. S. ---- + +The Right Honourable Lord Loughborough having transmitted to the +Commander in Chief the votes of thanks passed by the House of Lords to +himself, Lieutenant General Prescott, his Royal Highness Prince Edward, +and Major General Thomas Dundas, and all the other officers of this +army; the Commander in Chief loses no time in giving out the following +copies of those votes in general orders. + + + "_Die Mercurii_. + + "Ordered, nemine dissentiente, by the Lords spiritual and temporal, + in parliament assembled, That the thanks of this House be given to + Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the most honourable order of the Bath, + for his late able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West + Indies." + + Signed, G. ROSE, Clerk of Parliament. + + + "_Die Mercurii_. + + "Ordered, nemine dissentiente, by the Lords spiritual and temporal, + in parliament assembled, That the thanks of this House be given to + Lieutenant General Prescott, his Royal Highness Prince Edward, + Major General Thomas Dundas, and to the several officers of the + army under the command of Sir Charles Grey, for their late able, + gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West Indies." + + Signed, G. ROSE, Clerk of Parliament. + + + _May 21, 1794_. + + "Ordered, nemine dissentiente, by the Lords spiritual and temporal, + in parliament assembled, That this House doth highly approve and + acknowledge the services of the non-commissioned officers and + private men in the army serving under Sir Charles Grey in the West + Indies; and that the same be signified to them by the commanding + officers of the several corps, who are desired to thank them for + their gallant behaviour." + + Signed, G. ROSE, Clerk of Parliament. + +The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of London having transmitted to the +Commander in Chief the unanimous vote of thanks of the Common Council of +the city to this army, he takes the earliest opportunity of +communicating the following extract thereof in general orders. + + "At a common council holden in the chamber of the Guildhall of the + city of London, on Tuesday, May 27, 1794, Le Mesurier, + Mayor,--Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this Court be + given to Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the Bath, and the officers and + soldiers serving under his command, for the signal services they + have rendered to their country by their able, gallant, and + meritorious conduct in the West Indies." + + Signed, RIX. + + + + + _Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, August 1, 1794_. + + Parole, MATILDA. C. S. ---- + +One serjeant, one corporal, and twelve privates, from each regiment, to +parade every morning at six o'clock, and evening at five, and to be +instructed in the exercise of the artillery; and when perfected, the +commanding officer of artillery will report to the general or commanding +officer on the spot, that they may be relieved by an equal number, to be +taught in the same manner, that there may be no want of artillerymen to +man and fight the guns on the batteries, in case of an attack. + + + + + _Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, August 3, 1794_. + + Parole, SPITHEAD. C. S. ---- + +It is the Commander in Chief's orders, that all negroes belonging to the +islands, who still continue with the army, or are known of, shall be +sent to St. Pierre or Fort Royal immediately, in order to their being +sent home, and a final settlement made of their accounts. + + + + + _Head Quarters, St. Pierre, August 4, 1794_. + + Parole, HURRICANE. C. S. ---- + +His Majesty having been pleased to appoint John Jeoffray, Esq. +commissary general of stores and provisions, and Valentine Jones, Esq. +to be commissary of accounts, for the Leeward and Windward Islands, all +accounts in the commissary general's department, for which warrants have +not been already granted, as well as those of the assistants stationed +in the different islands, as those of the moving army, are to be settled +with him, and to be examined and certified by the commissary of +accounts, previous to their being brought to the secretary's office, as +no warrants for money can be granted on them until that shall have been +done. Warrants for the subsistence of the army, and for the pay of the +officers employed on the staff, will be granted in the usual manner, on +application at the secretary's office. + + + + + AFTER ORDERS. _August 4, 1794_. + +The proceedings of the present general court martial being impeded by +the sickness of some of the members, makes it necessary to add more +members to the strength of it, that, the business may go forward +without interruption in future. The Commander in Chief therefore orders +a general court martial to assemble at nine o'clock on Friday morning +the 8th instant, at the same place, and to begin the trial again of +Brigadier General Sir Charles Gordon; and which general court martial is +to be composed of a president and eighteen members. All evidences to +attend; and a list of them to be given to the deputy judge advocate as +soon as possible. The corps of island rangers, commanded by Lieutenant +Colonel Toler, to be augmented twenty men a company, making them seventy +instead of fifty. + +Members of the General Court Martial. + + General Prescott President. + Lieutenant Colonel Johnstone seventieth regiment. + Lieutenant Colonel Stewart fifty-eighth. _Dead_. + Captain Whitworth royal artillery. + Captain Flood fifty-eighth. + Captain Taggart fifty-fifth. + Captain Ingram fifty-fifth. _Dead_. + Captain Forbes thirty-fourth. + Captain Pomiere fifteenth. + Captain Dunbar seventieth. + Captain Sharpe sixth. + Captain Harvey thirty-third. _Dead_. + Captain Gillespei thirty-first. + Captain Blacker sixty-fifth regiment. + Captain Lorrain ninth. + Captain Hindson fifteenth. + Captain Macdonald fifteenth. + + + + + _St. Pierre, August 5, 1794._ + + Parole, ANTIGUA. C. S. ---- + + +The officers of the army will understand, that should the order of the +3d instant (respecting the negroes being returned), not be strictly +complied with, that for every negro kept back, the officers to whom they +belong, and who detained them, will certainly have to pay, not only the +full price of such negroes, but their hire during the time of +service.--On account of the indisposition of Lieutenant Colonel Stewart, +fifty-eighth regiment, he is not to be a member of the general court +martial ordered for the 8th instant. Captain Rose, seventieth regiment, +is to be a member thereof, in the room of Lieutenant Colonel Stewart. + + + + + _Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, August 9, 1794._ + + Parole, ANTIGUA. C. S. ---- + + +The British inhabitants of the town of St. Pierre are to be embodied, +and to form a corps under the command of Captain Bontein, who is +appointed lieutenant colonel commandant thereof, to be called the Royal +Martinico Volunteers. The following gentlemen are to be the officers. + + Lieutenant Colonel ---- Bontein. + + Captains James Clifton. + Andrew Smith. + + First Lieutenants William Moore. + Cayley Johnstone. + + Second Lieutenants ---- Popham. + ---- Heyland. + + Adjutant Mr. Randal Ripton. + +The above corps is to parade at the Pere Blancs, which is to be their +alarm post. + +All British born subjects, resident in or near the town of St. Pierre, +are required forthwith to give in their names to Lieutenant Colonel +Bontein, of the royal Martinico volunteers, at the custom house; and +every person of the above description meaning to leave the island, is +required to make known his intention to Lieutenant Colonel Bontein: they +are likewise required to give in their names upon their arrival. The +Commander in Chief has no doubt, from the voluntary and handsome offer +of the English in the town of St. Pierre, that all who are able will +willingly join the corps of the royal Martinico volunteers, under the +orders of Lieutenant Colonel Bontein, to preserve good order, and defend +their properties. + +F. MAITLAND, deputy adjutant general. + + + + + _Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, August 11, 1794._ + + Parole, CORNWALLIS. + + +In consequence of the death of Captain Blacker, sixty-fifth, and the +illness of Captain Ingram, fifty-eighth, Captain Lee of forty-fourth +grenadiers, and Captain Holland of sixtieth regiment, are to replace +those officers as members of the general court martial ordered to meet +this day. + + + + + GENERAL ORDERS. _Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinico, + August 31, 1794._ + + +The appointment of Captain Hare, of the light dragoons, to be aid de +camp to the Commander in Chief, is not to interfere with or prevent his +having the entire command of the detachment of British light dragoons, +which he retains as if no such appointment had been made. + + + + + AFTER ORDERS. + + +The general court martial, of which Lieutenant General Prescott is +president, is hereby dissolved; and all officers are to repair to their +posts, where they are so much wanted. + +F. MAITLAND, deputy adjutant general. + + + + + _Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, Nov. 7, 1794._ + + Parole, UNANIMITY. + + +The recent act of inhumanity and barbarity committed at Guadaloupe by +the enemy (by whom a considerable number of royalists were murdered in +cold blood, after having fallen into their hands at Berville camp as +prisoners of war, and who had become subjects of Great Britain, by +taking the oath of allegiance to the British government, after the +conquest of that island), calls aloud for the following order and +declaration of the Commander in Chief: That all persons residing in the +conquered islands of Martinico, Guadaloupe, and St. Lucia, and their +dependencies, whether French or of any other nation, having taken the +oath of allegiance to the government of Great Britain, and who demean +and conduct themselves accordingly, shall receive every protection that +the other subjects of Great Britain do in these islands: and should such +cases of extremity happen as may render a capitulation necessary, no +terms are to be proposed or accepted, which do not give equal security, +safety, and protection, to them as to the other subjects of Great +Britain, as well those with arms as those without; consequently, no +place is to be surrendered before this is expressly and explicitly +acknowledged and subscribed to by the enemy, that in any extremity we +may stand or fall together: and the Commander in Chief earnestly +recommends a continuance and confirmation of this order to his +successors in command, as a measure of justice, dictated by honour and +humanity. + +The Commander in Chief hopes that this explicit order and declaration, +giving such ample security to the royalists on his part, will ease their +minds; and, confidence being restored, that it will produce a becoming +zeal and exertion to unite for the public interest heart and hand, in +contributing to good order and tranquillity; and that he may expect +there will not be any further emigration on the bare report of an +enemy's approach, or even on being actually landed; as every +apprehension of danger must be dispelled when all are heartily united +for the common safety and defence. + +The Commander in Chief, hoping therefore for this effect and conduct +from the people in general, does in a more particular manner recommend +to persons of consequence to set a laudable example of fortitude on +every occasion, and to assemble and embody under proper leaders, to act +in conjunction with his majesty's regular troops, for the protection of +their honour, families, and fortunes, which must be dearer to them than +life. + + + + +The King having been pleased to order that the colours taken at +Martinique by the forces under Sir Charles Grey, K. B. and Sir John +Jervis, K. B. which were brought to the palace at St. James's, should be +deposited in the Cathedral of St. Paul, on Saturday, May 17, 1795, +detachments of horse and foot guards were ordered to parade at St. +James's at ten o'clock, and marched before his Majesty, who was pleased +to see them pass by in the following order: + + A Captain and forty life guards, + A serjeant and twelve grenadiers, + Music of the first regiment of guards, + Twenty-nine serjeants with the FRENCH COLOURS, + A Field Officer and one hundred life guards. + +In this manner they proceeded to the west gate of St. Paul's, where the +colours were received by the Dean and Chapter, attended by the choir, +about which time the guns at the Tower and Park were fired. + +The colours are since put up in the said cathedral church as a lasting +memorial of the success of his Majesty's arms in the reduction of the +important island of Martinique. + + + + + EXTRACT FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY REGISTER, + + Vol. xxxviiii. p. 329. + + HOUSE OF COMMONS. + + "_Tuesday, May 20, 1794._ + + +"The following resolutions were severally put, and passed nem. con. + +"That the thanks of this House be given to Sir Charles Grey, Knight of +the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, for his late able, gallant, and +meritorious conduct in the West Indies. + +"That the thanks of this House be given to Sir John Jervis, Knight of +the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, for his late able, gallant, and +meritorious conduct in the West Indies. + +"That the thanks of this House be given to Lieutenant General Prescott, +his Royal Highness Major General Prince Edward, and Major General Thomas +Dundas, and to the several Officers of the army under the command of Sir +Charles Grey, for their late gallant and meritorious exertions in the +West Indies. + +"That the thanks of this House be given to Rear Admiral Thompson, and to +the several Captains and Officers of the fleet under the command of Sir +John Jervis, for their late gallant conduct and meritorious exertions in +the West Indies. + +"That this House doth highly approve and acknowledge the services of the +Non-commissioned Officers and Soldiers in the army serving under Sir +Charles Grey in the West Indies; and that the same be signified to them +by the commanders of the several corps, who are desired to thank them +for their late gallant behaviour. + +"That this House doth highly approve and acknowledge the services of the +Sailors and Marines serving on board the fleet under command of Sir John +Jervis in the West Indies; and that the same be signified to them by the +captains of the several ships, who are desired to thank them for their +gallant behaviour." + +Mr. Dundas then moved, "That Mr. Speaker do signify the said resolutions +to Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis."--Passed nem. con. + + + + +LIST OF THE OFFICERS OF THE ARMY + +_Who died or were killed during the Campaign in the West Indies, under +Lieutenant General Sir_ CHARLES GREY, _K. B. and Vice Admiral Sir_ JOHN +JERVIS, _K. B. in the year 1794._ + + +_Killed, or died of their Wounds._ + + Where killed or wounded. + + Brigadier General Symes Quarter Master Gen. Point a Pitre. + Lieut. Colonel Campbell 9th regiment Martinique. + Lieut. Colonel Gomm 55th regiment Point a Pitre. + Major Irving 70th regiment On board the Assurance. + Captain Armstrong 8th regiment Fleur d'Epee. + ... Combe 15th regiment Point a Pitre. + ... M'Donald 21st regiment Fleur d'Epee. + ... Grove 35th regiment Point a Pitre. + ... M'Ewan 38th regiment Martinique. + ... Fenton 43d regiment Point a Pitre. + ... Morrison 58th regiment Fleur d'Epee. + ... Forbes 34th regiment Berville. + Lieut. Thong 6th regiment Fleur d'Epee. + ... Booth 8th regiment Ditto. + ... Newport 12th regiment Point a Pitre. + ... Lyster 12th regiment Ditto. + ... Croker 15th regiment Ditto. + ... Knollis 21st regiment Ditto. + ... Price 21st regiment Fleur d'Epee. + ... Cockrane 39th regiment + ... Manson 40th regiment Point a Pitre. + ... Crofton 43d regiment Ditto. + ... Hennis 58th regiment Ditto. + ... Conway 60th regiment Ditto. + ... Toosey 65th regiment Fleur d'Epee. + ... Auchmuty 17th regiment Point a Pitre. + ... Mercer Marines Ditto. + + +_Died of the Fever or other Disorders._ + + Major General Thomas Dundas. + + Captain Dally } + Lieutenant Gale } 6th regim. + Surgeon Barton } + + Captain Saumarez } + Ensign Armstrong } 8th regim. + Ensign Caulfield. } + + Captain Campbell 9th regim. + + Captain Twedie } + Lieut. Perryn } + ... Wallace } 12th regim. + ... Wright } + ... Miller } + + Captain Combe } + Lieut. James } 15th regim. + ... Napier } + + ... Cane } 17th regim. + ... Ritchie } + + Major Rowley } + Lieut. Mewt } 21st regim. + ... Stornton } + + Lieut. M'Donald } 22d regim. + + Lieut. Garnons } 23d regim. + ... Polhill } + + Lieut. Tilth 29th regim. + + Lieut. Davis } + ... M'Kenzie } 31st regim. + ... Williams } + + Captain Wallace } + Lieut. Morndrew } 32d regim. + Surgeon Taylor } + + Captain Harvey } 33d regim. + Lieut. Beaty } + + Captain Roache } + Lieut. Innes } + ... Forrester } 34th regim. + ... Wattle } + ... Nash } + + Captain Johnson } + ... Graves } + Lieut. Mukins } + ... Fitzgerald } 35th regim. + ... Phaire } + ... Sands } + ... Barry } + + Captain Douglas } + Lieut. Mytton } + ... Clarke } 38th regim. + ... Brown } + ... Bawer } + + Lieut. Col. Freemantle } + Captain Johnston } + ... Shaw } + ... Purdie } + Lieut. Burslen } + ... Atherton } 39th regim. + ... Reynell } + ... Scanlan } + ... M'Rea } + Ensign Tidsley } + ... Hutchinson } + ... Atkins } + Adjutant Simpson } + ... M'Kenzie } 39th regim. + Surgeon Campbell } + + Captain Head 40th regim. + + Captain Vignoles } + ... Bayard } + ... Affleck } + ... Spencer } + ... M'Dowal } + Capt. Lieut. Jones } + Lieut. Butler } + ... Graham } 43d regim. + ... Dennison } + Ensign Daniel } + ... Kirwan } + Qr. Mast. Burnett } + ... Bruce } + Surgeon Hodskinson } + Lieut. Phipps } 44th regim. + ... Davis } + + Lieutenant Moe 45th regim. + + Major Lyon, Deputy + Adj. General } + Captain Taggart } + Lieut. Main } 55th regim. + ... M'Kenzie } + ... Taylor } + + Captain White } + ... Cuthbert } + ... Fancourt } + Lieut. Perry } 56th regim. + ... Hague } + ... Stowell } + ... Warren } + ... O'Hara } + ... Taylor } + Chaplain Ruxton } + + Lieut. Col. Stewart } + Captain Ingram } + ... Hood } + Lieut. Maudsley } + ... Hamilton } + ... Berford } 58th regim. + ... Murray } + ... E. Smith } + ... Bouchier } + ... Tonson } + + Lieut. Cunningham } + ... Sneider } + ... Cook } 60th regim. + ... Montmallin } + ... Belt } + + Lieut. Col. Buckridge } + Major Compton } + Lieut. Usher } + ... Thornhill } + ... M'Guire } + ... Wilson } 64th regim. + ... Strafford } + ... Knight } + Adjutant Wilkinson } + Quart. Mast. Molloy } + Surgeon Wingate } + + Lieut. Col. Close } + Major Dalrymple } + Captain M'Gregor } + ... Blacker } + ... Oliver } + Lieut. Brimlow } 65th regim. + ... Kennedy } + ... Adams } + ... Milward } + Surgeon Brown } + + Captain Nares } + ... Eiston } + ... Ogle } + ... Atkinson } + ... Bruce } 70th regim. + Lieut. Cox } + ... Floyer } + ... Gifford } + Surgeon Raye } + + Captain Shadwell 10th lt. dra. + + Lieut. Col. Dornford } + Captain Chilcot } engineers. + ... Lawson } + ... Dawse } + + Major Shewbridge } + Captain Tygrell } + Captain Harris } + ... Smith } + ... George } + ... Nugent } + ... Thornhill } artillery. + ... Coulston } + ... Malony } + ... Jones } + ... Dawson } + + Doctor Dundon } + ... Brown } + ... Wright } + Apoth. Vanderguest } + ... Carnigue } + Mate Mallet } hospital. + ... Green } + ... Harris } + ... Cooper } + ... Turnbull } + ... Hennings } + + 27 killed or died of their wounds. + 170 died of the yellow fever, and other diseases incidental + --- to the climate. + Total 197 + +I was informed by Captain Shank of the royal navy, the agent for +transports, that during the expedition 46 masters of transports, and +1100 of their men, died of the yellow fever. The returns of the masters +were given in, of the men a rough calculation to the above amount was +made. On board the Broderic transport the fever raged with such +violence, that the mate, the only survivor, was obliged to scull his +boat on shore to fetch off negroes to throw the dead overboard, and +himself died soon after. + +Of the royal navy the loss was considerable; but it has not been in my +power to procure a list of the officers who died or were killed on this +expedition. + + +LIST _of the_ OFFICERS _Prisoners to_ VICTOR HUGHES, _who were living at +Point a Pitre the first of January, 1795._ + + Brigadier General Colin Graham + + Lieut. Ekins, since } + dead of his wounds } 6th regim. + + Capt. Lieut. Smith 9th regim. + + Lieutenant Hurst 15th regim. + + Captain Stovin 17th regim. + + Lieutenant Keating 33d regim. + + Captain Eiston } + Lieutenant Strickland } 35th regim. + Ensign Holmes } + + Ensign Barclay 38th regim. + + Lieut. Col. Magan } + Lieut. Horsburg } + ... Dale } 39th regim. + Ensign Divignes } + Quar. Mast. Clements } + Surgeon Ormsby } + + Captain Dansey } 40th regim. + Lieutenant Holwell } + + Lt. Col. Drummond } + Captain Thomson } + ... Cameron } + ... Thorley } + Lieut. Hull } + Lieut. Cameron } 43d regim. + ... Tidey } + ... De Yonge } + Ensign Deshon } + ... Delisle } + Surgeon Salmon } + + Lieut. Philips } 44th regim. + ... Miller } + + Lieut. Hamilton } 55th regim. + ... Dixon } + + Captain Owen } + Lieut. Barclay } + ... Johnson } 56th regim. + ... M'Causland } + Mate Bell } + + Ensign Richardson 58th regim. + + Lieut. Cudmore 64th regim. + + Cornet Garside 10th lt. dra. + + Captain Suckling } artillery. + Lieut. Stackpole } + + Lieut. Dornford engineers. + + Mate Ramage } hospital. + ... Anderson } + +THE END. + + + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + | | + | Transcriber's Note | + | | + | Words with variable hyphenation and accents have been | + | preserved as in the original. A few obvious punctuation | + | errors have been corrected silently. The following | + | typographical errors have been corrected. | + | | + | +----+------------+------------+---------------------------+ | + | |Page| Original |Corrected to| Context | | + | +----+------------+------------+---------------------------+ | + | | ii|to |too |too apparent in my drawings| | + | | xi|Surry |Surrey |East Deane, Surrey | | + | | xiv|Surry |Surrey |Dulwich, Surrey | | + | | 62|fron |from |from the fort | | + | | 84|the the |the |the purpose of trade | | + | | 103|apppear |appear |misfortunes will appear | | + | | 115|dedetachment|detachment |a detachment of artillery | | + | | A13|prompitude |promptitude |spirit and promptitude | | + | | A14|Case Pilote |Cape Pilote | | | + | | A14|Case Navirre|Cape Navirre| | | + | | A24|Case Navire |Cape Navirre| | | + | +----+------------+------------+---------------------------+ | + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An Account of the Campaign in the West +Indies, in the Year 1794,, by Cooper Willyams + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ACCOUNT OF THE CAMPAIGN *** + +***** This file should be named 38178.txt or 38178.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/1/7/38178/ + +Produced by StevenGibbs, LN Yaddanapudi and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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