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.
Cooper Willyams
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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 obje
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