CHAPTER XIII.
THE COMMANDERS IN CHIEF SAIL TO MARTINIQUE ... PROCEEDINGS THERE, AND AT GUADALOUPE ... CAMP BERVILLE TAKEN ... OCCURRENCES THEREUPON ... GENERAL PRESCOTT ENTERS FORT MATILDA, WHICH IS INVESTED BY THE FRENCH ... SIR JOHN VAUGHAN AND ADMIRAL CALDWELL ARRIVE IN THE WEST INDIES ... SIR CHARLES GREY AND SIR JOHN JERVIS RESIGN THEIR COMMAND, AND RETURN TO EUROPE.
Sir Charles Grey, after giving the necessary orders for erecting batteries to protect and secure the camp on Basse Terre, sailed with the Admiral to Martinique, and established his head-quarters at St. Pierre;[61] having previously distributed the troops (which were not left under General Graham on Basse Terre) throughout the islands, where the Brigands began to be very troublesome; and even at Martinique, where the Commander in Chief resided, they had the audacity to shew themselves, encouraged by the sickness which raged in all quarters, and daily weakened our posts. At Grande Rivere and Calabass they appeared in some force; on which the Commander in Chief detached Captain Hare, at the head of a detachment of the Prince of Wales's light[62] dragoons, with Lieutenant Colonel De Soter and the island rangers, who attacked and routed them, taking three of their leaders prisoners, and dispersing the rest. At Guadaloupe no time was lost by Brigadier General Graham in preparing both for attack and defence; he erected gun and mortar batteries upon the banks of the river Sallée, in the different situations where it was most likely the enemy might attempt to cross it from Grande Terre; namely, at the gabarre or ferry, which heretofore was the point of communication between the two parts of the island; at Morne Savon and at St. Jean, both commanding the town of Point à Pitre and Morne Government. By these precautions the Commander in Chief hoped to prevent the enemy from crossing into Basse Terre till he could get a reinforcement from England, which he had expected for some time, and had now dispatched Brigadier General Francis Dundas to explain to government the absolute necessity there was for a supply of troops in the conquered islands. The head-quarters of the army in Guadaloupe were at Camp Berville, a very commanding ground, flanked by the sea on one side, and on the other by an impassable swamp and wood; about a league in front was the river Sallée, on the opposite banks of which stood the town of Point à Pitre; and at the rear, about a mile from the camp, was a narrow pass, by which alone it could be approached. The batteries under the direction of Captain De Rivigne, destroyed a great part of the town, so that the inhabitants were obliged to evacuate it, and encamp on the adjacent hills. The baneful effects of the climate, together with the neighbouring swamps, began now to be severely felt by our army, the officers and men died daily in numbers, and by the middle of August the list of sick and convalescents composed by far the majority in the camp. Two frigates and two sloops of war were ordered by the Admiral to cruize off the harbour of Point à Pitre, to prevent supplies being carried to the enemy; notwithstanding which many American and other vessels from the neighbouring disaffected islands, contrived to elude their vigilance. Victor Hughes, the commissioner from the French convention, and now commander in chief of their troops in this island (the commanders of the army and navy that came out with him being dead), was indefatigable in gaining over the blacks and mulattoes to his interest; and, in consequence of his late success, they flocked in great numbers to his standard. As they came in he formed them into different corps, and had them instructed in the use of arms. The remains of the second battalion of grenadiers[63] were ordered about the latter end of August to Guadaloupe, to relieve the flank companies of the 15th and 64th regiments: they embarked at Fort Royal on board the Dictator, and landed at Petit Bourg, from whence they marched directly to the camp. During the month of September the troops in the different camps were, from sickness, inadequate to furnish guards for the different batteries. Several companies could not produce a single man fit for duty; the 43d could not afford a corporal and three men at night, for the protection of their own camp, much less give their complement for the batteries. The greater part of the town of Petit Bourg was converted into hospitals for our sick, besides great numbers ill in the camps; the officers were equal sufferers with the men, so much so, that field officers were obliged to mount captain's guard. The different islands were drained of their troops, in order to keep up some appearance in front of the enemy; and the royalists had taken the duty of the Gabarre for some time past, where they conducted themselves with much spirit in several attacks made upon them by the enemy from the opposite side of the river. The grenadiers that arrived last, were now reduced, in less than three weeks, to twenty men; and from the situation of the several camps on the verge of the swamps, a ground they were obliged to occupy, was truly deplorable. About this time General Prescott arrived at the town of Basse Terre, where he took the command, and no appearance of any reinforcement from England as yet cheered our drooping spirits. On Saturday, the 26th of September, the enemy from Point à Pitre and Fort Louis embarked a large body of troops in small vessels, and passing our ships of war unperceived, under cover of the dark night, effected two different landings on Basse Terre; the one at Goyave, to the eastward of Petit Bourg, and the other at Lamantin, near Bay Mahault. As soon as it was known that this landing was effected, most of our sick were carried from Petit Bourg on board the ships that lay near that place, and when the news was received at head-quarters, General Graham ordered all the troops from the different camps to join at Berville, as the strongest situation. Every exertion was made to fortify this post in the best manner possible: across the narrow pass by which alone it could be approached by land, a strong breast-work was thrown up, with embrasures for six field-pieces; on the flanks, and immediately in the rear of this, another was thrown up; and in front of both, on the brow of the hill, a strong abbatis was formed. The enemy that landed at Bay Mahault soon possessed themselves of that place; they then marched on to the Gabarre, where they had nearly surrounded the royalists before they were able to make their retreat to the camp. The possession of the Gabarre afforded them an easy conveyance for guns, ammunition, cattle, &c. from Grande Terre, and they now made their appearance in sight of our camp. The enemy, who had landed on the opposite part of the island, as soon as day broke upon them, began their march to Petit Bourg. Lieutenant Colonel Drummond of the 43d regiment, with some convalescents from the hospital, and a party of royalists, advanced to meet them; but perceiving their great superiority of numbers, found it advisable to retreat through Petit Bourg, and took post at a battery upon the shore called Point Bacchus, between that village and Camp Berville. The enemy, on taking possession of Petit Bourg, exercised the most unheard of cruelties on the unfortunate sick in the hospitals, putting all they found to death; some of them were fortunate enough to be taken off by the boats belonging to the men of war lying there. Too much praise cannot be given to Captain Boyer[64] of the Assurance, for his humane exertions on this occasion. From the hospitals to the wharf was a continued scene of misery and horror, being strewed with the bodies of the sick, who were barbarously put to death as they were crawling to the shore, in hopes of being taken off by our boats. The next movement of the enemy was to Point Bacchus, where Colonel Drummond and his party, being surrounded, were made prisoners. The enemy keeping possession of this post, entirely cut off all communication between the camp and our shipping. They then proceeded to possess themselves of the surrounding heights, and formed a junction with the other party which landed at Bay Mahault; by which Camp Berville was completely surrounded on the land side. The utmost strength of Berville camp was now about two hundred and fifty regular troops, and three hundred royalists; but none of these could be called effective, being reduced to extremity by sickness and fatigue. The enemy instantly began to form batteries, one of which, on an eminence, in some measure commanded our camp. On the 29th of September, in the morning, the enemy in a large body attacked our advanced work; our field-pieces and musketry opened a heavy fire upon them, and an engagement ensued, which continued with equal fury for three hours; when, after having been charged the third time by our troops, the enemy retreated, leaving on the field in killed and wounded seven hundred men, our loss amounting to about twenty. In the forenoon of this day, the enemy had sent a number of gun-boats from Point à Pitre, some of which anchored off the shore at Berville, and others under Point Bacchus, with a view to stop the communication between our camp and shipping, and force the latter out of the harbour of Petit Bourg. Each of their schemes succeeded, so that now the camp (ill supplied with provisions and stores, which were left chiefly at Petit Bourg) saw no possibility of getting a further supply. This morning Major Irvine was killed by a twenty-four pounder from the enemy's gun-boat, as he was sitting in the cabin of the Assurance; in which he and a number of others had embarked. As soon as the news of these disasters reached the Commanders in Chief, the Boyne was got out of Trois Islet Bay, without loss of time; and, although the hurricane season was not entirely past, the Admiral embarked, and sailed on Tuesday, the 30th of September, from Martinique, and anchored off Grozier, in the bay of Point à Pitre, by 10 A.M. On Thursday, the 2d of October, the two-gun battery there, opened upon us with red-hot shot, and continued to fire for a considerable time, but without effect. This night the Admiral endeavoured to open a communication with Camp Berville, but was prevented by the vigilance of the enemy, who now occupied every avenue to it. On the morning of the 30th, the enemy renewed their attacks on General Graham's camp at Berville, and again on the 4th of October, still bringing (hydra like) greater numbers to the charge; their success, however, was the same as on the first attack, having lost during the three attacks, on a moderate computation, two thousand men. In the second attack General Graham was wounded by a musket-ball in the leg, and several of his officers fell.[65] After the third action the enemy sent in a flag of truce, offering terms of capitulation, which General Graham in a spirited manner refused; the officers, however, waited on the General, and stated, that the troops, reduced by sickness and fatigue, were no longer able to undergo the duty, which now pressed heavy on them, and were so harassed as to be incapable of withstanding another attack, which the enemy promised to make on them the following morning. General Graham therefore, reconsidering the matter, consented to send a flag to the enemy, and, after some time, the terms of capitulation were agreed to; but, alas! the unfortunate royalists were not included, though the General endeavoured all he could to make terms for them: he succeeded however thus far, to have permission to send a covered boat to the Boyne, in which he embarked twenty-five officers of the royalists; their unfortunate brethren, to the number of three hundred, who had defended their posts to the last, with the most determined resolution, were doomed to suffer death by the hands of their republican countrymen in cold blood, in a manner hitherto, I believe, unheard of, at least unrecorded in the annals of the most savage and abandoned people.[66] Humanity must shudder at the idea; the republicans erected a guillotine, with which they struck off the heads of fifty of them. Thinking, however, this mode of proceeding too tedious, they invented a more summary plan; they tied the remainder of these unhappy men fast together, and placed them on the brink of the trenches which they had so gallantly defended; they then drew up some of their undisciplined recruits in front, who firing an irregular volley at their miserable victims, killed some, wounded others, and some, in all probability, were untouched; the weight however of the former dragged the rest into the ditch, where the living, the wounded, and the dead, shared the same grave, the soil being instantly thrown upon them. The English troops were to be allowed to march out with the honours of war, and to be embarked on board French ships, which were to sail for England within twenty-one days after the surrender,[67] on condition that they would not serve against the French during the war. A great quantity of arms and ammunition fell into the hands of the enemy at this camp, and at Petit Bourg. Immediately after the surrender of Berville, Victor Hughes moved towards the town of Basse Terre, now our last stake on this island, laying waste the plantations, and burning the beautiful seats of the royalists as he passed along. Sir John Jervis, who had made every attempt to succour General Graham's camp at Berville, and had been an unwilling spectator from the fleet, of the surrender of that camp to the enemy, now made sail for Basse Terre, to render every assistance in his power to General Prescott;[68] and on the 9th of October, anchored within half a cable's length of the town. General Prescott instantly came on board to consult with the Admiral on the best mode of procedure in this critical state of affairs; and it was determined that the whole force which the General could collect, should go into the fort, and the Admiral, in the Boyne, would render every assistance in his power to the garrison; a promise he performed in a manner that drew the warmest thanks and approbation of General Prescott and his officers. At this time the French royalists had entirely abandoned us, and the militia, who had demanded arms, positively refused to enter the fort, and soon after deserted to the enemy: a party in the town seemed also ready to rise upon our people; but by the vigilance and activity of General Prescott they were overawed, and he continued to ride into the town unattended as usual. The fort was in a miserable state, nothing having been done to it since the peace of 1783; and Clairfontaine,[69] a royalist, who had been appointed administrateur general, wanting either influence or ability to procure negroes for the purpose, the fort was no way better than when it fell into our hands, except being cleaner, and supplied with provisions. On the 12th of October, a schooner bearing a flag of truce, arrived from Victor Hughes; in it came Captain Eiston, of the 35th regiment,[70] for a supply of money and baggage for our captured countrymen, with which he returned in two days to Point à Pitre. General Prescott had taken the precaution to order all the batteries along the coast, as well as those on the passes of the Palmiste, to be destroyed, their guns spiked, and magazines blown up; but, owing to the shortness of the time allowed for it, and the weakness of the force employed, the enemy soon got them repaired to use against us. Captain Bowen, in the Terpsichore, was dispatched to Trois Riviere, to destroy a battery there,[71] where he saw and fired on the enemy, who were marching in great force towards the heights of Palmiste. On which he returned, and informed the Admiral of this, by whom the intelligence was instantly forwarded to General Prescott, who had sent Captain Thomas of the 28th regiment (his aid-de-camp) to request some seamen to reinforce his garrison, which were most readily granted by the Admiral. While Captain Thomas was on board the Boyne, the enemy, to his great astonishment, were seen on the heights of Palmiste. As there were a few royalists about the General, some of whose slaves were with the enemy, of course he ought to have received earlier information of their approach; but this shews how all intelligence was withheld from us. For ten days after the General had withdrawn the whole of his force into the fort, he occasionally sent parties into the town, as the Boyne still kept the enemy quiet there; but in a short time they got some guns up to an eminence, named by us the White-house Battery, that obliged the Admiral to weigh anchor: but he still continued to hover about the coast, occasionally sending reinforcements and provisions, and keeping up a constant intercourse with General Prescott in the fort. In the course of this business the Boyne was frequently engaged with the different batteries, and was exposed to great danger from the mortars, which the enemy began to play upon us with much judgment. On the 20th of October, the battery on Houelmont opened on the Terpsichore, but without effect. Our garrison in the fort threw some shells which drove them from thence; they, however, soon returned again to their guns. The next day they again attacked the frigate, and hit her; which obliged Captain Bowen to get near the land, out of the direction of their guns. On the 23d, the White-house Battery, having several heavy guns mounted, began a smart fire on the Boyne, which was returned from her lower deckers; afterwards we engaged a battery, into which the enemy had just come, at the N. W. end of the town, from whence we drove them; but being obliged to haul off shore occasionally, they at length completed their purpose, but not so as to be able to hinder us from approaching the land to keep up an intercourse with the garrison. On this service (as on every other) Captain Bowen eminently distinguished himself, having anchored the Terpsichore, within a short distance of the fort, in a bay under Houelmont. On the 25th the Quebec, Captain Rogers, Beaulieu, Captain Riou, and Zebra, Captain Vaughan, arrived from a cruise. The enemy now increased their forces daily in this part of the island, pressing into their service all the negroes who were on the different estates; and if from timidity or any other cause they demurred, they were instantly shot: from the ship we saw them firing on some negroes of their own, who, from fear, were endeavouring to get off. On the night of the 26th, Lieutenant James, with a party of seamen, marched out of the fort to the military hospital, which he set on fire, being a place that the enemy would soon have made a considerable post against us. On the 29th, the Boyne, as usual sailing towards the fort, was becalmed by the high land of Houelmont, and being within a short distance, was cannonaded from that battery for several hours. From the height of its situation none of our guns could be brought to bear against it; however, after considerable danger, the ship got out of the bay without any damage. On the 5th of November, the enemy opened ten batteries against the fort at the same instant, and a party of them, with a field-piece, under cover of the night, had taken post on the brow of the hill under which the Terpsichore and Experiment were anchored. As soon as the seamen were arranged at day-break, to wash the decks as usual, they were surprised by a heavy shower of musketry from over their heads. The Experiment endeavoured to get away, but being totally becalmed, it was some time before she could accomplish it. (Captain Miller had gone on board the Vanguard, and Captain Skynner was then in the Boyne, receiving his commission.[72]) Captain Bowen, with a presence of mind that never forsook him, ordered up all the muskets that could be procured, and, encouraging his men with great spirit and some effect, returned the fire of the enemy, who now brought their field-piece to bear on the ship; he was therefore obliged to weigh anchor, and get out of the bay as well as he could, his great guns being totally useless from the elevated situation of the enemy: two or three only of our people were wounded, though the deck was studded with musket-balls. The fort[73] was now closely invested by land; by the sea a communication was continued the whole siege, Captain Bowen, in the Terpsichore, never relaxing for a moment in his exertions to serve and assist the garrison. The water in the tank being bad (the enemy having cut off the aqueduct that supplied it), General Prescott ordered an armed party every morning and evening to the river Galion, to protect those sent thither for water. This was continued during the whole siege; cohorns and grape-shot being fired into the ravines and woods beyond the river, and other precautions taken, these parties met with little molestation. All the buildings in the fort being destroyed by the fire of the enemy, the garrison was obliged to take shelter in the Bomb-proof, a close and unwholesome confinement in this climate. On the 6th of November, Victor Hughes sent an insolent summons to General Prescott, to surrender the fort in two hours, which if not complied with, no further terms would be offered, and the whole garrison would be put to the sword. To this the General made a short answer, "that he would defend it as a soldier to the last extremity." The instant the hour was expired that the General allowed the French officer to return to Victor Hughes, he opened a heavy fire from all his batteries against the republicans, and continued it through the day without any return from them. Some stores and provisions were about this period sent to the garrison from Dominica, and the merchants of St. Pierre also made a welcome present of refreshments; the enemy at the same time began to supply their advanced batteries with necessaries by sea in small boats, that, keeping close in shore, evaded our cruisers, and landed at the town of Basse Terre. On the 12th of November, the Boyne was exposed for some time to a heavy fire from several batteries; one shell burst immediately over her, but without doing any mischief. At nine A. M. on the 14th of November, the Beaulieu, being then off Vieu Fort, made a signal to the Admiral, of an enemy of superior force being in sight. Immediately all hands were ordered to quarters, and every preparation made to give them a warm reception; at length three line-of-battle ships hove in sight, which, to our great joy, proved to be a reinforcement from England; the Majestic, Captain Westcott, with Vice Admiral Caldwell's flag on board; the Theseus, Captain Calder; and Bellona, Captain Wilson: by them we were informed that Sir John Vaughan had arrived at St. Pierre, and Sir Charles Grey had given up the command to him. Sir John Jervis, worn down by long and severe exertions, the fatigues of which were augmented by his anxiety for the welfare of the service, that not all his exertions could promote without the arrival of a strong reinforcement, together with the unhealthiness of the climate, found himself no longer able to continue on this station, and therefore, to the great grief of General Prescott, was obliged to give up his command to Admiral Caldwell, and embarking his seamen (under Lieutenant James) from Fort Matilda, sailed for St. Pierre; when, every thing being arranged and settled between the several commanders, Sir Charles Grey and his suite embarked once more with Sir John Jervis on board the Boyne; on the 27th of November they sailed for England, and after a tedious voyage (being for near a month tossed about in the Channel by contrary winds) arrived at Spithead the 21st of January 1795.
[61] Among the many causes of uneasiness that now bore hard upon the Commanders in Chief (by the failure of their well-concerted plans, the dreadful mortality among their troops, and the despair of reinforcements arriving from Europe) the misconduct of one high in estimation as an officer, and hitherto looked upon as a man of strict integrity, was not the least galling. The case was this: At the taking of St. Lucia, Colonel Sir Charles Gordon, who had repeatedly distinguished himself by his gallant conduct, was appointed governor of that island, and in the last promotion was advanced to the rank of brigadier general; soon after which some very unpleasant reports prevailed, of extortions and peculations by him, and taking bribes of the inhabitants, who were supposed to be disaffected, in order to suffer them to remain on the island, and then breaking his word with them. At length a regular complaint was laid before the Commander in Chief, who instantly ordered a court martial to be summoned, and sent an officer to St. Lucia to arrest Sir Charles Gordon, and convey him to Martinique, in order for trial. At this time the fever raged so violently that the two first courts-martial that met on this business, were dissolved by the death of a majority of the members. At length, in order to prevent the like accident from again interrupting the course of justice, the General appointed a greater number of officers than usual to attend, and the trial proceeded; the event of which was, that the prisoner was found guilty of the crimes laid to his charge, and was sentenced to refund the money he had extorted, and to be rendered incapable of serving his majesty again: but, in consequence of some favourable circumstances that came out on the trial, he was allowed to sell his commission. See Appendix, pages 42, 43, 48.
[62] The horses that were sent from America for the purpose of mounting the light dragoons, were so bad, that only three out of forty were sound, or fit for service, insomuch that Captain Hare was obliged to present a memorial to the Commander in Chief on the subject.
[63] Consisting of seventy rank and file only.
[64] I am sorry to add, that this officer soon afterwards fell a victim to the yellow fever.
[65] In one of these attacks Monsieur Vermont was shot through the body, his lieutenant, Monsieur De Lisle, was shot through his breast, and another of his officers killed; in this situation he beat off the enemy. This gallant, but unfortunate officer, was, at the beginning of the revolution, possessed of a good estate near Trois Riviere on Basse Terre, which soon made him an object of republican vengeance; his house was attacked, but he escaped into the woods, supposing that his amiable wife would be safe from their fury, being far advanced in her pregnancy; but the monsters, not regarding her situation, put her to death with circumstances of barbarity too dreadful to relate, and such as would fill, I trust, every Briton's breast with the utmost horror; his aged mother too, and beautiful sister, shared the same fate. He was taken and thrown into prison at Fort Matilda, to reserve him for a public spectacle on the guillotine, when we arrived, and released him from thence by the capture of the island.
[66] Their conduct prior to, and since the enemy had attacked the camp, deserved a far better fate: finding themselves excluded from terms of capitulation, they wished permission to cut their way through the enemy's army, by which a few of them, at least, might escape, and the rest meet an honourable death; but this request, it is said, was refused; perhaps it was believed that on their capture the enemy would relent, and not put their sanguinary threats into execution. Two of these unfortunate men hastened to the shore, in hopes of getting on board the covered boat; but being disappointed, and aware of the fate that awaited them, they instantly shot themselves on the beach. On hearing of this melancholy business, General Grey published an order that did equal honour to his feelings and his mind. See Appendix, page 53.
[67] This part of the agreement, however, was not complied with, as they remained prisoners for more than a year afterwards, during which time many of them died.
[68] General Prescott had so small a force in that quarter, that he could not possibly afford any material assistance to General Graham; but he had made an effort by sending a detachment from the 35th regiment to support some royalists at St. Marié, which however proved ineffectual; and the numbers at Martinique being now too small for the defence of it, General Grey was unable to afford any assistance from thence; however he ordered the flank companies of the 4th battalion, of the 60th regiment from St. Vincent's, and part of the 21st from St. Christopher's, to reinforce Brigadier General Graham. Fortunately, however, they arrived too late, as their numbers were inadequate to save it, and they afterwards made part of the garrison at Fort Matilda.
[69] This gentleman, after having enjoyed a lucrative post, was unwilling to lose the fruits of it, and, instead of rendering any assistance to General Prescott, he took French leave, not forgetting to carry with him a chest well lined, in order to render his residence at Antigua comfortable.
[70] The republican officer who came with him informed us that he saw the execution of the unfortunate royalists, and that twenty-seven heads were struck off in seven minutes and a half!
[71] On the 19th of October the Admiral sent Lieutenant Skynner with a party of seamen to a battery at the N. W. end of the town, from whence he brought off some cannon and mortars.
[72] On the 2d of November, Captain Miller was promoted to the command of the Vanguard, Captain Sawyer being removed to the Assurance, vice Captain Bryer, deceased; and Lieutenant Launcelot Skynner of the Boyne, was appointed commander of the Experiment, vice Captain Miller.
[73] Fort Matilda, formerly Fort Charles, was at first a battery only, erected to command the road; afterwards it was enclosed as a depot for arms and ammunition in case of insurrection among the slaves; and during the last war the French added to its outworks, which were now totally in ruins, but served the enemy, particularly those on the opposite side of the Galion river, as trenches, and effectually covered their musketry that commanded the principal works of the besieged: in short, the fort was completely commanded on the three sides by land, so that not a man in it could move without being seen by the enemy.
* * * * *
As we left General Prescott in a perilous situation, it may be proper to give an account of the conclusion of the siege, though it comes not within the original plan of my work, which professed only to relate the events that took place under the immediate command of Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis. This I am enabled to do from the communication of a brave and intelligent friend who was there during the whole siege. On the 29th of November, Captain Cockburne, aid-de-camp of General Sir John Vaughan, was sent by his Excellency to Fort Matilda, with the unwelcome news that no more men could be sent thither. On the 5th of December, General Prescott dispatched Captain Thomas, his aid-de-camp, to the Commander in Chief, with an account of the fort being almost in ruins; this officer returned thither on the 7th, and found that the bastion towards the river Galion was totally silenced, and so completely commanded by the enemy's musketry, that not a man could approach it; the adjoining curtain was much in the same state; the bastion towards the town was giving way, and expected to tumble into the ditch every moment. General Prescott no longer thought of defence, but to secure his small garrison, now highly necessary for the defence of the other islands, the unparalleled mortality having left them almost without troops. The pestilential fever had been, in proportion, more fatal to the officers than the men; in the garrison, for instance, there was no officer of intermediate rank between the General and his aid-de-camp Captain Thomas, who was second in command. On the 9th of December, this officer was dispatched to Admiral Thompson, and after the plan of embarkation was settled, he returned to the fort, and the evacuation commenced at nine o'clock on the 10th of December, and was conducted with so much skill, that not a man was lost. In the morning two of the garrison deserted to the enemy; but the General had concealed his intentions so well, that not the least intelligence of it seems to have been given by them. There was no interruption to the retreat except a few musket-shots on the beach, from one of which that active officer Captain Bowen was badly wounded in the face. The enemy, unconscious of this movement, cannonaded and bombarded the fort as usual, until two o'clock the next morning, though the embarkation had been completed by eleven the preceding night. The whole force that marched out of Fort Matilda, was between four and five hundred: some of them were sent to the Isle de Saintes and Antigua, and the remainder to Martinique. Thus concluded a siege of eight weeks and two days, during the whole of which General Prescott evinced the most perfect coolness and true soldierly resolution, neither appalled by the tremendous and well-directed fire constantly, both night and day, kept up against the fort, nor by the insolent and threatening summonses of Victor Hughes.[74] In the handsomest manner he bore testimony to the zeal and activity of Sir John Jervis, who relaxed not in his attention to the wants of the garrison, till he was obliged to quit the station; leaving however, in Captain Bowen, a man whose existence seemed to be preserved, amidst the greatest dangers, for the service of his country. Admiral Thompson had his share of praise too for the manner in which he had conducted the embarkation. During the siege seventeen were killed, and seventy-nine were wounded. General Prescott immediately repaired to Saint Pierre, at Martinique, where he received the well-earned thanks and congratulations of all ranks, for his spirited and gallant defence of Fort Matilda. Victor Hughes,[75] on taking possession of the fort, ordered the monument that had been erected over General Dundas, to be destroyed, and his remains thrown into the river Galion; a conduct as mean and brutal, as it was undeserved. I cannot conclude without mentioning the death of that gallant officer, Captain Faulknor, commanding the Blanche frigate of thirty-two guns, who, on the 5th of January, fell in with the republican frigate, La Pique of thirty-eight guns, off the harbour of Point à Pitre; the action was maintained with the greatest fury and obstinacy for five hours, during which Captain Faulknor fell by a musket-ball as he was a second time lashing the bowsprit of La Pique to the capstern of his own ship. The loss of this brave man must be deplored by every friend to the service; his courage and determined bravery had been often tried, and always with success, as in the course of this work I have frequently had occasion to mention. On his death the command devolved on the first lieutenant, Mr. Watkins, who continued the action in a manner that did him immortal honour. The French ship having lost her main and mizen sails, the Blanche took her in tow, still continuing the engagement, when the stern ports not being large enough, they blew the upper transom beam away, and fired into her bows for three hours. The marines under Lieutenant Richardson, kept so well directed a fire, that not a man could appear on her forecastle until she struck; sixty-seven of her crew were dead on the decks; many had been thrown overboard; one hundred and ten wounded were landed at the Saintes; and one hundred and seventy-four were taken to Martinique. The Blanche had ten killed, including the Captain, and twenty-four wounded. Captain Faulknor's exertions in forwarding the service on every occasion, both during, and since the campaign, were unremitting. Indeed the English cause in the West Indies, at this instant, could hardly have received a deeper wound than it did by the death of this brave and zealous man.
[74] During the siege a cannon ball took off the fore part of the General's hat. He coolly observed, "that a miss was as good as a mile!"
[75] So much having been said of this man, it may be agreeable to the reader to be informed of his origin, and pursuits in the former part of his life.--Victor Hughes was originally a petty inn-keeper at Basse Terre, Guadaloupe; from whence he was driven for some misdemeanor, and became master of a small trading vessel at St. Domingo; then a lieutenant in the French navy; and afterwards a deputy in the national assembly: from whence he came out to the West Indies as commissioner, with controlling powers over the commanders of the army and navy. His abilities were certainly good, his courage and perseverance undoubted; but, from the ferocity of his character, he was both feared and hated. Colonel Drummond, who with his small party was taken at Point Bacchus, relates that the republicans put to death all the sick they found in the hospital at Petit Bourg, many of the women, and some children, cutting off heads, and otherwise mutilating the bodies; that, as the men who surrendered with him at Point Bacchus, fainted in their march, they were instantly bayonetted; the Colonel himself was, by particular directions from Victor Hughes, ordered to clean the prison ship in turn with the others; but from this disgrace he was relieved by the dutiful attachment of his men, who would not permit it: his food and lodging were the same as the rest, no attention being paid to his rank; but from the respect and good behaviour of his men, not one of whom would desert from him. A great number of people of all ages, sexes, and conditions, were condemned to the guillotine by this inexorable tyrant, all of whom were conducted in boats round the prison ship, in order to distress and intimidate the British prisoners.
APPENDIX.
_Head Quarters, Barbadoes, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1794._
Parole, ST. DOMINGO. C. S. WILLIAMSON.
The Commander in Chief, having nearly finished all his arrangements to open the campaign with vigour, thinks it necessary, during the few days the troops remain at Barbadoes, to give out the orders proper for the regulation and conduct of the troops; and he anxiously calls upon every commanding officer of brigades, regiments, and corps, to support him in the due and strict observance thereof. The object of the campaign is to complete the conquest of the French West India Islands. Great sufficiency of provisions and a numerous train of artillery are provided. The General is so thoroughly convinced of the zeal and intelligence of the officers and soldiers under his command, that he knows many orders upon the present occasion are unnecessary; yet, to shorten orders in future, it may not be improper to explain to the soldiers the fatal consequences of straggling ever so little away from camp in quest of plunder; it is next to a certainty they will fall ignobly by the hands of the country people: or if they should escape, they may depend upon suffering the severe punishment due to disobeying military orders; as the General will never allow (while he has the honour to command such troops) practices of that nature to gain ground, as that alone, in time, will defeat the bravest army in the world, and render all their efforts useless. The British soldiers cannot be ignorant of the high reputation they have always acquired for obedience, attention, and expertness, in arms; and consequently they must be sensible how much their king and country expect from them: and the General is impressed with every assurance, that the troops will not disappoint them upon this occasion. The General takes the liberty to assure them, that they are able to fight any troops upon earth; and he will be answerable that it would not be a contest of ten minutes between this army and the best troops of France, whether the affair was to be decided by fire or bayonet. This last method is always to be preferred, but much more so when acting against such bad troops as the army we are now to be opposed to, the enemy being made up chiefly of negroes and mulattoes, with a very small proportion of regular troops; to be beat by whom would be so disgraceful, that he cannot entertain the most distant thought of it. The present distracted state of France makes it impossible to support them, therefore it only requires the usual perseverance and gallantry of British soldiers to conquer the first island that an attack is made upon, which will certainly decide the fate of the whole, shorten the campaign, and put an honourable end to the labour and exertion of the troops. The General thinks it a duty incumbent on him, and which he doubts not will be taken well, to point out further what he thinks necessary, either for their own particular good, or that more noble object, the good of their king and country. The General desires the soldiers will consider what hardships must attend their profession; that there is as much true honour in bearing them with manly fortitude, as in forcing the cannon of an enemy; patience under difficulties being one of the first virtues in a military character, and without which no man, however brave, will ever be a soldier. In times like the present some sacrifice of convenience must always be made to necessity; at the same time the soldiers may be assured that every attention will be paid by the Commander in Chief, and every other officer, to have them well supplied with every article that the nature of the service will admit. On the other hand, he hopes the soldiers will be so thoroughly convinced of this, that not one of them will be so lost to honour and virtue, and the service of their country, as not readily and most cheerfully to put up with every inconvenience, and even to the scarcity of provisions, if it should so happen. The General means to carry the business through with as little loss as possible, and with the strictest attention to the preservation of the troops: to this end he expects that every duty required will be carried forward by the troops without the least unsoldier-like behaviour or complaint, and that all orders will be strictly obeyed. The army is sent to carry on honourable war against the French colonies, and by their conduct, in preserving the persons and properties of the peaceable inhabitants, to conciliate the minds of the people to the British government; therefore the General determinately assures the troops, that he will allow of no drunkenness or licentious behaviour, no burning of churches, houses, or edifices of any description, without orders, or plundering in any shape whatever. All persons that with their property remain in their habitations, shall be treated with humanity. No violence to be offered, particularly to women, on any pretence whatever. The strictest subordination and discipline to be preserved throughout the whole army; and the commanding officer of brigades, regiments, and corps, must be responsible accordingly to the Commander in Chief.--The commanding officer will be careful that these orders, and every other that comes out, are distinctly read to their men by an officer, and be clearly understood by both officers and soldiers.--However it may hurt the General's feelings, he is determined to make immediate examples of all those who shall presume to disobey his orders; more particularly that part of them relative to plundering, ill treatment of peaceable inhabitants, or firing of houses, &c. And Captain Vipond, provost marshal, has his orders to execute upon the spot every offender caught in such horrid acts, without trial.--It may be necessary here to acquaint all officers' servants (not soldiers), and followers of the army of every description, that they are subject to military law, and liable in like manner with the troops to the punishment of death, or corporal punishment, according to the nature of the offence. Each regiment and corps will apprize them of this, that ignorance may not be pleaded as an excuse. The success of this army totally depends upon a proper and strict degree of order and discipline being maintained; the General therefore again calls upon officers of every rank to assist him in enforcing it; for the whole are not to suffer by a disorderly few, who, if allowed to go on, would be the destruction of the whole army.
The provost marshal's guard to mount to-morrow morning at six o'clock, consisting of one sergeant, two corporals, twelve privates; and Captain Vipond will direct patroles to go out as he judges necessary, for the purpose of preserving order and regularity.--William Allen, sergeant major, of the forty-eighth regiment, is appointed deputy to the provost marshal; Captain Scott, of the sixth regiment, to act as major to that regiment; and Quarter Master William Haugh to do the duty of adjutant till further orders.--Carpenters are much wanted to expedite the equipment of hospital ships, and other necessary work on board the fleet; returns to be given in by each corps to-morrow of the number of carpenters they have, and such as they can furnish; to be supplied on the application of Captain Armstrong, assistant to the quarter master general, who will receive and take care to return them on board their respective transports. Working parties from the troops afloat are necessary for the same purpose, and will be supplied in rotation, by corps, with a proper proportion of non-commissioned officers, on the application of Captain Armstrong to the officers commanding regiments or battalions. The sixth regiment, and such of the flank companies not yet completed with camp equipage, will receive it on board the Sincerity brig to-morrow morning at six o'clock. The quarter masters of the respective battalions will attend to receive it.--Lieutenant Geyer of the sixty-seventh regiment to do duty with the sixth regiment.--Provost's guard, first battalion grenadiers. One sergeant, nine privates of the ninth regiment on board the army brig to be landed this evening, and to march to St. Ann's, where they are to remain till further orders. The light companies at St. Ann's Castle will fire ball this evening, &c. &c.
* * * * *
Lieut. Colonel Gomm was left to command at Barbadoes.
FURTHER ORDERS BEFORE EMBARKATION.
ORDERS. _Barbadoes, January 24, 1794._
EXTRACT.
The safety of an army depending in a great measure upon the guards and out-posts, they cannot be too vigilant; therefore the Commander in Chief expects, that whatever post or guard an officer is ordered to take, he will first visit his situation and ground around it, and post his centinels so as to render it out of the power of the enemy to surprise him. It is the greatest disgrace that can possibly befall an officer; and so much so in the General's opinion, that any officer, or non-commissioned officer, who shall suffer himself to be surprised, must not expect to be forgiven.--All out-posts to fortify themselves as well as they can, to prevent any insult from parties of the enemy. The troops always to form two deep; and, the roads being so narrow in the island, it will be necessary for them to march by files: if there is room to do otherwise, the commanding officer will be the best judge.--The soldiers will bear in mind the use of the bayonet, which in possession of, they can have no excuse for retreating for want of ammunition, the bayonet being the best and most effectual weapon in the hands of a gallant British soldier; in which mode of attack (the General assures them) no troops upon earth are equal to them. In case of a night attack, ammunition and firing are totally out of the question, and the bayonet is ever to be preferred and made use of. Every reason is in favour of this system; amongst many others the following, viz. It conceals you and your numbers from the enemy; the enemy direct their fire wherever they see or hear fire, consequently fire upon each other, whilst you are concealed, and they fall an easy prey. The General assures the troops of this from his own repeated experience; and the soldiers may rely in confidence upon him, that if it is strictly adhered to, it will seldom, if ever, fail of success.--As it may be necessary at particular times to order the grenadiers, light infantry, and advanced corps, to retire, in order more effectually to secure the defeat of the enemy, the Commander in Chief thinks it necessary to apprize the army of this, to prevent any alarm such an appearance might otherwise occasion amongst the soldiers.--Weak and sickly men are not to embark with their regiments or corps; proper measures will be taken to get those men to their regiments as soon as they are in a state fit for duty. No women to come on shore till particularly ordered, &c.
The undernamed are the officers of Royal Engineers to serve the army on the expedition.
Colonels Elias Durnford, Chief Engineer. John Chillcotts. Robert Douglas.
Captains William Johnston. James Gieddes. Lewis Hay.
1st Lieutenants Richard Downe. Douglas Lawson. Richard Fletcher.
2d Lieutenant Elias Walker Durnford.
No emigrants allowed to go as servants or otherwise from Barbadoes with the expedition, without particular leave from the Commander in Chief; nor any negroes to be hired by the officers, without the consent of their owners.
_Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb. 6, 1794._
GENERAL ORDERS.
Parole, MARTINICO. C. S. MORNE.
Field Officer for the day, Lieut. Colonel Buckridge.
The army will halt to-day.
The Commander in Chief cannot but express the highest sense he entertains of the exertion of the officers and soldiers in a long fatiguing march yesterday, and the orderly behaviour of the men during the whole march, and which must at all times demand his utmost attention; and he assures them the same conduct will (and speedily) put an end to the campaign.--The Commander in Chief is pleased to order an extra day of fresh provisions and rum to be issued out to the men this day as soon as possible.--The regiments which loaded yesterday on their march will draw their pieces immediately; and no regiment to load in future without orders, except the advanced guard.--A general court martial to be convened immediately for the trial of William Milton, of the English light dragoons, and Samuel Price, of the black dragoons, for robbery; and all such prisoners as shall be brought before them. Capt. Cunningham, and Jacques and Falice, to appear as witnesses.
Lieutenant Colonel Blundell, President.
Lieutenant Colonel Johnston.
Major Watson.
Major Ross.
Major Baillie.
Third battalion grenadiers 2 Captains.
Second light infantry 1 Ditto.
Third ditto 1 Ditto.
Third brigade 4 Ditto.
Names of the members, and dates of their commissions, to be given in immediately to Major Lyon, deputy quarter master general, acting judge advocate. List of the evidence for and against to be given in at the same time. The quarter masters of the different regiments at head quarters to give in to the quarter master general a return of the effective strength immediately.
AFTER ORDERS. _Feb. 7, 1794._
William Milton, private in the detachment of British light dragoons, and Samuel Price, a negro, attached to the dragoons, tried by a general court martial, of which Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Blundell was president, for having entered the house of Jacques, an inhabitant of this place, and robbing him of a sum of money, are both found guilty of the crime laid to their charge; and, by virtue of the power and authority vested in the court by the fourth article of the twenty-third section of the articles of war, the said prisoners, William Milton and Samuel Price, are adjudged to suffer death; which is approved of by the Commander in Chief, and the general court martial is dissolved.
The Commander in Chief feels most sensibly, and laments the necessity of making examples so immediately after landing, notwithstanding the strongest and most pointed orders given by him so recently against every kind of irregularity and improper behaviour in soldiers on service, but particularly against this very crime committed by the prisoners. Determined, however, to have his orders obeyed, to preserve discipline in the army, which is so essential to its success, and to prevent a repetition of crimes so base, disgraceful, and detestable, the prisoners, William Milton and Samuel Price, are ordered to be executed at eight o'clock to-morrow morning. The troops to parade at seven o'clock to-morrow morning, in readiness to attend the execution. The ninth and fifteenth regiments to send four men each in augmentation of the castle guard in the rear of the head quarters. Six mules will be delivered to each of the flank battalions, and four to each regiment, at nine o'clock to-morrow morning, at the quarter master general's.
_Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb. 8, 1794._
Parole, WHYTE. C. S. BATTERIES.
Field Officer of the day, Major Watson.
The Commander in Chief hopes the awful scene of this morning will have its proper effect, and not lay him again under the most feeling and painful necessity of repeating it, but which must certainly be the unhappy case in the persons of future offenders. The General could not be justified in the eyes of his king and country, and this army he has the honour to command, in acting otherwise, their existence and success depending (of which every good thinking soldier must be sensible) upon a proper degree of discipline and subordination, with the most minute and strictest obedience to orders, &c.
The General has the pleasure to announce to the army the complete success of Brigadier General Whyte, at the head of the third light infantry, in gallantly storming and taking the batteries of Cape Solomon and Bourgis. In Cape Solomon were four thirty-six pounders and two twenty-four pounders; in Bourgis three twenty-four pounders, all in perfect order to turn against the enemy; with powder and shot in abundance. This success opens a near communication with the fleet, by enabling them to come into Ance d'Arlet Bay, with every supply the army may be in want of; and what still renders it more valuable, carried with the loss only of one man.
_Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb. 9, 1794._
Parole, DUNDAS. C. S. GROS MORNE.
Field Officer of the day, Major Baillie.
The Commander in Chief has again the pleasure to announce to the troops the further success of his majesty's arms towards the conquest of the island of Martinico, by the able conduct of Major General Dundas, and the gallantry and spirit of the troops under his command, in attacking the enemy's troops under the command of Mons. Bellgarde at Trinité with bayonets, and putting them totally to the rout with great slaughter, he narrowly escaping with a few followers into Fort Royal. The Major General with great spirit followed up the blow, and took possession of the very strong fort of the Gros Morne, where the English colours are now flying.
He has also the pleasure to add the gallantry of the seventieth regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Johnston, and led by Colonel Dundas, who with so much spirit and promptitude attacked the enemy posted upon Morne Charlotte Pied, and put them totally to flight, taking possession of that important commanding ground looking down upon Pigeon Island, which, when, attacked (in conjunction with Brigadier General Whyte) and taken, will enable the English fleet to come up into Fort Royal Harbour, in full view of the enemy's Forts of Bourbon and Royal.
The Commander in Chief is happy in the opportunity of making honourable mention of Captain Nares of the seventieth regiment, who led the advanced guard with so much true courage and judgment in the above attack, as reported to him in the strongest manner by Colonel Dundas.
_Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb. 11, 1794._
Parole, GORDON. C. S. CASE NAVIRE.
The Commander in Chief is happy again to assure the army of the progress of our arms towards the reduction of Martinico. Colonel Sir Charles Gordon, and Captain Rogers commanding a squadron of his Majesty's ships, by their good conduct, activity, and spirit, have made a landing good at Cape Pilote, and taken all the batteries upon the coast from Cape Pilote to Cape Navirre. The gallantry of the troops, in charging and putting to flight the enemy wherever they dared to appear, was never more conspicuous.
_Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb. 12, 1794._
Parole, WHYTE. C. S. PIGEON ISLAND.
Field Officer of the day, Major Baillie.
It is with the utmost satisfaction the Commander in Chief announces to the army the capture of Pigeon Island, which surrendered yesterday morning about eleven o'clock, being a post of great strength, and of the utmost importance towards the success of our future operations. The Commander in Chief gives his thanks to Brigadier General Whyte, who commanded and conducted this service with such spirit and ability as to do him honour. Likewise to Colonel Symes, quarter master general, for his able assistance and zeal upon the occasion.--The Commander in Chief returns his thanks to Lieutenant Colonel Close, who commanded the third battalion of light infantry; and to Major Manningham, for his conspicuous exertions. Likewise to Lieutenant Colonel Paterson and Major Manly, who commanded the royal artillery, which was well and ably served; and to Colonel Durnford of the engineers.
The Commander in Chief gives his thanks to all the officers and soldiers employed on that difficult and particular service, whose courage and exertions (so eminently manifested) merit the greatest praise.
The Commander in Chief also has to offer his warmest acknowledgments and obligations to Lieutenants Rogers and Rutherford, commanding the seamen, and to all the other officers and seamen of his Majesty's navy; whose perseverance, able assistance, and good conduct, contributed much to the capture of the island.
_Head Quarters, Riviere Sallée, Feb. 13, 1794._
GENERAL ORDERS.
Parole, YORK. C. S. GLOUCESTER.
The Commander in Chief is happy in the opportunity of expressing the pleasure he received from the report of Major Lyon, deputy adjutant general, of the spirited conduct of the fifteenth regiment, commanded by Captain Pomier, in the attack of a very strong post of the enemy at eleven o'clock last night, in which attack two hundred of the enemy were surprised, and totally routed, with some loss, and all their cattle, provisions, arms, &c. and some prisoners taken, with the loss of one man only of the fifteenth regiment killed, and two wounded.
The fifteenth regiment, at the same time that they accept the Commander in Chief's acknowledgments for their spirited conduct, will allow him to say, that if they had not fired, the surprise might have been more complete; and firing, he trusts, they will in future, in all night attacks, on all occasions, avoid, and which, they well know, how very strongly he recommended previous to the opening of the campaign; and he desires the commanding officers will turn back to their orders, and read them to the officers and men.
The Commander in Chief desires that the warm sense he entertains of the spirited service of Captain de Rivigne (who commanded the howitzers in the siege and capture of Pigeon Island, as reported by Brigadier General Whyte) may be made known to the army, &c.
_Head Quarters, Heights of Brunot, Feb. 17, 1794._
Parole, CONQUEST. C. S. ST. PIERRE.
Field Officer, Major Campbell.
The Commander in Chief hopes that every care is taken of, and humanity shewn to, the negroes attached to the regiments, and to all those employed with the army; and that they are victualled, attended to, and encouraged. This the commanding officers of regiments and corps, and every officer in all departments, will attend to, and inquire into: as many have fled from the camp, which must be owing to their having been neglected, or ill used by some of the men, such treatment must be prevented in future, otherwise the army will suffer every inconvenience.
_Head Quarters, Brunot, Feb. 19, 1794._
Parole, ST. PIERRE. C. S. DUNDAS.
Field Officer, Colonel Coote.
The Commander in Chief has the pleasure to announce to the army the complete capture of St. Pierre, the most considerable town in this island, which contains the greatest part of its wealth, its roads crowded with ships and merchandise, now the prizes of the army and navy.
The Commander in Chief holds himself highly obliged to the troops for their spirited and cool conduct in the course of the attack yesterday; and congratulates them upon so easy an acquisition of the strong ground hitherto occupied by the enemy, owing to the prompt and spirited movement of Lieutenant Colonel Buckridge, and the support of the light infantry under Lieutenant Colonel Coote and Lieutenant Colonel Blundell: this being the very ground intended to be occupied, and essential for the impending siege. The sixth, ninth, and second light infantry, with all the artillery of the camp at Brunot, to march and form the line of the new camp at Sourier at day-break. The seventieth and fifteenth regiments to remain at the port of Matilda, and the covering of the landing place, till further orders.
The commissary to order the provisions, &c. of the army to be escorted to the most convenient and contiguous situation for the supply of the army in their new position; which, from their present landing place, will be nearer than their former encampment. The cavalry, provost's, and every other department attendant on the army, to move to-morrow morning. The post of Colomb, occupied by Lieutenant Colonel Coote, to be retained by two companies, and that of Lieutenant Colonel Buckridge by one company.
No bullocks for draught, which are necessary for agriculture to the inhabitants, or milch cows, to be slaughtered by the army.
_Head Quarters, Heights of Sourier, Feb. 22, 1794._
Parole, NAVY. C. S. ANIMATION.
Field Officer, Major Campbell.
The Commander in Chief saw with pleasure and surprise this morning the great progress that has been made in forming an excellent road for the battering train through so difficult a country, and the fair prospect of the artillery shortly arriving at the destined ground. Nothing can exceed the order and indefatigability of the British sailors, and the zeal and pleasure with which they appear animated in the most laborious exertions; he has remarked this with the utmost satisfaction.
He begs Captains Hervey, Kelly, and Carpenter, with the officers and men under their command, will accept his best thanks and acknowledgments of how much he owes them. When the two services thus combine and co-operate, the greatest obstacles may be surmounted, and every difficulty vanish. The Commander in Chief has given orders to the commissary that the seamen shall be amply supplied with provisions and rum.
_Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, Feb. 24, 1794._
Parole, GREAT GUN. C. S. MORTAR.
Not that the Commander in Chief has any reason whatever to suspect the advanced posts and guard of the camp are not alert, but, on the contrary, their steadiness and attention give him true satisfaction: nevertheless he thinks it right to warn them, that the enemy, in their present hopeless situation, may be desperate, and attempt to insult some of the posts: more they cannot do; but the slightest advantage gained, their expiring cause may for a moment be spirited up to hold out a little longer, and cause the loss of a few brave men; this the Commander in Chief wishes to avoid, and to make the conquest of this valuable island of Martinico with the least loss possible, he being ever attentive and watchful of their preservation. He particularly desires the advanced posts will, if possible, increase their vigilance, and in case of an insult, to meet it coolly, not risking themselves by darting forward (this not being the time for such exertion), but to check their ardour, and content themselves by standing on the defensive, and repulsing the enemy, covering steadily the bringing up the battering train to their destined ground, which will very soon be completed, and the batteries ready to open powerfully upon the enemy from three points at one and the same time; which done, the Commander in Chief assures the army that he has every reason to believe they will be in possession of the enemy's last stake in a little time, and honourably put an end to their labours.
The Commander in Chief again repeats his orders for all the out-posts that are the least exposed to the enemy's fire, to fortify and shelter themselves, throwing up blinds at certain distances to run behind when a shell falls, and which will effectually secure them.--In the trench of Lieutenant Colonel Coote's post three or four cross blinds should be made; and the engineer is immediately to order it. The advanced guns also to be guarded, to prevent a shot damaging a wheel or carriage; which Lieutenant Colonel Paterson will order to be done.
_Head Quarters, Camp, Heights of Sourier, Feb. 28, 1794._
Parole, PUSH. C. S. FORWARD.
Field Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Craddock.
Alexander Ross, second gunner, royal artillery, and Edward Brookes, of the royal Irish artillery, tried by the general court martial, of which Lieutenant Colonel Buckridge was president, for absenting themselves five hours from the post of Gros Morne; and on suspicion of having robbed Madame Lamalle of a gold watch and chain, with various other articles, viz. six silver spoons, six forks, and a large soup spoon. The prisoners are further accused of robbing a washerwoman of some wearing apparel belonging to Adjutant Wilkinson, of the sixty-fourth regiment. The court, having maturely considered the evidence in support of the charge against the prisoners, together with what they had to advance in their defence, acquit the prisoners, Alexander Ross, second gunner of royal artillery, and Edward Brookes, of the royal Irish artillery, of the charge against them of having robbed Madame Lamalle and the washerwoman: but the prisoners, Alexander Ross, of the royal artillery, and Edward Brookes, of the royal Irish artillery, are both found guilty of absenting themselves from the post of Gros Morne without leave, in breach of the fourteenth section of articles of war, and are therefore adjudged to receive four hundred lashes each on their bare backs.--The Commander in Chief approves of the above sentence, and directs, that the punishment of four hundred lashes each be inflicted on the prisoners to-morrow morning at seven o'clock, at the head of the English and royal Irish artillery.--The Commander in Chief is clearly of opinion that the prisoners, Alexander Ross and Edward Brookes, were also guilty of the charge of robbery advanced against them; but the evidence not being of that force to justify the court martial in finding them guilty, they are fortunate in escaping, and he thinks it will make a lasting impression on their minds; for the Commander in Chief assures them, had they been found guilty (however painful to him), they should have suffered the last punishment, death, at the head of the army.
The prisoner Phelps, soldier in the fortieth regiment of foot, tried by the same general court martial for desertion, is found guilty, in breach of the first article of the sixth section of the articles of war, and sentenced to receive eight hundred lashes on his bare back, in the usual manner. The Commander in Chief approves of the above sentence; but, in consideration of the great length of time the prisoner, John Phelps, has been confined, he is pleased to pardon him; and hopes this instance of lenity will make a deep and lasting impression on his mind, and induce him to behave like a good and faithful British soldier to his king and country in future.
_Head Quarters, Camp, Sourier, March 5, 1794._
Parole, AIM. C. S. WELL.
EXTRACTS.
His Royal Highness Prince Edward, major general, to take the command of his Majesty's troops forming the investment of Fort Bourbon, on the Cape Navirre side, and the camp at La Coste, with all the posts depending.
The Commander in Chief observes the soldiers do not dig a trench round their tents to carry off the wet: the commanding officers of regiments and corps to order it to be done immediately, and to send for the hammocks belonging to the round tents, to make the men as comfortable as possible.
Captain J. A. Wetheral, and Lieutenant J. Vesey, of the eleventh foot, are appointed aid de camps to his Royal Highness Prince Edward, major general, and to be obeyed as such.--The Commander in Chief has the pleasure to announce, that a detachment of the fifteenth regiment, commanded by Lord Sinclair, and a detachment of light dragoons, commanded by Lieutenant Shadwell, and conducted by Captain Cunningham (his aid de camp), surprised at ten o'clock this morning a strong corps of the enemy near Francois, which they had set on fire. The enemy were completely surprised, who had been burning, plundering, and murdering, wherever they went; thirty-six were killed, with their chief, who was cut down by a light dragoon. Four prisoners were taken, who were hung up as an example to such rascals in future; which method the General is determined uniformly to pursue with all such taken in arms.--The Commander in Chief returns his best thanks to Lord Sinclair, Captain Cunningham, and Lieutenant Shadwell, for their zeal and exertion on this occasion; and to all the officers and men employed. The fire of Francois was extinguished, and only four houses burnt. Our loss only two men wounded.
_Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, March 9, 1794._
Parole, ADVANCE. C. S. NEARER.
Field Officer, Major Baillie.
Lieutenant General Prescot will advance, and post the seventieth regiment to cover the new batteries; which done, the captain and sixty men, and subaltern and thirty, posted at and near M. Ragout's house, to be withdrawn, excepting a serjeant and twelve men posted on the height in the rear of that post, which must be continued until further orders. Surgeon's mate William Wood, of the seventieth regiment, is appointed surgeon's mate to the general hospital in the West Indies. The following gentlemen are appointed to act as assistant engineers: Mr. Thomas Hall, Lieutenant Fenton, forty-third regiment, Ensign Snell, fifteenth regiment, Ensign Garroway, king's Carolina regiment, and M. la Granche.
_Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, before Fort Bourbon, March 18, 1794._
The gallant attack of the seamen, headed by Lieutenant Bowen of the Boyne, in boarding the Gabarre, in the carinage of Fort Royal, in open boats, at noon day yesterday, under a shower of grape shot and musquetry from the garrison, taking the captain, lieutenant, and twelve men prisoners, being all there were on board, and even firing some of the guns of the Gabarre against the fort, merits the highest praise and admiration. This gallant transaction the Commander in Chief was a witness of, and takes this opportunity of repeating how perfectly sensible he is of their meritorious services, with those of the navy in general, and of their unwearied exertion in forwarding his majesty's service in every way, and on this critical occasion; and begs they will accept of his best thanks. Lieutenant Robertson to do duty as major of brigade, in the room of M. B. Forbes, till further orders.
_Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, before Fort Bourbon, Friday, March 21, 1794._
Parole, FORT. C. S. ROYAL.
Field Officer, Major Baillie.
During the present truce no relaxation of duty, vigilance, or preparation for a continuance of the siege, to take place; on the contrary, every exertion to be used for opening again with more vigour than ever, should the present conference break of, by not agreeing on terms; which may be the case.
The Commander in Chief has great satisfaction in congratulating the army on the most important capture of Fort Royal, effected with so much good conduct and gallantry, which he trusts must lead to a speedy surrender of Fort Bourbon.--The first battalion of grenadiers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Stewart, and third battalion of light infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Close, from camp la Coste, with the third battalion of grenadiers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Buckridge, and first light infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Coote, from the camp of Sourier, behaved with their usual spirit on the occasion, and such as must always command success. Captain de Rivigne, of the royal artillery, has done his duty in so excellent a manner, shewing superior judgment in conducting the fire of the field pieces on the left, and so effectually covering the approach of the troops, as has done him the greatest honour, and proves him to be a most valuable officer.
The Commander in Chief acknowledges great obligations to the navy, on their gallant escalade of Fort Royal, under the able conduct of Commodore Thompson, with the assistance of the Asia, Captain Brown; but particularly to Captain Faulkner of the Zebra, whose gallantry and judgment have justly gained him the admiration of the whole army.--Commodore Thompson's judicious arrangement of the gun-boats and flat-boats, with the assistance of Captain Rogers, who landed and entered the town of Fort Royal from the side of Tortenson, contributed most essentially to the success of the enterprise, in which the zealous assistance and activity of Captain Sancée of the Guides, was highly meritorious and useful. The Commander in Chief's thanks are justly due to every person employed on that service, which he gives with infinite pleasure and satisfaction.
_Head Quarters, Fort Royal, March 25, 1794._
Parole, FORT GEORGE. C. S. FORT EDWARD.
Field Officer, Colonel Coote.
The Commander in Chief orders Fort Bourbon now to bear the name of Fort George, and Fort Louis to bear the name of Fort Edward; and to be called so in future.--The Commander in Chief, with heartfelt satisfaction, congratulates the army on the complete conquest of the island of Martinico, a most important acquisition to his majesty's crown. He begs permission to return the army in general his warmest thanks for their zeal, perseverance, gallantry, and spirit, so eminently distinguished, and never before exceeded, by every rank, from the general to the soldier, throughout this service; and this justice he cannot fail to do them in the strongest language to his majesty.--The works of the trenches to be levelled, and every preparation made by all departments for embarkation on another expedition. The transports are ordered round to Fort Royal; and the cannon, ordnance stores, and every thing belonging to the engineer and military departments, to be conveyed down, ready to be embarked on board their respective ships, regularly, and with such method, that no sort of confusion or retardment may happen upon a second disembarkation. The artillery will always be the first called for.--All officers of the army and navy to have permission to go into Fort George.
GENERAL ORDERS.
_Head Quarters, Boyne, off Guadaloupe, June 4, 1794._
Colonel Richard Symes is appointed brigadier general from the 25th of May, 1794, in the West Indies; and also governor of Guadaloupe, until his majesty's pleasure is known.
GENERAL ORDERS. _Guadaloupe, June 8, 1794._
Colonel Francis Dundas is appointed Brigadier General from the 26th of May, 1794, in the West Indies. Surgeon Thomas Wright, from the garrison of Guadaloupe, to be purveyor of the general hospital, vice Dundon, deceased. The Honourable Captain Stewart, of the twenty-second regiment, to be extra aid de camp to the Commander in Chief.
GENERAL ORDERS. _Guadaloupe, June 10, 1794._
Captain Donkin, of the forty-fourth regiment, to do duty as major of brigade.
GENERAL ORDERS. _Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, June 13, 1794._
The Commander in Chief feels great satisfaction in acquainting the army with his majesty's entire approbation of their gallant exertions and bravery during this campaign, to the time of the capture of Fort Bourbon (now Fort George), and the complete conquest of the island of Martinique; which is communicated to him in a letter from the secretary of state, bearing date the 22d of April, 1794, of which the following is an extract. "I am therefore to signify to you his majesty's most perfect and entire approbation of your conduct, and of the gallant behaviour of all the officers and soldiers under your command; and to desire that you will convey to them the just sense his majesty entertains of the honour they have done themselves, and of the services which they have rendered to their country."--The Commander in Chief has also the pleasure of notifying to the army, that having made application for exempting it from paying postage, his majesty has been graciously pleased to comply therewith; which is communicated to him in a letter from the secretary of state of the same date, the following being an extract. "His majesty is most graciously pleased to comply with your request that the army under your command whilst on service may be exempted from paying postage for their letters; and I shall immediately signify the same to the post master general."
GENERAL ORDERS. _Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, June 14, 1794._
Parole, LIGHT INFANTRY. C. S. ----
The Commander in Chief thanks Brigadier General Dundas, and the first light infantry, under the command of Major Ross, supported by the thirty-ninth regiment, under Major Magan, for the usual spirit with which they attacked the French camp at Point Gabbare, and congratulates them on the complete success of it.--The able and gallant conduct of Major Ross, in leading the light infantry so handsomely to the charge, as reported by Brigadier General Dundas, demands the Commander in Chief's particular acknowledgments; and which he will not fail to report to the ministry, to lay before his majesty.
GENERAL ORDERS.
_Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, Guadaloupe, June 15, 1794._
Parole, BOYNE. C. S. ----
The grenadier companies of the sixth, ninth, fifteenth, twenty-first, fifty-sixth, fifty-eighth, sixtieth, fourth battalion of the sixty-fourth, sixty-fifth, and three companies from the Irish regiments, to be formed into a battalion under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Fisher, of the sixtieth regiment. The light companies of the sixth, ninth, fifteenth, twenty-first, fifty-sixth, fifty-eighth, sixtieth, fourth battalion of the sixty-fourth, sixty-fifth, and three companies from the Irish regiments, to be formed into a battalion under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Gomm.
GENERAL ORDERS. _Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, June 18, 1794._
Parole, ---- C. S. ----
The Commander in Chief feels with great concern the necessity of again assembling part of the troops to dislodge an enemy who have stolen into Pointe a Pitre, and the posts in its neighbourhood, at the moment when the gallant General Dundas was expiring. He had hoped that the troops, whose meritorious services had acquired so much glory during a most successful campaign, would have found rest and comfort during the remainder of this year at least. Relying however on the cheerful and utmost exertions of the gallant troops he has the happiness to command, he cannot entertain a doubt of finishing the service speedily and gloriously, to enable the troops to return very soon to the quarters from whence they are now called forth to service.
The Commander in Chief assures the troops that their situation on this extra service shall be made as comfortable and agreeable to them as it is in his power to render it; and that no time shall be lost in advancing against the enemy, consistent with the attention he always pays to the preservation of his soldiers, not wantonly or prematurely exposing them to danger.
The same conduct, good behaviour, and cool bravery, which gained such rapid and complete success hitherto, will insure it on the present occasion, against about five hundred regular troops, joined by a despicable and motley crew of mulattoes and negroes, with some seamen, the whole a forlorn hope, who put in here for the want of provisions, and at a time the forty-third regiment was weakened by sickness.
The troops to be ready to get into the flat boats to-morrow morning at three o'clock. The boats, when the men are embarked, are to assemble astern of the Assurance forty-four gun ship, there waiting for orders to proceed on shore. The troops to carry on shore with them three days provisions dressed, one day's grog, and rum in kegs for another day: also to land with their tent blankets, camp kettles, water kegs, canteens, and hand hatchets; the sailors to land with ditto and tomahawks.
The light infantry to be first to land with two amuzettes, supported by the battalion of grenadiers with two three-pounders.
The sixty-fifth regiment then to land with two six-pounders; Captain de Rivignes commanding the artillery. After the troops are landed, and have got the heights opposite, the spare artillery, howitzers, stores, &c. are to be landed at Grozier. The commanding engineer will land at the same time all the artificers, and every thing belonging to his department, that no time whatsoever may be lost in forwarding the enterprise. The first troops that land will immediately take advantage of the strongest ground, houses, &c. there posting themselves; not advancing until the whole are landed. Brigadier General Symes will direct the landing, and is to command the troops on shore. The Commander in Chief has been pleased to appoint Captain John Cunnyngham, of the forty-third regiment, to be deputy adjutant general, vice Lyon, deceased.
GENERAL ORDERS. _Head Quarters, Grozier, Guadaloupe, June 20, 1794._
The Commander in Chief is much surprised to find, from the report of Brigadier General Symes, that the seamen and soldiers straggle from camp in search of water, which, when found in the neighbourhood, is not fit for drinking, though it may answer for cooking. The Commander in Chief forbids any officer from quitting the post of his company, except on duty; and directs that the rolls be called every two hours. If any soldier or seaman be found marauding or straggling from camp, he will be punished in the most severe manner. The officers commanding corps to see their battalions fall in, and the rolls called, from which no officer is to be absent, as the enemy are lurking about the posts.
The piquets are not to suffer any person to pass them, without a pass in writing from the brigadier general.
Each corps will send an officer for orders to head quarters every day at ten o'clock, and an orderly serjeant from each corps to attend constantly. All applications for provisions to be made to Mr. Johnstone, the quarter master of the sixtieth regiment. These orders, as well as all others, to be read to the men by an officer of each company. Captain Robins, of the sixtieth regiment, to do duty with the sixty-fifth regiment; and Lieutenant Milnes, of the forty-ninth, with the ninth light infantry.
The Honourable Captain Stewart, of the twenty-second regiment, having offered his services to the Commander in Chief on this present occasion, they are accepted; and he is ordered to do duty with the ninth grenadier company.
GENERAL ORDERS. _Head Quarters, Grozier Camp, June 21, 1794._
Parole, ENGLAND. C. S. PROSPERITY.
On account of the brilliant success of his majesty's arms, and his allies, in France, by the complete victory gained by the Duke of York at the head of the British, and also by the Austrians, on the 26th of April last, in which the French General Chapuey was made prisoner, with fifty-seven pieces of their cannon taken, and a great slaughter of their troops, with a very inconsiderable loss of the British troops and their allies, the Commander in Chief orders a _feu de joie_ on the occasion at six o'clock this evening; for which purpose all the troops will be under arms and assemble with the naval battalion at five o'clock, and are to be marched to a conspicuous situation, in view of the enemy, to give three rounds of running fire. The whole of our artillery, drawn up in front of the line, are to fire three rounds. Each round of artillery to precede a round of small arms: running fire beginning at the right of the line; and to conclude with three hearty cheers.--Brigadier General Symes, who commands the line, will be so good as to place and arrange the troops on this occasion, pointing out the ground they are to assemble upon. The whole navy will fire a _feu de joie_, and the troops under the command of Brigadier General Dundas at the camp at Berville, at the same time.
The Commander in Chief desires that his long, spirited, and determined orders, given out when the army sailed from Barbadoes on the expedition to Martinico, dated the 22d of January, may be read to the troops, particularly to the seamen, many of whom have not served on shore. This the commanding officers of corps and naval battalions will be answerable to the Commander in Chief is done; and at the same time to assure their men, that however it may hurt his feelings, he will put the said orders in full force upon any and every offender in future; for without strict discipline and good order, no good service can possibly be effected: and he again calls upon every officer in the army to assist him in this necessary work. The troops to receive one day's fresh meat, and two days salt provision and rum, to-morrow morning at day-break. Returns to be sent to the commissary general this evening.
AFTER ORDERS.
Cattle of every description to be brought to head quarters, or delivered to persons ordered to receive them; and no person whatever to kill any beast without orders. It is strictly forbid that any officer, soldier, or seaman, shall presume to take any negroes, except those delivered to them by the quarter master general's department. The marauding which has taken place obliges the General to remind the commanding officers of corps to refer to orders already given out on that head. It will give him extreme concern to be obliged to punish with severity such crimes; but as the existence of the army depends on its discipline, it must be maintained. The first man caught in the act of plundering, to be hung on the spot. The provost is ordered to visit the environs of the encampment, and to execute this order with the utmost vigilance. Piquet to parade at six in the evening.
_Head Quarters, Grozier, June 24, 1794._
Parole, CAMBRAY. C. S. YORK.
Field Officer for the day, Major Crosbie.
The two divisions of marines are to do duty with the battalion of grenadiers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Fisher. The troops will be particularly careful of their camp kettles, canteens, and haversacks, as no more can be procured for them.
Only two quarts of water per man can be issued for the troops, and that early in the morning, from the men of war. Four days provision to be issued to the troops to-morrow morning.
GENERAL ORDERS. _July 6, 1794._
The Commander in Chief has just received another letter from the secretary of state on the subject of postage of letters to this army, of which the following is a copy.
"SIR, _Whitehall, May 8, 1794._
"As I find the post master general is restrained by law from discharging any letters from the payment of postage, I have, in order that the officers and soldiers under your command may receive their letters free of expence, notified to the different army agents, that all letters for the said officers and soldiers, if sent to this office, will be forwarded to them. I have accordingly directed that such letters shall be put in a separate packet or bag, and addressed to yourself, and transmitted by each mail.
(Signed) "HENRY DUNDAS."
_Extract from another Letter from Mr._ DUNDAS _to Sir_ CHARLES GREY, _K. B. May 21, 1794._
"It is peculiarly grateful to his Majesty in directing me to signify to you his most entire and perfect approbation of your conduct, and of the gallant behaviour of all the officers and soldiers who served upon this occasion; and which you will convey to them in the most particular manner, and that such important conquests have been attained with so little loss on the part of his majesty. I take this opportunity of inclosing you the votes of thanks to you and Sir John Jervis, which I moved yesterday, with the unanimous concurrence of the House. You will observe they are to be officially communicated to you by the speaker. Similar votes were unanimously passed by the Lords."
_Extracts from the Votes of the House of Commons._
"Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the thanks of this House be given to Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the most honourable order of the Bath, for his late able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West Indies."
"Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the thanks of this House be given to Lieutenant General Prescott, his Royal Highness Major General Prince Edward, and Major General Thomas Dundas, and to the several officers of the army under the command of Sir Charles Grey, for their late gallant conduct and meritorious exertions in the West Indies."
"Resolved, nem. con. That this House doth highly approve and acknowledge the services of the non-commissioned officers and private soldiers in the army serving under Sir Charles Grey in the West Indies; and that the same be signified to them by the commanders of the several corps, who are desired to thank them for their gallant behaviour."
"Ordered, That the speaker do signify the said resolutions to Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis."
Colonel Colin Graham, of the twenty-first regiment, is appointed brigadier general from the 26th of May, 1794.
_Head Quarters, Martinique, July 13, 1794._
Parole, NORTHAMPTON. C. S. BURFIELD.
A General court martial to assemble at St. Pierre's, Martinico, on Friday next, the 25th instant, at eight o'clock, for the trial of Brigadier General Sir Charles Gordon, lieutenant colonel of the forty-first regiment of foot, and such other matters as shall be brought before them. The witnesses, both on the part of the prisoner and prosecution, to attend; lists whereof to be sent to Major of Brigade Lorraine, at St. Pierre's, immediately. The above general court martial to consist as follows.
Lieutenant General Prescott, president.
And such other members as shall be hereafter ordered.
_Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, July 20, 1794_.
Parole, BRITAIN. C. S. ----
The Commander in Chief orders a _feu de joie_ to be fired this evening at six o'clock, to celebrate the most signal victory that ever was gained over the French fleet, on the 1st of June last, by Earl Howe, in the English channel. The French fleet consisted of twenty-six ships of the line, the English fleet of twenty-five. Of the French seven sail of ships of the line were taken, one sunk, and many of them dismasted and crippled; so that most probably many more would fall into the hands of the English. In short, the General has the satisfaction to announce to the army the total ruin of the French fleet.
_Head Quarters, St. Pierre, July 28, 1794_.
Parole, JERVIS. C. S. ----
The Right Honourable Lord Loughborough having transmitted to the Commander in Chief the votes of thanks passed by the House of Lords to himself, Lieutenant General Prescott, his Royal Highness Prince Edward, and Major General Thomas Dundas, and all the other officers of this army; the Commander in Chief loses no time in giving out the following copies of those votes in general orders.
"_Die Mercurii_.
"Ordered, nemine dissentiente, by the Lords spiritual and temporal, in parliament assembled, That the thanks of this House be given to Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the most honourable order of the Bath, for his late able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West Indies."
Signed, G. ROSE, Clerk of Parliament.
"_Die Mercurii_.
"Ordered, nemine dissentiente, by the Lords spiritual and temporal, in parliament assembled, That the thanks of this House be given to Lieutenant General Prescott, his Royal Highness Prince Edward, Major General Thomas Dundas, and to the several officers of the army under the command of Sir Charles Grey, for their late able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West Indies."
Signed, G. ROSE, Clerk of Parliament.
_May 21, 1794_.
"Ordered, nemine dissentiente, by the Lords spiritual and temporal, in parliament assembled, That this House doth highly approve and acknowledge the services of the non-commissioned officers and private men in the army serving under Sir Charles Grey in the West Indies; and that the same be signified to them by the commanding officers of the several corps, who are desired to thank them for their gallant behaviour."
Signed, G. ROSE, Clerk of Parliament.
The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of London having transmitted to the Commander in Chief the unanimous vote of thanks of the Common Council of the city to this army, he takes the earliest opportunity of communicating the following extract thereof in general orders.
"At a common council holden in the chamber of the Guildhall of the city of London, on Tuesday, May 27, 1794, Le Mesurier, Mayor,--Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this Court be given to Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the Bath, and the officers and soldiers serving under his command, for the signal services they have rendered to their country by their able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West Indies."
Signed, RIX.
_Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, August 1, 1794_.
Parole, MATILDA. C. S. ----
One serjeant, one corporal, and twelve privates, from each regiment, to parade every morning at six o'clock, and evening at five, and to be instructed in the exercise of the artillery; and when perfected, the commanding officer of artillery will report to the general or commanding officer on the spot, that they may be relieved by an equal number, to be taught in the same manner, that there may be no want of artillerymen to man and fight the guns on the batteries, in case of an attack.
_Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, August 3, 1794_.
Parole, SPITHEAD. C. S. ----
It is the Commander in Chief's orders, that all negroes belonging to the islands, who still continue with the army, or are known of, shall be sent to St. Pierre or Fort Royal immediately, in order to their being sent home, and a final settlement made of their accounts.
_Head Quarters, St. Pierre, August 4, 1794_.
Parole, HURRICANE. C. S. ----
His Majesty having been pleased to appoint John Jeoffray, Esq. commissary general of stores and provisions, and Valentine Jones, Esq. to be commissary of accounts, for the Leeward and Windward Islands, all accounts in the commissary general's department, for which warrants have not been already granted, as well as those of the assistants stationed in the different islands, as those of the moving army, are to be settled with him, and to be examined and certified by the commissary of accounts, previous to their being brought to the secretary's office, as no warrants for money can be granted on them until that shall have been done. Warrants for the subsistence of the army, and for the pay of the officers employed on the staff, will be granted in the usual manner, on application at the secretary's office.
AFTER ORDERS. _August 4, 1794_.
The proceedings of the present general court martial being impeded by the sickness of some of the members, makes it necessary to add more members to the strength of it, that, the business may go forward without interruption in future. The Commander in Chief therefore orders a general court martial to assemble at nine o'clock on Friday morning the 8th instant, at the same place, and to begin the trial again of Brigadier General Sir Charles Gordon; and which general court martial is to be composed of a president and eighteen members. All evidences to attend; and a list of them to be given to the deputy judge advocate as soon as possible. The corps of island rangers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Toler, to be augmented twenty men a company, making them seventy instead of fifty.
Members of the General Court Martial.
General Prescott President. Lieutenant Colonel Johnstone seventieth regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Stewart fifty-eighth. _Dead_. Captain Whitworth royal artillery. Captain Flood fifty-eighth. Captain Taggart fifty-fifth. Captain Ingram fifty-fifth. _Dead_. Captain Forbes thirty-fourth. Captain Pomiere fifteenth. Captain Dunbar seventieth. Captain Sharpe sixth. Captain Harvey thirty-third. _Dead_. Captain Gillespei thirty-first. Captain Blacker sixty-fifth regiment. Captain Lorrain ninth. Captain Hindson fifteenth. Captain Macdonald fifteenth.
_St. Pierre, August 5, 1794._
Parole, ANTIGUA. C. S. ----
The officers of the army will understand, that should the order of the 3d instant (respecting the negroes being returned), not be strictly complied with, that for every negro kept back, the officers to whom they belong, and who detained them, will certainly have to pay, not only the full price of such negroes, but their hire during the time of service.--On account of the indisposition of Lieutenant Colonel Stewart, fifty-eighth regiment, he is not to be a member of the general court martial ordered for the 8th instant. Captain Rose, seventieth regiment, is to be a member thereof, in the room of Lieutenant Colonel Stewart.
_Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, August 9, 1794._
Parole, ANTIGUA. C. S. ----
The British inhabitants of the town of St. Pierre are to be embodied, and to form a corps under the command of Captain Bontein, who is appointed lieutenant colonel commandant thereof, to be called the Royal Martinico Volunteers. The following gentlemen are to be the officers.
Lieutenant Colonel ---- Bontein.
Captains James Clifton. Andrew Smith.
First Lieutenants William Moore. Cayley Johnstone.
Second Lieutenants ---- Popham. ---- Heyland.
Adjutant Mr. Randal Ripton.
The above corps is to parade at the Pere Blancs, which is to be their alarm post.
All British born subjects, resident in or near the town of St. Pierre, are required forthwith to give in their names to Lieutenant Colonel Bontein, of the royal Martinico volunteers, at the custom house; and every person of the above description meaning to leave the island, is required to make known his intention to Lieutenant Colonel Bontein: they are likewise required to give in their names upon their arrival. The Commander in Chief has no doubt, from the voluntary and handsome offer of the English in the town of St. Pierre, that all who are able will willingly join the corps of the royal Martinico volunteers, under the orders of Lieutenant Colonel Bontein, to preserve good order, and defend their properties.
F. MAITLAND, deputy adjutant general.
_Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, August 11, 1794._
Parole, CORNWALLIS.
In consequence of the death of Captain Blacker, sixty-fifth, and the illness of Captain Ingram, fifty-eighth, Captain Lee of forty-fourth grenadiers, and Captain Holland of sixtieth regiment, are to replace those officers as members of the general court martial ordered to meet this day.
GENERAL ORDERS. _Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinico, August 31, 1794._
The appointment of Captain Hare, of the light dragoons, to be aid de camp to the Commander in Chief, is not to interfere with or prevent his having the entire command of the detachment of British light dragoons, which he retains as if no such appointment had been made.
AFTER ORDERS.
The general court martial, of which Lieutenant General Prescott is president, is hereby dissolved; and all officers are to repair to their posts, where they are so much wanted.
F. MAITLAND, deputy adjutant general.
_Head Quarters, St. Pierre, Martinique, Nov. 7, 1794._
Parole, UNANIMITY.
The recent act of inhumanity and barbarity committed at Guadaloupe by the enemy (by whom a considerable number of royalists were murdered in cold blood, after having fallen into their hands at Berville camp as prisoners of war, and who had become subjects of Great Britain, by taking the oath of allegiance to the British government, after the conquest of that island), calls aloud for the following order and declaration of the Commander in Chief: That all persons residing in the conquered islands of Martinico, Guadaloupe, and St. Lucia, and their dependencies, whether French or of any other nation, having taken the oath of allegiance to the government of Great Britain, and who demean and conduct themselves accordingly, shall receive every protection that the other subjects of Great Britain do in these islands: and should such cases of extremity happen as may render a capitulation necessary, no terms are to be proposed or accepted, which do not give equal security, safety, and protection, to them as to the other subjects of Great Britain, as well those with arms as those without; consequently, no place is to be surrendered before this is expressly and explicitly acknowledged and subscribed to by the enemy, that in any extremity we may stand or fall together: and the Commander in Chief earnestly recommends a continuance and confirmation of this order to his successors in command, as a measure of justice, dictated by honour and humanity.
The Commander in Chief hopes that this explicit order and declaration, giving such ample security to the royalists on his part, will ease their minds; and, confidence being restored, that it will produce a becoming zeal and exertion to unite for the public interest heart and hand, in contributing to good order and tranquillity; and that he may expect there will not be any further emigration on the bare report of an enemy's approach, or even on being actually landed; as every apprehension of danger must be dispelled when all are heartily united for the common safety and defence.
The Commander in Chief, hoping therefore for this effect and conduct from the people in general, does in a more particular manner recommend to persons of consequence to set a laudable example of fortitude on every occasion, and to assemble and embody under proper leaders, to act in conjunction with his majesty's regular troops, for the protection of their honour, families, and fortunes, which must be dearer to them than life.
The King having been pleased to order that the colours taken at Martinique by the forces under Sir Charles Grey, K. B. and Sir John Jervis, K. B. which were brought to the palace at St. James's, should be deposited in the Cathedral of St. Paul, on Saturday, May 17, 1795, detachments of horse and foot guards were ordered to parade at St. James's at ten o'clock, and marched before his Majesty, who was pleased to see them pass by in the following order:
A Captain and forty life guards, A serjeant and twelve grenadiers, Music of the first regiment of guards, Twenty-nine serjeants with the FRENCH COLOURS, A Field Officer and one hundred life guards.
In this manner they proceeded to the west gate of St. Paul's, where the colours were received by the Dean and Chapter, attended by the choir, about which time the guns at the Tower and Park were fired.
The colours are since put up in the said cathedral church as a lasting memorial of the success of his Majesty's arms in the reduction of the important island of Martinique.
EXTRACT FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY REGISTER,
Vol. xxxviiii. p. 329.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
"_Tuesday, May 20, 1794._
"The following resolutions were severally put, and passed nem. con.
"That the thanks of this House be given to Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, for his late able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West Indies.
"That the thanks of this House be given to Sir John Jervis, Knight of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, for his late able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West Indies.
"That the thanks of this House be given to Lieutenant General Prescott, his Royal Highness Major General Prince Edward, and Major General Thomas Dundas, and to the several Officers of the army under the command of Sir Charles Grey, for their late gallant and meritorious exertions in the West Indies.
"That the thanks of this House be given to Rear Admiral Thompson, and to the several Captains and Officers of the fleet under the command of Sir John Jervis, for their late gallant conduct and meritorious exertions in the West Indies.
"That this House doth highly approve and acknowledge the services of the Non-commissioned Officers and Soldiers in the army serving under Sir Charles Grey in the West Indies; and that the same be signified to them by the commanders of the several corps, who are desired to thank them for their late gallant behaviour.
"That this House doth highly approve and acknowledge the services of the Sailors and Marines serving on board the fleet under command of Sir John Jervis in the West Indies; and that the same be signified to them by the captains of the several ships, who are desired to thank them for their gallant behaviour."
Mr. Dundas then moved, "That Mr. Speaker do signify the said resolutions to Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis."--Passed nem. con.
LIST OF THE OFFICERS OF THE ARMY
_Who died or were killed during the Campaign in the West Indies, under Lieutenant General Sir_ CHARLES GREY, _K. B. and Vice Admiral Sir_ JOHN JERVIS, _K. B. in the year 1794._
_Killed, or died of their Wounds._
Where killed or wounded.
Brigadier General Symes Quarter Master Gen. Point à Pitre. Lieut. Colonel Campbell 9th regiment Martinique. Lieut. Colonel Gomm 55th regiment Point à Pitre. Major Irving 70th regiment On board the Assurance. Captain Armstrong 8th regiment Fleur d'Epée. ... Combe 15th regiment Point à Pitre. ... M'Donald 21st regiment Fleur d'Epée. ... Grove 35th regiment Point à Pitre. ... M'Ewan 38th regiment Martinique. ... Fenton 43d regiment Point à Pitre. ... Morrison 58th regiment Fleur d'Epée. ... Forbes 34th regiment Berville. Lieut. Thong 6th regiment Fleur d'Epée. ... Booth 8th regiment Ditto. ... Newport 12th regiment Point à Pitre. ... Lyster 12th regiment Ditto. ... Croker 15th regiment Ditto. ... Knollis 21st regiment Ditto. ... Price 21st regiment Fleur d'Epée. ... Cockrane 39th regiment ... Manson 40th regiment Point à Pitre. ... Crofton 43d regiment Ditto. ... Hennis 58th regiment Ditto. ... Conway 60th regiment Ditto. ... Toosey 65th regiment Fleur d'Epée. ... Auchmuty 17th regiment Point à Pitre. ... Mercer Marines Ditto.
_Died of the Fever or other Disorders._
Major General Thomas Dundas.
Captain Dally } Lieutenant Gale } 6th regim. Surgeon Barton }
Captain Saumarez } Ensign Armstrong } 8th regim. Ensign Caulfield. }
Captain Campbell 9th regim.
Captain Twedie } Lieut. Perryn } ... Wallace } 12th regim. ... Wright } ... Miller }
Captain Combe } Lieut. James } 15th regim. ... Napier }
... Cane } 17th regim. ... Ritchie }
Major Rowley } Lieut. Mewt } 21st regim. ... Stornton }
Lieut. M'Donald } 22d regim.
Lieut. Garnons } 23d regim. ... Polhill }
Lieut. Tilth 29th regim.
Lieut. Davis } ... M'Kenzie } 31st regim. ... Williams }
Captain Wallace } Lieut. Morndrew } 32d regim. Surgeon Taylor }
Captain Harvey } 33d regim. Lieut. Beaty }
Captain Roache } Lieut. Innes } ... Forrester } 34th regim. ... Wattle } ... Nash }
Captain Johnson } ... Graves } Lieut. Mukins } ... Fitzgerald } 35th regim. ... Phaire } ... Sands } ... Barry }
Captain Douglas } Lieut. Mytton } ... Clarke } 38th regim. ... Brown } ... Bawer }
Lieut. Col. Freemantle } Captain Johnston } ... Shaw } ... Purdie } Lieut. Burslen } ... Atherton } 39th regim. ... Reynell } ... Scanlan } ... M'Rea } Ensign Tidsley } ... Hutchinson } ... Atkins } Adjutant Simpson } ... M'Kenzie } 39th regim. Surgeon Campbell }
Captain Head 40th regim.
Captain Vignoles } ... Bayard } ... Affleck } ... Spencer } ... M'Dowal } Capt. Lieut. Jones } Lieut. Butler } ... Graham } 43d regim. ... Dennison } Ensign Daniel } ... Kirwan } Qr. Mast. Burnett } ... Bruce } Surgeon Hodskinson } Lieut. Phipps } 44th regim. ... Davis }
Lieutenant Moe 45th regim.
Major Lyon, Deputy Adj. General } Captain Taggart } Lieut. Main } 55th regim. ... M'Kenzie } ... Taylor }
Captain White } ... Cuthbert } ... Fancourt } Lieut. Perry } 56th regim. ... Hague } ... Stowell } ... Warren } ... O'Hara } ... Taylor } Chaplain Ruxton }
Lieut. Col. Stewart } Captain Ingram } ... Hood } Lieut. Maudsley } ... Hamilton } ... Berford } 58th regim. ... Murray } ... E. Smith } ... Bouchier } ... Tonson }
Lieut. Cunningham } ... Sneider } ... Cook } 60th regim. ... Montmallin } ... Belt }
Lieut. Col. Buckridge } Major Compton } Lieut. Usher } ... Thornhill } ... M'Guire } ... Wilson } 64th regim. ... Strafford } ... Knight } Adjutant Wilkinson } Quart. Mast. Molloy } Surgeon Wingate }
Lieut. Col. Close } Major Dalrymple } Captain M'Gregor } ... Blacker } ... Oliver } Lieut. Brimlow } 65th regim. ... Kennedy } ... Adams } ... Milward } Surgeon Brown }
Captain Nares } ... Eiston } ... Ogle } ... Atkinson } ... Bruce } 70th regim. Lieut. Cox } ... Floyer } ... Gifford } Surgeon Raye }
Captain Shadwell 10th lt. dra.
Lieut. Col. Dornford } Captain Chilcot } engineers. ... Lawson } ... Dawse }
Major Shewbridge } Captain Tygrell } Captain Harris } ... Smith } ... George } ... Nugent } ... Thornhill } artillery. ... Coulston } ... Malony } ... Jones } ... Dawson }
Doctor Dundon } ... Brown } ... Wright } Apoth. Vanderguest } ... Carnigue } Mate Mallet } hospital. ... Green } ... Harris } ... Cooper } ... Turnbull } ... Hennings }
27 killed or died of their wounds. 170 died of the yellow fever, and other diseases incidental --- to the climate. Total 197
I was informed by Captain Shank of the royal navy, the agent for transports, that during the expedition 46 masters of transports, and 1100 of their men, died of the yellow fever. The returns of the masters were given in, of the men a rough calculation to the above amount was made. On board the Broderic transport the fever raged with such violence, that the mate, the only survivor, was obliged to scull his boat on shore to fetch off negroes to throw the dead overboard, and himself died soon after.
Of the royal navy the loss was considerable; but it has not been in my power to procure a list of the officers who died or were killed on this expedition.
LIST _of the_ OFFICERS _Prisoners to_ VICTOR HUGHES, _who were living at Point à Pitre the first of January, 1795._
Brigadier General Colin Graham
Lieut. Ekins, since } dead of his wounds } 6th regim.
Capt. Lieut. Smith 9th regim.
Lieutenant Hurst 15th regim.
Captain Stovin 17th regim.
Lieutenant Keating 33d regim.
Captain Eiston } Lieutenant Strickland } 35th regim. Ensign Holmes }
Ensign Barclay 38th regim.
Lieut. Col. Magan } Lieut. Horsburg } ... Dale } 39th regim. Ensign Divignes } Quar. Mast. Clements } Surgeon Ormsby }
Captain Dansey } 40th regim. Lieutenant Holwell }
Lt. Col. Drummond } Captain Thomson } ... Cameron } ... Thorley } Lieut. Hull } Lieut. Cameron } 43d regim. ... Tidey } ... De Yonge } Ensign Deshon } ... Delisle } Surgeon Salmon }
Lieut. Philips } 44th regim. ... Miller }
Lieut. Hamilton } 55th regim. ... Dixon }
Captain Owen } Lieut. Barclay } ... Johnson } 56th regim. ... M'Causland } Mate Bell }
Ensign Richardson 58th regim.
Lieut. Cudmore 64th regim.
Cornet Garside 10th lt. dra.
Captain Suckling } artillery. Lieut. Stackpole }
Lieut. Dornford engineers.
Mate Ramage } hospital. ... Anderson }
THE END.
+--------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | Transcriber's Note | | | | Words with variable hyphenation and accents have been | | preserved as in the original. A few obvious punctuation | | errors have been corrected silently. The following | | typographical errors have been corrected. | | | | +----+------------+------------+---------------------------+ | | |Page| Original |Corrected to| Context | | | +----+------------+------------+---------------------------+ | | | ii|to |too |too apparent in my drawings| | | | xi|Surry |Surrey |East Deane, Surrey | | | | xiv|Surry |Surrey |Dulwich, Surrey | | | | 62|fron |from |from the fort | | | | 84|the the |the |the purpose of trade | | | | 103|apppear |appear |misfortunes will appear | | | | 115|dedetachment|detachment |a detachment of artillery | | | | A13|prompitude |promptitude |spirit and promptitude | | | | A14|Case Pilote |Cape Pilote | | | | | A14|Case Navirre|Cape Navirre| | | | | A24|Case Navire |Cape Navirre| | | | +----+------------+------------+---------------------------+ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+