Part 12

As might have been expected, the garrison of St. John, with a number of contiguous posts in no state to make resistance--fell without a contest on the 25th of June. Captain (afterwards Lord), Greaves who was then at Placentia, on the South East part of the island, landed his Marines from the Antelope and prepared for defence; at the same time he apprized our Commanders at Halifax and New York of his situation, and solicited immediate support.

Lord Colville soon joined him, when, after disembarking a number of Marines as a farther reinforcement, with his very inferior squadron, he went out to meet the enemy on the 22d of August, and proceeded off St. John's to give him battle.

The French having adopted a system of plunder and destruction along the coast, wherever they could with impunity, his Lordship detached an Officer and 30 Marines to the Island of Boys, which spot, that party had the honor to defend for his Majesty. During this period the works at St. John's had been much strengthened.

In consequence of the invasion and intelligence of it reaching North America, a force was detached under Lieutenant Colonel Amherst, which reached the coast of Newfoundland upon the 11th of September.

After a train of sharp and active services, on the part of the Army, in which the Navy co-operated, St. John's was recovered upon the 18th, and the whole island was freed from those freebooters, who, in turn, became prisoners.

A friendly fog which had covered Mons. Ternay's departure from France, was also auspicious in his escape from that harbour. His conduct through the whole of this expedition was marked alike by cautious timidity, in the sight of his enemies, as by oppressive inhumanity over those he had conquered.

The acute observations, and active talents of Sir William Draper, not only laid the foundation, but were highly conducive towards the success of one of the boldest designs, that was ever patronized by a British Ministry. That Officer, after the most approved good conduct, during the siege of Madrass, had leave to retire to Canton in China, on account of extreme bad health. It was here that his enquiries commenced about the state of the Spanish Philippine Islands, and he had complete intelligence both as to their commercial importance, and military defence. This he treasured up for his Country, against the day of emergency, by whom he was amply recompenced for such early zeal, by his suggestions being eagerly embraced, and he employed to execute them.

A disclosure of such a nature, however, would not have been received, but spurned at, by our Cabinet during a period of tranquillity with Spain. The whole continued dormant within the breast of Sir William Draper, till hostilities were inevitable, when he was dispatched in the Argo, for the East Indies, with the most liberal powers to carry this object into effect.

Arriving towards the close of June, he lost not a moment in arranging every thing for the expedition against Manilla. The whole set sail on the 1st of August, consisting of a mixed force of nearly 1330 men. As so small a number could only look for success in the unprepared state of the enemy, hitherto confident in their security, and in the promptest measures, a ship of war was detached into the entrance of the Chinese Sea, in order to stop all communication of our project.

The Fleet reached Malacca on the 27th of August, where they watered, finished a number of gabions for the future operations of the Army, and finally anchored in Manilla Bay on the 23d of Sept.

Admiral Cornish had appointed 550 Seamen, and 300 Marines, to co-operate with the Land Forces, which were formed into separate battalions.

After an ineffectual summons sent to the town, and the coast reconnoitred, no time was to be lost in keeping up that surprize which had apparently struck the enemy.

A proper spot, two miles to the southward of Manilla, having been selected for the debarkation, the 79th Regiment, all the Marines, and the Artillery, with some field pieces, and one howitzer, were formed into three divisions, under the sterns of three frigates, which were ordered to cover the landing.

Captains Parker, Kempenfelt, and Brereton, of the Royal Navy, were entrusted with the conduct of each of them, who discharged the duty with much ability.

Numbers of the Spanish Indians having assembled to dispute our descent, the ships of war opened their fire, which compelled them to retire. A violent surf dashed many of the boats to pieces, and injured the musquets, but the troops established themselves at a village named Malata, little more than a mile from the enemy's works, during the night of the 24th.

On the 25th a detachment was advanced to occupy a fort which was abandoned, called Polverista, and Major Monson was pushed forward to take possession of Hermita Church, a small distance from the City, of much local consequence, both as to natural strength, and as a shelter from the heavy rains that had already set in. The 79th Regiment was farther ordered to reinforce this post.

Much praise was due to the Seamen for their unparalleled exertions in landing the remaining troops, cannon, and stores, amidst a most dreadful surf, and the heaviest rains.

The Marines were left at the first posts, the Malata and the Polverista, with a view to secure the retreat of the advanced forces, if necessary; to preserve a mutual communication with the ships, and to guard the stores and heavy artillery. "_They_," says Sir William Draper, "from the good conduct and example of their Officers, behaved very well, and were of great use upon all occasions."

Considering the strength of Manilla, and the numbers employed against it, no regular siege could be undertaken, or could an observance of the systematic rules of approach be followed. The Spaniards were extremely languid in every effort of defence, while our united forces evinced the most undaunted spirit and unshaken perseverance, during a series of attacks from the native Indians, and of laborious toils amidst winds and rain.

After having made a practicable breach, it was resolved to storm the place upon the 6th of October, and it was executed with that bold ardour which is the native birth-right of Englishmen.

Were my limits to allow, with pleasure would I particularize such exertions, and the gallant actors in them. I can only say, that through the whole the Soldier and Sailor felt no jealousy but that of being foremost in danger and in discipline.

Humanity mingled with policy, influenced the Commanders in Chief to avert from the City the calamity of promiscuous plunder, by a pecuniary compromise for its protection. The laws of war sanctioned this vengeance, from its having fallen by storm. The conquerors here, became ennobled by compassion, and they stipulated to save the property of unoffending individuals, while they at the same time consulted their Country's honor and her interests.

To the eternal disgrace of the Spanish Nation, this generous compact continues unfulfilled.

The Port of Cavite, with the other dependencies of Manilla, were included in the capitulation, and Captain Champion, with 100 Marines, and some Seapoys, were detached as a garrison to the former.

Our total loss upon this brilliant service was 4 Officers, 1 Serjeant, and 29 Privates killed; 1 Lieutenant drowned; and 6 Officers, 3 Serjeants, and 102 rank and file wounded. Among the first were 5 Marines, and the latter, Lieutenant Spearing, besides 6 Privates.

The East India Company, in consequence of the aids they had afforded, was entitled to one third of the settled ransom, which was four millions of dollars; and the acquired conquest was given up to its servants in trust for his Majesty.

Such united harmony existed between the naval and land services, that they agreed to share their fortunes mutually, afloat and ashore.

From the intelligence gained at Manilla, the Admiral detached a force to intercept the annual galleon. The Panther and Argo overtook the ship which had sailed from that place, on the 1st of August, much to their surprize, instead of the one that had been expected there. Nearly three millions of dollars were on board the Sanctissima Trinidad, which were defended with much obstinacy, but she was at last compelled to strike.

Both Commanders, upon the Manilla expedition, very meritedly received the public thanks of their Country, and the honorable marks of a Sovereign's gratitude.

Immense captures were made at sea, and repeated were the occasions which displayed the British naval character during this year, so fertile in momentous events.

Amongst these may be reckoned the Hermione, worth one million sterling, the treasure of which enriched the crews of two sloops of war, and was carried in proud triumph through the streets of London, the very hour in which the Heir Apparent to the British Throne was ushered into the world. A Marine shared upwards of 500_l_. from this capture.

The enemy, discomfited in every quarter, were not ashamed to own their weakness, and they were the first to sue for peace.

A few short months had alienated or destroyed a great portion of the Spanish Navy, had given a deep wound to their Commerce, which would have been most sensibly felt under a continuance of hostilities, and had convinced Europe and the World, that the resources of Britain could only be estimated amidst accumulating dangers, and that her native spirit could only be known amidst increasing difficulties.

During the whole of this memorable war, the Marine Soldier not only shared in the everlasting glory of our Fleets, but carried with him, through all the mingled destinies of his profession, a steady discipline, combined with a well-regulated valour. Excepting the drawn battle off Minorca, not a naval action was fought in which he did not bear a part, and there were but few of our widely-extended conquests that do not, in their detail, recognize his name.

The preliminaries of a peace, which are not my business to discuss, upon the 3d of November, and ratified in February of the following year, closed the military services of the Marine Corps for a long period, until they were again drawn forth into action by an enlightened patron, who had marked their conduct, and who resolved to avail himself of their animated zeal and spirit, upon the earliest emergency that his Country required them.

CHAP. XXVI.

The era of peace was marked, as usual, by a general reduction of his Majesty's servants.

In the course of the year 1763, a very considerable and impolitic diminution took place in the effective force of Marines; but as it is a narrow system, which experience and their acknowledged utility have subverted, at the period I now write, any discussion upon its erroneous principle would be superfluous and unbecoming.

As I have already noticed that the Field Officers of my Corps are peculiarly calculated for maintaining discipline and good order throughout, it is a matter of surprize that the establishment should have been so very low at this time, and that their situations should have been more generally considered as posts of sinecure than of active duty.

The meritorious services of the Marine Corps, during the late brilliant contest, well entitled it to _some solid_ marks of public recompence, as well as of public applause.

With this view, and striking home to the national gratitude, as yet unallayed by time, the following proposals for increasing the number of established Marine Field Officers were ushered in to the Board of Admiralty in 1763:--

"Proposals for increasing the number of established Marine Field Officers from six to fifteen, at a very inconsiderable additional expence to the public. The Field Officers to have Companies, and to serve on their present pay until six Companies become vacant; those Companies to be given to the six senior Field Officers; the nine _junior_ Field Officers have Companies already. The fifteen senior First Lieutenants to have Brevets as Captains, or to be appointed Captain Lieutenants, and to do all duties as Captains on their present pay.

"This plan will cause no _present_ additional expence, and but a very trifling one after the whole is completed, as will appear from the following scheme:

1763 Present Establishment. Proposed Establishment. PER DIEM. PER DIEM. 3 Lieut. Colonels a £2 11 0 3 Colonels a £3 12 0 3 Majors a 2 5 0 6 Lieut. Colonels a 5 2 0 9 Brevet Captains a 4 10 0 6 Majors a 4 10 0 ------- -------- Total 9 6 0 Total 13 4 0 ======= ========

Difference £3 18 0

Deducted pay of six Captains fewer on the } proposed establishment, } £3 0 0

Additional expence when the establishment is } completed, } £0 18 0

The above would have been a moderate number of Field Officers to regulate the divisional duties, and to superintend the discipline of 70 Companies, consisting of 4287 men; to which the corps was reduced by a legislative vote at the close of 1763. Whether from dissent as to the expediency, or a non-compliance with the object of these suggestions, is immaterial, but they were unnoticed, although their propriety and justice did not escape the discriminating and liberal mind of Earl Sandwich, whose distinguished talents introduced him to the naval councils of his Country, and whose elevated rank in them, enabled him to controul those necessary reforms at a subsequent era.

A commendable but limited policy, in providing for the discharged servants of the state, prevailed at the close of this war, by holding out the inducements of land in the ceded province of Canada, to such Officers, Sailors, and Soldiers _only_ who had aided in its subjection.

When we contemplate the _connection_ that exists, in the events of war, how much local conquests are often promoted by the use of extraordinary energies in quarters distant from the scene of good fortune, like the judicious diversions and stratagems of an active Officer, to promote his real designs, no principle ought to restrain such national grants to the partial few who have been the happy agents of success.

It is an old axiom--_that America was subdued in Germany_.

CHAP. XXVII.

The genius of discovery, and commerce, began to supersede that of war in 1764 and many ensuing years.

Circumstances, however, very early occurred within the North American Provinces, which developed the genuine spirit of the people, and afforded the presage of future broils.

Gratitude to a Mother Country, who had delivered those Colonists from the terrors of a hostile and restless neighbour, had scarcely cooled throughout that Continent, when the example of New England, long famed for a bias to republican principles, began to evince an opposition to the laws of a parent, by whom they had been so long protected, and under which they continued to flourish.

Happy had it been for Britain, if, at this period of lurking danger, her councils had been guided by a purer consistency, and a more elevated dignity; but a fatal irritation, succeeded by concession, were but injudicious means to subdue, or to appease a spirit that began to cherish the ideas of future emancipation.

Political discussions fall not within my province, but as being introductory to that issue which compels an appeal to the sword. The events of 1765, led to the American rebellion, and as but very few incidents appear at all connected with my subject, my review, upon this interval of time being uninteresting, must of course be concise.

The Marine Soldier was naturally a companion in these dangers and hardships which marked the progress of those scientific characters, who were employed by an enlightened Country, in fixing the intercourse between man and man, in exploring regions hitherto unknown, and in extending the dominions and the commerce of their native island.

Sometimes, indeed, he was obliged reluctantly to draw the trigger against the uncivilized savage--but it was his duty, and only in self-defence.

It was not until the year 1771 that the Corps of Marines felt the fostering influence of a patron and a friend.

Earl Sandwich, placed at the head of the Admiralty, was now enabled to realize a system he had long entertained in his thoughts; he beheld us orphans, and he adopted us as his children.

From him originated the _Colonels Commandant_ of Divisions, and many of these interior regulations, which, for their œconomy and wisdom, do honor to the establishment.

His Lordship, by a Memorial to the Throne, soon after his accession to power, obtained an order of Council to enlarge the number of Field Officers.

These happy reforms held out a hope to the veteran, from which he had till now been precluded, that of being at the head of a Division.

By a train of considerate attentions the Corps was placed on a respectable footing, its discipline became much improved, and his Lordship soon saw those objects of his tender care, surpassed by no troops in the world, for subordination, intrepidity, and cool valour.

Nothing farther which attaches to my detail appears on the face of public events, until Britain again unsheathed the sword, to assert the rights of supremacy over her North American Colonies.

CHAP. XXVIII.

From the era of 1764, we may date the fatal American rebellion, and those revolutionary principles which have long continued, and what still menace the quiet and independence of Europe, and the World.

Political topics, from that period, were predominant amongst the Colonists, and all who know how easy it is to sway popular prejudices, will readily allow it is as little difficult to give them action.

Grievances, whether real or imaginary, which is not my business to decide, unceasingly agitated the public mind, weaned by degrees every filial affection, and from their tedious speculative existence, they implanted within the breasts of many, the lurking sentiments of jealous rancour. Such in their progress became principles, and those men, very early, either filled the Armies of North America, or guided her Councils.

A public character, much respected for his private as well as military virtues, was placed at Boston. General Gage, from a long residence upon the Continent, was well qualified to allay the general ferment; but it was too deeply rooted, and the duty he owed his King, was soon necessarily paramount to every other consideration.

In the year 1774 an assemblage of troops, under that Officer, gave umbrage not only to the Bostonians, but to their surrounding neighbours, and the placing of a guard at the Neck, which is the narrow isthmus that joins the Peninsula to the Continent, afforded an additional cause of suspicion.

At this time, and from a very trifling circumstance, a spirit of military union, and also of hostility, was peculiarly apparent among the New Englanders. A report, very industriously propagated, and seemingly with a view to probe the general feelings, gained ground, that the British had occupied the Neck, had cut off all communication with the Continent, in order to compel the inhabitants of Boston into the unlimited assent of every measure. This being spread abroad, the adjacent country assembled, intimated to the people within the town their readiness to assist them; but that if they should sacrifice _their_ liberties, such an inglorious compact would extend no farther.

They moreover avowed their intentions of combining together in what manner and form they chose for mutual security.

Every thing foreboding hostile events, General Gage fortified the Neck at Boston, and as precautionary steps he also seized upon the provincial arsenal at Cambridge, and the powder lodged in the magazines of Charlestown.

These measures were sufficient to rouse the popular indignation, in no want of inflammatory materials; but although they might not have been political, they were still, however, expedient, under existing circumstances.

To ascertain the views and opinions of so many provinces, different in their manners, and in some respects opposite in their interests, a general Congress was held at Philadelphia, on the 5th of September, 1774, by deputies from the whole. Their proceedings were marked by moderation, but by firmness.

The terms of conciliation arising from them having been rejected by the mother country, his Majesty communicated a message, recommending the augmentation of his forces, by sea and land.

The union which pervaded America, sufficiently proves how widely popular had been the resolves of their deputies. These were almost every where the political creed of the Colonies, and the crowd.

Things arrived at such a crisis early in 1775, that the die could not be long suspended. A trivial affair, upon the 26th of February, shewed by what a slender thread the tranquillity of the Empire hung, and although it was not accompanied by any act of hostility, still it tended to ground a mutual antipathy between the Soldier and the Native.

General Gage having learned that some brass guns had been collected in the town of Salem, sent a detachment in order to bring them to Boston. Landing at Marblehead, they continued their march towards the place of destination, but not finding the cannon, which had been removed, they penetrated farther into the country in quest of them.

In the course of their route there was a draw-bridge, which the numerous populace on the other side had taken up, on purpose to stop the passage of the troops. An order from the Commanding Officer to let it down was disobeyed, who attempted to seize on a boat, in order to get possession of the bridge. A scuffle ensued, but nothing occurred which could be denominated sanguinary force. This was owing to the address of a neighbouring Clergyman, who, while he consulted the feelings of an Officer in prosecuting his instructions, also expostulated with him who headed the detachment, upon the endless and calamitous results if blood was spilt. Appealing to the people also, he invoked them to concede their point, which, for a short time, delayed the awful quarrel.

This party returned without success, but without mischief.

A body of Marines was at Boston, under Major Pitcairne, whose personal destiny it was to be employed in the first hostile act, which eventually involved the separation of Britain and America.

At the town of Concord, where the provincial Congress was held, a quantity of military stores having been collected, the Commander in Chief ordered the Grenadiers and Light Infantry of the Army, under Lieut. Col. Smith, and Major Pitcairne, to destroy them.

They embarked during the night of the 18th of April, and proceeding up Charles River, landed at Phipp's Farm, from whence they advanced, with silent rapidity, towards Concord. The country, however, was alarmed before the dawn of day, and on the arrival of the British at Lexington, the Militia of that town was assembled, under arms, at five in the morning.

An English Officer, in the van, called out, "Disperse, you rebels;" when our soldiery, firing a few partial shots, a general discharge followed, by which some were both killed and wounded. A mutual recrimination upon the score of first aggression, was afterwards agitated, which, instead of staying, only tended to stimulate the spirit of war.

Colonel Smith having pushed forward some Companies of Light Infantry, before his arrival at Concord, in order to secure two bridges, by which the Provincials might carry off the stores, another body of Militia that appeared on a hill in their route, retired at the approach of the British troops, across one of them, who soon after possessed themselves of both.