Part 24

A garrison of Seamen and Marines having been placed at Limmen Town, in West Friezland, under Captain Boorder, of the Navy, consisting of only 157 men, was attacked at five on the morning of the 11th of October by more than 700 of the enemy, in four quarters. Their advanced party against the North battery was surrounded and taken by the seamen, and after a long contest, the whole gave way. The Marines immediately pursued, killed and wounded more than 40, and would have taken their colours and cannon if they had not, in the rout, broken down a bridge, which checked our progress. Captain Boorder says, "that Lieutenants Wyburn, Howel, Higginson, and Gardner, of Marines, behaved with honour to themselves, and credit to their Country, and that their men distinguished themselves in a most gallant manner." The names of Captains Mortlock, Sir Harry Neale, Winthorp, Bolton, Macnamara, and Cuninghame, with their Officers, Seamen, and Marines, stand meritedly high in the subordinate catalogue of this year's naval deeds.

CHAP. XLV.

Twenty thousand Marines were voted for the service of 1800.

Every revolving year seemed to add to the naval superiority of Great Britain. In each quarter the enemy's fleets were blockaded within their ports; the happy result of our reiterated victories.

In the Mediterranean, Lord Keith, by his cruizers, was highly instrumental in producing the fall of Genoa, to the Austrian General Melas, by cutting off its supplies, and occasional bombardments.

Early in 1800 a battalion of Marines was landed at Malta, which had withstood a tedious blockade, and still held out with uncommon perseverance. The occasion presented no opportunities of signalizing themselves, but by the most exemplary good conduct, under the following Officers:

Captain Weir, (Major Commandant.)

Capt. Knox, ---- Wolfe, ---- Torkinton, ---- Williams,

Lieut. Burford, ---- Bunce, ---- Adair, ---- Miller, ---- Davison, ---- M'Carthy,

Lieut. Jones, ---- Pearce, ---- Pogson, ---- Hodgkins, ---- Tyldesley, Adjutant, ---- Scobell, Quarter-Master.

On the 5th of September La Valette capitulated, of which the Marines took possession. The indefatigable exertions of Captain (now Sir A.) Ball, of the Royal Navy, did him much honor, and it was partly owing to the seasonable arrival of Major General Pigott with a reinforcement, as well as to the debarkation of the Marines, that this important key to Egypt was so soon added to our dominion. The steady vigilance of the Navy, during a blockade of two years, had a pre-eminent share in this final event. The fortress of Savona, reduced to famine, by the activity of Captain Downman and his little squadron, surrendered also to him and the Austrian General St. Julien, on the 16th of May.

The Genereux and Guillaume Tell, of 74 and 84 guns, were captured by our cruizers in February and March. They were the only remnants of the French fleet after the memorable battle of Aboukir.

This year abounds with many examples of inferior enterprize, in which the subalterns of my corps gave very handsome pledges of what may be expected from them upon every allotted opportunity.

The attack and bringing out the Spanish corvette, San Josef, protected also by a heavy battery of five guns, from under the fortress of Fangerolle, reflected the highest credit upon the spirit of Lieutenants Beaufort and Huish, of the Pheaton, and Duncan Campbell, of Marines. He and Mr. Beaufort were wounded.

The Seamen and Marines of the Mermaid, under Captain Oliver, merit notice in having cut out and destroyed 9 vessels, under a fort near Cape Corsette.

The conduct of Lieut. Yeo and his brave followers in the port of Cecenatico, where they rendered 13 merchantmen unserviceable, was most distinguished. Lieut. Jewell, of Marines, in a detachment of this nature under Captain Hillyer, which gallantly brought out two large corvettes from the road of Barcelona, amidst a shower of shot and shells, behaved with much courage and conduct throughout that service. These detailed exploits were performed on the Mediterranean station during this year.

The Dutch island of Curacoa, in South America, when on the eve of being possessed by a French force, claimed the protection of Captain Watkins, of his Majesty's frigate Nereide, who landed his Marines and some Seamen, who had the honor of deterring the enemy from his attempt, and securing that settlement.

Goree, on the coast of Africa, surrendered to Sir Charles Hamilton, of La Melpomene, when Captain M'Cleverty, with the Marines of the squadron, were landed to garrison it.

A very gallant single action was fought off St. Domingo, between La Seine, Captain Milne, and La Vengeance French frigate, which terminated in the republican ship striking her flag. Captain Milne, who had oftener than once approved himself a brave Officer, thus speaks of Lieutenant Macdonald, who commanded the Marines of La Seine: "I am indebted to the services of Mr. Macdonald, of Marines, who was taken down wounded, and came up again when dressed, but was obliged, from a second wound, to be taken below; but I am happy to state, the life of this valuable Officer will be saved, to render further services to his Majesty. The behaviour of the Marines was such as does them the highest credit."

In the East, Lieutenant Owen, of my corps, volunteered from the Adamant to assist in destroying the French frigate La Precieuse, which had been run on shore by that ship and the Tremendous near Fort Louis, on the Isle of France; a service that was spiritedly executed under a heavy fire from the batteries, and they brought off some of the Officers and men prisoners.

The achievements upon the home station in this style of warfare, were both crouded and brilliant, and it is with a mixture of exultation and of pride, that so many amongst the rising generation of my brethren, appear upon those honorable annals.

Amongst the foremost stands the name of Lieutenant (now Adjutant) Gerrard, of Marines, who volunteered from the Fisguard, to attack a convoy at St. Croix, laden with provisions and stores for the French fleet at Brest; which material object was in part effected, in opposition to the fire from a strong battery, three armed vessels they took, and a line of musquetry on the shore. Eight of inferior note were captured, and twenty were run on the rocks. Lieutenants Burke, Dean, Stamp, and Price, of the Royal Navy, also gave shining patterns of valour.

Another attempt upon some of the enemy's vessels at the mouth of the river Quimper on the 23d of June, although not equally prosperous, was still alike glorious to Lieutenants Burke of the Renown, and Parker of the Defence, as well as Lieutenant Gerrard. After reaching the mouth of that river, the Marines were landed on both its sides, under the command of Lieutenants Burke and Gerrard, who were to protect the boats under Mr. Parker, in their approach to the vessels of war and small craft. But the enemy had removed them to an inaccessible distance, and this bold essay terminated in the destruction of three strong batteries with their guns, by these divisions.

The cutting out La Desiree, from the roads of Dunkirk, will be long remembered, and must for ever establish the personal intrepidity of Lieutenants M'Dermitt and Pierce, of the Royal Navy.

The vigilance of Sir John Warren and his flying squadron, afforded another display of subordinate zeal on the 1st and 2d of July.

The scene of action was within the island of Noirmoutier, and in the bay of Bourneuf, and the object was to attack some armed vessels and a convoy bound for Brest, covered by 6 heavy batteries on the South East part of the former, besides flanking guns on every point. By 12 on the night of the 1st of July, they carried 5 armed ships, and 15 merchantmen, but on finding it impossible to bring them out over the sand banks, they were all burnt. This dashing business was achieved by 113 Seamen, and 61 Marines, headed by Lieutenants Burke, Dean, and Garrett, of the Navy, 11 petty Officers, and Lieutenants Thompson, Ballingham, Gerrard, and Hutton, of my corps. All the boats upon returning, grounded, and in this situation they were exposed to an unceasing fire from the forts, and from the platoons of 400 troops in their rear.

It was under this trying circumstance, that, with true British intrepidity, they resolutely dragged their boats upwards of two miles over the sands, until they floated, when they levelled all their efforts against one vessel, sufficiently large to accomplish their retreat. Four Officers and eighty-eight men, however, became prisoners, while more than 100 secured their safety by unrelaxing valour.

The capture of Le Cerbere gun-brig, made under the batteries of Port Louis, the fire of some small craft, within a mile of three French men of war, and against four times their numbers, has immortalized the fame of Lieut. Coghlan, and Mr. Paddon, of the Royal Navy, and all their associates. It can scarcely find a parallel upon the registers of history.

Lieut. Burke, of the Renown, the Seamen and Marines under his auspices, were again conspicuous in the assault of La Guipe French privateer, of 22 guns and 161 men, which they took, after a desperate resistance, near the Narrows of Rendonella, in the bay of Vigo. That valuable Officer, Lieut. Burke, was badly wounded, besides twelve Seamen and five Marines, and four of both classes were killed.

It was in testimony of those repeated deeds that the Officers and ship's company of the Fisguard, presented Lieut. Gerrard, of Marines, with a sword, accompanied by the flattering tribute I have already described. His Country, as I have said, has recently attested her gratitude, by conferring upon him one of the Adjutancies of his Corps, for which he is eminently qualified.

The determined spirit of Lieut. M'Cullen, of Marines, and his little party of twenty-four men, in following up Captain Price's orders, against the Victoire privateer, of Boulogne, near to Issigny, is worthy of much commendation. He towed her off from the shore under the discharge of some hundred musquetry, and brought her a prize to the island of St. Marcou. Lieut. Steevens covered him most gallantly in his gun-brig, the Sparkler.

Imitating this brilliant system, another blow to the enemy's commerce was given by the boats of the Montague and Magnificent, conducted by Lieuts. Blissett, Knight, Griffiths, and Dunlop, of the Royal Navy, and in which Lieuts. Alexander, Montgomerie, Mitchell, and Jordan, of Marines, bravely volunteered. The whole proceeded against a convoy of fourteen sail in Port Danenne, near to L'Orient, all of which were grounded under a battery, that fired round and grape shot, as well as two of the vessels which were armed, upon the boats as they approached.

This service was most completely executed, as they took eleven, and burnt one; leaving only two behind which they were unable to bring out. Captain Knight acknowledged the conduct of all to have been most regular and bold.

These little details are powerful evidences of the spirit of the times. Upon an aggregate scale they are certainly of national moment, and sufficiently prove how much may be accomplished by English intrepidity, when happily seconded by a well-regulated discipline.

CHAP. XLVI.

At no period of her existence as a Nation, did Britain portend a speedier dissolution, although at none did she ever appear in a more dignified attitude, than at the commencement of 1801.

Alternately deserted by every Ally, she was not only engaged in an arduous contest with some of the most powerful States of Europe, but was threatened by the revival of a Maritime discussion, backed by an armed neutrality amongst its Northern Powers, evidently levelled against her existence. A confederacy so hostile to our very being, could not but arouse the land to assert their long established rights; and, however hazardous an appeal to arms might be under the existing crisis, it was still deemed a better, and more glorious alternative, than tacitly to allow any innovators, however powerful, to undermine those commercial pillars, upon which the Empire had so long flourished, and stood. Temporizing measures being but ill suited to the occasion, and little congenial to the spirit of the times, a general embargo was laid upon all Russian, Swedish, and Danish vessels within our ports, while a fleet was equipped for the Baltic, whose cannon were destined to become the interpreters of our injured privileges, as well as the delegated agents for the salutary restoration of peace.

Keeping pace with such Naval exertions, to which the Country looked for its salvation, the Marine corps experienced an effective augmentation unprecedented on its historic annals. A vote of 22,696 men passed for the three first lunar months of 1801, which was subsequently enlarged to 30,000 for the future services of the year.

I am naturally led to follow the progress of those gallant fellows to the coasts of the Baltic, by whose great achievements those impending dangers which seemed ready to erase their devoted Country from amongst the list of nations, were so quickly dispelled.

The object of this armament having been publicly avowed and known, the occasion evinced the spirited zeal of Lieutenant Colonel Winter, of my corps, by his stepping out of the routine of divisional service, and volunteering to head a battalion of Marines, upon these more perilous duties. The handsome tender of that able Officer, was not, however, accepted.

Upon the 12th of March the British fleet set sail, and passed the Sound on the 30th, encountering, in its way, an incessant but bloodless discharge from the cannon of Cronenburgh, when it anchored near to the isle of Huin. The battle of the 2d of April, fought under the superintending example and auspices of Lord Nelson, needs no description to add to its splendour. Its merits can best be appreciated by its immediate effects. Upon that great man's brow was placed the laurel, entwined with the olive, and both were the growth of a single day. It led to peace with our old friends, the Danes, and overthrew a Confederacy, upon the consequences of which speculation is set at bay.

The gallant Sir Thomas Graves nobly seconded his superior, and it is to be remembered, in honor to his name, that he volunteered to complete the final destruction of those Northern Opponents, if a cessation of arms had not healed every difference.

Eight hundred and seventy five Seamen and Marine Soldiers were killed and wounded upon that momentous day. Lieutenant Benjamin Spencer, of my corps, son to the Rev. Dr. Spencer near Birmingham, a youth of the most promising hopes, and the sweetest manners, fell on board the Edgar, a ship that was peculiarly distinguished, as did Lieutenant Henry Long, in the Isis, who was likewise much esteemed for a benignity of temper; Lieutenants Charles Meredith and James Marrie were also wounded.

In consequence of this signal victory, a merited testimony was conferred upon Captain Lambrecht, of Marines, by the brevet rank of Major, which could not have been bestowed upon a more worthy or meritorious member. It was his fortune to be Senior Officer on board that part of the grand force which was engaged, and to serve in the Defiance, under the flag of Rear Admiral Graves.

Every man in the English fleet was honored with the Thanks of his Country, its intrepid leaders received suitable distinctions, and all stand registered upon the memorials of indelible fame. The noble Society of Lloyd's stretched forth, likewise, their liberal aids to the unfortunate sufferers at Copenhagen. Other incidents tended to accelerate the dissolution of this formidable league; in which a guardian Providence may be clearly retraced, and our natural bulwarks as having been the secondary agents of his will.

Early in this year Earl St. Vincent, who had commanded in the Mediterranean and the Channel, with so much advantage to the public, and with such éclat to himself, was placed at the helm of Naval affairs. My corps looked up to him as a father and a friend, and those endearing titles have been fully realized towards us in every arrangement that has emanated from his intelligent and comprehensive mind. As we never forsook him in the day of trial, so we never shall forget him when he is laid low in the dust.

The same spirit for dashing at every thing within the enemy's ports, and on their coasts still continued to prevail. Three boats from the Trent, led on by Lieutenants Chamberlayne, Scallion, Bellamy, Tate, of Marines, and Mr. Hoskins, on the 3d of April, in opposition to numerous batteries on the shore, the constant fire of a lugger and cutter, and the aid of a number of small craft, boldly attacked and drove the lugger amongst the rocks, besides some of the boats.

Lieutenants Chamberlayne and Tate afterwards boarded and carried off a large ship which was under their convoy, and what was their main object, on her way from Brehat to Plampoul. In that service Lieutenant Tate, of my corps, unfortunately lost a leg.

One of the most daring attempts, ever conceived, was originally undertaken by Lieutenant Losack, but finally executed by Lieutenant Maxwell, against the French corvette La Chevrette, in presence of the combined fleets in the road of Brest, under protection of the batteries of Camerat, and in spite of nearly 400 men of which her crew was composed, all ready to oppose the assailants. Upon this perilous duty Lieutenants Sinclair and Rose, of Marines, spiritedly volunteered. From the strong position of the enemy, who set every attack at defiance, no better contested affair occurred through the whole of this glorious war. Lieutenant Sinclair who had been formerly wounded upon a similar enterprize, was slain in the act of warding off a like destiny from a Midshipman of the Doris. He would have done honor to any rank in life.

The carnage was great on the side of the republicans, being above 150 killed and wounded, while that of the British exceeded 66. Lieutenant W. Burke, an Officer of the highest hopes, received a mortal wound, and Lieutenant Neville was hurt.

Mr. (now Captain) Maxwell, with all his intrepid companions, will long appear conspicuous on the records of fame. Capt. Charles Brisbane says, "Any comments of mine would fall far short of the merits due to those gallant Officers, Seamen, and Marines employed on this service." Such examples of irresistible heroism in subordinate warfare, must have a permanent influence on the feelings of our enemies upon whatever scale they may be opposed to us.

On the 4th of August a successful bombardment took place against the French flotilla off Boulogne, and the attack was renewed upon the 13th by the boats of Lord Nelson's squadron. Although assembled for the avowed purpose of invading our isles, still the event of that night plainly shewed that their preparations had been distinguished much more by steps for self preservation, than for offensive measures, for our brave fellows, after the strongest feats of valour, were obliged to abandon their hard earned prizes, from their having been fastened by chains, or hard on the shore. The issue was unfortunate, but it added to the glory of the British arms. One hundred and seventy two Officers, Seamen, and Marines were killed and wounded in this patriotic attempt. Such were the exertions of all that the thanks of Earl St. Vincent, and of their brave Chief, were expressed to every class in the squadron. The service was deprived of a gallant Officer in Captain Parker of the Navy, and Captain Young, of my corps, was badly wounded.

Lieutenant Gerrard, of Marines, was again a volunteer in cutting out some vessels of force, from the port of Corunna, happily without loss.

Admiral Cornwallis, with that perseverance so peculiar to his character, continued to block up the combined fleets in Brest, who continued a useless load of expenditure to France and Spain, until a cessation of arms gave them freedom.

I bitterly lament that I cannot bid farewell to the domestic events of the present year without diverging upon that baneful spirit of mutiny, which again broke forth in a detachment of our fleet on the coast of Ireland.

It first burst out on board the Temeraire, a ship hitherto noted for good order, and commanded by men who yielded to none in the British Navy, for talents or humanity. It was a renewal of the same foul game that was played at the close of the American war, but it was subverted in a different manner, and with a manly energy, which bids fair to advance the future interests of discipline. The party of Marines, under Captain Vallock, after resisting all the efforts of seduction from their duty, behaved with the fidelity of good Soldiers, and nobly seconded the firm resolution of Admiral Campbell and the Officers under his command. As must ever be the case, this little phalanx, inspired with all the consciousness of a good cause, quickly overcame their guilty opponents, whose ringleaders expiated their crimes by an untimely death.

The address which those unfortunate men left behind them to their misguided ship-mates, bespoke the deepest contrition, and affords the most impressive lesson to the wretch who may ever be so unguarded as to admit the inroads of discord or disobedience.

In justice to those parties of Marines who loyally avowed their principles during such commotions, which, indeed, were general, and the same amongst every detachment in the squadron, I annex copies of letters from two under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Tench, and Captain Forshall, directed to those Officers.

"SIR,

"We, the Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates, serving as Marines, under your command, on board his Majesty's ship Princess Royal, _having heard with pleasure_, the gallant conduct of our brother Soldiers on board the Temeraire, and, therefore, beg leave to express alike with them, our determination to oppose, with all our might and power, all unlawful combinations and our readiness to obey our Officers night and day.

"Signed by the Whole Party.

"Lieut.-Col. Tench, his Majesty's ship Princess Royal."

"Resolution, Bantry Bay, 15th Dec. 1801.

"SIR,

"I hope you will pardon the liberty we take in addressing you, but as we understand that some ships companies have disobeyed the just commands of their Officers, and knowing the dreadful consequences that formerly attended similar practices. For our parts we abhor the idea, and we hope you will inform Captain Gardiner, likewise the Admiral, that it is our firm resolution, to support and maintain our Officers in any thing which they may think proper, and in that which is best calculated to promote the interest of our King and Country. I have the honor of subscribing myself, in behalf of the detachment of Marines,

"Your most obedient humble servant,

"William Heans, Serjeant.

"Captain Forshall, Marines."

The steady allegiance of my corps was such, throughout this period of indiscipline, that the following testimonies were the honorable result: "The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having expressed their high satisfaction of the good conduct of the Marines of several ships, under my command with you at Beerhaven, in declaring their abhorrence of the mutinous proceedings which had lately taken place at the anchorage, and of their having come forth on that occasion, so much to the honor of their Corps, and interests of their Country, I am to desire you will be pleased to communicate the same to them, and assure them that I feel highly gratified on the present occasion.

"(Signed) William Cornwallis.

"Vice Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell, &c. &c."

In consequence of the above very handsome communication from Admiral Cornwallis, Commander in Chief of the Channel Fleet, Sir Andrew Mitchell issued the following order: