Part 3

This circumstance hastened the fall of the place, for the citizens within strongly urged the Governor to capitulate; who being thus almost compelled to it, the Prince of Hesse, at the head of the Marines, marched in upon the evening of the 24th.--The garrison, indeed, was only composed of two skeleton regiments; but the strength of the fortifications, the number of cannon mounted being upwards of 100 pieces towards the sea, and the two narrow passes of approach from the land, would have rendered it formidable to an enemy who possessed not the dash of enterprize. Our loss, in the attempt, was 61 killed, and 206 wounded.

In October of the same year, the Garrison, composed of Marines under the Prince of Hesse, sustained a siege by 7000 men. The purpose of the enemy was to have stormed from the south mole, united with the desperate attempt of a Spanish forlorn hope climbing the rock, and a general attack from the main land. Against very superior forces Gibraltar was maintained, until relieved by Sir John Leake, who reinforced the place with 2000 men.

This Fortress, seated upon the territories of our natural foe, has long stood a monument of our naval power, which has oftener than once been especially devoted to relieve its wants; and has also afforded to the world, a brilliant instance of military defence under the late Lord Heathfield.

Nothing worthy of notice occurred until the month of September 1705, when it was deemed essential by the Earl of Peterborough Commander in Chief, to attempt something worthy of our arms, and the service of the King.

At the desire of his Lordship, a large body of Seamen and Marines were landed at Barcelona, who were auxiliary in the reduction of that important place, at which his Majesty was present.

This city was destined to an attack from the enemy, early in 1706, whither Sir John Leake, having the Earl of Peterborough on board, proceeded in April.

His Majesty, King Charles, who was then within its walls, very strongly urged the immediate debarkation of all our forces; upon which, 1400 land troops, and the Marines of the fleet, were on the 9th of April, sent to his aid. Their appearance was well timed, as the French had made a practicable breach, which they would otherwise have stormed upon the following day.--After repeated attempts they relaxed in their efforts, and many volunteers from the city, as well as peasants from the mountains pouring down in numbers, obliged them to raise the siege precipitately, upon the 11th.--After ten at night the enemy began to retreat; but first setting fire to their magazines, and placing matches to their mines. Many of the former, however, were preserved by the natives, and a number of the latter were extinguished by the soldiery. The morning's dawn presented their army retreating in disorder, and grievously harassed by our troops, and the enraged Catalans.

An eclipse of the sun, followed by a total darkness about nine, suspended for a while every operation, which, when dissipated, the slaughter was renewed, till prudence recalled them from the carnage. The enemy's camp, with 100 brass cannon, and stores of every description, were the fruits of our efforts.

Having thus relieved this important place, the fleet sailed upon the 18th of May, and landed the forces of every description, upon the coast of Valencia on the 25th.

This was preparatory to the attack of Alicant, which was deemed almost impregnable.--Having been apprized that it was reinforced, and that a regular siege alone could reduce it, the idea was dropped for a time, and they proceeded against Carthagena, which immediately submitted; and where a garrison of 600 Marines under Major Hedges, _who was appointed Governor of it_, was established for its defence.

An attempt upon Alicant was then resolved upon; but Brigadier Gorge having upon a close review of the place, and learning the resolute spirit of its Governor, Major General Mahoni, represented that not less than 3000 men were necessary to reduce it.--Having with him not more than 1450 troops, and he being of opinion that no dependence could be placed in the Spanish Militia, it was determined to withdraw the garrison of Marines from Carthagena, in order to assist in these active operations, and to put another in its stead.

The fleet arrived off Alicant, upon the 26th of June, when a summons was forwarded to General Mahoni, who, like an Officer, answered, that he would hold out to the last. His force consisted of more than 1000 Soldiers, and many inhabitants of the town, who had volunteered in its defence.

Brigadier Gorge having moved from Elche upon the 21st of July, where he had remained waiting for reinforcements, to within a mile of Alicant, all the Marines of the fleet, with 800 Seamen, were landed upon that day, and the following morning, and the bombardment commenced in the evening of the 22d. A detachment of the Naval force under Sir George Byng, rendered very essential service, by dismounting many of the enemy's guns opposed to the sea, and driving the men from them.

Upon the 24th of July, the Marines arrived from Carthagena, and were immediately landed. Four days after, when the troops had gained possession of the suburbs, all the boats were manned and armed, in order to attack the town. On the 29th, the ships having made a practicable breach in the round tower, at the west end of the place, and another at the middle of the curtain, between the mole and the easternmost bastion, the Soldiers advanced to storm them. An Officer with fifteen Grenadiers rashly pushed on against the breach in the town, but were repulsed before they could be supported. Upon this occasion there were particularly distinguished, Captains Evans, Passenger, and Watkins, of the Royal Navy. Capt. Evans, at the head of a few of the boats crews, was the first to mount into the breach, and they were rapidly seconded by the whole forces, who, upon reaching the town, secured every post, with but little loss; there being only 30 killed, and 80 wounded, although the Spaniards had prepared for this event, by forcing temporary loop holes in their houses, from which they kept up a sharp fire upon our men as they approached.

General Mahoni now retired into the Castle, and was again summoned by Brigadier Gorge; his answer was such as became him, and what might have been expected from his character. At this time the detached squadron had dismounted many of his guns, beat down a part of the walls, and his Garrison was extremely annoyed by shells from the bomb vessels. Composed chiefly of Neapolitans, they at last compelled the brave Mahoni to yield, who, from this cause alone, surrendered his charge, after a heavy loss, upon the 25th of August.

Having adjusted every thing, the fleet proceeded to the Island of Ivica, where it arrived upon the 9th day of September. The Governor instantly saluted, and tendered submission and obedience to King Charles the III. It was afterwards resolved to attack Majorca, to the Viceroy of which a summons was sent in, upon the 14th of September. He, with some others in the interest of the Duke of Anjou, appeared resolute to defend themselves; but when a few shells were thrown into Palma, the capital, the inhabitants obliged him to retire to his palace, and there enter into terms. A Garrison of one Captain, one Lieutenant, and 100 Marines was placed here, and all the disaffected to our cause, were withdrawn from the island.

Nothing farther, connected with my subject, appears on the face of the military transactions of this year. In the month of June, 1707, an opportunity presented of co-operating with the Duke of Savoy and Prince Eugene in an intended attack upon Toulon. Towards the close of it, the fleet proceeded for the coast of Italy, where it anchored upon the 28th, between Nice and Antibes, about a league from the Var.--A conference took place on the following day betwixt the Commanders in Chief, when it was decided, that a joint attack should be made upon a part of the enemy's army then entrenched upon that river, before they could be reinforced.

These works being exposed to the fire of the ships, as they could stand within little more than musket shot, were hastily evacuated, and in less than an hour they were occupied by 600 Seamen and Marines. The passage was now open for the Duke of Savoy to prosecute his destination, while frigates were stationed along the different parts of the sea coast, in order to keep up a mutual communication.

Having reached Toulon, every aid was afforded by the fleet both as to men and cannon, but the enemy daily augmenting his forces, and having made a successful sally, induced the raising of this siege upon the 10th of August, after a loss of more than a thousand men.

One happy result arose from this attempt however, which was, that the French, under a sudden dread of consequences, sunk a number of their largest men of war, which were ever after unfit for service.

King Charles having often urged the reduction of Sardinia, with a view to open a passage for his troops in Naples to attack Sicily, as well as on account of its sources of supply of all kinds of provisions for his armies, of which they were much in want, a body of Marines was drawn from Tarragona, a strong sea port and Garrison in Catalonia, to assist in this enterprize. Upon the 1st day of August, 1708, the whole arrived before Cagliari, the capital. Upon receiving a very equivocal answer to a summons sent in, the bombardment commenced that evening, and continued without intermission until next morning, when at the break of day, Major General Wills, and the whole of the Marines, with one Spanish regiment were landed. The place, in consequence, almost instantly surrendered.

The whole having been re-embarked, the fleet again set sail, upon the 18th of August, for Minorca, and arrived at Port Mahon upon the 25th.

At this period, two of the Marine Regiments were drafted, and both officers and men were incorporated with the other four, now employed upon this service. The measure was necessary, in order to supply the casualties that had occurred, and to render these corps effective.--For this purpose, all the Marines capable of duty, were drawn from a number of the fleet about to return home, as well as to assist in the reduction of an island, which, every officer conceived, would make a spirited and tedious defence.

The first attack was against Fort Fornelle, which was cannonaded by two of the ships, and fell after a contest of four hours.

A detachment having been pushed to Cittadello, the capital, it surrendered without resistance.

The batteries were opened on the works defending the town of Port Mahon, upon the 17th of September, when, after a short but brisk fire, and the loss of only six men, a lodgment was effected under the very walls of St. Philip's Castle; and next day the enemy capitulated.

Thus was this strong fortress, and important island, gained by a force of only 2400 men, while the garrison consisted of more than one thousand Soldiers, with upwards of 100 pieces of cannon mounted, and having every thing requisite for sustaining a long siege.

Sir George Byng arrived at Lisbon upon the 14th of October, having her Majesty the Queen of Portugal on board, but, although many other objects of service were in contemplation, nothing farther was attempted during 1708.

CHAP. IV.

Early in 1709, a plan was formed to attack Port Royal in the province of Nova Scotia, at that time in possession of the French.--For this purpose a body of 400 Marines was embarked, and the expedition was entrusted to the joint conduct of Colonel Nicholson of the land forces, and Captain Martin of the navy.--The squadron proceeded for Boston, where they were to be reinforced by some ships, and such provincial auxiliaries, as might be ready, or were necessary for this intended conquest.

Here a Council of War was held, which arranged the future operations of a body, now consisting of 2000 men.--They reached their destination upon the 24th of September, and the proper ground for landing having been reconnoitred, the debarkation took place on the following day.--The enemy opened a heavy fire upon the boats from their guns and mortars, but with little effect. A bomb-vessel drifting up with the tide of flood within reach of the Fort, rendered important service during the two first days, which was spiritedly aided by the military exertions on shore.

Upon the first day of October, the Governor of the Fortress having expressed an inclination to surrender upon terms, they were taken into consideration and agreed to. Here a Garrison of Marines was left. Having thus reduced the place, it was now named Annapolis Royal, in honor of her Majesty, under whose auspices it was conquered.

CHAP. V.

The British Nation, ever true to its Allies, often has had cause to complain of a want of this reciprocal honour. Limited in my scope, it belongs not to me to develope errors, and far less to expose such as have arisen from high causes. But, in vindication of the military fame of my country and my corps, I have to regret, that the zealous and gallant services of both should have been unavailingly exerted in the unprosperous views of King Charles upon the Spanish monarchy.

To the want of co-operation and unanimity must be ascribed the many chequered events, and reverses, that marked his royal efforts during this contest. Unsupported by his family, or his nation, whose immediate interests it must have been to place him effectively on that throne, he was exposed to many fatal disappointments when he could not remedy them, and was thus often obliged to adopt the measures of necessitous expediency, when he should have been enabled to prosecute the objects of an arranged system.

Early in 1709, the town of Alicant became hard pressed, having sustained a long and obstinate siege against a very powerful force of the combined enemy. The garrison, composed in a great proportion of Marines, exhibited the most heroic perseverance in maintaining the place. Unable to reduce it, the besiegers attempted to undermine the rock upon which the Castle stood, of which they apprized its defenders; but this had no effect upon their resolution. A partial shock, which buried above twenty in its effects, did not intimidate them, and they bravely continued to defend themselves till the fleet, under Sir George Byng, appeared (I believe) on the 4th of April.

General Stanhope, with the troops on board, were to have attempted its relief, under cover of a squadron that was at the same time to have attacked the enemy's lines along the sea shore; but a heavy gale coming on, and many of the ships being in shallow water, it was judged proper to stand farther out into the road.

The weather continuing severe, and being unable to gain any intelligence as to the state of the garrison, the Commanders in Chief dreading the worst, and in pity to their sufferings, by a flag of truce, proposed terms of surrender, which being agreed to, the brave remnants were embarked on board of the fleet, which now proceeded to Tarragona, Port Mahon, and afterwards to Barcelona.

During the remainder of this year, nothing farther was attempted by our squadrons, which, in their attached duties, were employed to harass the commerce of our foes, and to protect the convoys of provisions destined wherever necessary.

Upon the 13th of March, 1710, Sir John Norris arrived at Port Mahon, as Commander in Chief of the Naval Forces. After having arranged every thing, transporting troops to the different quarters, where required, and some inferior attacks upon the enemy, he reached Barcelona upon the 18th of June, in order to concert future operations with his Majesty.

An expedition was meditated against Cette, in the province of Languedoc, where the Troops and Marines were landed upon the 13th of July. The place made but a feeble resistance; and the fort, upon which eighteen pieces of cannon were mounted, surrendered the same day. Major General Seissau, then advancing against Adge with the regiment of Stanhope, and three hundred Marines, that town was delivered up without resistance.

The Isle of Cette, however, was shortly afterwards recovered by the French army stationed in the province under the Duke de Roquelaure; but all our soldiers were previously re-embarked.

Nothing further occurred in 1710, which is in any respect connected with my subject.

CHAP. VI.

Early in 1711 it was resolved to attempt the town of Quebec, the capital of the French dominions in Canada, for which service Sir Hovenden Walker and General Hill were nominated as Commanders in Chief. A respectable force was appointed, and they were directed to proceed for Boston, in New England, there to arrange every thing necessary for this undertaking. They reached Nantasket, near Boston, upon the 24th of June, and having prepared the Provincial Corps, and withdrawn the Marines who garrisoned Annapolis Royal since its surrender, they sailed for the object of their destination, after many delays, upon the 30th of July.

This attempt was rashly adopted, without examining the difficulties it involved. The urgent suggestions of the American Provinces first gave the idea, in order to get rid of a hostile and dangerous neighbour, but their energies were by no means adequate to the extent of their designs. A general ignorance of the navigation of the river St. Laurence very early exposed us to the loss of more than 800 brave men, who perished from this fatal cause, and these sad examples put a period to an expedition formed in misrepresentation, and conducted by incapacity.

The whole squadron and forces returned to England on the 9th of October, after having left the provincial auxiliaries upon their own coast.

CHAP. VII.

Sir John Jennings arrived at Barcelona upon the 20th of March, 1711, in order to assume the command of the British Fleet.

To watch the enemies ports, to distress their trade, and to keep open the communication of intelligence and supplies for the detached forces of our Allies, were all that he could now attempt in the tottering cause of King Charles the Third.

About this time died Joseph, Emperor of Germany, whose bequeath of all his dominions to our Royal Competitor compensated for past struggles, and averted that blow to his pride which must soon have ensued from the desperate state of his affairs, by a total dereliction of his object.

That event called upon him to fill the throne of his country; to obey which, his Majesty soon after embarked on board the English fleet, and was escorted to Italy.

His Royal Consort still remained behind, with a view to inspire a motive for farther efforts, but the suspension of arms between Great Britain and France put a period to every active co-operation. The Empress, with her retinue, embarked at Barcelona, early in 1712, and landed at Genoa upon the 26th of March, from whence she prosecuted her journey towards the destined seat of her power.

After a tedious negociation, the stages, or the detailed terms, of which it is not my task to retrace, peace was restored by the Treaty of Utrecht, on the 31st of March, 1713. We retained possession of Gibraltar, Minorca, and Nova Scotia; each conquered by our arms during the war, and in effecting all of which the Marine forces, established during the reign of Queen Anne, very essentially contributed.

The extraordinary expences of this long war, notwithstanding its duration, did not much exceed forty-four millions, which, considering the immense forces kept on foot, and the subsidies granted to so many of the Continental Powers, appear but a small sum.

CHAP. VIII.

The allowances made to the respective ranks on the Staff of the Army, which was employed in Spain and Portugal, and in which officers of Marines shared, when upon this service, and when acting in any one of the undermentioned capacities, were arranged by her Majesty in Council, previous to the expedition.

General of the Horse and Commander in Chief _per day_ £10 0 0 Three Aids de Camp, each 10_s_ 1 10 0 Lieutenant General 4 0 0 Two Aids de Camp, each 10_s_ 1 0 0 Two Major Generals, 2_l_ each 4 0 0 One Aid de Camp to each, 10_s_ 1 0 0 Three Brigadiers, each 1_l_ 10_s_ 4 10 0 Three Majors of Brigade, each 10_s_ 1 10 0 Quarter-master General 0 10 0 Adjutant General 0 10 0 Judge Advocate 0 10 0 Pay-master 0 5 6 Secretary to Commander in Chief 0 10 0 Chaplain to Commander in Chief 0 6 8 Physician to Commander in Chief 0 10 0 Chirurgeon to Commander in Chief 0 10 0 Provost Marshall 5_s_ and 6 men, each 3_s_ 1 3 0 Waggon Master 0 3 0 --------- Daily amount £32 8 2 ==========

And for Contingencies upon Account, the

sum of £6000.

"By her Majesty's command,

"GODOLPHIN."

Established 1st June, 1702.

The death of the Lord High Admiral, in a retrospective view, also produced some trivial reforms in the constitution of the Marine Regiments, which were accomplished under the auspices of the same ministry that had framed their original regulations. Some existing abuses were, I believe, the pretext for this change, as the Commissaries, after the decease of the Royal Consort, were enjoined to transmit their accounts, and otherwise correspond with the Secretary at War, upon the subject of these establishments. Many omissions seem to have prevailed in making regular returns from the different detachments, necessarily extended over every quarter of the globe, which first arising from individual neglect, ultimately retarded the proceedings of the Commissioners, who were appointed to investigate the national expenditure, at the close of the war. The following is their report upon this head:

"Soon after the commencement of our Commission, we required Mr. Whitfield, late Pay-master of the Marines, to lay the accompts of these Regiments before us; which after many delays he did, but in a very imperfect manner.

"We insisted upon a more distinct accompt, whereupon he, (being very ill) sent his chief Clerk Mr. Sizer to us, who deposed, that the accompts could not be made more perfect without muster rolls, which Mr. Lynn the Commissary had not returned.

"In answer to this, Mr. Lynn hath declared, that he could not make up the muster rolls farther than the 24th of December, 1709, for want of the ships books, and the certificates from the Agents of the Commissioners of the sick and wounded: which books and certificates could not be had from the distant parts of the service, till those employed there came to England.

"These difficulties prevent our stating the accompts of the Marines, but it is obvious, that the expence of the Navy is increased by them.

"For the Pay of 8000 Marines, according to the establishment, amounts to £128,133 5 0 _per annum_.

"The Pay of 8000 _ordinary_ Seamen, is £98,800 0 0 _per annum_.

"The extraordinary charge therefore, is £29,333 5 0--and how far it may be thought necessary to continue Marines in time of peace, is humbly left to the judgment and determination of Parliament.--The next great expence to the public, is that of the Navy, &c."