Chapter II: Part 2

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."

After the work of peace was accomplished, a great reduction of the forces took place, and the half-pay list for the year 1714, exhibits upon it the following Regiments of Marines:--The whole having been disbanded, and the officers thus remunerated.

Lieutenant General Holl's, &c.

[Here is a detailed list of Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel,
Majors, Captains, 1st Lieutenants, 2d Lieutenants, Chaplain,
Adjutant, Quarter-master, and Surgeon.]

Major General Wills's do.
Brigadier Borr's do.
Lord Viscount Shannon's do.
One Muster-master General, and
Three Deputies.

Tranquillity was scarcely restored to the nation, when it had to lament the loss of its Sovereign, who closed an amiable and a virtuous life upon the 1st day of August, 1714.

The eyes and hearts of every Briton, who was capable of appreciating, and solicitous to maintain the blessings he enjoyed, naturally turned towards a successor, the recognized virtues of whose illustrious House, were the surest pledge of a continuance of their religious and civil liberties.

Accordingly, the Crown was tendered to, and accepted by King George the First, whose wise and mild reign, amidst subsequent convulsions, fully realized every hope which the nation had formed.

He had scarcely been seated on his throne, when a rival appeared, the unfortunate dupe of the hostile and ambitious designs of France, against his kingdoms.

But the loyalty of his subjects, and the courage of his troops, defeated an attempt that must have renewed the evils which urged on a recent and a glorious Revolution.

In the first year of his Majesty's Government, it was judged proper to grant a signal mark of royal favour, in consideration of the extensive and gallant services of the Marine Regiments. Accordingly, all the officers attached to those of Lieutenant General Holl, Major General Wills, and Brigadier Barr were restored to their rank and full pay, and were generally incorporated with the different corps of the line. Four invalid companies were also granted.

A spirit of public œconomy, as well as of public jealousy against the very idea of a standing army, that existed during the æra of which I treat, preclude any retrospective details from me within the periods of 1715 and 1739--During those days the very name of a _Marine Soldier_ carried within it hostility to British liberty. It was a term which the most enlightened could not comprehend, and afforded a handle of discussion to the leaders of parliamentary debates, and of popular prejudices.

During the above interval, the nation encountered a short war, and was also placed in the attitude of preparation for a second--but the events of neither fall within my limited scope; as no force, except the nominal and unattached title of General of Marines existed, with four independent companies of invalids.

It was not until 1739, upon the repetition of Spanish cruelties and aggression towards the industrious and defenceless subjects of Britain, that the system of Marine Regiments was renewed. The sword was again drawn upon the 19th of October of that year, and an Order of Council of the 12th of December, determined upon the immediate levy of six of this description. The Colonels who were nominated to command them were as follow:

1st. Edward Wolfe, esq. from 3d Foot Guards.

2d. William Robinson, esq. Lieutenant Colonel from Handyside's Regiment of Foot.

3d. Anthony Lowther, esq. from 2d. Foot Guards.

4th. John Wynyard, esq. from Colonel Tyrrel's Regiment of Foot.

5th. Charles Douglas, esq. from Colonel Howard's Regiment of Foot.

6th. Lewis Ducie Morton, esq. from 3d. Foot Guards.

In order to render them immediately effective, and with a view to discipline them, five men from each company of the Regiments of Foot Guards, were appointed as Serjeants and Corporals, and mingled with the whole.--That they might also be rapidly completed, a bounty of one pound ten shillings was tendered to the first 1800 men of our regular army who should volunteer this transition of service. It was not long, by the use of such energies, before the whole were raised, and no part of the royal speech was more generally applauded than that which proposed this levy. The notion of their being an appendage to the standing army, seems to have been, at this time, considerably effaced, though the phantom was still kept alive by those who studiously search into and proclaim every apparent grievance. Early in the year 1740, three additional regiments were raised in America, and the Royal Standard was erected at New York, as the signal-post to which every volunteer Marine was to repair.

It was supposed, that from climate, the natives of that Continent were better calculated for the service to which they were destined than the Europeans, and they were clothed in a manner well adapted for the future scene of their duties. The Colonels, Lieutenant-Colonels, Majors, and Subalterns, were appointed by the Crown, and the Captains of Companies were nominated by the American Provinces. Their uniform was camblet coats, brown linen waist-coats, and canvas trowsers. Colonel Spotiswood, of Virginia was Colonel Commandant of the whole.

In January, 1740, the six Marine Regiments received an effective augmentation of 2040 men, and one Lieutenant to each Company. An addition also of twenty men was granted to each of the four Companies of Invalids, and another allowed to the retired Marine establishment.

Previous to the sailing of Admiral Vernon for the West Indies, he, in an Address to the Duke of Newcastle, and in terms of an honest zeal for the public service, thus expresses himself upon the subject of Marine Soldiers:

"I could wish, indeed, we had each of us a company of regular troops sent on board of us, which would have strengthened us in numbers, as well as had their expertness in handling their arms, to have incited our Seamen to the imitation of them. If we should come to a general war with France as well as Spain, I believe your Grace will have already perceived, from the difficulty of manning these ships as they are, the necessity there may be of converting most of our marching regiments into Marines; and if, as they become Seamen, they were admitted to be discharged as such, that would make a good nursery for breeding them, at a time we might probably find such a necessity for them.

"As I have always looked upon our fleet as what must not only protect our trade, but secure us the blessings of a Protestant succession, your Grace will be so good as to excuse the overflowing of a sincere, though it may be an imprudent zeal; being strongly convinced in my own judgment, that preserving a superiority at sea is the best security of his Majesty's government, as well as the trade and prosperity of this kingdom."

The above ideas seem principally drawn from that system which existed as to the Marine previous to the reign of Queen Anne, and what has been already noticed. The arguments also bear a similarity to those subsequently adopted by General Lloyd, whose Treatise I shall have a future occasion to quote.

If the subordinate arrangements of a ship could allow of it, much benefit would ensue to the public service by a greater number of Marine Soldiers being added to the complement of each, instead of a set of men denominated _wasters_, who are partly composed of criminals that have compromised with the injured laws of their country, who rarely, even upon a stretch of years, become real seamen, and who, from their former habits of life, are too often the leaders of discord and insubordination.

On the contrary, if the plan which is suggested were generally adopted, with such an additional force on board, capable of striking terror upon either element, not a British squadron would put to sea that must not be viewed by our enemies with a jealous eye; but what would keep their extensive coasts for ever on the alert, and by that rapidity and secrecy which are peculiar to all naval movements, objects might be effected, and conquests achieved that never were anticipated by the political surmises of our countrymen, or the intelligence of our foes. Many other weighty considerations might also be adduced to enforce this expedient, which more properly fall within discussion under a future detail of events.

At no period of time was ever the voice of the nation more unanimous for war. The evidence of Captain Jenkins, before the House of Commons, stating his sufferings from Spanish cruelty, aroused the indignation of every member, and notwithstanding the pacific temper of the Minister of that day, and his powerful influence, all were anxious to vindicate the insulted honour of the nation.

Before the declaration of hostilities, Admiral Vernon sailed for the West Indies, and arrived at Jamaica in the month of October, 1739. The aspect of public affairs previous to his leaving Europe, fully sanctioned immediate enterprize against the enemy.

After taking in refreshments at Jamaica, and having embarked 200 Soldiers under Captain Newton, to serve as Marines, he shaped his course for Porto Bello, the destined object of his attack, and at that time the great mart for the wealthy commerce of Chili and Peru.

The attempt was fraught with many apparent obstacles, but it was undertaken and performed with an unexampled spirit and promptitude, which are the surest means of success in military enterprize; but more particularly when it is aimed against the distant territories of an enemy.

Upon the 21st of November, the attack was commenced by the ships in line of battle, against the Iron Castle, a strong fort of 22 guns, at the north point of the entrance into the harbour. The Spaniards flying from several parts of it, an instant debarkation of the Seamen and Marines was resolved on, from the Burford, Norwich, and Worcester, under cover of these ships. With the loss of only two killed, they effected a landing, when they compensated for the want of scaling ladders, by each man mounting upon the shoulders of another, and thus entering the embrazures.--This Fort was carried although no breach had been made, which indeed was almost impossible, against walls of 9 feet in thickness, and such as afterwards withstood for a while, the explosions of those mines that were used to raze them.

This gallant beginning struck terror into the Garrison of Gloria Castle, and Jeronimo Fort, both which defended the town; the former had two regular bastions, and a curtain between them mounted with 22 guns, besides many more pointing towards the mouth of the harbour.

Upon the 22d, an attack was intended against the whole, but the enemy hung out the white flag, a signal of surrender. Upon this occasion, Captain Downing of the Navy led the attack on the Iron Castle. After having landed, he very properly wished to form his men into some order for it. One brave but impetuous Sailor, disdaining such precautions, pushed on, who, on being ordered to halt, answered with an ingenuous oath, "Don't let us halt, Captain, till we are lamed."

In this operation we sustained a loss of only twenty killed and wounded, while the enemy were lessened in their numbers by desertions into the country, and by action, nearly three hundred men.

After destroying the fortifications, which from their strength required some time, the Admiral with his squadron sailed for Jamaica upon the 13th of December, and previously received from the Governor and inhabitants of the place the warmest acknowledgments for the humanity and generous treatment they had experienced.

The bombardment of Carthagena, in February, 1740, and the attack upon Chagre (a fort situate upon the mouth of a river of that name, a little to the north-west of the Gulf of Darien), were all that could be performed before the arrival of reinforcements and supplies from Europe, now much wanted. The latter, surrendered, after a contest with the men of war and bomb-ketches, upon the 24th of March, when the Castle situated on a rock, and the Custom-house, under its protection, were demolished and burnt. The fleet afterwards returned to Porto Bello, and from thence to Jamaica.

At this period considerable exertions were making at home, with a view to attack more effectually the Spanish possessions in South America, as well as their own coasts.

A large number of men of war was assembled at Spithead, and Lord Cathcart, with six regiments of Marines, now considerably strengthened, with other forces, were encamped in the Isle of Wight, and continued in readiness for these intended services.

It was not until the 26th of October that the fleet set sail from St. Helens for Jamaica, where they arrived in the month of January, 1741. The united forces which were embarked on board were Wentworth's, Harrison's, and Cavendish's regiments of Foot, with the six regiments of Marines already detailed.

Unfortunately for his country, and that profession of which he was so bright an ornament, Lord Cathcart very early fell a victim to the climate, when the command devolved upon the Honourable Brigadier General Wentworth.

The whole force sailed from Irish Bay, in Hispaniola, upon the 25th of February, 1741, consisting in all of one hundred and twenty-four sail, having been reinforced by two of the Marine regiments raised within the American provinces, and other levies which had been previously formed in those colonies.

Upon the 4th of March, in the evening, the whole anchored in the Grand Playa, to windward of the town of Carthagena, the intended object of their attack.

After the necessary arrangements, the fleet moved forward in two divisions, upon the 9th, to silence the different forts, as preparatory to the landing of the troops. After little more than one hour's cannonade, those of St. Jago and St. Philip were deserted by the enemy, when five hundred grenadiers made a descent under their walls, and took possession of them. Against the 15th, every soldier, with the tents, tools, artillery, and ordnance stores were landed, the ground was cleared, and an encampment formed.

About this time, the Admiral being informed by General Wentworth that the army was much incommoded by a strong fascine battery on the opposite side of the harbour, called the Barradera side, he detached a number of boats, full of men, under the conduct of Captain Boscawen, having under him Captains Laws and Coats, of the navy.

Upon no occasion was intrepidity ever more conspicuous, and that great man at this time gave an earnest of what his country might expect from him. In their approach they did not observe from its situation a small battery of five guns, but they soon remedied their error, by resolutely pushing on shore, and gaining possession, after a slight resistance.

The enemy rousing a little from their surprise at the other, consisting of fifteen 24-pounders, opened their fire from two guns; but following up the same spirited course, the seamen, headed by their gallant leaders, advanced most rapidly, and carried this strong battery also.

Here they spiked up all the guns, destroyed the platforms, and completely effected this important object with but little loss. The enemy, well knowing the value of this position, soon mounted two heavy cannon, which were again silenced by a ship ordered for that purpose. A third opportunity--and the same scene of action afforded a display of Naval courage, when six other guns were once more destroyed, with every appendage to them.

These repeated efforts much aided the operations of the Army now employed in the reduction of the Castle of Bocca Chica. Upon the 25th of March, a practicable breach having been made in it, the general communicated his determination to storm it. Accordingly Admiral Vernon assembled all the boats, in order to co-operate, having landed their men within view of the enemy, where the fascine battery was fixed. This was a well-judged diversion; for when the grenadiers advanced to storm, at the hour appointed, they met no resistance, as the Spaniards fled without firing a shot.

A panic had now seized the enemy, who set fire to one of their ships. Taking advantage of this state, the boats resolved to attempt the fort of St. Joseph, which was immediately evacuated.

Being now within the boom thrown across the harbour, and the Dons, seeming determined to sink their ships, they judged it proper to row on, and soon boarded the Galicia, carrying the flag of the Spanish Admiral.--These obstructions being removed, the Admiral and the squadron, still with much difficulty, moved into the harbour.

After various services, the Castle of Grande Castillo having been gained, and the enemy sunk all their men of war, farther preparations were made for landing the troops nearer the town, in order to cut off all communication with the main land. Our loss, up to the beginning of April, was two Colonels of Foot, one of Marines, with one Captain of the Royal Navy, besides other Officers slain, and upwards of four hundred of different descriptions killed and wounded.

That mortality, which is the never-failing result of protracted operations in this inhospitable clime, now began its ravages. Matters were pushed on--the bomb-ketches on the 2d of April began to play upon the town, and the other passages of approach cleared from the ships sunk by the enemy, as being necessary for the disembarkation of the forces near the city. After these difficulties were removed, they were landed at the dawn of the 5th, under the command of General Wentworth, who, after a spirited contest, established his encampment within a mile of the fort of St. Lazar.--Things now drawing to extremities, it became necessary to forego the ceremonies of a regular siege, and, however hazardous, to rest the issue upon a storm.

Accordingly, before day-break on the 9th, five hundred Grenadiers, supported by a thousand Marines, and some Jamaican levies, advanced against the enemy's lines in front of the fort. These were distantly followed by a body of Americans, with wool-packs, scaling ladders, and hand grenades.

The Spaniards were entrenched to the shoulders, and their works over-awed by St. Lazar; but neither intimidated the gallant progress of our men, who, led by Brigadier General Guise, were much annoyed, suffering extremely from flanking fires, which they had not foreseen, and enduring a heavy loss before they could reach the object of their attack. The persevering and undaunted bravery of British Soldiers was never more displayed than on this day. They at last gained their point by intrepidly leaping into the entrenchments, and driving their enemies into the fort, which communicated by a draw-bridge with the lines.

It was now those gallant fellows felt the precipitate errors of their superiors. The unarmed Americans in their rear, many of whom were killed without possessing the powers of resistance, dispersed, and threw away the charges committed to them. Three only did their duty, and with these scanty supplies, a bold effort to scale the walls of St. Lazar, was made by ten grenadiers, headed by a serjeant.--They mounted them, but being unsupported, were all cut to pieces, except him who saved himself by trusting his destinies to a headlong adventure.

Cooped up within a narrow spot, exposed to the grapeshot and marksmen of the enemy above them, the situation of these brave remnants became desperate after the break of day.

A retreat was now the only expedient left, which was accomplished under the countenance of a strong reinforcement from the camp, but under the effects of a galling fire from the fort. The Spaniards, however, did not dare to pursue a body of men, now weakened by loss, but covered with glory. Nearly seven hundred composed the list of killed and wounded upon this occasion.

The future operations of the army ceased to be offensive, and their exertions necessarily became precautionary. Dissentions, with their arising results, delay and disease, accomplished what the enemy durst not attempt.

It belongs not to me to enlarge upon either causes or effects in my limited detail, excepting where in either there may seem a tendency to involve the military character of those men whose memoirs and services I have undertaken to record. The Soldier may appear as often distinguished amidst misfortune, as the Citizen, though his country will render honours to the victorious alone, like the world, which, too often, confines its incense to the prosperous.

It is a tribute due to the gallant subordinates of the fleet and land force to say, that, throughout their arduous duties, they evinced a courage and perseverance worthy of their country and their cause. While history is bound to publish truths, it never ought to extenuate the errors of any branches of its subject.

By the 16th of April some hundreds became sick from exposure to the weather, the heavy rains that periodically set in about this time, and the scanty supplies of water; among whom were many of the principal officers.

Upon the 23d and 24th, Councils of War were held, which decided upon an immediate re-embarkation. Captain Knowles of the Navy, who had throughout bore a distinguished part in the duties of an Engineer, was now entrusted with the demolition of Castillo Grande, which was with much labour completed on the 25th, and all the guns rendered unserviceable. The same was effected at Bocca Chica. Upon the whole, the Spaniards sustained a heavy loss, as appears from the following detail:

_Guns_
Bocca Chica Castle 80
Fort St. Joseph 20
Fort St. Philip 15
Fort St. Jago 6
Fascine batteries on Barradera side 20
Four men of war at Bocca Chica 332
Two batteries at Passe Cavalla 13
Castillo Grande 63
Port Mazinello 12
Seven galleons 128
Conqesadon and Dragon men of war 134
----
723
====

Such events to the enemy were for some time irretrievable, and long felt. The charges of repairing the different fortifications must have been prodigious, when we consider the strength with which they were constructed.

Our loss upon the whole was undoubtedly great, being in all nearly two thousand men, and I annex a detail of the Officers of European Corps who were killed, died of the diseases incident to the climate, or of the wounds they received:

WENTWORTH'S Regiment of Foot.

_Killed_ _Died_
Lieut. Colonel (Sandford) 1 0
Major 0 1
Captain 0 1
Lieutenants 9 5
Ensigns 0 2
---- ----
10 9
==== ====

General HARRISON'S.

_Killed_ _Died_
Lieut. Colonel (Daniel) 0 1
Captains 1 4
Capt. Lieutenant 0 1
Lieutenant 2 5
Ensigns 0 2
---- ----
3 13
==== ====

CAVENDISH.

_Killed_ _Died_
Lieut. Colonel (Grant) 1 1 (Hely)
Captains 1 2
Lieutenants 1 2
Ensign 1 0
---- ----
4 5
==== ====

WOLFE'S Marines.

_Killed_ _Died_
Major 0 1 (Watson)
Captains 0 5
First Lieutenant 1 0
Second Lieutenant 0 1
---- ----
1 7
==== ====

DOUGLAS'S Marines, (succeeded by Lt. Col. COCHRAN.)

_Killed_ _Died_
Colonel (Douglas) 1 0
Captains 1 1
First Lieutenants 1 2
Second Lieutenants 0 1
---- ----
3 4
==== ====

LOWTHER'S Marines.

_Killed_ _Died_
Captains 1 3
First Lieutenants 0 3
Second Lieutenants 1 1
---- ----
2 7
==== ====

ROBINSON'S Marines.

_Killed_ _Died_
Lieut. Colonel (Thompson) 1 0
Captains 0 2
First Lieutenants 0 2
Second Lieutenants 1 0
---- ----
2 4
==== ====

WYNYARD'S Marines.

_Killed_ _Died_
Major (Hall) 0 1
Captains 1 2
Captain Lieutenant 0 1
First Lieutenants 0 6
Second Lieutenants 1 3
---- ----
2 13
==== ====

MORTON'S Marines.

_Killed_ _Died_
Colonel (Morton) 0 1
Lieut. Colonel (Blagrave) 0 1
Major (Macloed) 0 1
Captains 0 2
First Lieutenants 1 8
Second Lieutenants 0 2
---- ----
1 15
==== ====

Being a total loss of nineteen Officers killed, and seventy-seven who died from disease or their wounds.

The casualties of the other auxiliaries which were drawn from America, were not proportionate to the above, as they were better calculated for the climate; but the regiments of Marines were newly-raised levies, and by an erroneous policy, they were too early destined for a country, the air of which alone will always outdo the works of the sword.

It is remarked, that young formed Corps are the worst adapted for it, as it is too sudden a transition of life with many who compose them, and are often strangers to that regulated system of discipline which, in establishing their comforts, secures their health. Upon no service, however, were men ever more distinguished for bravery, but all who ever visited these quarters of the globe well know, that its diseases will conquer and control the boldest minds.

Every thing having been arranged, the fleet sailed for Jamaica upon the 6th of May, where they arrived upon the 19th, and found their reinforcements and supplies, of which they now stood in much need.

CHAP. IX.

During 1741, the number of Marine Regiments was augmented to ten, and the sums voted to maintain them were £201,752 13 0. If the same force had been established before the peace of Utrecht, they would not have exceeded the estimate of £186,666 1 8, as the following indulgences were granted, and annual allowances made subsequent to that period:

For servants allowed to Officers £7,786 13 4
Allowance to the Widows of Officers 2,433 6 8
To Colonels, for clothing lost by deserters 2,129 3 4
To Captains, for recruiting their Companies 1,825 0 0
To Agents of different Regiments 912 10 0
-------------
£15,086 13 4
=============

At this time the whole Half-pay Establishment of Great Britain, including Horse, Dragoons, Foot, Invalids, and Marines, consisted of only five hundred and fifty-one Officers, and the annual expenditure upon the whole was £34,492 10 0, being at the rate of £94 10 0 per day, and so considerate and œconomical were the public measures, that the House of Commons addressed his Majesty, praying, that those upon this list, if fit for service, might be appointed to the first vacant commissions which occurred in the different Regiments. But an ill-judged parsimony, as to the _number_ of Officers attached to Corps, seemed also to exist, and the same spirit was constantly urging the conversion of the Land Forces into bodies of Marines.

The regulation for this establishment were nearly similar in their principles to those framed for the line. The Colonels of Marine Regiments clothed their respective Corps, and had the liberty of recommending for commissions--Excepting that the whole battalion was destined for a particular service, none of the Field Officers were embarked. The greatest number of men on board the largest ships did not exceed one hundred under a Captain, three Subalterns, and the smallest was not less than twenty under an Officer.

The Commanders of Marine detachments were enjoined to forward _effective_ returns of them every two months to the Commissary General of Marines, attested by the Captains and Pursers of each. This was necessary, in order to conduct the musters of the Regimental Companies, and to guide the recruiting service on shore. The same deductions were made from them as the Army, for clothing and Chelsea Hospital, whether embarked or not.

When attached to any ship, their indulgencies were equal to those of the Seamen, as to the receiving provisions without any deductions from their pay on that account, they had short allowance money, and the benefit of Naval Hospitals. When sent thither, either sick or wounded, they were deemed effective in the musters ashore, if producing a certificate from the Surgeon of the Ship to which they belonged, and another from the Commanding Officer at head-quarters, when in Great Britain.

The Paymaster General of Marines issued the pay, upon receiving it, to the Colonels of Regiments, or their Agents, and the Paymaster of each settled all their accounts agreeably to the muster-rolls they had from the Commissary General.

These muster-rolls, with the receipts of the different Colonels or their Agents, were esteemed sufficient vouchers for passing the Paymaster's accounts, and for making out warrants or debentures for clearings; which terms shall undergo a more particular discussion, under the head of Examples.

When brigaded abroad, they were paid exactly in the same manner as the Army; but the arrears of Marine Officers were much longer withheld, and the Captains of Companies were exposed to very peculiar hardships, which will be stated more at length in a subsequent stage of the narrative.--It is enough at present to remark, that the Officers of these Regiments, when abroad, were often obliged to assign that branch of their pay, at fifty per cent. discount, in order to answer their temporary exigencies.

What a contrast does this system present to the reforms, which have been recently established, in favour of this class of men.

CHAP. X.

In consequence of the heavy losses sustained at Carthagena, and the mortality which still continued to rage after their arrival at Jamaica, the transit between the Regiments of Foot and Marines was rapid and immediate. Upon this service promotions were established by rotation in the whole line. Within the short period of five weeks, the Corps, originally Douglas's, numbered amongst its casualties, three Colonels, two Lieutenant Colonels, and two Majors.

It was not until the beginning of July that the fleet and army were in a state of readiness to renew their operations, when it was resolved to proceed against the Island of Cuba, where they anchored upon the 18th of July, in Walthenham Bay, immediately named Port Cumberland, in honor of his Royal Highness the Duke, about eighteen leagues to windward of St. Jago, the first object of their intended attack, and properly speaking, the Capital, although it was not then the seat of the Governor. The troops were all landed upon the 24th, consisting nearly of four thousand men, including one thousand chosen negroes, levied by the Island of Jamaica, with a view to sustain the laborious duties of this service. Having established a position upon the side of the river, nearly three leagues from the mouth of the harbour, the General on the 25th pushed some detachments into the country, which every where beat back the outposts of the enemy, and in a few days returned to the Camp, with plentiful supplies of provisions.

It was originally the intention of the Commanders in Chief to have made a joint attack upon St. Jago, but the want of unanimity which had sometime past, and now existed to a fatal degree, ruined every purpose.--Contentious debates, and dilatory measures, took place of cordial co-operation and pushing enterprize, while the Country's interests and the lives of the Soldiery were daily sacrificed to the bitterest feuds.

About the middle of August the General stated the impracticability of advancing into the interior country with his present force, and expressed a wish to await the arrival of fresh levies from America, and the expected reinforcements from Europe, which now became essential to complete the skeleton Corps of his Army. The first resource was planned at the outset of the West India expedition, and instructions had been early given to the Commander in Chief to avail himself of it, when compelled by emergency.

Accordingly, recruiting parties were sent to New England to raise volunteers, and General Wentworth, by a personal appeal to the Governor of that province, urged the necessity of their being seconded with public spirit and public liberality. Similar steps were adopted in the State of New York, to fill up the American Regiments of Marines; and the Governors, by an impressive address to the Legislative Houses of both, strongly recommended their energies, not only on the ground of patriotism, but of political expediency. Bounties of forty shillings were offered to volunteers, and the alluring inducements of conquered territory.--America then saw her interests in the subjugation of the Spanish dependencies in that quarter of the globe.

During a long interval nothing was attempted, even towards a partial reduction of Cuba, at the close of which, sickness, the never-failing result of total inactivity in these climes, began his ravages. It was therefore determined to evacuate the island, which was effected upon the 20th of November, when the regimental returns were as follow:

_Serj._ _Corp._ _Drum._ _Priv._
General Harrison's Foot 22 23 8 172
Wentworth's ditto 22 17 8 172
Colonel Wolfe's (Marines) 20 23 6 132
Frazer's 22 21 6 109
Lowther's 22 24 8 183
Wynyard's 23 20 11 123
Cochran's 15 11 7 158
Cotterell's 24 26 10 151
First Battalion, Gooch's (American) 16 11 3 129
Second ditto 10 7 3 90
Third ditto 10 7 3 79
Fourth ditto 6 7 1 107
----------------------------
212 197 74 1610
Sick in all 39 47 15 465
251 244 89 2073
============================

The total loss of Officers, at the close of 1741, amounted to one Commander in Chief, five Colonels, ten Lieutenant Colonels, seven Majors, fifty-five Captains, one hundred and sixteen Subalterns, and fourteen Staff Officers.

The heavy casualties in the Marine Regiments may easily be known, when it is recollected, that upon their leaving Europe each consisted of more than one thousand men.

The transports, under a proper escort, returned to Jamaica upon the 29th of November, while the squadron continued at sea to meet the anxiously looked-for reinforcements.

CHAP. XI.

It was not until the 15th of January, 1742, that nearly three thousand men, including two thousand Marines, arrived at Jamaica. Another expedition was now meditated, which put to sea early in March, but adverse winds, the separation of transports having on board the working negroes, and the expectation of the periodical rains now nearly setting in, suggested to a Council of War held at Porto Bello, at the close of that month, the immediate return of the whole armament, to the port they had left. This afforded another instance of unfortunate discord. The fleet arrived at Jamaica upon the 15th of May.

In order to give a specious appearance to things, and to compensate for the national expenditures and past miscarriages, it was now judged proper to detach a force to take possession of Rattan, an island in the Bay of Honduras, and a situation highly proper for maintaining a commercial intercourse with South America, as well as the trade in logwood.

An establishment there having been formed early in the year, it was determined in a Council of War to send a force of fifty Marines and two hundred Americans, under Major Caulfield, in order to place the island in a state of military defence.

On the 23d of August, they reached Port Royal, on the south side of it, where they formed a camp and erected Fort George to defend the harbour, as well Fort Frederick, on the western part of it. A great proportion of the American soldiers being papists, they formed a plot to render the settlement abortive, and to rise upon the Marines and the well-affected of their countrymen.

His Majesty's ship, Litchfield, then in the harbour, hearing the alarm guns, instantly landed her party of Marines, who with those on shore soon checked this daring mutiny, secured the delinquents, and preserved the settlement to his Majesty.

Nothing farther was done during the inauspicious commands of Admiral Vernon or General Wentworth, who both soon afterwards returned to Great Britain, excepting the detaching five hundred men of different descriptions to the aid of General Oglethorpe, in South Carolina, and repelling the menaces of the Spaniards against the infant colony of Georgia.

Orders of recall for both arrived at Jamaica upon the 23d of September, and the General was directed to provide the fleet with a number of commissioned Officers, and men, from the Marines, sufficient to supply its wants; also to fill up the vacancies in the eight Independent Companies raised for the defence of Jamaica. For the former purpose, eleven hundred were required, which were nearly all that were now left and fit for duty. The supernumerary Officers and sick were sent home, and the American troops were invited to become volunteers for both.

Government, under the experience of past disasters, now vested the controul of the Marines in Sir Chaloner Ogle, upon whom the naval command devolved after the departure of Admiral Vernon. Notwithstanding the personal animosities that had existed, this Officer bore his testimony to the zeal and distinguished bravery of the Soldiery, whose gallant efforts and patient endurance under the greatest privations, were uniformly conspicuous throughout a series of misfortunes.

Upwards of seven thousand Marines and nearly four thousand of other troops were the lamentable victims to pestilence and disunion, but not to defeat. The objects which were accomplished, although not adequate to their country's hopes, were still distressing to the enemy. Their principal harbours were in a manner rendered defenceless, and the Spanish government experienced much embarrassment from nearly a total suspension of these pecuniary supplies, which could alone enable it to maintain the war with vigour and effect, while the distress pervaded every class of its subjects.

Our forces were ever after too feeble to undertake any enterprize of importance against the enemy in that quarter of the world.--Self-defence was now the system adopted by Sir Chaloner Ogle, as the Spanish squadron at the Havannah was superior to his own, since the departure of Admiral Vernon.

The supplies which were voted for the year 1743 provided for a large levy of Marines to fill up their casualties--eleven thousand five hundred and fifty being the number decreed, and forty thousand seamen.

Nothing further, consistent with my subject, appears on the face of the public transactions of the year 1742.

CHAP. XII.

Early in 1743, an impression upon some part of the continent of South America being resolved on, the conduct of these operations was entrusted to Captain Knowles, of the Navy, having on board his squadron four hundred of the regiment of Dalzell, and about six hundred Marines. They were first ordered to rendezvous at Antigua, from which island they sailed upon the 12th of February, with a view upon La Guira, a town in the district of the Caraccas, in Terra Firma. The attack against it was commenced on the 18th, but owing to a very heavy swell, the men of war could not approach the shore, and in consequence, the troops were not landed.--After a very heavy cannonade, which was only ended by the night, the ships withdrew from the combat. The town suffered extremely, many breaches were made in the fortifications, and the enemy sustained a loss of more than seven hundred men.

The Spaniards behaved well, as the squadron suffered very considerable damages, besides having nearly four hundred killed and wounded.

It proceeded to Curaccoa to refit, where they prepared for another attempt upon the sea-coast of Terra Firma. Having been reinforced by some Dutch Volunteers, Commodore Knowles sailed from this island upon the 20th of March, and shaped a course for Porto Cavallo, where there was a respectable force, and a town in the best state of defence.

Owing to strong lee currents, it was not until the 15th of April that the ships anchored under the keys of Barbarat, to the eastward of the place. Having reconnoitred the different points of opposition, which were every where formidable, two ships were ordered upon the 16th of April against Ponta Brava, to commence upon it a flanking fire, which its low situation, and the injudicious construction of the works, evidently permitted.

After they were silenced, it was agreed to land the troops of every description, in order to take possession, and to turn the guns against the Castle; their retreat being secured by a man of war within pistol shot of the shore.--By sunset the ships had accomplished their object, and by dark a force of twelve hundred sailors, soldiers, and Dutch Volunteers were disembarked under the command of Major Lucas.

About eleven at night the Van gained one of the fascine batteries upon Ponta Brava, when a Spanish centinel discharged his musquet, and gave a general alarm.

Two guns being fired from the other battery, which was the next for capture, put into an unaccountable confusion nearly the whole of this mixed detachment, when under the influence of a panic they retreated to the ships with precipitation.

Upon the 21st it was resolved to wipe away the disgrace of the late miscarriage, by an attack of the squadron and forces against the Castle and fascine batteries.--Four ships were destined to batter the former upon the 24th, while three others were placed against the latter. The cannonading began at eleven on the noon of that day, and was maintained with a mutual obstinacy till nine at night, when after a short interval the firing was renewed. Some of the ships having now expended all their ammunition, and others being damaged, they were ordered to slip, and to anchor without the reach of the enemy's shot.

This attack being fruitless in its object, which was to land the troops, and fatal in its consequences, by a loss of more than two hundred men, it was now deemed impracticable to push any farther enterprize, and upon the 28th, in a general consultation, it was resolved to return to Jamaica.

The extended operations of our fleets in other quarters being marked with no events in which his Majesty's Marine forces were particularly called forth, no farther details connected with my narrative appear within the annals of 1743.

CHAP. XIII.