CHAP. XLI.

CHAP. XLI.

Eighteen thousand Marines was the establishment of 1796.

The extensive and lamentable casualties which had befallen our troops in the West Indies, with the enterprizing successes of Victor Hughes, demanded auxiliary aids from Europe, not only to remedy misfortunes, but to fill up their exhausted ranks.

After a train of unprecedented bad weather, which was combated by Rear Admiral Christian with an uncommon perseverance, this squadron and army, under Sir Ralph Abercromby, reached Barbadoes early in 1796. An expedition was instantly undertaken against the Dutch settlements in Guiana, to which Demerara, with Issequibo, capitulated on the 22d of April, as did Berbice on the 2d of May, without resistance.

The first object of the main Army was against St. Lucia, upon which island, a debarkation was made on the 27th of April. A series of attacks took place against the enemy's posts, in which Brigadier General Moore, and the 27th Regiment, were particularly noticed.

On the 2d of May 800 Seamen and 320 Marines were landed, who co-operated on shore with much credit, until the total subjection of St. Lucia, upon the 26th. I cannot express their good conduct in stronger terms, than in these which proceeded from Sir Ralph Abercromby, in General Orders of May 27th:—

"During the services which have been carried on in the island of St, Lucia, all the courage and every exertion of the Army, would have proved ineffectual, if Rear Admiral Sir H. C. Christian, and the Royal Navy, had not stepped forward with the alacrity which had been so conspicuous in forwarding the most arduous part of the public service; to their skill and unremitting labour is, in a great measure, owing the success which has attended his Majesty's arms. It will afford the Commander in Chief the greatest satisfaction to be able to lay before his Majesty the eminent services which have, on this occasion, been performed by the Royal Navy; and Admiral Sir H. C. Christian will confer a particular obligation on Lieut. General Sir R. Abercromby and the Army at large, if he will communicate to the Royal Navy, and particularly to Captains Lane, Ryves, and Stephenson, and the other Officers who acted on shore; and to the Corps of Marines, the great obligation which they consider themselves under to them.

"T. Busby, Adjutant General."

St. Vincents and Grenada, disorganized by the bustling Victor Hughes, were again restored to order; in effecting which objects, the Marines were also auxiliary, in union with their brethren of the Navy.

Early in this year the Dutch possessions of Amboyna and Banda were taken by the exertions of the squadron under Admiral Rainier, and the reduction of Columbo in the isle of Ceylon, with an immense booty, also occurred, by the joint forces under Colonel J. Stuart, and Captain Gardner of the Heroine. Although devoid of much military interest, still those settlements were of high importance in a commercial view, and I reflect with a mixture of pleasure and of pride, upon every instance in which my Corps has been instrumental in promoting the solid interests of their Country.

An expedition, that was destined for the recovery of the Cape of Good Hope, under Admiral Lucas, became a prey to the active vigilance of Sir George Elphinstone, who, with a cool judgment, and anxious to spare the effusion of blood, proposed terms of surrendering his squadron. By this exemplary address, eight ships of war were gained without a shot, or the loss of a man.

The French settlement of Foul Point, on the island of Madagascar, on the coast of Africa, was destroyed by the Seamen and Marines of the Crescent, Brave, and Sphynx, in the month of December.

Captain, now Lord Nelson, gave crouded displays of his zeal and courage upon various services in the Mediterranean during this year, by the cutting out some vessels from under the batteries of Loano, the capture of a Spanish frigate in La Minerve, and in obtaining possession of the Isle of Elba, without any loss. Porto Ferrajo, afterwards noted for its distinguished defence by a few Marines and some mixed troops, likewise capitulated to him, on the Captain, of 74 guns, having been placed against the grand Bastion.

The able valour of Captain Macnamara, of the Southampton, in boarding and bringing off, from under a heavy fire of the batteries on Porquerollos, one of the Hieres islands, the corvette Utile, is beyond praise. Lieut. Lydiard behaved most spiritedly, and William Oirton, private Marine, was the only man killed on this brilliant service.

The conduct of Captain Bowen, his Seamen and Marines, in the Terpsichore, was twice most gallantly evinced by the capture of El Mahonesa and La Vertale, in the months of October and December.

Returning homewards, the Naval incidents of the year were repeated and animated.

On the 17th of March, Sir Sidney Smith, with that intrepidity in hazard so natural to him, destroyed a small convoy within the port of Herqui; which was not accomplished however, without landing some Seamen, under Lieut. Pine, and the Marines of the Diamond, under Lieut. Carter, who, in spite of a body of troops, pushed ashore, climbed the precipice in front of their batteries, and re-embarked, after having spiked the guns. Lieut. Pine was wounded, and Lieut. Carter mortally, of which he soon died, leaving behind him the merited character of a most excellent Officer and amiable man.

On the 20th, Sir John Warren, with his little squadron, engaged a very superior force, taking one frigate and four of a convoy.

Lieut. Williams, of Marines, appears mentioned by Sir Edward Pellew as having rendered essential service on board the Indefatigable, in capturing La Virginie upon the 21st of April.

The fortunate contest between the Unicorn, Captain Sir Thomas Williams, and La Tribune, began under an obvious disadvantage, and while it has fully established the fame of that Officer, it was likewise most honourable to Lieut. Hart of my Corps. The Seamen and Marines of La Margaretta were also much distinguished in Captain Martin's official dispatch, announcing the capture of La Tamise.

Captain Trollope, in the Glatton, of 54, armed with heavy carronades, stands most highly on the records of this year, by his having encountered and beat a squadron carrying upwards of 200 guns, and in every respect nearly thrice his force. While the circumstances of the battle reflect a lustre upon all who fought, the unsubdued spirit of Captain Strangeways, of Marines, was truly heroic, and demands the grateful sympathy of his Country and his Corps. After having received a ball in his thigh, he was necessarily carried below, and on a tourniquet having been applied by the Surgeon, he insisted upon going again to his quarters, where he continued to animate his men until he fainted from loss of blood, when Captain Trollope was obliged to interpose his authority for his removal from danger. He afterwards fevered and died, forsaking by destiny a distressed widow and family to deplore his fall, to the tutelar care of Providence and the British nation. William Hall, Corporal of Marines, was, besides, the only one wounded in this memorable action.

Sir John Warren, by his reiterated exploits through the year, has very meritedly founded a name for spirit and zeal.

Towards the close of 1796 the French fleet put to sea from Brest, with the direct aim of invading the sister kingdom of Ireland. To it an army of 15,000 men was united under General Hoche. Heaven again stepped forth to thwart their schemes, whose elementary agents were employed to overthrow them. Scarcely had they set sail, when the winds began to blow with violence, which burst into a storm after gaining sight of the wished for land. Their armament was finally scattered, and while a part of it, was buried in the ocean, others were doomed to augment the British Navy, and the remains to hasten back, in disappointment and in terror, towards their own ports.

Judging, from external evidences, their reception would have been worthy of Irishmen, had their invaders reached their shores.

Patriotism shone forth in every rank of society, and one godlike churchman[3] exerted those powerful energies, which must always be attached to every reputable member of his honorable calling, in keeping alive the sacred flame.

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