A Journal of the Expedition to Carthagena, with Notes: In Answer to a Late Pamphlet Entitled, An account of the Expedition to Carthagena
History
A Journal of the Expedition to Carthagena, with Notes: In Answer to a Late Pamphlet Entitled, An account of the Expedition to Carthagena
Cartagena (Colombia) -- History -- Siege, 1741
At Seven in the Evening, the Tents were struck, at Eight the Troops
march'd from their Ground, and embarked in three Divisions on the Boats
prepared to receive them. The Sickness amongst the Troops increased to
so great a Degree, that any longer Continuance in that unhealthy
Situation, seemed to threaten no less than their total Ruin; the General
therefore, and the principal Land Officers, agreed to the Admiral's
Proposal, for demolishing the Forts, _&c._ which commanded the Harbour;
that being done, and Water taken in for the Voyage, the whole Fleet set
sail for _Jamaica_.
THE APPENDIX.
I Shall only here remark some Mistakes, which the Author of the Pamphlet
has been guilty of in his Appendix, both with regard to the
Circumstances of the City of _Carthagena_, and to the Conduct of the
Officers of the Army, whom he has been pleased basely to asperse,
without any Grounds whatsoever. And I do appeal to the Gentlemen of the
Navy, for the Truth of what I have advanced; which must be so evident to
every impartial Person, who was there present, and gave the least
Attention to what passed, that I should not have employed one Moment's
Time, in replying to a Pamphlet, made up of glaring Falsehoods, Facts
misrepresented, and mean personal Reflections, to which the Author does
not put his Name; was I not in Hopes, that by laying before the Publick
an exact Account of the Transactions before _Carthagena_, in some
Measure to remove (from those who cannot otherwise be informed of the
Truth) the Prejudices which are so industriously propagated in that
scurrilous Libel; not solely with a View to calumniate a few brave Men,
who after many Hazards are return'd home to their native Country; but by
invidious Distinctions, to set at variance the Army and the Navy, which
can have no other End but to obstruct his Majesty's Service, whenever
the Fleet and Land Forces shall act in Conjunction.
As for the City itself (says the Author) Nature has fortified it against
any Attempt by Sea, the Water shoaling near a League off, and being
plentifully bounded with Rocks; besides the Sea is very seldom smooth,
so that it is difficult at all times landing.
There are Pilots, who have been long accustomed to that Coast, who
affirm that there is depth of Water sufficient for large Ships to anchor
(even on that Side) near enough to batter the Town: The only Difficulty
arises from the Swell of the Sea; but that much abates, whenever the
Wind blows for any Time off Shore.
The Ravelin here mention'd can only subsist in the Author's Imagination;
there is no other Defence between the two Bastions, (which are very
distant from each other,) excepting a low Wall not flank'd; a
Circumstance of which very good Use might be made, if upon the Swell's
being abated, Boats could be sent in there to put Troops on Shore.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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