To those, at all conversant with writing such accounts, it will not appear strange, that, as I proceeded to retrace those events which form the most prominent feature of my life, I found a pleasure in recognising many a transaction that had almost faded from my memory, and by degrees it increased under my hand, till it became of size sufficient to form a volume, and I was enabled to lay it before the public in a more respectable form than I at first intended. But, that I may not appropriate to myself merit belonging to another, I take a pleasure in avowing, that through the kindness of an officer, who, from his rank, is not more conspicuous than respected by the general tenor of his conduct, I have been favoured with the assistance of a journal by an ingenious and active officer of his division, which has greatly contributed to the embellishment of my work, by the communication of many local circumstances, impossible for me otherwise to have been acquainted with. The like assistance I have also to acknowledge from a friend who served under General Prescott during his gallant defence of Fort Matilda. By the favour and indulgence of the Commander in Chief, I have been permitted to make extracts from the public order-book of the army; these form a large appendix, which, I trust, will not only confirm the accuracy of my narration, but will prove both useful and entertaining to the army in general. Such has been the origin and progress of this publication; to the candour, therefore, of the public I commit myself, trusting that, as my ambition has been humble, I shall not be exposed to the severity of literary criticism for not having obtained that which I have never attempted. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. _Expedition to the West Indies determined on ... Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis appointed Commanders in Chief ... The Boyne sails from Spithead ... Occurrences on the voyage from thence to Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes._ CHAPTER II. _The Commanders in Chief prepare for the expedition against Martinique ... Gun-boats constructed, and described ... A short account of Barbadoes ... Sale of slaves ... A list of the fleet._ CHAPTER III. _The fleet sails from Barbadoes ... Anchors on the south coast of Martinique ... Capture of a battery ... General Grey lands with his army ... Flag of truce fired on by the enemy ... The Commanders in Chief attack the island at three different places at the same time._ CHAPTER IV. _March of the Commander in Chief from Trois Rivieres to Sallée ... Occurrences on the march ... General Whyte detached.... Takes Pigeon Island ... The Admiral anchors off Pigeon Island ... Description of the Bay of Fort Royal ... The third brigade lands at Cas de Navires._ CHAPTER V.