Ruxton, chaplain of the fifty-sixth regiment, having died soon after his landing in Martinique), and several of our men having fallen in this gallant attack, I went on shore up to Fort Fleur d'Epée to pay the last honours to our unfortunate countrymen, eighteen of whom were killed on the spot. The scene I beheld surpassed my powers of description. It was early in the morning, soon after the action was over. At the foot of the hill lay several of our seamen badly wounded, waiting to be carried on board their respective ships: a little further, under the tall trees that grew within a few yards of the sea, several naval officers reposing after the fatigues of the morning, and their men not far from them. As we went up the hill we met some of the wounded prisoners brought in by our people; and at the gates of the fort was an heap of the slain, who had all died by the sword or bayonet. Within the fort the destruction appeared more dreadful, being more confined; a multitude of miserable wretches expiring of their wounds, and many of our own people in the same situation: in the midst of this was his Excellency writing his dispatches on a table, on which, fatigued with the action, an artilleryman was sleeping, whom the General would by no means have disturbed; one proof among thousands that the truest heroism may be, and often is, united to the greatest humanity.--It would be invidious to mention particularly, who distinguished themselves in this business, where all seemed emulous of glory; but as the greatest responsibility is attached to the higher ranks, it will be but justice to say, that Prince Edward, General Dundas, Colonels Symes, Cradock, and Coote, with the other officers of rank, as also Captains Nugent and Faulknor, the officers commanding the naval battalions, received the thanks of the Commander in Chief in public orders, for their excellent conduct and resolution, displayed through the whole of the action. [36] Consisting of the Boyne, Irresistible, Veteran, Winchelsea, Solebay, Quebec, Ceres, Blanche, Rose, Woolwich, Experiment, and Roebuck, together with the transports with troops, and the ordnance and hospital ships and victuallers.