An Historical Review of the Royal Marine Corps, from its Original Institution down to the Present Era, 1803Gillespie, Alexander, Major
History
An Historical Review of the Royal Marine Corps, from its Original Institution down to the Present Era, 1803
Gillespie, Alexander, Major
Great Britain. Royal Marines -- History
D'Estaing evinced a total want of Naval enterprize through the day.
He returned to Grenada during the following night, while Admiral
Byron proceeded to St. Kitt's to repair his damages.
The approach of the hurricane season determined the French Admiral
to take refuge, with his fleet, at Hispaniola, where he received
an urgent call to unite with the Armies of America in recovering
the Province of Georgia. Elated with his success at Grenada, he
anticipated to himself the glory, not only of driving the British
from this Colony, but of exterminating them from every post which
they occupied along the sea-coasts of that Continent. There was
not, to appearance, a force sufficient to stem his ambitious views;
but they were opposed and frustrated by a spirit which often
compensates the want of numbers.
D'Estaing's arrival on the coast of Georgia, early in September,
was marked with a partial success by capturing the Experiment,
of 50 guns, after a gallant defence on the part of Sir James
Wallace. Unaccustomed to such an event as the capture of an English
two-decker, it was considered as a favourable omen, and swelled his
presumptuous hopes.
The appearance of such an armament struck wonder into General
Prevost and the Garrison of Savannah, which were intended as the
first victims to its power.
General Lincoln, with the Rebel Army from South Carolina, hearing
of their new allies, moved towards Georgia, to combine in the
attempt.
General Prevost issued orders to concentrate his detachments,
and began to add to his works. Captain Henry, of the Royal Navy,
commanded that force in the river Savannah with much zeal.
It became expedient, upon the nearer advance of the French Fleet,
to move the ships of war close to the town, to land the guns and
Seamen, and to incorporate their Marines with the Grenadiers of the
60th Regiment.
After D'Estaing had debarked his army of 5000 men, he instantly
marched against Savannah, without waiting for Lincoln, and desired
the Garrison to surrender, on the 16th of September. General
Prevost solicited delay in answering his summons; in order to give
time for his outposts to join him.
During the critical interval of 24 hours, which were allowed, that
brave and active Officer, Lieut. Colonel Maitland, whom I have
formerly mentioned, reached Savannah with a force of 800 men, after
having encountered obstacles and difficulties of the most trying
kind. Already, during the campaign of 1779, had he shewn himself
most consummate in all the requisites of a Soldier, by the stand he
made at John's Island with a handful of men, against ten times his
numbers, under General Lincoln. That deed alone was enough to fix
his military fame, which acquired additional glory by his _wading
march_ from Beaufort, to the relief of Prevost. In this, few men
could have equalled, and none surpassed his undaunted fortitude and
steady perseverance. It was the means of saving Georgia and its
Capital.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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