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
After an interchange of terms, the Honourable Capt. Elphinstone
(now Lord Keith) took possession of Fort La Malgue with 1800 troops
and Marines upon the 28th of August. The fleet of Spain hove in
sight, anchored, and reinforced that post with 1000 men. At first
the inhabitants of Toulon, though royalists, were still jealous
of the issue of things, but they were tranquillized in all their
fears, by a solemn assurance, that the place and ships were held
in trust for Louis the 17th, their lawful Sovereign. The approach
of a part of Carteaux army, to Ollioules, produced a very spirited
attack from La Malgue, headed by Capt. Elphinstone, and consisting
of 600 Spaniards, British troops and Marines, who drove a superior
enemy from that village, and took their cannon, ammunition, and
some prisoners. The dispositions of the English commander were
masterly, and attested his abilities to wage war on either element.
Lord Mulgrave arrived at Toulon early in September, and assumed
the command of the combined detachments, with the local rank of
Brigadier General.
The Marines of the fleet were dispersed over the different posts
of defence, some of which were cannonaded by the enemy, daily
increasing in numbers.
All the military talents of Lord Mulgrave were requisite at this
trying juncture. They were soon displayed in the most active
measures, by occupying situations essential for checking the
enemy's attacks, and affording a temporary security to many
extensive objects, until reinforcements should arrive.
His Lordship had to guard against the insults of the Army of Le
Poype on the East, as well as that of Carteaux on the West, in
which he was materially aided also by the activity and steady
bravery of the Officers and Seamen of the fleet. At this time too,
the Spaniards were actuated by a spirit of cordial union.
On the 28th of September, a seasonable supply of 2800 Sardinian and
Neapolitan troops arrived, who, in three days after, in conjunction
with the other allied corps, of which the British Marines formed
one, had an opportunity of signalizing themselves, led by Lord
Mulgrave himself, in recovering the important heights of Pharon,
which had been surprized and carried under cover of a fog, upon the
30th.
To the rapid enterprize of his Lordship, as much as the seconding
valour of every subordinate Soldier and Seaman, may justly be
ascribed the glory and success of the 1st of October. Very
honorable mention was made of Serjeant Moreno, and three privates
of the Spanish Marine Corps, who, with a daring and judicious zeal,
traced out the line of march for the allied column on the right, to
within pistol shot of the works.
Directed by genius, the laurel was obtained, and its value enhanced
by a very trifling loss, while that of the French exceeded 1400
killed and wounded; Lieutenant Carter, of Marines, was amongst the
English wounded.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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