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
In the East, the Islands of Ceylon and Manar, the Peninsula of
Malacca, Cochin, a seaport on the coast of Malabar, and, in fine,
most of the valuable settlements of the Dutch in Hindostan, fell
successively under the combined efforts of our Naval and Military
forces; in all of which, however, intrigue was more conspicuous
than active hostility.
It falls not within my scope to enlarge upon the many disastrous
events that took place in the West. There Victor Hughes, a man of
the most consummate talents, but which were stained by inhumanity,
acted both as the agent and the organ of republican France. He
perfectly assimilated himself to the temper of his employers;
recognizing only the rules of expediency, he was ever the ready
advocate for the most sanguinary works, and felt not the controul
of principle where it opposed his interests. His incendiary
attempts will long be reviewed with horror by those islands which
were the theatres of his plots.
This year abounded with Naval achievements.--In the Mediterranean
the French suffered a defeat, on the 8th of March, from an inferior
force, when on their way to recover Corsica. Admiral Hotham's loss,
in killed and wounded, upon this partial occasion, was 315 Seamen
and Marines.
Another action was fought on the 12th of July, which terminated in
the capture of one ship. Captains Towry and Middleton, the Seamen
and Marines of the Dido and Lowestoffe, were eminently noticed for
their gallantry in a successful contest with two of the heaviest
frigates from France, which terminated in the surrender of one;
while the other found refuge in flight.
On the coast of America the Hon. Captain Cochrane, with Captain
Beresford, were equally conspicuous in subduing their superior
antagonists; in which the former says, that the carronades on
the quarter deck of the Thetis, were very ably served by Lieut.
(afterward Captain) Paul Crebbin, and the Marines under his command.
The masterly retreat of Vice-Admiral Cornwallis, in the face of
an enemy nearly thrice his force, exhibited such a display of
cool valour, as not to produce a parallel upon our annals. The
energies of his pen bespoke the feelings of his invincible mind;
and although the merit was exclusively his own, yet he generously
shared it amongst his faithful associates, in these words:--
"Royal Sovereign, June 18, 1795.
"Vice Admiral Cornwallis returns his sincere thanks to the
Captains, Officers, Seamen, and Marines of the Fleet under his
orders, for their steady and gallant conduct in the presence of
the French Fleet yesterday; which firmness, he has no doubt,
deterred the enemy from making a more serious attack. It would
give the Vice Admiral pleasure to put the whole of their exertions
in effect by meeting a more equal force, when the Country would
receive advantage, as it now does honour, from the spirit so truly
manifested by its brave men."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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