An Historical Review of the Royal Marine Corps, from its Original Institution down to the Present Era, 1803 — John Shaqi
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
Brigadier Gorge having moved from Elche upon the 21st of July,
where he had remained waiting for reinforcements, to within a
mile of Alicant, all the Marines of the fleet, with 800 Seamen,
were landed upon that day, and the following morning, and the
bombardment commenced in the evening of the 22d. A detachment of
the Naval force under Sir George Byng, rendered very essential
service, by dismounting many of the enemy's guns opposed to the
sea, and driving the men from them.
Upon the 24th of July, the Marines arrived from Carthagena, and
were immediately landed. Four days after, when the troops had
gained possession of the suburbs, all the boats were manned and
armed, in order to attack the town. On the 29th, the ships having
made a practicable breach in the round tower, at the west end of
the place, and another at the middle of the curtain, between
the mole and the easternmost bastion, the Soldiers advanced to
storm them. An Officer with fifteen Grenadiers rashly pushed on
against the breach in the town, but were repulsed before they
could be supported. Upon this occasion there were particularly
distinguished, Captains Evans, Passenger, and Watkins, of the Royal
Navy. Capt. Evans, at the head of a few of the boats crews, was the
first to mount into the breach, and they were rapidly seconded by
the whole forces, who, upon reaching the town, secured every post,
with but little loss; there being only 30 killed, and 80 wounded,
although the Spaniards had prepared for this event, by forcing
temporary loop holes in their houses, from which they kept up a
sharp fire upon our men as they approached.
General Mahoni now retired into the Castle, and was again summoned
by Brigadier Gorge; his answer was such as became him, and what
might have been expected from his character. At this time the
detached squadron had dismounted many of his guns, beat down a part
of the walls, and his Garrison was extremely annoyed by shells from
the bomb vessels. Composed chiefly of Neapolitans, they at last
compelled the brave Mahoni to yield, who, from this cause alone,
surrendered his charge, after a heavy loss, upon the 25th of August.
Having adjusted every thing, the fleet proceeded to the Island
of Ivica, where it arrived upon the 9th day of September. The
Governor instantly saluted, and tendered submission and obedience
to King Charles the III. It was afterwards resolved to attack
Majorca, to the Viceroy of which a summons was sent in, upon the
14th of September. He, with some others in the interest of the
Duke of Anjou, appeared resolute to defend themselves; but when a
few shells were thrown into Palma, the capital, the inhabitants
obliged him to retire to his palace, and there enter into terms. A
Garrison of one Captain, one Lieutenant, and 100 Marines was placed
here, and all the disaffected to our cause, were withdrawn from the
island.
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