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
Every domestic event of this year sinks, in consequence, when
compared to the expedition against Holland. Its details, however,
do not properly fall within my narrative. After having gained
possession of the Helder, the duties allotted to the Marines,
were to garrison its forts, while the Army, under Sir Ralph
Abercrombie, penetrated into the Country. These my corps performed
with their usual alertness and zeal, and much to the satisfaction
of their superiors. Unfortunate as was the issue of the attempt,
originally undertaken at a late season of the year, and against a
dangerous coast, still the very important capture of the remains
of the Batavian Navy, amply compensated for its final miscarriage.
An unsurpassed unanimity between the land and naval services
prevailed, and English valour was conspicuous throughout.
A garrison of Seamen and Marines having been placed at Limmen Town,
in West Friezland, under Captain Boorder, of the Navy, consisting
of only 157 men, was attacked at five on the morning of the 11th
of October by more than 700 of the enemy, in four quarters. Their
advanced party against the North battery was surrounded and taken
by the seamen, and after a long contest, the whole gave way. The
Marines immediately pursued, killed and wounded more than 40, and
would have taken their colours and cannon if they had not, in the
rout, broken down a bridge, which checked our progress. Captain
Boorder says, "that Lieutenants Wyburn, Howel, Higginson, and
Gardner, of Marines, behaved with honour to themselves, and credit
to their Country, and that their men distinguished themselves
in a most gallant manner." The names of Captains Mortlock, Sir
Harry Neale, Winthorp, Bolton, Macnamara, and Cuninghame, with
their Officers, Seamen, and Marines, stand meritedly high in the
subordinate catalogue of this year's naval deeds.
CHAP. XLV.
Twenty thousand Marines were voted for the service of 1800.
Every revolving year seemed to add to the naval superiority of
Great Britain. In each quarter the enemy's fleets were blockaded
within their ports; the happy result of our reiterated victories.
In the Mediterranean, Lord Keith, by his cruizers, was highly
instrumental in producing the fall of Genoa, to the Austrian
General Melas, by cutting off its supplies, and occasional
bombardments.
Early in 1800 a battalion of Marines was landed at Malta, which
had withstood a tedious blockade, and still held out with
uncommon perseverance. The occasion presented no opportunities of
signalizing themselves, but by the most exemplary good conduct,
under the following Officers:
Captain Weir, (Major Commandant.)
Capt. Knox,
---- Wolfe,
---- Torkinton,
---- Williams,
Lieut. Burford,
---- Bunce,
---- Adair,
---- Miller,
---- Davison,
---- M'Carthy,
Lieut. Jones,
---- Pearce,
---- Pogson,
---- Hodgkins,
---- Tyldesley, Adjutant,
---- Scobell, Quarter-Master.
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