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
The object of this armament having been publicly avowed and
known, the occasion evinced the spirited zeal of Lieutenant
Colonel Winter, of my corps, by his stepping out of the routine
of divisional service, and volunteering to head a battalion of
Marines, upon these more perilous duties. The handsome tender of
that able Officer, was not, however, accepted.
Upon the 12th of March the British fleet set sail, and passed
the Sound on the 30th, encountering, in its way, an incessant
but bloodless discharge from the cannon of Cronenburgh, when it
anchored near to the isle of Huin. The battle of the 2d of April,
fought under the superintending example and auspices of Lord
Nelson, needs no description to add to its splendour. Its merits
can best be appreciated by its immediate effects. Upon that great
man's brow was placed the laurel, entwined with the olive, and
both were the growth of a single day. It led to peace with our
old friends, the Danes, and overthrew a Confederacy, upon the
consequences of which speculation is set at bay.
The gallant Sir Thomas Graves nobly seconded his superior, and it
is to be remembered, in honor to his name, that he volunteered to
complete the final destruction of those Northern Opponents, if a
cessation of arms had not healed every difference.
Eight hundred and seventy five Seamen and Marine Soldiers were
killed and wounded upon that momentous day. Lieutenant Benjamin
Spencer, of my corps, son to the Rev. Dr. Spencer near Birmingham,
a youth of the most promising hopes, and the sweetest manners,
fell on board the Edgar, a ship that was peculiarly distinguished,
as did Lieutenant Henry Long, in the Isis, who was likewise much
esteemed for a benignity of temper; Lieutenants Charles Meredith
and James Marrie were also wounded.
In consequence of this signal victory, a merited testimony was
conferred upon Captain Lambrecht, of Marines, by the brevet rank
of Major, which could not have been bestowed upon a more worthy
or meritorious member. It was his fortune to be Senior Officer on
board that part of the grand force which was engaged, and to serve
in the Defiance, under the flag of Rear Admiral Graves.
Every man in the English fleet was honored with the Thanks of his
Country, its intrepid leaders received suitable distinctions, and
all stand registered upon the memorials of indelible fame. The
noble Society of Lloyd's stretched forth, likewise, their liberal
aids to the unfortunate sufferers at Copenhagen. Other incidents
tended to accelerate the dissolution of this formidable league;
in which a guardian Providence may be clearly retraced, and our
natural bulwarks as having been the secondary agents of his will.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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