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 want of Engineers was bitterly felt throughout the whole, and
though it was in many instances amply compensated by the handsome
and voluntary tenders of service, from the Officers of the Corps of
Royal Artillery, still these were of too subordinate a nature to
remedy the errors committed in the leading plan of operations.
We had also to combat a garrison nearly equal to our own army,
which was but little aided by the Native Auxiliaries, whose chief
use lay in guarding the skirts of our Camp from surprize, or
harassing parties; for they would never defend any post without
being supported by European troops.
This disaster involved a loss of 1065 Whites of every description,
while that of the enemy did not exceed 500.
In the West Indies an attack was again intended against St. Jago,
in Cuba, by some land forces embarked at Jamaica and the Marines of
the squadron, with which design the whole put to sea, but after a
long perseverance against strong northerly winds, which prevented
their approaching that coast, it was given up, and diverted to an
enterprize against Port Louis on the south side of Hispaniola. This
service was performed by the ships in line of battle, which, after
three hours heavy cannonade, compelled its Governor to surrender
upon terms, when Major Scott, with a detachment of Governor
Trelawney's regiment, and the Marines, were landed, and took
possession of the Fort in the name of his Majesty.
After having shipped or destroyed upwards of 80 heavy cannon, and
blown up the works, the whole were re-embarked.
Towards the close of the present year a very serious mutiny
occurred on board his Majesty's ship Chesterfield, upon the coast
of Africa, but like all attempts of so diabolical a nature, it was
suppressed by the spirited efforts of a few well disposed of her
crew. This leads me to the reflection, that, however brave and
intrepid the character of a British Seaman is, still his valour
becomes palsied the moment it is exerted in a wrong cause. Such
indeed must ever be the consequence of such ill aimed combinations.
The wretch who is capable of subverting his country's interests
cares but little for those of his friends. In principle a villain,
he never fails being the first to desert and betray the unfortunate
men, who are the dupes of his counsels, particularly when his own
life appears in danger.
In order to exhibit how dangerous it is even to _conceal_ the
existence of a mutiny, I will state an instance which arose out of
the above occasion:--After the Chesterfield was recovered from
those daring insurgents, she was carried into Barbadoes, when all
the culprits were put on board the Richmond, excepting two. Some of
them were indulged with their liberty and to mess with that ship's
company; so liberal are our laws even to the criminal, before trial
and condemnation.
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