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
After mature deliberation, it was resolved to effect a landing
early in the morning of the 8th of April, for which purpose the
flat-bottomed boats were hoisted out, and the troops placed in them
ready to advance towards Port Andro, on a signal being made. They
were preceded by his Majesty's ships Dragon and Achilles, commanded
by the Hon. Captains Harvey and Barrington, whose orders were to
silence the battery, which protected the entrance into this Bay.
These gallant Officers soon accomplished the duty, and intimated
that no opposition to the landing of our forces was to be dreaded
from that point of defence.
The boats having proceeded under the immediate superintendance of
Commodore Keppel, who had shifted his pennant from the Valiant into
the Prince of Orange, were then ordered to row towards the shore,
arranged in three divisions, under the direction of Captain Barton,
of the Royal Navy. Notwithstanding a prodigious fire of musquetry,
our brave Soldiers made good their landing, and evinced a series of
valour that must have conquered any thing within the power of man.
The French were intrenched to the chin on a steep hill, the base of
which they had cut into a perpendicular form, which prevented our
gallant fellows from ascending their works without scaling-ladders,
of which there were unfortunately none. After a heavy loss, and a
contest which did them honor, a retreat became the only alternative.
On this trying occasion, the distinguished courage and coolness of
Generals Crawford and Carleton, were very highly conspicuous; the
latter was wounded.
One boat landed sixty of Erskine's Grenadiers, under Captain
Osborne, who were unobserved by the rest of our force, and not
being supported, fell victims, excepting twenty, to very superior
numbers, after the most noble resistance. Their brave leader was
classed among the unfortunate. The fire from the ships was opened
to cover the return of our troops, who sustained a loss of nearly
500 men.
A diversion was carrying on in another quarter during these
operations, in order to aid them, by attracting the enemy's force
from the real object of attack, towards Saucon. This was composed
of the 96th and 97th Regiments, and the Marines; but nothing could
avert the disaster.
A dreadful gale coming on after the return of the boats, occasioned
the loss of many of them, which was felt extremely; and the
transports were also very considerably damaged. After it ceased,
the attention of the whole Fleet was turned to repair these
accidents.
Having obtained some reinforcements, and after a second very minute
review of the island, it was determined to make another descent at
Fort D'Arsic, to be supported by two separate attacks, in order to
distract the enemy, near St. Foy, and at Saucon.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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