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 last, which was intended merely as a feint, was composed of the
four troops of Light Dragoons under Lieutenant-Colonel Burgoyne;
which being distributed amongst a number of transports, and
escorted by a large Naval Force, appeared the most formidable of
the whole. Ships of war were allotted to co-operate with the other
two, headed by Major-General Crawford and Brigadier Lambert, in
covering their debarkation and silencing the different batteries.
Early on the morning of the 22d of April, the men of war having
accomplished this latter object, the troops were ordered by signal
to advance, in two divisions, in close order, till abreast of their
respective points of attack.
The enemy, suspecting that the principal impression would be
directed against Fort D'Arsic, overlooked the defence of these
stupendous rocks, which offered natural obstacles, sufficient to
deter the most daring invader.
Brigadier Lambert's division to which the Marines under Colonel
Mackenzie were attached, approached under this high coast, when
it appeared to this gallant Officer, that a fit opportunity
for enterprize presented itself. He accordingly moved onwards
unperceived, and with a rapid resolution, Captain Paterson, at the
head of the Grenadiers of the 19th Regiment, quickly supported
by Captain Murray, with a company of Marines, landed and climbed
the rocks. Soon afterwards other troops followed their intrepid
example, when having reached the summit, the whole formed upon it.
The French were amazed at the attempt, but pushed on a veteran
Corps of 300 men to atone for their want of precaution.
Contiguous to the ground occupied by our troops, there was a wall,
which suggested itself as an eligible post of defence. This enabled
our inadequate numbers to oppose the enemy, until they were farther
reinforced by Brigadier Lambert, at the head of the Grenadiers of
the 30th, and the rest of the Marines under Colonel Mackenzie. The
tables were now turned, when the Regiment of Bigorre was beat back
to the rising ground from which it had advanced.
Captain Sir Thomas Stanhope, whose duty it was to co-operate with
this brigade, had watched these spirited efforts with an anxious
zeal. He instantly manned and armed all the boats of his squadron,
which rowed ashore as a farther support, while the force that had
proceeded against Fort D'Arsic, observing this unexpected success,
also pushed on to unite with Brigadier Lambert. Thus strengthened,
that active Officer allowed no interval, but moved against the
enemy upon the hill, whom he drove to their main body, taking their
field-pieces, and some prisoners.
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