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 Fleet and Army which were destined to execute these designs,
were committed to Admiral Pococke, and the Earl of Albemarle, who
sailed from Portsmouth on the 5th day of March. They took only a
small force from England, as they were to be joined by those troops
who had achieved the conquest of the French Caribbee Islands,
to be reinforced by auxiliaries from Jamaica and North America;
which, with the Marines of the Fleet that were subsequently landed,
constituted an Army little short of 15,000 men.
Admiral Pococke reached Martinique on the 26th of April, where
every thing was arranged, fascines made, the troops brigaded, and
500 Negroes collected to perform the rough parts of these laborious
duties that were before them.
On the 6th of May the whole put to sea, and, on their passage to
leeward, were successively joined by the squadrons under Captain
Harvey and Sir James Douglas.
It was now that the superior talents and solicitous zeal of Admiral
Pococke appeared conspicuous. From the very advanced season of the
year no time could be sacrificed in fulfilling his instructions,
as dilatory measures might have proved ruinous, from the setting
in of the rains. Two alternatives were before him--a tedious and
circuitous navigation round the Island of Cuba, or a dangerous
passage through the Old Straits of Bahama, hitherto avoided by
single ships, and at no period of the world explored by so large a
Fleet. The latter he chose, and it was crowned with success.
On the 6th of June the Admiral brought to about five leagues
to the Eastward of the Havannah, to issue instructions; when
having confided the superintendance of disembarking the troops to
Commodore Keppel, he bore away for the mouth of the harbour.
The Marines were ordered into the boats early on the morning of
the 7th, as a feint, while the whole Army, under the Earl of
Albemarle, landed without opposition between the rivers Boca Nao
and Coximar, the latter of which was also passed, after Captain
Harvey, in the Dragon, had silenced a castle, that commanded it.
Having a large garrison, headed by the most gallant Officers, the
enemy, though but recently apprized of this expedition, prepared
for the most vigorous defence.
Lord Albemarle, after some skirmishing in his progress, having
intimated, on the 10th, to the Admiral, his purpose of attacking
the Cavannos, situated on the east side of the harbour, and
commanding part of the Moro Fort, as well as the whole of the
north east of the City, with the strong works in that vicinity,
Captain Knight, in the Belleisle, was ordered against the Castle
of Chorera, to facilitate the enterprize, while the Marines were
embarked in boats to attract the enemy's attention towards the
Havannah quarter.
This service was ably performed by Colonel Carleton, on the noon of
the 11th, at the head of the Grenadiers and Light Infantry.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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