In the middle of June, 1740, the FIFTEENTH, twenty-fourth, twenty-seventh regiments, and the six battalions of marines, were encamped on the Isle of Wight, under the orders of General Lord Cathcart. Towards the end of July, the camp broke up, and the FIFTEENTH, and twenty-fourth regiments, and the six regiments of marines, embarked on board the fleet for the West Indies. Some delay occurred, and after putting to sea, the fleet was twice driven back by contrary winds; on the 26th of October it sailed a third time, and was dispersed by a tempest in the Bay of Biscay; but the greater part of the vessels were recollected and proceeded on the voyage. Arriving at Dominica to provide wood and water, the troops lost their gallant leader, General Lord Cathcart (then colonel of the sixth dragoon guards or Carabineers), who died of dysentery; and the command devolved on Brigadier-General Thomas Wentworth. [Sidenote: 1741] The expedition arrived at Jamaica in January, 1741, and the appearance of this force dispelled the apprehension of an attack on that island by the combined fleets of France and Spain, and also enabled the British commanders to act offensively. The expedition put to sea, and after some delay, an attack on _Carthagena_, the capital of a wealthy province in the country of Terra Firma, in South America, was resolved upon. This place was found strongly fortified, and the garrison reinforced by the crews of a squadron of large ships; at the same time the season for active service in that part of the world was fast passing away; but the design was persevered in, and the fleet having silenced several small forts, the FIFTEENTH mustering one thousand officers and soldiers, and several other corps, landed on an island near the mouth of the harbour, on the 10th of March, and commenced the siege of the principal fort, or castle, called _Bocca-chica_. On the evening of the 25th of March, the grenadiers of the FIFTEENTH, and other regiments, mounted the breach in gallant style, to storm the fortress, when the Spanish garrison fled, and the place was captured without loss.