Historical Record of the Fifty-sixth, or the West Essex Regiment of Foot: Containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1755, and of its subsequent services to 1844.Cannon, Richard
History
Historical Record of the Fifty-sixth, or the West Essex Regiment of Foot: Containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1755, and of its subsequent services to 1844.
Cannon, Richard
Great Britain. Army. Regiment of Foot, 56th (West Essex) -- History
Meanwhile the party of the first battalion at the Isle
of Roderigue had sailed from thence with the forces under
Lieut.-Colonel Keating, to co-operate with the British navy in
blockading the Isles of France and Bourbon, and in attacking the
enemy’s ports. At five o’clock on the morning of the 21st of
September, six hundred men landed in three columns, seven miles
from the port of _St. Paul’s_, in the Isle of Bourbon, then called
by the French the Isle of Bonaparte, and by a forced march crossed
a causeway extending over the lake, before the enemy discovered
their disembarkation or approach to the town; they also passed the
enemy’s strongest position by seven o’clock, and gained possession
of two batteries before the enemy could form in force. Captain
Imlack, of the Bombay Native Infantry, was detached with one
hundred and fifty men to take possession of a third battery; and
on his way he encountered the French forces, concentrated behind a
stone wall, with eight field-pieces on their flanks. This post was
instantly attacked in a most gallant manner; Captain Hanna of the
FIFTY-SIXTH Regiment arrived with the third column, and charging,
captured two guns; and Captain Forbes, of the FIFTY-SIXTH Regiment,
advancing with the reserve, the enemy was compelled to retreat with
the loss of his artillery. A few men were detached in pursuit; two
additional batteries were captured, and by half-past eight o’clock
the town, batteries, magazines, eight brass field-pieces, and one
hundred and seventeen new iron guns, were in possession of the
British troops: at the same time the enemy’s shipping were forced
to surrender to the British naval force. Thus was accomplished a
most brilliant exploit, in a few hours, and it reflected great
credit on the commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel KEATING, of
the FIFTY-SIXTH, and on all the troops engaged. The loss of the
regiment was one serjeant, and five rank and file killed; one
serjeant and twenty-six rank and file wounded.
The town being commanded by the British naval force, the troops
returned on board the fleet; part of the enemy’s stores and the
guns were destroyed; the remainder were embarked on board the
company’s recaptured ship Streatham, which, with the Europe, were
placed under their former commanders. In October the troops sailed
for the Isle of Roderigue. The conduct of Ensign Pearce, of the
FIFTY-SIXTH Regiment, was highly commended in the public despatch
of Lieut.-Colonel Keating.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account