The THIRTY-FOURTH mustered twenty-six officers, twenty-nine serjeants, nineteen drummers, and six hundred and sixty-five rank and file fit for duty, exclusive of thirteen sick, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel John Reed, for the defence of Fort St. Philip, and the officers and soldiers evinced an extent of personal bravery and resolution, which reflected honor on their country. The garrison was commanded by Lieutenant-General Blakeney. The siege of the fort was commenced by the enemy, and the determined resistance encountered by the French commander occasioned him to send for additional forces. The conduct of the garrison became a subject of admiration, and the bravery and vigilance of the officers inspired the soldiers with increased confidence. The British fleet was discovered on the 19th of May, and the soldiers, having become exhausted by hard duty, were stimulated to perseverance by the prospect of being speedily relieved; but were disappointed: Admiral Byng skirmished with the French squadron, and afterwards retired, for which conduct he was subsequently brought to trial, and shot. Lieutenant-General Thomas Fowke, then commanding at Gibraltar, was also brought to trial, for not sending a reinforcement to Minorca, and sentenced to be suspended for one year; the king confirmed the sentence, and directed Lieutenant-General Fowke to be dismissed the service. Although thus abandoned to their fate, the four regiments in garrison at Fort St. Philip, (viz., the Fourth, Twenty-third, Twenty-fourth, and THIRTY-FOURTH) defended their post with great gallantry; incessant duty and watching so exhausted the soldiers, that they frequently were overpowered by sleep under a heavy cannonade, yet they persevered with admirable resolution. During the night of the 27th of June, a general assault was made by the enemy at several points, when the garrison met the assailants with great courage, and repulsed them several times with much slaughter,--many of the sick and wounded coming out of the hospital to take part in the defence. The enemy’s superior numbers enabled him to renew the attack, and after much severe fighting he gained possession of three of the outworks. On the following day, conditions of capitulation were tendered and accepted; when the French marshal caused it to be inserted in the articles,--“The noble and vigorous defence which the English have made, having deserved all the marks of esteem and veneration which every military man ought to show to such actions, and Marshal Richelieu being desirous also to show to General Blakeney the regard due to the defence he has made, grants to the garrison all the honors of war they can enjoy under the circumstances of going out for an embarkation; to wit,--firelocks on their shoulders, drums beating, colours flying, twenty cartridges each man, and also lighted match. He consents, also, that General Blakeney and his garrison carry away all the effects that belong to them.”