An Account of the Campaign in the West Indies, in the Year 1794 Part 9

Parole, PUSH. C. S. FORWARD.

Field Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Craddock.

Alexander Ross, second gunner, royal artillery, and Edward Brookes, of the royal Irish artillery, tried by the general court martial, of which Lieutenant Colonel Buckridge was president, for absenting themselves five hours from the post of Gros Morne; and on suspicion of having robbed Madame Lamalle of a gold watch and chain, with various other articles, viz. six silver spoons, six forks, and a large soup spoon. The prisoners are further accused of robbing a washerwoman of some wearing apparel belonging to Adjutant Wilkinson, of the sixty-fourth regiment.

The court, having maturely considered the evidence in support of the charge against the prisoners, together with what they had to advance in their defence, acquit the prisoners, Alexander Ross, second gunner of royal artillery, and Edward Brookes, of the royal Irish artillery, of the charge against them of having robbed Madame Lamalle and the washerwoman: but the prisoners, Alexander Ross, of the royal artillery, and Edward Brookes, of the royal Irish artillery, are both found guilty of absenting themselves from the post of Gros Morne without leave, in breach of the fourteenth section of articles of war, and are therefore adjudged to receive four hundred lashes each on their bare backs.--The Commander in Chief approves of the above sentence, and directs, that the punishment of four hundred lashes each be inflicted on the prisoners to-morrow morning at seven o'clock, at the head of the English and royal Irish artillery.--The Commander in Chief is clearly of opinion that the prisoners, Alexander Ross and Edward Brookes, were also guilty of the charge of robbery advanced against them; but the evidence not being of that force to justify the court martial in finding them guilty, they are fortunate in escaping, and he thinks it will make a lasting impression on their minds; for the Commander in Chief a.s.sures them, had they been found guilty (however painful to him), they should have suffered the last punishment, death, at the head of the army.

The prisoner Phelps, soldier in the fortieth regiment of foot, tried by the same general court martial for desertion, is found guilty, in breach of the first article of the sixth section of the articles of war, and sentenced to receive eight hundred lashes on his bare back, in the usual manner. The Commander in Chief approves of the above sentence; but, in consideration of the great length of time the prisoner, John Phelps, has been confined, he is pleased to pardon him; and hopes this instance of lenity will make a deep and lasting impression on his mind, and induce him to behave like a good and faithful British soldier to his king and country in future.

_Head Quarters, Camp, Sourier, March 5, 1794._

Parole, AIM. C. S. WELL.

EXTRACTS.

His Royal Highness Prince Edward, major general, to take the command of his Majesty's troops forming the investment of Fort Bourbon, on the Cape Navirre side, and the camp at La Coste, with all the posts depending.

The Commander in Chief observes the soldiers do not dig a trench round their tents to carry off the wet: the commanding officers of regiments and corps to order it to be done immediately, and to send for the hammocks belonging to the round tents, to make the men as comfortable as possible.

Captain J. A. Wetheral, and Lieutenant J. Vesey, of the eleventh foot, are appointed aid de camps to his Royal Highness Prince Edward, major general, and to be obeyed as such.--The Commander in Chief has the pleasure to announce, that a detachment of the fifteenth regiment, commanded by Lord Sinclair, and a detachment of light dragoons, commanded by Lieutenant Shadwell, and conducted by Captain Cunningham (his aid de camp), surprised at ten o'clock this morning a strong corps of the enemy near Francois, which they had set on fire. The enemy were completely surprised, who had been burning, plundering, and murdering, wherever they went; thirty-six were killed, with their chief, who was cut down by a light dragoon. Four prisoners were taken, who were hung up as an example to such rascals in future; which method the General is determined uniformly to pursue with all such taken in arms.--The Commander in Chief returns his best thanks to Lord Sinclair, Captain Cunningham, and Lieutenant Shadwell, for their zeal and exertion on this occasion; and to all the officers and men employed. The fire of Francois was extinguished, and only four houses burnt. Our loss only two men wounded.

_Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, March 9, 1794._

Parole, ADVANCE. C. S. NEARER.

Field Officer, Major Baillie.

Lieutenant General Prescot will advance, and post the seventieth regiment to cover the new batteries; which done, the captain and sixty men, and subaltern and thirty, posted at and near M. Ragout's house, to be withdrawn, excepting a serjeant and twelve men posted on the height in the rear of that post, which must be continued until further orders.

Surgeon's mate William Wood, of the seventieth regiment, is appointed surgeon's mate to the general hospital in the West Indies. The following gentlemen are appointed to act as a.s.sistant engineers: Mr. Thomas Hall, Lieutenant Fenton, forty-third regiment, Ensign Snell, fifteenth regiment, Ensign Garroway, king's Carolina regiment, and M. la Granche.

_Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, before Fort Bourbon, March 18, 1794._

The gallant attack of the seamen, headed by Lieutenant Bowen of the Boyne, in boarding the Gabarre, in the carinage of Fort Royal, in open boats, at noon day yesterday, under a shower of grape shot and musquetry from the garrison, taking the captain, lieutenant, and twelve men prisoners, being all there were on board, and even firing some of the guns of the Gabarre against the fort, merits the highest praise and admiration. This gallant transaction the Commander in Chief was a witness of, and takes this opportunity of repeating how perfectly sensible he is of their meritorious services, with those of the navy in general, and of their unwearied exertion in forwarding his majesty's service in every way, and on this critical occasion; and begs they will accept of his best thanks. Lieutenant Robertson to do duty as major of brigade, in the room of M. B. Forbes, till further orders.

_Head Quarters, Camp at Sourier, before Fort Bourbon, Friday, March 21, 1794._

Parole, FORT. C. S. ROYAL.

Field Officer, Major Baillie.

During the present truce no relaxation of duty, vigilance, or preparation for a continuance of the siege, to take place; on the contrary, every exertion to be used for opening again with more vigour than ever, should the present conference break of, by not agreeing on terms; which may be the case.

The Commander in Chief has great satisfaction in congratulating the army on the most important capture of Fort Royal, effected with so much good conduct and gallantry, which he trusts must lead to a speedy surrender of Fort Bourbon.--The first battalion of grenadiers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Stewart, and third battalion of light infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Close, from camp la Coste, with the third battalion of grenadiers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Buckridge, and first light infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Coote, from the camp of Sourier, behaved with their usual spirit on the occasion, and such as must always command success. Captain de Rivigne, of the royal artillery, has done his duty in so excellent a manner, shewing superior judgment in conducting the fire of the field pieces on the left, and so effectually covering the approach of the troops, as has done him the greatest honour, and proves him to be a most valuable officer.

The Commander in Chief acknowledges great obligations to the navy, on their gallant escalade of Fort Royal, under the able conduct of Commodore Thompson, with the a.s.sistance of the Asia, Captain Brown; but particularly to Captain Faulkner of the Zebra, whose gallantry and judgment have justly gained him the admiration of the whole army.--Commodore Thompson's judicious arrangement of the gun-boats and flat-boats, with the a.s.sistance of Captain Rogers, who landed and entered the town of Fort Royal from the side of Tortenson, contributed most essentially to the success of the enterprise, in which the zealous a.s.sistance and activity of Captain Sancee of the Guides, was highly meritorious and useful. The Commander in Chief's thanks are justly due to every person employed on that service, which he gives with infinite pleasure and satisfaction.

_Head Quarters, Fort Royal, March 25, 1794._

Parole, FORT GEORGE. C. S. FORT EDWARD.

Field Officer, Colonel Coote.

The Commander in Chief orders Fort Bourbon now to bear the name of Fort George, and Fort Louis to bear the name of Fort Edward; and to be called so in future.--The Commander in Chief, with heartfelt satisfaction, congratulates the army on the complete conquest of the island of Martinico, a most important acquisition to his majesty's crown. He begs permission to return the army in general his warmest thanks for their zeal, perseverance, gallantry, and spirit, so eminently distinguished, and never before exceeded, by every rank, from the general to the soldier, throughout this service; and this justice he cannot fail to do them in the strongest language to his majesty.--The works of the trenches to be levelled, and every preparation made by all departments for embarkation on another expedition. The transports are ordered round to Fort Royal; and the cannon, ordnance stores, and every thing belonging to the engineer and military departments, to be conveyed down, ready to be embarked on board their respective s.h.i.+ps, regularly, and with such method, that no sort of confusion or r.e.t.a.r.dment may happen upon a second disembarkation. The artillery will always be the first called for.--All officers of the army and navy to have permission to go into Fort George.

GENERAL ORDERS.

_Head Quarters, Boyne, off Guadaloupe, June 4, 1794._

Colonel Richard Symes is appointed brigadier general from the 25th of May, 1794, in the West Indies; and also governor of Guadaloupe, until his majesty's pleasure is known.

GENERAL ORDERS. _Guadaloupe, June 8, 1794._

Colonel Francis Dundas is appointed Brigadier General from the 26th of May, 1794, in the West Indies. Surgeon Thomas Wright, from the garrison of Guadaloupe, to be purveyor of the general hospital, vice Dundon, deceased. The Honourable Captain Stewart, of the twenty-second regiment, to be extra aid de camp to the Commander in Chief.

GENERAL ORDERS. _Guadaloupe, June 10, 1794._

Captain Donkin, of the forty-fourth regiment, to do duty as major of brigade.