Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

round, and were almost ready to embrace him. Lord N- led him first to his daughter, and Anna (for 'twas she, messmates, 'twas she) received him with all the natural warmth and goodness of her heart. I saw it all, for they would drag me up too. I was never daunted in my life, for all the beautiful creatures said such kind things, I was ready to pipe my eye. I dare say I looked foolish enough, for I scratched my head, shucked up my trowsers, and twirled my hat, till at last I dashed my quid into the fire, and offered to kiss em. My eyes, how they run! all but one sweet little cherub, who put her arms round my neck, and then-there don't laugh, messmates, 'twas the sweetest buss I ever had in my life-and says she, If the brave defenders of our country do not merit our gratitude, who does?" To see Anna, and not love her, was impossible; and what's a sailor without a sweetheart, eh? Why, he's Jike a ship without stays, and so Malcolm fell in love. When we were alone, he used to talk all manner of things, but I couldn't understand him. Anna's affections, however, were still fixed on him, whom she feared was lost to her for ever. 'Tis true, she felt pleased in the captain's company, for he was so widely different from the airy flutterers that continually buzzed in her ear; but love -oh no, she had sworn never to love but one. On the following week after our arrival, his lordship purposed returning to his country seat, and we were invited to accompany him; but Malcolm candidly told him the state of his heart, and his lordship, with equal candour, related the story of her early attachment and continued fidelity, declaring that though the captain was unexceptionable, yet he had promised never again to importune his daughter.' A circumstance occurred which detained Lord N- —another week in town, during which time the captain passed every spare moment with his beloved Anna, till she became alarmed at his attentions, and yet an indescribable emotion prevented her from checking thems His conduct was so delicate, his manners were so engaging, and he appeared to anticipate her wishes with such winning kindness, blended with a marked respect, as excited a deeper interest in her heart

[ocr errors]

than she liked to confess even to herself. Well, d'ye see, at last we commenced our journey early one morning, and the next afternoon arrived at the family seat. After partaking of a sumptuous dinner, his lordship withdrew to arrange some affairs with his steward. The captain took a stroll in the park, while Anna hastened to her old friend, the curate, who had been prevented by the gout from attending their arrival. After passing some time with that excellent man, she promised to return on the morrow with the captain, and took her leave. One other duty yet remained— the visit to the lonely church-yard. The shades of evening began to fall heavier and heavier on the landscape, but Anna was superior to fear. Advanc ing with a light step towards the hallowed spot, what was her surprise and agony to see a man kneeling by the grave in the attitude of prayer! She bounded forward. It is he-it is he Edward, my Edward!' and she sunk senseless in the arms of Captain Malcolm, who sprang from the grassy tomb, and caught her to his heart. Yes, it was Edward, her own Edward, that held her to his breast, changed in all but that affection which could never change. He called her his Anna, moistened her lips with kisses, and, as she slowly recovered, heard her sweet voice acknowledge him. The poor lad, who had once implored the mercy of Heaven on that very spot, when cast abandoned like a weed upon the ocean, was nowyet, why need I repeat it? Ned Davenport and Captain Malcolm were one. Together they retraced their steps to the curate's cottage, where they poured forth the fulness of their hearts in gratitude and praise. Lord N. heard their tale, joined their hands, and blessed them. There, messmates, it's a tough yarn, but 'tis all true, you may depend on't; and some other time I'll tell you all about the wedding, when I got groggy for joy; but it's my next lookout, and so I'll just shut my eyes för five minutes, to keep 'em warm.'

London:-Printed by JOSEPH LAST, 3, Edwardstreet, Hampstead-road; and published by W. M. CLARK, 19, Warwick-lane, Paternosterrow; J. PATTIE, 17, High-street, Bloomsbury, and may be had, by order, of all Booksellers, in town and country.

[blocks in formation]
[graphic]

[CAPTAIN FAULKNOR AND HIS CREW ATTACKING FORT ROYAL.] THE disaffection of the white inhabitants of the French West India islands having encouraged the English government to make stronger exertions in that quarter, an armament was sent out under the command of Admiral Sir John Jervis and Lieutenant-general Sir Charles Grey. The expedition was delayed for some time by the troops destined for this service being sent to the coast of West Flanders, in order to assist the allied army, then engaged in active operations against the French; the armament however, at length arrived at its destination, and rendezvoused in Carlisle Bay, in Barbadoes, and early in the month of February, 1794, sailed from thence for the reduction of Martinique

men; but many of these were in a bad state of health, and nearly a thousand were left sick at Barbadoes. These troops were divided into three brigades; the first commanded by Lieutenant-general Prescott, the second by Major-general Thomas Dundas, and the third was to be under the direction of Major-general Prince Edward, but till the arrival of that prince from Canada, was commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Sir Charles Gordon. These forces were strengthened by detachments of seamen and marines.

The total land force embarked, consisted of six thousand and eighty-five VOL. I.

After a favourable passage, the fleet arrived off the coast of Martinique; and, for the purpose of distracting the enemy's attention, and exciting alarm in all quarters, the forces were landed in three divisions, each at a distance from the other. The first of which immediately attacked

Y

a post called La Brune, situated on an eminence over the town of Trinitié, and took possession of it after an action of about fifteen minutes. They soon after captured Fort Louis, and a fort commanding the harbour of Trinitié, which the enemy evacuated, after setting fire to the town. The flames, however, were soon extinguished, and a great part of the town saved, by the gallant exertions of the seamen attached to this division, under the command of Captain Salisbury of the Beaulieu. This fort bore the name of Bellegarde, its commander, the general | of the negroes and mulattoes; who, after firing the town, retired to the mountains. Gros Morne, a post strongly fortified, and the key of the principal pass between the northern and southern parts of Martinique, was also deserted by the enemy. Morne Bruneau, about two leagues to the north-east of Fort Bourbon, Fort Matilda, and Colon, fell soon afterwards. Bellegarde's troops made an attempt to recover Fort Matilda; but were, after a sharp conflict, repulsed by the bayonets of the grenadiers of the ninth regiment, headed by Colonel Craddock. The post of Colon was also ineffectually attacked three times by the enemy on the night of the 11th. This day the strong post of Le Maitre had also been occupied by the British. The part of the army which landed under Sir Charles Grey, near Trois Rivieres, was not less vigorous in its progress. Having proceeded to Riviere Salée, about two leagues distance from Trois Rivieres, a detachment under the command of Brigadier-general Whyte, carried the two batteries of Cape Solomon and Pointe à Burgos. These facilitated the taking of Pigeon Island, the possession of which was necessary to secure a safe ingress for our shipping into the harbour of Port Royal. This island is situated on the south side of the bay of Fort Royal, at two hundred yards distance from the shore. It is a steep rock about thirty yards above the level of the sea, and three hundred paces round, accessible only on one side by a ladder fixed against a perpendicular wall. On the north side of the bay is Fort Louis and the town of Fort Royal, and immediately behind it Fort Bourbon, situated on a steep hill. The island was defended by seventeen large pieces of cannon, four thirteen-inch mortars, and a howitzer. On General

Whyte's marching to attack it, the enemy landed troops for the purpose of cutting off the communication between him and the head-quarters at Salée: they were however dislodged by the 70th regiment, under the command of Colonel Dundas and Lieutenant-colonel Johnson. General Whyte having been in the mean time strengthened by a supply of soldiers and ordnance, Colonel Symes, with a detachment of the 15th regiment, and two hundred seamen armed with pikes, swords, and pistols, under the command of Lieutenants Rogers and Rutherford, ascended the heights on the 9th, and got possession of Mount Matharine, which entirely commands the island. Batteries were soon erected, which, in the space of two hours, obliged the enemy to strike their colours, and surrender at discretion. About this time, the 15th regiment, led by Major Lyon, and commanded by Capt. Paumier, surprised and defeated several hundreds of the enemy strongly posted on the heights of Grand Bouclain. In the interim, the sole impediment to the admiral's co-operating effectively with the general being removed by the capture of Pigeon Island, he sailed with the rest of the fleet from Ance L'Arlet, and anchored in Fort Royal Bay.

The column commanded by Sir Charles Gordon, which landed to leeward, on the side of Cas de Navires, was covered by a division of the fleet under the command of Captain Rogers of the navy. This column found the enemy in possession of the great road leading into the country, and the heights above it. A part of the troops, however, made an unperceived movement towards the mountains, and gained the most commanding point in the vicinity by day-break on the 9th. The English pushing on through a most difficult country, carried all the batteries between Cas de Navires and Fort Royal: they then seized the posts of Gentilly, La Coste, and L'Archet, which are within a league of Fort Bourbon.

The division under Sir Charles Grey now moved forward to Bruneau, and joined Lieutenant-general Prescott, who had reached this place; a plan for the attack of St. Pierre having been previously concerted between the commander-inchief and General Dundas, who put himself in march towards the town. The general having detached Colonel Camp

bell from Gros Morne, through the woods by Bois le Duc, to Montigné, with the second battalion of light infantry, and the 56th regiment, himself proceeded towards Morne Rouge, driving the enemy before him, and repulsing them wherever they attacked him. He had during this march a very narrow escape from assassination: as he was one day writing in his tent, a man presented himself at the door and demanded to speak to him. Wishing to frighten away the intruder, he called out to the sentinel to bayonet him. The villain, conscious of guilt, conceived the order given in earnest, and dropped an oiled dagger. On being seized he was proved to have been the assassin of a French royalist.

St. Pierre being taken, the enemy's chief strength was concentrated in Forts Louis and Bourbon. Fort Louis, the ancient strong hold of the island, is situated on a neck of land running into the sea, which forms one side of the careenage, an excellent harbour. Fort Bourbon, built under the direction of the Marquis de Bouillè, is situated on a hill, at the bottom of which, in low and swampy ground, lies the town of Fort Royal. From the moment of the admiral's anchoring in Fort Royal Bay, he had bombarded the fort and harrassed the garrison by constant nocturnal attacks with gun-boats. More vigorous operations were soon commenced, and additional bodies of seamen landed under the command of Captain Rogers of the Quebec: these occupying the posts at Cas de Navires, which had been relinquished by the troops, formed a camp near Point Negro. Most of the transports, protected by some ships of war, got up into the Cul de sac de Cohee, a harbour at the north-east end of the bay, from whence they had a communication with Sir Charles Grey's army, secured by a chain of posts established between a landing place lately formed, and the heights of Bruneau.

The general now gained Morne Rouge: from thence he saw Colonel Campbell, who was within half a mile of Montigné, warmly pressed by the enemy, who had the advantage of a strong position. He immediately pushed forward his advanced guard, consisting of sixty-three men, commanded by Capt. Ramsay of the Queen's regiment, to his assistance: these gaining the summit by extraordinary exertions, attacked the enemy, then engaged with Colonel Campbell's party, silenced their fire, and soon afterwards took possession Fort Bourbon, where Rochambeau of Montigné. Their assistance was un- commanded,could not be closely invested fortunately too late to save the gallant without the possession of the heights of Colonel Campbell, who fell within twenty Sourier, occupied by Bellegarde, who was yards of the enemy, rushing on at the still at the head of a considerable force. head of the light company of the 40th It was now determined to attack him; with bayonets fixed. General Dundas but his own rashness accelerated his ruin. had not been long here before he was at- Descending the heights with a party of tacked by five or six hundred men. These his troops, he fell upon Sir Charles Grey's gave way after about twenty minutes' hard lef towards the landing place, in the hope fighting, and abandoned a redoubt they of cutting off the communication between had taken possession of in front of the the army and the fleet. He was checked general's post during the night. While in his career by a reinforcement brought thegeneral continued successfully advanc-up by General Prescott. While he was ing, Colonel Symnes, who, according to a concerted plan, had embarked with Major Maitland and a detachment of soldiers and seamen, landed, and carried the town of St. Pierre.

The enemy had previously sent to General Dundas, who was advancing against theown, to demand an interval of five days to consider of a capitulation. The request was refused, and a flag of truce despatched, limiting them to as many hours. This messenger found the general anticipated in his attack, and the English flag already flying on the walls.

thus held in play, Sir Charles Grey detached the third battalion of grenadiers, commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Buckeridge, supported by the first and second battalions of light infantry, under Lieutenant-colonels Coote and Blundell, who attacked his post, weakened by his sally, and got possession of his artillery and camp, where they found an excellent dinner, which was of course considered as lawful spoil. Sir Charles Grey, in the mean time, supported General Prescott by a connonade from his camp at Bruneau. The general of the blacks, unable

any longer to make head against General Prescott, and sustain Sir Charles Grey's fire, gave way and retreated to the heights of Sourier, which he had recently quitted. Instead, however, of finding an asylum | there, he had the mortification of seeing his post occupied by the English, and was driven, by the fire of his own guns, under the walls of Fort Bourbon. The British, pursuing with great impetuosity, were exposed to a heavy fire of grape from the fort, which compelled them to retreat, with loss, to their new acquisition. Though his pursuers were repulsed, Bellegarde was unsuccessful in his attempt to seek shelter in the fort: Rochambeau, who commanded there, shut the gates against him, and left him to provide for his own safety.

Immediately after forcing Bellegarde's camp, and getting possession of the height of Sourier, the general received a message from Rochambeau, who offered to deliver up the island on condition of its being restored to France, in the event of royalty being re-established, or the republic acknowledged; which proposals were peremptorily refused, and the seige commenced; but the making a road from the wharf to Sourier, the constructing batteries, the dragging of artillery up the heights, and other necessary preparations, delayed the opening of the first parallel for some time. The road, nearly five miles in extent, part of which was cut through a thick wood, and part through an acclivity, which a loaded mule could not ascend in a direct line, was made in the space of three days by only three hundred men, principally seamen. Cannon were also lodged on the heights by the exertions of the navy, a work, which even excited surprise in those who had often witnessed their efforts on similar occasions. Forts Bourbon and Louis, and the town of Fort Royal, were completely invested on the 20th of February. General Prescott broke ground on the north-east side on the 25th, and fascine batteries were erected on the west, towards La Coste, by Sir Charles Gordon. Bellegarde, whose situation had become desperate, now surrendered on conditions, and was suffered to retire to America, where he had previously taken care to lodge a considerable treasure, the fruits of plunder and confiscation.

On the 4th of March, Prince Edward

arrived from Canada, and immediately took the command of Sir Charles Gordon's brigade. On the 17th of this month, new batteries opened on Fort Louis from Point Carriere, a neck of land which forms the south-west side of the entrance of the careenage, about two hundred yards across the harbour; while the batteries on the heights played on Fort Bourbon. A most gallant action, performed about this time by the gun-boats, stimulated the courage of the besiegers, and hastened the fall of the forts. A report had been spread that a great number of British prisoners were confined on board a French frigate, called the Bien Venüe, anchored in the careenage, and consequently exposed to the fire of the English batteries. Lieutenant Bowen of the Boyne, who had for a considerable time commanded the night guard and gun-boats, entered the careenage with his row-boats, and boarded and carried the frigate, and absolutely for a short time turned her guns upon the fort. As the enemy's bullets flew thickly round them, he suffered his prisoners to lie down at the bottom of the boat that they might not suffer by their fire. The English prisoners were unfortunately confined in another ship farther up the harbour. The naval and land commanders were, according to their own account, encouraged by this gallant enterprize to attempt Fort Louis and the town by assault. Ladders of bamboo and cordage were constructed for the escalade, and the Asia of 64 guns, and Zebra of 16, where ordered to hold themselves in readiness to enter the careenage, in order to batter the walls and cover the approach of flat-bottomed boats collected in the bay round Point Carriere, in which men were to be embarked for the assault, under the direction of Commodore Thompson. The grenadiers and light infantry were to advance with fieldpieces from the camp of Sourier, along the side of the hill under Fort Bourbon, and take a position commanding the bridge, which connected the town with the road leading up to Fort Royal. An incessant connonade was kept up against the two forts during the whole night and day of the 19th, and the morning of the 20th till about ten o'clock; when the Asia and Zebra got under way. The former, either from the unskilfulness or treachery of the pilot, baulked the ex

« ПредишнаНапред »