[Footnote 1: The principal Council of War, consisted of the two eldest
Officers of the Army, of the two eldest Officers of the Navy, and of the
Governor of _Jamaica_, whenever he could be present. It was the Province
of this Council to determine what Enterprizes should be undertaken.]
[Footnote 2: _Vide_ Note (_a_) in the late Pamphlet, entituled, _An
Account of the Expedition to_ Carthagena.]
[Footnote 3: Upon its being first debated, whether an Attempt should be
made on _Carthagena_, the General declared, that, as he was a Stranger
in those Seas, he had no Knowledge of the then present State of that
City; and that he should join with the Admiral in his Opinion; not
doubting of his being well inform'd of every Circumstance relating to
the Entry into the Harbour, the Strength of the Garrison, _&c._]
[Footnote 4: In relating this Transaction (_vide_ P. 7. note Letter _c_)
the very candid Author of the Account of the Siege of _Carthagena_, is
pleas'd to affirm, that _the General landed with a Body of 800
Grenadiers, but not thinking them sufficient, reimbark'd, and sent for
more_: There was not the least Step taken, which could give Colour for
such an Assertion; excepting that Capt. _Dennet_, who commanded General
_Harrison_'s Grenadiers, being apprehensive, that the General would give
those of his own Regiment the Honour of landing first, push'd forward
without Orders, and leaped on Shore with five or six Men: which the
General perceiving, and that the rest of the Boats began to move in
Confusion towards the Beach; he order'd those who had landed, (who were
only _Dennet_, and the few Men abovementioned) to reimbark, and with the
rest of the Boats to lay along-side of the _Norfolk_ and _Russel_, there
to wait for the Arrival of the Companies, which were still wanting: Nor,
had all the Companies of Grenadiers, been compleat to a Man, could they
have exceeded 648 Officers included: but that was far from being the
Case; for not only _Robinson_'s Grenadiers were then absent, having been
separated from the Fleet, but the rest were at that Time so far reduced
by Sickness, as not to amount to 400 Men, as it will appear from the
Adjutant's Books.]
[Footnote 5: Had the Author of the Account, (_vide_ Note _d_,) been
present on Shore, where probably he was not, he might have observed that
all possible Diligence was used, to put the Men under Cover; and if he
is in any wise capable of judging of military Operations at Land, he
must have known that the Camp could not have been so properly formed in
any other Place, for carrying on the Attack on the Castle of
_Boca-Chica_; nor, if advanced higher into the Woods, could it have been
supplied with Water, or the Tents pitch'd on that rocky Soil, which will
not admit of the driving down a Tent Pin; but setting aside that
Difficulty, how the Tents could have been pitch'd without cutting down
the Trees, from whose Shade, as the Author alledges, the Soldiers would
have been so much benefited, I really do not comprehend; nor would they
have been less exposed to the Enemy's Shot, excepting they had incamped
out of the Reach of it, which could not have answered the End proposed
by their Landing.]
[Footnote 6: Mr. _Moor_ was of Opinion, that if an Opening should be
made through the Wood from the Camp to the _Lagoon_, where the Enemy's
Ships of War lay at Anchor, it might be a means of directing their fire:
That the Admiral sollicited the General to continue this Coupure, is, I
believe, true; but that it would have answer'd the Purposes mention'd in
the latter part of the Note (_f_) in the Pamphlet, is not so evident. As
the Enemy was in Possession of the _Lagoon_, they would not surely send
Succours cross the _Boca-Grande_, (where Ships were posted to observe
their Motions) thence with Hazard to pass the _Tierra Bomba_; which
Succours could be conveyed by the way of the Harbour, without Danger or
Interruption: nor could that Coupure be of the least Use to enable us to
observe what passed in the Harbour, of which we daily received Accounts
from the abovementioned Ships, or from our small Parties; nor, if there
was Danger to be apprehended from the Enemy's Incursions, (which there
was not) could this Coupure have prevented them, as it was not much less
than 1000 Paces from the Castle of _Boca-Chica_.]
[Footnote 7: The Communication between the Mortar-Battery and the Camp
(_vide_ Letter _g_ in the Pamphlet) was covered from the Shot of the
Castle by a rising Ground, nor was one Man killed during the whole Time
in passing between that and the Camp, nor did one single Shot take Place
in it from the Fascine Battery, from which it was in great Measure
secured by its natural Situation, which was help'd by a Parapet. Several
of the Bombs most certainly broke in the Air, without any Effect; which
was possibly occasioned by the splitting of the Fuzees, in driving them
into the Shells. Nor (notwithstanding what the Author is pleased to
advance) did we suffer much from those thrown by the Enemy; one of which
fell near the Mortar-Battery, and killed 6 or 7 Men; a few took Place in
the Artillery-Park, (whither they were chiefly directed) damaged some
Casks of working Tools, and two or three Carriages; but the greatest
Part of them were either extinguished by falling into the Water, or
buried themselves so deep in the Sand, as to break without any ill
Effect whatsoever.]
[Footnote 8: Fascines and Pickets (_vide_ the beginning of the Note _f_)
had not only been cut during the Fleet's watering at _Hispaniola_, but
after our landing on _Tierra Bomba_, all possible Diligence was daily
used, to compleat the Number required for erecting the Batteries.
Nothing can be more absurd than to imagine that so skilful an Engineer,
as was Mr. _Moor_, could be so widely mistaken as to the Quantity. As
soon as the Ground was cleared, and proper Works thrown up to cover the
Workmen, he began with such Materials as were ready, and had from the
Fleet no other Assistance than 18 Carpenters for laying the Platforms;
the Seamen were employed, (and that was properly their Province) in
landing the Stores and Cannon; in getting the latter up to the Battery,
and they afterwards assisted in firing of it; (most of the Gunners being
at that time either Dead, or disabled by Sickness) besides 150 of them
were for one or two Days employed to cut Fascines, but were so
ungovernable as to be of little Service.
How far the Author may be qualified to judge of the Knowledge of the
Sub-Engineers, Time may discover; was Mr. _Moor_ still living, he could
well answer for the Construction of his Battery. He rais'd it not
exactly parallel to the Face where the Breach was made, for a very
powerful Reason: to prevent its being flank'd from the _Barradera_
Battery, and by that means preserved the Lives of a great many Men, who
must otherwise have been lost. It is not improbable, that the Author
believ'd the Line of Communication, between the great Gun-Battery and
the Camp, to have been expos'd to the Enemy's Shot, and therefore never
came near it; or he must have known that it was neither enfiladed from
the Castle, nor the Shipping, and that the few Men who were killed
there, fell by Shot which glanced from the Trees, and did not exceed 7
or 8 during the whole Time the Troops lay before the Castle. (_vide_
Note _b_)]
[Footnote 9: The Troops were certainly annoyed in their Camp by the
Enemy's Cannon, and particularly by the Fascine Battery: an
Inconvenience which, in their Circumstances, was absolutely necessary to
be supported, as by their removing to so great a Distance, as to be out
of the reach of their Shot, the great Gun-Battery must have been expos'd
to be insulted, which would at least have for some Time retarded the
taking of the Castle, if not oblig'd us to retire.
The base Insinuation relating to the Troops being moved without regular
Orders, is absolutely groundless: The Independants from _Jamaica_, not
arriving till after the Camp was formed, they were ordered to clear the
Ground upon the Left, and there to pitch their Tents; where 200
_Americans_, and part of Lord _James Cavendish_'s and of Col. _Bland_'s
Regiments, joined them from the Fleet. To make the more Room for the
Artillery-Park, _Harrison_'s Regiment was, by Order, removed to the same
Ground; as afterwards were those Regiments, which were the most exposed
to the Fire from the Fascine Battery, and had suffered greatly in their
Tents, Arms, _&c._ Nor, till then, did any of the General Officers
remove to the new Encampment; which was indeed in some Measure covered
by a Rock from the Fire of the Fascine Battery, but was not the less
exposed to that from the Shipping and the Castle, by which Lieutenant
Col. _Sandford_ and several others there lost their Lives.]
[Footnote 10: Nothing can be more false than what the Author of the
Pamphlet asserts in his Note (_e_) of no Application having been made,
nor any particular Scheme form'd for landing the Cannon and Stores.
_March_ the 10th, the Day after the Grenadiers had taken Possession of
the two Forts, the General went in Person on board the Admiral to
concert Measures with him for putting on Shore the Cannon, Ammunition,
_&c._ and was by him, the Admiral, informed, that a Captain of a Man of
War appointed for that Service, was gone on board the Ordnance Ships to
give the proper Directions; the General, without Delay, order'd his
Barge to row thither, and signify'd to the said Captain (who is since
dead) both the Quantity and Species of Stores proper to be landed; and
at the same time particularly mentioned to him the Inconvenience which
would attend the putting on Shore more than were necessary for present
Service. Notwithstanding (probably from the Want of Time and Means for
sorting the Stores, _&c._) whatever first came to hand, was thrown into
the Boats, sent to Shore, and confusedly cast upon the Beach. Whence
they were removed by Matrosses and Soldiers appointed for that Service,
and secured in the best Manner our Circumstances would admit of; but
(excepting that some of the Powder received Damage from its having been
placed by the Sailors upon the Shore within the Reach of the Surf of the
Sea) none of the Stores were wash'd away, which indeed might possibly
have happen'd, if timely Care had not been taken to prevent it.]
[Footnote 11: This bold and surprising Enterprize (as the Author of the
Pamphlet is pleased to stile it in his Note _i_) seems to be celebrated
with all the Rhetorick he is Master of: It is observable, that he makes
no mention of the two hundred Soldiers, who were detached on the same
Occasion, which possibly he may have forgot; as likewise, that, tho' by
the Admiral's Disposition, the Soldiers were posted in the Rear; when
landed, they were called for to advance, and a Lane made for their
passing towards the Front, which probably might be occasioned by their
being armed more properly than the Sailors, for returning the Fire of
the Enemy's small Arms. I cannot, without doing Injustice to Capt.
_Washington_, the Honourable Mr. _Murray_, and to the rest of the Land
Officers, who were detach'd on this Occasion, join with the Author in
passing over their gallant Behaviour in Silence; nor would I be wanting
in the Praises due to Capt. _Boscawen_, Capt. _Watson_, Capt. _Coates_,
&c. who commanded the Sailors, who, as they have ever done, performed
their Duty with great Bravery and Resolution, and particularly
Lieutenant, now Captain _Forrest_, who, with the foremost, enter'd the
Battery Sword in Hand; the Enemy having fled with Precipitation into the
Woods, and the Soldiers being posted upon the Avenues, the Seamen set
about spiking the Guns, destroying the Carriages, and tearing up the
Platforms; but one of them having imprudently put Fire to the Guard
House, they were discovered by the Enemy, and consequently exposed to
the Fire from the Castle, _&c._ the Commandant therefore thought it
advisable to retire, before the Battery could be effectually
demolish'd.]
[Footnote 12: Two or three Boats were observed to pass between the
Castle and the _Barradera_ Battery (not hundreds of Men as the Author
alledges in Note _l_) who carry'd People sufficient so far to repair the
Damage, which had been done, as in a short time to renew the Fire; an
evident Proof both to the Army, and to the Navy, that the Battery had
not been effectually demolish'd.
That the Army had work'd to some purpose (tho' the Author insinuates the
contrary) plainly appears from their having made two Coupures thro' the
Woods, cut the Fascines and Pickets, raised the Battery, and conveyed
thither the Stores and Ammunition; in which last they had some
Assistance from the Sailors, and not a great deal from the Negroes. Had
the Army the least Room for Resentment before, the sixty Gun Ship was
sent in to interrupt the Enemy's repairing the Fascine Battery, any
Thing she perform'd, could by no Means cool it; for the fired at so
great a Distance, as to give the Enemy very little Disturbance.]
[Footnote 13: The Author of the Pamphlet, in his extraordinary Note,
Letter (_m_) mentions, _five hundred Sailors to have been employed in
erecting the Battery_, tho' in Fact the Navy contributed to it, only 18
Carpenters. He adds, that, "_as more Time and Men were employed in it
than were necessary, much Execution may be expected therefrom_." What
more could be expected from it, than forcing the Enemy to abandon the
Castle? "_but the Engineers could not out-do themselves; they erected
the Battery in a Wood_." They might not out-do themselves, but they
certainly did perfectly well; for by erecting their Battery under the
Cover of the Wood, many Mens Lives were saved, and the Work was carried
on without the Enemy's being able to interrupt their Progress.
He is likewise pleased to condemn them _for not clearing more Ground
than was necessary_; a Circumstance, which, I should think, rather
deserves his Approbation, as they avoided, improperly, to fatigue the
Workmen, but this Caution, it seems was used, that the Enemy might not
see the Army; if such a Sight would have given the Enemy any
Satisfaction, I much doubt; or whether it would have answer'd to have
obliged them at the Expence of cutting down 600 or 700 Paces of thick
Wood, which intercepted their View of the Camp; but that the Army did
not decline either then, or on any other Occasion, to look the Enemy in
the Face, there have been too evident Proofs. No Man, who saw the
Position of the Battery, could have the least Room to doubt of its
bearing upon the Castle, as soon as a narrow Screen of Wood, which
cover'd it, should be cut away. What is alledged, that no Guns could be
brought to bear upon the Enemies Shipping, is absolutely false; there
were no less than seven, of which two were thought sufficient for that
Purpose, which fir'd red hot Balls, and did good Execution. It is most
certain, that if no Epaulment had been thrown up, the Battery might have
been rak'd, which was easily foreseen, and timely prevented. The Sailors
behaved well, and would have done better, had they been more under
Direction; but they did no more than their Duty, either in assisting to
erect the Battery, in which they had but a very small Share, or in
firing of it, as they were expressly order'd so to do by his Majesty.
Without all Doubt it was Mr. _Moor_'s Intention to batter the western
Face of the Bastion, and to beat down its Defences, which was evident,
not only from the Construction, but from the Effect of the Battery. I
must own I cannot but admire at the Author's Conclusion, that the
Success was owing to Chance, because, if the Enemy had cleared more
Ground round the Castle, the Undertaking would have been more difficult.
I readily join with him, that it would have been so; tho' in the
Beginning of this Note, the Engineers are condemn'd for making the best
Advantage of the Wood, which the Enemy had so imprudently left standing.
"The Engineers could by no Means out-do themselves; the Battery was
constructed in a Wood."]
[Footnote 14: In the Note, Letter (_o_), it is alledged, that the
Admiral sent in these Ships to oblige the General; The Truth of the Fact
is this; The Ground over which the Troops were to march to attack the
Breach, being flank'd both from Fort St. _Joseph_, and from the Fascine
Battery, it was, _March_ the 22d, resolved in a Council of War, composed
of Land Officers, to represent that Circumstance to the Admiral, and
that they deem'd the Breach could not be attempted, without great Loss,
from the Fire of Fort St. _Joseph_, and the Fascine Battery, if some
Means could not be used by the Fleet to divert their Fire. The Day
following, the Admiral signify'd to the General by Letter, "_That he had
formed a Plan for bringing in the Men of War to make a general Attack on
the Enemy's Forts and Batteries_"; to which he adds, "_that nothing but
the Necessity of the Case can justify us in these Resolutions, as it is
against our Judgment, as Seamen_." After the Opening of the great Gun
Battery, the Castle Guns, which bore upon the Camp, were soon silenced;
but it was apparent, even to Land-Men, that our Men of War could do
little or no Damage to those of the Enemy's Shipping, which, at that
time, began to be made very uneasy by the red-hot Balls from the great
Gun Battery.]
[Footnote 15: It may be remark'd (_Vide n. q._) though perhaps not as a
Thing very extraordinary, that either the Author of the Pamphlet was, at
that time on board, securely asleep in his Bed, or that he knowingly
avers what is absolutely false; for that Night the Battery was, by
particular Order, fired, both with Grape and round Shot, alternatively,
and without any other Intermission, than was necessary to cool the Guns;
for, it having been observed, that the Enemy was raising a Fascine Work
behind the Breach, all possible Care was taken to retard its Progress
during the Night.]
[Footnote 16: The Author's being mistaken as to some Circumstances
relating to the Attack, (_Vide_ his Note _r_) is easily to be excused;
for, if he saw it at all, it must probably have been at a great Distance
through a Spying Glass; but, as he is pleased in the latter Part of his
Note to reassume his favourite Topick, the throwing out scurrilous
Reflections upon the Land Forces, I cannot pass them over unobserved.
This Success was undoubtedly, neither disagreeable to the Army, nor to
the Navy; the former having undergone Hardships, such as no modern
Soldiers, or Sailors, had been accustomed to, nor perhaps many in former
Times; nor did the Army propose any Advantage in being possessed of an
Island (as the Author insinuates) but imbarked on board their Transports
with all possible Expedition, in order to proceed to the Attack of the
City.
That so formidable a Fleet was employ'd to little other Purpose, but to
attend upon the Army, and to convoy their Transports, was with Regret
observed, both by the Officers of the Army, and of the Navy; but surely
so ridiculous a Thought could never enter into any Man's Imagination, as
that the Soldiers should march along the Shore, the Fleet within Call,
crying out to them for Help, or that they could not find their Way into
the Castle without a Sea Pilot to conduct them: A Story, which has not
the least Foundation; Lieutenant _Bennett_, the Gentleman, who led the
Forlorn-Hope, and Mr. _Watson_, the Engineer, who accompanied him, are
still living, and can testify, that no Sea Pilot, no _Spaniard_, no
Prisoner, was upon that Attack; and I am well assured, that no such
Person was ever thought of by the General to be employ'd on that
Occasion.]
[Footnote 17: This Scheme (_Vide_ Note _s_) if there was any, seems to
have been contrived chiefly for a Pretext to give the Sailors the Credit
of whatsoever should be performed by the Land Forces; the Troops were
certainly moving to the Attack, if not in Possession of the Castle, at
the time, when Capt. _Knowles_'s Detachment could be first discovered by
the Enemy; when it is not very probable, that they should lessen their
Force by sending away large Boats full of Men (which I do not find were
perceived by any body excepting the Author) to Fort St. _Joseph_; or
give any Attention, but to the most pressing Danger: It is really true,
that both the Ships and Fort St. _Joseph_ fired, but at the Troops, not
at the Boats from the Fleet, which, when they came to Land, were both
out of the Enemy's Sight, and out of the Reach of their Guns.]
[Footnote 18: The _Passa-Cavallos_ is the only Creek, thro' which
Provisions can be conveyed into the _Lagoon_, and from thence to the
City, with which all Communication was effectually cut off, as soon as
the Fleet was in Possession of the Harbour.]
[Footnote 19: Capt. _Knowles_ was appointed Governor of _Castillo
Grande_; and to do him the more Honour (there could be no other End
proposed, as there was no Possibility of the Enemies retaking of it)
near 100 very useful Men of Lord _James Cavendish_'s, and Colonel
_Bland_'s Regiments, were left in Garrison, and there continued till
after the Troops reimbark'd, tho' of the Number required by the General
to be landed (_Vide_ Notes in the Pamphlet _v_, and _w_).]
[Footnote 20: The most apparent Reason for the Enemy's burning the
_French_ Ship, was their concluding, that she must otherwise fall into
our Hands, when our Men of War advanced to the Head of the Harbour; for
they could apprehend little Danger to her from the Fire of _Castillo
Grande_, as it lies only within a large random Shot from the Place,
where she lay at Anchor.]
[Footnote 21: The Author of the Pamphlet in his Note (_y_) is pleased to
affirm, "_That things were on this Occasion (as they had been throughout
the whole) done without Order or Method; for notwithstanding the Army
had been apprized of the Enemy's having made Lodgments along the Road;
yet they landed without a Grenado Shell, or Field-Piece; and were
likewise told the Road was even able to sustain the Weight of the
heaviest Cannon_." Here the Author, as has been his Method thro' his
whole Pamphlet, boldly asserts, without the least Foundation; for, it is
evident, both from the Resolutions of Councils of War, and from publick
Orders, that no Step was taken here, nor indeed upon any other Occasion,
without a Plan first laid down; and (where Time would admit of it) well
consider'd, and approved by a Council of War.
It is very certain, that when Mr. _Macpherson_, the Guide, was
conducting the Troops thro' the Defillee, he expressed no little
Uneasiness on the Account of Lodgments, which he apprehended we should
find upon our Route; but nothing of that Sort appeared, excepting, that
a few Bushes were placed, in Order, in an Opening upon our right Flank,
possibly with a Design to cover some small Party, who had retired into
the Wood. But had our Landing been postponed, till the Arrival of
Ordnance Ships from the Mouth of the Harbour, the Field-Pieces,
Granado-Shells, _&c._ which were then on board them, might indeed have
been wanting to force such Works, as the Enemy would probably have
finished during that Delay; which was prevented by boldly pushing thro'
the Defillees to _La Quinta_; the Post of which, the Army was to possess
themselves, "_for cutting off the Communication of the City with the
Country, and for covering the Landing of the Artillery_". As Loss of
Time might, on this Occasion, have been attended with the worst
Consequences, the General found it necessary to advance without the
_American_ Soldiers, Negroes, _&c._ which Disappointment cannot in any
wise be attributed to the Officers of the Army, as the providing Boats
for Landing the Forces was intirely under the Direction of the Navy.
Both our Motions, and those of the Enemy, might probably be seen from
the Ships, their Masts being at that time crouded with Spectators; but
what the Author alledges of the Execution they did upon the Enemy is not
Fact. Whilst the Troops were moving along the Strand, some random Shots
were made by the _Weymouth_, which killed one single _Spanish_ Negro,
and were very near taking Place amongst our most advanced People; but
were so far from obliging the Enemy to disperse, that they did not make
the least Movement, till after being push'd by our Grenadiers.
That it was the general Opinion, that the City would have fallen into
our Hands the first Day we landed, had the Troops push'd forward, is so
far from being true, that had they been suffer'd to advance further, not
an Officer but must, and would have condemn'd the General for exposing
them without the least Probability of Success.
The Object proposed on our first Landing was the taking Post at _La
Quinta_; "there to cut off the City's Communication with the Country, to
cover the Landing of the rest of the Forces, and of the Artillery; and
to clear Ground for the Encampment," which was mark'd out that very Day;
but the Tents could not be pitched without first cutting down a thick
Copse Wood; which, as soon as the Negroes and Tools were landed, was
done with all possible Expedition. To have advanced further, in our
Circumstances, would have been not only acting inconsistently with the
Rules of War, but of common Sense, for we were entirely Strangers to the
Road leading to _Carthagena_; the Guide, Mr. _Macpherson_, having, as
soon as the Enemy appeared, gone on board a Ship to view their Posture
from the Main-top-mast-Head and did not return till the Affair was
ended; we had neither Tools to throw up a Lodgment, nor Negroes to
reconnoitre the Woods on our Flanks; besides, the Day advancing, the
Heat was become so violent, that great Numbers must have fainted under
the Fatigue.
From the Author's own Description of the Fort St. _Lazar_ (Page 53.) it
is far from appearing to be so despicable a Redoubt, as with any
Prospect of Success, to be attempted in the open Day, without
Scaling-Ladders, _&c._ nor can I conceive how a Body of 1400 Men, with
only their Firelocks in their hands, could (supposing the Fort to be
taken) afterwards force their Way cross a Draw-bridge, commanded by
Cannon, into a City fortify'd with double Walls, and two broad Ditches
filled with Water, flanked by regular Bastions, and defended by a
Garrison more than double the Number of the Assailants; for the Body,
which was drawn up on the Strand, was scarcely a fifth Part of the
Garrison, and they fled thro' the Woods, where they could not be
pursued, directly towards the City.]
[Footnote 22: The Stores and Ammunition which were landed at _La
Quinta_, were carefully lodged in an House out of the Line of Fire, and
a Guard put over them, (_vide_ Note in the Pamphlet (_a_) page 34.) The
brave Officer, there so unjustly reflected upon, wants no Advocate, and
will be easily able to clear himself of the Aspersions cast upon him,
whenever the Author of them shall be pleased to declare himself.]
[Footnote 23: It is certain (Note _b_.) that the Enemy were very
diligent in preparing for their Defence, nor was it in the power of the
Army to interrupt them one Instant sooner than the Attack was made, from
the want of Scaling Ladders, _&c._ being landed: What Time they employed
in compleating their Works, or whether they did ever compleat them, it
is not possible for the Author of the Pamphlet to judge, tho' 'tis well
known they were begun upon, from the Time of our being possessed of
_Boca-Chica_, if not before; but if he had been pleased candidly to have
informed himself, he would have observed that our Mortar Battery at the
Advanced Guard (_vide_ page 35.) play'd in 48 Hours after it was first
begun upon; and that the Intrenchment there was finished in 18 Hours. I
cannot but observe, that what the Author of the Pamphlet here affirms
(_vide_ Note _b_, page 36) seems quite contradictory to what he advances
(page 54) in the Appendix; in the one Place, _'tis declared that the
Enemy had thrown up Intrenchments round about the Foot of the Castle,
stronger and of more Importance than the Castle it self_: In the other,
_that the Castle on the Side of the Town was quite defenseless_.]
[Footnote 24: The Communication of the city (_vide_ Note 6 page 36) with
the Country on that Side, where the Army was incamp'd, was effectually
cut off the very Day they landed; nor did the General (as the Author
alledges) want to be prevail'd upon to do the same on the Side next to
the Sea, but found it impracticable without the Assistance of the Fleet,
which was promised, and comply'd with, when it was too late.
The Author seems very careful to celebrate the great Attention given, to
the preventing Supplies from entering the Town to Sea-ward; which was to
be done without the least Difficulty or Hazard, particularly after the
Fleet had got Admittance into the _Lagoon_: But passes over in Silence,
that no less Attention was given to prevent Refreshments being conveyed
to the Army; it was even refused to the General to admit of sending out
two or three small Vessels, to catch Turtle for the use of the Sick and
Wounded: If the Army complain'd heavily, it was not without Reason; for
during our Stay before _Carthagena_, the Fleet was supplied with Turtle,
fresh Beef, _&c._ which the Land Forces on Shore laboured under the
greatest Difficulties, even from the want of their Salt Provisions,
which were not regularly conveyed to them.
The Author, with his usual Regard to Truth, affirms that a drove of
Cattle was thro' neglect suffered to pass into the City. The Instant,
the General was apprised from the Officer at the Convent, that a drove
of Cattle was seen moving towards the City, he ordered out a Party to
intercept them, who march'd with all the Expedition which was possible
in that hot Climate, but were not so fortunate as to come up with them;
of which some Part had probably dispersed in the Woods, and others, (as
we were afterwards informed,) got into the Town. 'Tis not to be imagined
that Men so distressed from the want of fresh Provisions, (even by the
Author's own Account,) would have omitted any thing in their Power, to
get such a Prey into their Hands; nor was due Encouragement wanting, a
Reward of a Pistole for each Beeve, being promis'd to the Captors. Two
or three small Islands lie in the Lake at about 500 Paces from the
Shore, upon the right of the Ground where we encamped; which being
observed to be sometimes frequented by the Spaniards, Application was
made for a Boat, to know for what End these People came there, and to
search for Goods, Provisions, _&c._ which might be lodged there; this I
presume gave occasion for the pretty Story form'd by the Author. What
idle Tales might be propagated in the Camp (perhaps by the Author
himself) relating to raising Batteries, I cannot say; but I am well
assur'd no Man in his Senses believ'd them.]
[Footnote 25: As many of the _American_ Soldiers were suspected to be
_Irish_ Papists (_vide_ Note in the Pamphlet Letter (_d_) page 39) it
was though adviseable both by the General and the Admiral, to employ
them principally on Board the Fleet; but the Regiments which came from
Europe, being now reduced low in their Numbers, made it absolutely
necessary, that the _Americans_ should be included in the Corps design'd
for the Attempt on _Carthagena_.
This Reinforcement (as the Author stiles it) was only some Part of those
Soldiers, which the General had required to be landed from the Fleet,
and did not in Fact compleat the Troops on Shore, to numbers sufficient
for proper Reliefs for the ordinary and extraordinary Duty;
notwithstanding, had it been practicable to have victualled and
sustained them, a Detachment had without doubt been made, even from the
Numbers which were landed, to cut off the Communication on the _Eastern_
Side of the City; the General having great Reason to expect a further
Supply from the Admiral.
That the Author should be ignorant of what Guards were necessary,
perhaps may not be look'd upon as a Thing very extraordinary; I shall,
however, give here a Detail of them.
The City being garrison'd by at least 3500 Men; it was found necessary
to post an advanc'd Guard of 500 Men at a large House upon the Road
leading to it. The Picket-Guard consisted of 500 more, from whence was
detached a Captain's Guard to the right of the Camp, where there was a
Path leading towards the City. There were the Quarter-Guards, the
Generals-Guard, those on the Ammunition, Provisions, and a Captain and
fifty Men at the Convent; amounting in the whole to about 1300 Men,
besides extraordinary Parties; and 600 _American_ Soldiers, who were set
apart to be ready to assist in landing Stores, cutting Fascines, or in
any other Work, as occasion should require. Whether fewer Guards could
have been employed in our Circumstances, or if 4350 Men, (the most which
were landed, and those hourly diminishing by Death and Sickness) could
afford sufficient Reliefs for the Guards abovementioned, I submit to any
Judge of military Operations at Land to determine.
Had the Author's Curiosity led him to reconnoitre the Enemy's Guards, he
might have observed a Body of 300 Men posted at the Foot of the Hill, on
which is the Fort St. _Lazar_, and another of about fifty Men, advanced
300 Paces further, under some Cocoa-trees, which might easily have been
sustained by the whole Garrison.]
[Footnote 26: The principal Engineer Mr. _Armstrong_, (_vide_ Note in
the Pamphlet Letter (_f_) page 40) made a judicious and clear Report, of
the Number of Men, and of the Time which would be wanting to erect a
Battery: An Undertaking which he, and every intelligent Person, who was
acquainted with the then Circumstances of the Troops on Shore, must
foresee would be attended with insuperable Difficulties; he could not
therefore honestly advise it.]
[Footnote 27: Of the nine Officers on the Council of War (_vide_ note
(_c_) in the Pamphlet page 39.) only two were against the Attack,
without having first erected a Battery; nor was the least Objection made
to it, on the Account of its not having been well reconnoitred, the
contrary being very apparent; the Guides were Deserters (and no other
could be had) who for their Security had been sent on Board the
Admiral's Ships, and were by him, at the General's Desire, ordered on
Shore, the Evening before the Attack.]
[Footnote 28: After having taken into Consideration (_vide_ Pamphlet
Note (_g_) page 40) what Hour would be the most proper for surprising
the Enemy, and carefully weighed the Reports of Deserters, _&c._ it was
resolved by the Council of War, that the Attack should be made a little
before break of Day, a Time which has ever been look'd upon as the most
proper for Surprizes, the Guards being then fatigued by their Watching,
during the Night, and then most likely to be fallen asleep.
The Author of the Pamphlet, is here pleased to condemn the General for
not attacking at two in the Morning; _because the Guards at that Hour
returned to their respective Homes, and went to Bed, where having
composed themselves to Sleep, they could not easily be rouz'd to Fight_.
These extraordinary Guards being therefore (as the Author supposes)
safely lodged in their Beds; with regard to them, it must have been
matter of Indifference, whether the Attack was made at two, or five in
the Morning. That these Arguments (if any such were used) were of no
force with the General, I entirely agree with the Author: For surely no
Man in his right Senses could imagine that the Patrols round an advanced
Post, hourly in Danger of being insulted, should be suffered to retire
at two in the Morning.
Colonel _Grant_ was so far from having enter'd the Enemy's Trenches at
the Foot of the Castle (as the Author alledges) with a Party of
Grenadiers, and being there cut off from the Want of being sustained,
that he received his Wound the Instant he reach'd the Top of the Hill.
The Guide having been killed about the same time, was probably the
Occasion, that Lieutenant-Colonel _Hamon_ (who was the next in Command)
advanced no farther, but remained on the Side of the Hill; where (when
the Day broke) the Troops were exposed both to the Enemy's great and
small Shot; which Misfortune ought not surely to be attributed to any
Defect in the Disposition, but to unavoidable Accidents, by which in War
the best concerted Schemes are frequently disappointed.
That the Grenado Shells were carried in Boxes in the Rear, and no
lighted Match provided, will appear to be a palpable Falsehood from the
Testimony of the Gentlemen of the Train, who delivered them out, and are
still living. What might possibly give some Colour for this Assertion,
was, the Grenadiers not carrying their Pouches in that excessive hot
Climate; it was found necessary, that a Party of _American_ Soldiers
should receive the Grenados in Bags, and attend the Grenadiers with them
to the Foot of the Hill; which was accordingly ordered, but in the dark,
the Party, which had the Charge of the Shells, fell back into the Rear,
and did not come up with them till after the Attack was begun.
As the Scaling Ladders could not be brought to the Foot of the Walls,
nor the Wool Packs and working Tools be made use of, till we were in
Possession of the Breast-work, they were carried in the Rear of the
Troops, who were ordered to force it.
The Scaling Ladders were called for on the Right, and some of them got
up the Hill; but Colonel _Grant_ met his Fate too soon to be able to
advance so far as to have the least Occasion for them on the Left; nor
could the Officer the next in Command even have tried to make use of
them, as the _American_ Soldiers, who had the Charge of them
(notwithstanding the utmost Endeavours of their Officers to prevent it)
call them down, and either took up Firelocks, or put themselves under
Cover from the Shot of the Enemy.
I cannot but add in Justice to the _American_ Soldiers, who were
commanded with Arms on that Occasion, that they were in no wise wanting
to their Duty.
That the Admiral was neither by Letter, nor Message (as the Author
boldly asserts) acquainted of the Resolution of the Council of War to
attack the Fort the next Morning; the Admiral himself (to whom I appeal)
knows to be absolutely false: It is certain, that the General was that
Day too much employ'd to write a Letter in Form; but several Messages
were carry'd by Capt. _Knowles_, and Mr. _Macpherson_, in Consequence of
which Messages, two Guides were sent by the Admiral's own Order, and
from his own Ship, to conduct the Forces to the Attack of the Fort the
next Morning.
The Admiral had actually pressed the Attack, without making the least
Offer of any Assistance from the Fleet, and appeared to be so far from
thinking any such Assistance necessary, that he had not only declared
the Troops on Shore to be more than sufficient for the Service they were
upon; but had sent from the Fleet a Number of Soldiers, less by 650 than
were required to be landed by the Council of War. Whence to me it is
evident (contrary to what the Author affirms) that there was never any
real Intention to sustain the Attack by a Body of Sailors: Otherwise so
experienced a Commander, as is Admiral _Vernon_, could not have failed
of giving timely Notice of such his Intention to the General. It is
true, that at Break of Day, when the Troops were mounting the Hill, a
Signal was made for manning the Boats, and for landing, which could at
that time have answered no other End, but giving a Pretext for ascribing
to the Sailors, a Share in the Honour of the Success, in Case the Castle
had been taken.
There were kill'd at the Attack of Fort St. _Lazar_ 179, (commissioned,
Non-commissioned Officers and Soldiers) and 459 wounded, of whom many
afterwards died; 16 were taken Prisoners, of which all (excepting six)
had fallen wounded on the Top of the Hill; amongst whom were three
Officers, who, tho' treated by the _Spaniards_ with great Humanity, died
in two or three Days.
I cannot but observe, what a pompous (but false) Account, the Author
gives of our Loss; he roundly affirms, "_That Numbers of Drums and
Colours were left behind in the Retreat_," of which there was not in
Fact One; some few Firelocks belonging to the Soldiers, who fell upon
the Top of the Hill, could not be brought off; and most of the Scaling
Ladders, _&c._ which had been intrusted to the Care of the _American_
Soldiers, remained upon the Ground. What Use the Enemy might make of
them, I cannot say; but we, who could distinctly see with the naked Eye,
what passed on the Hill of St. _Lazar_, could perceive nothing of what
the Author mentions. It was never before alledged, that the Guide, who
return'd, complained of his not having been followed by the Troops the
Way he would have led them; but it is certain, that both the Officers
and the Engineer, who were in the Front, complained of their having been
mislead by the Guide. Had the contrary appeared, the Offenders could
scarcely have escaped Censure; for the Instant before the Troops
advanced to the Attack, the General in Person gave Directions to two of
the principal Officers, who were to lead on the Grenadiers, to mount the
Hill upon the Right, and to push at once into the Enemy's Works.
What the Author insinuates, that the Retreat was too long delayed, is
without any Grounds whatsoever. The Moment it appeared there was no room
to hope for Success, the Troops were directed to retire, which was done
in so good Order, that the Enemy did not think it adviseable to advance
one Step to give them the least Disturbance.
I cannot finish my Observations upon this long Note (_g_) without
remarking that what palpable Falsehoods, and gross Misrepresentations,
the Author herein aggravates our Loss at St. _Lazar_; such as the
generous _Spaniard_ (tho' as an Enemy authorized to do it by Custom)
would be ashamed of; but in an _Englishman_ it is a Crime, for which
Language has not yet found a Name, and which nothing but the highest
innate Malevolence, and the strongest Inveteracy against his Majesty's
Land Forces, _there employed_, could have produced.]
[Footnote 29: I do not know what might be the Opinion of the Officers
employed by the Admiral (_Vide_ Note (_h_) page 44) to sound: But I am
well assured, that experienced Pilots, who have sounded the whole
Harbour of _Carthagena_ in open Day-Light, do affirm, that large Ships
can approach so near to the Walls, as easily to batter the Town; of
which the _Spaniards_ seem very sensible, from their having lately
erected a Battery of forty Pieces of large Cannon, which commands the
Bason, where the Galleons usually lie at Anchor.
The _Galicia_'s being sent in had a quite contrary Effect from what the
Author suggests; for not only the General, but every unprejudiced Man,
both in the Army, and in the Fleet, was thereby convinced, that our
large Ships could have got in near enough to batter the Town. For the
_Galicia_ being deeply loaden, by the Cases filled with Sand (which
served no other End, but to blind the Men, when the Enemy's Shot took
place) drew some Feet more Water, than our eighty Gun Ships, and yet lay
near enough to the Walls of the Town to fire with very good Effect, tho'
she had no more Guns mounted, than twelve eighteen Pounders, and four
twelve Pounders.
I submit it to the Reader, tho' he be neither Soldier nor Sailor, to
judge with what Prospect of Success a Vessel so armed, could be sent in
singly to stand the Fire of all the Guns on that Side of the Town, of
which the Event sufficiently proved to Absurdity, "For the enemy had
demolished her so in two or three Hours, that she would have sunk in
half an Hour more, if she had not been drawn off:" But if, instead of
_Galicia_, some of his Majesty's eighty Gun Ships had been ordered in;
there are (and those very good Judges) who affirm, that they could have
approach'd near enough to have done effectual Service.]
[Footnote 30: The Author of the Pamphlet (in his Note _i_, page 45.)
affirms, that from _Thursday_ Morning to _Friday_ Night, by the Accounts
delivered in, and by the General's Report, the Troops on Shore had
dwindled from 6645, to 3200. A base and palpable Falsehood! as it will
evidently appear by the Return given in (_April_ the 12th) by Mr.
_Wallis_, Agent to the Transports, to Vice-Admiral _Vernon_, of the
whole Number then victualled on Board, and on Shore, amounting at that
time to 6645, in which Number were included all the Sick, the Women, the
Negroes, and Men left in _Boca-Chica_ and _Castillo Grande_, the
Officers, with their Servants, and People of all Denominations belonging
to the Land Forces, who received the King's Provisions, whether they
were on Board, or on Shore.
The Adjutant's Books will shew, that the highest Number of Men landed at
_La Quinta_ never exceeded 4340 Rank and File, tho' repeated Demands
were made from the General, and from the Council of War, for their
Troops on Shore being compleated from the Fleet to 5000 Men, Rank and
File. At the time of holding the General Council of War, they were, by
Sickness, and the late Loss, reduced to 3569, feeble, and scarcely fit
for the ordinary Duty; including 1140 _American_ Soldiers, of whom 600
were employed upon no other Service, but on working Parties.]
[Footnote 31: It was raised 2600 Yards from the Fort, which is the
utmost Distance those Mortars can throw a Shell, when their Chambers are
quite filled with Powder; an Allowance only given for Proof, and never
upon Service. Tho' appriz'd of this Circumstance by the Colonel of the
Train, the Captain could not be prevailed upon to advance his Battery
nearer, but (as it was expected) wasted above two hundred Shells, to
little or no Purpose whatsoever.
_N.B._ This Battery was begun upon the 8th, but did not Fire before the
14th.]
[Footnote 32: The imbarking the Troops, (_vide k_) in the cool of the
Evening, was not only approved by the General, but by the Council of
War; who had but too justly deserved Censure, should they have
unnecessarily exposed the Men, not only to the violent Heat of the Sun,
but to the Enemy's Cannon, which commanded one of the Places of
Imbarkation.
Had the Author's Apprehensions suffered him to go on Shore at the time
of the Retreat, he might have observed that it was made without any
Precipitation, and that neither Tents, Arms, working Tools, nor Baggage
were left behind.
The General in Person brought up the Rear with his Guard, and having
perceived, after the Troops had begun their March, that five Tents
belonging to one of the _American_ Battalions were left standing (for
which their Lieutenant Colonel had undergone a severe Censure, if his
Death had not prevented it) and likewise that some Arms and working
Tools remained upon the Ground, he ordered them to be carried off by the
Serjeant's Guard which came from _La Popa_, to which Lieutenant
_Forest_, at the General's Request, added some Sailors, so that the
whole Ground might be carefully searched to prevent any thing whatsoever
from falling into the Hands of the Enemy. We having lost no Tents, none
could (as the Author alledges) be pitched by the Enemy on the top of the
Hill.
The Admiral having, (when a Flag of Truce was to be sent into the
Vice-Roy) refused to admit of a particular Messenger from the General, I
cannot say what idle Expressions might be then made use of to the
Disadvantage of the Land Forces. If there were any such, possibly they
did not loose in the Report; but if what the Enemy might throw out
deserves repeating, it is well known that they frequently expressed
their Astonishment, that so fine a Fleet should lie unactive within
their very Harbour; and it was affirmed by Persons of Credit, that a
_Spanish_ Officer of Rank, who served in _Carthagena_, declared that
they only waited for the coming in of our great Ships, to have
surrendered.]