The British Nation, ever true to its Allies, often has had cause
to complain of a want of this reciprocal honour. Limited in my
scope, it belongs not to me to develope errors, and far less to
expose such as have arisen from high causes. But, in vindication
of the military fame of my country and my corps, I have to regret,
that the zealous and gallant services of both should have been
unavailingly exerted in the unprosperous views of King Charles upon
the Spanish monarchy.
To the want of co-operation and unanimity must be ascribed the
many chequered events, and reverses, that marked his royal
efforts during this contest. Unsupported by his family, or his
nation, whose immediate interests it must have been to place
him effectively on that throne, he was exposed to many fatal
disappointments when he could not remedy them, and was thus often
obliged to adopt the measures of necessitous expediency, when he
should have been enabled to prosecute the objects of an arranged
system.
Early in 1709, the town of Alicant became hard pressed, having
sustained a long and obstinate siege against a very powerful
force of the combined enemy. The garrison, composed in a great
proportion of Marines, exhibited the most heroic perseverance
in maintaining the place. Unable to reduce it, the besiegers
attempted to undermine the rock upon which the Castle stood, of
which they apprized its defenders; but this had no effect upon
their resolution. A partial shock, which buried above twenty in its
effects, did not intimidate them, and they bravely continued to
defend themselves till the fleet, under Sir George Byng, appeared
(I believe) on the 4th of April.
General Stanhope, with the troops on board, were to have attempted
its relief, under cover of a squadron that was at the same time to
have attacked the enemy's lines along the sea shore; but a heavy
gale coming on, and many of the ships being in shallow water, it
was judged proper to stand farther out into the road.
The weather continuing severe, and being unable to gain any
intelligence as to the state of the garrison, the Commanders in
Chief dreading the worst, and in pity to their sufferings, by a
flag of truce, proposed terms of surrender, which being agreed to,
the brave remnants were embarked on board of the fleet, which now
proceeded to Tarragona, Port Mahon, and afterwards to Barcelona.
During the remainder of this year, nothing farther was attempted
by our squadrons, which, in their attached duties, were employed
to harass the commerce of our foes, and to protect the convoys of
provisions destined wherever necessary.
Upon the 13th of March, 1710, Sir John Norris arrived at Port
Mahon, as Commander in Chief of the Naval Forces. After having
arranged every thing, transporting troops to the different
quarters, where required, and some inferior attacks upon the enemy,
he reached Barcelona upon the 18th of June, in order to concert
future operations with his Majesty.
An expedition was meditated against Cette, in the province of
Languedoc, where the Troops and Marines were landed upon the 13th
of July. The place made but a feeble resistance; and the fort,
upon which eighteen pieces of cannon were mounted, surrendered the
same day. Major General Seissau, then advancing against Adge with
the regiment of Stanhope, and three hundred Marines, that town was
delivered up without resistance.
The Isle of Cette, however, was shortly afterwards recovered by the
French army stationed in the province under the Duke de Roquelaure;
but all our soldiers were previously re-embarked.
Nothing further occurred in 1710, which is in any respect connected
with my subject.