The fears of an invasion began now to subside, and these warlike
preparations which had hitherto been made with a view to self
defence, were, under the bold and enterprizing genius of Mr. Pitt,
soon to be turned against the enemy's coasts. This was necessary
to animate the people, as well as politic in forcing the French
to withdraw a part of their immense forces upon the Continent.
A farther augmentation of thirty Companies was granted to the
Corps of Marines, to keep pace with the general energies, which
completed their establishment to fourteen thousand eight hundred
and forty-five, being the vote for the service of 1758. At this
period too, that highly useful body of men, the National Militia,
was ordered to be raised and organized for domestic security, while
our regular armies were employed in retaliating the terrors of
invasion, and in carrying the war into the foreign possessions of
our enemies.
Early in this year was fought the memorable action between the
Monmouth and Foudroyant, which must ever be considered as one of
the most distinguished events upon our Naval Annals. Monsieur
De Quesne, with a nobleness that did him the highest honour, in
delivering his sword to Lieutenant Carkett, the representative of
the gallant Captain Gardiner who fell, was not ashamed to avow
that he had surrendered only to the force of the Monmouth. The
great inequality in this contest confers a lasting credit upon the
meanest individual who bore a part in it.
Sir Edward Hawke, commanding a squadron of seven sail of the line,
observing a number of the enemy's ships, with forty transports
full of troops, at anchor off the Isle of Aix, he pushed on with a
view to attack them; but they slipped their cables, and were run
ashore upon the mud, after having thrown their guns and stores over
board, by which means they escaped. The enemy had been employed
in repairing the works upon the island that were destroyed in our
expedition of last year. The Admiral disembarked Captain Ewer,
with a party of one hundred and forty Marines, upon the 5th of
April, with orders to demolish them. This service was effected with
discipline and humanity, as it was accomplished most completely,
and without the smallest molestation to the inhabitants.
An expedition having been meditated to the Coast of Africa,
consisting of two hundred Marines, under Major Mason, and a
detachment of Artillery, it sailed from Plymouth on the 9th of
March. Upon the 24th of April, this squadron, under the command
of Captain Marsh, arrived off the river Senegal, and against the
29th, the small craft got over the shallow bar, being opposed by
some vessels of force, which were, however, obliged to retire,
when a landing was made. Early on the following day, being about
to advance against Fort Lewis, situated upon a small island about
twelve miles farther up the river, a deputation from the Superior
Council of Senegal arrived, with articles of capitulation, which
were accepted. In consequence, Major Mason, with his Marines, took
possession of the Fort upon the 2d of May, in which was a garrison
of two hundred and forty soldiers and ninety pieces of cannon,
with treasure and merchandize to a great amount. During this short
service, the sufferings of the men were great, as many of the boats
having the tents, cannon, and ammunition, were overset upon the
bar, which circumstance exposed them to the nightly dews and the
scorching sun upon that inclement coast, without a shelter. Being a
key to their grand Establishment at Goree, this acquisition was of
much importance.
It falls a second time to my lot to mention the active services
of my Corps in the conquest of Cape Breton, and its Capital, now
rendered more formidable by experience. A violent surf prevented
the landing of our forces, under the conduct of Sir Jeffrey
Amherst, seconded by the Brigadier Generals Whitmore, Laurence,
and Wolfe, from the 2d until the 8th of June, during which the
ships were exposed to a cannonade from cannon and mortars. Upon
that day, the debarkation took place in different points, amidst
the greatest difficulties, during which Gen. Wolfe was very highly
distinguished. Some lives, and about one hundred boats were lost
in the attempt. After different preparations and approaches,
which would be too wide a field for my detail, the Marines of the
Fleet were landed, on the 26th of June, when being formed into a
battalion, they took post at Kennington-cove, and afforded a vast
relief to the Army then occupied in very extensive duties. Upon
the 30th, they were engaged at this post, and repulsed the enemy.
Their ships in the harbour continuing to incommode our troops, an
enterprize was formed against them during the night of the 25th
of July, which occasion very much signalized Captains Laforey and
Macbride of the Royal Navy, who took and destroyed the Beinfaisant
and Prudent. Upon the 26th, the French proposed terms, by which
five thousand six hundred and thirty-seven soldiers and sailors
became prisoners of war, and in the capitulation was included
the surrender of the islands of Cape Breton and St. John's. Gen.
Amherst, in public orders, desired the Commanders of every Corps
to acquaint the Officers and Men with the high satisfaction which
he felt from the bravery and good conduct of the troops--a conduct
that had, and always must insure success, and what he would take
the liberty of reporting to his Sovereign. A severe blow to
the navy of France, was one of the happy circumstances of this
achievement.
Considering the many detached enterprizes with which the year 1758
was marked, the most sanguine could not hope that all would succeed
without loss, where the chief objects were to land upon, to harass,
and keep in alarm the widely extended coasts of France.
Although the affair at St. Cas, in the month of September, was
unfortunate in its issue, still no incident occurred that tarnished
the honour of our arms. More impetuous courage was never shewn,
than by the handful of men which formed the rear guard of the
British Army upon that service, who had to combat very superior
numbers. Previous to this, an opportunity offered to signalize the
parties of Marines belonging to three ships of Commodore Howe's
Squadron, in an attack upon the Castle of Latte, situated on a
peninsula in the entrance to St. Maloes' harbour. A joint attempt
had been concerted between a Naval force and a detachment from
the Army upon the heights above Arborough Bay, upon the 4th of
September, but the ships could not stand near enough to produce
effect without an imminent risk; when after a short contest, it
was relinquished, by the co-operating troops. These parties of
Marines having been landed upon the night of the 9th, attacked
and carried it without loss. In consequence of the success which
had attended the expedition against the coast of Africa, another
was formed against Goree, which sailed from Cork upon the 11th
of November, under the joint conduct of Commodore Keppel and
Lieutenant Colonel Worge, the newly-appointed Governor of Senegal.
A body of land forces, and the Marines of the squadron were the
forces intended to carry this service into effect. After a very
dangerous passage, the whole gained sight of Goree, upon the
28th of December, excepting the Lichfield of fifty guns, and
a transport, that were wrecked upon the inhospitable shore of
Barbary. About two o'clock the squadron reached abreast of the
island, then four miles distant, while the transports were ordered
to a bay between Point Goree and Point Barabbas, to be in readiness
to land the troops on a signal being made. Every disposition being
arranged for an immediate attack, early in the morning of the 29th,
the troops were embarked in the flat-bottomed boats, in order
to push ashore upon the island when adviseable, while a general
cannonade was opened by the ships against the different points of
defence. After a most tremendous firing of some hours continuance,
the enemy struck their colours, in order to establish a parley,
that ended in an almost immediate renewal of hostilities, which
soon obliged Monsieur de St. Jean to surrender at discretion.
Commodore Keppel instantly landed all the Marines, who took
possession and occupied the fort until every arrangement was made.
The loss upon this service was extremely trifling.
Many were the occasions that distinguished the Naval and Military
Forces of his Majesty during the present active year, which, from
their number, cannot fall within my detail. Both Corps seemed
animated with a spirit of unsurpassed zeal and enterprize, which
the Marine of France, her Commerce, and her coasts most bitterly
felt. This era exhibited many early specimens of the courage and
talents of some individuals, whose merits and great abilities very
justly placed them in high commands during the subsequent stages
of their lives, and whose names can never be mentioned but with
encomium.
The amphibious duties of the Marine Soldier necessarily placed him
in many of these active scenes, and from that close connection in
which he now stood towards the Naval Establishment of his country,
he may be said to have always been a sharer in the honours that
arose from the brilliant single actions at sea, with which the year
abounded.
A bill framed in wisdom, policy, and humanity, originated and
passed in 1758, under the able and enlightened auspices of the
Honourable Mr. George Grenville. This was for the encouragement
of Seamen in the Royal Navy, by which these well-meaning, but
unthinking men, were enabled to cast an eye of compassion and
relief towards their suffering families. By this institution they
might allot such a part of their pay as they did not choose to
receive, to their wives, parents, or others, to which amount they
had tickets from the Commissioners, which on being remitted to any
part of the country, were payable on demand by the Collectors of
Customs and Excise within Great Britain. Its liberal tendency is
too obvious for remark; and it is only singular, that from its
acknowledged influence, such was not earlier extended to the Marine
Soldier, who constantly participated in the dangers, the glory, and
the duties of our Fleets.--The man who has resolution and virtue
to forfeit his own comforts, and to alienate a great part of them
towards the subsistence of his distant relatives, affords the
strongest test of his genuine character. He who is true to domestic
ties, will never, by insubordination, dissolve those that unite him
to his country.