Eleven thousand Marines constituted the establishment of 1778.
Until the close of the last year France stood in awe, and continued
to cherish the flames of rebellion by assurances only of support.
Remarking the humbled spirit of our nation, at all times too prone
to over-rate its calamities, that Power became less cautious, and
in a little time avowed her inimical purposes. This was accelerated
by a meditated plan of reconciliation, which had undergone the
sanction of Parliament, and was about being submitted to the
American revolters.
To circumvent its effects, our natural enemy closed with these
States a treaty of commerce and defensive alliance upon the 6th
of February, which inspired them with a well-timed hope of rising
superior to all their pressures. Never did Mercy appear in such
odious colours, as when she went forth to the Colonists. Her good
offices were every where rejected with contempt and disdain, of
which the American Congress gave a conspicuous example. The British
Army too, could not recognize Her, and doubted much whether She was
of true English origin.
Winter had suspended every active essay on the part of both armies,
excepting in the case of some detachments that were from necessity
pushed into the country for supplying our numerous forces in
Philadelphia; to afford a protection to the suffering Loyalists,
and to annihilate the ships and vessels of the rebels, which still
remained higher up the Delaware river.
One of these was entrusted to the Hon. Major Maitland, who had long
served with distinguished credit in the Corps of Marines, whose
high military talents had recently paved the way for his transit
into the line, and which placed him, at this time, at the head of a
Battalion of Light Infantry.
In conjunction with Captain Henry, of the Royal Navy, who commanded
a force of three gallies and other armed small craft, the Major
embarked in some flat-bottomed boats, with the 2d Battalion of
Light troops, upon the 7th of May. Agreeably to his instructions,
he proceeded to destroy the rebel Marine between Philadelphia and
Trenton.
At ten on the noon of the 8th, he landed at White-hill, where a
superior force of the enemy, chiefly Cavalry, seemed determined to
oppose his progress. After having got ashore some field-pieces,
Major Maitland pushed on towards Bordentown with great alacrity,
driving before him the rebels, and surmounting, with much spirit,
many local obstacles. Here he took five guns that commanded the
river, and burnt a large quantity of provisions, tobacco, military
stores, and camp equipage.
The enemy began to collect in great numbers at Trenton, where
they looked for this flying detachment; but its leader, after
indulging them in this idea, suddenly struck off towards the river,
re-embarked, and took post on the Pennsylvania shore.
Early on the morning of the 9th, he advanced to Biles-island Creek,
burnt some valuable vessels, moved on to Bristol, thirteen miles
distant, in the afternoon destroyed every ship there, and returned,
with his active followers, on board the boats at sun-set. Never was
the distinguishing motto of "_hilariter et celeriter_," more truly
exemplified than throughout these rapid duties. The manner in which
this service was performed, was highly characteristic of the genius
of that man who so completely achieved it.
The rebel loss amounted to 2 frigates, 9 large ships, 6 privateers,
23 brigs, and many schooners; besides an immensity of goods and
stores.
The Navy very justly were entitled to their share in these
honourable transactions.
General Howe soon after resigned his command to Sir Henry Clinton,
whose first measure was the evacuation of Philadelphia, upon the
morning of the 18th of June. In this retreat they were materially
aided by the ships of war, as the whole Army, by the admirable
dispositions of Lord Howe, were conveyed and encamped on the
Jersey shore before ten at noon. Their retrograde progress to New
York, with its attending incidents, are events unconnected with my
purpose.
The preparations of France had preceded her hostile avowals.
Count D'Estaing, putting to sea from Toulon in April, made the
Virginia coast early in the month of July. His hopes were to
have found the British Fleet and Army, in the Delaware, and at
Philadelphia, and by an united attack with General Washington
on both, to have struck a blow at once decisive of the fate of
America. Disappointed in these, he proceeded off New York, and
after a few menaces he again disappeared, at first shaping his
course to the Southward. But this was merely to cover his design
against Rhode Island, in concert with a rebel force under General
Sullivan. The French Admiral entered that harbour upon the 8th of
August, anchoring his fleet between Newport and Conanicut.
Advice having been sent to Lord Howe, at New York, of the enemy's
motions, his Lordship hastened to relieve the Garrison, and arrived
in sight of it on the morning of the 9th.
D'Estaing, seizing a favourable wind, pushed out again, and formed
in line, with the evident resolution of hazarding a battle. After
two days of able manœuvring on the part of Lord Howe to gain the
wind, which was thwarted by adverse circumstances, he quietly
awaited the enemy's attack. Just on the eve of conflict, Neptune
interposed, and scattered the hostile fleets.
This produced some single actions, in which English valour
uniformly triumphed against powerful superiority, but was rendered
unavailing in every instance, by the contingencies of fortune.
The gallantry of Dawson, Hotham, and Raynor will appear indelible
upon our Naval annals, as well as the bravery of those Seamen and
Marines who so nobly seconded them.
The French Fleet, after recovering from the storm, again peeped
into Rhode Island, from whence the rebels had retreated in
confusion. It gladly took refuge in Boston, whither Lord Howe
followed it, but durst not attempt so strong a position.
Thus D'Estaing gained but little from his system of surprize. He
was a fit agent to have executed the insidious schemes of his
Court, when we recollect his breach of parole in the East, which
would have made him the sanctioned victim to a halter, if he had
fallen within our power.
The appearance of a new and natural foe seemed to revive in every
breast the flame of patriotism. At no period of our national
existence did the English character appear more great. The
Commercial Sailor vied with his Majesty's servants in the Fleet and
Army in this noble and emulous zeal.
Admiral Byron having sailed from England in the beginning of June,
reached the American coast with his fleet, but in a detached
and shattered state. An evil planet seemed to rule over all his
destinies, and his good fortune fell much short of his merit.
Lord Howe having resigned the Naval command to that Officer, he
proceeded off Boston, after having repaired all damages, from which
he was driven to Rhode Island by a heavy gale that proved fatal to
some of his ships. Of this D'Estaing took occasion to slip out, and
with a powerful force aimed his future efforts against our West
India islands.
Thither Commodore Hotham was detached with ten regiments, under
General Grant, who joined Admiral Barrington at Barbadoes on the
10th of December, and on the 12th proceeded against St. Lucia. Here
the army landed, while the squadron anchored in the Cul de Sac,
where some Seamen and Marines were disembarked to man the batteries
on each side of the harbour.
D'Estaing, who had reached Martinique, sailed also to realize his
plans of conquest; but hearing of the descent upon St. Lucia, he
resolved upon relieving it. The attempt was fruitless, but it
yielded the display of much obstinate valour on both sides. The
French were completely beaten, and the island fell.
It would carry me beyond my purposed bounds to dwell upon the many
events of this year. The Marine Soldier was almost entirely limited
to Naval duties, which were, in a detached sense, both numerous and
brilliant upon the coasts of America.
In the indecisive battle of the 27th of July, between the grand
Fleets of Britain and France, Lieutenant John M'Donald, of Marines,
on board the Prince George, was wounded.