It is a tribute meritedly due to the Battalions of Marines who
acted so gallantly in the field, to take a retrospective view of
their general good conduct at Halifax, and the series of events
connected with them.
As it has already been stated, they accompanied General Howe from
Boston to that place. The active exertions of the subordinate ranks
on board of the transports, not half manned, and encumbered besides
with the persons and property of the faithful Loyalists while on
the passage, were such, that a pecuniary recompence was given to
many of them, on their reaching Nova Scotia.
Soon after their arrival, both Corps were reviewed by that
distinguished Officer, Lord Percy, whose testimony, in consequence,
was couched in the following terms:--
"Lord Percy being well pleased with the appearance and performance
of the Marine Battalions yesterday (April 30, 1776), desires his
thanks to the Officers (in particular) and the men, for their
steadiness and attention in their several movements."
Lieutenant Colonel (afterward General) Collins had assumed the
command of them soon after their reaching Halifax, and retained it
until his health obliged him to return to Europe, when it devolved
upon Major Souter, by orders from the Board of Admiralty. Both
Battalions were extremely solicitous to have united with the Army
under Sir William Howe, when on the eve of leaving Halifax for
more active services; but the defence of Nova Scotia being at that
period a very important object, it was partly entrusted to them,
and the Grenadier Companies alone were permitted the honour. On the
1st of June the notice of an additional indulgence to the Captains
of Marine Companies was published to both Corps.
"The Lords of the Admiralty are pleased to allow the Captains
of Marines the pay of an additional man per Company, which will
increase their present allowance to 1s. 6d. per day, for paying
their Companies, providing necessaries, repairing arms, and burying
their dead, in like manner as is practised in the Army, and still
on shore in North America. The Deputy Paymaster will issue the
same. The additional man per day to commence from the time the Army
in America was allowed the same."
In order to inspire emulation, and to foster in the memories of all
the glorious 17th of June, Colonel Collins issued the following
Battalion-orders upon that day:--
"In consequence of this day being the anniversary of the 17th of
June, when the _Marines_ behaved in a brave gallant manner at the
attack of the rebel redoubt on the heights of Charlestown, Colonel
Collins extends pardon to all offenders to this day."
If the enemy had attempted Halifax, the line of battle directed
by Major General Massey was, "That Lieutenant Colonel Collins,
with the 1st Battalion of Marines, should draw up his right at the
house this side of Pedley's Hill. The Royal Highland Emigrants,
Royal Americans, Loyal Nova Scotia Volunteers, and 2d Battalion
of Marines, under Major Tupper, on the left; the whole to form
on the road. Lieutenant Gillespie, with the field-pieces, in the
centre; Captain Ramsay, with his detachment of the 14th Regiment,
to form on the grand parade, and wait for orders from the Governor
or General. The faithful well-tried old Soldiers left here for
garrison-duty, under command of Lieutenant Needham, and the other
Overseers of the works to form on the Citadel Hill. Lieutenant
Lindsay, with his troops, to form at the Dutch Church, where
General Massey will have two mortars, with two howitzers fixed for
his Corps; and he makes not the least doubt of their readiness to
assist in crushing rebellion."
Lieutenant Colonel Collins having obtained leave to return to
England for his health, bid farewell to his Corps in these words,
upon the 16th of September:--
"The Commanding Officer begs leave to assure the two Battalions
of Marines, that it is necessity, not inclination, which forces
him from hence. His highest ambition would have been to have
conducted them to England, when this distempered state of America
was settled. He begs leave to return the Officers thanks for their
constant attention, and flatters himself the service will be
carried on in the same uniform line it has hitherto been, and if
the change of climate permits the re-establishment of his health,
he will join them as soon after as possible."
As a just compliment to the discipline established by Lieutenant
Colonel Collins, Major Souter, who succeeded him, gave out these
orders, to both battalions of Marines, on the 18th of September.
"Major Souter desiring that the orders Lieut. Colonel Collins
has issued for the regulation and management of both battalions
be uniformly and invariably pursued; particularly those of an
Officer of a Company seeing that the men are properly dressed and
appointed, when ordered on duty, _before_ they are brought to
the parade, and that no drunken men are allowed to fall into the
ranks at roll-calling. The Captains are likewise to keep up the
necessaries and appointments that have been ordered."
The gallant conduct of the Light Infantry Companies of Marines on
a preceding occasion, drew forth the encomium of Major General
Massey, upon the 19th of December, in these handsome words:
"His Honor the Lieutenant Governor having made application to Major
General Massey, that the two Light Infantry Companies of Marines
should continue at Fort Cumberland, the General has consented to
it, and takes this opportunity to inform their Brother Soldiers
that Major Bald, (who commanded there in a late skirmish with the
banditti rebels), in his report to Major General Massey, tells him
"that the two Light Companies run at the rebels like lions, and
behaved most bravely," which General Massey communicates to the
garrison with vast pleasure."
That gallant and good Officer, now Lord Clarina, ever ready to
attend to suppliant merit, and the Soldiers wants, in general
orders of the 24th of February, 1777, thus answers the Petition of
the 1st Battalion of Marines:--
"Major General Massey often receiving a petition from the 1st
Battalion of Marines (signed Launcelot Poverty), is happy to comply
with their request, as their _uniform_ good behaviour, during the
winter, well merits that indulgence. It is therefore his orders,
that Major Souter permits the men to work as he shall judge proper,
but that no substitutes must be allowed in their public duty."
In the month of March, the Commander in Chief expecting some actual
service, was pleased to nominate Lieutenant (now Colonel) Trollope,
with a party of Marines, to be trained under Lieutenant Gillespie,
of the Royal Artillery, to practice quick firing and traversing the
great guns.
Early in April the two Battalions were consolidated into one, by
orders of the Board of Admiralty, addressed to Major Souter, to the
following effect:--
"By the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral
of Great Britain and Ireland, &c.
"Whereas the Earl of Sandwich has signified to us his Majesty's
pleasure, that the two Battalions of Marines, serving under your
command, shall be formed into one Battalion, each Company to
consist of one Captain, four Subalterns, five Serjeants, five
Corporals, four drummers, and 100 private men each, conformable
_to the present establishment_ of the Corps, together with the
following Field and Staff Officers, viz. two Majors, one Adjutant,
one Chaplain, one Quarter Master, one Surgeon, and one Surgeon's
Mate; you are hereby required and directed to form the said two
Battalions into one Battalion accordingly, with the Field and
Staff Officers as before mentioned, and having so done, you are
to cause the non-commissioned Officers and private men which may
remain after this Battalion is formed, to be embarked in such of
his Majesty's ships serving in North America under the command of
Vice Admiral Viscount Howe, as may be in want of them, agreeable to
the requisition which will be made to you by his Lordship for that
purpose; but with respect to the commissioned Officers, over and
above the number necessary for completing the said Battalion, you
are to send them to England by the first opportunity that offers,
in order to join their respective Divisions, unless Lord Howe
shall apply to you, for any of them to serve in the ships of his
squadron, in which case you are to supply them accordingly.
"Given under our hands, 1st January, 1777.
"SANDWICH, J. BULLER,
"H. PALLISER."
"To Major Souter or Commanding Officer
Marines, Halifax."
"By command of their Lordships,
"PHIL. STEPHENS."
"In consequence of the above arrangement, such Officers as choose
to return to England are desired to give in their names to the
Commanding Officer."
Pursuant to this order from the Board, the following Officers,
non-commissioned Officers, and drummers, were appointed to compose
the new Battalion--
FIELD OFFICERS--Majors Souter, Hon. John Maitland.