In every war it has been evident that state necessity has required
an annual increase to the establishment of Marines. Eighteen
thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine were the number decreed for
the service of 1780.
It was at this period, and has since been too prevalent a custom,
to embark recruits not only unscienced in discipline, but utterly
untrained to arms. Such deficiencies could only be compensated by
native valour, aided by the care of Officers in rendering them
good marksmen, and by that punctual system which prevails in
our ships of war. A few _regular-built Soldiers_ should always
be intermingled with every detachment; a rule that can only be
observed by maintaining a sufficient strength during peace, or by a
prompt levy on the commencement of hostilities.
The year of 1780 was ushered in by some well-timed successes of
Admiral Rodney. While nature has so clearly pointed out our means
of defence, she has also taught our islanders to greet, with
tenfold joy, every victory that is gained upon their favourite
element.
After eighteen months of war against an inveterate foe, nothing
had been achieved worthy of being considered as a balance in the
scale; of course the taking of Langara in the Phœnix, with three
other ships of the line, the explosion of the St. Domingo, and the
destruction of the St. Julian and St. Eugenio, of 70 guns, added
to the recent capture of one 64, escorting a valuable convoy, so
crouded together, filled the Country with general exultation.
Admiral Rodney exhibited much enterprize, although he possessed
superior numbers, by pursuing and vanquishing an enemy upon his own
coasts, during a most dreadful gale, and on a lee shore, which had
nearly proved fatal to many of his fleet, who, from their ardour,
became entangled amongst the dangerous shoals of St. Lucar.
Sir George Rodney was most ably seconded by the vigour and counsel
of his Captain, Young, whose talents as an Officer stood meritedly
high.
Although the Spaniards fought bravely, still they plainly shewed
that they were no adepts in the most essential branches of
discipline; as the blowing up of the St. Domingo, and a partial
explosion in the Princessa, proceeded entirely from a want of
internal system.
Lieut. Strachan, of Marines, brother to the present Sir Richard,
was killed upon the forecastle of the Edgar in this action.
The immediate and happy effects of it were the relief of Gibraltar
and Minorca, besides convincing the coasts of the Mediterranean
that Britain was still able to assert her former dominion on the
seas. The Admiral prosecuted his course for the West Indies, while
the bulk of the Fleet returned to England under a continuance of
the same good fortune.
Our enemies lost nine sail of the line upon the whole of this
expedition, which was suggested by necessity, but terminated with
the most signal consequences.
Accounts were received early in this year of the death of the
celebrated Captain Cooke, at the Island of O'why'he; in defending
whose valuable life, threatened by a horde of savages, four out of
nine of my Corps shared his destiny.
Long had our avaricious neighbours, the Dutch, continued to foment
the spirit of rebellion in the Western World, by various supplies,
without which its virulence, nay its existence must have ceased.
With one uniform character for punctuality in dealing, to an extent
and nicety rarely known but in our own land, these moral virtues,
which can alone give joy to the wealthy, are absorbed in the
Hollander by an unceasing pursuit of the same object. The bonds of
nature, and all the ties of honour which unite nation to nation,
are sacrificed by him to the call of self-interest. This fiendly
passion, and the repeated injuries sustained by England, brought
on a rupture between the two countries, friends by alliance, but
enemies in their principles of action.
The detention of Count Byland added fuel to the flame, by
furnishing means to the emissaries of France, in Holland, who were
active in working upon the popular mind. From the beginning of
1780, the cause of these hostilities, which commenced towards the
close of the year, may be dated.
The conduct of the neutral Powers, at this crisis of accumulating
difficulties, was equally ungrateful. At the head of them was
Russia, whom we had nurtured in Naval tactics and the arts of
civilization, by a long train of friendly good offices. But her
early energies were levelled against the life of her Patroness,
and in defiance, too, of that maritime code of laws, which had
been long recognized by Europe as the fixed standard of commercial
intercourse.
If ever there was a period of our existence that urged general
union it was this. Our Country seemed doomed to destruction,
and, like vultures hurried on by instinct to the spot of animal
dissolution, every nation crouded against our island to lay claim
for its share of our tottering Empire. To prevent the repetition
of such a period in our history, a fostering care of our Navy, and
every branch attached to it, appears the wisest system, and the
most incumbent duty.
Sir Henry Clinton having been freed from every fear by the glorious
repulse of D'Estaing from Savannah, had it in his power to carry
the British arms to any part of the American coast. His first
essay was aimed against the province of South Carolina, and his
operations commenced on the 1st of April against Charleston, its
Capital, after having landed upon John's Island, and from thence
advancing by slow steps; which afforded time to the Rebels of
fortifying every point of defence.
Admiral Arbuthnot, with the squadron, soon after passed Fort
Moultrie with trifling loss, and anchored just without the range of
shot from the town, which completed its investment towards the sea,
though a communication was unavoidably open between the Garrison
and the Country, by means of Cooper's River to the North-east.
This was soon cut off by a large detachment under Colonel Webster,
which General Clinton was enabled to spare, from his access to the
sea being kept up by the ships of war. A very brilliant affair
took place between the advanced guard of that force and a body
of Americans, at Monk's Corner, which reflected much honour upon
Colonel Tarleton and Major Fergusson, the former of whom, soon
after, very justly secured permanent fame, by beating a Rebel Corps
of Cavalry upon the banks of the Santee.
Early in May, the besiegers having completed their third parallel,
Captain Hudson, of the Navy, was landed with 200 Seamen and Marines
on Sullivan's Island, in order to have stormed the important post
of Fort Moultrie, at the same time the ships were to attack by sea.
The garrison surrendered to that party on the 6th of May. This had
a strong effect upon our subsequent operations, as the town fell by
capitulation on the 12th.
Very high commendations were bestowed upon Generals Earl
Cornwallis, Leslie, and Paterson; Lieut. Colonels Webster and
Tarleton, and Major Moncrieffe, also had their share of applause in
Sir Henry Clinton's detail. The services of Captain Elphinstone,
now Lord Keith, were also very signal. Much good was anticipated
from this happy event, which was not, however, eventually realized.
The gallant exertions of Lord Cornwallis in the subsequent progress
of the campaign, upon a minute retrospect, must rank him as a great
and a zealous Officer. Colonel Tarleton also stands high upon its
annals, which will be recognized in terms of eulogium by posterity.
Admiral Rodney, who had proceeded to the West Indies from
Gibraltar, found himself opposed to a superior force of the
enemy. Confiding in the long-tried valour of a British Fleet, he
was determined, however, to dispute the palm with them. Monsieur
Guichen, previous to his arrival, had paraded before St. Lucia,
seemingly with a view of attempting something; but Rear-Admiral
Hyde Parker and General Vaughan had evidently made such judicious
dispositions, as deterred him from even a partial trial of force.
Sir George Rodney soon returned the visit, and offered battle,
which was not accepted. Leaving some coppered frigates to watch
their motions, he returned to Gros Islet Bay.
In the night of the 15th of April, De Guichen put to sea, and was
quickly followed, when a general chace ensued. At the close of day
on the 16th, the English formed into line, and a series of able
manœuvring on both sides took place next morning. At eleven the
conflict began, which ended after four, when the enemy bore away.
The English Fleet, obliged to repair its damages, could not pursue.
Most tremendous was the fire of the Sandwich, Admiral Rodney's
ship, upon that day, and so visible were its effects, that it is
impossible to calculate what can be achieved by Britons, when their
valour is let loose, against any force, however great. Captain
Carey, of Marines, was wounded in the Grafton, and Lieut. Herriot,
who now so ably conducts a well-known paper entitled _The Sun_, in
the Elizabeth.
Regaining sight of the French Fleet, they run for shelter under the
guns of Guadaloupe upon the 20th. The talents of Captain Young, of
the Sandwich, were peculiarly displayed upon this occasion, and
were most auxiliary to the Commander in Chief. Thus was the Empire
of these Seas recovered by an inferior Fleet, which was productive,
however, only of a flimsy triumph, as there were no English troops
to follow it up by an attack upon their islands. English commerce,
however, was protected, while that of the French suffered much. Two
other actions of lesser note were fought on the 15th and 19th of
May, but equally indecisive.
The spirited countenance of Captain, now Admiral Cornwallis, off
Monte Christi, in the Lion, of 64 guns, having under him the
Bristol of 50, and Janus of 44, which were opposed by Monsieur La
Motte Picquet, reputed one of the best Officers in the French Navy,
with four 74 gun-ships and two frigates, must ever be noticed as
one of the most brilliant incidents of the American war.
It has been the lot of that brave man, to have saved to his
Country, in two instances, a respectable portion of her Naval
forces, when apparently doomed to fall and overwhelmed by numbers.
With his little squadron he resisted, successfully, this united
attack, through the night of the 20th of March, and on the
following day maintained the unequal combat nearly three hours. On
the 22d the English Ruby, of 64 guns, and two frigates appeared,
with which he, in turn, became the pursuer of La Motte Picquet,
who, by his own account, and in the true spirit of a Frenchman,
asserted his claim _to two hearts_, as being emblematical of his
courage.
Some single actions were fought during 1780, that would have done
honour to any period of our maritime greatness.
Amongst these may be noticed the capture of La Capricieuse, of
44 guns, by La Prudente frigate. Captain Waldegrave, now Lord
Radsdale. Speaking of the conduct of his Marines on this occasion,
he says, "In justice to Lieutenant Banks of the Marines, I must
beg leave to observe to their Lordships, that his party behaved
with the utmost steadiness and bravery, keeping up a regular and
constant fire from the beginning of the action, till necessity
called them to the great guns, when they shewed an equal share of
spirit and good order."
Another terminated in the taking of La Nymphe by the Flora, Captain
Peere Williams, which was manned principally by landsmen, and a
raw party of Marines. Soon after the conflict began, the Flora's
wheel was shot away, when both ships fell on board each other. This
afforded some instances of individual gallantry, by repelling the
enemy's boarders, and by the British returning the compliment, and
eventually striking the flag of La Nymphe. Although complete adepts
in the small sword, still it proved unavailing against the cutlass
and the axe.
Lieutenant, now Captain Busigny of Marines, very much distinguished
himself, and his sword bore marks of his valour.
Although not properly within my scope, still the bravery of Captain
Moore in the Fame privateer of Dublin, cannot pass unnoticed. It
reflected honour upon his Country. In his little ship of 24 guns
and 108 men, he attacked five sail of the enemy formed into line,
carrying 54 guns and 167 sailors. Four out of that number were
taken, and recompensed his courage by their wealth.
The alertness of a British Seaman, whose name cannot be retraced,
was the means of developing sufficient matter for reprisals against
the Dutch, upon the 20th of December. Never did there appear
such a scene of low intrigue, and selfish cunning as in these
papers which were saved from the ocean. They betrayed a treaty
of commerce, which had existed, in secret, ever since 1778, with
the rebel states, which would have been soon cemented by one of
alliance, under the same dark cover, if this disaster had not
discovered all, and brought down the vengeance of Britain for such
perfidy.