Twenty thousand Marines constituted the force of 1798.
No occurrences worthy of particular remark happened this year
either in Asia or America; but few opportunities presented to
signalize our Navy, and these were of an inferior rate, while the
diminished territory of our enemies in both, left but a limited
range for further conquest.
The possession of Port-au-Prince, and its dependencies in the
island of St. Domingo was relinquished, after a struggle truly
honourable to our soldiery and squadrons; but in which the loss of
many lives, and an immense expenditure, were unhappily involved.
It is to the shores of the Mediterranean and the coasts of Africa,
the eye is called to witness scenes of insatiable ambition, but of
unrivalled glory.
At this era France had overcome her numerous foes by the
enchantments of her principles, the charms of her gold, or the
terror of her arms. Hitherto she had almost supported her immense
armies within those provinces she had subdued, or the countries she
had invaded. Peace shut the channel of such resources, as there
were now but scanty gleanings from an unabating rapacity, which had
desolated every soil that had been visited by her citizens.
An army, long inured to plunder and to victory, became a natural
object of jealousy within the bosom of their Country. One enemy,
manly in politics, unexhausted in wealth, and unbended in attitude,
continued to oppose this insinuating monster, too long arrayed in
the borrowed garb of freedom. The riches of our island, and the
virtues of its natives, had each their effects in stimulating this
mass of men to farther dangers, and in attracting the hatred of a
Government, which, consciously, derived all its temporary energies
from that infidelity to God, and annihilation of every moral
principle which, by pervading France, had reconciled Frenchmen to
the commission of any act.
The title of "Invading Army of England" was bestowed upon these
extended corps, who were diverted from employing their speculative
ideas as subjects, by pointing out to them future duties as
soldiers. We may judge of this mighty force when we reflect that
its right wing alone, posted on the coasts of the Mediterranean
exceeded 40,000. At the head of it was Buonaparte, denominated the
Conqueror of Italy, and deservedly standing high as a General;
but his exploits had rendered him an object of suspicion to the
rulers of France, who were well aware of his popularity amongst the
soldiery, and his thirst for power.
An expedition to Egypt, with a view to overthrow the British power
in the East, had long been a favourite scheme of the Monarchy, and
it was revived under the Republic, which was anxious to get rid
of its legionary troops. It was well suited to the ambition of
Buonaparte, and he was an admirable agent to execute such faithless
purposes.
My limits will not allow me to indulge in farther theories, nor
can I accompany him in his unprincipled progress. Malta, that
key to all his hopes, soon fell under his intrigues; after which
he proceeded, with an unexampled secrecy, to the friendly and
unsuspecting sea-coasts of the Turkish Empire. Alexandria and Cairo
became easy and alternate conquests to his delusive promises. The
covering fleet, under De Bruix, in the mean time anchored, and
formed into order of battle, in the Bay of Aboukir, protected by
flanking batteries, and seemingly impregnable by any force.
Rear Admiral Nelson, long distinguished for the most gallant and
active zeal, was destined to oppose this formidable combination,
and to achieve one of the most brilliant Naval victories that
stands upon the annals of the world. I will forbear to dwell on an
event which is so generally appreciated, and what must be immortal
as time itself.
Captain Faddy, of Marines, fell on the memorable 1st of August,
whose widow and family recognized a protector and a friend in Lord
Nelson.
Captains J. Cresswell, John Hopkins, and Lieut. John Jewell, were
wounded; 46 Marine Soldiers were killed, and 78 were wounded.
As usual, the honorary and pecuniary gratitude of the Nation was
stretched forth to every rank amongst the conquerors, and its
Legislative Bodies conveyed their sense of such splendid deeds, in
adequate and animated terms, to all.
Upon the following day a general thanksgiving was offered up to
heaven, which made not a greater impression upon ourselves, than on
the captive Frenchmen, who could not but express their admiration
of so solemn an assemblage, at a time of seeming confusion, and
when every heart felt all the elations of success.
The Admiral also tendered his acknowledgments to all the Officers,
Seamen, and Marines, for their gallant behaviour, and for a victory
that had been gained by their discipline and good order.
No battle on the sea ever produced more signal consequences.--It
stimulated Austria to resume her arms, and aroused the effeminate
States of Italy to a sense of their glory and their danger.
Although eclipsed in comparison, still the subordinate Naval
transactions in the Mediterranean were guided by a similar spirit.
Lieut. Perry, of Marines, distinguished himself upon a voluntary
dash at the corvette Mendovi, which was carried by the boats of the
Flora, under a heavy fire from the batteries of Corigo, that brig,
and the vessels in the harbour. John Perks, private Marine, was the
only brave fellow killed in this daring attempt, and Lieut. Perry
was slightly wounded.
Captain Digby, and the crew of the Aurora, were likewise noticed
for a train of enterprize; and Captain Foote, with all his
coadjutors, in the Seahorse, by the capture of La Sensible French
frigate.
The action of Captain Manley Dixon, in the Lion, of 64, with four
heavy Spanish frigates, one of which he took, was a most brilliant
affair, in which all under his command were alike deserving.
The combat between Le Genereaux, of 74, full of men, and the
Leander, of 50, upon the 18th of August, though unfortunate in its
issue, was yet highly honourable to our arms, when the circumstance
of her diminished crew is considered. Captain Thompson, whose
conduct in the battle of the Nile had been most conspicuous, says,
that "his antagonist run the Leander on board the larboard bow,
with a view to carry her, and continued along-side for some time;
a most spirited and well-directed fire, however, from our small
party of Marines (commanded by a Serjeant) on the poop, and from
the quarter-deck, prevented the enemy from taking advantage of his
good fortune, and he was repulsed, in all his efforts to make an
impression on us."
The Leander, afterwards reduced to a wreck, surrendered to her
superior foe; but not without killing or wounding one-third of
their number. The brave Serjeant Dair and seven Marines were slain,
and nine wounded; being nearly a half of their little party.
The capture of La Legere gun-boat, by the Alemene, Captain Hope,
afforded a striking instance of intrepidity in James Harding,
Marine Drummer, and John Taylor, Seaman, on board the British
frigate. Although going through the water more than five miles an
hour, yet, observing a packet of dispatches to have been thrown
overboard from the republican vessel, they dashed into the sea and
recovered them, at the imminent risk of their lives; those fine
fellows were, however, picked up by a boat, and each of them was
rewarded by a pension of 20_l_. a year, from the Corporation of
London. The contents were of much importance, as being from the
National Convention to their General Buonaparte, in Egypt. Harding
afterwards shared upwards of 200_l_. from the galleons taken on the
16th of October, by the Alemene and others.
So sensible was the Common Council of London of their merits, and
so anxious to recompence them, that they made special enquiry,
through their clerk, to the Board of Admiralty, in order to
ascertain the circumstances and families of those brave men, and
the above annuity was consequent upon that investigation.
On the 28th of October the fortified island of Goza, about five
miles to the North-west of Malta, belonging to the Knights of that
Order, surrendered to Captain Ball, of the Alexander; when Captain,
now Major Cresswell, with a party of Marines, took possession of it.
The detachments from the Leviathan and Centaur had the honour of
being attached to the Army, under General Stuart, to whom, and the
squadron under Commodore Duckworth, the important island of Minorca
capitulated, on the 15th of November, after a trifling resistance,
and without the loss of one British Soldier.
His Sicilian Majesty took refuge on board of Lord Nelson's ship,
and retired to Sicily on the 21st of December, as the French had
possessed themselves of Naples. It fell to the lot of a branch
of my Corps, under Lieut. Colonel Strickland, to be highly
instrumental in restoring that Prince to the Neapolitan throne, in
a short but brilliant campaign, during the summer of the ensuing
year.
Few periods of our Naval history have presented so many instances
of achievement on the home station, as that under discussion.
On the 21st of March a desperate action was fought between the
Mars and La Hercule, of nearly equal force, both ships touching
during the space of one hour and a half. English valour at last
prevailed, but with a heavy loss. Captain Alexander Hood, who
blended in himself all the talents and virtues of his ancestors,
fell in the moment of victory; and Captain Joseph White, of
Marines, shared his fate, while discharging the duty of a gallant
Officer.
Much do I lament in not being able to commemorate the _names_ of
five brave privates of my Corps, who, with an habitual intrepidity,
attempted to board the enemy, but dropping into the sea, were
crushed between the sides of the contending ships.
The defence of the little islands of St. Marcou, against an
immense flotilla of the enemy, manned with nearly 8000 Soldiers,
is inferior to none of the many exploits of our arms. Garrisoned
chiefly by Marines, I am well assured that their cool courage on
the 7th of May was never surpassed, and it was indeed evidenced
by a scene of carnage amongst their enemies, while their own
casualties were limited to Thomas Hall, private, killed; Richard
Dunn and Thomas Williamson, privates, and Thomas Banks, Seaman,
wounded. The attack having been levelled against the westernmost
island, although both were in the line of shot, prevented any
efforts on the part of Lieut. Bourne, who commanded on the eastern
battery. Much might have been otherwise expected from the abilities
of that Officer, and the system of discipline he invariably
maintained. He would have also been well seconded by Lieut.
Lawrence, of my Corps, whose gallantry upon an ulterior occasion
fully justifies my assertion.
Nothing could exceed the steadiness of Lieuts. Maughan and Ensor,
of Marines. It was worthy of the Country and the service, whose
honour was in their hands.
Lieutenant (now Captain) Charles P. Price also mentioned the
conduct of Serjeant Henderson, of the Royal Artillery, in handsome
terms. Indeed that body is outdone by none in the world, wherever
it is called forth.
The capture of La Seine, French frigate, on the 29th of June, drew
forth the encomiums of Captains Stirling and Milne, of the Jason
and Pique, upon the spirit of Lieutenants Symes and Macdonald. The
former of these amiable young men has now paid the debt of nature,
but he will long be remembered by his friends. Lieutenant Ross was
much distinguished in a very daring affair in the port of Corigiou,
upon the morning of the 4th of August. After having carried the
corvette Adventurier, a contrary wind sprung up, which exposed her,
nearly two hours, to the fire of all the batteries, working out in
a narrow passage which was at last effected. That Officer is also
now no more.
Notwithstanding all the boasts of invasion, still the French dared
not any thing upon a scale of consequence. A few frigates landed
General Humbert, who, with his followers, were made prisoners in
Ireland; but not without making a respectable opposition.
It was reserved for our naval bulwarks to render abortive another
attempt, and to give some creditable earnests of their Officers'
talents and courage. On the 12th of October, Le Hoche of 80, the
frigates Bellone, Coquille, and Ambuscade were taken by Sir John
Warren's squadron. The decisive spirit of that gallant and rising
character Captain Graham Moore, was fully shewn in the prompt
attack of La Resolue of 40 guns, and taking her before she could be
supported by her consort. They were both superior in force to the
Melampus. The conduct of Lieutenant Hole, and his party of Marines
was mentioned in gratifying terms.
On the 20th of October another action, alike brilliant, was fought
between the Fishguard, Captain Martin, and L'Immortalité, which,
after a spirited contest of more than two hours, ended in the
Frenchman's surrender.
Lieutenant Gerrard, of Marines, was wounded upon that occasion.
So uniformly respectable, was the course of that Officer's life,
and so creditable his services, that it may not be amiss to state
here, a very honorable testimony subsequently bestowed upon him,
from the Officers, Seamen, and Marines of the Fishguard. The gift
of a sabre and belt was accompanied to him, with the following
very flattering eulogium: "This sabre and belt are presented to
1st Lieut. Gerrard, of Marines, by those who served with him on
board his Majesty's ship Fishguard, in memory of the action with
L'Immortalité, the 20th October, 1798, the boarding expeditions
at the Saintes, Penmarks, Quimper, Noirmoutier, St. Matthew, St.
Andero, and Corrunna; on which he served as a volunteer, and bore
so distinguished a part." He has recently been appointed to an
Adjutancy at Plymouth vacated by the promotion of Captain Perceval.
La Loire frigate was engaged by the Mermaid, of 32, Captain Newman,
who, after the most persevering courage, was obliged to relinquish
the unequal combat, which afforded an additional test of the
zealous intrepidity of Captain Durham, in the Anson, who, although
much disabled by the prevailing gales, attacked and carried her
after an hour and one quarter's dispute. First Lieut. W. A.
Bell, of Marines, was wounded, and Captain Durham acknowledges
the services he derived from him, as well as Lieutenant Derring,
who superintended the carronades of the Anson, during the fight.
The privates James Cummings and Robert Dillon were also wounded.
Captain Countess, in the Ethalion, likewise took his bird.
By such successive exploits, was the invasion of Ireland averted,
and so important were they deemed by the Nation, that its public
thanks were expressed to Sir J. Warren, his Officers, Seamen, and
Marines.
An unfortunate meeting between the Ambuscade and La Bayonnaire,
of equal force, closed the transactions of 1798. So habituated
are Englishmen to conquer on the sea, that they never reckon upon
many accidents to which contests, on that element, are subject.
The courage of Captain Jenkins could not compensate for his want
of fortune. He and Lieutenant Sinclair, of Marines, were badly
wounded, before the colours were struck, and the enemy, for once,
successfully availed themselves of a panic, occasioned by the
bursting of a gun, to gain her by boarding.