Twenty thousand Marines formed the establishment of 1799.
An event truly brilliant in itself, and most important in its
results, claim a merited precedence in my narrative of the
transactions of this year. I mean, the noble defence of St.
Jean d'Acre, in the land of Palestine. Yielding to the habitual
sentiments of my mind, I am always led to exult in any occasion,
upon which the energies of the Soldier, but more especially of my
corps, have been conducive to the protection, or the aggrandisement
of commerce. It constitutes the very vitals of our Country, and
demands the fostering care of every member of it. The world is well
apprized of the ambitious views which directed the expedition of
Bonaparte to Egypt. Although his army had been cut off from all
intercourse with France ever since the decisive battle of Aboukir,
still the inventive resources of his genius had established
within a few months, a little independent Empire guided by social
institutes, and a regulated police. Versatile and accommodating in
his principles, they always veered with his interests, and he knew
human nature too well not to make them subservient to the religious
prejudices of these superstitious natives, over whom he had usurped
a government. Wherever hostility appeared, it was successively
overcome, and his dominion over Lower Egypt might be said to have
been complete at the opening of 1799.
This solid position, on the high road to our valuable possessions
in the East, soon awakened all the active jealousy of the British
Nation. Although secrecy had marked the steps of this unprincipled
and hypocritical crusader, still they were guessed at, and traced
by an enlightened Cabinet.
Sir Sidney Smith was selected to arrange and animate a plan for
chacing this encroacher from his strong holds, who sailed from
England for Constantinople, vested both with diplomatic as well as
military powers, in the Autumn of 1798.
Having reached the Ottoman Capital, he, in union with his brother,
discussed and signed a treaty of triple alliance between Great
Britain, Russia, and the Turk. The outlines of future operations
were also framed, which suggested an attack by the Pacha Djezzar
from the deserts of Syria, upon the frontiers of Lower Egypt, who
was to be seconded by an Army, penetrating across Asia Minor,
while a maritime diversion took place at the different mouths of
the Nile, and the remnants of Mourad Bey's forces, already twice
defeated, should adopt a harassing system from the Upper Province.
Bonaparte having learned the active views of Djezzar, and the
arrival of Sir Sidney, which foreboded instantaneous hostility,
resolved to anticipate their schemes, and to march into Syria.
After having adjusted all his measures in Lower Egypt, he put
his Army in motion early in February, consisting nearly of 12000
men.--To detail his progress across the deserts would exceed my
limits.
Upon the 10th of that month Bonaparte, in person, left Cairo to
head his troops, whom he joined at El Arisch on the 17th; which
village and its castle, were completely gained on the 25th. Ghazah
likewise surrendered, and Jaffa, that theatre of his indelible
crimes, was carried by storm upon the 7th of March. After the
most incredible hardships, and many a harassing contest with the
numerous Mamelukes, the French Army ascended the heights which
command St. Jean d'Acre, upon the morning of the 18th of March, and
commenced its investment.
Sir Sidney had employed this momentous interval, in a train of
judicious measures. Leaving Constantinople on the 19th of February,
he arrived off Alexandria upon the 3d of March, where he relieved
Commodore Trowbridge, and assumed the command of the Naval Forces.
That city had been long closely blockaded by Capt. Hood, and Sir
Sidney, anxious to divert the French from their purposes against
Syria, commenced its bombardment, but perceiving it fruitless, he
proceeded for that coast in order to rally its affrightened Pacha,
and to intercept the battering cannon destined for the siege of St.
Acre, which he well knew must be transported by sea.
His conceptions were most prophetic, and all his plans were
executed in a masterly stile. Reaching Caiffe upon the 11th of
March, he afterwards steered for St. Jean d'Acre, where he arrived
on the 15th, and concerted a system of defence with Djezzar.
On the 18th he chaced and captured the looked for flotilla off
Cape Carmel, afterwards landed the ammunition it contained, and
mounted the heavy cannon upon the ramparts of the Syrian bulwark
and capital. Its works were much strengthened under the able eye
of Colonel Philippeaux, and never were a few critical hours better
applied than those which preceded the investment of St. Acre. The
greater part of the Marines of the Tygre, Theseus, and Alliance
were disembarked, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel (now
Sir John) Douglas, who was vested by Sir Sidney with the Brevet
Commission of Colonel, in order that the Turkish Forces, and the
Seamen, who were also landed, might be under his orders.
From the 17th to the 23d of March the boats of the Tygre and
Theseus were constantly employed in union with some gun vessels,
in harassing the enemy's posts, checking his approaches, and
cutting off his coasting supplies, upon which services Lieutenant
Burton and the Marines under his command were distinguished for
persevering gallantry.
Upon the 20th the French opened their trenches against the front
of the salient angle, on the East side of the town, and within 900
yards. Between that and the 1st of April, they kept up a cannonade,
when it appearing to the enemy that a breach had been made in the
tower, against which their fire had been levelled, and conceiving
also that the counterscarp had suffered from a mine they had
sprung, the republicans advanced to storm it. In both, however,
they were deceived; and though the Turks were at first panic
struck, yet stimulated by the heroic examples of the Seamen and
Marines, they returned to their post, and continued to pour down
a shower of stones and grenades upon the assailants, until they
retired with a heavy loss.
The squadron having been driven from its anchorage in the
Bay, encouraged the French to push on their approaches to the
counterscarp, a part of which they destroyed, and also made a
lodgment in the North East angle of the wall, whence they began
to undermine the tower. To avert its effects a sortie was deemed,
advisable on the 7th of April, in which the British Seamen and
Marines were to dash into the mine, while the Turks were to attempt
the republican trenches to the right and left. Colonel Douglas
led this attack, in three columns, at the head of each of which
were the Marines, just before the break of day, and it would, most
probably, have been a surprize, if the undisciplined clamour of
their Mahometan Allies, had not proclaimed their approach to the
enemy.
This handful of Seamen and Marines carried the first and second
lines of the French trenches, parallel to the mine, although
defended by the flower of Buonaparte's Army, and maintained them,
until the mine was destroyed by the gallant exertions of Lieutenant
White and his Sailor pioneers. That Officer very much distinguished
himself, and with many others, who were badly wounded, was indebted
for an escape from captivity to the cool intrepidity of Sir John
Douglas and the remains of his little detachment, who bore them off
into the garrison amidst a tremendous fire from the enemy.
I must here pause to render justice to the memory of one of the
mildest and bravest of men, who unfortunately fell upon that day.
I mean Major Thomas Oldfield of the corps of Marines. No eulogy
of mine is necessary to adorn his tomb. I go to the records of a
brave foe, where his epitaph is written, and who witnessed and
recognized his valour. It is the honest testimony of a Soldier--of
Gen. Berthier, whose own name has often been conspicuous amongst
the splendid details of the Armies of France. He speaks in these
emphatic terms: "On the 18th Germinal (7th April) the enemy, at
break of day, came on with an attack on our left and our centre;
each column was headed by British Marines belonging to the ships,
and their colours were seen waving with those of Djezzar, and the
batteries were all manned by English troops. The enemy made an
attempt to surprize our advanced posts; but their design was seen
through. We received them with a brisk fire from our parallels,
and all that appeared were either killed or wounded. The enemy
ultimately retired without gaining an inch towards destroying our
works. The central column acted with more obstinacy. Their object
was to penetrate to the entrance of our mine; they were commanded
by Major Thomas Oldfield. He advanced boldly towards the entrance
of the mine, at the head of some of his intrepid countrymen; they
attacked like heroes, and were received by heroes; death only
checked their bold career; the remainder retreated, and took refuge
in the fortress. The approaches of our parallels remained covered
with the dead bodies of English and of Turks. The corpse of Major
Thomas Oldfield was carried off by our Grenadiers, they brought
him to our Head Quarters, he was on the point of death, but on his
arrival he was no more. His sword, to which he had done so much
honour, was also honoured after his fall--it remains in the hands
of one of our Grenadiers; he was buried amongst us, and has carried
with him the esteem of the whole French Army."
This was the effusion of a brave enemy. I will superadd the
animated address of Sir Sidney Smith to a meeting of the
Anniversary of the Naval Asylum, on the 2d of June, 1802, and with
it shall close this tributary theme.
After having spoken of the many virtues of the amiable Captain
Miller, Sir Sidney thus enlarges upon the merits of his departed
friend, Major Oldfield:--"The next is Major Oldfield, of the
Marines. I will tell the company where the body of this brave man
was contended for, and they will judge where and how he died; it
was a sortie of the garrison of St. John D'Acre, when attacked by
General Buonaparte, that Major Oldfield, who commanded a column,
was missing. On our troops advancing he was found--his body was
found at the mouth of one of the enemy's mines, and at the foot of
their works. Our brave men hooked him by the neckcloth as he lay
dead, to draw him off; the enemy at the same time pierced him in
the side with a halbert, and each party struggled for the body. The
neckcloth gave way, and the enemy succeeded in dragging to their
works this brave man; and here I must do them justice, which such
gallant foes are justly entitled to, they buried him with all the
honours of war."
Lieut. Beattie, of Marines, was wounded in this ever-memorable
sortie, which reflected a bright lustre upon all that composed it.
The personal attention of Buonaparte to the operations of the siege
was soon after diverted to another object, in repelling the bold
attacks of the Samaritan Arabs, whom, by a train of able measures,
he beat in every part of an extended line, and drove them across
the Jordan.
My bounds will not allow me to detail the many incidents of this
brilliant siege, where perseverance was constantly opposed to
vigorous effort.
On the 1st of May, the French having cannonaded and made a breach,
they a fourth time risqued a storm, but they were repulsed with
heavy loss. The flanking fire from two ravelins run out on each
side of the enemy's nearest approach, and in which the Marines
of the Tigre and Theseus, to the admiration and gratitude of the
Turkish garrison, worked and fought, though exposed to an incessant
discharge upon them, contributed chiefly to the salvation of the
place upon that day. The disposition of those ships, and of the
inferior craft, was so judicious, that the republican trenches were
unceasingly annoyed. These progressive duties afforded many tests
of Naval zeal and courage. The early fall of Captain Wilmot, of
that Corps, was felt a heavy loss, as he was an excellent Officer
and a worthy man. The unfortunate death of Colonel Philippeaux
would have been considered as an irretrievable disaster, if it had
not been compensated by the active talents of Sir John Douglas,
upon whom devolved the additional cares of an Engineer. These were
much lessened by the co-operating abilities of Sir Sidney Smith,
whose scientific and comprehensive mind promptly embraces a wide
scope of knowledge, and its dictates are ever quickly pushed into
action by the energies of a resolute soul.
The ravelins upon which the Marines worked, within ten yards of
the enemy's approaches, were in a progress of completion between
the 2d and 8th of May, and were each night assailed by the French,
who were as often repulsed, in nine different attempts to storm,
with immense slaughter. The gallantry of my Corps, in all, exceeds
praise. Many sorties were made to incommode their covering works,
and most unprecedented were the bodily fatigues and mental anxiety
of all.
The republicans had some time past opened with heavy guns,
which they had received from Jaffa, and from which a serious
impression was made upon the works of the garrison. Resorting to
fresh expedients, Buonaparte tried to effect a new breach in the
eastern curtain, by a sap and mine; but the unremitting activity
of the brave defenders of Acre, by making approaches under ground,
destroyed the frame-work and his hopes. Again directing his attacks
upon the Tower, an effort to establish a lodgment in the glacis was
once more unavailing.
Fifty-one days of vindictive and unceasing contest, save those
short intervals necessary to recruit exhausted nature, had elapsed,
when the garrison beheld their long-expected reinforcements under
Hassan Bey.
Foiled in every essay to carry the place, Buonaparte saw with
grief and disappointment this flotilla, which was to blast all
his ambitious schemes, and to relieve his now almost worn-out
opponents. With a desperate ardour, impelled by wounded pride,
he lost not a moment to prepare and advance to the assault, in
the sanguine idea that by one bold effort he might consummate his
ardent wishes before Hassan's troops could land. At ten, on the
night of the 7th of May, the carnage began. Mr. Scroder, Master's
Mate of the Theseus, from an 18 pounder in the Light House Castle;
a 24, under Mr. Jones, Midshipman of the Theseus, mounted in the
north ravelin, and two 68 pound carronades, under the direction
of Mr. Bray, carpenter of the latter ship, which threw shells
from two germes in the Mole, added to the Turkish musquetry,
committed dreadful havoc amongst the French columns in moving on
to the attack. Much might be said were I to diverge upon the many
chequered events of the night and the following day. The morning's
dawn displayed the enemy's standard flying on the outer angle of
the Tower, which their intrepidity had carried, having ascended on
its ruins. Here they made a lodgment by two traverses across the
ditch, constructed and filled with sand bags, and the bodies of
their dead.
Feeble is my panegyric of the unsurpassed heroism, the decisive
resources, the conciliating address, and bold expedients of Sir
Sidney Smith, during 25 hours of almost constant action. They have
been but rarely equalled, and will never be outdone. He was well
seconded by his able coadjutor Sir John Douglas, who combines a
natural perseverance of character with the most manly judgment.
Their virtues transcended to every subordinate rank, and animated
all.
The British uniform was every where, even in the individual, a
rallying point, and my Countrymen and my Corps, through this
unrivalled defence, lay claim to the pre-eminent glory of having
fixed a barrier to the boundless ambition of Buonaparte, and
of republican France. Egypt was conquered at Acre, and India
preserved. The Turks, aroused by the daring examples of a few
British Seamen and Marines, performed feats of enthusiastic valour,
and the French were driven, with immense slaughter, from every hold.
The dispirited and reduced state of the Army before Acre, in
consequence of these heavy losses, urged Buonaparte to withdraw
the division of Kleber, from the fords of the Jordan. Much was
anticipated from this Corps, from its recent good conduct near to
Nazareth. It was early destined to ascend that breach, in which
so many of their countrymen had fallen victims. But the gallant
sortie of a Turkish regiment, anxious to wipe away the stigma
of indiscipline, cut out sufficient work for them, and carried
the third parallel of the enemy. Their forward zeal exposed them
to some loss in pushing on to the second trench; but they found
sufficient employ for Kleber, who, instead of proceeding against
the breach, was obliged to devote all his efforts to regain his
works.
The attacks upon the 10th of May, were the last vigorous essays of
the French to carry St. Acre. Hitherto, lavish of blood, Buonaparte
saw its ineffectual waste, and the Soldiery perceiving themselves
offered up as daily sacrifices to his insatiable ambition, lost
all their ardour. Unrestrained by the principles of honour, he
resorted to the blackest treachery, and the unexampled refuge of a
Soldier--that of poisoning his opponent, and demanding a cessation
of arms, in order to break it. His vain attempt to subdue a brave
garrison during this sacred interval, in one day withered all his
laurels, most impressively delineated his genuine character, and
will one day be numbered amongst his crimes, by the historian of
that country which he now rules with tyrannic despotism.
Precluded from every hope of success, Buonaparte retreated in
disorder from before the walls of Acre, during the night of the
20th of May, Sir Sidney and his brave associates did not fail to
pursue him, and to annoy his flying columns along the sea beach,
while the Arabs, assembled by his counsels, harassed their rear.
Thus ended this memorable siege, during which, 53 British Seamen
and Marines were killed, 13 drowned, 113 wounded, and 32 taken
prisoners. It has immortalized every gallant fellow who bore a part
in it.
The services of Sir Sidney Smith and Colonel Douglas did not
terminate here. Although in many instances they were unfortunate,
through Turkish indiscipline, they were still splendid in their
nature, and momentous in their consequences.
Sir Sidney, returning to Cyprus, by his zeal and the general esteem
in which he was held, raised an army of 13,000 men, which, being
united to the Turkish fleet, and some English Seamen and Marines,
proceeded to Aboukir, were landed, and headed by Colonel Douglas,
who volunteered to lead them against Buonaparte in person. The
Turks taking flight, were all either killed or taken, and their
Chief, with Colonel Bromley, a French Emigrant Officer, owed their
preservation from the sabres of the republican cavalry by riding
into the sea, where they were picked up by Sir Sidney, who bravely
rowed in shore, and kept their pursuers in awe, with a field-piece
in the bow of his boat.
A second army, collected from Rhodes and other islands, attacked
the French at Damietta, under Sir Sidney and Colonel Douglas,
destroyed their magazines there, and had erected cannon against
the French redoubt; but Turkish disobedience and insubordination
subjected this mass to a disaster similar to that of Aboukir.
Sensible of Colonel Douglas's professional talents, the Grand
Vizier entreated Sir Sidney to permit his repairing to Jaffa, in
order to organize his army there; he accordingly went thither.
Colonel Douglas, during four months, shared in the scanty
allowances of the Ottoman army, subsisting upon two ounces of rice
daily, sent from the Vizier's table, at which no Christian can
sit; drinking brackish water, and constantly sleeping in the open
air of the desert. Under all these pressures and privations, the
energies of that Officer were, however, so great, that he gained
possession of the wells of El-Arisch; seized a supply of provisions
there, of which the troops were in utter need, carried the place,
and by that means kept together the Ottoman army, on the eve of
self-dissolution.
Monsieur Cazel, the French Commandant, who delivered up his sword
to the Colonel, avowed that its conquest was almost solely achieved
by the gallant British detachment which he led.
This important key to the Syrian desert, again restored to its
proper owners, facilitated the convention of El-Arisch, by which
the whole French army was to evacuate Egypt, and return home. This
having been subsequently cancelled, afforded a fresh field for the
valour of my Corps upon its shores.
The following letter from the Grand Vizier to Sir Sidney Smith,
fully identifies his grateful sense of the merits of Colonel, now
Sir John Douglas, of Marines.
"To the Commander of his Britannic Majesty's Fleet, to our
much-esteemed and beloved friend Sir Sidney Smith, our best
greeting. May your destiny be ever prosperous, and your health
flourishing.
"We send you by the present our friendly advice and information
concerning his Britannic Majesty's Officer, Colonel Douglas, to
make known unto you, that, during his stay at, and co-operation
with the army under our command, he has evinced not only the
greatest activity and skill, but also the most undaunted courage
and bravery. As his glorious and faithful services have afforded
us the highest satisfaction, so do we wish the same may prove to
him most honourable and advantageous; and as we think it just and
expedient for all Powers and Sovereigns nobly to reward eminent
merit, so have we written this letter, for the express purpose,
to beg you to transmit to our dear, most respected, and great
friend and ally, the King of Great Britain, a faithful narrative
of Colonel Douglas's gallant behaviour, that accordingly he may be
raised to the rank he so well deserves. We hope and trust, that at
the receipt of our letter, you will act in conformity with this
sincere desire.
"L. S.
"Given at our camp, before El-Arisch,
"Feb. 2, 1800."
Sir John Douglas has lately received a solid mark of his country's
approbation, in a pension of 400_l_. a year, commencing from that
day upon which Buonaparte retreated from the walls of St. Acre.
It was the destiny of my Corps to participate in a short, but
brilliant campaign, which drove the French out of the Neapolitan
kingdom, and restored its Monarch to the throne.
Amongst the followers of the fallen fortunes of his Sicilian
Majesty, in his retreat to Palermo, was Cardinal Ruffo, whose
enterprizing genius planned the loyal design of paving the way
for the return of his self-exiled King, to the former seat of his
power. Repairing to Calabria, he quickly collected a large army, by
rekindling a spirit of royalism, exerting his clerical influence
amongst people alike fanatical and ignorant, and by alternately
exercising the functions of the Soldier and of the Cardinal.
Captain, now Sir William D'Arley, of Marines, landed singly in the
Neapolitan territory, in order to acquire a knowledge of the state,
strength, and views of the Royal party; during which period he made
many a hair-breadth escape. So judiciously did he discharge this
important mission, that the command of a district was assigned
him; he was entrusted with a high military post, in which he
continued to animate the motley army of Ruffo, by his counsels and
his energies. In a variety of actions they fought, and beat the
united French and rebel troops, who had possessed themselves of the
kingdom of Naples, and had organized it into a republic; taking
also Cotrona and Cantanzaro.
Introductory to their principal operations, the British squadron
was extremely active. In April, Captain Hallowell, with some
Seamen and Marines, obtained Procita and its castle, in the Gulf
of Naples; while Captain Knox, of my Corps, was detached to the
Isle of Ischia, which, with its strong fortress, was delivered up
without resistance.
The robberies, murders, and rapine committed by their French
friends in Italy had alienated almost every heart, and wherever an
Englishman appeared, he was greeted as the deliverer of a country
groaning under the bitterest sufferings.
A partial debarkation of some Marines and Sailors at Salerno, after
having effected its capture, was obliged to retreat, before very
superior numbers of the enemy. The cool gallantry of Lieutenant
Vyvion, of Marines, upon that occasion, gave a strong earnest of
future eminence. He was a young man of the most promising talents,
but his country and his brethren have now to deplore his subsequent
fall.
Cardinal Ruffo, learning the evacuation of Naples, and the defeats
of the French armies by the Russian General Suwarrow, put in motion
his army towards that Capital; part of which he gained upon the day
of St. Anthony's feast. Exceeding his powers, a treaty which he
had concluded with the Members of the Republican Government, and
the Patriots in the Forts, was cancelled by his Sicilian Majesty,
and the transports in which they were embarked for Toulon, were
blockaded by the British squadron.
Many of the rebel party, united with their allies the French,
retiring to the strong holds of St. Elmo, Ovo, and Nuova, it was
judged expedient to land the Marines, who, with other auxiliaries,
were destined to reduce them. On the 27th of June they were
disembarked, to the number of 800 men, under the following
Officers, who had the honour of accomplishing the important
services that ensued, with much credit.
Lieut. Colonel Strickland, Commanding Officer.