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THE LIFE
OF
ADMIRAL VISCOUNT EXMOUTH
BY EDWARD OSLER, ESQ.
For every virtue, every worth renowned,
Sincere, plain hearted, hospitable, kind;
Yet like the mustering thunder when provoked,
The dread of tyrants, and the true resource
Of those who under grim oppression groaned.
THOMSON.
A New and Revised Edition.
LONDON:
GEO. ROUTLEDGE & CO., FARRINGDON-STREET
AND 18, BEEKMAN-STREET, NEW YORK.
1854
London:
Printed by STEWART and MURRAY,
Old Bailey.
TO
THE NAVY,
The Bulwark of their Country,
AND
WHOSE TRIUMPHS ARE THE PRIDE OF HER HISTORY,
THIS WORK
IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED.
PREFACE.
At the commencement of hostilities, whose extent and duration none can
foresee, it is the wisdom of those to whom England will hereafter commit
the honour of her Flag to study well the example of the great
sea-officers whose services illustrate the annals of their country.
Among these bright examples, none is more worthy of careful study than
Admiral Lord Exmouth. Entering the service a friendless orphan, the
success which he achieved by merit alone is most encouraging to all who
must rise by their own deserts. In his perfect seamanship, his mastery
of all that relates to his profession, his zeal and energy, his
considerate forethought, his care to make his crews thorough seamen, and
the example by which he spurred and encouraged them, the secret may be
found, not less available to others, of his many brilliant successes,
and of the little loss with which he obtained them. His truly parental
care for his young officers to train them to their duties and to advance
their interests, as conspicuous when commander-in-chief as in his first
frigate, is a lesson for all in authority. Nor will his personal
qualities be less admired: the honourable independence which he
maintained as an officer and a peer, and the moral excellence which
marked his life, and was finally proved on his death-bed.
And here I may relate an anecdote, as the praise it gives is only for
the subject of the biography, and for which I am indebted to
Vice-Admiral Sir Fleetwood Pellew. Soon after the first appearance of
this work, one of the first officers in the French navy, Vice-Admiral
Bergeret, whose name appears more than once in the following pages,
presented a copy to a young relative he was sending to sea, and bade him
to learn from the example it afforded to become all that his friends and
his country could desire.
Lord Exmouth's attack on Algiers, the most memorable occasion on which
men-of-war have attacked fortifications, is peculiarly instructive now.
The immediate destruction of the enemy's works opposed to the _Queen
Charlotte_, and the comparative impunity she thus obtained, shows the
wisdom of laying the ships as close as possible, where the concentrated
fire of her batteries may overwhelm the enemy, and destroy the few guns
which alone can be opposed to her; whereas, by anchoring at a distance,
the enemy's guns from a great extent of the works may be trained to bear
on her, while her own shot strike with uncertain aim and diminished
effect. The results of this latter course may be learnt from the fate of
the floating batteries at the siege of Gibraltar, and from the
_Impregnable_ at Algiers; the ships having anchored at too great a
distance, were exposed to a destructive fire, while their own attack was
comparatively harmless.
This biography of Lord Exmouth was written at the desire and under the
eye of his eldest brother; in youth his second father, and through life
his confidential friend. Every incident relating to points of service
was supplied or corrected by officers personally engaged; and the whole
was finally revised by four officers who were the most constantly and
intimately acquainted with the Admiral--Mr. Gaze, master of the fleet in
the Mediterranean and at Algiers, and who sailed with him in every ship
from 1793 to the last day of his command; Sir Christopher Cole and
Captain Crease, his intimate friends; and his only surviving sailor son,
Captain, now Vice-Admiral Sir Fleetwood Pellew.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
FAMILY HISTORY.
Birth and education--Anecdote of early daring--Enters the
Navy--Leaves his ship, with one of his companions, at
Marseilles--Joins the _Blonde_, Captain Pownoll--His
activity--Anecdote of General Burgoyne--Instance of extraordinary
boldness--Campaign on the Lakes of Canada--Distinguishes himself in
the actions, of October 11th and 13th, 1776--Complimented by Sir C.
Douglas, Lord Howe, and Earl Sandwich--Appointed to command the
_Carleton_--Nearly takes General Arnold--Narrowly escapes being
made prisoner--Commands a brigade of seamen in Burgoyne's
campaign--In danger of killing his brother--Events of the
campaign--Constructs a bridge, by which the army crosses to
Saratoga--His brother killed in action--Recaptures a provision
vessel from the enemy--Admitted to the Council of War, and pleads
that the sailors may be exempted from the capitulation--Sent home
with despatches in a transport--Defends her against a
privateer--Promoted to be a Lieutenant. page 1
CHAPTER II.
HIS SERVICES FROM 1778 TO 1791.
Influence of the late campaigns on his character--His extraordinary
strength and activity--Narrow escapes from drowning--Appointed to
a guard-ship--Presses for active employment, and proposes to resign
his commission--Appointed to the _Licorne_--Becomes First
Lieutenant of the _Apollo_, Captain Pownoll--Action with the
_Stanislaus_, French frigate; Captain Pownoll killed, enemy driven
on shore--His letter on the occasion to Earl Sandwich--Promoted to
be a Commander--Anecdote in relation to his promotion--Appointed to
the _Hazard_--Appointed to the _Pelican_--Gallant action--Promoted
to be a Post-Captain--Appointed to the temporary command of the
_Artois_--Captures an enemy's cruiser--Anecdote of Captain
Macbride--Marriage--Appointed to the _Winchelsea_ frigate--Conduct
in her--Appointed to the _Salisbury_, Vice-Admiral
Milbanke--Anecdote of Lord Thurlow. page 28
CHAPTER III.
THE NYMPHE AND CLEOPATRA.
Becomes a farmer--Remarks on naval officers' farming--His ill
success--Omen of his future fortune--Offered a command in the
Russian Navy--Remarks on serving foreign states--War of the French
Revolution--Appointed to the _Nymphe_ 36-gun frigate--Enters a
number of Cornish miners for her--Cornish miners--Equipment and
movements of the _Nymphe_--Captain Israel Pellew joins her as a
volunteer--Sails from Falmouth--Remarkable dream of one of the
officers--Falls in with the _Cleopatra_; her high state of
equipment--Gallantry of both ships--Cap of Liberty--Action--Death
of the French Captain, Mullon; his heroism--Captain Pellew's letter
to his brother. page 47
CHAPTER IV.
THE WESTERN SQUADRONS.
Presented to the King and knighted--His liberality to the widow of
Captain Mullon--Use of carronades--He suggests the employment of
independent squadrons in the western part of the Channel, to check
the enemy's cruising frigates--Value of these squadrons--Appointed
to the _Arethusa_, and joins Sir J.B. Warren's squadron--Action of
April 23rd, 1794--Engages and captures _La Pomone_--Action of
August 23rd, 1794 A second squadron fitted out, and placed under
his orders--_Artois_ and _Revolutionaire_; chivalrous conduct of
Sir Sidney Smith--Conveys important intelligence to the
Admiralty--Appointed to the _Indefatigable_, 44--His dispute with
the Navy board--Allowed to fit her according to his own
plans--Success of them--Accuracy of his judgment on a ship's
qualities--_Indefatigable_ strikes on a rock--Sir Edward nearly
lost in attempting to save two of his people--His success on
different occasions in saving lives--Wreck of the _Dutton_ at
Plymouth--He boards her, and saves all the people--His report of
the service--Honours and rewards; created a Baronet--Captain Cole,
and _L'Unité_ French frigate--Sir Edward's letters on the occasion
to Earls Chatham and Spencer--Notice of Captain Cole--His death,
and Sir Edward's feeling--Action of _Indefatigable_ and _La
Virginie_--Conduct and gallantry of her Captain, Bergeret. page 61
CHAPTER V.
EXPEDITION AGAINST IRELAND.
State of parties--Enemy's preparations for invasion--Reflections on
Ireland--Lord Exmouth's opinion on the Roman Catholic question--Sir
E. Pellew watches Brest with his frigates--His perseverance and
hardihood--Sailing of the expedition--He embarrasses its
movements--Arrives in England--Misfortunes of the British
fleet--Enemy arrive at Bantry Bay--Prevented from landing, and
driven off the coast by gales--Reflections on the failure of the
expedition--Sir Edward puts to sea with the _Indefatigable_ and
_Amazon_--Meets and engages the _Droits de l'Homme_, 74--Finds
himself on a lee-shore, hauls off, and saves the _Indefatigable_
with difficulty--_Amazon_ wrecked--Admirable conduct of her
officers and crew--_Droits de l'Homme_ wrecked--Horrible
circumstance of her fate--Anecdote of the French
Commodore--Eventual fate of the Captain of the _Amazon_. page 86
CHAPTER VI.
THE MUTINY.
Remarks on Sir Edward's character as a seaman and an officer--His
conduct when his ship was on fire--His consideration for his
officers and men--The Duke of Northumberland--Mutiny at
Spithead--Preparations for a second invasion of Ireland--General
Daendels--Proposed expedition baffled--Sir Edward off
Brest--Proposes to burn the French fleet--Success in capturing the
enemy's cruisers--_La Vaillante_--Royalist priests and Madame
Rovère--His liberality--Appointed to _L'Impetueux_, 78--Her
mutinous state--Observations on the mutinies in the Navy, from
1797--Sir Edward's opinions on the subject--His
precautions--Attempted mutiny in the _Indefatigable_--Conspiracy in
the Channel fleet--Mutiny on board the _Impetueux_--His firmness
and promptitude in suppressing it--Court-martial--Earl St.
Vincent's opinion of his conduct--His conduct at the execution--His
decision on the court-martial on a mutineer--Illustrative
anecdote--He commands an expedition to Quiberon--Proposes to attack
Belleisle--Cruises off Port Louis--Mr. Coghlan cuts out _La
Cerbère_--He directs the landing of the army at Ferrol. page 108
CHAPTER VII.
BLOCKADE OF FERROL.--PARLIAMENTARY HISTORY.
Peace--Made Colonel of Marines--His popularity--Envy in
consequence--Anecdote--Elected M.P. for Barnstaple--State of
parties--Renewal of hostilities--Appointed to the _Tonnant_,
80--Pursues a Dutch squadron--Blockades a French squadron in
Ferrol--His seamanship and exertions in maintaining the
blockade--Difficulty of supplying the ships--His recall--Earl St.
Vincent's naval reforms--Mr. Pitt's opposition--Naval inquiry,
March 15, 1804--Sir Edward's speech--Its effect--Promoted to be a
Rear-Admiral, and appointed to be Commander-in-chief in India.
page 134
CHAPTER VIII.
SIR EDWARD'S COMMAND IN INDIA.
Character required for a Commander-in-chief--Hostility of the new
Ministry--Sir T. Troubridge sent to take the more valuable part of
the command--Oversight of the Admiralty--Dispute between the two
admirals--Sir Edward confirmed in his command--Melancholy fate of
the _Blenheim_, Sir T. Troubridge--Sir Edward sends Captain
Troubridge in search of his father--Actions in the Indian
Seas--_San Fiorenzo_ and _Psyché_--_Piedmontaise_ and _Warren
Hastings_--Ferocity of the French first lieutenant, and Sir
Edward's general order in consequence--_San Fiorenzo_ and
_Piedmontaise_--French privateers--Murderous contest between the
_Victor_ and Malay pirates--Attack on Batavia Roads, and
destruction of the shipping--Captain Fleetwood Pellew at
Samarang--Attack on Griessée, and destruction of the line-of battle
ships--Sir Edward's protection of commerce--Convoy
system--Resolutions of the Bombay merchants--His care of the
fleet--Establishes a naval hospital at Madras--Punishment: Sir
Edward's regulations--Encounters a hurricane on his homeward
voyage. page 148
CHAPTER IX.
NORTH SEA AND FIRST MEDITERRANEAN COMMANDS.
Declines an offer to be second in command in the
Mediterranean--Commander-in-chief in the North Sea; his activity
and energy--Receives the Mediterranean command--Affair off
Toulon--His expectations of a battle--Disposition of his
force--System of the fleet--His attention to discipline; to
economy--Frigate affairs off Toulon--Care of his officers--Nature
of the service in the Mediterranean--Daring of the crews--Effect of
their successes--Diplomatic responsibility--Sir Edward's anxiety
for a battle--Anecdote of Napoleon--Affair of November 5th,
1813--of February 13th, 1814--Capture of Genoa--Peace. page 170
CHAPTER X.
SECOND MEDITERRANEAN COMMAND.
Sir Edward created Baron Exmouth--His letter on the occasion--Made
Knight of the Bath--Renewal of hostilities--Resumes the command in
the Mediterranean--Services at Naples--Services at
Marseilles--Instructed to negotiate with the Barbary
Powers--Anecdote of the Pope--Causes the city and defences of
Algiers to be surveyed--Previous ignorance of the place--General
order to the fleet--Peace made with Algiers--Abolition of slavery
at Tunis and Tripoli--Second visit to Algiers--Violent discussions,
negotiation broken off, danger of the party, hostile
proceedings--Negotiation renewed--Arrangement--Lord Exmouth's
anxiety at having exceeded his instructions--Debate in the House of
Commons--Massacre at Bona--Determination of the Government to
enforce the abolition of Christian slavery. page 187
CHAPTER XI.
THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS.
Description of the defences--Force demanded by Lord
Exmouth--Surprise of the Admiralty at the small force he
required--Lord Exmouth's confidence--His entire satisfaction with
the arrangements of the Admiralty--He refuses to allow his
relations to accompany him--His promptitude--Sails--Preparations
for the battle--A Dutch squadron joins at Gibraltar--Preparations
made by the Algerines--Particulars of the battle--Fleet hauls
off--Lord Exmouth's conduct after the battle--His very narrow
escapes--Submission of the enemy--Lord Exmouth's account of the
battle, in a private letter--Closing remarks. page 200
CHAPTER XII.
LORD EXMOUTH'S RETIREMENT AND DEATH.
Honours paid him--His exertions for his officers--Thanks of
Parliament--Activity of his mind--Command at Plymouth--Trial of the
Queen--His unpopularity, and remarks on it--His independence in
politics--Catholic question--His religious principles and
conduct--Peace of his declining years--Anxiety for the safety of
the country--Death of his daughter--Death of his grandchild; his
reflection on the occasion--Made Vice-Admiral of England--Death of
Sir Israel Pellew--Lord Exmouth's attachment to the Church, and
confidence in God's protection of it--His last illness and death.
page 221
THE LIFE
OF
ADMIRAL VISCOUNT EXMOUTH
CHAPTER I.
FAMILY HISTORY.
The life and services of Lord Exmouth are of no common interest; not
more because he has advanced the reputation of his country, and
connected his name with her history, than that he began his career an
almost unfriended orphan, and rose to the highest honours of his
profession without having been indebted to fortune or to patronage. One
of the most interesting spectacles is that of rising merit struggling
from its difficulties. The most encouraging, is the honour which rewards
its exertions. The young officer, who, like him, has devoted himself to
an arduous service, with nothing to rely on but his sword, may derive
instruction from his example, and encouragement from his success.
Edward Pellew, Viscount Exmouth, descended from a family which was
settled in the west of Cornwall for many centuries, but came originally
from Normandy, where the name is still met with. After the close of the
war he received a letter from a family there, claiming kindred, and
offering the name and armorial bearings in proof. The original
orthography, "Pelleu," was retained until a comparatively recent period.
They are said to have landed at Pengersick Castle, near St. Michael's
Mount, and appear to have remained in that part of the county until the
beginning of the 17th century. They had a family tomb in Breage, a
parish on the eastern side of the Mount's Bay, in which they had
acquired property, and they still possess a small estate in that
neighbourhood. Part of this early history, it will be seen, can rest
only upon tradition; and indeed, it is of very little importance. The
weakness of seeking credit from remote ancestors, for one whose personal
honours require no further illustration, may well be exploded. But there
is one kind of ancestry where an inquiry will always be
interesting--that where the traits which distinguished the founder of a
family may be traced in the character of his forefathers.
The earliest of the family of whom anything is certainly known lived
during the great rebellion at Plymouth, where his loyalty made him so
obnoxious to the republicans, that the mob on one occasion assaulted him
on the Hoe, and plundered his house. A small piece of antique plate,
still preserved, and bearing the date 1645, was the only article of
value saved from them. His son, Captain Pellew, Lord Exmouth's
great-grandfather, served in the navy during the war of the succession.
A very fine portrait of him remains.
Humphry Pellew, the grandfather, was an extensive merchant. He held a
large property in shipping, and traded chiefly to America, where he had
purchased a valuable tobacco plantation of 2,000 acres, in Kent Island,
Maryland. Of this estate, upon which the town of Annapolis Royal is
partly built, the writings remain, but the property was lost at the
revolt of the colonies. No portion of the compensation fund voted by
Parliament was in this instance ever received; and General Washington
afterwards declared to a friend of the family, that the fact of three
of the brothers having borne arms against the States would prevent the
success of any application to the American Government.
Mr. Pellew built part of Flushing, a large village on the shores of
Falmouth harbour, including the present manor-house, in which he
resided; but this, being leasehold property, has long ago reverted to
the lord. In 1692, he married Judith Sparnon, of Sparnon and Pengelly,
in Breage, by whom he had six sons and five daughters. Mr. Pellew
maintained a high character through life, and his memory was long
preserved among the older inhabitants of the village. He died in 1721.
His son Israel married Miss Trefusis, upon whom the estate of Trefusis,
which includes Flushing, was entailed, in default of more direct heirs
from the then possessor; Thomas married Miss Whittaker, who was
grand-daughter of Viscount Fauconberg by a daughter of Cromwell; three
died unmarried; and the children of the youngest son were at length the
only male survivors of the family.
Samuel, youngest son of Humphry Pellew, commanded a Post-office packet
on the Dover station, to which he had been appointed through the
interest of the Spencer family. He was a man of great determination, and
became in consequence the subject of a characteristic song, which was
long remembered by the watermen and others at Calais. The recollections
of his family, and documents which have been preserved, show him to have
been most exemplary in the duties of private life. In 1652, he married
Constance Langford, daughter of Edward Langford, Esq., a gentleman
descended from a considerable family in Wiltshire. The co-heiress of
Edward Langford, Esq., of Trowbridge; married Henry Hyde, of Hinton,
father of the great Earl of Clarendon, and by the marriage of her
grand-daughter with James II. became the ancestor of Queen Mary and
Queen Anne. Thus connected by blood, as well as attached by principle to
the exiled family, Mr. Langford joined the standard of the Pretender in
1715, and distinguished himself at the battle of Preston. After the
Rebellion was suppressed, he escaped to the west of Cornwall, and
settled at Penzance. The Pretender took an opportunity to acknowledge
his services by a present of costly china. His daughter, Mrs. Pellew,
was a woman of extraordinary spirit. Mr. Pellew's political feelings
differed widely from those of his father-in-law. It was his practice to
make his children drink the king's health on their knees every Sunday.
He died in 1765, leaving six children, four of them boys, of whom the
eldest was at that time eleven years old, and Lord Exmouth, the second,
only eight. Three years after, an imprudent marriage of the widow
deprived the children of their remaining parent, and threw them upon the
world with scanty resources, and almost without a friend.
It has been well observed, that a general condition of distinguished
eminence is to be required to force a way to it through difficulties.
Desertion at an early age indeed subjects the individual to a most
severe trial; but where there is strength to bear the discipline, it
exalts the principle which it fails to subdue, and adds force to the
energies which it cannot tame. The Pellews were probably indebted for
much of their success, as well as for the fearless independence which
distinguished them, to the circumstances which thus compelled them from
childhood to rely only upon themselves.
Samuel Humphry, the eldest brother, was intended for the navy, and was
borne on the books of H.M.S. _Seaford_, Captain Macbride. But afterwards
devoting himself to medicine, he became one of the earliest pupils of
John Hunter, with Home, Pitcairn, and Baillie, for his class-fellows.
After serving for some time as a surgeon of marines, and assistant
surgeon to the Dockyard at Plymouth, he relinquished a partnership with
Dr. Geach, of the Royal Hospital, and settled at Truro, where he
obtained a considerable and lucrative practice. He finally became
collector of the customs at Falmouth. Gifted with a clear and active
mind, he did not confine himself to the routine of his official duties,
and his suggestions on several important subjects were adopted by the
Government. The Quarantine Law of 1800 was first proposed by him, and
framed chiefly on his suggestions; as well as a tonnage duty by which
the charges of the quarantine establishment were covered. The convoy
duty was also imposed on his recommendation; and he first proposed the
plan of warehousing goods in bond, and was much consulted during the
perfecting of the measure, by which so great facilities have been
afforded to the trade of the country--to the merchant, relief from the
necessity of locking up large amounts of capital; to the consumer,
cheapness, and a security against adulteration. Mr. Pellew served at his
post till he was fourscore years old, and for years beyond that, he
retained the freshness of feeling and enthusiasm of youth. He died in
his 90th year.
Israel, the third brother, born August 25th, 1758, was sent to sea at an
early age. He served with distinction in the American war, and was one
of the officers entrusted with the defence of posts, when the Comte
d'Estaign appeared off New York. Promoted to be a lieutenant, he cut out
a vessel so well protected by batteries, that his brother officers
thought it a service too desperate to be attempted. In command of the
armed cutter _Resolution_, he engaged and captured in the North Sea, the
Dutch privateer _Flushinger_, of fourteen guns, which had proved so
destructive a cruizer, that the merchants of Hull memorialized the
Admiralty in his favour; and Keppell, the First Lord, continued him for
three years in command of the cutter, notwithstanding the signature of
peace the day before the action, expressly to reward his gallantry and
success. He was made a commander in 1790. He was passenger in his
brother's frigate the _Nymphe_, when she gave the first earnest of the
naval successes of the war, by the capture of the _Cleopatra_; and he
contributed much to the brilliant result of the action, by taking
charge of the after quarter-deck gun, with which he disabled the enemy's
wheel. For this service he was at once promoted and appointed to a ship,
and he continued to be so actively employed, that he never once saw his
family, till after the peace. In September, 1796, his ship, the
_Amphion_, 32-gun frigate, blew up while alongside the hulk in Hamoaze,
and nearly all on board, about 300, perished. Captain Pellew was at the
moment at dinner in his cabin, with Captain Swafneld, of the
_Overyssel_, 64, and the first lieutenant. At the shock of the
explosion, which took place in the fore magazine, Captain Pellew, and
the lieutenant sprang into the quarter gallery, and were thrown into the
water and saved; Captain Swaffield perished.
Soon after the renewal of hostilities, he was appointed by Earl St.
Vincent to the _Conqueror_, one of the largest and most powerful
seventy-four's in the Navy. She carried twenty-four pounders on her
upper deck, there being only fourteen ships, out of 100 of the same
nominal force, which were so heavily armed. In her he shared with Nelson
the chase of the combined fleet to the West Indies and back, and took a
very distinguished part in the battle of Trafalgar. Following, abreast
of the _Leviathan_, the three leading ships of Nelson's column, she
engaged, captured, and took possession of the _Bucentaure_, flagship of
the commander-in-chief of the enemy, Villeneuve; and she afterwards
assisted in the capture of the _Santissima Trinidada_, and _Intrepide_.
In 1807, still in command of the _Conqueror_, Captain Pellew joined in
saving the fleet and royal family of Portugal, when the French, under
Junot, entered Lisbon; and afterwards in blockading a Russian squadron
of nine sail of the line in the Tagus, till the victory of Vimiera
placed them in the hands of the British.
He became rear-admiral in July 1810, and on his brother being appointed
commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean in the following May, he sailed
with him as captain of the fleet, to the close of the war. On the
return of Napoleon from Elba, he rejoined his brother in the same
capacity, having, on the extension of the Order of the Bath, been
appointed a knight-commander. His last service was to take a chief part
in the negotiations with the Barbary Powers, for the abandonment of
Christian slavery, in 1816. Lord Exmouth would not allow him, or any of
his family, to accompany him to the attack on Algiers, in the autumn of
that year. He died at Plymouth, June 19th, 1832, only seven months
before his brother Lord Exmouth.
John, the youngest brother, entered the army. While still a youth, he
became aide-de-camp to General Phillips in Burgoyne's campaign, and was
killed in the battle of Saratoga.
Edward, the second son of Samuel and Constance Pellew, was born at
Dover, April 19, 1757. He was named after his maternal grandfather, and
as there appeared at first but little probability that he would live, he
was baptized on the same day. Before he was quite eight years old, he
lost his father. The widow then removed with her family to Penzance,
where he was placed at school with the Rev. James Parkins, the clergyman
of the parish. Here he gave a remarkable proof of a daring spirit. A
house, in which was a considerable quantity of gunpowder, took fire; and
while every one else was afraid to approach, he went alone into the
burning house and brought out all the powder. He was afterwards sent to
the grammar school at Truro, of which the Rev. Mr. Conon was head
master, under whom he made a satisfactory progress, and before he left
could readily construe Virgil. As it was then the general practice in
schools to allow the boys to settle their own disputes, the fearlessness
of his character, and a strength beyond his years, enabled him to
maintain a very respectable position among his school-fellows. At
length, having inflicted upon some opponent a more severe punishment
than was usual in juvenile combats, the fact came under the cognizance
of the master, and to escape a threatened flogging, he ran away He told
his elder brother, who had now to act as head of the family, that he
would not return to school to be flogged for fighting, but would go to
sea directly. Happily, his inclinations were indulged, though his
grandfather, who wished him to be placed in a merchant's office,
strongly opposed the step. "So, sir," said the old gentleman, when the
boy came with his brothers to take a farewell dinner with him, "they are
going to send you to sea. Do you know that you may be answerable for
every enemy you kill? and, if I can read your character, you will kill a
great many!" "Well, grandpapa," replied young Pellew, "and if I do not
kill them, they'll kill me!"
He entered the navy towards the end of 1770, in the _Juno_, Captain
Stott, which was sent to the Falkland Islands, in consequence of the
forcible seizure of them by the Spanish squadron. It is remarkable that
this paltry dispute, which might be almost forgotten but for the
virulent invective of "Junius," and the masterly defence of the
Government by Dr. Johnson, should have given to the navy two such
officers as Nelson and Pellew; neither of whom might otherwise have
found an opportunity to join the service until they were too old, in the
five years of peace which followed. After the _Juno_ had been paid off,
Captain Stott was appointed to the _Alarm_, in which Mr. Pellew followed
him to the Mediterranean, where an unpleasant difference with his
commander made him leave the ship. Captain Stott, who had been a
boatswain with Boscawen, was an excellent seaman, but unfortunately
retained some habits not suited to his present rank. He kept a mistress
on board. Among the midshipmen was a boy named Frank Cole, who was three
years younger than Mr. Pellew, but had entered on board the _Juno_ at
the same time. Mr. Pellew was warmly attached to him. The woman had some
pet fowls, which were allowed to fly about; and one day, when the ship
was at Marseilles, and the captain absent, one of them was driven off
the quarter-deck by young Cole, which led to great abuse from the
woman, and a sharp reply from the boy. When the captain returned, he
became so much enraged by her representations, that he not only
reprimanded the youngster severely for what he termed his insolence, but
so far forgot himself as to give him a blow. This was not to be borne,
and having consulted his friend Pellew, he applied for his discharge.
Captain Stott ordered a boat immediately, for the purpose, as he said,
of turning him on shore. Pellew instantly went to the captain, and said,
"If Frank Cole is to be turned out of the ship, I hope, sir, you will
turn me out too." Their spirited conduct attracted the notice of the two
lieutenants, Keppel and Lord Hugh Seymour, and laid the foundation of a
friendship which continued through life: and Lord Hugh Seymour, finding
that the boys had no money, very kindly gave them an order on his agent
at Marseilles. Captain Stott afterwards tried to induce them to return,
but not succeeding, he gave them the highest testimonials of their
ability and desert, saying that he believed that they would become an
honour to the service. Mr. Pellew found a master of a merchant vessel on
shore, who had known his family at Dover, and now offered to take him to
Lisbon, but declined to accommodate a second passenger. Mr. Pellew
pleaded so earnestly for his young friend, and so positively refused to
leave him, that the other at length consented to give them both a
passage. From Lisbon they reached Falmouth in one of the packets. Little
could he then suppose that he was next to see Marseilles as a
commander-in-chief, and one day to save it from destruction. Twelve
years after, when he had become a post captain, and was in command of
the _Winchelsea_, he took under his protection a son of Captain Stott,
who was then dead, and did every thing in his power to promote the young
man's interests.
It was now his happiness to sail in the _Blonde_, with Captain Pownoll,
an officer who had been trained and brought forward by Admiral
Boscawen, and whose character was among the highest in the service.
Captain Pownoll soon appreciated the merit and promise of his
midshipman, who returned his kindness with almost the affection of a
son. Such mutual confidence and attachment between a captain and his
midshipman has very rarely been met with; and it was peculiarly
fortunate for Mr. Pellew, that his quick and determined character,
which, with a judgment not yet matured by experience, might have carried
him into mistakes, found a guide so kind and judicious as Captain
Pownoll.
And here it will not be uninteresting to observe how far the influence
of a great commander may extend. St. Vincent and Pownoll, who were
brought up under Boscawen, and received their lieutenant's commissions
from him, contributed materially to form a Nelson and an Exmouth; each
the founder of a school of officers, whose model is the character of
their chief, and their example his successes.
Active beyond his companions, and devoted to his profession, he soon
became a thorough seaman; while the buoyancy of youth, and his playful,
fearless spirit, prompted him continually to feats of extraordinary
daring. In the spring of 1775, General Burgoyne took his passage to
America in the _Blonde_, and when he came alongside, the yards were
manned to receive him. Looking up, he was surprised and alarmed to see a
midshipman on the yard-arm standing on his head. Captain Pownoll, who
was at his side, soon quieted his apprehensions, by assuring him that it
was only one of the frolics of young Pellew, and that the General might
make himself quite at ease for his safety, for if he should fall, he
would only go under the ship's bottom, and come up on the other side.
What on this occasion was probably spoken but in jest, was afterwards
more than realized; for he actually sprang from the fore-yard of the
_Blonde_, while she was going fast through the water, and saved a man
who had fallen overboard. Captain Pownoll reproached him for his
rashness, but he shed tears when he spoke of it to the officers, and
declared that Pellew was a noble fellow.
The revolt of the American colonies, which rose in this year to the
importance of a national war, was soon to furnish him with objects
worthy of his skill and courage. On the 10th of May the Americans
surprised Ticonderoga, and, having secured the command of Lake Champlain
by a strong squadron, were enabled to prosecute offensive operations
against Canada. Sir Guy Carleton, the governor and commander-in-chief of
that province, had very inadequate means to defend it. The enemy took
Montreal, and in the beginning of December laid siege to Quebec,
expecting an easy conquest; but their commander, General Montgomery, who
had summoned Sir Guy Carleton in the most arrogant and threatening
style, was killed on the 31st, in attempting to storm the place, and his
troops were repulsed. The siege, however, was continued by Arnold, till
Commodore Sir Charles Douglas, in the _Isis_, with two other ships under
his Orders, forced his way through the ice, much before the season at
which the river is usually open. His appearance drove the besiegers to a
hasty flight, in which they suffered such extreme privations, especially
their sick and wounded, that General Carleton most humanely issued a
proclamation, in which he ordered them to be treated as fellow-creatures
in distress; and encouraged them to claim the offered hospitality, by
assuring them that they should be unconditionally liberated as soon as
they were able to return home. At the same time, with energy equal to
his humanity, he hastened to complete the deliverance of the province.
Additional reinforcements which reached him in the spring enabled him to
give the enemy a final defeat at Trois Rivières in June, and then to
take measures for wresting from them the command of Lake Champlain; an
object essential to the security of Canada, as well as to prosecuting
offensive operations against the New England States.
Lake Champlain is a long narrow lake to the N.E. of Ontario,
communicating with the St. Lawrence a few miles below Montreal by the
river Chamblee, or Sorel. It is nowhere more than eighteen miles across,
and its average breadth does not exceed five. Below Crown Point it is a
mere channel for ten or twelve miles to its southern extremity at
Ticonderoga. Here it receives the waters from a small lake to the
southward, Lake George, but the communication, as well as that with the
St. Lawrence, is interrupted by shoals and rapids. From Lake George to
the Hudson is only six or eight miles, the sole interruption to a water
frontier from the St. Lawrence to New York, navigable for vessels of
burden for four-fifths of its length, and for bateaux nearly all the
way. The command of this line would enable the northern and southern
armies to co-operate effectually; to press on the New England States
along their whole border; to cut off all communication between them and
the rest of the Union, and to prevent any hostile attempt on Canada.
Measures were promptly taken to secure this important object.
Detachments from the King's ships at Quebec, with volunteers from the
transports, and a corps of artillery, in all, nearly 700 men, were sent
across to the Lake, there to construct, with timber felled by
themselves, and in the presence of a superior enemy, the vessels in
which they were to meet him. A party joined from the _Blonde_, under
Lieutenant Dacres, with Mr. Brown, one of the midshipmen. Mr. Pellew was
to have remained with the ship; but he appeared so much disappointed at
the arrangement, that Captain Pownoll allowed him also to go.
The season was already so far advanced, that it would have been a
creditable service only to complete the preparations for the next
campaign; but the zeal and exertions of the officers and men surpassed
all calculation. They got across to the Lake thirty long-boats, many
large flat-bottomed boats, a vast number of bateaux, and a gondola of
thirty tons, carrying them over land, or dragging them up the rapids.
The keel and floor-timbers of the _Inflexible_, a ship of three hundred
tons, which had been laid at Quebec, were taken to pieces, and carried
over to St. John's, on the Lake, where a dockyard was established, under
the superintendence of Lieutenant Schanck, an officer of extraordinary
mechanical ingenuity. Here, on the morning of the 2nd September, the
_Inflexible_ was again laid down, and by sunset, all her former parts
were put together, and a considerable quantity of additional timbers
prepared. The progress of the work was like magic. Trees growing in the
forest in the morning, would form part of the ship before night. She was
launched in twenty-eight days from laying her keel, and sailed next
evening, armed with eighteen twelve-pounders, and fully equipped for
service. Two schooners, the _Maria_, and the _Carleton_; the _Loyal
Convert_, gondola; the _Thunder_, a kind of flat-bottomed raft, carrying
twelve heavy guns and two howitzers; and twenty-four boats, armed each
with a field piece, or carriage-gun, formed, with the _Inflexible_, a
force equal to the service, where but a few days before, the British had
scarcely a boat upon the waters. No time was now lost in seeking the
enemy, and Sir Guy Carleton himself embarked with the squadron. Captain
Pringle, as commodore, sailed with Lieutenant Schanck in the
_Inflexible_. Lieutenant Dacres, with Mr. Brown and Mr. Pellew, were
appointed to the _Carleton_.
On the 11th of October, the enemy was discovered drawn up in a strong
line across the passage between Valicour, one of the numerous islands on
the lake, and the Western land; and so well concealed by the island,
that the squadron had nearly passed without observing them. They had
fifteen vessels, carrying ninety-six guns, fourteen of which were
eighteen-pounders, (eight of them traversing), and twenty-three twelves.
General Arnold commanded. The _Carleton_, being nearest to the enemy,
attacked at once, though her force was only twelve six-pounders.
Unfortunately, from the state of the wind, no other vessel could come to
her assistance, and she was obliged to engage the whole force of the
enemy single-handed. Sir Guy Carleton saw her desperate position with
extreme anxiety, but it was impossible to bring up the squadron, and he
could only send in the artillery-boats to support her. Meantime she was
suffering most severely. Very early in the action, Mr. Brown lost an
arm; and soon after, Lieutenant Dacres fell, severely wounded and
senseless. He would have been thrown overboard as dead, but for the
interference of Mr. Pellew, who now succeeded to the command. He
maintained the unequal contest, till Captain Pringle, baffled in all his
efforts to bring up the squadron, made the signal of recall, which the
_Carleton_, with two feet water in her hold, and half her crew killed
and wounded, was not in a condition to obey. In attempting to go about,
being at the time near the shore, which was covered with the enemy's
marksmen, she hung in stays, and Mr. Pellew, not regarding the danger of
making himself so conspicuous, sprang out on the bowsprit to push the
jib over. The artillery-boats now towed her out of action, under a very
heavy fire from the enemy, who were enabled to bear their guns upon her
with more effect, as she increased her distance. A shot cut the towrope,
and Mr. Pellew ordered some one to go and secure it; but seeing all
hesitate, for indeed it appeared a death-service, he ran forward and did
it himself. The result of the action was far beyond anything that could
have been expected from the excessive disparity of the force engaged;
for the _Carleton_, with the assistance of the artillery-boats, had sunk
the _Boston_ gondola, carrying an eighteen pounder and two twelves; and
burnt the _Royal Savage_, of twelve guns, the largest of the enemy's
schooners.
Arnold escaped in the night. The squadron pursued, and on the morning of
the 13th overtook him, within a few leagues of Crown Point. After a
running fight of two hours the four headmost vessels of the enemy
succeeded in reaching Crown Point, and sheltering themselves in the
narrow part of the lake beyond it. Two others, the _Washington_ and
_Jersey_, were taken; and the rest were run on shore and burnt by their
own crews. The enemy then set fire to their works on Crown Point, and
abandoned it.
The _Carleton's_ action on the 11th, which certainly was never surpassed
for gallantry and conduct, obtained for her crew the credit they so well
deserved. Lieutenant Dacres, who recovered sufficiently to go home with
the despatches, received promotion as soon as he arrived in England, and
was honoured with a personal interview with the king. He rose to be a
vice-admiral. How Mr. Pellew's services in this, his first action, were
appreciated by his superior officers is best told in their own words. In
a few days, Sir Charles Douglas, the senior officer at Quebec, to whose
command all the Lake service was subordinate, sent him the following
letter:--
"Isis, Quebec, Oct. 30th, 1776.
"SIR,--The account I have received of your behaviour on board the
_Carleton_, in the different actions on the Lakes, gives me the
warmest satisfaction, and I shall not fail to represent it in the
strongest terms to the Earl of Sandwich and my Lord Howe, and
recommend you as deserving a commission for your gallantry; and as
Lieutenant Dacres, your late commander, will no doubt obtain rank
for his conduct, when he reaches England, I am desired by General
Sir Guy Carleton to give you the command of the schooner in which
you have so bravely done your duty.
"CHARLES DOUGLAS."
The report of Sir Charles Douglas, obtained for Mr. Pellew the following
letter from the Commander-in-Chief:--
"Eagle, New York, Dec. 20th, 1776.
"SIR,--The account I have heard of your gallant behaviour from
Captain Charles Douglas, of H.M.S. _Isis_, in the different actions
on Lake Champlain, gives me much satisfaction, and I shall receive
pleasure in giving you a lieutenant's commission, whenever you may
reach New York.
"HOWE."
It is, perhaps, a singular occurrence for a midshipman to be honoured
with a letter of thanks from the First Lord of the Admiralty, but the
service itself was important, and Captain Pownoll strengthened Sir
Charles Douglas' report of his young officer's conduct, by a
communication of his own. Their joint eulogy obtained for Mr. Pellew the
following letter from Lord Sandwich:--
"Admiralty Office, London, Jan. 5th, 1777.
"SIR,--You have been spoken of to me by Sir Charles Douglas and
Captain Philemon Pownoll, for your good conduct in the various
services upon Lake Champlain, in so handsome a manner, that I shall
receive pleasure in promoting you to the rank of a lieutenant,
whenever you come to England; but it is impossible to send you a
commission where you now are, it being out of the jurisdiction of
the Admiralty.
"SANDWICH."
Sir Guy Carleton remained at Crown Point as long as the season would
permit. He employed Mr. Pellew on the narrow inlet, which extends from
Crown Point to Ticonderoga, along which his proposed operations were to
be conducted; and Mr. Pellew attended to his charge with unceasing
vigilance and activity. On one occasion, the American Commander-in
Chief, Arnold, most narrowly escaped becoming his prisoner. Having
ventured upon the Lake in a boat, he was observed, and chased so closely
by Mr. Pellew, that when he reached the shore and ran off, he left his
stock and buckle in the boat behind him. This was preserved as long as
he lived by Mr. Pellew's elder brother, to whom Arnold's son, not many
years ago, confirmed the particulars of his father's escape. The
General, seeing that his men were panic-struck when they found
themselves chased, encouraged them to exertion by the assurance that the
pursuers were not enemies, but only a boat endeavouring to outrow them.
Pulling off his stock, and seizing an oar, he promised them a bottle of
rum each, if they gained the shore first. Well had it been for Arnold;
happy for the gallant young officer, who was the victim of his conduct;
and perhaps, on so small a contingency may the fate of a campaign
depend, happy for the British army, to whose misfortunes in the
following year his skill and courage so materially contributed, had the
fortune of the chase been different.
Mr. Pellew had a scarcely less narrow escape. He was invited with a
party of officers to spend an afternoon with some young ladies in the
neighbourhood, and they were on the way to keep their engagement, when
Mr. Pellew stopped, and said to his companions, "We are doing a very
foolish thing: I shall turn back, and I advise you all to do the same."
They hesitated, but at length returned with him; and afterwards learnt
that their Delilahs had posted a party of soldiers to make them
prisoners.
At length Sir Guy Carleton, having satisfied himself that Ticonderoga
was too strong to be attacked with his present force at that advanced
season, re-embarked the troops, and returned to Canada. He there exerted
himself through the winter, in making preparations for the ensuing
campaign, and had almost completed them, when the command of the army
was taken from him, and given to officers who had been serving under his
orders. Though his success had surpassed the utmost hopes of his
country, and his great local knowledge and experience claimed the
confidence of the British Government, he was not even consulted on the
expedition they had planned, and of which the very details were so far
settled in the cabinet, that little was left to the unfortunate General
who was to conduct it. He felt like an officer on the occasion, and
resigned the government of Canada; but he acted like an Englishman, and
though he disapproved materially of some parts of the plan, he omitted
no exertion which might contribute to its success.
The army devoted to an expedition thus inauspiciously commenced, was
composed of 7,000 regular troops, of whom 3,200 were Germans; a corps of
Artillery, 2,000 Canadians, and 1,000 savages. Sir Guy Carleton knew too
well the ferocious and uncertain character of the Indians to trust them;
but the government at home entertained a very different opinion; and it
was, perhaps, the chief motive for their conduct towards him, that he
had only amused and kept them quiet, instead of calling them into active
service. Lieutenant-General Burgoyne was selected for the command,
assisted by Major-Generals Phillips and Reidesel, and Brigadiers Frazer,
Powell, Hamilton, and Specht.
Mr. Pellew was attached to the army, with the command of a party of
seamen, and during its advance, was again actively employed on the Lake.
While on this service, he narrowly escaped a calamity, which would have
clouded all his future life. His youngest brother had come out from
England to join the army; and being appointed Aide-de-Camp to General
Phillips, though only seventeen years of age, he was sent down the Lake
in charge of the General's baggage. He was told that he had nothing to
fear from the enemy, but that he would probably meet his brother; and,
with the unthinking sportiveness of youth, as he knew that he was not
expected, he determined to surprise him. Accordingly, he fell in with
him in the night, and when hailed, answered, "A friend!" "What friend?"
exclaimed his brother; "tell who you are, or I'll shoot you." "What! do
not you know me?" "No!" said the other, presenting a pistol. "Your
brother John!"
On the 21st of June, the army being encamped on the western side of the
Lake, and a little to the north of Crown Point, General Burgoyne made a
war-feast for the savages, and addressed them in a speech which enforced
every motive calculated to restrain their ferocity. But, unfortunately,
he hoped to terrify the inhabitants to submission by threatening them
with all the horrors of Indian warfare; and a proclamation which he
published to this effect, was remembered to his serious prejudice. After
a short stay at Crown Point, the troops advanced along both sides of the
Lake, accompanied by the squadron under Lieutenant Schanck; and on the
2nd of July, arrived before Ticonderoga, then garrisoned by General St.
Clair, with nearly 5,000 men. Ticonderoga possessed great natural
advantages. It was protected on three sides by the water, with very
rocky shores; and on the fourth, partly by a morass, and where that
failed, by a strong breast-work. It was, indeed, commanded by a
neighbouring height, Sugar Hill, which the Americans had neglected to
secure, presuming upon its almost inaccessible character. Opposite
Ticonderoga, they had fortified a high conical hill, Mount Independence,
and connected it with the fort by a very strong bridge, which was itself
protected by a massy boom. The Americans had been employed for ten
months, in giving to these works the utmost possible strength and
solidity.
On the 5th, the British had nearly completed their preparations, and
General Phillips had carried a road almost to the top of Sugar Hill,
when General St. Clair determined to evacuate the fort. That night he
sent away his stores and baggage in more than two hundred bateaux, under
convoy of five armed gallies, to Skenesborough, a town about eight miles
distant, at the head of a small inlet, South Bay, which branches off
from the Lake at Ticonderoga. The troops marched to the same place,
leaving more than a hundred guns behind.
Daylight showed the flight of the enemy. Reidesel and Frazer immediately
followed in pursuit, while Burgoyne embarked the rest of the army on
board the squadron. The boom and bridge, which had cost so many months
of labour to complete, were presently cut through by the sailors and
artificers. The squadron were enabled to pass at nine o'clock, and at
three came up with the enemy near Skenesborough Falls. After a short
resistance, two of the gallies surrendered, and the enemy set fire to
the others, and to all their bateaux and stores.
Early next morning, Reidesel and Frazer overtook a strong body of the
enemy, and defeated them, with the loss of their Commander, and nearly
1,000 men killed, wounded, and taken. Another division was encountered
and routed by Colonel Hill. The fugitives escaped to Fort Edward, on the
Hudson.
General Burgoyne might now have returned to Ticonderoga, and thence
crossed to the head of Lake George, from which there was a waggon-road
to Fort Edward, only eighteen miles distant. But fearing that a
retrograde movement might check the enthusiasm of the army, now elated
with their rapid career of victory, underrating the difficulties of the
country, and too much despising an enemy who had been so easily
dispersed, he determined to ascend Wood Creek as far as Fort Anne,
whence the direct distance to the Hudson is shorter. He waited,
therefore, a few days near Skenesborough for his tents, baggage, and
provisions; employing himself, in the mean time, in clearing the
navigation of Wood Creek, while his people at Ticonderoga were
transporting the stores and artillery over the portages to Lake George.
The enemy offered little resistance in the advance to Fort Edward, but
the difficulties of the country were almost insurmountable. So broken
was it by creeks and morasses, that it became necessary to construct
more than forty bridges and causeways, one of them over a morass two
miles long. The enemy had created every possible obstruction by felling
trees across the paths, and destroying the communications. Scarcely
could the army advance a mile in a day, and it was the end of July
before it arrived on the Hudson.
On the approach of the British, the enemy quitted Fort Edward, and
retreated to Saratoga. All kinds of provisions and stores had already
reached Fort George; but the means of transport were lamentably
deficient, and the impossibility of bringing up supplies compelled the
army to a fatal inaction. On the 15th of August, after a fortnight's
incessant exertion, there were only four days' provisions in store.
Meantime, the enemy was daily becoming stronger. The conduct of the
savages had roused the whole country; and the British bore the odium of
excesses which the General could not prevent, and dared not punish. The
loyalists could not remain near the army, for they were almost equally
exposed to the cruelties of the savages, who spared neither age nor sex.
Others, who would have gladly staid at home, found that their only
safety was to take arms, and join the camp. Thus the British were left
without a friend in the country, while the American commanders, who took
every advantage of these atrocities, were soon at the head of an army
more numerous and formidable than that which had been dispersed.
General Arnold was sent to command the force at Saratoga. He drew it
back to Stillwater, a township about twelve miles down the Hudson, that
he might check Colonel St. Leger, who, with 700 or 800 men, was
besieging Fort Stanwix, on the Mohawk, and had given a severe defeat to
a party sent to relieve it. General Burgoyne, desiring to effect a
junction with St. Leger, moved down the east bank of the Hudson to
Saratoga, where he threw a bridge of rafts over the river, and crossed
an advanced corps. Being almost destitute of supplies, and too weak to
maintain his communications with Fort George, he detached a force to
surprise the enemy's magazines at Bennington; but on the 15th of August
it was overpowered and defeated, with considerable loss. A week after,
St. Leger was obliged to retire from before Fort Stanwix. General Gates,
who was now the enemy's Commander-in-chief, detached Arnold against him
with 2,000 men, and the savages, hearing of his approach, threatened to
desert St. Leger if he remained, and even murdered the British
stragglers on the retreat.
Provisions for thirty days were at length collected; but nearly three
months had been consumed in forcing a way through almost impassable
woods and morasses in the worst of weather, and in vexatious inaction
from deficiency of means to advance; service far more destructive than
severe fighting. A heavy swell caused by the rains had carried away the
bridge, but Mr. Pellew constructed another by which the army crossed to
Saratoga. The General would afterwards rally him as the cause of their
subsequent misfortunes, by affording the means for their advance in the
construction of this bridge. General Gates remained in the neighbourhood
of Stillwater; and the army, advancing through a difficult country,
found itself on the 19th of September very near the enemy. General
Burgoyne marched at the head of the right wing, which was covered by the
light infantry and grenadiers, under Frazer and Breyman, who moved along
some high ground commanding its flank; while the left wing and
artillery, under Phillips and Reidesel, kept along the road and meadows
by the river side. While thus advancing, the enemy marched out of his
camp, and attempted to turn the right wing, and take the British in
flank. Foiled in this by the position of General Frazer, they
countermarched under cover of the woods, and threw all their strength
upon the left. Arnold led them on to repeated, and most determined
attacks; nor were they finally repulsed till dusk, after four hours'
severe fighting. Victory remained with the British; but the fact that
the enemy could so long withstand regular troops in the open field, was
decisive of the fate of the campaign.
Next morning the army took a position almost within cannon shot of the
enemy, fortifying the right wing, and covering the bateaux and hospital
with the left. The position of the enemy was unassailable. The savages,
whose atrocities had mainly contributed to create the present
difficulties of the army, now deserted altogether; and great part of the
provincials and Canadians followed their example.
Hoping that he might be relieved by a diversion from New York, Burgoyne
sent advices to Sir Harry Clinton, acquainting him with his present
situation, and his intention to remain till the 12th of October.
Meantime, he took every precaution to secure his camp. While his army
was melting away by sickness, battle, and desertion, the enemy were
daily becoming stronger. They had even been enabled to detach a force to
the northward, which, on the 17th of September, surprised the posts on
Lake George, and took an armed sloop, some gun-boats, and a great number
of bateaux. They afterwards ventured to attack Ticonderoga and Mount
Independence, and cannonaded them four days before they were repulsed.
At the beginning of October it became necessary to reduce the allowance
of provisions. This and every other hardship was submitted to without a
murmur; and never did an army better maintain its character than did
this gallant force in its hour of hopeless danger. On the 7th, as there
had been no intelligence from New York, General Burgoyne, accompanied by
Phillips, Reidesel, and Frazer, made a movement to reconnoitre towards
the enemy's left, with 1,500 men, and ten guns. They had advanced within
three quarters of a mile of the enemy, when a sudden and determined
attack was made upon their left, while a strong body moved to flank
their right. The light infantry and part of the 24th regiment were
quickly disposed to prevent the success of this latter movement, and
cover a retreat; but the enemy, throwing an additional force upon the
left, already hard pressed, it gave way, and the light infantry and 24th
were obliged to hasten and support it. In this movement General Frazer
fell. The troops retreated in good order, but with the loss of six
guns.
Scarcely had they regained the camp, when the enemy rushed to storm it;
Arnold, as usual, distinguishing himself by the impetuous courage with
which he led on his men. The battle was maintained where he fought with
the utmost desperation, till he fell, severely wounded, and his
followers were driven back. In another part, the enemy were more
successful. Colonel Breyman was killed, and the entrenchments, defended
by the German reserve which he commanded, were carried. Night ended the
battle, and left to the army the melancholy task of summing up its loss,
which included several officers of distinction. The brother of Mr Pellew
was among the dead.
But there is little grief for the slain when every one feels that he may
lie with them to-morrow. That night the army moved to a new position,
and next morning offered battle; but the enemy were securing their
object by safer means. They pushed forward a strong body to turn the
right of the British and surround them. To prevent this, the army
retreated in the night through torrents of rain, to Saratoga. The sick
and wounded were necessarily left behind.
Next morning, a party was seen throwing up entrenchments on the heights
beyond the army; but a demonstration being made against them, they
crossed the river, and joined a force on the other side. A retreat to
Fort George was attempted, and the artificers were sent forward to
repair the bridges, and open the road; but the appearance of the enemy
made it necessary to recall them. The opposite bank of the river was
covered with parties of the enemy, and the bateaux could no longer be
effectually protected. Some were taken; and among others, the vessel
which contained the small remaining store of provisions. This loss would
have deprived the army of its last hope; but Mr. Pellew, with his
sailors, attacked and recaptured the vessel. To guard against such a
calamity for the future, the provisions were landed. General Burgoyne
acknowledged this service in the following letter:--
"DEAR SIR,--It was with infinite pleasure that General Phillips and
myself observed the gallantry and address with which you conducted
your attack upon the provision-vessel in the hands of the enemy.
The gallantry of your little party was deserving of the success
which attended it; and I send you my sincere thanks, together with
those of the army, for the important service you have rendered them
upon this occasion.
"JOHN BURGOYNE.
"N.B.--The vessel contained 500 barrels of provisions, of which
article the army was in great want."
A retreat to Fort Edward by a night march, the troops carrying their
provisions on their backs, now offered the only hope of safety; but
while preparations were being made for this, it was found that the enemy
had effectually provided against it, by throwing up entrenchments
opposite the fords, and securing the heights between Fort Edward and
Fort George. Secrecy was impossible, for the parties of the enemy were
everywhere so numerous, that not a movement could be concealed.
Still hoping to be relieved from New York, the army, now reduced to
3,500 effective men, of whom not 2,000 were British, lingered in their
camp, where they lay always under arms, with the grape and rifle shot of
the enemy falling continually around them. On the 13th they had only
three days' provision remaining. A council of war was therefore held, to
which General Burgoyne summoned all the principal officers. Mr. Pellew
attended, as commander of the brigade of seamen; and a more decisive
testimony to his merits and services could not be afforded, than the
unprecedented compliment of calling a midshipman, only twenty years of
age, to sit in council with generals.
Mr. Pellew, as the youngest officer present, was required to offer his
opinion the first. He pleaded earnestly that his own little party might
not be included in the proposed capitulation, but permitted to make the
best of their way back. He had never heard, he said, of sailors
capitulating, and was confident he could bring them off. It is very
possible that they might have escaped. Soldiers are accustomed to act
only in orderly masses; but sailors combine with discipline the energy
of individual enterprise. Mr. Pellew's party had acted as pioneers and
artificers to the army during its advance; and their knowledge, and
readiness at resources, would have given them great facilities in making
their way through a hostile country. But their escape would have cast a
very undeserved discredit upon the army, and the proposal was
discountenanced. Burgoyne said, what sailors could do, soldiers might
do; and if the attempt were sanctioned for the one, the others must
throw away their knapsacks and take their firelocks. As Mr. Pellew still
clung to his proposal, the General took him aside, and having
represented the impossibility of drawing off the army, convinced him of
the impropriety of permitting the attempt by a small part of it.
The result of the council was a communication to General Gates, who,
knowing the desperate condition of the British army, and his own
irresistible superiority, must have been surprised at the gallant spirit
manifested in its hopeless extremity. When he observed that the retreat
of the British was cut off, he was told that the British could never
admit that their retreat was cut off while they had arms in their hands;
and to his proposal that the troops should pile arms within their camp,
it was replied, that sooner than submit to such an indignity, they would
rush on the enemy determined to take no quarter. Terms proposed by
General Burgoyne were finally acquiesced in; and the American commander,
as far as _he_ was concerned, faithfully observed and enforced them with
the most considerate delicacy.
Mr. Pellew, after having shared in the hospitality of General Gates, was
sent to England by General Burgoyne with despatches, a distinction to
which his services in the campaign were considered to have entitled him.
At Quebec he met his former commander, Sir Guy Carleton, whose successor
had not yet arrived, and who charged him with additional despatches, and
the following letter to Lord Sandwich:--
"Quebec, November 2, 1777.
"MY LORD,--This will be presented to your lordship by Mr. Edward
Pellew, a young man to whose gallantry and merit during two severe
campaigns in this country, I cannot do justice. He is just now
returned to me from Saratoga, having shared the fate of that
unfortunate army, and is on his way to England. I beg leave to
recommend him to your lordship, as worthy of a commission in his
Majesty's service, for his good conduct.
"GUY CARLETON."
He came home in a transport, in which Major Foy was also a passenger. An
enemy's cruiser chased them, and the Major, as the superior officer, was
proceeding to assume the command; but Mr. Pellew told him that he was
the only naval officer on board, and must himself fight the ship. The
Major acquiesced; and under Mr. Pellew's command, the transport engaged,
and beat off the privateer.
It is scarcely necessary to state that immediately on his arrival he
received the promotion which his services had so well deserved.