I FAIL TO SEND A LETTER TO MY WIFE--WE SAIL WITH TRANSPORTS AND
EMIGRANTS FOR QUIBERON--EARLY SUCCESS OF THE EXPEDITION--ACTION BETWEEN
THE ROYALISTS AND REPUBLICANS--I ACCOMPANY A MIDSHIPMAN TO FORT
PENTHIEVRE WITH AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE--I WITNESS SOME STRANGE SCENES--A
ROUGH NIGHT--SURPRISED BY THE REPUBLICANS--ATTACK AND CAPTURE OF THE
FORT--WE ESCAPE--CONDUCT OF THE ROYALISTS--STEADINESS OF THE BRITISH
MARINES--ADVANCE OF THE ARMY UNDER GENERAL HOCHE--THE FLEET RESCUE THE
PARTY--RETURN OF THE EXPEDITION.
The _Galatea_, we found, formed one of a squadron under the command of
Commodore Sir John Warren. It consisted of the _Robust, Thunderer_, and
_Standard_, seventy-fours; the frigates _Pomone_, on board which the
commodore's flag was flying, the _Anson, Artois, Arethusa, Concorde_,
and our frigate the _Galatea_, convoying fifty sail of transports with
about two thousand five hundred French Royalists. The expedition was
bound for Quiberon, the inhabitants of which district had remained
faithful to their king, and it was hoped that from thence the
Republicans could be attacked, and a large part of the country gained
over to the royal cause.
The _Galatea_ was a smart frigate, and now that she was well manned was
likely to make a name for herself. On being sent below to stow away my
bag, I managed to sign my name in pencil to my letter, by placing it on
a gun, and to add a few lines describing what had happened, and then I
hurried on deck, but the boatswain's pipe was already shrilly sounding,
and his voice shouting, "All hands up anchor!"
The commodore's frigate was letting fall her topsails, and the other
ships were following her example. The capstan went merrily round, the
anchor was away, the sails were sheeted home, and we stood out of
Plymouth Sound, steering for the southward.
My poor wife would have to wait some time now before she could hear from
me, or know indeed where I was. There was nobody on board the _Mars_ to
whom I could have entrusted the duty of writing to her. I had to bear
it, therefore, as I had to bear many another trial. Hope still
supported me. As far as we could learn, we were not likely to be long
away. Lord Bridport had driven the French fleet into harbour and was
watching them, although we, of course, might on our return fall in with
an enemy and have a fight.
The weather was fine and the wind fair, but we had plenty to do in
keeping the transports together. There were many of them very slow
sailers, merchant vessels hired for the purpose, some of them brigs of a
hundred and fifty to two hundred tons, which must have afforded very
miserable accommodation to the unfortunate emigrants. The troops were
under the command of a royalist officer, the Comte de Puisaye, who had
as his lieutenants the Comtes d'Hervilly and de Sombreuil.
On the 25th of June we entered the capacious bay of Quiberon, which
affords one of the most secure anchorages on the French coast. On one
side is the Peninsula of Quiberon, which extends out some way from the
mainland, and seaward are two small, well-cultivated islands, so that it
is completely protected from westerly and south-westerly gales. The
next day was spent in preparations for landing, and to allow the
laggards to come up; and on the 27th, at daybreak, the troops, conveyed
in a large flotilla of boats, escorted by six of the squadron, pulled
for the village of Carmac, where they landed. A small body of about two
hundred Republicans attempted to oppose them, but were quickly driven
back, leaving several dead on the field, while the Royalists did not
lose a man.
This slight success encouraged the royalist inhabitants, who came down
to the number of sixteen thousand, eager to receive the arms and
ammunition which we landed from the ships for their use.
The troops were at once cantoned among the inhabitants, who gladly
supplied them with everything they required. The French officers and
soldiers we put on shore were in high spirits, laughing and joking, and
seemed confident of success, and the people who came down to help to
unload the boats were equally merry, declaring that they had only to
attack the Republicans to compel them to lay down their arms.
Some days passed by, daring which the Royalists on shore were drilling
and preparing for action. At length an expedition was planned to attack
the Peninsula of Quiberon. Two thousand Royalists, and five hundred
emigrants, supported by three hundred British marines, were disembarked.
They at once marched towards the Port of Penthievre, situated on a
commanding eminence on the northern extremity of the peninsula, which
was invested at the same time on the other side by the Comte d'Hervilly.
Without much fighting, its garrison of six hundred men soon surrendered.
We immediately set to work to land stores and provisions for the supply
of the royalist troops.
A day or two after this, the Comte led a body of five thousand men,
including two hundred British marines, against the right flank of the
army of General Hoche, which was strongly posted on the heights of Saint
Barbe. At the same time, for their support, five launches, each armed
with a twenty-four pounder carronade, manned from the ships of war, were
sent in and stationed close to the beach. I was in one of them, and
could see what was going forward.
We watched the small body of red-coats and the motley dressed Royalists
marching on to the attack. At first they advanced with considerable
firmness, but being met by a withering fire from the heights, and being
ill-disciplined, they began to beat a hasty retreat. The marines were
compelled, of course, to retire too, but they did so with their faces to
the foe, defending the fugitives as well as they could.
On this, Captain Keats, who commanded the boats, ordered us to open
fire, and we began to blaze away at the Republicans in a fashion which
considerably retarded them in their pursuit of the retreating force. So
well-directed were our shot on their flanks, that beyond a certain line
they were unable to advance.
Both the marines and Royalists got back to the beach, though not without
considerable loss. Among the badly wounded was their brave leader, who
was conveyed on board our frigate, and placed under the care of our
surgeon. Though he suffered much from his wound, his thoughts were
still with his friends ashore.
It was, I think, about two days afterwards, being anxious to communicate
with his friend the Comte de Sombreuil, at Fort Penthievre, which was
under the command of the Comte de Puisaye, he requested that a messenger
might be sent on shore with a letter. Captain Keats accordingly ordered
Mr Harvey, one of the senior midshipmen, to take the letter, and
allowed him to select a man to accompany him. He chose me, I having
served with him already in two ships, and being well-known to him.
We at once, shoving off in the second gig under charge of another
midshipman, pulled for the beach nearest the fort, towards which, as
soon as we landed, we made our way. We remarked six transports, laden,
as we were told, with provisions and stores of all sorts, come to an
anchor as close to the fort as they could bring up.
As we stepped on shore, Mr Harvey directed the gig to return without
delay to the frigate. "I don't like the look of the weather," he
observed, "and depend upon it, before nightfall, it will come on to blow
hard."
We were to remain at the fort until the following morning, when the boat
was to come in again and take us off.
Mr Harvey delivered his despatch to the young Comte, who received him
very graciously, and gave him the best accommodation he could for the
night, while I, that I might be ready to attend to his wants, was
allowed to sleep on a sofa in a little ante-room outside of the one he
occupied.
Mr Harvey told me that the Count was greatly out of spirits in
consequence of the numerous desertions which had taken place from the
fort. Various causes were at work. Some of the garrison were
Republicans at heart, and others, hopeless of the success of the
Royalists, were afraid of the consequences should they remain. One or
two plots had been discovered, but the conspirators had been seized, and
it was hoped that those who had been won over would be deterred from
carrying out their plans.
Notwithstanding these forebodings of evil, the officers met, as I
suppose was their custom, at an early supper. I looked in with some of
the attendants to see what was going forward. The table was covered
with all sorts of good things, such as French cooks know well how to
prepare. Wine flowed freely, and conversation seemed to be carried on
with great animation. Speeches were made, and compliments paid to Mr
Harvey, who spoke very good French, for which reason he had been
selected to convey the letter to the Count. The major commanding the
marines, a captain, and two lieutenants, were also present, but as none
of them spoke French, Mr Harvey had to reply for the whole party.
After supper the marine officers went to their quarters, which happened
to be on the side of the fort nearest the sea, in rooms prepared for
them.
I remember we had to run across an open space, and were nearly wetted
through by the tremendous rain which poured down upon us. It was
blowing very hard too, the wind howled and shrieked among the buildings
of the fort, while the windows and doors rattled till I thought that
they would be forced in.
"I was afraid, Wetherholm, that we were going to have a dirty night of
it," observed Mr Harvey. "I hope the gig got back safely, but I doubt
very much whether she will be able to return for us to-morrow if this
weather continues. However, it may only be a summer gale, though from
the appearance of things it might be mid-winter."
I looked out; the sky seemed as black as ink, and the night was so dark
that had it not been for the light in the window above the door we had
to make for, we could not have found our way.
Mr Harvey, of course, wore his sword, and, as was customary for the men
sent on shore, I had my cutlass slung to my side and a brace of pistols;
for, as we were before the enemy, we might at any moment be called upon
to fight.
I having hung up Mr Harvey's coat to dry, and his sword against the
wall, went to the ante-room, and taking off my wet jacket lay down on
the sofa, all standing. At sea, I should not have been two minutes in
my hammock before I had fallen asleep, but the howling and shrieking
wind sounded very different on shore, and seemed to make its way through
every chink and crevice, producing all sorts of strange sounds, a
mingling of moanings, shriekings, whistlings, and howlings. Frequently
the building itself would shake, until I fancied that it was about to
come down upon our heads. Notwithstanding this, I was just dozing off,
when I was aroused by still stranger sounds. I listened; I felt sure
they could not be caused by the wind. They were human voices. I could
distinguish shrieks and shouts and cries. Almost at the same instant
there came the sharp report of pistols.
I sprang into Mr Harvey's room to awaken him. Fortunately he had a
light burning on the table.
"There's something fearful happening, sir," I said, as he started up,
looking very much astonished. I got down his coat and sword, which I
helped him to put on.
"The treachery the Count spoke of is at work, I fear, but I hope the
conspirators will quickly be put down. We must go to the help of our
friends if we can manage to find them," he said, while he was quickly
slipping into his clothes.
We hurried down stairs; the rest of the people in the house were rushing
out, but, as far as I could discover, they were hurrying off, away from
the direction of the firing and shouts.
Presently I could hear the cry of "Vive la Republique," then came a
sharp rattle of musketry, some of the bullets pinging against the walls
above our heads.
"Come on, Wetherholm, I think I can find out where the Count is
quartered; we may be in time to help him."
As we were about to leave the house, the cry of "Vive la Republique"
again echoed from all parts of the fort in front of us, the shouting and
shrieking continuing, mingled with cries and groans and fierce
exclamations, with the constant report of pistols. Still Mr Harvey was
pushing on, when through the darkness we could distinguish a number of
persons flying towards the rear of the fort.
At length we made out others following them, the flash from their
pistols showing that they had swords in their hands. They fortunately
turned away from where we were standing.
"There can be no doubt that the fort has been surprised, and that it
will go hard with the Count and his soldiers," said Mr Harvey. "I
should like to have assisted him in defending his post, but perhaps the
best thing I can do is to bring up the marines to his support. I think
we may find their quarters, though I am not very certain about the
direction."
I agreed with Mr Harvey, for I saw that it would be madness to rush
among a number of people fighting, when we could not distinguish between
friends and foes.
We accordingly made our way across the fort to where we believed we
should find the major of marines. Mr Harvey thought we ought to keep
more to the left, but I felt certain that if we turned to the right we
should reach the building.
"Who goes there?" I heard a voice shout out.
It was that of the sentry stationed in front of the building used for
the marine barracks, and finding who we were, he told us that the men
were mustering in the court-yard. Hurrying forward, we there found the
major ready to lead them out.
On Mr Harvey telling him the state of things in front, he directed us
to proceed to the quarters of the Comte de Puisaye, to say that he would
endeavour to drive back the Republicans and to hold the fort until the
Count should come up with all the troops he could collect.
Mr Harvey and I accordingly hastened forward on the errand. As we went
on, we heard several of the fugitives passing us. One, from the clatter
of his scabbard, was evidently an officer. Mr Harvey stopped him, and
told him that the English marines were ready to hold their ground, and
that we were going to the General's quarters, begging him, if he knew
the way, to conduct us.
This information seemed somewhat to restore his confidence; but he
expressed his fears that unless assistance could be brought immediately
to the Comte de Sombreuil, he would be overwhelmed. He was, he
believed, defending the building in which he was quartered with several
of the leading officers, but that many who were in their houses, as well
as all those on guard, had been shot by traitorous soldiers who had
revolted. He himself had had a narrow escape from a party of assassins,
among whom he distinguished the voices of some of his own men; but he
had cut down several of them, and then, favoured by the darkness, had
effected his escape. We owed our safety to the brave defence made at
this time by the Comte de Sombreuil, who was thus preventing the
Republicans from advancing farther across the fort.
Conducted by the officer, whose name I forget, we at length reached the
quarters of the Comte de Puisaye. He was issuing orders to the officers
who were coming and going, to collect the troops under his immediate
command.
As they came in they were formed up into various companies. Being
imperfectly disciplined, they were much longer assembling than they
ought to have been, and I greatly feared that the fort would be lost.
Before the troops were ready to march.
Mr Harvey waited until he believed that they would follow in another
minute or two, and then set off with me, intending to return to where we
had left the marines.
As we got near his quarters, we heard a rapid firing, returned evidently
by a large number of men, for, as they fired their pieces, they shouted
again and again, "Vive la Republique!" When, however, they discovered
that these were English troops in their front, they did not venture to
rush upon the bayonets they would have had to encounter.
Mr Harvey, after some difficulty, found Major Stubbs, who commanded the
marines, and told him what the General proposed doing.
"He must come pretty quickly, or we shall be overpowered," he answered.
"If it was daylight we should know what we were about, but in this
pitchy darkness, with the rain clattering down upon us, the wind howling
in our ears, and hosts of enemies pouring in on the other side of the
fort, we may get separated and cut to pieces, and I will not sacrifice
my men if I can help it."
The bullets came whistling past our heads, and it seemed to me that the
men were dropping fast, but as one marine fell the others closed up
their ranks and bravely held their ground. What would become of them
and us I did not know; but at last the officer to whom Mr Harvey had
spoken, found us, and informed him that the Comte de Puisaye, seeing the
hopelessness of endeavouring to regain the fort, had determined to
retreat with his troops, and to save the lives of as many of the
Royalist inhabitants as he could collect, advising Major Stubbs to draw
off his men, and at the same time saying he should be obliged to him if
he would cover his retreat.
The darkness and the howling of the storm prevented the movements of the
marines being discovered. The stout old major passed the order along
the line, and his men, facing about, made their retreat towards the rear
of the fort, which was gained before the enemy attempted to pursue them.
I don't know what the major said, but I suspect it was not complimentary
to the Comte de Puisaye.
We remained with the marines, who had, as far as I could make out, lost
a large number of men. What had become of the young Comte de Sombreuil
and the other French officers, we could not tell; but probably, as the
firing had ceased from the building in which they had been defending
themselves, they had all been put to death.
Major Stubbs halted for some time, during which a number of inhabitants
of the houses and cottages in the neighbourhood came in entreating his
protection.
At length, escorting them, we again advanced towards the south-east
point of the peninsula, which afforded the easiest landing-place, and
which, from the nature of the ground, could be defended should the
Republicans advance in force to attack us. We found that the Comte de
Puisaye, with upwards of a thousand of his troops, and more than double
that number of Royalists, had arrived there before us. The Comte had
received intelligence of the attack on the fort and its capture, and
believing that de Sombreuil and his companions inside had at once been
cut to pieces, had considered it useless to go to his assistance.
He had, therefore, mustering his troops, formed an escort to the
fugitive Royalists, and immediately commenced his march to the point.
Mr Harvey expressed his fear that, in consequence of the gale, the
ships would be unable to get up to embark the people, and advised him to
make preparation foe a determined resistance should the Republicans
follow and attack him.
Scarcely had the troops been drawn up in position, to make the best
defence possible, and to protect the landing-place, than several
terror-stricken fugitives arrived, bringing the alarming intelligence
that the Republicans, in great force, under Hoche, were advancing. The
darkness, increased by the gloomy state of the weather, continued much
longer than usual, and prevented us from ascertaining the truth of these
statements. The unfortunate people were in the greatest alarm, for they
well knew the barbarous treatment the Royalists had received throughout
the country from the Republicans. As their comparatively small force
could not hope to hold out long should they be attacked by the
overwhelming army of General Hoche, they fully expected to be massacred
to a man. In vain they turned their eyes seaward; no ships could be
seen through the gloom coming to their relief, nor were there any boats
on the shore. The wind, however, was falling, and daybreak was close at
hand. I felt sure, also, that the marines, who were posted in a
position which would certainly first be attacked, would hold their
ground. This gave confidence to the Royalist troops.
I was standing near Mr Harvey, who was looking seaward. One after
another, the fugitives who had escaped from the massacre came in,
bringing further intelligence of the nearer approach of the Republicans.
One of them, an officer, told Mr Harvey that the Comte de Sombreuil,
the Bishop of Doll, and other emigrants of distinction, after holding
out in their quarters until all their ammunition had been expended, and
many of them killed, had capitulated to the Republicans on the condition
that they should be allowed to retire on board the English ships.
"This is better news than I expected," observed Mr Harvey; "I feared
that the Count and all his companions had been killed. I wish I could
believe that the Republicans are likely to keep their word." A short
time after this, while I was standing close to Mr Harvey on an elevated
spot overlooking the bay, the dawn broke. He gave a shout of
satisfaction as we saw dimly through the gloom, or rather the grey light
of early morning, the whole squadron beating up. On they came.
As the wind fell they shook out the reefs in their topsails. There was
no time to spare if they were to save the lives of the unfortunate
people gathered on the shore.
The _Galatea_ was leading. In fine style she came on and dropped her
anchor with a spring on her cable, so as to bring her broadside to bear
in the direction by which the Republicans would approach.
The other ships of the squadron brought up in succession, and directly
afterwards a large flotilla of boats was seen approaching the beach.
To account for the opportune arrival of the squadron at this moment, I
may state what I afterwards heard, that directly the fort was captured,
the Comte de Puisaye had sent off a boat, though she ran a great risk of
being swamped, to the commodore, who had, immediately the gale abated,
got under weigh.
The leading columns of the Republicans appeared in the distance, just as
the _Galatea's_ guns had been brought to bear on the shore.
A few shots made the enemy beat a hasty retreat, and allowed us to
embark the troops and fugitive Royalists without molestation.
The boats were under the command of Captain Keats, and by his good
management nearly four thousand people were embarked without a casualty,
leaving behind, however, for the benefit of the Republicans, ten
thousand stand of arms, ammunition of all sorts, and clothing for an
army of forty thousand men.