An Historical Review of the Royal Marine Corps, from its Original Institution down to the Present Era, 1803 by Alexander Gillespie

Author:Alexander Gillespie [Gillespie, Alexander]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

In the early part of 1776, General Arnold continued the blockade of Quebec, under the greatest pressures, while its garrison, cut off from every supply, and exposed to many bitter privations, was equally conspicuous for a resolute firmness.

Some attempts to burn the British ships of war in the harbour, in order to favour an escalade of the town during the existing confusion, worthy of the inventive resources of Arnold, were made, but they were counteracted by the vigilance and spirit of General Carleton. Small Pox, dreaded, by the Americans, as the most fatal plague, began to make its appearance, and dispirited their troops. Discipline and good order were soon supplanted by imaginary fears, and the precautionary cares of all to ward off that contaminating evil. Murmurs succeeded, which, as must ever be the case, paralyzed every noble effort.

By the indefatigible zeal and activity of that highly respected name, Sir Charles Douglas, his Majesty's ship Isis, with two frigates, having penetrated the ice, hove in sight, and reached Quebec on the 5th of May. The situation of the enemy's investing force was now critical. Having landed the few troops brought from Europe, these ships also disembarked their Marines, with which, in addition to those of the garrison, the General instantly advanced against the American camp.

A very precipitate flight ensued, which ended in a trifling carnage, taking some prisoners, and all the rebel artillery and stores. Many of their sick and wounded took refuge in the woods, or concealed themselves in the hamlets, towards whom General Carleton extended, not only the generous tender of oblivion, but of protection. This benevolent act which proceeded from the instantaneous impulse of his own breast, casts a bright lustre upon the military virtues of that great man, and is alone sufficient to immortalize his character.

Having been afterwards reinforced, a train of successful operation, extraneous from my subject, soon took place, which expelled the rebels from the Province.

Thus, a second time, were the partial efforts of the Marine corps exerted most usefully upon Canadian ground.

A naval and military expedition, against the Southern Colonies, having sailed from England, they did not reach the first object of their instructions until the beginning of June. The squadron under Sir Peter Parker, after passing the bar, moved against a newly raised Fort on the South West point of Sullivan's island, which was deemed the key to Charlestown, while the Army, under Sir Henry Clinton, advancing against it by land, and crossing a supposed shallow creek on the North Eastern extremity, was to make a combined attack.

Upon the noon of the 28th of June the ships took their stations, and commenced a furious cannonade, which was returned with equal spirit and much effect from the fort.

Erroneous intelligence, as to the depth of water, it appears, prevented General Clinton from approaching, as well as the very formidable state of the provincial redoubts at the end of Sullivan's island.

After one of the hottest conflicts that almost ever occurred, in which the cool valour of

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