[50] In the afternoon one hundred and eighty seamen from the Boyne, Commanded by Lieutenants Wolley, Thomson, and Maitland, landed under the Salines to windward of Grozier, and took post on the heights near that place; other parties of seamen also were landed at Grozier, forming altogether a strong reinforcement for the army.
[51] With whom on this occasion Lieutenant Thomson served as a volunteer.
[52] In this business Lieutenant Wolley had some narrow escapes. The commanding officer of the fort rushed out of the guard-room on the alarm, with a lighted match in his hand. He first fired an amuzet, luckily pointed in an opposite direction; he then three times attempted to fire a twenty-four pounder as Mr. Wolley and his men were advancing to the muzzle of it; but fortunately, either from the dampness of the powder, or trepidation of the man, it missed taking effect; on which he flung down his match, and retreated to the further end of the fort, whither Mr. Wolley followed; but, from the darkness of the night, he soon lost sight of him. As he returned he was met by his own men, who, taking him for an enemy, were about to put him to death, when his voice discovered their mistake. Had the cannon in the first instance gone off, it must have made considerable havock among our men, as it was loaded with a bag of musket balls.—This day Captain Armstrong of the 8th regiment, was killed by a cannon ball at the landing-place at Grozier, while giving directions to a serjeant about some ordnance which was to be landed there. He was on horseback, and had just remarked, that there could be no danger from the fire at Fleur d'Epée at that place; a shot, however, from the fort dipped over the point of land which seemed to shelter the landing-place, and cut him asunder. He has often been heard to say that he thought that a man must be truly unfortunate who fell by a single cannon ball.
[53] In this affair Captain Morrison of the 58th regiment was killed by a musket ball through his head as he was leading his men on to the attack; he fell regretted by all who knew him, being an accomplished, amiable, and brave man: I too felt severely on this occasion, having enjoyed much of his society and friendship. The Commander in Chief, who knew his worth, paid the tribute of applause to his memory; and the Admiral, when he heard of his fall, exclaimed, "He has left few equals behind him."
[54] A young officer, formerly of Walsh's regiment, took this opportunity of escaping to us. His name was Clarke, his family of Martinique, where his father was a counsellor at law. He had been imprisoned three months at Bourdeaux, on his endeavouring to avoid joining the armies on the frontiers, and was released to embark on this expedition, as the only chance of rejoining his friends. He reported, that one Fremont, a daring fellow, who, though not first in command, had great influence, was killed this morning on the walls of Fleur d'Epée, by a musket-ball from one of our people. The enemy lost in this action upwards of three hundred men. On the 29th, the Commander in Chief sustained a heavy loss in the death of Captain Newton Ogle, of the 70th regiment, one of his excellency's aid-de-camps; he was a young man of an excellent understanding, and had distinguished himself on all occasions where his exertions had been called forth.
[55] Lieutenant Wolley of the Boyne, was appointed acting major of brigade; and Lieutenants Thomson and Maitland, and Mr. Oswald, commanded the three companies of seamen.
[56] One of the frigates in the harbour did great execution; by a single discharge of grape-shot, killing three officers and thirty-six privates of the light infantry, who were unfortunately drawn up in a street effectually commanded by her guns.
[57] General Symes died soon after of his wound.
[58] Captain Burnet of the 43d regiment, who had led his company of grenadiers into the town, was blown up at the time Captain Robertson was killed. His clothes being on fire, were pulled off by his brother officers. His face and hands were rendered entirely black by the explosion. In this situation he first received a musket-ball which broke his arm, and was then met by his own grenadiers, who, taking him for one of the French blacks, attacked him with charged bayonets, and wounded him in three places before he could make himself known to them. The instant they discovered their mistake they expressed the utmost horror and contrition, and brought off this excellent officer in their arms; who, I am happy to be enabled to add, survived, notwithstanding the dreadful situation he was in. Lieutenant Conway of the 60th regiment, was also blown up, and in that condition continued to lead on his men and encourage them, till unfortunately he fell by a musket-ball through his body.
[59] General Grey was waiting on Morne Mascot for Brigadier General Symes's signal of his having succeeded in taking the heights near Point à Pitre; having the second battalion of grenadiers, the 65th regiment, and six companies of Grand Terre, and second battalion of seamen commanded by Captain Sawyer, ready to attack Fort Fleur d'Epée by storm.