[66] Their conduct prior to, and since the enemy had attacked the camp, deserved a far better fate: finding themselves excluded from terms of capitulation, they wished permission to cut their way through the enemy's army, by which a few of them, at least, might escape, and the rest meet an honourable death; but this request, it is said, was refused; perhaps it was believed that on their capture the enemy would relent, and not put their sanguinary threats into execution. Two of these unfortunate men hastened to the shore, in hopes of getting on board the covered boat; but being disappointed, and aware of the fate that awaited them, they instantly shot themselves on the beach. On hearing of this melancholy business, General Grey published an order that did equal honour to his feelings and his mind. See Appendix, page 53.
[67] This part of the agreement, however, was not complied with, as they remained prisoners for more than a year afterwards, during which time many of them died.
[68] General Prescott had so small a force in that quarter, that he could not possibly afford any material assistance to General Graham; but he had made an effort by sending a detachment from the 35th regiment to support some royalists at St. Marié, which however proved ineffectual; and the numbers at Martinique being now too small for the defence of it, General Grey was unable to afford any assistance from thence; however he ordered the flank companies of the 4th battalion, of the 60th regiment from St. Vincent's, and part of the 21st from St. Christopher's, to reinforce Brigadier General Graham. Fortunately, however, they arrived too late, as their numbers were inadequate to save it, and they afterwards made part of the garrison at Fort Matilda.
[69] This gentleman, after having enjoyed a lucrative post, was unwilling to lose the fruits of it, and, instead of rendering any assistance to General Prescott, he took French leave, not forgetting to carry with him a chest well lined, in order to render his residence at Antigua comfortable.
[70] The republican officer who came with him informed us that he saw the execution of the unfortunate royalists, and that twenty-seven heads were struck off in seven minutes and a half!
[71] On the 19th of October the Admiral sent Lieutenant Skynner with a party of seamen to a battery at the N. W. end of the town, from whence he brought off some cannon and mortars.
[72] On the 2d of November, Captain Miller was promoted to the command of the Vanguard, Captain Sawyer being removed to the Assurance, vice Captain Bryer, deceased; and Lieutenant Launcelot Skynner of the Boyne, was appointed commander of the Experiment, vice Captain Miller.
[73] Fort Matilda, formerly Fort Charles, was at first a battery only, erected to command the road; afterwards it was enclosed as a depot for arms and ammunition in case of insurrection among the slaves; and during the last war the French added to its outworks, which were now totally in ruins, but served the enemy, particularly those on the opposite side of the Galion river, as trenches, and effectually covered their musketry that commanded the principal works of the besieged: in short, the fort was completely commanded on the three sides by land, so that not a man in it could move without being seen by the enemy.
[74] During the siege a cannon ball took off the fore part of the General's hat. He coolly observed, "that a miss was as good as a mile!"
[75] So much having been said of this man, it may be agreeable to the reader to be informed of his origin, and pursuits in the former part of his life.—Victor Hughes was originally a petty inn-keeper at Basse Terre, Guadaloupe; from whence he was driven for some misdemeanor, and became master of a small trading vessel at St. Domingo; then a lieutenant in the French navy; and afterwards a deputy in the national assembly: from whence he came out to the West Indies as commissioner, with controlling powers over the commanders of the army and navy. His abilities were certainly good, his courage and perseverance undoubted; but, from the ferocity of his character, he was both feared and hated. Colonel Drummond, who with his small party was taken at Point Bacchus, relates that the republicans put to death all the sick they found in the hospital at Petit Bourg, many of the women, and some children, cutting off heads, and otherwise mutilating the bodies; that, as the men who surrendered with him at Point Bacchus, fainted in their march, they were instantly bayonetted; the Colonel himself was, by particular directions from Victor Hughes, ordered to clean the prison ship in turn with the others; but from this disgrace he was relieved by the dutiful attachment of his men, who would not permit it: his food and lodging were the same as the rest, no attention being paid to his rank; but from the respect and good behaviour of his men, not one of whom would desert from him. A great number of people of all ages, sexes, and conditions, were condemned to the guillotine by this inexorable tyrant, all of whom were conducted in boats round the prison ship, in order to distress and intimidate the British prisoners.