General Howe continued at Halifax upwards of two months waiting farther reinforcements, which was but ill suited to his disposition, or his military opinions. Wearied out, he at last put to sea, under the escort of Lord Shuldham's fleet, and arrived at Sandy-hook at the close of June. After gaining information of the strength of New York and Long Islands, he judged it most advisable to occupy Staten Island, where he landed without opposition, and was soon joined by a number of loyalists.
It was a considerable time before the different reinforcements from England reached Halifax, which immediately proceeded to join the main Army, and enabled General Howe to undertake duties more extensive in their aim, and more congenial to his wishes.
Upon that range of continental services which followed, I am precluded from remark, as the battalions of my corps were restrained from much active participation in them, by their having been allotted for the defence of Nova Scotia.
A Parliamentary Vote of 10,129 Marines passed in November, which involved an augmentation of many companies to the Establishment for the service of 1777.
FOOTNOTE:
[2] An error occurred under the details of 1775, which mentions, that in consequence of the casualties of Bunker's Hill, and the return of Major Tupper to Europe, the command of the Marines devolved on Major Souter, instead of suppressing entirely the departure of Major Tupper, which did not happen till some time after their arrival at Halifax. The command at Boston was in Major Tupper after Major Pitcairne's fall.
[CHAP. XXX.]
Lord Howe, who had arrived in America during the last year as Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Naval Forces, was united with his brother in a civil, as well as a military commission. Exerting the conciliatory influence of the former, they proclaimed to the deluded, these tenders of forgiveness which emanated from their power. The term "guilty," however, was not understood by the Americans, who, from the era of general independance, qualified every individual action as proceeding under the sanction of a Free Government. Of course these well meant offers produced but little effect.
After many battles and skirmishes between the contending parties, in which British valour was ever conspicuous, and the resources of General Washington uniformly great, Long Island, New York, and Rhode Island, were subjected to the Royal dominion, and the Jerseys over run by our forces. They in turn, however, met with reverses, which must always be expected in war. To follow all those movements is not within my range.