Thither Commodore Hotham was detached with ten regiments, under General Grant, who joined Admiral Barrington at Barbadoes on the 10th of December, and on the 12th proceeded against St. Lucia. Here the army landed, while the squadron anchored in the Cul de Sac, where some Seamen and Marines were disembarked to man the batteries on each side of the harbour.
D'Estaing, who had reached Martinique, sailed also to realize his plans of conquest; but hearing of the descent upon St. Lucia, he resolved upon relieving it. The attempt was fruitless, but it yielded the display of much obstinate valour on both sides. The French were completely beaten, and the island fell.
It would carry me beyond my purposed bounds to dwell upon the many events of this year. The Marine Soldier was almost entirely limited to Naval duties, which were, in a detached sense, both numerous and brilliant upon the coasts of America.
In the indecisive battle of the 27th of July, between the grand Fleets of Britain and France, Lieutenant John M'Donald, of Marines, on board the Prince George, was wounded.
[CHAP. XXXII.]
It is a tribute meritedly due to the Battalions of Marines who acted so gallantly in the field, to take a retrospective view of their general good conduct at Halifax, and the series of events connected with them.
As it has already been stated, they accompanied General Howe from Boston to that place. The active exertions of the subordinate ranks on board of the transports, not half manned, and encumbered besides with the persons and property of the faithful Loyalists while on the passage, were such, that a pecuniary recompence was given to many of them, on their reaching Nova Scotia.
Soon after their arrival, both Corps were reviewed by that distinguished Officer, Lord Percy, whose testimony, in consequence, was couched in the following terms:—