An order, upon the 29th of April, to the Marine Battalion, extended the allowances of six contingent men to Captains of Companies, until the pleasure of the Admiralty Board was known.
In consequence of a review of the Battalion by the Commander in Chief at Halifax, the following after-orders were given out on the 9th of June:—
"Major General Massey approves so very highly of the steadiness as well as the appearance of the Corps of Marines which he had the honour to review this day, that he returns Major Souter, the Officers, and Soldiers, his most grateful thanks for their performance in the field."
Lieutenant Trollope, of Marines, was appointed to the duty of attending the Commander in Chief; and Lieut. Waller as Brigade Major to the Provincial forces, during 1777.
In December of that year, Lieutenant John Oldfield, who had lately received a Marine commission, after having served with much credit as a Volunteer, was directed by General Massey to accompany Colonel Goreham to Fort Cumberland, in these handsome terms:—
"Lieutenant Oldfield, of the Battalion of Marines, is to return with Lieut. Colonel Goreham to join the Light Infantry of that Corps, Lieut. Oldfield having acquired so thorough a knowledge of that country, which the General hopes will recommend him to farther notice and future promotion."
His Majesty's ship Milford having run on shore, was nearly lost in the beginning of December. Such were the exertions of the Marines upon the occasion, that Sir William Burnaby, her Commander, felt it his incumbent duty to tender them his thanks in these words—"Sir William Burnaby desires his thanks may be given to the Officers and men of the Battalion, who so actively assisted in getting off his Majesty's ship Milford." This was read to the Companies at evening roll-calling.
Lieutenant Trollope having been appointed Secretary to Major General Massey, Lieut. Tantum, a respectable young Officer (who was afterwards unfortunately drowned in the Ville de Paris), was attached as an assistant Artillery Officer in his stead; a party of Marines was trained to the great guns, and the command of the Half-moon Battery, as well as of the Citadel, was allotted him under the event of an alarm.
Although neither the circumstances of the action, or name of the achiever, are alluded to in the following detail, still it carries in it that zealous anxiety to promote discipline, by recompencing merit, that I cannot omit its insertion.