The British arms were very early triumphant in the West, under the joint auspices of Major General Cuyler and Sir John Laforey.
Their force which included Major (now Colonel) Bright, 1 Lieutenant, 2 Serjeants, 1 Drummer, and 27 private Marines, not amounting to 400 men, carried Fort Castries by storm, and with it the island of Tobago, garrisoned by greater numbers. Some untoward circumstances arising from the cowardice or treachery of a guide, added to a dark night, occasioned a small derangement in our approach to the attack, but it was amply attoned by a general intrepidity in the troops; the main body of which pushed boldly towards the barrier, who attracted the whole attention of the enemy, while the flank companies of the 9th and 60th regiments entered their works. This affair was achieved by the bayonet, with little loss on either side; for mercy, as usual, was shewn by Englishmen to the vanquished.
St. Pierre and Micquelon also soon became easy conquests. Such are the crouded and brilliant instances of this war, that I cannot venture upon a minute detail of any, or render justice to their merits.
Lord Hood, who had been recently called forth by his Country, in the hour of threatened danger, and who, upon its having been dispelled, had again become the citizen, was once more placed at the head of a powerful fleet. This he destined to carry to the Mediterranean, where it was his lot to perform very important services, throughout which, he approved himself an accomplished adept in the schools of a Sully and a Marlborough. Never since our existence before, have the talents of a Naval Officer been exerted on so wide a field.
Untrained to the courtly habits of life, uninstructed in the arts of diplomacy, the world usually attaches to him no embellishments of character, but professional bravery, uncorruptible zeal, impressive unadorned manners. The Nation, however, could not have had a more dignified representative, a cooler agent, or a more indefatigable servant than Lord Hood upon so trying an occasion, and amidst such mingled and arduous duties. His intercourse with the deputies from different departments in the South of France, was guided by wisdom and led to success, while his appeals to their community breathed a well timed humanity towards that oppressed land.
After an interchange of terms, the Honourable Capt. Elphinstone (now Lord Keith) took possession of Fort La Malgue with 1800 troops and Marines upon the 28th of August. The fleet of Spain hove in sight, anchored, and reinforced that post with 1000 men. At first the inhabitants of Toulon, though royalists, were still jealous of the issue of things, but they were tranquillized in all their fears, by a solemn assurance, that the place and ships were held in trust for Louis the 17th, their lawful Sovereign. The approach of a part of Carteaux army, to Ollioules, produced a very spirited attack from La Malgue, headed by Capt. Elphinstone, and consisting of 600 Spaniards, British troops and Marines, who drove a superior enemy from that village, and took their cannon, ammunition, and some prisoners. The dispositions of the English commander were masterly, and attested his abilities to wage war on either element.
Lord Mulgrave arrived at Toulon early in September, and assumed the command of the combined detachments, with the local rank of Brigadier General.
The Marines of the fleet were dispersed over the different posts of defence, some of which were cannonaded by the enemy, daily increasing in numbers.