[CHAP. XXXIX.]
A number of additional Companies were deemed necessary to the corps of Marines, which was composed of 12,115 for the service of 1794. During this year a number of First Lieutenants were appointed to Companies in Black Regiments; a transit which many embraced.
A correspondence with General Paoli having been opened by Lord Hood, relative to the state of Corsica, that active Officer determined, in consequence, upon driving the French from all their ports in the island.
Throughout the whole of this arduous business, the constancy and persevering valour of the Naval Officers and Seamen were never more conspicuous. To their scientific and laborious exertions in dragging cannon to the top of a hill which commanded the Fort of La Convention, must be ascribed the success against that important key to St. Fiorenzo itself. The storm which was consequent upon it, reflects high honor upon that shining Officer Col. (now Gen.) Moore.
The Naval Chief was not contented with possession of the Gulf and Fortress of St. Fiorenzo alone, but followed up his views also against Bastia, the capital. This he resolved to attempt with the skeletons of four regiments, serving in his fleet as Marines, and a brigade of Seamen. The final surrender of that town and citadel, garrisoned by 4000 French and Corsican Soldiers, to a besieging force of 1248, and of mingled descriptions, must ever stand as one of the most brilliant events that adorn our military history. His Lordship was lavish in praise of all his brave coadjutors, which was repeated on the reduction of Calvi and with it the fall of Corsica. This closed his meritorious career.
The defenceless and disaffected state of the French West India islands had prompted an enterprize against them, which sailed from England towards the close of 1793. These objects were confided to Sir John Jervis (now Earl St. Vincent) and Lieutenant General Sir Charles Grey. The rapidity and success of all their movements convinced their Country that the trust could not have been reposed in more able hands.
Soon after their arrival at Barbadoes little time was lost, when their first efforts were levelled against the strong and valuable island of Martinique. My bounds will not authorize me to enlarge upon the train of operations, which preceded its surrender, so very honorable to the talents and zeal of those distinguished Commanders, in most of which, the corps of Marines appears to have had but a trifling share. The chief duty, of an active nature, which fell to their lot was against Fort St. Louis, upon which a combined attack was planned, by a brigade of 1000 Seamen and Marines, under Commodore Thompson, and supported by Captains Riou, Rogers, and Baynton of the Royal Navy, approaching from Point Negro towards its western side, while it was assailed by the Asia and Zebra sloops in front, and harassed by the enfilading fire of two batteries on shore. A body of Grenadiers and Light Infantry, from the camps of La Coste and Sourriere, were also to advance, on the land side, under the cover of a hill. This joint attack was, however, anticipated by the unparalleled enterprize and courage of Captain Faulkener, of the Zebra sloop, who dashed close to the walls of the Fort, and carried it, at the head of his ship's company of Seamen and Marines, at the very moment when the republicans were in consultation about its defence.
Mons. Rochambeau, instead of turning the guns of Fort Bourbon against the town, afterwards occupied by Colonel Symes and the flank corps, as well as Fort Louis, both of which it commands, immediately stipulated for its surrender, and the whole island, which took place on the following day being the 21st of March. His Royal Highness Prince Edward, (now Duke of Kent), who had lately arrived from Canada, commanded at the Camp of La Coste, with deserved credit.
No time was lost in proceeding against St. Lucia, which became an easy conquest. The islands of the Saintes were likewise carried by the Seamen and Marines of the Quebec, Blanche, Ceres, and Rose. The reduction of Guadaloupe immediately followed, where a landing was effected in the Ance de Gosier, of some infantry and a body of 500 Seamen and Marines, under cover of the Winchelsea, Lord Garlies, who, carrying his ship close to the enemy's batteries, quickly silenced them.