Bread was distributed, and brandy administered, in scanty portions, through the night, by the Officers, who exhorted the men to keep up their spirits. The feelings of the brave are ever reciprocal in acts of kindness. One and all they exclaimed "We wish to add another laurel to our corps, we will follow you where ever you go." The mud collected by the rains, had, in the course of marching, deprived many of their shoes, which could not be remedied but from the ship. Frequent flags of truce had passed between General Johnstone and the fort. Mr. Roberts, an Officer of Engineers, requested to storm it, if the mutineers would not surrender the barrier, providing the Marines accompanied him, who, to a man, volunteered, saying, "We don't mind shoes, we can fight without them." The Governor applauded their gallant zeal, and assured them of a preference, if their services should be wanted.
The Marines united with detachments from the Royal Scotch, and 68th Regiments, marched into the fort upon the 12th, and drew up in front of the Black Corps, which presented arms to the troops; having three of their own Officers, as prisoners, placed between their colours. General Johnstone was obeyed by them in his orders to shoulder, order, and ground their arms; but on being commanded to step three paces in front, the cry was "No," they instantly resumed them and fired a volley: this was returned, and was followed up with a charge of bayonets, which broke their ranks, and dispersed the mutineers in every direction. The greater part fled up the Outer Cabaret, keeping up a fire until they reached the rocks, down which many precipitated themselves, and those who could afterwards crawl from the bottom were exposed to a discharge of grape and cannister from the Magnificent.
John Budd, private Marine, distinguished himself most signally during the pursuit. He was attacked singly by four black grenadiers, one of whom he killed with his first fire, wounded another, when coolly awaiting a return from the other two, reloaded his musquet, with which he shot a third, and bayoneted the fourth. Afterwards turning to him who was wounded, he closed his destinies, and throwing the remains of the whole over the rocks finished his exploit by saying "This is the way I shall serve all traitors." The conduct of John Lamswood, and Alexander Livingstone is also worthy of notice; both were severely wounded, but they persevered in their duty until the loss of blood, brought them to the ground. The former received a ball in his mouth, which lodging in his throat, was afterwards extracted by an able operation of Mr. Veitch, Surgeon of the Saturn. I am authorized likewise to detail the name of John Batt, private, whose alacrity, during these arduous services, cheered his associates. As my scope is limited, I would not detract from the merits of these corps, with which mine was united. Theirs were such as to maintain their long established reputation. Upon their return to Martinique, the whole detachment met a mark of public recompence in those necessaries which they had expended, and the Officers received the thanks of General Johnstone, and of the Presidency of Dominique, which they had probably saved from general revolt.
I wish I could close the year with a more gratifying topic than that of insubordination, which first shewed its lurking spirit in the Mediterranean, by the most daring acts. It broke out on board the Gibraltar, whose crew chose to decide the propriety of fulfilling or disobeying the orders for their future destination. Attempts of violence were opposed by the noblest firmness in Captain Johnstone and his gallant party on board, by whose spirited and prompt exertions, with those of the Officers, good order was restored, the flame stifled from spreading farther, and the services of a brave squadron preserved to their Country at a momentous crisis.
Two of the ringleaders suffered death; upon whose trials the distinguished merits of the Marine detachment were apparent to the Court, who gave testimony of their gratitude by inserting them upon their records. The following communication bespoke, in suitable terms, the very high sense which the Commander in Chief entertained of their meritorious conduct, which was read throughout his fleet.
"Kent, Oristagni Bay, 4th November, 1802.
"Memorandum—Whereas it appears in the minutes of the late Court Martial, on the mutineers of the Gibraltar, that the detachment of Marines, serving on board that ship, bore no part in the disgraceful proceedings of the 6th of October last, but much to the credit of the Officers and themselves, maintained the character of the loyal and respectable corps to which they belong, by a steady adherance to their duty. The Rear Admiral takes this public method of expressing his approbation of their good and soldier like conduct, and requests Captain Johnstone to accept his thanks.
(Signed) "RICHARD BICKERTON."