[CHAP. XXI.]
The fears of an invasion began now to subside, and these warlike preparations which had hitherto been made with a view to self defence, were, under the bold and enterprizing genius of Mr. Pitt, soon to be turned against the enemy's coasts. This was necessary to animate the people, as well as politic in forcing the French to withdraw a part of their immense forces upon the Continent. A farther augmentation of thirty Companies was granted to the Corps of Marines, to keep pace with the general energies, which completed their establishment to fourteen thousand eight hundred and forty-five, being the vote for the service of 1758. At this period too, that highly useful body of men, the National Militia, was ordered to be raised and organized for domestic security, while our regular armies were employed in retaliating the terrors of invasion, and in carrying the war into the foreign possessions of our enemies.
Early in this year was fought the memorable action between the Monmouth and Foudroyant, which must ever be considered as one of the most distinguished events upon our Naval Annals. Monsieur De Quesne, with a nobleness that did him the highest honour, in delivering his sword to Lieutenant Carkett, the representative of the gallant Captain Gardiner who fell, was not ashamed to avow that he had surrendered only to the force of the Monmouth. The great inequality in this contest confers a lasting credit upon the meanest individual who bore a part in it.
Sir Edward Hawke, commanding a squadron of seven sail of the line, observing a number of the enemy's ships, with forty transports full of troops, at anchor off the Isle of Aix, he pushed on with a view to attack them; but they slipped their cables, and were run ashore upon the mud, after having thrown their guns and stores over board, by which means they escaped. The enemy had been employed in repairing the works upon the island that were destroyed in our expedition of last year. The Admiral disembarked Captain Ewer, with a party of one hundred and forty Marines, upon the 5th of April, with orders to demolish them. This service was effected with discipline and humanity, as it was accomplished most completely, and without the smallest molestation to the inhabitants.
An expedition having been meditated to the Coast of Africa, consisting of two hundred Marines, under Major Mason, and a detachment of Artillery, it sailed from Plymouth on the 9th of March. Upon the 24th of April, this squadron, under the command of Captain Marsh, arrived off the river Senegal, and against the 29th, the small craft got over the shallow bar, being opposed by some vessels of force, which were, however, obliged to retire, when a landing was made. Early on the following day, being about to advance against Fort Lewis, situated upon a small island about twelve miles farther up the river, a deputation from the Superior Council of Senegal arrived, with articles of capitulation, which were accepted. In consequence, Major Mason, with his Marines, took possession of the Fort upon the 2d of May, in which was a garrison of two hundred and forty soldiers and ninety pieces of cannon, with treasure and merchandize to a great amount. During this short service, the sufferings of the men were great, as many of the boats having the tents, cannon, and ammunition, were overset upon the bar, which circumstance exposed them to the nightly dews and the scorching sun upon that inclement coast, without a shelter. Being a key to their grand Establishment at Goree, this acquisition was of much importance.
It falls a second time to my lot to mention the active services of my Corps in the conquest of Cape Breton, and its Capital, now rendered more formidable by experience. A violent surf prevented the landing of our forces, under the conduct of Sir Jeffrey Amherst, seconded by the Brigadier Generals Whitmore, Laurence, and Wolfe, from the 2d until the 8th of June, during which the ships were exposed to a cannonade from cannon and mortars. Upon that day, the debarkation took place in different points, amidst the greatest difficulties, during which Gen. Wolfe was very highly distinguished. Some lives, and about one hundred boats were lost in the attempt. After different preparations and approaches, which would be too wide a field for my detail, the Marines of the Fleet were landed, on the 26th of June, when being formed into a battalion, they took post at Kennington-cove, and afforded a vast relief to the Army then occupied in very extensive duties. Upon the 30th, they were engaged at this post, and repulsed the enemy. Their ships in the harbour continuing to incommode our troops, an enterprize was formed against them during the night of the 25th of July, which occasion very much signalized Captains Laforey and Macbride of the Royal Navy, who took and destroyed the Beinfaisant and Prudent. Upon the 26th, the French proposed terms, by which five thousand six hundred and thirty-seven soldiers and sailors became prisoners of war, and in the capitulation was included the surrender of the islands of Cape Breton and St. John's. Gen. Amherst, in public orders, desired the Commanders of every Corps to acquaint the Officers and Men with the high satisfaction which he felt from the bravery and good conduct of the troops—a conduct that had, and always must insure success, and what he would take the liberty of reporting to his Sovereign. A severe blow to the navy of France, was one of the happy circumstances of this achievement.
Considering the many detached enterprizes with which the year 1758 was marked, the most sanguine could not hope that all would succeed without loss, where the chief objects were to land upon, to harass, and keep in alarm the widely extended coasts of France.
Although the affair at St. Cas, in the month of September, was unfortunate in its issue, still no incident occurred that tarnished the honour of our arms. More impetuous courage was never shewn, than by the handful of men which formed the rear guard of the British Army upon that service, who had to combat very superior numbers. Previous to this, an opportunity offered to signalize the parties of Marines belonging to three ships of Commodore Howe's Squadron, in an attack upon the Castle of Latte, situated on a peninsula in the entrance to St. Maloes' harbour. A joint attempt had been concerted between a Naval force and a detachment from the Army upon the heights above Arborough Bay, upon the 4th of September, but the ships could not stand near enough to produce effect without an imminent risk; when after a short contest, it was relinquished, by the co-operating troops. These parties of Marines having been landed upon the night of the 9th, attacked and carried it without loss. In consequence of the success which had attended the expedition against the coast of Africa, another was formed against Goree, which sailed from Cork upon the 11th of November, under the joint conduct of Commodore Keppel and Lieutenant Colonel Worge, the newly-appointed Governor of Senegal. A body of land forces, and the Marines of the squadron were the forces intended to carry this service into effect. After a very dangerous passage, the whole gained sight of Goree, upon the 28th of December, excepting the Lichfield of fifty guns, and a transport, that were wrecked upon the inhospitable shore of Barbary. About two o'clock the squadron reached abreast of the island, then four miles distant, while the transports were ordered to a bay between Point Goree and Point Barabbas, to be in readiness to land the troops on a signal being made. Every disposition being arranged for an immediate attack, early in the morning of the 29th, the troops were embarked in the flat-bottomed boats, in order to push ashore upon the island when adviseable, while a general cannonade was opened by the ships against the different points of defence. After a most tremendous firing of some hours continuance, the enemy struck their colours, in order to establish a parley, that ended in an almost immediate renewal of hostilities, which soon obliged Monsieur de St. Jean to surrender at discretion. Commodore Keppel instantly landed all the Marines, who took possession and occupied the fort until every arrangement was made. The loss upon this service was extremely trifling.