The flank companies of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves on this occasion, and Lieutenant William Gomm was wounded.
The loss of the French amounted to about four hundred killed and eleven hundred wounded, while the killed on the side of the British was only ten, and one hundred and thirty wounded. The sense Major-General Grant entertained of the services of Brigadier-General Medows and the detachment under his command, was expressed in the following letter, dated from Morne Fortunée, the 19th of December, 1778:—
"Sir,
"I cannot express how much I feel obliged to you, and the troops under your command, for repulsing, with so much spirit and bravery, so great a body of the enemy, and own it was just what I expected from you and them; and I am sure, under your command, they will always behave in such a manner as to do honor to you, themselves, their King, and their country; and I must beg of you to express my gratitude.
"I have, &c.,
(Signed) "James Grant,
"Major-General.
"Brigadier-General Medows, &c., &c., &c."
Immediately after the departure of the French armament, the governor surrendered the island of St. Lucia to the British troops, the capitulation being signed on the 30th of December.
1779
In 1779 the Court of Spain commenced hostilities against Great Britain, and this example was followed by the Dutch.