Thus terminated, for the time, the expedition to Spanish South America, during which the persevering and undaunted bravery of British Seamen, Soldiers, and Marines, and their patient endurance under the most trying difficulties, were never displayed in a greater degree.
In consequence of the heavy losses sustained at Carthagena, and the mortality which continued to prevail after the troops returned to Jamaica, it was not until the beginning of July, 1741, that the fleet and army were in a condition to renew their operations. It was then resolved to proceed against the Island of Cuba, where they anchored on the 18th of July in Waltenham Bay, about eighteen leagues to windward of St. Jago, the first object of their intended attack. The troops were landed on the 24th, consisting of nearly 4,000 men, including 1000, negroes raised by the Island of Jamaica, with a view to sustain the peculiar duties of fatigue, naturally expected to arise on this service.
After establishing a position on the side of the river, nearly three leagues from the mouth of the harbour, the General pushed some detachments into the country, which beat back the outposts of the enemy, and in a few days returned to the camp with plentiful supplies of provisions.
It was originally intended by the Commanders-in-Chief to have made a joint attack upon St. Jago, but the want of unanimity ruined every purpose, and contentious debates and dilatory measures, instead of cordial co-operation and daring enterprise, took place; while the interests of the country, and the lives of the troops, were sacrificed to the prejudices and bad judgment of the officers entrusted with so important a command.
After an interval of several months, during which nothing was attempted towards effecting the conquest of the island, and when sickness, the never-failing result of inactivity, particularly in those climes, began its ravages, it was determined to evacuate the island, which took place on the 20th of November, 1741, when the regimental Returns were as follow:—
| Regiment. | Colonels. | Serjeants, Drummers, and Rank and File. | |
| 15th regiment | Harrison | 225 | |
| 24th regiment | Wentworth | 219 | |
| 43rd regiment American Marines | { 1st Battalion | Spotswood’s, afterwards Gooche’s, Marines | 159 |
| { 2nd ” | 110 | ||
| { 3rd ” | 99 | ||
| { 4th ” | 121 | ||
| 1st Marines | (aftds 44th Rt.) | Wolfe | 181 |
| 2nd do. | ( ” 45th Rt.) | Fraser | 158 |
| 3rd do. | ( ” 46th Rt.) | Lowther | 237 |
| 4th do. | ( ” 47th Rt.) | Wynyard | 177 |
| 5th do. | ( ” 48th Rt.) | Cochrane | 191 |
| 6th do. | ( ” 49th Rt.) | Cotterell | 211 |
| 2088 | |||
| Sick in all | 566 | ||
| Total | 2654 | ||
The total loss of officers at the close of 1741 amounted to one Commander-in-Chief, five colonels, ten lieut.-colonels, seven majors, fifty-five captains, one hundred and sixteen subalterns, and fourteen staff officers.
The heavy casualties in the Marine regiments are shown when it is stated that these six regiments consisted of more than one thousand men each, and that, only 2654 men returned.
The foregoing statement affords a sad record of the ill-judged plans relating to the expedition to South America, both as to the season of the year at which it was undertaken, and the deficiency of means and arrangements with which it was attempted to be carried into execution. Great disappointment and dissatisfaction were consequently created in the feelings of the British public.
The transports returned to Jamaica on the 29th of November, 1741, and the squadron continued at sea to meet the reinforcements which were anxiously expected from England.