In this action, the valiant Heanes, major general, and Ferguson before mentioned, and such other officers of those regiments as knew not what it was to fly, fell by the swords and lances of the Spaniards; and many common soldiers with them.
The English now about the fort, Venables commanded to assault it, and that to that end, they should play the mortar-piece against it, and had it drawn up for that purpose. But he himself being before brought very low with his flux, the toil of the day had so far spent him, that he could not stand or go but as supported by two; and in that manner he moved from place to place, to encourage the men to stand, and to plant it. But the latter he could not prevail on, neither by commands, entreaties, or offers of rewards. At last, fainting among them, he was carried off, and Fortescue, who succeeded major general, in the stead of Heanes, took the command, who laboured much also to get the mortar-piece planted, but without any effect. For the spirits of the English soldiers were so sunk, by their want of water and provisions, the excessive heat, and their great sickness occasioned thereby, that not any one upon any account could be got to plant it. Night drawing on, whilst the soldiers buried the dead, they called a council of war of all the colonels, and field officers, where it was agreed, no man dissenting, that the difficulties of thirst were not to be overcome, and that if they staid there, though they beat the enemy, they must perish for want of water. Whereupon, it was resolved to retreat next morn at sun rise, if the mortar-piece could not play before. The morning came, and no place found to plant the mortar-piece, nor men that would work, the guns from the fort beating them off from every place, they buried their shells, drew off their mortar-piece, drakes, spades, &c. and making a strong rear-guard, retreated to their ships at the harbour.
In this attempt against the fort, the common soldiers shewed themselves so extremely heartless, that they only followed their officers to charge, and left them there to die, unless they were as nimble footed as themselves. And of all others, the planters, whom they had raised in those parts, were the worst, being only forward to do mischief; men so debauched as not to be kept under discipline, and so cowardly as not to be made to fight.
Being come to the harbour, they betook themselves to the examination and punishment of the cowardice of some, and of divers miscarriages and disorders of others. Jackson was accused.
1. That contrary to express order, he had marched without any to search the woods.
2. That he took but few pikes, and those he placed in the rear, as if he feared only his own party.
3. That he put others in the van, and himself brought up his rear.
4. That he was the first man that run, and when there was a stop, he opened his way with both hands to get foremost.
These being proved before a council of war, he was sentenced to be cashiered: his sword broken over his head: and he made a swabber to keep the hospital ship clean, which was executed accordingly. And well it might, for sure it was much gentler than he deserved.[1]
[1] The Revolution in England, having necessarily raised great numbers of individuals to the rank of officers, from the lowest stations, a kind of equality reigned among the soldiery. The following instance of that equality is a curious fact, and displays equally the republican manners, and uncivilized spirit of that age.