The English troops landed again in the Bay of St. Lunar, in the neighbourhood of St. Malo, but found it impracticable to make any impression upon the place. While the troops were ashore the Commodore found himself obliged, from the danger of the coast, to move up to the Bay of St. Cas, about three leagues to the westward; while the army marched over land to the same place, where they all embarked, except the last division, consisting of the grenadiers of the army, and the first regiment of guards. These were attacked by the Duke d'Aiguillon, Governor of Brittany, at the head of twelve battalions, and six squadrons of regulars, besides two regiments of militia, against whom, though they made a most gallant resistance, about six hundred of them were killed, and four hundred taken prisoners, not being able to reach the boats.
The English had already made themselves masters of Senegal and Goree
, in Africa; and though they had now lost Minorca, yet they remained victorious in the Mediterranean, and continued to ruin the French marine.
Towards the end of the year, a squadron of nine ships of the line, with sixty transports, containing six regiments of foot, was fitting out for the conquest of Martinico. But tho' a conquest of that island was judged, after a slight attempt, to be impracticable, they achieved the more important reduction of Guadaloupe.
On the 28th of July, the Hereditary Prince was detached with six thousand men to cut off the enemy's communication with Paderborn. And on the 29th, Prince Ferdinand advanced from his camp on the Weser, leaving a body of troops under Wangenheim, on the borders of that river.
The next day was fought the battle of Minden, as glorious to the English, as those of Cressy and Agincourt had been to their ancestors. The centre of the French was entirely composed of horse, who attacked six English regiments, supported by two battalions of Hanoverian guards. These sustained the whole shock of the battle, and, to the amazement of the German General himself, obtained a compleat victory. The French lost seven thousand men, and the English twelve hundred.
The French were greatly disappointed in their views by sea this year. Thurot, a marine freebooter
, with three ships and a considerable body of land forces, landed in Ireland, and alarmed the people of Carrickfergus . Putting to sea again, he was met by three British frigates, of a force inferior to his own, and after a severe encounter he was killed, and his ships led in triumph by the English commanders to the Isle of Man.
A grand fleet was intended to invade England, under Marshal Conflans and the Duke d'Aiguillon; but this fleet was ruined by Admiral Hawke on the 20th of November.
In the year 1760, Lord George Sackville was tried by a court-martial for his conduct in the battle of Minden, and declared incapable of serving his Majesty for the future in any military capacity whatever