An Account of the Campaign in the West Indies, in the Year 1794 Part 10

GENERAL ORDERS. _Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, June 13, 1794._

The Commander in Chief feels great satisfaction in acquainting the army with his majesty's entire approbation of their gallant exertions and bravery during this campaign, to the time of the capture of Fort Bourbon (now Fort George), and the complete conquest of the island of Martinique; which is communicated to him in a letter from the secretary of state, bearing date the 22d of April, 1794, of which the following is an extract. "I am therefore to signify to you his majesty's most perfect and entire approbation of your conduct, and of the gallant behaviour of all the officers and soldiers under your command; and to desire that you will convey to them the just sense his majesty entertains of the honour they have done themselves, and of the services which they have rendered to their country."--The Commander in Chief has also the pleasure of notifying to the army, that having made application for exempting it from paying postage, his majesty has been graciously pleased to comply therewith; which is communicated to him in a letter from the secretary of state of the same date, the following being an extract. "His majesty is most graciously pleased to comply with your request that the army under your command whilst on service may be exempted from paying postage for their letters; and I shall immediately signify the same to the post master general."

GENERAL ORDERS. _Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, June 14, 1794._

Parole, LIGHT INFANTRY. C. S. ----

The Commander in Chief thanks Brigadier General Dundas, and the first light infantry, under the command of Major Ross, supported by the thirty-ninth regiment, under Major Magan, for the usual spirit with which they attacked the French camp at Point Gabbare, and congratulates them on the complete success of it.--The able and gallant conduct of Major Ross, in leading the light infantry so handsomely to the charge, as reported by Brigadier General Dundas, demands the Commander in Chief's particular acknowledgments; and which he will not fail to report to the ministry, to lay before his majesty.

GENERAL ORDERS.

_Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, Guadaloupe, June 15, 1794._

Parole, BOYNE. C. S. ----

The grenadier companies of the sixth, ninth, fifteenth, twenty-first, fifty-sixth, fifty-eighth, sixtieth, fourth battalion of the sixty-fourth, sixty-fifth, and three companies from the Irish regiments, to be formed into a battalion under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Fisher, of the sixtieth regiment. The light companies of the sixth, ninth, fifteenth, twenty-first, fifty-sixth, fifty-eighth, sixtieth, fourth battalion of the sixty-fourth, sixty-fifth, and three companies from the Irish regiments, to be formed into a battalion under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Gomm.

GENERAL ORDERS. _Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, June 18, 1794._

Parole, ---- C. S. ----

The Commander in Chief feels with great concern the necessity of again a.s.sembling part of the troops to dislodge an enemy who have stolen into Pointe a Pitre, and the posts in its neighbourhood, at the moment when the gallant General Dundas was expiring. He had hoped that the troops, whose meritorious services had acquired so much glory during a most successful campaign, would have found rest and comfort during the remainder of this year at least. Relying however on the cheerful and utmost exertions of the gallant troops he has the happiness to command, he cannot entertain a doubt of finishing the service speedily and gloriously, to enable the troops to return very soon to the quarters from whence they are now called forth to service.

The Commander in Chief a.s.sures the troops that their situation on this extra service shall be made as comfortable and agreeable to them as it is in his power to render it; and that no time shall be lost in advancing against the enemy, consistent with the attention he always pays to the preservation of his soldiers, not wantonly or prematurely exposing them to danger.

The same conduct, good behaviour, and cool bravery, which gained such rapid and complete success. .h.i.therto, will insure it on the present occasion, against about five hundred regular troops, joined by a despicable and motley crew of mulattoes and negroes, with some seamen, the whole a forlorn hope, who put in here for the want of provisions, and at a time the forty-third regiment was weakened by sickness.

The troops to be ready to get into the flat boats to-morrow morning at three o'clock. The boats, when the men are embarked, are to a.s.semble astern of the a.s.surance forty-four gun ship, there waiting for orders to proceed on sh.o.r.e. The troops to carry on sh.o.r.e with them three days provisions dressed, one day's grog, and rum in kegs for another day: also to land with their tent blankets, camp kettles, water kegs, canteens, and hand hatchets; the sailors to land with ditto and tomahawks.

The light infantry to be first to land with two amuzettes, supported by the battalion of grenadiers with two three-pounders.

The sixty-fifth regiment then to land with two six-pounders; Captain de Rivignes commanding the artillery. After the troops are landed, and have got the heights opposite, the spare artillery, howitzers, stores, &c.

are to be landed at Grozier. The commanding engineer will land at the same time all the artificers, and every thing belonging to his department, that no time whatsoever may be lost in forwarding the enterprise. The first troops that land will immediately take advantage of the strongest ground, houses, &c. there posting themselves; not advancing until the whole are landed. Brigadier General Symes will direct the landing, and is to command the troops on sh.o.r.e. The Commander in Chief has been pleased to appoint Captain John Cunnyngham, of the forty-third regiment, to be deputy adjutant general, vice Lyon, deceased.

GENERAL ORDERS. _Head Quarters, Grozier, Guadaloupe, June 20, 1794._

The Commander in Chief is much surprised to find, from the report of Brigadier General Symes, that the seamen and soldiers straggle from camp in search of water, which, when found in the neighbourhood, is not fit for drinking, though it may answer for cooking. The Commander in Chief forbids any officer from quitting the post of his company, except on duty; and directs that the rolls be called every two hours. If any soldier or seaman be found marauding or straggling from camp, he will be punished in the most severe manner. The officers commanding corps to see their battalions fall in, and the rolls called, from which no officer is to be absent, as the enemy are lurking about the posts.

The piquets are not to suffer any person to pa.s.s them, without a pa.s.s in writing from the brigadier general.

Each corps will send an officer for orders to head quarters every day at ten o'clock, and an orderly serjeant from each corps to attend constantly. All applications for provisions to be made to Mr. Johnstone, the quarter master of the sixtieth regiment. These orders, as well as all others, to be read to the men by an officer of each company.

Captain Robins, of the sixtieth regiment, to do duty with the sixty-fifth regiment; and Lieutenant Milnes, of the forty-ninth, with the ninth light infantry.

The Honourable Captain Stewart, of the twenty-second regiment, having offered his services to the Commander in Chief on this present occasion, they are accepted; and he is ordered to do duty with the ninth grenadier company.

GENERAL ORDERS. _Head Quarters, Grozier Camp, June 21, 1794._

Parole, ENGLAND. C. S. PROSPERITY.

On account of the brilliant success of his majesty's arms, and his allies, in France, by the complete victory gained by the Duke of York at the head of the British, and also by the Austrians, on the 26th of April last, in which the French General Chapuey was made prisoner, with fifty-seven pieces of their cannon taken, and a great slaughter of their troops, with a very inconsiderable loss of the British troops and their allies, the Commander in Chief orders a _feu de joie_ on the occasion at six o'clock this evening; for which purpose all the troops will be under arms and a.s.semble with the naval battalion at five o'clock, and are to be marched to a conspicuous situation, in view of the enemy, to give three rounds of running fire. The whole of our artillery, drawn up in front of the line, are to fire three rounds. Each round of artillery to precede a round of small arms: running fire beginning at the right of the line; and to conclude with three hearty cheers.--Brigadier General Symes, who commands the line, will be so good as to place and arrange the troops on this occasion, pointing out the ground they are to a.s.semble upon. The whole navy will fire a _feu de joie_, and the troops under the command of Brigadier General Dundas at the camp at Berville, at the same time.

The Commander in Chief desires that his long, spirited, and determined orders, given out when the army sailed from Barbadoes on the expedition to Martinico, dated the 22d of January, may be read to the troops, particularly to the seamen, many of whom have not served on sh.o.r.e. This the commanding officers of corps and naval battalions will be answerable to the Commander in Chief is done; and at the same time to a.s.sure their men, that however it may hurt his feelings, he will put the said orders in full force upon any and every offender in future; for without strict discipline and good order, no good service can possibly be effected: and he again calls upon every officer in the army to a.s.sist him in this necessary work. The troops to receive one day's fresh meat, and two days salt provision and rum, to-morrow morning at day-break. Returns to be sent to the commissary general this evening.

AFTER ORDERS.

Cattle of every description to be brought to head quarters, or delivered to persons ordered to receive them; and no person whatever to kill any beast without orders. It is strictly forbid that any officer, soldier, or seaman, shall presume to take any negroes, except those delivered to them by the quarter master general's department. The marauding which has taken place obliges the General to remind the commanding officers of corps to refer to orders already given out on that head. It will give him extreme concern to be obliged to punish with severity such crimes; but as the existence of the army depends on its discipline, it must be maintained. The first man caught in the act of plundering, to be hung on the spot. The provost is ordered to visit the environs of the encampment, and to execute this order with the utmost vigilance. Piquet to parade at six in the evening.

_Head Quarters, Grozier, June 24, 1794._

Parole, CAMBRAY. C. S. YORK.

Field Officer for the day, Major Crosbie.

The two divisions of marines are to do duty with the battalion of grenadiers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Fisher. The troops will be particularly careful of their camp kettles, canteens, and haversacks, as no more can be procured for them.

Only two quarts of water per man can be issued for the troops, and that early in the morning, from the men of war. Four days provision to be issued to the troops to-morrow morning.