Chapter II: Part 2

In the year 1759, it was proposed to attack the French in all their strong posts in Canada at once, so as to fall as nearly as possible at the same time upon Crown Point, Niagara, and the forts to the south of Lake Erie, while a great naval armament, and a considerable body of land forces under Major-General James Wolfe, should attempt Quebec by the river St. Lawrence.

Lieut.-General Amherst, who commanded the British forces in America, was to attack Ticonderoga and Crown Point, by Lake George; the reduction of these forts would command the Lake Champlain, where having established a sufficient naval force, he was by the river Sorel, which forms the communication between this lake and the river St. Lawrence, to proceed to Quebec, and effect a junction with Major-General Wolfe.

The third of the grand operations was against _Fort Niagara_, near the celebrated falls of that name, a place of great consequence. The reduction of this place was committed to Brigadier-General John Prideaux (fifty-fifth regiment), under whom Sir William Johnson commanded the provincials of New York, and several Indians of the Five Nations, who were engaged in the British service, by the credit that gentleman had obtained among their tribes. It was to this portion of the army that the FORTY-SIXTH regiment was attached.

The troops which had been appointed to proceed to Niagara, arrived at the fort in July. This was a very important post, and was situated at the entrance of a strait by which Lake Ontario is joined to Lake Erie. A little above the fort is the cataract of Niagara, the most remarkable in the world, for the quantity of water, and the greatness of the fall. The siege of the place had not been long formed, before Brigadier-General Prideaux was killed in the trenches, by the bursting of a cohorn. This occurred on the 20th of July, and the accident threatened to throw a damp on the operations; but Sir William Johnson, upon whom the command devolved, omitted nothing to continue the vigorous measures of his predecessor, and added to them everything his own genius could suggest.

The French were alarmed for the safety of the fort, and collected all the troops they could draw from their posts about the lakes, and to these were joined a large body of Indians; the whole advanced to raise the siege, and they amounted in all, to seventeen hundred men.

It was on the 23rd of July, that Sir William Johnson received intelligence of the approach of the enemy to relieve the fort, and instantly made a disposition to defeat their designs. The guard of the trenches was commanded by Major John Beckwith, of the forty-fourth regiment, and, lest the garrison should sally out, and either attempt to surprise or overpower that guard, by which the British would have been hemmed in between two fires, the forty-fourth regiment, under Lieut.-Colonel William Farquhar, was posted in such manner as to be able to sustain Major Beckwith.

The road on the left of the line, which led from the cataract to the fort, was occupied by the light infantry, and piquets of the army, on the evening of the 23rd of July; early next morning these were reinforced by the grenadiers and part of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment, the whole commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Eyre Massey, of the FORTY-SIXTH, to whose good conduct in the distribution of the troops, and the steadiness with which he received the enemy in front, while the Indians in British pay, attacked them on the flanks, the honor of the day was in a great degree attributable. The French were completely defeated, and all their officers were made prisoners, among whom were Monsieur Aubry, De Lignery, Marin, and Repentini.

This action sealed the fate of _Fort Niagara_, which surrendered on the following day (25th of July), and Sir William Johnson, Bart., in his despatch to Lieut.-General Amherst, of that date, thus alluded to the conduct of the troops:--

"Permit me to assure you, in the whole progress of the siege,
which was severe and painful, the officers and men behaved with
the utmost cheerfulness and bravery."

In the meantime the siege of _Ticonderoga_ was prosecuted with vigour by the troops under Lieut.-General Amherst, and on the 25th of July the garrison blew up the fort, and sailed to _Crown Point_, another fort on Lake Champlain, which place the French also abandoned, and retired down the lake to _Isle aux Noix_; _Crown Point_ was occupied by the British on the 4th of August following.

The operations against Quebec by the troops under Major-General James Wolfe, caused the year to end in a most triumphant manner to the British Arms. The battle fought on the 13th of September, 1759, on the Heights of _Abraham_, in which the Major-General was killed, led to the surrender of Quebec, which capitulated five days afterwards.

While the above operations were being performed, Lieut.-General Amherst found that the command of Lake Champlain was still an object of some difficulty, although the retreat of the French from Crown Point and Ticonderoga had left him master of Lake George. In October the troops embarked in boats, and proceeded a considerable distance along the lake, but the season became too advanced for operations, which were postponed to the following year, and the force returned to Crown Point and Ticonderoga for winter-quarters.

[Sidenote: 1760]

The French endeavoured to regain possession of Quebec, and after the battle of _Sillery_ fought before that place on the 28th of April, 1760, in which, from their superiority in numbers they had the advantage, trenches were immediately opened by them before the town. The arrival of the English fleet in May dissipated all fears for the safety of Quebec, and nothing now remained to cloud the prospect of the reduction of Canada, by the united efforts of three British armies, which, by different routes, were marching to attack those parts of the country that remained in the power of France.

A large army was collected at Oswego by Lieut.-General Amherst, which the FORTY-SIXTH regiment joined in the afternoon of the 6th of August. The whole army embarked on the 10th of August, and the grenadiers, amounting to about six hundred men, were embodied, and placed under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Eyre Massey of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment. Dispositions were afterwards made for the attack of _Fort Levi_, on _L'Isle Royale_, and after two days' sharp firing, the fort surrendered on the 25th of August, of which Lieut.-Colonel Massey, with three companies of grenadiers, took possession.

After spending some days in repairing this post, and in fitting out the vessels for passing the troops down the river St. Lawrence, the most difficult part of which was now to be encountered; notwithstanding all precautions, nearly ninety men were drowned in passing the dangerous falls, and a great number of vessels broke to pieces. After a tedious voyage the British came in sight of the Island of Montreal on the 6th of September.

The troops were immediately landed, and all dispositions were made for attacking the place, and so excellently was the plan concerted, that Brigadier-General the Honorable James Murray landed from Quebec on that very day, and Colonel Haviland with his force from Isle-au-Noix on the following day.

The Marquis of Vaudreuil, the French Governor-General, saw himself entirely enclosed, and was compelled to surrender the garrison of Montreal on the 8th of September; thus was completed the _Conquest of Canada_, which vast country has since continued under the dominion of Great Britain.

[Sidenote: 1761]

The regiment remained in North America until October 1761, when it embarked for Barbadoes, where an armament was being assembled for the attack of the French West India Islands, and the land forces were placed under the orders of Major-General the Honorable Robert Monckton.

[Sidenote: 1762]

The armament sailed from Carlisle Bay, in Barbadoes, on the 5th of January, 1762, and proceeded against the island of _Martinique_, which was settled by the French about the year 1635. After menacing the coast at several points, a landing was effected in the middle of January in Cas des Navières Bay; many difficulties were encountered from the rugged surface of the country, and from the formidable heights occupied by the enemy, but these were overcome by British skill, discipline, and valour; the heights of _Morne Tartenson_ were carried on the 24th of January, and of _Morne Garnier_ on the 27th; _Fort Royal_ surrendered on the 4th of February, and these successes were followed by the submission of the island to the British Crown.

Major-General the Honorable Robert Monckton commended the conduct of the troops in his despatch, and added,--"The difficulties they had to encounter in the attack of an enemy, possessed of every advantage that art or nature could give them, were great. Their perseverance in surmounting these obstacles furnishes a noble example of British spirit:" and in alluding to the conduct of the three divisions of grenadiers, one division of which was commanded by Lieut.-Colonel the Honorable John Vaughan, at this period Lieut.-Colonel commandant of the ninety-fourth (since disbanded), but who was appointed to the FORTY-SIXTH regiment in November following, added, that "they had particularly distinguished themselves, the warmest part of the service having fallen to their lot."

The capture of _Martinique_ was followed by the submission of _Grenada_, _St. Lucia_, and _St. Vincent_.

War had in the interim been declared against Spain, and the FORTY-SIXTH joined the armament under General the Earl of Albemarle, destined to proceed against the wealthy Spanish settlement of the _Havannah_, in the Island of Cuba. On the 7th of June a landing was effected, and on the 9th the troops took up a position between Coximar and the Moro Fort. Extraordinary difficulties were encountered in making the approaches, and carrying on the siege, while a severe sickness prevailed amongst the seamen and soldiers. Every obstacle was, however, overcome by the unanimity which existed between the land and sea forces. The _Moro_ fort, which protected the harbour, and was regarded as almost impregnable, was captured by storm on the 30th of July; on the 11th of August a series of batteries opened so well-directed a fire on the defences of the town, that the guns of the garrison were soon silenced, and flags of truce were hung out. On the 13th of August the town of the Havannah, with all its dependencies, and the ships of war in the harbour, surrendered, and the British troops took possession of this valuable settlement. Negociations for peace were shortly afterwards commenced, and the preliminary articles were signed at Fontainebleau by the Duke of Bedford on the 3rd of November, 1762.

[Sidenote: 1763]

The treaty of Fontainebleau was concluded at Paris on the 10th of February, 1763, the ratifications were exchanged on the 10th of March, and peace was proclaimed in London on the 22nd of that month.

By this treaty the whole of Canada, part of Louisiana, together with Cape Breton, and the other islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, were ceded to Great Britain. In the West Indies, the islands of Tobago, Dominica, St. Vincent, and Grenada, were retained by Great Britain; but Martinique, Guadaloupe, Marigalante, and St. Lucia, were restored to France. In the East Indies, the French obtained the restitution of their settlements, but agreed not to erect any fortifications in Bengal. Minorca was restored to England in exchange for Belle-Isle, which had been captured by the British in 1761, and it was stipulated that the fortifications of Dunkirk should be demolished. Spain ceded East and West Florida to Great Britain, in return for the restitution of the Havannah, Manilla, and all the places which Spain had lost since the commencement of the war.

[Sidenote: 1764]

In the meanwhile the FORTY-SIXTH regiment had returned to North America, where it remained for the four following years.

Colonel the Honorable William Howe was appointed by His Majesty King George III. from the fifty-eighth to the colonelcy of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment on the 21st of November, 1764, in succession to Lieut.-General the Honorable Thomas Murray, deceased.

[Sidenote: 1767]

In the autumn of the year 1767 the FORTY-SIXTH regiment returned to Great Britain, and was stationed in Ireland for eight years.

Serious disputes had, in the meantime, arisen, on the subject of taxation, between the colonists in North America and the British Government. The passing of the Stamp Act, in 1764, was the first cause of irritation, but the spirit of discontent was partially allayed by its repeal in 1766. This feeling was again aroused, in the following year, by the Bill for levying duties on certain articles imported from England, which was repealed in 1770, with the exception of the duty on tea, which was retained as an assertion of the right of taxation inherent in the British Legislature. After the cargoes of tea sent to Boston in 1773 had been emptied into the sea, an Act of Parliament was passed in the year 1774 for closing that port.

The colonists adopted retaliatory measures, and subsequently made preparations for an appeal to arms.

[Sidenote: 1775]

On the 19th of April, 1775, the first hostile collision took place at _Lexington_, between His Majesty's troops and the Colonists in the unhappy contest, which was soon to assume a most formidable character.

Upon Major-General the Honorable Sir William Howe, K.B., being removed to the colonelcy of the twenty-third Royal Welsh Fusiliers, on the 11th of May, 1775, Brevet Colonel the Honorable John Vaughan was appointed to the vacant colonelcy of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment.

The conflict at Lexington was followed by the battle of _Bunker's Hill_, which was fought on the 17th of June, 1775.

[Sidenote: 1776]

These events caused several regiments to be embarked for America early in the year 1776; the FORTY-SIXTH embarked from Ireland at this period, and arrived on the coast of North Carolina early in April, when Major-General Henry Clinton, who was serving with the local rank of General in America, assumed the command. The men landed at Cape Fear to refresh themselves after the voyage, and returning on board the transports, sailed on the 1st of June with the expedition against _Charleston_. After passing Charleston bar, the troops landed on one of the islands; but the armament proved of insufficient strength for the capture of the capital of South Carolina, and the troops re-embarked and proceeded to Staten Island, where the main body of the British forces had assembled under Major-General the Honorable Sir William Howe, K.B., who was serving with the local rank of General in America. The seventeenth, fortieth, FORTY-SIXTH, and fifty-fifth regiments were here formed in brigade under Major-General James Grant.

On the 4th of July, 1776, the American Congress issued their declaration of independence, abjuring their allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain, and all hope of accommodation failed.

A landing was effected by the British on _Long Island_ on the 22nd of August, and in the evening of the 26th the army was put in motion to pass a range of woody heights, which intersect the island, and to attack the American force in position beyond the hills. The column under Major-General Grant, of which the FORTY-SIXTH formed part, was directed to advance along the coast, with ten pieces of cannon, to draw the enemy's attention to that quarter. Moving forward at the appointed hour, this column fell in with the advanced parties of the Americans about midnight, and at daybreak on the following morning, encountered a large body of troops formed in an advantageous position, defended by artillery. Skirmishing and cannonading ensued, and were continued until the Americans discovered by the firing at _Brooklyn_, that the left of their army had been turned and forced, when they retreated in great confusion through a morass. The American army, being driven from its positions with severe loss, made a precipitate retreat to their fortified lines at _Brooklyn_.

The Americans quitted their fortified lines during the night of the 28th of August, and retired across the East River, in boats, to New York; the reduction of _Long Island_ was accomplished in a few days, with little loss.

The regiment shared in the operations by which the capture of _New York_ was accomplished: also in the movements by which the Americans were driven from _White Plains_, and in the reduction of _Fort Washington_.

After the reduction of Fort Washington, and of Fort Lee on the opposite side of the North, or Hudson's River, the regiment continued the pursuit of the enemy across the Jerseys, by Elizabeth Town, Raway, &c. towards Philadelphia, and remained during the following winter at Amboy.

The FORTY-SIXTH regiment occupied an old transport ship as a barrack, and being actively employed during the winter in constant escorts of ammunition, was continually attacked between that place and New Brunswick, on the way to Trenton, Princetown, and Burlington, where the advance of the British army had taken up winter quarters.

During the winter, General Washington suddenly passed the Delaware river, and succeeded in surprising and making prisoners a corps of Hessians at Trenton, but he afterwards made a precipitate retreat. Being reinforced, he again crossed the river, and took up a position at Trenton.

[Sidenote: 1777]

Information having been received that the Americans were forming magazines at _Peek's Hill_, about fifty miles up the North River, the FORTY-SIXTH regiment was detached against that post, with a body of troops, which sailed from New York on the 22nd of March, 1777, and as they approached Peek's Hill, the Americans set fire to the stores, and retreated. The British landed, completed the destruction of the magazines, barracks, &c., and subsequently returned to their former quarters at New York.

Afterwards taking the field with the army in the Jerseys, the FORTY-SIXTH regiment was engaged in the operations designed to bring the enemy to a general engagement; but the Americans kept close in their fortified lines in the mountains; an expedition against the populous and wealthy city of _Philadelphia_ was next undertaken.

Embarking from Sandy Hook, the army, of which the FORTY-SIXTH formed part, proceeded to the Chesapeake, and landed on the northern shore of the Elk river on the 25th of August. The American army took up a position at _Brandywine_, to oppose the advance, and on the 11th of September the Royal forces moved forward to engage their opponents. The action proved decisive; the enemy was driven from his position, and forced to make a precipitate retreat. The FORTY-SIXTH sustained but trifling loss on this occasion.

In order to harass the Royal forces, General Washington posted several detachments in such a manner as to command all the roads and avenues to their encampment. He seized every opportunity of drawing detached parties into ambuscades, which was the more readily effected, as the country was in his interest, and the provincial army abounded with persons fully acquainted with all its local advantages.

A very considerable detachment employed in this manner, lay concealed in the depth of a forest at a short distance behind the British camp; it consisted of fifteen hundred men, commanded by General Wayne.

General Sir William Howe, upon receiving this intelligence, despatched Major-General Charles (afterwards Earl) Grey with a body of troops in the middle of the night of the 20th of September to surprise the detachment of the enemy.

The light company of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment was engaged in this enterprise, which was conducted with singular address and intrepidity. The troops advanced in profound silence to the outposts of the enemy, which were surprised and secured without the least noise. It was then between twelve and one. The main body of the American army, unapprised of its danger, had retired to rest. Directed by the light of the camp fires, the party under Major-General Grey proceeded undiscovered to the enemy's encampment, and rushed upon the foe with their bayonets. Three hundred Americans were killed and wounded, and a great number taken prisoners, with most of their arms and baggage. Obscurity saved those that escaped, as it had before at Brandywine Creek. The British had only one officer, one serjeant, and one private soldier killed, and a few men wounded, in this attack.

It was this affair which gave the FORTY-SIXTH regiment _Red Feathers_, which it has ever since worn. The origin of the distinction is as follows:--

The Americans having vowed vengeance for the above attack, and that they would give no quarter, the soldiers of the _light battalion_ on this declared, that to prevent any one not engaged in the action from suffering on their account, they had stained their feathers _red_, as a distinguishing mark.

The British army advanced upon Philadelphia, took possession of that city, and occupied a position at _Germantown_. The Americans attempted to surprise the British troops early on the morning of the 4th of October, and at first gained some advantage, but were speedily repulsed with severe loss.

[Sidenote: 1778]

The regiment passed the winter in quarters at Philadelphia, and in the spring of 1778, it furnished several detachments, which ranged the country in various directions to open communications for obtaining provisions. At this period General the Honorable Sir William Howe had returned to England, and resigned the command of the army to General Sir Henry Clinton, K.B. The regiment also took part in the fatigues and difficulties of the march of the army from Philadelphia, through the Jerseys, in order to return to New York, and the flank companies were engaged on the 28th of June in repulsing the attack of the enemy on the rear of the column at _Monmouth Court-House_, near _Freehold_, in New Jersey.

The army had marched from Philadelphia to New York in consequence of the King of France having engaged to aid the Americans, which circumstance changed the character of the war. Shortly after the arrival of the British army at New York a powerful French armament appeared off that port. The enemy had a great superiority of numbers; but the enthusiasm in the British navy and army was unbounded, and the hour of contest was looked forward to with sanguine expectations. The enemy did not, however, venture to hazard an attack; but proceeded against Rhode Island; a numerous body of Americans co-operated in the enterprise, and besieged Newport. The British fleet put to sea, and the thirty-third, forty-second, FORTY-SIXTH, and sixty-fourth regiments embarked, under Major-General Grey, to join the fleet at the east end of Long Island.

When the transports were about to sail, information was received of the departure of the French fleet from Rhode Island, and while at sea, news arrived of the Americans having raised the siege of Newport. The troops were then directed to proceed against _Bedford_, on the Accushnet river, a noted place for American privateers. On the evening of the 5th of September the troops landed,--overcame all opposition,--destroyed seventy privateers and other ships,--demolished the fort and artillery,--blew up the magazine,--destroyed an immense quantity of naval stores, &c., and returned on board the transports at noon on the following day. The troops afterwards proceeded against Martha's Vineyard,--destroyed the defences,--took three hundred and eighty-eight stand of arms from the militia,--obliged the inhabitants to deliver up three hundred oxen, ten thousand sheep, and a thousand pounds sterling collected by the Congress. After this success the regiment returned to New York.

A powerful French armament menacing the British possessions in the West Indies, the FORTY-SIXTH, and other regiments, sailed from North America, early in November, for Barbadoes, under Major-General James Grant.

Upon the arrival of the reinforcements at Barbadoes, the British naval and military commanders resolved to attack the French island of _St. Lucia_. On this occasion the FORTY-SIXTH regiment was formed in brigade with the fifteenth, twenty-eighth, and fifty-fifth regiments, under Major-General Prescott.

The expedition sailed from Carlisle Bay on the 12th of December, a landing was effected at _St. Lucia_ on the following day, and on the 14th the French troops were driven from several important posts. In the meantime a French armament of very superior numbers approached the island, and the British took up positions to repel the enemy. The French fleet made a desperate attack on the British naval force, but was repulsed.

A numerous body of the enemy landed, and, on the 18th of December, stormed the post of _La Vigie_, which was occupied by the grenadiers and light infantry (of which the flank companies of the FORTY-SIXTH formed part), and the fifth regiment, under Brigadier-General Medows. The enemy amounted to nine thousand men, commanded by Monsieur D'Estaing, the Marquis de Bouillé, and M. Lavendahl, and advanced in three columns; their first two attacks were made, to quote the words of Major-General Grant's despatch, "with the impetuosity of Frenchmen, and repulsed with the determined bravery of Britons." The French made a third attempt, but were soon broken, and were forced to re-embark, leaving the ground covered with killed and wounded.[14]

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.

[Sidenote: 1779]

In 1779 the Court of Spain commenced hostilities against Great Britain, and this example was followed by the Dutch.

[Sidenote: 1782]

The FORTY-SIXTH regiment remained in the West Indies until the year 1782, when it returned to England.

A letter, dated the 31st of August, 1782, conveyed to the regiment His Majesty's pleasure, that County Titles should be conferred on the Infantry, and the FORTY-SIXTH was directed to assume the designation of the SOUTH DEVONSHIRE regiment, in order that a connexion between the regiment and that part of the county should be cultivated, which might be useful in promoting the success of the recruiting service.

On the 30th of November, 1782, the preliminary Articles of Peace were signed at Paris between Great Britain and the United States of America, and the treaty was concluded in the ensuing February.

[Sidenote: 1783]

The preliminaries of the treaties between England, France, and Spain, were signed at Versailles on the 20th of January, 1783. _St. Lucia_ was restored to France, also the settlements on the river Senegal and the city of Pondicherry in the East Indies. France relinquished all her West India conquests, with the exception of Tobago; Spain retained Minorca (which had surrendered to the combined French and Spanish forces in the previous year), and West Florida; East Florida was ceded in exchange for the restitution of the Bahamas to Great Britain.

On the 2nd of September, 1783, were signed the preliminary Articles of Peace with Holland, the treaty with that country having been postponed in consequence of the Dutch claiming an indemnification for the expenses of the war, and the restoration of Trincomalee, in Ceylon, which had been captured from the Dutch by the English in January of the previous year, and retaken by the French in August following. The place was, however, restored to Holland at the general peace.

[Sidenote: 1784]

The FORTY-SIXTH regiment proceeded from Plymouth to Ireland on the 21st of February, 1784, and continued in that country during the eight following years.

[Sidenote: 1792]

In February, 1792, the regiment proceeded from Ireland to Gibraltar.

[Sidenote: 1794]

While the FORTY-SIXTH regiment was stationed at Gibraltar, the French revolutionary war commenced, and in the year 1794, the islands of Martinique, St. Lucia, and Guadaloupe were captured by the British. The French republican government fitted out an expedition for the recovery of these islands, and some success attended their efforts. This occurrence occasioned an order to be given for the FORTY-SIXTH regiment to be embarked from Gibraltar to reinforce the British troops in the West Indies. The regiment accordingly embarked in November, 1794, and arrived in the following month at the island of Martinique.

[Sidenote: 1795]

The republican emissaries employed by France having organized an insurrection in the island of _St. Vincent_, where the native Caribs, and several of the French inhabitants were in arms against the British government, occasioned the FORTY-SIXTH regiment to be ordered to St. Vincent.

At Dorsetshire Hill, the Caribs hoisted the tri-coloured flag, and burnt every plantation in their power. The loyal inhabitants of the island assembled at Kingston, and in the fort, and every means of defence which the colony afforded, were used by Governor Seton.

It being determined to storm _Dorsetshire Hill_, Governor Seton selected a force for this enterprise, of which a company of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment, which had arrived from Martinique, under the command of Captain Dugald Campbell, formed part. Shortly after twelve o'clock, on the night of the 14th of March, the troops mounted the steep and rugged path in regularity and silence. They ascended within eighty yards of the main post, when they were discovered by the enemy's sentry, who challenged and fired. The Caribs, undismayed by the surprise, shouted, and opened a smart fire of musketry on the British. As soon as the troops were within twenty yards of the enemy, orders were given to fire a volley and charge, which were obeyed with the greatest alacrity. While a portion of the British force mounted the bank at one place, the detachment of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment, under Captain Campbell, ascended another part of the bank. The buildings which sheltered the enemy were stormed, but many escaped through the darkness of the night. Chatoye, the Carib king, was killed with several of his adherents, and the enemy's two pieces of cannon were captured.

_Dorsetshire Hill_ being too extensive a position, was abandoned early on the following morning, and the British returned to Sion Hill.

The remainder of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment having arrived, enabled the governor to make a second attack upon the enemy on the 10th of April, when the Caribs were driven from their positions with considerable loss on their side, but small on the part of the British.

On the 7th of May, the enemy appeared on the height above _Calliaqua_, in the vicinity of which was situated the estate belonging to Sir William Young, whose buildings had been previously consumed by the Caribs, who had received reinforcements from Guadaloupe.

Governor Seton, considering that some attempt would be made against Kingston, sent on the 7th of May, a party, under Captain John Hall, of the FORTY-SIXTH, consisting of a subaltern and thirty-three rank and file of that regiment, forty militia, and forty of the corps of rangers, with five of the royal artillery, and a fourteen pound field-piece, to take possession of _Dorsetshire Hill_. About one o'clock in the morning of the 8th of May, the party under Captain Hall was attacked by a force of three hundred French and Caribs, and after a vigorous resistance, was compelled to withdraw to the post on Sion Hill, in consequence of the enemy's great superiority in numbers, leaving the field-piece spiked.

Kingston would inevitably have been destroyed, if the enemy had kept possession of Dorsetshire Hill, and sixty rank and file of the FORTY-SIXTH, under Captain William Cooper Forster, of that regiment, were immediately detached with other troops to attack the foe at daybreak.

The Caribs, with great dexterity, found means to clear the field-piece of the spike during the short time they had it in their possession, and had been joined by upwards of a hundred French and others of their party immediately after the retreat of Captain Hall's party. The British, however, attacked them with great spirit, and, in less than half an hour, they retook the field-piece, and obtained possession of the hill, the enemy flying on all sides.

The FORTY-SIXTH regiment had three rank and file killed, and nine wounded. Captain William Cooper Forster and Ensign Michael Lee, were also wounded.

On the 12th of June the troops under Lieut.-Colonel Baldwin Leighton, of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment, carried by assault, the enemy's post on the Vigie, on which occasion Captains John Law and William Cooper Forster, of that regiment, were wounded:--after this success the Lieut.-Colonel advanced into the Carib country, and took up a position on Mount Young.

On the 1st of August, 1795, Major-General James Henry Craig was appointed Colonel of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment, in succession to Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir John Vaughan, K.B., deceased.

In September, 1795, reinforcements arrived from England, consisting of the fortieth, fifty-fourth, and fifty-ninth regiments, and Major-General Paulus Æmilius Irving assumed the command. The enemy, apprised of the arrival of fresh troops, retired from his position on Fairbane's Ridge, during the night of the 30th of September.

At three o'clock on the morning of the 2nd of October, the troops advanced against the _Vigie_, and after a severe action, the Caribs abandoned that post, of which possession was taken by the British.

[Sidenote: 1796]

After this action the British remained on the defensive, but several attacks were made by the enemy. Major-General Peter Hunter, after an action fought on the 8th of January, 1796, evacuated the New Vigie, in order to provide for the safety of Fort Charlotte and Kingston. The party from Morne Ronde was also withdrawn.

On the 8th of June further reinforcements arrived under Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby, K.B., and on the following day the troops marched in one column, by the right, as far as Stubbs, about eight miles from Kingston; each division halted that evening opposite to their respective points of attack. The post of _New Vigie_, an eminence on which the enemy had constructed four redoubts, stronger by the natural difficulties of the approach, than by the art displayed in their formation, was attacked on the 10th of June, and after a conflict of seven hours' duration, the Caribs surrendered prisoners of war; but about six hundred broke the capitulation, and escaped to the woods, where they joined their friends at the farther end of the island.

In this attack the FORTY-SIXTH had two rank and file killed, and one wounded.

Troops were also despatched to _Mounts Young_ and _William_, where a number of brass ordnance, and a quantity of ammunition, &c., were taken.

A desultory warfare was carried on until September, when the Caribs were forced to submit, and they were afterwards removed from the island of St. Vincent.

The FORTY-SIXTH regiment, which had been engaged with the Caribs, together, and in detachments, on _thirteen_ occasions, and in eight months had sustained a loss of four hundred men out of five hundred and twenty, afterwards returned to England, and arrived at Portsmouth in November, 1796.

[Sidenote: 1797]

[Sidenote: 1799]

While stationed in England the regiment was successively quartered at Doncaster, York, Henley-upon-Thames, Warminster, Poole, and Plymouth, from which port it embarked for Ireland, towards the end of the year 1799.

[Sidenote: 1800]

In the beginning of the year 1800, the regiment arrived at Cork, and was subsequently stationed at Fermoy, Limerick, and Cork.

[Sidenote: 1802]

While the regiment was stationed in Ireland, a treaty of peace was signed on the 27th of March, 1802, at Amiens, but the ambitious designs of the French ruler occasioned the war to be renewed in May, 1803.

[Sidenote: 1804]

On the 5th of January, 1804, His Majesty King George III., appointed Lieut.-General John Whyte, from the First West India regiment, to be colonel of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment, in succession to Lieut.-General Sir James Henry Craig, who was removed to the eighty-sixth regiment.

The FORTY-SIXTH regiment embarked at Cork for the West Indies, and arrived at Barbadoes in April. In June following the regiment proceeded to _Dominica_.[15]

[Sidenote: 1805]

In February, 1805, the island of Dominica was attacked by the French, and the gallant conduct of the FORTY-SIXTH on that occasion cannot be better recorded than by the insertion of the following despatch, addressed to Earl Camden, K.G., one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, by Lieut.-General Sir William Myers, Bart., commanding the troops in the Windward and Leeward Islands:--

"_Barbadoes, March 9th, 1805._

"My LORD,

"I have the honor to enclose to your Lordship, a copy of a
despatch from Brigadier-General Prevost, dated Dominica, 1st
of March, 1805. The details contained therein are so highly
reputable to the Brigadier-General, and the small portion of
troops employed against so numerous an enemy, that I have great
satisfaction in recommending that their gallant exertions may be
laid before His Majesty.

"The zeal and talent manifested by the brigadier-general
upon this occasion, it is my duty to present for the royal
consideration, and at the same time I beg to be permitted to
express the high sense I entertain of the distinguished bravery
of His Majesty's troops, and the militia of the colony, employed
on that service.

"The vigorous resistance which the enemy have experienced, and
the loss which they have sustained in this attack, must evince to
them, that however inferior our numbers were on this occasion,
British troops are not to be hostilely approached with impunity;
and had not the town of Roseau been accidentally destroyed by
fire, we should have little to regret, and much to exult in.

"Your Lordship will perceive by the returns, that our loss in
men, compared to that of the enemy, is but trifling; but I have
sincerely to lament that of Major Nunn, of the First West India
regiment, whose wound is reported to be of a dangerous kind; he
is an excellent man, and a meritorious officer.

"I have, &c.,
(Signed) "W. MYERS.
"_Lieut.-General._"

"_Head Quarters, Prince Rupert's,
Dominica, March 1st, 1805._

"SIR,

"About an hour before the dawn of day on the 22nd ultimo, an
alarm was fired from Scots Head, and soon after a cluster of
ships was discovered off Roseau. As our light increased, I made
out five large ships, three frigates, two brigs, and small craft
under British colours, a ship of three decks carrying a flag
at the mizen. The frigates ranging too close to Fort Young,
I ordered them to be fired on, and soon after nineteen large
barges, full of troops, appeared coming from the lee of the
other ships, attended and protected by an armed schooner, full of
men, and seven other boats carrying carronades. The English flag
was lowered, and that of the French hoisted.

"A landing was immediately attempted on my left flank, between
the town of Roseau and the post of Cachecrow. The light infantry
of the First West India regiment were the first on the march to
support Captain Smart's company of militia, which, throughout the
day, behaved with great gallantry; it was immediately supported
by the grenadiers of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment. The first boats
were beat off, but the schooner and one of the brigs coming
close on shore, to cover the landing, compelled our troops to
occupy a better position, a defile leading to the town. At this
moment I brought up the grenadiers of the St. George's regiment
of militia, and soon after the remainder of the FORTY-SIXTH
regiment, and gave over to Major Nunn these brave troops,
with orders not to yield to the enemy one inch of ground. Two
field-pieces (an amuzette and a six-pounder), were brought into
action for their support, under the command of Serjeant Creed
of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment, manned by additional gunners and
sailors. These guns, and a twenty-four pounder from Melville
battery, shook the French advancing column by the execution they
did.

"I sent two companies of St. George's militia, under the command
of Lieut.-Colonel Constable, and a company of the FORTY-SIXTH,
to prevent the enemy from getting into the rear of the position
occupied by Major Nunn.

"On my return I found the "Majestueuse" of 120 guns, lying
opposite to Fort Young, pouring into the town and batteries her
broadsides, followed by the other seventy-fours and frigates
doing the same.

"Some artillery, several captains of merchantmen with their
sailors, and the militia artillery, manned five twenty-four
pounders, and three eighteens, at the fort, and five twenty-fours
at Melville battery, and returned an uninterrupted fire; from the
first post red-hot shot were thrown. At about ten o'clock, A.M.,
Major Nunn, most unfortunately for His Majesty's service, whilst
faithfully executing the order I had given him, was wounded; I
fear mortally.

"This did not discourage the brave fellows. Captain O'Connell, of
the First West India regiment, received the command and a wound
almost at the same time; however, the last circumstance could not
induce him to give up the honor of the first, and he continued
on the field animating his men, and resisting the repeated
charges of the enemy, until about one o'clock, when he obliged
them to retire from their position with great slaughter. It is
impossible for me to do justice to the merit of that officer; you
will, I doubt not, favorably report his conduct to His Majesty,
and at the same time that of Captain James, who commanded the
FORTY-SIXTH regiment, and Captain Archibald Campbell, who
commanded the grenadiers of that corps.

"Foiled and beat off on the left, the right flank was attempted,
and a considerable force was landed near Morne Daniel. The
regulars not exceeding two hundred, employed on the left in
opposing the advance of three columns, consisting of upwards
of two thousand men, could afford me no reinforcement; I had
only the right wing of the St. George's regiment of militia to
oppose them, of about a hundred men. They attacked with spirit,
but unfortunately the frigates had stood in so close to the
shore to protect this disembarkation, that after receiving a
destructive fire, they fell back and occupied the heights of
Woodbridge estate. Then it was that a column of the enemy marched
up to Morne Daniel, and stormed the redoubt defended by a small
detachment, which, after an obstinate resistance they carried. On
my left Captain O'Connell was gaining ground, notwithstanding a
fresh supply of troops and several field-pieces, which had been
brought on shore by the enemy. I now observed a large column
climbing the mountains to get in his rear.

"The town, which had been for some time in flames, was only
protected by a light howitzer and a six-pounder to the right,
supported by part of the light company of the St. George's
regiment. The enemy's large ships in Woodbridge Bay, out of the
reach of my guns, my right flank gained, and my retreat to Prince
Rupert's almost cut off, I determined on one attempt to keep
the sovereignty of the island, which the excellent troops I had
warranted. I ordered the militia to remain at the posts, except
such as were inclined to encounter more hardships and severe
service; and Captain O'Connell, with the FORTY-SIXTH regiment,
under the command of Captain James, and the light company of
the First West India regiment, were directed to make a forced
march to Prince Rupert's. I then allowed the President to enter
into terms for the town of Roseau; and then demanded from the
French General that private property should be respected, and
that no wanton or disgraceful pillage should be allowed; this
done, only attended by Brigade Major Prevost, and Deputy Quarter
Master-General Hopley, of the militia forces, I crossed the
island, and in twenty-four hours, with the aid of the inhabitants
and the exertions of the Caribs, I got to this garrison on
the 23rd. After four days' continued march, through the most
difficult country, I might almost say existing, Captain O'Connell
joined me at Prince Rupert's, himself wounded, and bringing in
his wounded, with a few of the royal artillery, and the precious
remainder of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment, and the First West India
light company.

"I had no sooner got to the fort, than I ordered cattle to be
driven in, and took measures for getting a store of water from
the river in the bay. I found my signals to Lieut.-Colonel
Charles Broughton, of the First West India Regiment, made from
Roseau soon after the enemy had landed, had been received, and
that, in consequence, he had made the most judicious arrangements
his garrison would allow for the defence of this important post.

"On the 25th I received the letter of summons I have now the
honor to transmit, from General of Division La Grange, and
without delay sent the reply you will find accompanying it.

"On the 27th the enemy's cruisers hovered about the head,
however, the "Centaur's" tender (Vigilante) came in, and was
saved by our guns. I landed Mr. Henderson, her commander, and
crew, to assist in the defence we were prepared to make.

"As far as can be collected, the enemy had about four thousand
men on board, and the whole of their force was compelled to
disembark before they gained one inch of ground.

"I entrust this despatch to Captain O'Connell, to whom I beg to
refer you; his services entitle him to consideration. I am much
indebted to the zeal and discernment of Fort Adjutant Gualy, who
was very accessary to the due execution of my orders.

"I cannot pass unnoticed the very soldier-like conduct of
Lieutenant Wallis of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment, to whom I had
entrusted the post of Cachecrow, or Scots Head: on perceiving
our retreat he spiked his guns, destroyed his ammunition, and
immediately commenced his march to join me at Prince Rupert's
with his detachment: nor that of Lieutenant Schaw of the same
corps, who acted as an officer of artillery, and behaved with
uncommon coolness and judgment, while on the battery, and great
presence of mind in securing the retreat of the additional
gunners belonging to the FORTY-SIXTH regiment. On the 27th, after
levying a contribution on Roseau, the enemy reimbarked, and
hovered that day and the next about this post. This morning the
French fleet is seen off the south end of Guadaloupe, under easy
sail.

"Our loss, you will perceive by the returns I have the honor to
transmit, was inconsiderable, when compared with that of the
enemy, which included several officers of rank, and about three
hundred others.

"I have, &c.,
(Signed) "GEO. PREVOST.

"_Lieut.-General Sir William
Myers, Bart., &c. &c. &c._"

"P.S. As I find I cannot spare Captain O'Connell from the duty
of this garrison, I must refer you to the master of a neutral
vessel, who has engaged to deliver this despatch."

(TRANSLATION.)

"From the General of Division La Grange, &c., to his Excellency
General Prevost, &c.

"_Head Quarters at Roseau,
the 5th Ventôse, Year 13th, Feb. 25th, 1805._

"The General of Division La Grange, Grand Officer of the
Legion of Honor, Inspector-General of the Gendarmerie,
Commander-in-Chief of the troops of the expedition to the Leeward
Islands:

"GENERAL,--

"Before I commence any military operations against the fort,
into which it appears that you have retired, I shall fulfil a
preliminary duty authorised and practised by civilized nations.
You are aware, no less than myself, of the nature of your
position, and of the entire inutility of occasioning any further
effusion of blood. You witnessed with grief the melancholy fate
of the town of Roseau; my first endeavours on entering it were to
issue orders for stopping the progress of the conflagration; but,
unfortunately, considerable destruction had already taken place.

"The want of necessaries is ever attended with the most cruel
consequences, the evils of which can easily be calculated; this
consideration alone is more than sufficient, without reference to
the particular circumstances in which you are placed, to induce
you to accept the honorable conditions that I am ready to grant
you, and thus to preserve the interesting inhabitants of this
colony from fresh calamities, which are inseparable from the
occurrences of war.

"I beg you, General, to make me an early communication of your
answer, and in the meantime to receive the assurance of the high
esteem which I entertain for you.

"I have, &c.,
(Signed) "LA GRANGE."

(ANSWER.)

"_Head Quarters, Prince Rupert's
February 25th, 1805._

"SIR,

"I have the honor to say I received your letter. My duty to my
King and country is so superior to every other consideration,
that I have only to thank you for the observations you have been
pleased to make, on the often inevitable consequences of war.
Give me leave, individually, to express the greatest gratitude
for your humanity and kind treatment of my wife and children; and
at the same time to request a continuance thereof, not only to
her and them, but towards every other object you may meet with.

"I have, &c.,
(Signed) "GEO. PREVOST."

Return of the killed and wounded in the actions of the 22nd of
February, 1805, at Point Michael, Morne Daniel, and Roseau, in
the Island of Dominica.

Royal Artillery;--three rank and file wounded; one captain, one
serjeant, and six rank and file taken by the enemy.

FORTY-SIXTH regiment;--one serjeant, one drummer, and ten rank
and file killed; one captain, and seven rank and file wounded.

First West India regiment;--nine rank and file killed; one field
officer, one captain, and eight rank and file wounded.

_Total killed_;--one serjeant, one drummer, and nineteen rank and
file.

_Total wounded_;--one field officer, two captains, and eighteen
rank and file.

Taken by the enemy;--one captain, one serjeant and six rank and
file.

_Names of Officers Wounded._

Captain Colin Campbell, FORTY-SIXTH regiment; Major Nunn and
Captain O'Connell, First West India regiment.

N. B. Three sailors wounded, exclusive of the militia, from which
no return has been received, but whose loss was considerable.

(Signed) JAMES PREVOST.
_Major of Brigade._

The Royal authority was afterwards received for the FORTY-SIXTH to bear the word "DOMINICA" on the regimental colour and appointments, "as a distinguished mark of the good conduct and exemplary valour displayed by that regiment in the defence of the Island of Dominica, against a very superior French force, on the 22nd of February, 1805."

[Sidenote: 1806]

In the beginning of May, 1806, the "Dominica" armed sloop was cut from her anchorage by her own crew, and taken from Dominica into Guadaloupe: early on the morning of the 6th of May, a large schooner, a row-boat full of troops, and the "Dominica" sloop, were discovered making out from the land, and Major-General Stair Park Dalrymple perceiving they were suspicious, and evidently enemy's vessels, ordered detachments from the FORTY-SIXTH regiment to be instantly embarked on board the "Duke of Montrose" packet, Captain Dynely, who had volunteered his services, and another on board a small colonial sloop. Lieutenant James Wallis, of the FORTY-SIXTH, was appointed to take command of the first detachment, and under him Lieut. Benjamin Forster and forty men; Lieutenant Andrew Hamilton commanded the second detachment on board the sloop. Both were successful; the "Duke of Montrose" chased the schooner from ten A.M. until four P.M., when she engaged within musket-shot for three-quarters of an hour. The schooner then hove up, and again endeavoured to escape. On the packet's overhauling fast, and being about to board her, she surrendered. The schooner proved to be the French national schooner _L'Impérial_, having on board General Dumareau and eighty soldiers, and carried one large gun amidships, which was well served during the action. Lieutenant Andrew Hamilton also proved successful in capturing the row-boat.

For these services the officers and men received the unqualified approbation of Lieut.-General Henry Bowyer, commanding the forces in the West Indies, and of Major-General Dalrymple, for having so handsomely supported the honor of their corps by their zeal, courage, and steady discipline.

[Sidenote: 1808]

In 1808 an expedition was assembled at Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes, for the reduction of the French island of _Martinique_,[16] and the flank companies of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment were selected to form part of the expedition. The land forces were under Lieut.-General George Beckwith, and the navy was commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane, K.B.

[Sidenote: 1809]

The fleet left Carlisle Bay on the 28th of January, 1809, and arrived off the island of _Martinique_ in two days. On the 30th, the troops landed in two divisions; the first division at Bay Robert under Lieut.-General Sir George Prevost, and the second division, commanded by Major-General Maitland, near St. Luce and Point Solomon. Both divisions were actively engaged in operations for the reduction of the island. St. Pierre surrendered on the 8th of February, to Lieut.-Colonel Edward Barnes of the FORTY-SIXTH regiment, who commanded a brigade in the army employed in this expedition.

The flank companies of the FORTY-SIXTH composed part of the flank battalion under Major Richard Payne, of the regiment, at the siege of _Fort Royal_.

The reduction of _Fort Desaix_ (or Fort Bourbon) by the first division of the army, which was effected on the 24th of February, completed the reduction of _Martinique_, and the flank companies rejoined the regiment at Dominica.

[Sidenote: 1810]

In 1810, the flank companies of the regiment were selected to form part of an expedition under Lieut.-General Sir George Beckwith, K.B., against the island of _Guadaloupe_, which had been restored to the French at the Peace of Amiens. The expedition arrived before the island in January, 1810.