cepting Forts Bourbon and Royal, which I hold completely and clofely befieged; the latter being, however, entirely in our power to deftroy at pleasure.

Having made difpofitions for three feparate landings, distant from each other, not only for the purpofe of dividing the enemy's force and attention, but to alarm him in every quarter at the fame time, I have the pleasure to fay they all fucceeded, viz. at La Trinité, by a divifion under major general Dundas and commodore Thompfon, on the 5th and 6th of February; at Caife de Navire, to leeward, by another, under colonel fir Charles Gordon, affifted by colonel Myers, and cap. tain Rogers of the navy, on the 8th fol lowing; and near Trois Rivieres, St. Luce, Cul de Sac Marin, where lieutenant general Prescot and I were. All these fervices were executed with great fpirit and ability by the officers, who feverally commanded, and were well fupported by the troops.

Major general Dundas immediately advanced, with colonel Campbell of the 9th foot, lieutenant colonel Coote of the 70th, and the ft battalion of light infantry, and carried Morne Le Brun, under a heavy fire of mufquetry, on the 6th; and inftantly detaching lieutenant colonel Craddock with the ad battalion of grenadiers, and major Evatt with three companies of light infantry to attack Trinité Fort, the enemy fled, and our troops got poffeffion of it, with the cannon, ftores, &c. During the fame night, Bellegarde, the popular leader of the mulattoes and blacks, evacuated the fort bearing his name, and, leaving his arillery, &c. fet fire to the town of Trinité; great part of which was, however, faved by the activity of captain Salisbury and the feamen Proceeding to the Gros Morne, he gained that poit by twelve o'clock at night of the 7th, major Skerrett being left to command at Trinité Fort. Puth ng forward again, he feized Moine Bruneau at noon of the 9th, the enemy retreating at his approach; and detaching lieutenant colonel Craddock, with three companies of grenadiers, he took polletion of Fort Matille, which covered a good landing within two miles of his left. The roth following, he de tached colonel Campbell, with five compames of light infantry, who feized Colon during the night. Lieutenant colonel Craddock being reinforced the fame evening at the poft of Matilde, with the 33d company of grenadiers, was, however, attacked, and sustained some lofs during that

night (among whom was captain Mackewen, of the 38th grenadiers, an officer of much merit) by Bellegarde and a conti derable number of the enemy; but, on being charged with bayonets by the grena diers of the 9th regiment, headed by lieutenant colonel Craddock, they were totally repulfed. Colonel Campbell being reinforced at Colon on the 11th by heutenant colonel Coote and four companies of light infantry, he took poffeffion of the strong poft of Lemaitre, leaving the 65th regiment at Colon, which was three times at tacked during that night, and repulfed the enemy with great fpirit.

That part of the army which landed with me near Trois Rivieres the 6th of February, proceeded the fame evening to Riviere Salée, getting the troops under cover in the village of that name at feven o'clock the fame evening, having detached brigadier general Whyte, on this day's march, with the 2d battalion of light infantry, commanded by lieutenant colonel Clofe, and two Amuzettes, to force the batteries of Cape Solomon and Bourges, in order to get poffeffion of Pigeon Inland, as our fhipping could not go into the harbour of Port Royal, which was even dangerous for the boats in fupplying the army at Salée with provifions, till that might be accomplished. The following day, the 7th of Feb. he took two fmall pieces of cannon, loaded, at a viliage in the bay of d'Arlet, 150 mulattoes having fled at his approach; and marching to the attack of the two batteries abovementioned, they furendered at difcretion, not having the means to escape. In the mean time I had received intelligence of the enemy's landing troops, and taking poft on Morne Pied, to cut off the communication between brigadier general Whyte and head-quarters, at Salée, and ordered the 70th regiment, with two howitzers. to march the fame night and diflodge them, which was excuted with great spirit, and the port taken poficifion of early in the morning of the 9th, under the good conduct of the adjutant general col. Dundas, the 70th legiment being commanded by lieutenant colonel Johnion, and the enemy completely defeated at the first charge. Brigadier general Whyte, being reinforced with a defacement of the royal artillery, fone ordnance, mortars, &c. colonel Symes, and two companies of the 45th regiment, 200 ftamen armed with pikes and putois from the admiral, afcended the heighs on the 9th, and, aided by the unequalled exertions of the feamen under lieuten us Qq

Rogers and Rutherford, got poffeffion of Mount Mathurine, which commands Pigeon Island, at the distance of about 400 yards, where he erected batteries, affifted by the zeal and activity of colonel Symes. The two 5 inch howitzers, brought by the 70th regiment from head-quarters, being now placed on the battery, so as to take the island in reverfe, under the direction of captain de Rouligne of the royal artillery, whofe conduct was contpicuouf. ly meritorious; and colonel Durnford, chief engineer, having allo joined with a company of artificers, the batteries were completed during the night of the oth, and opened in the morning of the 11th, under the conduct of an excellent officer, captain Manley, who kept up fo inceffant and well-directed a fire, as to force the garrifon to strike their colours, and furrender at difcretion in little more than two hours, 15 being killed and 25 wounded, and having contitled of 203 when our batteries opened. The highest encomiums are due to all the officers, foldiers and feamen of this divifion, particularly to brigadier general Whyte and colonel Symes, whofe good conduct and exertions could not be excelled.

The 15th regiment, led by mayor Lyon, and commanded by captain Paumier, furprised several hundred of the enemy, very frongly posted on the heights of Le Grand Bouclan, the 12th following, killing several, and taking all their aims, ammunition, cattle, &c.

I have mentioned before that colonel fir Charles Gordon, affifted by colonel Myers and captain Rogers of the navy, had Janded to keeward, on the side of Caife de Navire, on the 8th. The enemy being matter of the Great Road and the heights above it, he made a movement toward the mountains, and turning them, unperceived, with part of his force, gained the molt commanding point in that part of the country, by day-break of the 9th. Colonel Myers defcending the heights, took poffeffion of La Chapelle, and a poft ettablified by the enemy above it; and re turning to the column, it proceeded through the most difficult ground to the heights of Beine, above Hance La Haye, the enemy abandoning the batteries of Cayman, and fetting fire to the village, keeping a confiant fire on him from the battery of St. Catharine's. He then took a pofition, which gave him an eafy communication with the tranfports, when, on the 12th, he obferved the battery and works at St. Catharine's, and the pofts which guarded

the first ravines, were abandoned by the enemy, of which he took poffeffion, while colonel Myers, with five companies of grenadiers, and the 43d regiment, craffed four ravines higher up, feizing all the batteries hat defended them; which movement was completely fuccessful, the enemy flying on every fide, and our troops were foon in poffeffion of the five batteries between Caife de Navire and Fort Royal. He then proceeded, and occupied the poits of Gentilly, La Colte, and L'Archet. The good abilities and conduct of colonel fir Charles Gordon and colonel Myers are eminently manifefted throughout this difficult fervice, and all the troops of that divifion have performed their duty moft meritoriously,

As the bay and harbour of Port Royal had been completely opened to our fhipping by the c pture of Pigeon Ifland, I moved forward with the troops from Riviere Salée, to the pott of Buneau, and joined lieutenant general Piekot the 14th; and having previously concerted the attack of the town of St. Pierre with major general Dundas, he marched the fame evening on that enterprize with the second battalion of grenadiers, the 33d and 40th light companies, and the 65th regiment, to Gros Morne, from whence he detached colonel Campbell, through the woods by Bois le Buc, with the two light companies and 65th regiment, to reach Montigne on the morning of the 16th, proceeding himfelf toward the heights of Capot and Calabaffe: they were evacuated by the enemy; and, from the latter, he faw colonel Campbell at Poft au Pin, half a mile short of Montigne, attacked in great force, and, under a heavy fire, from five or fix hundred of the eneiny ftrongly potted; the major general pushed forward is advanced guard, confitting of 63 men, under command of the hon. captain Ramfay, of the queen's, who, gaining the fummit by extraordinary exertions, fired on the enemy who were engaged with colonel Campbell, and filenced ther fire; and, when joined by the 2d battalion of grenadiers, the detachment of the queen's took poffeffion of Montigne, where it was remforced with two companies of grenadiers, taking post himself on Morne Rouge; and then vifit ing colonel Campbell's column, found he had been attacked at half past nine o'clock in the morning, and the enemy being within twenty yards of the 40th light company, had charged them with bayonets at the head of it, when he was killed; and in han his majesty's fervice lofes a moft

excellent officer and a valuable man, juftly lamented by the whole army and navy. Major general Dundas now obferved large bodies of the enemy moving toward his frout at Morne Rouge, and forming under a fmall redoubt near that poft; he therefore haftened back, and was inftansly attacked by five or fix hundred men, which lafted about twenty minutes, when the fire cealed, and the enemy abandoned the redoubt in front during the night, leaving two field pieces, &c. At daybreak, the 17th, these two columns advanced, the right to Le Jeune, the left to the colonial redoubt, and on the march he received a letter from the commandant of St. Pierre, to which he returned an anfwer by a flag, but the commandant was not to be found in the mean time, colonel Symes had landed, and was already in the town, who, agreeable to the plan I had originally concerted for the co-operation with major general Dundas, had embark ed with three light companies, and major Maitland, with a detachment of the 58th regiment, to land north of the town.; five companies of the 1ft battalion of grenadiers, and five companies of the 3d battalion of light infantry, under colonel Myers, having alfo marched from Camp La Cofte for the fame purpofe of co-operating with major general Dundas; which general's ability, good conduct, and activity, firit in penetrating through fo difficult a country from La Trinité to Bruneau, and afterward to the capture of St. Kerre, do him the highest honour, and merit his majefty's notice in an eminent degree.

As Fort Bourbon, where Rochambeau commands, could not be clofely invested, without the poffeffion of thofe heights of Sourriere, and this poft was ftill occupied by Bellegarde, with a confiderable number of mulattoes and blacks, I had fixed one o'clock in the morning of the 19th of February to force him with the bayonet from my camp at Bruneau; but at noon the preceding day (February 18th) a molt forTunate event anticipated my wifhes and his ruin. Bellegarde, with part of his troops, defcending the heights, attacked my left, toward the landing-place in a very daring and spirited manner; to which part lieutenant general Prelcot led a reinforcement with great judgment, and in good time, checking and charging the enemy vailing myself of this favourable moment, when Bellegarde's camp was weakened, I ordered from my right the 3d battalion of grenadiers, commanded by lieutenant colonel Buckeridge, and supported by the

A

1ft and 2d battalions of light infantry under lieutenant colonels Coote and Blundell, who attacked his camp upon the left, in fuch a fuperior tile of spirit and impetuofity, as to prove irrefiftible; and I got poffeffion of it and his cannon, with inconfiderable lofs; which might have proved very different if my attack had not taken place till one o'clock the next morning, as was previously concerted, and if it had been properly defended by him, being there in fuch force with cannon and numhers, and the situation so eminently strong and difficult. My admiration of the gallantry of thofe corps who performed this fervice, and the officers who commanded them, is inexpreffible, and their conduct is above praife; nor did I ever feel more highly farisfied with the fuccefs of any enterprize in which I have been concerned.

Immediately after forcing Bellegarde, and getting poffeffion of this poft of Sourriere, on the 18th of February, I held Fort Bourbon besieged; but making a new road, getting up cannon, mortars, &c. and making batteries, took up the time tili the 7th inft. when the batteries of my first pa rallel opened.

On the sight of the 28th ult. Bellegarde, the great and popular leader of the mulattoes and blacks, with his fecond, Pelocque, and 300 of their followers, finding their fituation too perilous outfide of their forts, and expofed to our attacks, furrende.ed; the two former being fent to Botton, on condition of never carrying arms against his majesty's forces; and their followers, as prifoners of war, are fent on board his majetty's fhips.

Major-general prince Edward joined this army the 4th intt, and commands at Camp La Colte, with great spirit and activity.

I have erected the batteries of my lecond parallel, at the distance of 4 or 500 yards, which I expect will be completed, and ready to open by the 20th infant, al though the late rains retarded our progrefs, and are unusual at this time of the year.

It is just five weeks fince the latt divifion of this army landed, under colonel fis Charles Gordon; and I hope it will appear to his majesty there is no realon to be diffatisfied with the progrefs we have made, in that short space of time, with inconfide rable lofs.

The spirit, unanimity, and perfeverance of the army and navy, never were more confpicuous, nor has more o dial co-operatin ever been manifeited between his majefty's naval and land forces. In a word, the general, and all the field officers

as well as all the commanding officers of corps, have fet fuch an example of zeal, activity and animation, on this fervice, which has been fo laudably imitated by all the officers and foldiers of this little army, that they merit the greatett praife.

Admiral fir John Jervis' profeffional knowledge never fhone with more luftfe, or ever was exceeded; nor can I fufficiently extol the promptnefs with which he has aided the land-forces on every occafion, and his unremitting exertions to promote the honour of his majesty's arms and the interetts of his country; in which he has been fo eminently fupported by the abilities and exertions of all the officers and feamen under his command; to whofe fervices I am indebted for having the fiege in fuch forwardness, having brought the cannon and mortars, &c. for feveral miles to thefe heights, although it appeared almoft impoffible.

The arrival of the Roebuck hofpital fhip, with medicines, &c. for the fick. is a feasonable fupply; a number of whom are comfortably accommodated at St. Pierre's, in an excellent hofpital.

The Peggy transport being alfo arrived from Lisbon, with the light companies of the 44th and 55th regiments, without any fick, and in the highest order, is a fortunate Te-enforcement, although a finall one, and the fick left at Barbadoes are recovering.

The troops are in the highest fpirits, and · generally in good health,

Enclofed, are returns of killed, wounded and mifling, from the tire of landing in Martinico to this date. A return of ordnance and ftores taken is also enclosed. I have the honour to be, &c. CHARLES GREY. Head Quarters, Camp at Souriere, before Fort Bourbon, Martinico.

By the general return from the 6th of February to the 25th of March, the total were 71 killed, 193 wounded, and 3 milling.

Names of Officers killed. Colonel Campbell, of the gth reg. Captain Mackewen, of the 38th ditto.

Wounded.

Royal artillery, Captain Hope, captain Whitworth, and lieutenant Thornbill; 33d reg. lieurenant Keating; 44th, lieutenant Holland; 43, lieutenant Grahain; 60th, lieutenant Schmeider; 9th, lieutenant Stopford; 8th, enfign Toole; ft battalion grenadiers, volunteer Collis 2d batt kon ditto, vlunteer Latouche; ft light infantry, volunteer Davis.

Whitehall, April 16. A letter, of which the following is an extract, was this day received from major-general Williamfon by the right hon. Henry Dundas, his majetty's principal secretary of ftate for the home department, dated King's Houle, Jamaica, March 2, 1794.

It being judged that the poft of L'Acul, St. Domingo, about fix miles from Leogane, at the extremity of the plain of Leo. gane, fhould be taken, lieutenant-colonel Whitelocke made a very proper difpofition of his troops, and on the night of the 18th ult. detached 200 colonial troops, with one field-piece and fome of the British artillery; they were embarked on board two tranfports, and were to land at five o'clock in the morning.

Lieutenant-colonel Whitelocke marched at four o'clock in the morning of the 19th, with the flink companies, artillery, two howitzers, two field-pieces, and about 50 of the colonial troops of all colours. Captain Vincent, with the flank company of the 49th, and 120 colonial troops, took a mountain road, which led to the oppofite flank upon which the detachment of colonial troops was to commence the attack.

Lieutenant-colonel Whitelocke advanced with the main body just within cannon hot of the fort, to co-operate with the detachment, but from the mifmanagement of one of the tranfports, and unfavourable wind, the troops could not land.

Lieutenant-colonel Whitelocke drew his artillery back a little, which the enemy perceiving, a heavy fire of mufquetry cominenced from a wood on their right, which was inftantly filenced by a corps commanded by major Spencer. All this time four guns fired inceffantly from the fort, but fortunately did little execution.

Lieutenant-colonel Whitelocke finding that he could not have any afliftance from the troops that were embarked, determined at once to form the pot. He ordered fome refreshment for the men, and fent away the howitzers.

At half paft four P. M. major Spencer was ordered, with two flank companies, to join captain Vincent to advance, and fire on the fort, which he did according to a fignal given, and lieutenant-col. Whitelocke advanced in front under the fire of two guns loaded with grape, and a heavy fire of mufquetry. They afcended the hill, which was rendered as difficult as poffible by trees placed in all diretions, gallantly pafted on with fixed bayonets, and drove the enemy from their works.

Many of the enemy ware killed; and

had

had the colonial troops been landed, not a man would have efcaped. The garrifon was supposed to confit of about 600 men, commanded by a white man of the name of De Life, who had ferved in the late king's time, and is faid to have murdered, or caufe to be murdered, near 300 white perfons.

Lieutenant-colonel Whitelocke fpeaks in the highest terms of both officers and men, and particularly of major Spencer, Captain Smith of the royal artillery, and lieutenant M'Keiras of the engineers.

I have the honour to fend herewith returns of ftores, and of the killed and wounded; and I have to lament the death of captain_Morfhead, who gallantly entered the work, and was blown up by a quantity of combustible matter, which was fet fire to by one of the brigands, who alfo perifhed in the expiofion. Captain Morhead had received a wound in the body before, but that did not prevent his going

third light infantry: and I have the bonour to tranfinit to you the articles of capitulation, together with a lift of the killed and wounded, and a return of the ordnance, &c. taken fince my dispatch of the 16th inft. in which I communicated the transactions and progrefs of this army to that period. The return of ordnance taken in Fort Royal is figned by the commanding officer of British artillery; but that of Fort Bourbon is the French account of it, as there is not time to make an exact return at prefent, which shall be fent by the next opportunity.

Having concerted meatures with the admiral for a combined attack by the naval and land forces upon the fort and town of Fort Royal, and the batteries of my fecond parallel being ready, thofe on Morne Tortenfon and Carriere kept up an incef fant fire upon Fort Royal, and all the other batteries on Fort Bourbon, during the day and night of the 19th inftant, and on the morning of the 20th following, till the fhips defined for this fervice had taken their stations. The Afia of 64 guns, captain Browne, and the Zebra floop of 16 guns, captain Faulknor, with captain Rogers, and a body of feamen in flat boats, the whole under commodore

Thompson, compofed the naval force; and the land force confifted of the first battalion of grenadiers, under lieutenant colonel Stewart, and the third light infantry, under lieutenant colonel Clofe, from prince Edward's camp at La Cofte; with the third grenadiers, under lieutenant colone! Buckeridge, and the first light infantry, under lieutenant colonel Coote, from lieu enant general Prefcot's camp at Soururie.

The navy acquitted themselves with their ufual ga lantry (particularly captain Faulkno., whofe conduct justly gained him the admiration of the whole army) carrying the fort by efcalade about twelve o'clock of the 20th inftant, under the able conduct of commodore Thompton, whose judicious difpofition of the gun and flat boats, affifted by hat fpirited and active officer captain Rogers, contributed materially to our fucc-1; at the fame time that the land forces, commanded by that excellent officer colonel Symes, critically advancing with equal ardour, forced and entered the town triumphantly, hoifted the British colours, and changing the name to Fort Edward.

Immediately after this general Rochambe.ú, who commanded in Fort Bourbon, lent his aide de camp with a flag, offering to furrender on capitulation, and the terms