55<i 



ANNUAL REGISTER, 1805. 



oi militia to oppose them, of about 

 100 men. They attacked with 

 spirit, but unfortunately the frigates 

 stood in so close to the shore, to 

 protect this disembarkation, that, 

 after receiving a destructive fire, 

 they fled back, and occupied the 

 heights of Woodbridge estate- 

 Then it was that a column of the 

 enemy marched up to Morne Da- 

 niel, and stormed the redoubt, de- 

 fended • by a small detachment, 

 which, after an obstinate resistance, 

 they carried. — On my left, captain 

 O'Connel was gaining ground, not- 

 withstanding 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 mountain 

 to get in his rear. The town, 

 wliich had been for some time in 

 flames, was only protected by a 

 light howitzer, and a six-pounder 

 to the right, supportetl by part of 

 the light company of the Saint 

 George's regiment. The enemy's 

 large shij)s in Woodbridge-bay out 

 of the reach of my guns, rey right 

 flank gained, and my retreat to 

 Prince Il«pert's almost cut ofl', I 

 determined on one attempt to keep 

 the sovereignty of the island, which 

 the excellent troops I had war- 

 ranted. I ordered the militia to re- 

 main at their posts, except such as 

 were inclined to encounter more 

 hardships and severe service ; and 

 captain O'Conncll, with the 46th, 

 . under the command of capt. 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 pre- 

 sident to enter into terms for the 

 town of Roseau ; and tbeu demand- 

 ed from the French general that 

 prirat* property thoHld k« respect- 



ed, and that no wanton or disgrace- 

 ful pillage should be allowed. This 

 done, only attended by brigade- 

 major Prevost, and deputy quarter- 

 ter-niaster-gcncral Ilopley, of the 

 militia forces, 1 crossed the island, 

 and in 24 hours, with the aid of the 

 inhabitants, and the exertions of the 

 Caribs, I got to this garrison on the 

 23d. After four days continued 

 march, through the most difficult 

 country', I might almost say, exist- 

 ing, captain O'Conncll joined me at 

 Prince Rupert's, wounded himself, 

 and bringing in his wounded, with 

 a few of the royal artillery, and the 

 precious remains of the 46th regi- 

 ment, and the 1st West-India light 

 company. I had no sooner got to 

 the fort tiian I ordered cattle to be 

 drove in, and took measures for 

 getting a store of water from th« 

 river in the bay. I found my sig- 

 nals to lieut.-col. Broughton, from 

 Roseau, made soon after the enemy 

 had landed, had been received, and 

 that, in consequence, he had madtt 

 the most judicious arrangements his 

 garrison would allow of lor the de- 

 fence of this important post. On 

 the 25th I received the letter of 

 summons 1 have now the honour to 

 transmit, from general of division 

 La Grange, and, without delay, 

 sent the reply you will find accon>». 

 panying it. On the 27th the ene- 

 my's cruizers hovered about the 

 head ; however, the Centaur's ten. 

 dcr (Vigilante) came in, and was 

 saved by our guns. I landed Mr. 

 Henderson, her commander, and his 

 crew, to assist in the defence wc were 

 prepared to make. As far as can be 

 collected, the enemy bad about 4000 

 men on board, and the whole of their 

 force was compelled to disembark 

 before they gained an inch of 

 ^reufld. I trust tbis dispatch to 



capt. 



