the seeyices of lieut.-colonel feancis downman, e.a. 
5 
A journal commenced 20th April, 1759, and ended the 8th Oct., 1764 , 
Chapter I. 
Action at St. Marie’s. Cessation of arms. Surrender of the Island of 
Marie Galante. Brigadier Clavering’s report. A description of 
Guadeloupe. 
Oo the 20th April, 1759, the army began their march towards St. 
Marie’s, and I received orders to attend them with my two field-pieces. 
We met with very little to molest onr progress till we arrived near St. 
Marie’s. The enemy had thrown up a breastwork by the water side, 
at the only place where we could pass. I brought up my guns, and by 
two or three well-pointed shot drove the enemy from it, our troops at 
the same time penetrating through the wood, which the French 
thought impassable, and nearly getting into their rear before they 
retired. They ran with the utmost precipitation to the heights above 
St. Marie’s, where they had very strong intrenchments and cannon. 
I had two of my detachment wounded at the breastwork, One of my 
shot had killed two of the French; as we passed the breastwork we 
saw them lying almost knocked to pieces. Oar troops immediately 
attacked their works, and in a little time carried them with some loss. 
The enemy set the town on fire before they left it. We halted here 
this night. 
April 21st. —I set fire to a quantity of powder the enemy had left in 
the upper battery. I gave orders to send one of my guns on board a 
sloop, and attended the army with the other. At about 2 o’clock we 
halted at a large plantation, belonging to M. Penel, one of the richest 
men in the island. We were now arrived in the Capes Terre, the 
most beautiful part of the whole island. While we were at this 
plantation a prodigious number of negroes, all belonging to M. Penel, 
came in from the country and surrendered. We are informed that he 
has 1500 of his own. We found here 6 cannon. We remained here 
for the night. 
April 22nd. —At 10 o’clock in the morning the army proceeded to a 
place called Bois de bout, about 2 miles from M. Penel’s, and drew up 
on a most delightful plain. A flag of truce came from the enemy to 
treat for a capitulation. 
April 23rd. —General Barrington arrived from Petit Bourg. 
April 26th.— A flag from the enemy. A cessation of arms agreed 
on. 
April 29th. —In the afternoon I went with several others to a 
mountain, where we found a great number of French women. They 
had lived in this retreat for some time, and have not a man with them. 
No people could seem more happy than these at seeing us, for they 
knew by our venturing to come to them that the capitulation was near 
