530 THE SEEVICES OF LIETJT.-COLONEL FEANCIS]' WNMAN, E.A. 
were"under sail lying off the Careenage with their heads towards the 
French fleet, which we saw plainly turning to windward not far distant 
from their own port. At 8 o'clock, Byron made the signal for his 
fleet to form the line of battle which was instantly done. They then 
set their top-gallant sails and stood away for Morne aux Boeufs in 
beautiful order. The French fleet, when it saw ours, tacked and 
stood for the shore. At 11 the fleets seemed to be about seven miles 
apart, both on the starboard tack, the English to windward. About 
12 our fleet was crowding sail, but in excellent order and was close 
under the Martinique shore. 
Now Byron, you have them in your view, and if you cannot get 
them within your reach you are truly unfortunate. We are under no 
fear or apprehension of anything but of d'Estaing running away. 
About 1 o'clock we could plainly discover the intrepid d'Estaing 
pushing back to Fort Royal harbour, and Byron, to all appearances, no 
great distance from him. In the evening, about dark, our Byron 
returned from the chase of d'Estaing without being able to do any¬ 
thing against him. The Frenchman was extremely careful not to get 
any of his master's ships hurt, and to secure them perfectly, he ran up 
the harbour of Fort Royal, and Byron came back and anchored his 
fleet in the bay where the French fleet lay when they did us the 
honour of a visit. Just after Byron went to meet Monsieur, a large 
ship with French colours approached to leeward. The Bunker's Hill, 
which is now put into commission, gave chase and in a little time was 
alongside the Frenchman, who struck his colours the very instant he 
saw the English flag. 
January 14th .—The ship taken yesterday proved to be an English 
one from Halifax taken by the rebels within sight of Barbadoes. 
This morning Admiral Byron with seven or eight ships weighed 
anchor and stood to windward; in a few hours they came to, some in 
and some opposite the Gros Ilot harbour. 
Our soldiers begin to fall sick ; already there are a great many dead 
and ill. Captain Chetwynd, 46th and Captain Cadogan, 49th, died 
after a very short illness. It is feared, and not without good reason, 
that if we remain much longer on this horrid island, one-third of our 
troops will be unfit for service. 
January 15th .—Admiral Byron was joined by the Fame , one of his 
own fleet, she is disabled in her masts. Several frigates have also 
arrived. 
A dreadful day with wind and rain, both of which continued all 
night with great violence. 
January 16th .—Admiral Byron has got all his fleet into the Gros 
Ilot bay. It seems to be more under cover of the wind than the Grand 
Cul de Sac, and this great advantage attends it that it is seven or 
eight miles nearer to Martinique and to windward withal. From the 
hill I am on I can see ships going in or out of Fort Royal harbour at 
least an hour before the men-of-war can from their top-gallant mast¬ 
head. Wind and rain most of this day. 
January 17th .~—Lieutenants Valiancy and Stotesbury, 55th Regi- 
